The Rotorcraft Safety Zone at EUROPEAN ROTORS 2024
Running from November 4 to 7 in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, EUROPEAN ROTORS is the major European VTOL Show and Safety Conference, co-owned by EASA and the European Helicopter Association (EHA) and enabled by Vertical Aviation International (VAI).
The Rotorcraft Safety Zone is a practical safety event co-organised by EASA and the European Safety Promotion Network Rotorcraft (ESPN-R), in the show area from November 5 to 7.
The Safety Zone is a dedicated show area where safety experts meet and interact with visitors in a direct and informal manner, providing a spontaneous and cool atmosphere.
2024 is the third edition, after the one organised in 2023 in Madrid, Spain, and in 2022 in Cologne, Germany.
Team ESPN-R at EUROPEAN ROTORS 2022 in Cologne
In the Safety Zone, safety experts deliver practical demos and training briefings. Demos and briefings are practical and interactive, and address safety subjects relevant for helicopter pilots, operators and professionals.
Alexander Weissenboek, Airbus Helicopters, and Sebastian Schneider, DRF-Luftrettung, delivering a hoist operation demo in the Safety Zone of EUROPEAN ROTORS 2023 in Madrid.
In 2024, we have an extraordinary panel of presenters and an exciting programme, including for the first-time rescue equipment demos, including of equipment used in Offshore operations. Show Director Dr Frank Liemandt played a leading role in developing this part of the programme.
Sling-load operations demos and safety briefings complete the programme:
Equipment demos
Alexander Weissenboeck, Airbus Helicopters, and Julien Eymard, Leonardo Helicopters, will demonstrate a variety of safety equipment, such as life vests and helicopter flotation gear.
Kevin Reid, Survitec Group Ltd, will describe the evolution of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) worn by aircrew and passengers in offshore helicopter operations. This includes immersion suits, lifejackets, Emergency Breathing Systems (EBS) and Personal Locator Beacons (PLB).
Christine Koch, CHS, will address how to use your helmet under water. Helmets are essential for safety as they offer protection against impact, noise, and glare. Modern helmets integrate advanced hearing protection and laser-resistant visors, providing clear communication and vision. Customisable modular designs enhance both comfort and safety, reflecting the continuous innovation in helmet technology.
Charley Shimanski, Air Rescue Commission (ICAR), will showcase the ARS equipment and Matt Christensen Vita Aerospace equipement. Robby Jansch, LHA, will present the Cabri helicopter with support from Leading Helicopter Academies, and Heather McManus will unveil the characteristics of the Viking live-saving equipement.
Expect other captivating equipment briefings by Michael Lee, DART Aerospace, and Andreas Hennig, Heli-Flight JLR gGmbH.
Jens Rosenow, Cleardrone, will present the Cleardrone mobile detection system and address some of the challenges involved in drones and helicopters operating in the same airspace, typically at low altitude.
The helicopters used this year in the Safety Zone are a Bell U1HD in SAR configuration provided by CHS and a Cabri provided by LHA.
Sling Load Ops demos
Michael Behrens, Daniel Simon and Jakob Uske, Airbus Helicopters, and Jonathan Hall, EASA, the experts representing the ESPN-R Sling Load Operations Task Force, will summarise what can go wrong with these operations and how to keep them safe. A sample of key safety topics will be presented and enhanced by live demos of real aircraft equipment and systems.
This year, the team or presenters will be joined by Brendan Fitzpatrick from Signia Aerospace.
From left to right: Michael Behrens, Airbus Helicopters and Jonathan Hall, EASA, delivering a sling load operation demo in the 2023 Safety Zone in Madrid.
Safety briefings
Greg Brown from the Vertical Aviation International (VAI) will provide an overview of the current VAI safety programs.
Mona Seeberger, HTM helicopter Travel Munich GmbH, will present the latest EASA video series on Helicopter Off-Airfield Operations. taking-off and landing from unprepared sites like car parks, sporting venues, roads or hills present various hazards and lacks the support provided at airfields. Pilots must navigate challenges like cables and obstacles, uneven ground and changing weather and wind conditions, which requires enhanced situational awareness and control.
ESPN-R Training Team Leader Mathieu Vandenavenne, Safety for Flight, will present the new EASA safety video on Carriage and Use of Personal Electronic Devices and Portable Electronic Flight Bags in the Cockpit, the risks that these bring and how to cope with them in flight and on the ground.
ESPN-R Ops & SMS Leader Stefano Burigana, Elifriulia, will provide an update on the ESPN-R Safety Management Manual, a template for helicopter operators developed to comply with several EASA regulations.
Stefano Burigana, Elifriulia, addressing how police services and bystanders should safely deal with helicopters performing rescue missions in the case of road accidents.
Jonny Greenall, Balearic Helicopters, will provide safety briefings on hazards of high winds and turbulence, and tips and tricks for flight instructors.
Human Factors are also part of the programme. Mike O’Donoghue, UK General Aviation Safety Council (GASco) will address decision biases, how these can insidiously affect flight safety and how to cope with them, and guest speaker Glenn Daley, NYPD Aviation Unit, retired, will discuss how to manage distractions in aviation, especially smartphone-related, a well-known substantial accident factor.
Caroline Schiel, Fly High, will give a presentation entitled RPM = LIFE, where she explores the critical importance of maintaining optimal rotor RPM in helicopter flight. This session will delve into how rotor RPM affects performance, safety, and emergency procedures. Attendees will gain insights into best practices for monitoring and managing RPM, ensuring safe and effective helicopter operations.
John Franklin and Michel Masson, EASA Safety Promotion, are set to provide on update an VAST and ESPN-R activities in the Conferences session of the Educational Programme.
Looking forward to meeting you in the Safety Zone!
The Rotorcraft Safety Zone at EUROPEAN ROTORS 2024 presents an exciting programme of activities. It’s your chance to learn, connect, and witness life-saving equipment demos in action. Whether you are a pilot, operator, or a safety-conscious aviation professional, this is the event where knowledge meets real-world application.
We can’t wait to see you there—are you ready for the thrill and to inteact with the presenters?
Acknowledgements
Huge thanks to Dr Frank Liemandt, Show Director and Judith Bartkowski, Training & Conference Manager, for making this year's Rotorcraft Safety Zone come true!
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