News from Heli-Expo 2024
Once again, the Heli-Expo 2024 in Anaheim (CA), USA was the place to be for all those who are interested in either selling, buying or maintaining rotorcraft. From 26 to 29 February, the annual gathering of the Helicopter Association International was held in the Anaheim Convention Center.
For the attendees the convention was the opportunity to meet with 600+ industry suppliers and to develop strategic connections with 14,000 industry professionals from 90+ countries.
As in the years before, helicopter manufacturers were eager to announce their sales during Heli-Expo 2024. And also, as in the years before, sales numbers were split between two important European players in the field of civil helicopters, Airbus Helicopters and Leonardo.
Airbus helicopters for HealthNet
One of the first orders for Airbus was revealed by HealthNet Aeromedical Services, headquartered in Charleston, West Virginia on 27 February. The company will soon expand its all-Airbus fleet with the addition of four H135 helicopters. As one of the largest hospital-based air medical programs in the country, the helicopters will be used to serve adult, pediatric and neonatal patients across the state of West Virginia. HealthNet has been flying Airbus helicopters since 1986, but the new H135s will have improved equipment. The helicopters will be the first in the HealthNet fleet equipped with Helionix avionics, allowing for increased mission flexibility and safety.
Airbus’ light, twin-engine H135 incorporates the most advanced technologies available, including Airbus Helicopters' Helionix avionics suite, which, in addition to the 4-axis autopilot, offers an innovative cockpit layout to enhance situational awareness. Designed with three large electronic displays, the H135’s cockpit is night vision goggle compatible and includes a First Limit Indicator, which highlights the appropriate engine instrument data for the pilot in one indicator.
Airbus H130s over Niagara Falls
Niagara Helicopters has placed an order for six H130 helicopters, confirming a full fleet renewal for the tourism company based in Niagara Falls (ONT). Each year, the company welcomes more than 100,000 customers from all over the world, providing a nine minute, 27 kilometre sightseeing tour over Niagara Falls. The company has been satisfactorily operating Airbus helicopters for ten years.
The aircraft of choice for tourism, the H130 has a wide, unobstructed cabin which accommodates the pilot and up to seven passengers, providing outstanding visibility through a large wrap-around windscreen and wide windows.
In addition to the H130’s panoramic seating, the active vibration control system and improved air conditioning contribute to its comfort. Its state-of-the-art technologies, materials, systems and avionics make it a quiet and powerful helicopter.
As a single-engine helicopter, the H130 offers the most economical operating cost per seat in its class. It is known for its widespread use with sightseeing services, charter operators and emergency medical services.
Airbus orders by DRF Luftrettung
On the same day, German helicopter emergency medical services operator DRF Luftrettung and Airbus Helicopters announced orders for up to ten H145 helicopters (seven firm orders, three options).
DRF Luftrettung is one of the largest and most experienced air rescue organizations in Europe. The organization and its subsidiaries operate more than 50 Airbus H135 and H145 helicopters at 40 bases throughout Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein and Switzerland for emergency rescue and intensive care transport operations. In addition to this, they are also deployed for special missions, including hoist operations and day and night operations.
The helicopters ordered by DRF Luftrettung will all be delivered in the new five-bladed rotor version of the Airbus H145. The new rotor increases the useful load of the helicopter by 150 kg. The H145 is equipped with a full authority digital engine control (FADEC) and the Helionix digital avionics suite. It includes a high performance 4-axis autopilot, increasing safety and reducing pilot workload.
Airbus orders from Saudi Arabia
During the Heli-Expo, The Helicopter Company (THC), Saudi Arabia's premier provider of commercial helicopter services and fully owned by the Public Investment Fund, signed a historic framework agreement with Airbus.
The framework agreement will include up to 120 Airbus helicopters of various types set to be delivered over the next five to seven years. Part of the deal is a firm order for eight H125s along with 10 H145s that are converted options from an earlier contract, bringing THC’s total firm Airbus helicopter fleet to 60, 25 of which are already in service today.
The new H125 helicopters will support the delivery of THC’s range of services in areas including aerial work and tourism. The H145s will be used in a variety of roles including Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and corporate transport.
Leonardo orders from Saudi Arabia
It is a good habit to put your bet on more than one horse Saudi Arabian THC (The Helicopter Company) board must have thought, and so they are doing business with Leonardo too. Leonardo and THC announced a substantial growth of their collaboration with an order for twenty AW139 intermediate twin-engine helicopters and a multi-year Framework Agreement for over 130 aircraft.
The contract for twenty AW139s aims at primarily strengthening the emergency medical service (EMS) and search and rescue (SAR) fleet in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with deliveries expected to be carried out in 2025 and 2026.
The Framework Agreement for over 130 aircraft includes a mix of AW109s, AW169s, AW139s and AW189Ks for various applications, with a first batch of orders foreseen by the first half of this year and delivery positions to THC over five to seven years. The intention to procure these latest 20 AW139s was announced at Heli-Expo 2023. By the time all these latest firmly ordered AW139s are delivered, THC will have a total fleet of approximately 50 AW139s carrying out a range of missions including EMS, SAR and corporate transport in the country, making THC one of the largest AW139 operators globally.
AW189s for Bristow Group
On 28 February Leonardo and Bristow Group Inc. announced a framework agreement including firm orders for ten AW189 super medium helicopters plus ten options. Bristow is currently operating 21 AW189 helicopters globally with another five due off the assembly line in 2024.
The new framework agreement covers a fleet expansion plan for the 2025-2028 period. Bristow uses the AW189 in its Offshore Energy Services business line as well as in its Government Services business line supporting search and rescue operations in the U.K., the Netherlands, and beginning in 2025 in Ireland.
Photos: Airbus Helicopters and Leonardo