Whatever your area of rotary-driven interest it's almost certain that Helitech would've had something for you. Anyone who's anyone in the rotary world is represented at Helitech, from manufacturers such as AgustaWestland, Eurocopter and Bell through to industry based publishers, and absolutely everything you could imagine in between.
Laid out on the concrete at Duxford's Imperial War Museum, Helitech comprises a large, temporary, marqueed area housing more than 200 exhibitors and an external static display of helicopters that are on show for various reasons - some company demonstrators, a number demonstrating specific on board equipment and a significant number available for sale on the second-hand market.
Indeed, 2009's line-up boasted record numbers with 42 helicopters on display, leaving the static area feeling rather cramped. Of particular note were the Defence Helicopter Flying School AW139, the "Da Vinci" Rega (an A109 derivative), while Bell displayed a mock-up of their recently certified 429 type and Polish manufacturer PZL Swidnik showed Air Force examples of their SW-4 Puszczyk and W-3RL Sokol helicopters.
The DHFS AW139 is one of two owned by FBHeliservices and is assigned to the Search And Rescue Training Unit (SARTU) at RAF Valley, where the pair are being used to train Algerian military crews.
Rega operate in Switzerland and the Da Vinci helicopter has been developed to meet their requirements for mountain rescue and air ambulance operations. It carries state of the art avionics for the task and is said to deliver outstanding performance. It's able to carry a pilot, a doctor, a paramedic, one stretcher-bound patient and a passenger.
The presence of a Royal Air Force Puma HC.1 had led to much speculation that the announcement concerning the long-awaited HC.2 upgrade deal was imminent, but that would have to wait a little while longer.
Sporting the bright red Bond Helicopters colour scheme was Eurocopter EC135 G-GOWF. The aircraft also carried titles for being the "UK's First Wind Farm Support Helicopter" and will soon be set to work on the Greater Gabbard wind farm located on the East Anglia coast which is expected to be recognised as being the world's largest wind farm when completed next year.
The helicopter will be used to assist with routine maintenance and will deliver personnel and equipment directly on to the wind turbines via a winch system.
In addition to the actual aircraft on display there was plenty of new technology to be seen too; L3-WESCAM were present to demonstrate their new MX-10 camera which works in conjunction with their existing MX-Series command and control, moving map; DST Control were on hand to show the latest variants in their range of stabilised electro-optical sensor systems and Skyquest Aviation unveiled their first-ever production model High Definition (HD) video recorder.
Announcements that were made during the exhibition included the Bristow Group's order for three AW139s for off-shore transport operations, West Midlands Police Air Support Unit's signing for a new EC135 to replace their previous example that was destroyed by fire in an arson attack recently, while MD Helicopters confirmed deals for a replacement MD900 Explorer for Lincolnshire & Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance as well as a brand new order for two Explorers for the Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Trust.
Over the three days of Helitech 2009 more than 4,000 visitors attended.
If you would like to discuss using any of our imagery or feature content please contact us.