HANGAR TALK Industry news relevant to your business


GPMS Adds Bell Leader as Vice President of Marketing


GPMS recently announced that Ronnie Ries has joined the company as its vice president of marketing. In this position, Ries will help develop and promote the Foresight MX HUMS solution to operators of helicopters from Bell, Airbus, Russian Helicopter, and MD Helicopters. Ries brings nearly two decades of experience as a marketing leader in the rotorcraft industry to GPMS, including time as chair of the Transportation Research Board Civil Helicopter Subcommittee. Most recently, he led Bell’s Commercial Marketing and Customer Experience organization, overseeing the marketing of aircraft, aftermarket services, and the expansion of its customer portal. Additionally, Ries was responsible for the marketing of Aeronautical Accessories, an affiliate of Bell and distributor of the Bell 407 HUMS Foresight MX, as well as managing relationships with various suppliers and engine OEMs to support aftermarket growth opportunities.


Jed Kalkstein, GPMS’s president, said, “With Ronnie’s knowledge and relationships, we look forward to engaging with our customers to prove how increased adoption of HUMS in light aircraft increases operator safety and lowers their direct operating costs in the process.”


GPMS’ Foresight MX system is 90% lighter and seven times more accurate than traditional rotorcraft monitoring systems and adds a predictive remaining useful life capability critical to asset optimization. Foresight MX has now been certified on the Bell 407GX/GXP/GXi, Bell 429, Bell 212, Bell 412, Airbus H125, and Mi-8/17/171 series with thousands of hours of accrued tracking. Upcoming certifications for the platform include the Bell 407 Analog, Airbus H135, and MD530.


Ries is a graduate of TCU and Texas A&M University-Kingsville and lives in Fort Worth, Texas with his wife and numerous biological, adopted, and foster children.


34 Jan/Feb 2022


Helicentre Aviation Purchases Entrol AW109 SP FNPT II MCC Simulator


Helicentre Aviation Academy recently became Entrol’s first U.K. customer, signing a purchase order for an H19 / AW109 SP FNPT II MCC simulator.


Early last year, following 20 successful years specializing in ab- initio to professional pilot training, Helicentre Aviation obtained CAA approval for the multi-engine instrument rating alongside the purchase of its first Leonardo AW109.


Less than a year later, demand is growing as graduates of the academy’s instrument-rating courses are successfully gaining employment into multi-crew roles. This provides newly qualified pilots with career pathways straight out of training, predominantly into the offshore sector.


The addition of this simulator enhances training capabilities, providing students with a more seamless transition to the aircraft and allowing the ATO to expand into the delivery of additional courses such as MCC. “We are committed to investing in innovation and technology so we can continue to offer the best and most up-to-date simulation experience to our trainee helicopter pilots,” comments Sarah Bowen, Helicentre Aviation’s head of training and director of business development.


To further enhance the training experience, the simulator has been ordered with additional features including a vibration system, instructor debriefing station, cylindrical visual system with an extended vertical field of view, and IOS remote control.


The purchase represents a key milestone for Entrol, as its first simulator to be installed and certified in the United Kingdom.


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