Helitech 2003

Citation

(2004), "Helitech 2003", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 76 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.2004.12776aac.002

Helitech 2003

Helitech 2003

Keywords: Aircraft, Wings, Conference

Held at the Imperial War Museum airfield at Duxford, the 10 th biennial display of rotary wing aircraft and companies' products showed optimism about this section of the industry. Sloane Helicopters showed products from Robinson and Agusta Westland, as it serves as a distributor for both these organisations. Enstrom brought several models including the F28F and 480B, the latter having recently gained UK CAA certification. Bell Agusta publicised the AB109 tiltrotor and the AB139, although the latter was withdrawn shortly before the show. Deliveries of this helicopter will begin to civil and military customers before the end of 2003. The many types on display included the USAF MH-53J Pave Low HIEs. Bell included the 412, 407 and 430 and McAlpine showed the EC 135, EC 145 and EC 155.

Considerable interest was generated by the Sikorsky S-92 which had just completed a European tour. In the passenger version this helicopter is designed to carry up to 24 passengers at a seat pitch of 32 in.

One significant feature at this year's show was the expansion of the zone for small and medium sized companies. The zone was created 2 years back and this time has participation of more than 30 exhibitors. Some organisations are new to the business, including Advantage West Midlands, a regional development agency in England which was sponsoring exhibits by ten companies.

Engines and services

Rolls-Royce together with Turbomeca of France produce the RTM322 twin-spool engine which features a three-stage centrifugal and close- coupled centrifugal compressor driven by a two- stage gas generator turbine. The combustion system is of the large volume reverse-flow annular type with vaporisers. A two-stage power turbine drives a coaxial shaft passing through to the front of the engine. The RTM322 is controlled by a full authority digital engine control (FADEC). It powers the Apache, EH 101 and NH90 helicopters and produces from 2,242 to 2,648 shp. It is achieving high levels of reliability in the EH 101 Merlins of the Royal Navy and RAF. Another product of these two companies together with MTU of Germany is the MTR390 which powers the Eurocopter Tiger and produces 1,285 to 1,556 shp. It has a twin-centrifugal compressor driven by a single- stage gas generator turbine. The combustor is reverse-flow annular and the two-stage power turbine drives the power output shaft through to the front of the engine where drive can be either direct or via reduction gearbox. It is FADEC controlled.

Other Rolls-Royce products shown were the T800, Model 250 and Gem 42. The first of these engines powers the Comanche and SuperLynx and has civil derivatives, all versions featuring modular design with twin shafts, two- stage centrifugal compressor, annular two-stage HP and two-stage LP turbines. Turboshaft models are equipped with an inlet particle separator module and some versions are also equipped with a speed reduction gearbox. Power output is 1,300-2,000 shp. The Model 250 equips many types of light helicopters and produces 420-715 shp. This is a complete family of engines, the larger series having some internal differences. The Gem 42 powers the Lynx helicopter and is notable for having a three-shaft configuration with a four-stage LP compressor driven by a single-stage LP gas generator turbine and an HP centrifugal compressor driven by a single-stage HP gas generator turbine. There is also a two-stage power turbine driving the output shaft, which passes to the front of the engine. It produces 890-1,120 shp.

The well-regarded Lycoming piston engine was featured, the company being a division of AVCO Corp, a Textron subsidiary, which produces the most complete line of horizontally opposed, air-cooled, four, six and eight cylinder aircraft engines available, with power ranging from 100 to 400 hp. They can be carburetted or fuel injected, normally aspirated or turbocharged. More than half the world's general aviation fleet, both rotary and fixed wing, is powered by Lycoming piston engines.

The US Columbia Helicopters maintenance facility was established in the 1970s and a decade later extended the service to other helicopter operators. Extensive support is available for General Electric and Honeywell engines, hydraulic overhauls for Eurocopter, Bell, Boeing and Sikorsky models, and a wide variety of component services including hydraulic, sheet metal, NDT, avionics and electrical overhauls as well as a fully equipped machine shop facility. The company has established a total aircraft hydraulic support shop with the facilities to overhaul and repair pumps, motors, actuating cylinders, servo valves, landing gear struts, rotor brakes, reservoirs, accumulators, etc., as well as other assemblies. Dynamic component service and overhaul are undertaken and a broad range of avionics, electrical and instrument services are carried out, helped by a large inventory of new, overhauled and repair parts.

A company with a very wide range of services in the UK and overseas is Mann Aviation Group Engineering. Recent activities have included an extensive modification and upgrade programme for two German Police BK 117 helicopters. This involved the complete integration of Police Role Equipment including FLIR/TV gyro stabilised camera system, Nightsun with Laserpointer, Direction Finder/Tracker, Microwave Downlink and NVG/NVIS modification and integration. Other activities have included the urgent incorporation of the Northrop Grumman DIRCM missile countermeasure system into a number of Army Lynx helicopters. Contracts have also included a recent NVG cockpit instrument modification for Eurocopter EC 135 helicopters. The newly developed Advanced Integrated Mission Seat (AIMS) was also shown, intended for a variety of applications.

Hawker Pacific publicised its activities which include repair and overhaul for a variety of systems for rotating wing aircraft. The company is the western hemisphere representative for Messier, SAMM, Lucas Air Equipment and Dunlop Equipment Division. With facilities in the UK, USA and the Netherlands it is well positioned to meet the needs of operators worldwide, in particular in the repair and overhaul of landing gear, hydromechanical components, and wheels and brakes. Examples of these include AS332 Super Puma load absorbing landing gear shock strut and main servo control. The company provides 24 h response to support aircraft anywhere in the world. Aircraft on the ground (OAG) service includes repair, overhaul and shipping of any of the components.

Avionics and systems

Bendix King, part of Honeywell, illustrated its KTA 870 Traffic Advisory System and KMH 880 Multi-Hazard System, both designed for general aviation. Both systems benefit from flexible display volumes in which aircraft up to 8,700 ft above or below own aircraft are shown. On take-off the “above” view can be selected and the system will display traffic above 8,700 ft and below 2,700 ft to concentrate on the space above own aircraft. On approach “below” can be selected and the system will display 2,700 ft above and 8,700 ft below. En route, a “normal” selection will track aircraft 2,700 ft above or below. Both these systems feature two directional antennas, each weighing less than 1 lb and occupying as third the space of traditional TCAS antennas. It is notable that the KMH 880 multi-hazard awareness system combines all the benefits of TAS with all the features of the company's Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System (EGPWS). It is emphasised that both the KTA 870 and KMH 880 offer even greater capability as an element of the Bendix King Integrated Hazard Avoidance System.

CMC Electronic of Canada has produced the CMA-3000 Flight and Radio Management System which brings multifunction capability to helicopter avionics and is being used with military and civil law enforcement organisations. The sunlight readable colour active matrix liquid crystal display (AMLCD) provides clear data under all light conditions and is compatible with night vision goggles. It incorporates mission unique software for helicopter operations, including search and rescue and emergency medical service applications. A typical system using the CMAS- 3000 is illustrated. This is used on the EC-135 helicopters of the Bavarian Police Force. Besides GPS and conventional navigation systems, ATC transponders and pilots moving map displays, the CMA-3000 also controls the helicopters extensive air/ground communications suite which includes UHF AM, UHF FM, and GSM (mobile phone) frequencies. Also, a library of standard format messages is stored in computer memory for quick access and transmission.

Skyquest Aviation of the UK produces airborne digital video recorders and video map displays. A range of equipments produced are specifically designed to enhance the capability of surveillance aircraft, which also encompasses DGPS moving maps, and a wide range of high brightness multifunction displays. The current range of digital video recorders are designed each for different user requirements, but capable of delivering high quality results. To give an operator the maximum possible screen size in the smallest possible area, 8.4 in. × 10.4 in. displays have been packaged as tightly as possible. The features include an internal NVG filter which can instantly switch between the signal inputs.

GP & C Global Support ApS of Denmark has produced the automated tracking system or fleet management system which is designed especially to meet the requirements of the offshore sector. The system is able to track and communicate with aircraft as well as surface vessels. A base station installed either on land or on an oilrig forms the operational centre for the system. A cost optimised approach has resulted in a combined VHP and SATCOM system in which the VHP system submits all time critical and tracking data while the SATCOM system submits all tracking information when the mobile assets are outside the line of sight of the VHP ground station. It is not just an automated tracking system, but has added functionality such as data communication between all mobile assets as well as to the base station, and in-flight situational awareness of other assets in range shown on a moving map in the cockpit. Also, operations will interact with ICAO future air navigation system proposals, which gives the system the ability to integrate with air traffic services (ATS) systems. ADS-B and VDL Mode 4 are ICAO future navigation standards and this system uses the same standards and technology and will therefore be able to interact seamlessly with them. This means that aircraft that are not part of the fleet management system can be detected, tracked and warned or avoided. This will allow operations to be carried out safely near high density air traffic. Base stations can broadcast radar tracking derived from air traffic surveillance radars, so that equipped aircraft can see the position and track of non-equipped aircraft.

The German EUROAVIONICS company displayed the RN6 map generator which is a developed product offering enhanced functionality for the helicopter operator requiring a highly integrated system with extensive hard disk space, a high variety of interfaces and maximum support capabilities. The basic set-up consists of the RN6 map generator plus shock mounting tray, one or more displays, a switch box with an integrated PCMCIA slot (for data transfer) and a NVG compatible control unit. Hardmounting is possible as well. A separate military version with Mil standard plugs is available.

Among products also available is the RN6GA which is a lightweight navigation solution. This moving map system is centred around a dimmable 6.4 in. colour display with integrated GPS receiver engine, map generator and integrated power supply, and is especially suitable for light helicopters.

A supplier to many varied organisations, FLIR Systems, with headquarters in the USA, has an airborne worldwide user base and since the 1970s has led the thermal and light imaging market, providing military, law enforcement and news gathering requirements with an extensive line of products. FLIR offers extensive expertise in all key sensor technologies. The company's integration service and support programme offers customers the option to integrate a full range of accessories including GPS, SLASS and radar slaving. Additionally, FLIR's infrared training centre promotes technology through teaching and hands-on application. Airborne systems available include the Safire range for high performance/multi payload or high performance/targeting, Ultra 7500 for compact/turret multi sensor applications, and UltraMedia for long range broadcast/low light.

Miscellaneous

One of the products shown by Martin-Baker America was the rotating and traversing crew/ mission specialist seat. It is designed to the latest crew accommodation and crash survival standards established for the HH-60L variant of the Black Hawk helicopter. It is completely interchangeable with existing seats and can be easily adaptable to other aircraft such as the CH-47 Chinook. Features of the seat include its ability to completely rotate, traverse fore and aft, and height adjustment. It has a proven energy attenuation system and a four-point stand-up harness product designed and selected for the NH90 and S-92 programmes. Another product is the crashworthy utility seat which has reliable and proven solutions to the problems in which the back and neck are particularly vulnerable to major and often fatal injuries. The patented technologies in this seat offer solutions by attenuating crash energy so that forces and accelerations imposed on the seat occupant are below injury thresholds. In the process of attenuating injury, the seat strokes (moves downward) in a highly controlled fashion. The energy is absorbed by the body over a longer time period kept well below injury thresholds.

Polestar Safety Systems marked the occasion of a significant contract to supply Gulf Helicopters with its pioneering Heli-Exit emergency escape window lighting system. The Heli-Exit is a product that illuminates the exit windows of helicopters and provides direct guidance for rapid escape in the event of an aircraft ditching at sea. Emergency windows are the preferred means of escape as doors often fail and if opened, dramatically reduce buoyancy. The system is automatically activated through a sensor and is fully independently powered. The lighting will be installed in the fleet of helicopters that operate out to oil and gas installations. In addition to operating an intensive non-stop service ferrying people and cargo, the helicopters are required to fulfil med-evac and other life-saving roles including search and rescue.