Helitech International: EHA Rotorcraft Seminars Shine Spotlight on Issues Affecting Operators

The European Helicopter Association (EHA) will stage its authoritative Rotorcraft Seminars during Helitech International, which takes place at ExCeL London from 6 - 8 October 2015. The comprehensive programme, which will be staged on 7 October, features a keynote address from Luc Tytgat, Director Strategy & Safety Management, European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). This will be followed by a series of influential speakers addressing issues of paramount importance to the rotorcraft industry.

"This year, the EHA Rotorcraft Seminars' main focus will be on key issues affecting operators, some of which have already attracted much debate as well as apprehension within the rotorcraft community. Our goal is to provide delegates with the latest news and updates on possible solutions and future actions", said Jaime Arqué, Chairman of the EHA.

"A number of relevant topics will be covered, such as crew fatigue, offshore safety, and rotorcraft operations at airports. An overview of the Single European Sky ATM Research (SESAR) project will also provide a unique opportunity to delve deeper into this new, complex and very exciting programme where new technologies will enhance rotorcraft operations" explained Mr. Arqué. "The Seminars are set to be a most interesting discussion indeed and a valuable debate around some of the most prevalent issues currently facing operators".

Luc Tytgat said, "My presentation, entitled 'EASA's flight path: towards better serving the industry' will cover the evolution of EASA structure and strategy, relations with stakeholders, new programmes, and the upcoming BR review."

This will be followed by a presentation by John Franklin, Head of Safety Analysis and Research Section, EASA, who will look at the changes to occurrence reporting in civil aviation that are set to come into force this November. He will outline the practical implications for aviation organisations, what is changing and most importantly, how this feeds into the improvement of safety in Europe. Safety issues for helicopter operations will be addressed by Clément Audard, Certification Expert in Development Assurance & Safety Assessment, EASA, who will provide an overview of EASA activities and initiatives to further improve safety in the North-Sea.

Tim Glasspool, Head of Flight Operations, Bristow Helicopters Ltd, will provide an operator's perspective, including an assessment of the safety benefits derived from the Civil Aviation Authority's (CAP) '1145' review, which brought in a series of measures to increase the safety of offshore helicopter flights. He will comment on what has had the largest impacts on costs and service delivery, and some of the unintended consequences.

The critically important issue of helicopter ditching occupant survivability comes under the spotlight in a presentation by Peter Chittenden, Cabin Safety Expert, European Aviation Safety Agency. An EASA rulemaking task has been underway since early 2013 concerning all aspects of survivability in helicopter emergency landings on water (ditching) and water impact accidents. The proposed new rules set higher standards for new designs of helicopters operating offshore. Recommendations are also made for future work to consider how the higher standards could be applied to existing designs. The work has now reached a mature stage and the NPA will be released for public comment soon.

Another highlight in the afternoon will be the Flight Time Limitations (FTL) Scientific Study on Crew Fatigue during Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) operations. This presentation will provide information concerning an on-going research project, 'Fatigue in Norwegian air ambulance service'. The study includes all pilots and HEMS crewmembers on the bases operated by the Norwegian Air Ambulance. The design of the study and preliminary results will be presented at the conference by Anette Harris, Associate Professor, PhD, University of Bergen.

SESAR will come under review in a presentation by Fabio Mangiaracina, Air Traffic Management Engineer, SICTA (ENAV Group) and Philippe Rollet, EHA Senior Expert for Rotorcraft Integration in the Air Traffic Management (ATM) System. SESAR is the technological pillar of the Single European Sky and aims to improve ATM performance by modernising and harmonising ATM systems through the definition, development, validation and deployment of innovative technological and operational solutions. The speakers will provide an overview of the ongoing SESAR radio communications (RC) project activities, including how SESAR will affect RC instrument flight rules (IFR) operation (one of two sets of regulations governing all aspects of civil aviation aircraft operations).

Alexa Hourclats, Navigation Project Manager, Egis Avia, will be speaking on rotorcraft IFR operations at airports, focusing on how Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) allow the design of environmentally friendly independent procedures. The final session features Santiago Soley, Chief Executive Officer, PILDO Labs, whose title is: 'Pioneers - be at the forefront of mission critical services'. Aerial mission-critical services are provided in a very demanding environment, are never planned, and almost always mean flying in difficult conditions. New navigation systems and concepts, based on satellite navigation signals (GPS and SBAS augmented services), enhance future operations by opening up new opportunities for instrumental flights.

John Hyde, Event Director of Helitech International said, "The EHA Rotorcraft Seminar programme is, as always, content rich and addresses the issues of prime concern to our industry, We are delighted that the Association is once again providing such a valuable component of Helitech International."