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Leading the way: Airbus Helicopters Canada is committed to safety

September 7, 2017  By Airbus Helicopters Canada

Airbus Helicopters Canada has introduced a number of innovative ways to help create a strong culture of safety in both Canada and abroad. Here are some of the ways it is taking a leadership role.



Innovation in Safety Award

The Innovation in Safety Award was established as a point of reference to measure the advancements and accomplishments of organizations and individuals working to uphold Canadian helicopter safe flying practices, while employing an exceptional or ground-breaking approach. This award is a testimony to the high degree of professionalism and innovation found in today’s Canadian rotor wing operations.

Every year the winner(s) of the Innovation in Safety Award are selected by a committee of industry professionals. This year’s award ceremony will take place during the Helicopter Association of Canada’s annual conference, held on November 9th – 11th in Ottawa, ON. The award recipient(s) will receive a cash prize of $10,000 CAD in addition to recognition from the industry.

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The ‘Innovation in Safety Award’ will be presented to the nominee(s) whose exceptional or ground breaking approach has demonstrated an impact on the overall goal of safe flying procedures, as recognized through the analysis of skill development, training and any additional resources, while sustaining helicopter safe flying practices.

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Corporate Safety Seminar

The weekend of May 5th – 7th, 2017 marked the sixth edition of Airbus Helicopters Canada’s Safety Seminar, hosted in Montebello QC. The Annual Safety Seminar is tailored specifically for private operators, providing pilots both classroom and in-flight training from Airbus’ certified trainers and pilots.

The inclement weather that effected Eastern Canada wasn’t able to put a damper on the Safety Seminar, with a total of 13 aircraft flying into the event, representing the full range of Airbus models within the privatesector (H120, AS350/H125 and EC130/H130).

In addition to the flight specific training, attendees gained valuable knowledge from industry leaders on topics including; Optical Awareness – Flying Blind, Operations in Poor Weather with Low Visibility and Hope is not a Strategy (safe flying practices).

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Powerline Symposium

Every autumn Airbus Helicopters Canada hosts an International Powerline Symposium. The focus is to promote safety in a powerline environment and to encourage discussions in regards to rotary wing best practices within a global perspective, amongst those in the utility and hydro industry.

Working in the Powerline Sector requires a high percentage of flying for both the worldwide commercial and utility helicopter fleet. It has been established as one of the most challenging and ever evolving environments for rotary aircraft operations; showcasing vast diversity in established work practices from coast to coast.

Airbus Helicopters is committed to the advancement of fleet safety and believes events promoting safe flying practices will contribute to making great strides in establishing best practices within the rotary wing industry as well as, elevating a global culture of safety oriented professionals.

This year ‘s International Powerline Symposium will be hosted October 14th -15th in Alexandria, VA, followed by HAI’s Annual UPAC Meeting on October 16th.


MRO & Engineering Innovation

Airbus Helicopters Canada prides itself on its comprehensive support and services solutions. In addition to being certified for overhaul of dynamic components, Airbus Helicopters Canada has the capability to perform repairs and machining in-house. This integrated approach to repair and overhaul is the result of Airbus Helicopters’ commitment to quality, efficiency and customer service. Customers depend on their aircraft and with OEM certified maintenance and upgrades they can rely on Airbus to deliver mission ready aircraft.

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Airbus Helicopters’ wide range of maintenance and upgrade options ensure that its customers’ in-service rotor-craft experience the maximum availability and continually evolve with the latest technologies and product improvements.

To keep aircraft operating at peak performance, Airbus Helicopters Canada offers a range of industry leading inspection, repair and overhaul capabilities, with guaranteed turn-around times and cost efficiency.

Airbus Helicopters Canada offers comprehensive repair and overhaul services for; Dynamic components, Blades, Airframe and Equipment.

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Airbus Helicopters’ Level I-IV maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) department is certified in the repair and overhaul of all dynamic components, mechanical assemblies and hydraulic systems for the AS350, AS355, EC120, EC130, BO105 and BK117.

Exchange components and blades are available at Airbus’ Fort Erie and Vancouver locations to ensure uninterrupted flying.


Racer Demonstrator

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At the 2017 Paris Air Show, Airbus Helicopters unveiled the aerodynamic configuration of the high speed demonstrator it is developing as part of the Clean Sky 2 European research programme. Codenamed Racer, for Rapid And Cost-Effective Rotor-craft, this demonstrator will incorporate a host of innovative features and will be optimized for a cruise speed of more than 400 km/h. It will aim at achieving the best trade-off between speed, cost-efficiency, sustainability and mission performance. Final assembly of the demonstrator is expected to start in 2019, with a first flight the following year.

The Racer demonstrator will be built around a simple architecture, ensuring safety and cost-efficiency. An innovative “box-wing” design, optimized for aerodynamic efficiency, will provide lift in cruise mode while isolating passengers during ground operations from the “pusher” lateral rotors designed to generate thrust in forward flight.

Building upon the success of the self-funded X3 demonstrator, which validated the “compound” aerodynamic configuration – a combination of a traditional main rotor and innovative lateral rotors – the Racer project will bring this concept closer to an operational design and demonstrate its suitability for a wide spectrum of missions where increased speed and efficiency will bring significant added value for citizens and operators.

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