MARCH 2022 THE MAGAZINE OF HELICOPTER ASSOCIATION INTERNATIONAL
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March 2022 Vol. 34 No. 4 PUBLISHER James A. Viola EDITOR Gina Kvitkovich DEPUT Y EDITOR Christine A. DeJoy GRAPHIC DESIGN ADVERTISING sales@rotor.org 703-683-4646 © 2022 Helicopter Association International. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. ROTOR (ISSN) 0897-831X is published quarterly by Helicopter Association Inter- national, 1920 Ballenger Ave., 4th Flr., Alexandria, VA 22314‑2898. Subscriptions: Visit rotor.org/subscribe to sign up for your FREE subscription. Permissions: No part of this publication may be reproduced, adapted, used for commercial purposes, or distributed without prior written permission from HAI. 46 To request permission, contact the editor at: ROTOR Editor, 1920 Ballenger Ave., 4th Flr., Alexandria, VA 22314-2898 HAI/TOM HOUQUET 703-683-4646 | letters@rotor.org. Trademarks: ROTOR®, HAI HELI-EXPO®, and ROTOR Daily® are registered trademarks FEATURES of Helicopter Association International. Disclaimers: All statements of fact and expressions of opinion by contributing 24 Erickson and the Air Crane authors are attributable to those authors alone and may not reflect the views of Celebrating a 50-year legacy and the aircraft that made it possible. HAI. Moreover, HAI cannot guarantee the completeness or accuracy of information by Christine Knauer provided by contributing authors, and HAI will not accept liability for any injuries or damages caused to the reader that may 30 HAI Salutes Excellence in Vertical Lift result from the reader’s acting upon or otherwise relying upon the content con- Honoring the best in vertical aviation. tained in this publication. Readers are strongly advised to follow all laws and regulations, to rely on their professional 46 Tenth Annual Photo Contest Winners knowledge and experience, and to confirm any information presented in this publica- tion before acting on the basis of such Great photos about and for helicopter folks. content. The publisher has not tested any of the products advertised in this publication, WHERE’S MY ROTOR? nor has it verified any of the statements made in any of the advertisements. Subscribe or Renew at Update My Mailing Address Postmaster: Please send all address rotor.org/subscribe Log into your rotor.org web account to changes and correspondence to: Your two-year subscription update your mailing address, OR send ROTOR® to ROTOR is FREE. updates to subscribe@rotor.org. 1920 Ballenger Ave., 4th Flr. Alexandria, VA 22314-2898 703-683-4646 | letters@rotor.org www.rotor.org 2 ROTOR March 2022
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HAI BOARD OF DIRECTORS CHAIRMAN Randal R. Rowles Helicopter Institute Inc. Fort Worth, Texas, USA Commercial Aviation VICE CHAIRMAN Jeffery Smith R.O.P. Aviation Teterboro, New Jersey, USA General Aviation MARCH 2022 THE MAGAZINE OF HELICOPTER ASSOCIATION INTERNATIONAL TREASURER Jack Matiasevich ON THE COVER: Photographer Mark Bennett Southern California Edison Co. captured this Erickson S-64F, nicknamed “Elvis,” Chino, California, USA heading for the 2018 Pole Creek Fire, near Spanish General Aviation Fork, Utah, with a full load of water newly siphoned ASSISTANT TREASURER ERICKSON from a roadside pond. 50 B. Adam Hammond Tennessee Valley Authority AT Knoxville, Tennessee, USA Government Service M AK I N G IT WORK PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER James A. Viola Helicopter Association International Alexandria, Virginia, USA CHIEF OF STAFF AND CORPORATE SECRETARY DEPARTMENTS/COLUMNS Roxanne R. Fox Helicopter Association International Alexandria, Virginia, USA 8 From the Board 54 Flight Path Prepare for a Great Expo Patrick Bory DIRECTORS Nicole Battjes By Randy Rowles 56 Future Faces Rainbow Helicopters Honolulu, Hawaii, USA 10 President’s Message Matt Goodrich, Helicopter Pilot, Commercial Aviation Over the Horizon Instructor, and Operator Brian Jorgenson By James A. Viola By Jaasmin Foote Timberline Helicopters Sandpoint, Idaho, USA 12 Advocating for You 58 Recent Accidents Commercial Aviation The Impact of 5G on Vertical & Incidents Rick Kenin Flight Operations Boston MedFlight 61 Accident Recovery Bedford, Massachusetts, USA By Cade Clark, John Shea, Commercial Aviation Black Night at Black Rock and Emma Taylor By David Jack Kenny Mark A. Schlaefli 15 ROTORWash Redding Air Service X HAI Briefs 66 Fly Safe Redding, California, USA Commercial Aviation Is Our Reluctance to Share Killing Us? X HAI on Social X In the Spotlight: Graham Nickisson, By Chris Hill Stacy Sheard Executive Jet Management/Fanatics Media and Emergency Service How I Survived IIMC Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA Liaison, Westpac Rescue By Julie Pearson Commercial Aviation Helicopter Service X Rotorcraft Events 71 Index of Advertisers LEGAL ADVISOR H. Bryan Brewer III 22 FlyOver 72 Last Look Crowell & Moring LLP Washington, D.C., USA Anthelion Helicopters, Long Beach, Randy Rowles and a California; Guimbal Cabri G2 UAS SPECIAL ADVISOR Eurocopter AS350 B2 By Mark Bennett Jonathan Daniels Praxis Aerospace Concepts International, Inc. Searchlight, Nevada, USA 4 ROTOR March 2022
SAVE THE DATE! 75 YE AR Georgia World Congress Center | Atlanta S March 6–9 | Exhibits Open March 7–9 heliexpo.com 19 8– 4 202 3
CONTRIBUTORS QUESTIONS • REPRINTS • FEEDBACK • SEND TO LETTERS@ROTOR.ORG OR CALL 703-683-4646 Mark Bennett Chris Hill John Shea Mark Bennett worked for After an aviation career in the US John Shea joined HAI as director McDonnell Douglas Helicopter/ Army and Coast Guard, Chris Hill of government affairs in 2019. He Boeing for a decade, then in 1999 oversaw aviation safety came to HAI from the National cofounded an aerospace-only management systems throughout Association of State Aviation marketing agency. With the USCG as aviation safety Officials (NASAO), where he was 30-plus years of photography and design manager. He holds an ATP rating and has logged interim president in 2018 and lead government experience serving the aerospace and defense more than 5,000 flight hours, primarily in military affairs representative since 2017. Previously, as a industries, he founded AeroMark Images to and commercial helicopters. Chris joined HAI in legislative staffer, John advised multiple shoot and write for both industry and media. 2018 as director of safety. members of Congress on transportation policy. Jen Boyer David Jack Kenny Emma Taylor Jen Boyer is a 20-year journalism David Jack Kenny is a fixed-wing Emma Taylor joined HAI as a policy and public relations professional in ATP with commercial privileges for analyst in 2020. She graduated the aviation industry, having helicopter. He also holds degrees cum laude from Villanova worked for flight schools, OEMs, in statistics. From 2008 through University in December 2019 with and operators. She holds a 2017, he worked for AOPA’s Air a major in political science. Driven rotorcraft commercial instrument license with Safety Institute, where he authored eight by her passion for public policy and advocacy, CFI and CFII ratings. Jen now runs her own editions of its Joseph T. Nall Report and nearly Emma is thrilled to start her career at HAI and public relations and communications firm. 500 articles. He’d rather be flying. has since developed a deeper appreciation for the vertical lift industry. Cade Clark Christine Knauer HAI’s VP of government affairs, For more than 25 years, Christine Cade Clark has directed Knauer has written for major association advocacy programs for aircraft OEMs, MROs, and avionics more than 20 years. Growing up, manufacturers as well as aviation Cade worked at an FBO where he trade organizations and learned to fly, washed planes, got in the publications. She specializes in editorial and mechanics’ way, idolized the old-timers and their marketing content that shares the stories of stories, and deepened his love for all things aviation’s people and machines. Christine holds a general aviation. master’s degree in aviation safety. Jaasmin Foote Gina Kvitkovich Jaasmin Foote joined HAI as the Gina Kvitkovich joined HAI as association’s social media manager director of p ublications and media in March 2020, just a week before in 2011 after decades of honing her the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. skills in writing, editing, and She holds a bachelor’s degree in publishing. As editor of ROTOR, English and is currently pursuing her master’s in she is responsible for every error in the marketing. Jaasmin is responsible for all the cool magazine that you’re reading—and for some of posts on HAI’s social media platforms. Follow the good stuff, as well. us, drop by, and say hi! WRITE FOR ROTOR Got something to say to the international helicopter industry? We’re listening. Email story ideas, manuscripts, or questions to letters@rotor.org. Visit rotor.org/write for more information. 6 ROTOR March 2022
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FROM THE BOARD By Randy Rowles Prepare for a Great Expo Welcome to Texas! A S THE GLOBAL VERTICAL LIFT INDUSTRY DESCENDS UPON DALLAS, TEXAS, for HAI HELI‑EXPO 2022, I’m thinking of how we have triumphed over the adversity of a pandemic, with each vertical aviation operator facing—and meeting—his or her own set of challenges. It’s during these times of uncertainty when the grit of the people is measured. Our industry has demonstrated a resolve to succeed, and HAI continues to support our members on a worldwide scale. One way we’ll do that is to provide our industry with a safe, in-person HAI HELI‑EXPO® experience. My first Expo was in 1993, in Miami, Florida. I was selected to fly a Sikorsky S-55QT helicopter—an aircraft being introduced to the industry as the Whisper Jet—to the convention center for display. What an opportunity! As a young person, I was blessed to have no fear of engaging with new people. At HAI HELI‑EXPO, this is a good trait to have. The show floor is filled with like-minded people who have come to gain new opportunities, meet people, or find a new product or service. As I began walking the show floor, I felt a euphoric sense of freedom as I explored this new part of aviation. On the second day of the show, I was admiring a beautiful Bell 209 with animal-skin seats An FAA pilot examiner for all when a guy with long, blond hair came over. We spoke for a while about the Cobra and how he helicopter certificates and had built this ship himself. That man was Chuck Aaron, who went on to become a global ratings, Randy Rowles holds helicopter sensation flying the Red Bull Bo 105. an FAA ATP and Gold Seal Flight Instructor Certificate Many of the people I met that year would become lifelong friends and colleagues. You may and in 2013 received HAI’s not immediately realize all the value you get by attending HAI HELI‑EXPO, but I’ve found that Flight Instructor of the Year industry awareness and opportunities follow my attendance there. Award. Chairman of the HAI At another Expo a few years later, I attended the HAI Flight Instructor Refresher Course Board of Directors for 2021–22, Randy operates the Helicopter (FIRC) and was amazed at the caliber of instructors. There were test pilots, production pilots, Institute, a Texas flight school. FAA inspectors, helicopter manufacturers, and several career instructors—all industry icons sharing their experience and knowledge with other flight instructors. Today, I’m the chief instructor of the longest-running FIRC in existence, held annually at each year’s show. Nearly 25 years after that first Expo, I was humbled that the HAI membership allowed me to represent their interests as an HAI board member. HAI HELI‑EXPO 2022 is a capstone in my tenure as chairman of the HAI Board of Directors, and I can’t think of a better finish than a show WATCH that will bring the industry together again. A Drone Fly in to the The Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas (KBHCCD) is a long-standing venue for Dallas CBD Vertiport our show, located right in the heart of downtown Dallas, providing attendees and vendors with ample activities within a short walking distance or shuttle bus ride. A unique feature of the city is the Dallas CBD Heliport/Vertiport, which is colocated with the KBHCCD and is the world’s largest urban elevated heliport/vertiport. During HAI HELI‑EXPO 2022, attendees will be able to fly to and from local airports directly to the KBHCCD. Additionally, local charter and tour flights will be available to enhance the overall vertical lift experience for show attendees. We at HAI are excited to share with you all that HAI HELI‑EXPO 2022 and Dallas have to offer. So bring your cowboy hat and boots, say “Howdy,” and enjoy the greatest vertical aviation show on Earth. See you there! 8 ROTOR March 2022
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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE By James A. Viola Over the Horizon Promising times are ahead for the VTOL industry. P ERSPECTIVE IS AN INTERESTING CONCEPT, particularly in aviation. Sitting on the ground, your perspective is local. As you lift off, rising away from the earth, your field of view expands. You see farther in all directions. At HAI, I have access to substantial amounts of information about our industry, including from OEMs and regulators around the world. However, as we come out of the COVID-19 pandemic, I enjoy meeting and talking about aviation with people from across our diverse industry. During 2021, I visited Sun ’n Fun in Florida, where I spoke with aspiring pilots. At July’s EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, I met with representatives of the largest companies and saw people flying helicopters they built from kits. In October, I attended the NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition in Las Vegas, where I listened to the concerns of a Grand Canyon tour operator. And in November, I visited the inaugural EUROPEAN ROTORS VTOL Show and Safety Conference, where a sold-out exhibit floor was an indication of a return to normal levels of activity. One of the most accurate gauges of our industry’s strength is the success of our manufacturers, and from their perspective, too, better times are ahead. In December, I visited Robinson Helicopter Co. with FAA Administrator Steve Dickson. James A. Viola is HAI’s Robinson reports that in 2021 it sold an average of at least one helicopter each day, with more president and CEO. After a than 450 confirmed orders. The turbine-powered R66 was the top seller. These numbers are career as a US Army aviator, another indication that our industry is ready for takeoff. Company president Kurt Robinson and he joined the FAA, where he served as director of the Office his team agree, saying they hope to increase production and deliveries in 2022. of General Aviation Safety Leonardo states that its market is still not back to normal, pointing to a “pandemic plunge” in Assurance before joining HAI. 2020. However, the company still saw growth in 2021 over the same period in 2020, and A dual-rated pilot, Jim holds Leonardo executives are pleased that the civil helicopter market is reacting better than expected. ATP ratings in both airplanes and helicopters and is a CFII. They forecast a particularly strong recovery in the VIP, air medical, and civil utility markets. Jim can be contacted at Airbus Helicopters also has seen strong gains, posting a 40% increase in orders in 2021 over president@rotor.org. 2020. The company recorded strong orders in legacy singles and light-twin helicopters, crediting air medical sales for the boost. CEO Bruno Even points to a stalled offshore market to explain the lower sales of super-medium and super-heavy aircraft. Both Airbus and Leonardo disclosed that two or three additional years of growth could be required to reach their pre-pandemic production levels. Bell’s production was mostly flat in 2021, recording deliveries that were only slightly higher than in 2020. Bell’s parent company, Textron, believes 2022 will be good for its commercial helicopter sales but expressed concern that US military sales will drop. We are at an interesting point in our industry, where our OEMs are building aircraft for today while researching and designing the rotorcraft of the future. Whether that aircraft is a prototype of an advanced air mobility vehicle or a legacy helicopter, our rotorcraft missions will be the same: to safely and efficiently go where other aircraft cannot go and accomplish what other aircraft cannot do. With our OEMs sharing mostly positive returns and projections, I see exciting times ahead for the VTOL industry. If you think differently, please email me at president@rotor.org. The diversity of our industry is one of our strengths, and I want to hear your perspective. 10 ROTOR March 2022
“ HAI is our industry advocate; they need to hear from you so they know what Visit HAI at to fight for and what is important to you as a rotor.org/join pilot or organization.” – Grayson Barrows, repair station general manager JOIN HAI FOR MORE THAN 70 YEARS, HAI HAS REPRESENTED ALL ASPECTS OF THE VERTICAL flight industry, promoting safety, professionalism, innovation, and economic viability. Current HAI priorities include: • Ensuring COVID relief for operators • Developing the global vertical flight workforce • Advancing industry integration of unmanned • Strengthening safety collaboration within the aircraft systems and advanced air mobility international vertical flight industry aircraft
ADVOCATING FOR YOU By Cade Clark, John Shea, and Emma Taylor The Impact of 5G on Vertical Flight WATCH Operations Jim Viola 5G must be managed so that it can safely coexist with aviation. Testify before Congress on HAI President and CEO James Viola provided testimony on the effects of 5G deployment on aviation safety to the Effects of 5G US House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure’s Subcommittee on Aviation on Feb. 3, 2022. Below is an edited version of his remarks to the subcommittee. 5G Flight Restrictions For each mission, an operator must review their In carrying out its mission to maintain safety in the Rotorcraft Flight Manual and Operations Specification to US National Airspace System, the FAA has put into determine if the use of radio altimeter data is required place restrictions on helicopter flight operations to by provisions of Title 14 of the Code of Federal mitigate the risk of 5G interference with aircraft Regulations. If a radio altimeter is required and if the radio altimeters. The FAA has communicated mission’s flight path would overlap a geographic location these restrictions via two channels: a series of identified by a 5G-related NOTAM, then the restrictions Notices to Air Missions (NOTAMs) and listed in the AD apply to that flight. Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2021-23-13. The first and third bullets impact specific segments As of Feb. 4, 2022, the agency had of our industry. However, the fourth bullet, which prohib- issued NOTAMs that identify 1,931 its takeoffs and landings in areas identified by 5G-related locations around the country NOTAMs, has significant, far-reaching consequences for where 5G interference occurs. the rotorcraft industry’s ability to conduct missions and AD 2021-23-13 states that provide public services, especially when you consider when operating in US air- that prohibition applies to nearly 2,000 US locations. space, the following opera- The issue is not limited to radio altimeter perfor- tions requiring radio mance alone. According to the FAA Safety Alert for Visit HAI’s altimeters are prohibited in areas defined by the pres- Operators 21007 of Dec. 23, 2021, “a wide range of other automated safety systems rely on radio altimeter Legislative Action Center ence of 5G C band wireless data.” The agency goes on to note that 5G interference rotor.org/lac broadband interference as and the ensuing anomalous radio altimeter inputs could identified by the NOTAMs: cause flight controls, including autopilots, to operate in ■ Performing approaches that require radio altimeter an unexpected way, which pilots may not detect in time minimums for rotorcraft offshore operations. “to maintain continued safe flight and landing.” Barometric minimums must be used for these opera- tions instead. Alternative Methods of Compliance ■ Engaging hover autopilot modes that require radio To reduce these impacts of 5G interference, the FAA has altimeter data. implemented an alternative method of compliance ■ Engaging search-and-rescue (SAR) autopilot modes (AMOC) process. This process evaluates the installed that require radio altimeter data. radio altimeter aboard an aircraft and its ability to with- ■ Performing takeoffs and landings in accordance with stand spectrum interference. any procedure (Category A, Category B, or by To date, the focus has been on Part 121 carriers, and Performance Class in the Rotorcraft Flight Manual or the FAA has done an outstanding job of streamlining the Operations Specification) that requires the use of radio process to issue as many approvals as it has. The AMOC altimeter data. process is vital to ensure a healthy, viable US aviation 12 ROTOR March 2022
industry. Currently, the rotorcraft AMOC HAI has partnered with the FAA to maxi- conditions for NVG operations include the procedures have not been formally mize the efficiency the AMOC process. installation of a movable searchlight and a released by the FAA; the process is still Knowing that the FAA would be under requirement for pilots or crew members to being worked on and fine-tuned. It is critical immense pressure to approve a large establish radio contact with ground person- that the FAA continue the same level of amount of AMOCs, HAI took steps to nel at a landing site so they can receive and urgency and commitment it has had for ensure that critical helicopter operations confirm a description of the landing site. commercial aviation to mitigate operational could be prioritized. In cooperation with the To date, 40 HAA operators have submit- impacts upon helicop- ted letters of intent to ter operations and the use the HAI exemption. rest of general aviation My members ask why they should be financially This accounts for 1,206 and the essential ser- helicopters in opera- responsible for installing new equipment to mitigate vices they provide to tion, or 97% of the save lives, protect com- the safety risk imposed by another corporation’s approximately 1,250 munities, and support decision to deploy 5G wireless systems. helicopters used in jobs. HAA operations. The effects of 5G This exemption pro- deployment are not limited to the nation’s FAA, HAI developed a 5G AMOC Portal vides a significant path for moving forward, busiest airports, and mitigations by wire- (rotor.org/5g-amoc), where operators can not only for HAA operators but also for the less carriers should not be limited to those report how their operations are being countless communities and hospital net- locations either. As we evaluate AMOCs for impacted by 5G interference. These reports works that would otherwise have been rotorcraft, we must recognize that the air- are shared with the FAA, providing it with deprived of the critical lifesaving support lines’ operational environment is vastly dif- additional intelligence on 5G impacts. that can only be offered by helicopter oper- ferent from that for rotorcraft. An airliner is ations. This exemption will allow HAA oper- only in the zone of potential 5G interfer- Exemptions ators to continue to do what they do ence for a short time, generally during the The other avenue to reduce the operational best—save lives. critical periods of takeoff and landing. The impact of 5G interference is the exemption vast majority of its flight occurs at high alti- process. HAI is pleased that the FAA par- The Path Forward tudes, out of the range of 5G interference. tially approved a petition for exemption that I want to be very clear: HAI and our mem- Conversely, helicopter operations, which HAI had submitted in anticipation of 5G bers are not against 5G. However, due to take place at much lower altitudes than air- C band deployment, seeking relief from our mission profiles and operational param- line flights, could very well conduct their regulations that require a normally function- eters, 5G interference is of particular con- entire flight within the zones of interfer- ing radio altimeter for certain operations. cern to the vertical flight sector. The ence. In addition, while airplanes must take This exemption allows Part 119 certifi- deployment of 5G must be done so that it off and land from airports, rotorcraft can uti- cate holders authorized to conduct HAA can safely coexist with aviation operations. lize a much wider variety of sites, including operations under Part 135, Subpart L, to Under the exemption and with the heliports and unimproved locations such as continue Part 135 helicopter operations proper mitigations in place, HAA missions streets, parking lots, or fields. The voluntary while employing radar altimeters that may can move forward. However, other rotor- measures proposed by the wireless carri- not function normally due to 5G interfer- craft industry sectors do not have similar ers would provide modest 5G limitations at ence. The relief also allows the use of exemptions that enable them to continue the surface of public-use heliports, of night-vision goggles (NVG) in HAA operations. Critical public-service missions, which there are only 55 in the country. That operations. including firefighting, utility work, and law number is dwarfed by the estimated 6,533 These exemptions are contingent on enforcement, and economically important to 8,533 helicopter air ambulance (HAA) certain conditions and limitations. All pilots ones, such as transportation and flight landing sites in the United States, with conducting operations under the exemp- training, are severely constrained if operat- more than 4,000 being private-use heli- tion are required to receive and maintain a ing in areas for which a 5G-related NOTAM ports colocated at hospitals. record of proper training. Additional has been issued. Additionally, emerging March 2022 ROTOR 13
ADVOCATING FOR YOU continued technologies, such as advanced air mobility, that are projected to In the long term, we urge Congress to enact the necessary begin operations in dense urban areas—the exact areas of 5G reforms to provide better transparency, efficiency, and coordination deployment—could face severe restrictions. on spectrum issues by the FCC and other government agencies. The development of new radar altimeters with filters that can Various parties, including the Department of Commerce and its withstand 5G interference is critical to the vertical flight industry’s Federal Advisory Committee, have studied the issue of equitable ability to continue flying and serving the public good. However, access to spectrum in the United States and identified several rec- developing and certifying new radar altimeters will take time. ommendations. It seems clear that misaligned domestic spectrum Additionally, the cost for operators to purchase and install these policy, to the disadvantage of aerospace and aviation users, is new altimeters is of significant concern to the industry. My mem- what brings us here today. bers ask why they should be financially responsible for installing The deployment of 5G will not be the last spectrum issue to new equipment to mitigate the safety risk imposed by another cor- resolve. Let’s begin to work now to ensure that the problems we poration’s decision to deploy 5G wireless systems. faced with the 5G rollout will not occur in the future. In the short term, HAI is focused on working with the FAA and Ensuring the safety of those who fly—whether pilots, crews, or the AMOC process to determine which radio altimeters and air- passengers—is always HAI’s top priority. We will continue to advo- craft models can withstand 5G interference. Additionally, HAI will cate for reasonable limitations on 5G deployment that protect continue to explore FAA approval exemptions and accompanying safety-critical aviation equipment. HAI will also continue to work operational mitigations that will help operators continue to provide with regulators to develop solutions that maintain safety and pre- aviation services to their communities. serve our industry’s ability to operate in a 5G environment. 14 ROTOR March 2022
ROTORWA H I N D U S T R Y D ATA , T O P I C S , A D V I C E , H A P P E N I N G S , I S S U E S , A N D N E W S T O K E E P T H E R O T O R S T U R N I N G HAI BRIEFS Boost Your Publicity Acumen with Communications U INDUSTRY BUSINESSES SEEKING TO communications. “We wanted to make it resources to the basics of public relations, increase their visibility, get the attention of easier for them to communicate their social media, crisis communications, and their elected officials, or receive guidance news, with the guidance and templates our communicating with elected officials. on communicating after an adverse event new Comms U courses offer.” “Small businesses are the backbone of have a new opportunity Communications at HAI HELI-EXPO 2022: University takes place Communications “Small businesses are the backbone of our industry from 8:00 am to 12:30 University, a brand-new, and make up the majority of HAI’s membership. pm on Thursday, Mar. 10, free event this year just in the HAI HELI-EXPO We wanted to make it easier for them to for small businesses in News Conference Room the helicopter industry. communicate their news, with the guidance and (D222) at the Kay Bailey Produced by HAI’s templates our new Comms U courses offer.” Hutchison Convention Communications and – Dan Sweet, HAI Director of PR and Communications Center Dallas. Advocacy teams and Attendance for each sponsored by ROTOR course is limited to 80. Media, Communications University com- our industry and make up the majority of The courses offered are “Getting Your prises four 45-minute courses designed to HAI’s membership,” says Dan Sweet, HAI’s Word Out: How to Write and Distribute a introduce small businesses with limited director of public relations and Press Release”; “Social Media 101”; ➤ 7323 538 7 ON SOCIAL 19 17 /HelicopterAssoc Reel Insights /HelicopterAssoc Instagram and Facebook Plays 7,477 /heliexpo @HELIEXPO #haiexpo22 Instagram and /HeliAssoc @HeliAssoc Facebook Likes 543 /company/helicopter As HAI gears up for HAI HELI-EXPO 2022, we’ve been celebrating by posting a “Fly-in Friday” video every -association-international Friday on our social media platforms. This video racked up over 7,300 views in one week on Instagram, and with 581 engagements, it’s safe to say that Expo fans are excited for our next show, in Dallas. The aircraft pictured, a /HelicopterAssoc #haiexpo22 Sikorsky S-92A, is operated by the Korea Coast Guard. March 2022 ROTOR 15
ROTORWA H ➤ “Crisis Communications: What to Say (and Not Say) after the Accident”; and “Communicating Your Value to Elected Officials.” Several HAI staff members will present the classes. The first course of the day is open to all HAI HELI-EXPO attendees (advance regis- tration is required). The remaining courses are open to HAI members only, with advance registration required. To register for Communications University, visit heliexpo.com/ hai-heli-expo-communications-u. HAI BRIEFS FAA Approves HAI Petition for Exemption Allowing HAA Ops The FAA’s partial approval of HAI’s petition to allow HAA operations despite potential radio altimeter interference from 5G is good news for air medical services, including Guardian Flight, operator of this AS350 B3e Écureuil. HAI’S PETITION TO ALLOW HELICOPTER air ambulance (HAA) operations despite best—save lives,” says James Viola, presi- communities and hospital networks that potential radio altimeter disruptions by 5G dent and CEO of HAI. “There is no ques- would have been deprived of the critical C band deployment was partially approved tion that it is in the public interest for these lifesaving support that can only be offered by the FAA in mid-January 2022. The lifesaving operations to continue. HAI’s top by helicopter operations,” says John Shea, exemption sought relief from regulations priority will always be safety, and we will director of Government Affairs at HAI. requiring a normally functioning radio altim- continue to work with the FAA to deter- “While this is great news for the HAA sec- eter for certain operations. mine the best solutions, whether through tor, the even bigger story is that the FAA’s The exemption allows Part 119 certifi- exemptions or through alternative methods decision on HAI’s petition has outlined a cate holders authorized to conduct HAA of compliance, to provide all our members path for replicating this exemption for other operations under Part 135, subpart L, to with the means for continued safe helicopter operations that serve the public.” continue Part 135 helicopter operations operation.” while employing radar altimeters that may With the support of HAI member air HAI BRIEFS not function normally due to 5G C band medical operators, the Air Medical interference. The relief also allows HAAs to Operators Association, and the Association El Aero Services Is First use night-vision goggles (NVG). of Air Medical Services, HAI submitted the Customer in HAI SMS The exemptions are contingent on spe- petition in late October. The petition sought Program cific conditions and limitations. All pilots to mitigate the safety risks imposed on NEVADA-BASED HELICOPTER OPERATOR conducting operations under the exemp- helicopter operations by telecom compa- El Aero Services has become the first tion are required to receive and maintain a nies’ deployment of new 5G communica- member to join the HAI SMS Program. The record of proper training. Additionally, NVG tion equipment that overlaps frequencies company fully implemented the system on operations require the installation of a mov- used by aircraft radar altimeters. To pre- Jan. 1, 2022. able searchlight, and pilots or crew mem- serve the safety of the National Airspace Last fall, HAI introduced its safety man- bers must establish radio contact with System, the FAA issued Airworthiness agement system (SMS) program as an ground personnel at a landing site to Directive 2021-23-13 in December, fol- affordable, scalable solution for small rotor- receive and confirm a description of the lowed by an unprecedented number of craft businesses seeking to incorporate HAI/MARK YOUNG landing site. Notices to Air Missions on Jan. 13, 2022. SMS into their operations. HAI partnered “This exemption will allow HAA opera- “This is a significant victory not only for with three industry-leading SMS software tors to continue to do what they do HAA operators but for the countless providers to offer an affordable range of 16 ROTOR March 2022
products for interested customers. The three software providers in the HAI can access the ASAP reports and conduct El Aero chose Baldwin Safety & SMS Program are: event review committee meetings with the Compliance as its SMS partner after a ■ The Air Charter Safety Foundation (ACSF) participating company and the FAA. ASAP meeting between the company’s manage- of Washington, D.C. The ACSF provides a is a voluntary, self-reporting program that ment and a Baldwin representative during full range of SMS software options. identifies and reduces possible flight safety the HAI Aerial Firefighting Safety ■ Baldwin Safety & Compliance of Hilton concerns and mitigates risk. Each package Conference in Boise, Idaho, last November. Head Island, South Carolina. The com- offered through the HAI SMS Program “We’d been looking at options for pany provides the Baldwin SMS Product allows users to verify their compliance with upgrading our dated SMS program to Suite, which offers options for small, current and future international and domes- something digital, with easy access to medium-sized, and large businesses. tic regulations. report generation for received data, and ■ WYVERN Ltd. of Nashua, New While the FAA doesn’t currently require simpler for pilots to utilize,” says Jairus Hampshire. WYVERN offers its SMS SMS programs for all operators, HAI and Duncan, director of operations at El Aero Software and 24/7/365 Support Services the National Transportation Safety Board Services. “Plus, it’s compliant with new package, with affordable options for small have recommended that helicopter opera- government contracting requirements.” operators and other choices with pre- tors develop and adopt a safety reporting El Aero, which began providing helicop- mium SMS software capabilities. system that allows data collection, analysis, ter services in 1973, operates two Bell Additionally, both Baldwin and WYVERN and corrective action where necessary. 206L-4 aircraft, one Bell 206B-3, and three offer aviation safety action program (ASAP) The HAI SMS Program packages also fixed-wing aircraft. With bases in Elko and reporting modules on their servers for offer training, self-auditing capabilities, gap Carson City, the company works through- companies participating in the ACSF’s third- analysis, reporting capabilities, and user out Nevada, the western United States, party–managed ASAP program. The ACSF support services. and the Midwest. Its primary operations include supporting the federal Wild Horse and Burro Program in Nevada, Arizona, Utah, and Oregon, and performing bison gathers for state and national parks. TT Straps for Bell 206, OH-58, 204, THANK YOU, El Aero also provides fire support to the Bureau of Land Management, the US 205, 212, UH-1, AH-1, 214, Enstrom 480, 280, AIRWOLF F28 and Bell 407 main Without you, we wouldn’t have Forest Service, and Cal Fire; performs rotor elastomerics longer life lower cost TT Straps and restorative burn seeding; and conducts your other cost-saving products. We can’t wait to see search-and-rescue and tactical flight opera- what we bring out next. tions for the Elko County Sheriff’s Office AIRWOLF AEROSPACE STC’S for Lithium-ion Batteries Signed, and surrounding agencies. The HAI SMS Program is a direct result Helicopte operators everywhere. of an HAI membership survey in which STC’s for 18 helicopter many respondents requested turnkey SMS models in development support. The program is available to all HAI BENEFITS: member operators in good standing. • More POWER ”Our members asked for assistance • More LIFE • Less WEIGHT with SMS programs, and one of the most • Less MAINTENANCE exciting elements of the HAI SMS Program • Super Fast CHARGING is how quickly and efficiently it helps • More PEACE OF MIND improve safety across operations,” says V I S I T U S AT H E L I - E X P O James Viola, president and CEO of HAI. BOOTH #6617 “We are truly grateful to our partner provid- ers for enabling us to offer this tremendous AIRWOLF — ALWAYS ON YOUR SIDE! program that helps members increase safety and save more money than the cost A I RWO L FA E R O S PAC E . C O M of their HAI annual membership.” Airwolf_1/3.indd 2 March 20221/25/22 ROTOR 17 3:08 PM
INTHESPOTLIGHT By Jen Boyer Graham Nickisson, Media and Emergency Service Liaison, Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service Reflecting on a 40-year career and the changing face of HAA operations in Australia. A USTRALIA’S LONGEST-SERVING AIRCREW OFFICER, GRAHAM NICKISSON, started in the field as a volunteer, more than four decades ago, for Surf Life Saving Australia, a volunteer rescue organization. In the years since, the helicopter air ambulance (HAA) service has evolved significantly. What Nickisson has seen and experienced in that time has changed his life as well. Today, he no longer flies but continues to advocate, both for Surf Life Saving Australia and the importance of seeking mental health support as a first responder. ROTOR: Tell us about your have a contract with NSW Health to pro- Kempsey bus crash. It happened on the duties and your crew. vide rapid-response critical-care helicopter mid-north coast of New South Wales. Nickisson: As an aircrew officer, I’m often services to people throughout northern Two tourist buses collided in the early in the left-hand front seat, assisting with New South Wales. hours of Dec. 22, 1989. It killed 35 people navigation, mission details, and such—basi- I’m a plumber by trade. I started volun- and is still Australia’s worst-ever road acci- cally, a nonflying copilot. Our job as aircrew teering for Surf Life Saving Australia in dent. Unbeknownst to me at the time, my officers is safety in and around the aircraft. 1981, when I was 17. I loved aviation and post-traumatic stress and downhill spiral We do a lot of confined-area landings, day helicopters, and that was the natural pro- began there. and night, so we help guide the pilot in. We gression for me. I volunteered for eight It was the start to many traumatic jobs also work the winch. years and then became a full-time paid we went on. Not that everything was bad; Our crew is the pilot and the aircrew employee in 1989. we had some beautiful experiences. officer. We also have a critical-care doctor When I was volunteering, the service I walked a young lady down the aisle from NSW Health and a critical-care para- only ran on weekends and on call. In 1982, whom we picked up when she was a new- medic from New South Wales Ambulance, once we started working with NSW Health born. The Kempsey bus crash, though, was for a crew of four. hospitals and New South Wales really something that has dogged me right Ambulance, we went 24/7. We first started up to today. What attracted you to this career? carrying pagers while off duty, and then we The trauma and the death when we When I started, Surf Life Saving Australia went to living and working on the base arrived, it was just like a holocaust. It was was using helicopters. The idea came in during our shifts. definitely something a bloke of my age at 1973 from New Zealand, where they I don’t think anyone envisioned when the time should never see and never thought helicopters might be able to rapidly they started the surf helicopter service that expect to see. get to people in distress in the surf. it was going to develop into the service it is It was a catastrophic situation, likened We introduced our service in Australia in today. to a major airplane crash with the amount 1975. It was purely a surf rescue helicopter of death and destruction that happened when I joined, running up and down the What stands out from that morning. beach doing surf patrol and rescues. That’s your long career? I guess it was emphasized so much all done a 360 now—we have Jet Skis and Well, it’s probably not a good impression. more because it was three days from all the fancy stuff that can beat a helicopter. The catalyst that made me leave the ser- Christmas. There were a lot of people who Our helicopter then evolved into the vice was the trauma associated with were going home or traveling and a lot of emergency medical service field. We now Australia’s biggest road accident, the Christmas presents scattered around the 18 ROTOR March 2022
scene. I knew [the accident scene] had knocked me icated driver. about, but back then, you had to toughen up and get on I was talking to her one minute and she passed away with it. the next. Unbeknownst to me, she was critically ill. Then, five days after that we had Australia’s worst I didn’t realize she was as bad as she really was. That WATCH earthquake, right on our service’s doorstep in Newcastle. knocked me for a six. I’d just had enough. So I went to Westpac I thought my whole world was falling apart. I was the talk to the HR department. Transport Young only full-time aircrew officer at the time, and there were I’m not averse to talking. I talk about it all the time. Girl in Urgent none of the rules they have today about fatigue. I was I’ve talked to New South Wales Police about men’s men- Need of Hospital doing it all at the time. I didn’t get any downtime. tal health and putting your hand up when you’re strug- I was just married, and I thought, “This isn’t the life I gling. When I asked to leave, they said who better to talk thought it was going to be.” But, like I said, the era then to people about what it’s like to work in the service than was to toughen up and get on with things. That [atti- tude] has certainly bitten me in the ass down the track. “Today, we have a very good employee assistance But I continued until 2018, when I pulled stumps. program. That [resulted from] people putting their How have you seen helicopter hand up to get out of the job. After 38 years, I rescue change over the years? was still having nightmares [from the trauma].” As the service grew, the demand grew, as did the tech- nology. We went from single-engine JetRangers and LongRangers to an SA 365 Dauphin ... one of nine made with skids. We evolved from being a VFR helicop- someone who’s done it for 38 years. So that’s what I do ter to an IFR helicopter. Twin-engine flying with now, tell my story and the story of the rescue service. instrument-rated pilots was a huge transition and move I’m just as fulfilled doing this job as I was when I was forward for the service. in the air. As demand grew, we moved to bigger aircraft. We then transitioned to the Bell 412 and Bell 407. From there, we moved to the AW139. We have four of those today. One of the biggest transitions was when we had the EXCLUSIVE SMS & ASAP Bell 412, when we added night-vision goggles [NVG]. I think that was the biggest game changer in the ser- vice’s history, in terms of crew safety, to be quite hon- est. With NVG, we can much more clearly see the hilly PROGRAMS FOR HAI MEMBERS terrain where we operate. We needed the technology to get down to our safest and lowest [level] for confined areas, not do any nap-of-the-earth flying you see the mili- tary do. We use the NVG strictly for safety. Before, we were using a Nightsun searchlight. Now, everyone on the crew is goggled up on our flights. Today, we also have a very good system in place to deal with the mental health side of things. Back in the day, it was just sit around and talk about it with your mates and, “Here’s a phone number to call if you’re hav- ing trouble.” Now, we have a very good employee assis- JOIN US! tance program. That [resulted from] people putting their hand up to get out of the job. It was shocking—after 38 years, I was still having nightmares and I knew it was ACSF Safety Symposium | April 5-6 time to put my hand up when we went to a motor acci- Register at acsf.aero/SYMPOSIUM dent where an innocent young girl was killed by an intox- March 2022 ROTOR 19
ROTORWA H ROTORCRAFTEVENTS 2022 APR. 5–6 2022 ACSF Safety Symposium JUL. 25–30 APSCON 2022 Air Charter Safety Foundation Airborne Public Safety Association MAR. 7–10 Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Reno, Nevada, USA EXHIBITS OPEN MAR. 8–10 Daytona Beach, Florida, USA Learn more at publicsafetyaviation.org HAI HELI-EXPO 2022 Learn more at acsf.aero JUL. 25–31 APR. 5–10 EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2022 SUN ’n FUN Aerospace Expo Experimental Aircraft Association Lakeland, Florida, USA Oshkosh, Wisconsin, USA Helicopter Association International Learn more at flysnf.org Learn more at eaa.org/airventure Dallas, Texas, USA Learn more at heliexpo.com APR. 25–28 SEP. 3–5 AUVSI Xponential 2022 2022 Cleveland National Air Show MAR. 17–19 Association for Unmanned Vehicle Cleveland, Ohio, USA WAI2022 Systems International Learn more at clevelandairshow.com Women in Aviation International Orlando, Florida, USA Nashville, Tennessee, USA Learn more at auvsi.org/events SEP. 7–8 Learn more at wai.org Helitech Expo 2022 MAY 10–12 London, UK MAR. 29–30 Forum 78: VFS 78th Annual Forum Learn more at helitech.co.uk EASA High Level Conference on & Technology Display Drones The Vertical Flight Society OCT. 4–6 European Union Aviation Safety Agency Fort Worth, Texas, USA Global Vertical Aviation Safety Amsterdam, Netherlands Learn more at vtol.org/forum Conference (GVASC) Learn more at easa.europa.eu FAA, Helicopter Association International, MAY 23–25 US Helicopter Safety Team, and Vertical APR. 3–5 2022 European Business Aviation Aviation Safety Team Army Aviation Mission Convention & Exhibition Hurst, Texas, USA Solutions Summit (EBACE2022) More information coming soon Army Aviation Association of America National Business Aviation Association and Nashville, Tennessee, USA European Business Aviation Association OCT. 18–20 Learn more at s7.goeshow.com Geneva, Switzerland 2022 NBAA Business Aviation Learn more at ebace.aero Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE) JUN. 16–18 National Business Aviation Association RotorTechUK Orlando, Florida, USA Cirencester, England Learn more at nbaa.org Learn more at rotortechuk.com OCT. 24–26 JUL. 6–10 ELEVATE 2022 (formerly the Air The Ninety-Nines International Medical Transport Conference) Conference & Career Expo Association of Air Medical Services The Ninety-Nines Tampa, Florida, USA Charleston, South Carolina, USA Learn more at aams.org Learn more at ninety-nines.org 20 ROTOR March 2022
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Fly Ov e r FORT WORTH, TEXAS | AUG. 6, 2021 HELICOPTER INSTITUTE | EUROCOPTER AS350 B2 PILOT: RANDY ROWLES PHOTO BY MARK BENNETT
Erickson and the Air Crane A S ERICKSON INC. MARKS 50 YEARS IN Air Crane pilot and 43-year Erickson veteran. business, the Oregon-based helicopter OEM Wanting more power, Erickson leased three S-64 Skycranes and maintenance organization is the world’s from Sikorsky. With the help of the distinctive aircraft, he pio- largest operator of and foremost expert on the neered aerial timber-harvesting techniques and expanded into S-64 Air Crane, a distinction earned through firefighting, power-line construction, and airlifting heavy HVAC its long-lived relationship with the iconic aircraft. units onto high-rise rooftops. Erickson’s early success and the In 1971, nearly a decade after Sikorsky first flew the S-64 S-64’s capabilities ensured the two legacies would be intertwined Skycrane, Jack Erickson, who worked for his father’s logging for the next 50 years. VASILIS KRANITSAS PHOTOGRAPHY business, had the idea to use helicopters to remove timber from a steep slope in Northern California. Innovative Ideas, Bold Moves “The original logging job was with Columbia Helicopters. They From the beginning, Erickson leaned into innovation, continually had an S-61 and Jack had the wood. When it proved successful, searching for better, faster, safer ways to accomplish tasks. The he formed Erickson Air-Crane,” says Kenny Chapman, an S-64 company developed an antirotation device to stabilize heavy 24 ROTOR March 2022
The Right Tool for the Job Today, Erickson owns and operates 16 S-64 SEE Air Cranes around the world for heavy-lift An S-64 Lift an HVAC Unit onto construction projects, timber harvesting, oil a High-Rise Rooftop and gas support, and a whole lot of firefighting. Partnering with forest services, Erickson mobilizes its Air Cranes seasonally to fire hot spots—typically in the United States, Canada, Greece, Australia, South Korea, and Italy. It’s a mission made possible because Erickson took its new type certificate and created a 2,650-gal. tank and fire-suppression system that attaches to the aircraft’s belly. With the tank, the S-64 can drop more than 25,000 gal. an hour. Along with ushering in an era of nimble aerial firefighting, the hydro-tank proved that the Air Crane could be a multipurpose tool akin to a Swiss Army knife. “It’s not very fast. It isn’t made for going cross-country. It’s made for picking stuff up. Because of that, there are 32 hard points on the aircraft designed for bolting on equipment,” says Chapman, who has fought fires across the globe, including 25 seasons in Australia. “We can bolt on the tank and take it off. We can bolt on gear for setting power-line towers and take that off. Erickson can build and adapt equipment for just about any mission. If you want to add a tank to the surplus military machines that are coming out, you likely have Celebrating a 50-year legacy and the to make major structural modifications, usually cutting through the floor to put in the doors. aircraft that made it possible. From the onset, the Crane was designed to have systems added to it.” by Christine Knauer In the years ahead, Erickson developed more bolt-on accessories—a water cannon for precise aiming, a Sea Snorkel for quickly scooping up water, and a hydraulic grapple that eliminated loads and created the shock and pendant lift shutdowns plaguing the S-64 at the time, which ground crews in logging operations, greatly to decouple the load from the aircraft and Sikorsky lacked. In addition, the resourceful increasing safety. reduce vibrations during longline timber entrepreneur envisioned capitalizing on the Despite its beefy airframe, the S-64 Air harvesting. aircraft’s unique design to expand its capabilities Crane feels remarkably maneuverable for a “Jack was always open to new ideas. For a and his business. helicopter its size, according to Rich Foote, lot of things, people would have said, ‘You can’t That year, Erickson purchased the S-64 type field maintenance aircraft manager for Erickson. do that,’ but Erickson did,” says Chapman, who certificate and renamed the aircraft the S-64 “The Crane’s single-rotor system makes it so worked alongside the founder in the early days. Air Crane. In acquiring the certificate, Erickson agile. It can juke and dive and do a lot of things “He was willing to try.” set the stage for rescuing the legacy S-64 from other aircraft can’t.” By 1992, Erickson wanted control of the obsolescence and creating an aircraft modern- Chapman, who has logged some 17,000 S-64’s type certificate. The aging fleet needed ization program that would extend the life of flight hours in a variety of aircraft, agrees. “The reliable support and parts supply as well as a the fleet and give operators a truly versatile S-64 doesn’t fly like a big helicopter. It looks solution for the frequent in-flight engine utility aircraft. kind of ungainly, like it would be sluggish, but March 2022 ROTOR 25
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