VTOL news updates - Australia
Thread Starter
I use international and local figures from trusted government sources., just to be careful.
robsrich
Not sure I'm willing to buy the line about it being smaller private machines that are crashing at low energy. Accident rate are broken down to account for the various sizes of fleets across the world and with a rate of 8.14 per 100,000 flying hours One might question the training and testing methods in Australia
Not sure I'm willing to buy the line about it being smaller private machines that are crashing at low energy. Accident rate are broken down to account for the various sizes of fleets across the world and with a rate of 8.14 per 100,000 flying hours One might question the training and testing methods in Australia
Thread Starter
robsrich
Not sure I'm willing to buy the line about it being smaller private machines that are crashing at low energy. Accident rate are broken down to account for the various sizes of fleets across the world and with a rate of 8.14 per 100,000 flying hours One might question the training and testing methods in Australia
Not sure I'm willing to buy the line about it being smaller private machines that are crashing at low energy. Accident rate are broken down to account for the various sizes of fleets across the world and with a rate of 8.14 per 100,000 flying hours One might question the training and testing methods in Australia
This causes a muddle - the private pilot is doing high risk flying on his own company property, and does not need to have a very complex safety system (if any?) Their accidents maybe overlooked during record keeping by the regulator. Thus a lot of losses are the result of low level relatively slow maneuvers chasing unhappy soon to be MacDonald's burgers.
Further to your comment on Australian training; the new regulations are coming into effect by early December, and we hope things will improve. Why? The insurance industry has said enough is enough, and are withdrawing from insuring machines in this part of the world! Or charging outlandish premiums.
Guess what - drones are making inroads in some areas - they are more readily accepted by the cattle and much cheaper to run - but we still need helicopters - these trends are interesting?
Thread Starter
Tue 7 Sep ’21. Australia's Fuel problems continue – Senator Susan McDonald told by NT helicopter operators.
One of many issues raised by operators was the fuel problem with 100LL avgas which it was claimed is damaging cylinders of helicopters. A media report stated Paul Blore from Outback Helicopter Airwork recommended 100LL be removed from the market to prevent further damage to cylinders in piston engines.
Some operators have been able to source 100/130 fuel, which they say has alleviated the problem.
"Our recommendation is to go back to the original 100/130 fuel," he told the senators. "Since 2017, I've replaced 49 cylinders. For example, I bought a new aircraft not long ago, over $600,000 worth, and in the first 170 hours of I've had to replace three cylinders. All under 200 hours: that's less than 5% of the life of that aircraft engine.”
"And this is a common problem; we don't seem to get the life out of the engines with low-lead. Since I've changed over to the leaded fuel, it's cured the problem."
Blore found support from Warwick Curr of Alice Springs Helicopters. “I've been very fortunate," Curr said. "As soon as we received our first shipment of 100/130, we were able to get all of our clients onto the same fuel. I guess for a while I was the only person to be able to do that, and the results were immediate. We haven't had a cylinder failure since those first drums came into our possession.”
"Our recommendation is that 100LL should just be removed from the marketplace; it's not fit for use."
The senate inquiry is scheduled to hold several more public hearings between now and December when the final report is due to be tabled. The CEO of the Rotorcraft Asia-Pacific Business Association (RAPBA) has advised members a large amount of detailed technical information was recently provided - now undergoing a review. Hopefully this will be checked and published in coming editions of RAPBA’s Board Room Briefings.
RAPBA is seeking to help end this high risk airworthiness deficiency before a fatal accident occurs. This issue appears to have been examined by the AHIA and their excellent report was published in 2018. It looked back over years prior. (See website and Facebook). Almost five years ago!
One of many issues raised by operators was the fuel problem with 100LL avgas which it was claimed is damaging cylinders of helicopters. A media report stated Paul Blore from Outback Helicopter Airwork recommended 100LL be removed from the market to prevent further damage to cylinders in piston engines.
Some operators have been able to source 100/130 fuel, which they say has alleviated the problem.
"Our recommendation is to go back to the original 100/130 fuel," he told the senators. "Since 2017, I've replaced 49 cylinders. For example, I bought a new aircraft not long ago, over $600,000 worth, and in the first 170 hours of I've had to replace three cylinders. All under 200 hours: that's less than 5% of the life of that aircraft engine.”
"And this is a common problem; we don't seem to get the life out of the engines with low-lead. Since I've changed over to the leaded fuel, it's cured the problem."
Blore found support from Warwick Curr of Alice Springs Helicopters. “I've been very fortunate," Curr said. "As soon as we received our first shipment of 100/130, we were able to get all of our clients onto the same fuel. I guess for a while I was the only person to be able to do that, and the results were immediate. We haven't had a cylinder failure since those first drums came into our possession.”
"Our recommendation is that 100LL should just be removed from the marketplace; it's not fit for use."
The senate inquiry is scheduled to hold several more public hearings between now and December when the final report is due to be tabled. The CEO of the Rotorcraft Asia-Pacific Business Association (RAPBA) has advised members a large amount of detailed technical information was recently provided - now undergoing a review. Hopefully this will be checked and published in coming editions of RAPBA’s Board Room Briefings.
RAPBA is seeking to help end this high risk airworthiness deficiency before a fatal accident occurs. This issue appears to have been examined by the AHIA and their excellent report was published in 2018. It looked back over years prior. (See website and Facebook). Almost five years ago!
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Wow, that's just insane! Does not the Australian government set standards for 100LL? It would either appear not, or that any standards that may exist are not sufficiently strict.
From the 21 Oct 2019 AHIA report executive summary:
"Examining the history of avgas supply to aviation operators in the northern parts of Australia, it was evident that over recent years, manufacturers had reduced the absolute levels of tetraethyl lead (TEL) in the avgas product, from historical levels of around 0.75 gPb/l in 2012, to around 0.38 gPb/l in 2018. To maintain the fuel’s Motor Octane Number for defence against damaging detonative combustion, other fuel chemistry variations would be expected – typically an increase in the level of aromatic hydrocarbon components. Data to support explicit conclusions in this area was not available to this investigation, with the manufacturer citing commercial sensitivity concerns."
Will the Australian piston helicopter customer community be able to vote with their wallets, or are they just buying 100/130 from the same idiots who are taking liberties with the formulation of 100LL? Is 100/130 more expensive?
From the 21 Oct 2019 AHIA report executive summary:
"Examining the history of avgas supply to aviation operators in the northern parts of Australia, it was evident that over recent years, manufacturers had reduced the absolute levels of tetraethyl lead (TEL) in the avgas product, from historical levels of around 0.75 gPb/l in 2012, to around 0.38 gPb/l in 2018. To maintain the fuel’s Motor Octane Number for defence against damaging detonative combustion, other fuel chemistry variations would be expected – typically an increase in the level of aromatic hydrocarbon components. Data to support explicit conclusions in this area was not available to this investigation, with the manufacturer citing commercial sensitivity concerns."
Will the Australian piston helicopter customer community be able to vote with their wallets, or are they just buying 100/130 from the same idiots who are taking liberties with the formulation of 100LL? Is 100/130 more expensive?
Thread Starter
Drones in Victoria must be working overtime?
Three days of anti-vax protests, followed by an earth quake. Endless TV news services re-transmitting incidents.
Media sources say Vic Police has around 50 drones. (NSW now has 100). After action reports will be helpful to our many drone (RPAS) operators.
Great effort by those on the frontline.
Three days of anti-vax protests, followed by an earth quake. Endless TV news services re-transmitting incidents.
Media sources say Vic Police has around 50 drones. (NSW now has 100). After action reports will be helpful to our many drone (RPAS) operators.
Great effort by those on the frontline.
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/b...ries-jpf56j0lk
Bird attacks on drones force Google to suspend home deliveries
Ravens are attacking drones passing through their territory, forcing curtailment of a pioneering drone home delivery service in Australia’s capital.
Wing, run by Google’s overarching company Alphabet, has been operating drones in the skies above Canberra since 2019, flying meals, coffee, medicine, hardware and office supplies to the city’s northern residents — a forerunner for similar services globally.
Large ravens that appear to be enraged by the drones have engaged in sorties with the remote-controlled craft, nearly bringing down at least two flights in recent days. Wing has been forced to suspend flights to some areas of the city to prevent harm to the birds and its drones.
The ravens have learnt how to swoop on the drones, which are crisscrossing the skies of Canberra in greater numbers as demand for their service surges during the city’s coronavirus lockdown.
“It’s a matter of time before they bring one down,” said one resident, Ben Roberts, whose cup of coffee arrives at his home each morning slung beneath a drone. Roberts filmed the latest attack, and the video prompted Wing to suspend delivery to his suburb today while it ponders how to deal with the marauders.
On the first day of combat, Roberts told The Canberra Times, the birds appeared to have botched their drone attack, with flying feathers indicating that at least one had hit the propellers. By their third sortie the ravens had learnt how to avoid the drone blades. Roberts said there were flecks of what he thinks were paint in the air, indicating that the birds had made a hit.
The company first trialled its drone delivery service in Canberra three years ago, attracted by the city’s large parking lots and wide street edges, which offer plentiful landing sites.
It told affected customers: “We’ve identified some birds in your area demonstrating territorial behaviours and swooping at moving objects. While this is common during nesting season, we are committed to being strong stewards of the environment, and would like to have ornithological experts investigate this further to ensure we continue to have minimal impact on birdlife in our service locations.”
A Wing spokeswoman said in the tens of thousands of drone deliveries made in Canberra, contact with birds was extremely rare.
“In the unlikely event that a bird makes direct contact with our drone, we have multiple levels of redundancy built into our operations to ensure we can continue to fly safely,” she told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation……
Bird attacks on drones force Google to suspend home deliveries
Ravens are attacking drones passing through their territory, forcing curtailment of a pioneering drone home delivery service in Australia’s capital.
Wing, run by Google’s overarching company Alphabet, has been operating drones in the skies above Canberra since 2019, flying meals, coffee, medicine, hardware and office supplies to the city’s northern residents — a forerunner for similar services globally.
Large ravens that appear to be enraged by the drones have engaged in sorties with the remote-controlled craft, nearly bringing down at least two flights in recent days. Wing has been forced to suspend flights to some areas of the city to prevent harm to the birds and its drones.
The ravens have learnt how to swoop on the drones, which are crisscrossing the skies of Canberra in greater numbers as demand for their service surges during the city’s coronavirus lockdown.
“It’s a matter of time before they bring one down,” said one resident, Ben Roberts, whose cup of coffee arrives at his home each morning slung beneath a drone. Roberts filmed the latest attack, and the video prompted Wing to suspend delivery to his suburb today while it ponders how to deal with the marauders.
On the first day of combat, Roberts told The Canberra Times, the birds appeared to have botched their drone attack, with flying feathers indicating that at least one had hit the propellers. By their third sortie the ravens had learnt how to avoid the drone blades. Roberts said there were flecks of what he thinks were paint in the air, indicating that the birds had made a hit.
The company first trialled its drone delivery service in Canberra three years ago, attracted by the city’s large parking lots and wide street edges, which offer plentiful landing sites.
It told affected customers: “We’ve identified some birds in your area demonstrating territorial behaviours and swooping at moving objects. While this is common during nesting season, we are committed to being strong stewards of the environment, and would like to have ornithological experts investigate this further to ensure we continue to have minimal impact on birdlife in our service locations.”
A Wing spokeswoman said in the tens of thousands of drone deliveries made in Canberra, contact with birds was extremely rare.
“In the unlikely event that a bird makes direct contact with our drone, we have multiple levels of redundancy built into our operations to ensure we can continue to fly safely,” she told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation……
...one resident, Ben Roberts, whose cup of coffee arrives at his home each morning slung beneath a drone.....
Thread Starter
Southern Hemisphere Fire Season Approaching? Message to our folks who maybe in the USA?
On 7 Oct 2021, HAI’s Jen Boyer was quoted as saying, “As the 2021 North American fire season winds down, the HAI Aerial Firefighting Safety Conference is now little more than a month away. Held in Boise, Idaho, on Nov. 16 and 17, the event will feature two keynote safety presentations in addition to legislative briefings from HAI and critical safety briefings and interagency updates from the US Forest Service and the US Department of the Interior.
With wildland firefighting seasons growing longer, hotter, and larger every year, aerial operators must remain one step ahead to ensure peak safety. A misstep or small change of events in the volatile fire environment can mean the difference between a job done safely and tragedy.
A safe firefighting operation, however, isn’t maintained on autopilot; it’s carefully planned, smartly executed, and judiciously reviewed for opportunities to improve. The presenters at this year’s conference will reveal steps operators can take to bring their approach to safety to the next level.
In the first keynote presentation, “Dealing with the Pressures of Complex Work Environments,” Chris Young of CY Consulting Solutions will take a close look at the internal and external pressures we put on ourselves as operators to do the job perfectly, on time, and on budget, and how that path can unwittingly set us up for failure. He’ll provide advice on how to manage our expectations and approach our jobs, customer relationships, and operations with a successful risk-mitigation mindset that protects lives, property, and reputations.
The second keynote speaker, Phoenix Heli-Flight CEO Paul Spring, will share his company’s successful experience with aircraft monitoring technology in his presentation, “Safety and Financial Benefits of Flight Data Monitoring.” His talk will include advice on how, when paired with a positive safety culture, flight data monitoring can significantly strengthen one’s safety precautions.
Through leader and employee buy-in, Spring has used FDM to protect staff and companies, productively review incidents, and quickly identify potential issues before they’ve led to trouble. During his presentation, he will explain how the technology has helped keep Phoenix Heli-Flight’s insurance premiums lower than the competition’s and paid for itself many times over.
Other presentations at the conference will address current legislative impacts on safety and the aerial firefighting community, and the use of uncrewed aircraft systems (UASs) in the aerial firefighting environment. The conference will be held at The Riverside Hotel and includes hosted meals and networking sessions. Attendance is free for HAI members and $95 for nonmembers. A discounted conference rate on rooms is available by calling + 1 208-343-1871 and identifying yourself as an attendee of the HAI Aerial Firefighting Safety.
On 7 Oct 2021, HAI’s Jen Boyer was quoted as saying, “As the 2021 North American fire season winds down, the HAI Aerial Firefighting Safety Conference is now little more than a month away. Held in Boise, Idaho, on Nov. 16 and 17, the event will feature two keynote safety presentations in addition to legislative briefings from HAI and critical safety briefings and interagency updates from the US Forest Service and the US Department of the Interior.
With wildland firefighting seasons growing longer, hotter, and larger every year, aerial operators must remain one step ahead to ensure peak safety. A misstep or small change of events in the volatile fire environment can mean the difference between a job done safely and tragedy.
A safe firefighting operation, however, isn’t maintained on autopilot; it’s carefully planned, smartly executed, and judiciously reviewed for opportunities to improve. The presenters at this year’s conference will reveal steps operators can take to bring their approach to safety to the next level.
In the first keynote presentation, “Dealing with the Pressures of Complex Work Environments,” Chris Young of CY Consulting Solutions will take a close look at the internal and external pressures we put on ourselves as operators to do the job perfectly, on time, and on budget, and how that path can unwittingly set us up for failure. He’ll provide advice on how to manage our expectations and approach our jobs, customer relationships, and operations with a successful risk-mitigation mindset that protects lives, property, and reputations.
The second keynote speaker, Phoenix Heli-Flight CEO Paul Spring, will share his company’s successful experience with aircraft monitoring technology in his presentation, “Safety and Financial Benefits of Flight Data Monitoring.” His talk will include advice on how, when paired with a positive safety culture, flight data monitoring can significantly strengthen one’s safety precautions.
Through leader and employee buy-in, Spring has used FDM to protect staff and companies, productively review incidents, and quickly identify potential issues before they’ve led to trouble. During his presentation, he will explain how the technology has helped keep Phoenix Heli-Flight’s insurance premiums lower than the competition’s and paid for itself many times over.
Other presentations at the conference will address current legislative impacts on safety and the aerial firefighting community, and the use of uncrewed aircraft systems (UASs) in the aerial firefighting environment. The conference will be held at The Riverside Hotel and includes hosted meals and networking sessions. Attendance is free for HAI members and $95 for nonmembers. A discounted conference rate on rooms is available by calling + 1 208-343-1871 and identifying yourself as an attendee of the HAI Aerial Firefighting Safety.
Thread Starter
CASA's Annual Report 2020/2021
On schedule, the report was released on 21 October 2021.
Rotorcraft Asia-Pacific e-News has started sorting out changes from last years report in detail.
Also, looking at the 62 submissions provided to the Senate Inquiry on GA aviation being run by Senator Susan McDonald. They overlap in some areas.
A complimentary subscription to e-News and Board Room Briefings is available, to make sure we all paddle in the same direction as COVID is brought under more control.
Next edition we have a special article on a developing serious heavy helicopter problem. The MCC(H) appears to be stuck in a committee's bottom drawer. Really messes up getting an ATPL (H). You know the rest. No heavy helicopter captains.
Just send your email to rotorcraftnews (at) outlook (dot) com
Editor: Rob
PS: Your email address is kept very private.
On schedule, the report was released on 21 October 2021.
Rotorcraft Asia-Pacific e-News has started sorting out changes from last years report in detail.
Also, looking at the 62 submissions provided to the Senate Inquiry on GA aviation being run by Senator Susan McDonald. They overlap in some areas.
A complimentary subscription to e-News and Board Room Briefings is available, to make sure we all paddle in the same direction as COVID is brought under more control.
Next edition we have a special article on a developing serious heavy helicopter problem. The MCC(H) appears to be stuck in a committee's bottom drawer. Really messes up getting an ATPL (H). You know the rest. No heavy helicopter captains.
Just send your email to rotorcraftnews (at) outlook (dot) com
Editor: Rob
PS: Your email address is kept very private.
Thread Starter
Australian MRH-90 helicopters to be taken out of service.
On 9 Dec ’21, The Australian newspaper announced the Australian Defence Force will scrap its entire fleet of troubled MRH-90 Taipan helicopters 16 years ahead of schedule, in favour of a new fleet of US Blackhawks and Seahawks.
It was reported the cost of 40 Blackhawks for Army and 12 Seahawks for Navy, both manufactured by Lockheed Martin subsidiary Sikorsky, is expected to cost $7 billion.
However, the move could see Defence save up to $2.5 billion by 2037 – the initial planned retirement date of the Taipan fleet – given the costly maintenance required on the Taipans. Meanwhile, the Blackhawk fleet is expected to remain in operation into the 2040s.
According to media reports, Defence Minister Peter Dutton has already informed Taipan manufacturer Airbus of the Australian government’s decision to retire all 47 of its Taipan helicopters. Once regarded as “an extraordinarily advanced helicopter” by Chief of Defence Force Angus Campbell, the Taipan fleet, which entered service for the ADF in 2017, has been consistently plagued with operational and performance problems.
However, Defence has previously acknowledged that the MRH-90 Taipan fleet has not met contracted availability requirements and has exceeded operational cost expectations ahead of its planned withdrawal from service in 2037. The Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) again listed the MRH program (AIR 9000 Phase 2, 4 and 6) as a “project of concern” in its 2019-20 Defence Major Projects report.
Speaking of the decision, Minister Dutton said: “The performance of the MRH-90 Taipan has been an ongoing and well-documented concern for Defence and there has been a significant effort at great expense to try to remediate those issues. “It is critically important there is a safe, reliable and capable utility helicopter available for our service men and women into the future, with reasonable and predictable operating costs.”
Meanwhile, the UH60 Black Hawk is billed as the most widely used utility helicopter variant in the world, with the UH60M variant in service with the US Army and other nations for over a decade. “The Australian government is exercising its right to understand what options are available to provide the necessary capability at a reasonable cost into the future,” Minister Dutton added.
On 9 Dec ’21, The Australian newspaper announced the Australian Defence Force will scrap its entire fleet of troubled MRH-90 Taipan helicopters 16 years ahead of schedule, in favour of a new fleet of US Blackhawks and Seahawks.
It was reported the cost of 40 Blackhawks for Army and 12 Seahawks for Navy, both manufactured by Lockheed Martin subsidiary Sikorsky, is expected to cost $7 billion.
However, the move could see Defence save up to $2.5 billion by 2037 – the initial planned retirement date of the Taipan fleet – given the costly maintenance required on the Taipans. Meanwhile, the Blackhawk fleet is expected to remain in operation into the 2040s.
According to media reports, Defence Minister Peter Dutton has already informed Taipan manufacturer Airbus of the Australian government’s decision to retire all 47 of its Taipan helicopters. Once regarded as “an extraordinarily advanced helicopter” by Chief of Defence Force Angus Campbell, the Taipan fleet, which entered service for the ADF in 2017, has been consistently plagued with operational and performance problems.
However, Defence has previously acknowledged that the MRH-90 Taipan fleet has not met contracted availability requirements and has exceeded operational cost expectations ahead of its planned withdrawal from service in 2037. The Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) again listed the MRH program (AIR 9000 Phase 2, 4 and 6) as a “project of concern” in its 2019-20 Defence Major Projects report.
Speaking of the decision, Minister Dutton said: “The performance of the MRH-90 Taipan has been an ongoing and well-documented concern for Defence and there has been a significant effort at great expense to try to remediate those issues. “It is critically important there is a safe, reliable and capable utility helicopter available for our service men and women into the future, with reasonable and predictable operating costs.”
Meanwhile, the UH60 Black Hawk is billed as the most widely used utility helicopter variant in the world, with the UH60M variant in service with the US Army and other nations for over a decade. “The Australian government is exercising its right to understand what options are available to provide the necessary capability at a reasonable cost into the future,” Minister Dutton added.
Thread Starter
There really is a Santa Claus! He also needs ADS-B!
On 20 Dec ’21, the Australian Government announced the Aviation Recovery Framework, which includes ADS-B funding.
Recreational Aviation Australia (RAAus) has welcomed the announcement of an Aviation Recovery Framework, by the Deputy Prime Minister Hon Barnaby Joyce MP. In his media release, the Deputy Prime Minister said "This policy framework is being put in place to help Australia’s aviation industry emerge bigger, better and stronger on the other side of the pandemic."
One of the key support measures being introduced in the Framework is funding of $30 million in rebates to recreational and general aviation operators for up to $5,000 or 50 percent of the cost of installing ADS-B technology.
RAAus CEO Matt Bouttell, said today that “We’re very grateful that the Deputy Prime Minister has invested in our industry. These measures will yield financial and safety benefits for many years to come. Furthermore, we’re encouraged to see that the RAAus submissions made to the Airservices Australia Class E Proposals earlier this year did not fall on deaf ears, and that our contribution whilst working across Government and it’s agencies has assisted in making the ADS-B funding become a reality.
“We see this this initiative as not only improving air traffic management surveillance and safety, but it will stimulate aircraft maintenance by supporting jobs and enabling the safe integration of new technology such as Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) and Remote Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS). From a financial perspective, this scheme will enable the retirement of costly enroute radar infrastructure and see other efficiencies be derived, resulting in savings being passed onto industry in the longer term."
After the announcement, Michael Monck, RAAus Chair, said “RAAus continues to participate in many Government and industry Working Groups, and we’re seen as a trusted advisor across many areas. Over the past few years, we’ve represented our members, and the industry more broadly, on the Deputy Prime Minister’s General Aviation Advisory Network (GAAN), the National Emerging Aviation Technologies Consultation Committee (NEAT CC), CASA’s Aviation Safety Advisory Panel (ASAP) and countless Technical Working Groups (TWGs), to name a few. We’d therefore welcome involvement in the Strategic Advisory Committee being established to oversee the rollout of the Aviation Recovery Framework.
“Our strategic involvement helps to influence the landscape and we’re grateful that the Deputy Prime Minister recognises the role RAAus plays across industry.”
RAAus will support our members as the scheme is rolled out, particularly those who choose not to take up this generous rebate, to minimise any operational effect. We will also continue to advocate that any airspace design changes resulting from this scheme are justified on safety grounds. The funding also increases the value for those who have already invested in ADS-B technology by making the technology available to more people and improving situational awareness for all users.
Finally, we congratulate Qantas for being brave and putting this forward as an initiative in their Future of Aviation Submission to support general and recreational aviation. This demonstrates the ability for all industry stakeholders to appreciate each other’s challenges and to work collaboratively across industry, even in areas they're not specifically involved in, to achieve outcomes for the greater good.
The Aviation Recovery Framework is available at: http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/infras ... s/aviation.
Has AHIA received any concessions for helicopters? There are around more than 2,000 in Australia. Updates appreciated.
On 20 Dec ’21, the Australian Government announced the Aviation Recovery Framework, which includes ADS-B funding.
Recreational Aviation Australia (RAAus) has welcomed the announcement of an Aviation Recovery Framework, by the Deputy Prime Minister Hon Barnaby Joyce MP. In his media release, the Deputy Prime Minister said "This policy framework is being put in place to help Australia’s aviation industry emerge bigger, better and stronger on the other side of the pandemic."
One of the key support measures being introduced in the Framework is funding of $30 million in rebates to recreational and general aviation operators for up to $5,000 or 50 percent of the cost of installing ADS-B technology.
RAAus CEO Matt Bouttell, said today that “We’re very grateful that the Deputy Prime Minister has invested in our industry. These measures will yield financial and safety benefits for many years to come. Furthermore, we’re encouraged to see that the RAAus submissions made to the Airservices Australia Class E Proposals earlier this year did not fall on deaf ears, and that our contribution whilst working across Government and it’s agencies has assisted in making the ADS-B funding become a reality.
“We see this this initiative as not only improving air traffic management surveillance and safety, but it will stimulate aircraft maintenance by supporting jobs and enabling the safe integration of new technology such as Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) and Remote Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS). From a financial perspective, this scheme will enable the retirement of costly enroute radar infrastructure and see other efficiencies be derived, resulting in savings being passed onto industry in the longer term."
After the announcement, Michael Monck, RAAus Chair, said “RAAus continues to participate in many Government and industry Working Groups, and we’re seen as a trusted advisor across many areas. Over the past few years, we’ve represented our members, and the industry more broadly, on the Deputy Prime Minister’s General Aviation Advisory Network (GAAN), the National Emerging Aviation Technologies Consultation Committee (NEAT CC), CASA’s Aviation Safety Advisory Panel (ASAP) and countless Technical Working Groups (TWGs), to name a few. We’d therefore welcome involvement in the Strategic Advisory Committee being established to oversee the rollout of the Aviation Recovery Framework.
“Our strategic involvement helps to influence the landscape and we’re grateful that the Deputy Prime Minister recognises the role RAAus plays across industry.”
RAAus will support our members as the scheme is rolled out, particularly those who choose not to take up this generous rebate, to minimise any operational effect. We will also continue to advocate that any airspace design changes resulting from this scheme are justified on safety grounds. The funding also increases the value for those who have already invested in ADS-B technology by making the technology available to more people and improving situational awareness for all users.
Finally, we congratulate Qantas for being brave and putting this forward as an initiative in their Future of Aviation Submission to support general and recreational aviation. This demonstrates the ability for all industry stakeholders to appreciate each other’s challenges and to work collaboratively across industry, even in areas they're not specifically involved in, to achieve outcomes for the greater good.
The Aviation Recovery Framework is available at: http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/infras ... s/aviation.
Has AHIA received any concessions for helicopters? There are around more than 2,000 in Australia. Updates appreciated.
Thread Starter
Congratulations! To the Australian Helicopter Industry!
Australia’s helicopter fleet has achieved an annual growth rate of 7.1% over past 18 months!
A very good result despite COVID restrictions.
From 30 June 2020 to 30 December 2021, the CASA RW registrations increased from 2,232 to 2,471. An increase of 239 in 18 months. As a result, the annual growth rate is now 7.1% pa.
The heavy and light fleet numbers showed very good results, the remainder also did well – averaging around twice the annual GDP.
Single engine piston numbers increased from 1,338 to 1,503 = 165 in 18 months or 8.2% pa.
Single engine turbine numbers increased from 628 to 677 = 49 in 18 months or 5.2% pa.
Multi-engine turbine below 5,700 kg moved from 185 to 199 = 14 or 5.0% pa.
Heavy turbine helicopters above 5,700 kg increased from 81 to 92 = 11 or 9.1% pa.
The strong growth of the above 5,700 kg fleet where most helicopters need two-pilots, will bring to light the almost non-existent Part 142 schools capable of providing Multi-crew Cooperation Certificates – MCC(H) for helicopter clients. The lack of the AUD$7,500+ course is blocking the promotion of co-pilots to command positions!
More soon …..
Australia’s helicopter fleet has achieved an annual growth rate of 7.1% over past 18 months!
A very good result despite COVID restrictions.
From 30 June 2020 to 30 December 2021, the CASA RW registrations increased from 2,232 to 2,471. An increase of 239 in 18 months. As a result, the annual growth rate is now 7.1% pa.
The heavy and light fleet numbers showed very good results, the remainder also did well – averaging around twice the annual GDP.
Single engine piston numbers increased from 1,338 to 1,503 = 165 in 18 months or 8.2% pa.
Single engine turbine numbers increased from 628 to 677 = 49 in 18 months or 5.2% pa.
Multi-engine turbine below 5,700 kg moved from 185 to 199 = 14 or 5.0% pa.
Heavy turbine helicopters above 5,700 kg increased from 81 to 92 = 11 or 9.1% pa.
The strong growth of the above 5,700 kg fleet where most helicopters need two-pilots, will bring to light the almost non-existent Part 142 schools capable of providing Multi-crew Cooperation Certificates – MCC(H) for helicopter clients. The lack of the AUD$7,500+ course is blocking the promotion of co-pilots to command positions!
More soon …..
Congratulations! To the Australian Helicopter Industry!
Australia’s helicopter fleet has achieved an annual growth rate of 7.1% over past 18 months!
A very good result despite COVID restrictions.
From 30 June 2020 to 30 December 2021, the CASA RW registrations increased from 2,232 to 2,471. An increase of 239 in 18 months. As a result, the annual growth rate is now 7.1% pa.
The heavy and light fleet numbers showed very good results, the remainder also did well – averaging around twice the annual GDP.
Single engine piston numbers increased from 1,338 to 1,503 = 165 in 18 months or 8.2% pa.
Single engine turbine numbers increased from 628 to 677 = 49 in 18 months or 5.2% pa.
Multi-engine turbine below 5,700 kg moved from 185 to 199 = 14 or 5.0% pa.
Heavy turbine helicopters above 5,700 kg increased from 81 to 92 = 11 or 9.1% pa.
The strong growth of the above 5,700 kg fleet where most helicopters need two-pilots, will bring to light the almost non-existent Part 142 schools capable of providing Multi-crew Cooperation Certificates – MCC(H) for helicopter clients. The lack of the AUD$7,500+ course is blocking the promotion of co-pilots to command positions!
More soon …..
Australia’s helicopter fleet has achieved an annual growth rate of 7.1% over past 18 months!
A very good result despite COVID restrictions.
From 30 June 2020 to 30 December 2021, the CASA RW registrations increased from 2,232 to 2,471. An increase of 239 in 18 months. As a result, the annual growth rate is now 7.1% pa.
The heavy and light fleet numbers showed very good results, the remainder also did well – averaging around twice the annual GDP.
Single engine piston numbers increased from 1,338 to 1,503 = 165 in 18 months or 8.2% pa.
Single engine turbine numbers increased from 628 to 677 = 49 in 18 months or 5.2% pa.
Multi-engine turbine below 5,700 kg moved from 185 to 199 = 14 or 5.0% pa.
Heavy turbine helicopters above 5,700 kg increased from 81 to 92 = 11 or 9.1% pa.
The strong growth of the above 5,700 kg fleet where most helicopters need two-pilots, will bring to light the almost non-existent Part 142 schools capable of providing Multi-crew Cooperation Certificates – MCC(H) for helicopter clients. The lack of the AUD$7,500+ course is blocking the promotion of co-pilots to command positions!
More soon …..
https://www.casa.gov.au/licences-and...tion-training#
Thread Starter
HELIFLITE DONATES R22 TO THE STOCKMAN’S HALL OF FAME
Heliflite proudly will be donating a refurbished Robinson R22 to the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame & Outback Heritage Centre based in Longreach, Queensland, in recognition of the iconic role the two-seater workhorse aircraft has played in changing the face of the rural and mustering landscape.
From its humble beginnings with its design and development from Frank Robinson’s own home to its eventual certification in 1979 the R22 has become the most common model of rotary-wing aircraft used for aerial stock mustering. Currently there are 651 R22s registered in Australia with almost 5,000 R22s having been produced.
The still very much contemporary R22 will be displayed against the proud and traditional heritage of the Australian stockman industry and will attract significant interest from locals and returning tourists.
“Thank you to Heliflite for donating the Robinson R22 helicopter to the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame. For many years this iconic aircraft has been
an essential tool for the men and women working the land,” said Lloyd Mills, Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame CEO.
Heliflite’s founder, MD Lyndsay Edmonds described the contribution of the R22 to the Stockman’s Hall of Fame as an honour and privilege for the company to play a role in the support of the museum and the people of the outback.
The Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame and Outback Heritage Centre is Australia’s premier outback heritage institution. Since its opening in 1988, the Hall of Fame has played host to over one million interstate and international visitors. The Hall of Fame displays the history behind some of Australia’s most courageous explorers, stock workers and pastoralists. The R22 to be displayed has been refurbished by the Heliflite WA team and painted in the original scheme of Heliflite’s first imported R22 from 1980.
The R22 will be road freighted from Jandakot to the Stockman’s Hall of Fame in early 2022.
Heliflite proudly will be donating a refurbished Robinson R22 to the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame & Outback Heritage Centre based in Longreach, Queensland, in recognition of the iconic role the two-seater workhorse aircraft has played in changing the face of the rural and mustering landscape.
From its humble beginnings with its design and development from Frank Robinson’s own home to its eventual certification in 1979 the R22 has become the most common model of rotary-wing aircraft used for aerial stock mustering. Currently there are 651 R22s registered in Australia with almost 5,000 R22s having been produced.
The still very much contemporary R22 will be displayed against the proud and traditional heritage of the Australian stockman industry and will attract significant interest from locals and returning tourists.
“Thank you to Heliflite for donating the Robinson R22 helicopter to the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame. For many years this iconic aircraft has been
an essential tool for the men and women working the land,” said Lloyd Mills, Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame CEO.
Heliflite’s founder, MD Lyndsay Edmonds described the contribution of the R22 to the Stockman’s Hall of Fame as an honour and privilege for the company to play a role in the support of the museum and the people of the outback.
The Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame and Outback Heritage Centre is Australia’s premier outback heritage institution. Since its opening in 1988, the Hall of Fame has played host to over one million interstate and international visitors. The Hall of Fame displays the history behind some of Australia’s most courageous explorers, stock workers and pastoralists. The R22 to be displayed has been refurbished by the Heliflite WA team and painted in the original scheme of Heliflite’s first imported R22 from 1980.
The R22 will be road freighted from Jandakot to the Stockman’s Hall of Fame in early 2022.
Thread Starter
Ian Honnery - The rotorcraft industry says thank you!
AMDA chief executive Ian Honnery has announced his retirement from the role at the end of March, after holding the title for 46 years.
After nearly five decades as the foundation’s CEO, overseeing the Avalon Airshow, as well as the Indo Pacific International Maritime Exposition and the RotorTech Helicopter convention, Honnery welcomed his successor. “At the age of 75, it is time for me to hand over to a new generation of leadership, who will build on the organisation’s achievements and success,” Honnery said.
Current Avalon Airport CEO Justin Giddings has been appointed as the new CEO of AMDA Foundation, the organiser of the iconic Avalon Airshow. Ian was a great supporter of the helicopter industry and provided sponsorship to the AHIA since around 2016. The CEO's position was partly sponsored.
Welcome to Justin.
AMDA chief executive Ian Honnery has announced his retirement from the role at the end of March, after holding the title for 46 years.
After nearly five decades as the foundation’s CEO, overseeing the Avalon Airshow, as well as the Indo Pacific International Maritime Exposition and the RotorTech Helicopter convention, Honnery welcomed his successor. “At the age of 75, it is time for me to hand over to a new generation of leadership, who will build on the organisation’s achievements and success,” Honnery said.
Current Avalon Airport CEO Justin Giddings has been appointed as the new CEO of AMDA Foundation, the organiser of the iconic Avalon Airshow. Ian was a great supporter of the helicopter industry and provided sponsorship to the AHIA since around 2016. The CEO's position was partly sponsored.
Welcome to Justin.
Thread Starter
Australian Helicopter Registrations 2022
The Rotorcraft Asia-Pacific Business Association (RAPBA) has obtained CASA’s latest database current on 25 December 2022. Effectively it is the fleet size at the beginning of 2022.
Good news is Australia had 15,942 aircraft registered at the beginning of 2022. Of this number 13,469 were aeroplanes (includes 5 RPA) and 2,473 were rotorcraft with 15.5%. (Three were RPAs – a new trend?)Single engine piston rotorcraft totalled 1,505 and turbine rotorcraft almost made one thousand, with 968 registered. Of this total 651 were SE and 317 ME machines.
Multi-engined rotorcraft appeared to have now stronger growth rate with 317 of which five were RPAs. As a result, 312 were conventional helicopters.
At the heavy end of town, the number of helicopters above 5,600 kg were 96. A steady growth rate at around twice the GDP.
Once again, this raises concerns about the MCC(H) – or lack of - in Australia. This situation seems to be becoming cancerous in the long-term.
RAPBA is working on the finer detail of where the rotorcraft are registered by type and fleet differences between each state and territory. An item of interest for jobseekers?
The RAPBA has produced the Australian Helicopter School Directory which lists around 40 helicopter schools and their locations.
A complimentary copy is available – just ask. Email rotorcraftnews [at] outlook (dot) com.
Hopefully, 2022 will boost the demand for helicopters after most of Australia’s international borders are opened on 21 February 2022.
Will our Autumn bring colour back into our general aviation landscape?
The Rotorcraft Asia-Pacific Business Association (RAPBA) has obtained CASA’s latest database current on 25 December 2022. Effectively it is the fleet size at the beginning of 2022.
Good news is Australia had 15,942 aircraft registered at the beginning of 2022. Of this number 13,469 were aeroplanes (includes 5 RPA) and 2,473 were rotorcraft with 15.5%. (Three were RPAs – a new trend?)Single engine piston rotorcraft totalled 1,505 and turbine rotorcraft almost made one thousand, with 968 registered. Of this total 651 were SE and 317 ME machines.
Multi-engined rotorcraft appeared to have now stronger growth rate with 317 of which five were RPAs. As a result, 312 were conventional helicopters.
At the heavy end of town, the number of helicopters above 5,600 kg were 96. A steady growth rate at around twice the GDP.
Once again, this raises concerns about the MCC(H) – or lack of - in Australia. This situation seems to be becoming cancerous in the long-term.
RAPBA is working on the finer detail of where the rotorcraft are registered by type and fleet differences between each state and territory. An item of interest for jobseekers?
The RAPBA has produced the Australian Helicopter School Directory which lists around 40 helicopter schools and their locations.
A complimentary copy is available – just ask. Email rotorcraftnews [at] outlook (dot) com.
Hopefully, 2022 will boost the demand for helicopters after most of Australia’s international borders are opened on 21 February 2022.
Will our Autumn bring colour back into our general aviation landscape?
Last edited by robsrich; 14th Feb 2022 at 23:00.
