International Conference Set For London In September

The Helitech International Conference taking place in London September 24-26 will open with a keynote address from Dr Norbert Lohl, Certification Director of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). The theme for the opening session of this year's Conference will be 'The Future for the Rotorcraft Sector', to be moderated by Vittorio Morassi from the European Helicopter Association (EHA).

The second speaker will be Carlo M. Borghini of the Single European Sky Air Traffic Management Research (SESAR) Joint Undertaking, who will outline the latest SESAR initiatives and milestones. The following speaker will be Sigmund Lockert from CHC Helicopter. Marc Torres, Pildo Labs, will then focus on the next steps on the implementation of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) procedures for helicopter operations using GPS and EGNOS and Captain Carlos de la Cruz, INAER, will provide a perspective from an operator's experience.

The second day of the Conference will focus on 'Night-time Helicopter Emergency Operations', and will be moderated by Gerry Hermer from East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA). The first presenter will be Tim Page from the EAAA followed by Captain Carlos de la Cruz from INAER, who will provide a Spanish input on night-time operations.  A panel discussion will then follow that will discuss the view across Europe, featuring Willy Sigl from EASA Flight Standards.

The afternoon agenda will then switch to 'Rulemaking - Open Issues', to be moderated by Peter Norton from the British Helicopter Association, which will open with Willy Sigl's overview of the new operations and flight crew licensing rules.  Peter Moeller from Luxembourg Air Ambulance, will present 'The challenges ahead - Flight & Duty Time Limitations', to be followed by Gerhard Wittmann of ADAC discussing 'The challenges ahead - Helicopter Emergency Medical Services and Public Interest Sites.'

'Business Challenges and Opportunities' will be addressed on the final day, with the morning proceedings moderated by Dominic Perry from Flightglobal. The first speaker will be Dr Andrew Black of Hawk Associates, who will analyze the outlook for the rotorcraft sector.  An industry panel discussion and Q&A will follow featuring Roberto Garavaglia, AgustaWestland and Michael Hampton, Capital Air Services.

The conference will then close with a session looking into 'Financing the Future', to be moderated by Aoife O'Sullivan from Kennedys Aviation.  Panelists will include Jason Kmiecik, HeliValues and Andrew Woolfson, AirFinance.

FMI: www.helitechevents.com/conference/