Terrain Awareness System for Rotary Takes Shape

CHC Group has partnered with Shell Brasil and Leonardo Helicopters to launch the first global implementation of Leonardo’s Enhanced Helicopter Terrain Awareness and Warning System (H-TAWS) on the CHC AW139 fleet operating in Campos, Brasil for Shell.

H-TAWS software and equipment computes in real-time the precise three-dimensional position and velocity of the aircraft in relation to accurate databases of the terrain height and hazardous-obstacle locations. The system allows the pilot to execute immediate changes to the flight trajectory to prevent controlled flight into terrain (CFIT) events in inherently hazardous flight situations. Shell and CHC recognize Leonardo’s innovation in forming a key component of the HeliOffshore Safety Performance Model and will be important in reducing one of the largest remaining risks in offshore helicopter operations.

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Gian Piero Cutillo, Leonardo Helicopters Managing Director, said, “We’re excited to mark the introduction of the advanced H-TAWS technology with CHC and Shell. Leonardo is the first OEM offering this new safety enhancement on our AW139 and AW189. This is an essential advancement and enabler for safer flight operations which will greatly benefit the global rotorcraft community. Our continued commitment to safety enhancements of operations is, and will remain, a prime commitment of Leonardo. This effort invested from the outset and the development of this cutting-edge H-TAWS function confirms and marks the Company’s commitment to investing in safety as an integral part of the capabilities our products must deliver for our customers.”

While many aviation authorities advocate wide voluntary adoption of H-TAWS throughout most civilian flight operations, they primarily have required adoption in only two helicopter industry mission segments: Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) and offshore operations.

HeliOffshore CEO, Tim Rolfe added, “Learning from the fixed-wing industry, we know effective warning systems save lives. These systems have already been installed in helicopters, but the collaborative efforts of the offshore industry demonstrate that tailoring the warning system to the offshore environment will deliver crucial safety improvements every day.”