Helitech Portugal’s inaugural conference will lift off with a session about how the industry is working ‘Towards consistent simulator standards’, led by the Helicopter International Working Group. As flying hours become increasingly expensive, helicopter operators are investing more than ever in simulators as a reliable alternative. Consequently, not only are the simulators expected to provide basic training in emergency procedures, but also advanced job-specific flying skills such as load-lifting, search and rescue, and confined area work for qualified pilots.

Helitech takes place for the second time in Portugal this year, from 5- 7 October at Airport Cascais, near Estoril. The two day conference programme is being held on Tuesday 5 th and Wednesday 6 th October within the exhibition hall at the show.

Other highlights from the first day of the conference programme include Stephan Brade, from ADAC (Allgemeiner Deutscher Automobil-Club), Europe’s largest automobile organisation, which provides 44 helicopters for urgent medical rescues in Germany. Mr Brade will be igniting debate on the expanding simulation market in a session entitled ‘Whole-crew flight and mission training via simulator’.

There is a growing requirement in the rotary industry for higher performing, more cost-effective helicopters – a need which reflects a more general focus on lowering pollution levels, creating less noise and increasing recyclability of aircraft. Reconciling these demands may appear a difficult task, but manufacturers’ R&D teams, coordinated by the European Commission, are leading the way in rising to the challenge with initiatives such as the Green Rotorcraft project which is tasked with designing improvements such as airframe drag and rotor blade design. At the forefront of discussion on the second day of the conference will be an update on this. ‘ Project Clean Sky – the joint European initiative’, will be delivered by Sebastien Dubois from ACARE Europe.

For helicopter companies considering expanding their firefighting capabilities, the final afternoon of the conference offers an insight into how to navigate from contract tendering through to operating. This session will help assess specific customer needs and the infrastructure that is necessary. Speakers include Luis Neto from the National Authority for Civil Protection, Carlos Santos from EMA and José Afonso Pereira from Helibravo.

“This is the first time Helitech has organised its own conference,” said Sue Bradshaw, Helitech’s Exhibition Director. “We have worked hard to address some of the most pressing themes of the European rotary wing sector such as aerial fire fighting; greener and safer helicopters; and simulation. As Helitech is now recognised as an annual opportunity for bringing the helicopter industry together, part of the conference will include a discussion forum, led by experts from across the training spectrud rotor blade design. At the forefront of discussion on the second day of the conference will be an update on this. ‘ Project Clean Sky – the joint European initiative’, will be delivered by Sebastien Dubois from ACARE Europe.

For helicopter companies considering expanding their firefighting capabilities, the final afternoon of the conference offers an insight into how to navigate from contract tendering through to operating. This session will help assess specific customer needs and the infrastructure that is necessary. Speakers include Luis Neto from the National Authority for Civil Protection, Carlos Santos from EMA and José Afonso Pereira from Helibravo.

“This is the fir