With under three months to go until Helitech International 2015 opens its doors between 6 – 8 October at ExCeL London, the event is set to provide the global rotary wing sector with an impressive showcase of helicopter platforms, systems, components and services. At present, 21 countries will be represented by a broad mix of industry primes and small to medium-size companies covering all aspects of the rotary supply chain. Exhibitors include: Airbus Helicopters, AgustaWestland, BAE Systems, Bell Helicopter, Curtiss-Wright, Honeywell, ITT, Lockheed Martin, Milestone, Northrop Grumman, Pratt & Whitney and Vector Aerospace.

According to recent market intelligence from Reportbuyer, the global civil helicopter market has grown almost threefold in size over the past decade, despite the global economic crisis. This has been driven by an expansion of the degree, as well as scope, of utilisation of civil helicopters across a range of user segments led by the offshore oil & gas exploration sector and law enforcement & parapublic based applications. This growth has been reflected by an increase in interest from industry across the board in Helitech International 2015.

“The rotorcraft supply chain will be represented by an impressive range of international companies at many different levels at this year’s event,” said John Hyde, Event Director for Helitech International. “The number and spread of the many countries that will be participating in London will provide a genuine international stage for the rotary wing industry to collectively assemble. During three days, companies will not only procure new business but visitors and exhibitors can also discuss the key topics and issues affecting the global helicopter community.”

The global footprint of Helitech International 2015, run in association with the European Helicopter Association, will include exhibitors from countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Qatar, South Africa and traditionally strong representation from the North American and European markets. There are currently over 20 first-time exhibitors from eight countries around the world.

Helicentre Aviation will be flying a Guimbal Cabri G2 to Helitech International. Head of Training, Captain Sarah Bowen, spoke of her excitement to be a part of Helitech International and to be exhibiting with a Cabri G2 for the second time. “We will be absolutely delighted to offer Helitech International visitors the opportunity to see the Cabri G2 up close. It has become an integral part of our training academy, exceeding our expectations and allowing hundreds of pilots to train in a comfortable and state-of-the-art learning environment”. Since 2013 the company has flown more than 4,000 hours across their modern Cabri G2 fleet, which will have grown to almost double its current size by early 2016 as orders of four additional airframes currently in production with Hélicoptères Guimbal are fulfilled.

Austrian-based TEST-FUCHS, exhibiting for the first time at Helitech International, is adding a new branch to its core product range of electrical, fuel, hydraulic and electronic test rigs. The Aerospace Engineering Division produces system components for fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters and land vehicles for a variety of functions, including fuel pumps, lubrication and hydraulic oil pumps and electrical components.

Helitune plans to launch its new Rotor Track, Balance and Vibration Analysis (RTBVA) system, Rotortuner 6 at the show. The new Vibration Management Unit (VMU) offers simultaneous and parallel data collection on 16 measurement channels and eight speed reference channels as standard, allowing data collection from multiple rotors in a single button press. Combined with the new RTB solution algorithm (MFR), RT-6 reduces the duration of each test flight and the number of test flights required to complete the RTB & VA tasking. RT-6 is controlled through Helitune’s new hand-held terminal, Flitepad. Flitepad is a ruggedised tablet PC running Microsoft Windows Operating System.

Paul Hawksworth, Sales Manager at Helitune, said: “As the largest event in Europe dedicated to helicopters, Helitech International allows Helitune to showcase their latest products and developments to the helicopter community from all over Europe and beyond.”

Waypoint Leasing is returning to Helitech International this year. Ed Washecka, Chief Executive Officer of Waypoint Leasing, said: “We’ve been coming to Helitech International since Waypoint’s inception in 2013, and it is consistently a great opportunity for us to engage with important stakeholders in the helicopter industry – including manufacturers, suppliers and operators. As our customer base continues to grow, we have taken proactive measures to bolster our brand, hire of some of the industry’s most experienced professionals and launch new offices in high priority geographic regions. London is an important hub of activity, especially for Waypoint as we have expanded to more than 20 countries and grown our fleet to more than 100 aircraft on lease, including 56 in the UK and Western Europe. Our newly established London office is being run by Clark McGinn, former Global Head of Aviation Financing at CHC Leasing”.

“As former helicopter operators ourselves, we know and anticipate the needs of our customers, and we provide leasing solutions that meet those needs, mitigate risk and enable our customers to achieve both their financial and operational goals. This is increasingly important today, as we serve broader end markets, including emergency medical services, oil & gas, search and rescue, firefighting and government support industries. We look forward to participating in Helitech International 2015 and hope visitors will come see us at Booth #F70,” added Mr Washecka.