SAFETY SITREP Safety-Related Information and Resources from the Vertical Aviation Safety Team EUROPEAN ROTORS 2024
A SAFETY SPECTACLE UNFOLDED AT THE ROTORCRAFT SAFETY ZONE
By Michel Masson, senior safety promotion business partner, EASA
In November, Amsterdam buzzed with excitement as European Rotors 2024 brought together the brightest minds and top innovators in the vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) industry. Co-owned by EASA and the European Helicopter Association
(EHA), and powered by Vertical Aviation
International (VAI), this premier European VTOL Show and Safety Conference was a thrilling event for rotorcraft professionals, enthusiasts, and industry pioneers alike.
At the core of the conference was the Rotorcraft Safety Zone — an unmissable hub of hands-on demonstrations, safety briefings, and direct interaction with the industry’s foremost safety experts. Co-organized by EASA and the European Safety Promotion Network Rotorcraft (ESPN-R), the Safety Zone gave participants a front-row seat to essential safety practices in a dynamic, informal setting. Attendees didn’t just observe; they engaged, questioned, and experienced safety principles in action.
An Unforgettable Lineup of Demos and Briefings
In this year’s edition, following the successful events in Madrid (2023) and Cologne (2022), the Safety Zone offered groundbreaking additions. With the show’s director Frank Liemandt leading the charge, European Rotors 2024 featured equipment demos notably for offshore operations for the first time, amplifying the relevance and appeal of the event.
Attendees witnessed state-of-the-art equipment demos
led by top experts. Alexander Weissenboeck from Airbus Helicopters and Julien Eymard from Leonardo Helicopters showcased essential lifesaving devices, including life vests and helicopter flotation gear, crucial for high-risk operations. Kevin Reid from Survitec Group Ltd. demonstrated personal protective equipment (PPE) designed for hostile environments, such as immersion suits and emergency breathing systems (EBS). These weren’t just technical displays; they were demonstrations of the gear that often stands between safety and disaster.
The importance of pilot helmets was another focal point, with Christine Koch (CHS) explaining how to use them underwater, and presenting advanced helmet designs that enhance communication, vision, and protection against impacts and noise.
Charley Shimanski of the ICAR Air Rescue Commission showcased ARS equipment and Matt Christensen (Vita Aerospace) presented Vita Inclinata Technologies. Robby Jansch (LHA) presented the Cabri helicopter with support from Leading Helicopter Academies, and Heather McManus (Viking) unveiled the characteristics of the Viking lifesaving equipment.
Additional presentations from experts including Michael Lee (DART Aerospace) and Andreas Hennig (Heli-Flight JLR) delivered other captivating equipment briefings, while Jens Rosenow (Cleardrone) addressed the challenges and complexities of helicopters and drones sharing low-altitude airspace.
16 Nov/Dec 2024
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