capability, and connectivity. “Tere is definitely a strong trend for open-
world systems; we are addressing it through FlytX, our new avionics suite,” he says. In addition to the all-glass touchscreen FlytX, Tales introduced its three- or four-axis com- pact autopilot system for all helicopters. Both the avionics suite and autopilot system are designed to reduce pilot workload, optimize productivity, and increase safety.
Urban Air Mobility At no place was innovation more apparent at HAI HELI-EXPO 2019 than at Bell’s display of a full-size mock-up of its new Nexus electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. Te star of the 2019 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas last January, the six- fan eVTOL as currently designed would be powered by a single turbine engine, which then would feed batteries that run six electric engines powering the fans. Bell continues to aggressively develop the
Nexus, which it hopes to have ready for oper- ation by 2025, while it simultaneously uses its Future Flight Controls Simulator to gather data and shape the flight controls of the future. Te aircraft manufacturer has partnered with Uber Elevate, which plans to start an air taxi service in 2023. “We believe the future is real and a lot closer
than you think,” said Bell President and CEO Mitch Snyder in a video conference before HAI HELI-EXPO 2019. (Read more about eVTOL at HAI HELI-EXPO 2019 on p. 46.) Bell has enlisted partners from within the
helicopter industry to further develop its eVTOL concept. Safran announced at CES its partnership with Bell to power the Nexus, with a new turbine engine under development as well as the electric engines to power the six fans. Another partner, Tales, is developing the Nexus’s flight control computer hardware and software. Te company is also working with local and federal governments on infra- structure and regulations regarding eVTOL aircraft.
Moving Toward the Future As HAI’s annual show grows, so shrinks the list of venues that are large enough to host the
36 ROTOR SPRING 2019
HAI HELI-EXPO remains the best place to see helicopters and helicopter technology up close.
show. In its debut year in Atlanta, HAI HELI-EXPO hosted around 640 vendors, with attendance numbers on par with past years. “I think this has been a great show with a
lot of positive feelings,” says HAI President and CEO Matt Zuccaro. “We had more hotel room bookings than ever before. While vendors were down a bit, I think that reflects the mergers and acquisitions that are taking place in our industry for increased efficiencies.” Zuccaro echoed others’ observations on the
industry’s stability and slow growth. “I think the industry is very stable. We used our diversity to stay strong this time. We survived the latest downturn much better than we have in the past, which tells me that we as an industry are getting better at going into survival mode. Now people are getting back to their primary mis- sions, and there is an uptick. We’re headed in the right direction.” As the helicopter industry moves into mid- 2019, Zuccaro did have one concern and warning. Like winter, the ADS-B equipage
deadline is coming, and operators do not want to be caught on the wrong side of the rule come January 1, 2020. Operators should act now, as the FAA has made it clear that exten- sions will not be easy to come by. “I’m concerned our industry isn’t equipping
for ADS-B as quickly as it should be,” Zuccaro says. “I think a lot of people are expecting an extension or the program will change with new technology.” In fact, during a fireside chat with Zuccaro
during the HAI Annual Membership Meeting and Breakfast on Tuesday, March 5, FAA Acting Administrator Dan Elwell emphasized there would be no wholesale extension across the industry. Only operators reporting proof of unusual circumstances or significant hardships could be considered for extension. “We really don’t want to get stuck in a
last-minute rush that leads to a lack of units or technicians, and as such, grounded aircraft,” Zuccaro says. “Tat would put a damper on our move back in the positive direction.”
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