AHS’ Hirschberg Reviews Lobbying and Noise Reduction Campaigns

AHS’ Hirschberg Reviews Lobbying and Noise Reduction Campaigns

3-Mar-2015 Source: HeliHub.com

Mike Hirschberg, executive director of AHS International (the American Helicopter Society), outlined some of the ways that his organisation was helping both the civil and military helicopter industries.

He said that through his organisation’s lobbying, NASA Aeronautics had received an extra $7 million in funding for its rotorcraft S&T (science and technology) budget in FY15, as this had been reduced to only $15 million. Through lobbying (alongside the Vertical Lift Consortium) the US Army’s Advanced Technology Directorate (AATD) had also received an additional $14 million for JMR/FVL budget (an increase of 16% on the original $89 million).

AHS was also striving to push 14 CFR 27 regarding the compliance of single engine helicopters with IFR Certification. He said that IFR certification remained at a time when ‘steam gauge’ Bell 206s were the norm rather than todays’ Bell 407s. “Just look at the difference – there is now so much more sophistication in the cockpit but you still can’t fly IFR,” said Hirschberg. “You should now be able to take advantage of modern equipment.”

AHS was also working to develop and publicise ADS-B (Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast)which Hirschberg calls a ‘fantastic capability.’ “All aircraft have to have it by 2020. We are working with HAI on case studies to show the benefits of them – so that operators can begin taking advantage of them early.”

With regard to the continuing debate over helicopter noise, Hirschberg mentioned the huge outcry in New York and Los Angeles over helicopter traffic and noise. “We need to get operators to use noise abatement procedures, fly neighbourly and there is also a need to educate the public about why helicopters are flying and why they are beneficial to the public. We created an online library of noise research papers and reports.” [www.vtol.org/noise]

Mentioning the role of OEMs and the development of technology to lessen noise, Hirschberg pointed to Airbus Helicopters’ Blue Pulse flaps to cancel out noise (active) through vibration and now Blue Edge which is passive. “As the vortex comes off the blade it is broken up and straighten out. It is believed that the X4 will have Blue Edge,” he added.

To reduce BVI (blade vortex interaction), he suggested that pilots should slow down and descend less rapidly to reduce noise. “We are trying to advise people how to fly neighbourly with people. We want to reduce the numbers of complaints. it is not just the decibel level,” he said.

Andrew Drwiega – HeliHub.com

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