ROTORTECH 2018 Reaches Record Attendance
AHIA award winners at the gala dinner at ROTORTECH 2018. From left, AHIA President Peter Crook, award winners Trevor Breed, Roger De Souza, Maria Coutinho, Trent Owen and guest and keynote speaker Chuck Aaron.
Australia’s premier helicopter showcase ROTORTECH 2018 has wound up on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast with a record 996 attendees and 79 exhibitors, becoming by far the country's largest aviation industry event after the Australian International Air Show.
Speakers included Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) CEO Shane Carmody, Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) Chief Commissioner Greg Hood and guest keynote speaker, US helicopter pilot Charles “Chuck” Aaron, best known for helicopter flying in films such as James Bond's Spectre and aerobatics displays in a specially modified helicopter for Red Bull.
Running from May 24 to 26 at the Novotel Twin Water Resort, ROTORTECH 2018 included three days of conferences with 30 speakers across some 22 sessions on major themes from aerial firefighting to new CASA performance categories, the relationship between helicopters and airports and the commercial and safety impact of unmanned aerial vehicles.
“ROTORTECH 2018 provided a unique platform for communication between industry, manufacturers, regulators and government. It has contributed to safer helicopter operations through the exchange of timely, relevant information and ideas,” said the foundation’s CEO, Ian Honnery.
“We are proud to have brought this event to life and we see a strong future for ROTORTECH. Importantly, also, we see a very strong future for the AHIA whose collaboration and support helped us greatly to put on such an outstanding event for Australian industry.”
The Australian Helicopter Industry Association (AHIA) presented its inaugural annual industry awards at the ROTORTECH 2018 gala dinner. Created to recognise excellence and dedication of personnel working in the helicopter industry, the awards highlighted winners in the categories of helicopter pilot, maintenance engineer, aircrewman and support person, nominated by their peers.
"The Australian helicopter industry is made up of thousands of dedicated people whose commitment and passion for what they do contributes to both commercial success and safety," said AHIA President Peter Crook. "The AHIA is pleased to now have an awards program that recognises and rewards these people, on whom the future of our industry depends."
The awards went to:
Helicopter LAME/AME Of The Year: Trevor Breed, Kareela Aviation.
Helicopter Pilot Of The Year: Roger De Souza, Jayrow Helicopters.
Helicopter Support Person Of The Year: Maria Coutinho, CHC Helicopters.
Aircrewman Of The Year: Trent Owen, Westpac Helicopter Rescue Service.