Conference to Examine UAV Opportunities for Rotorcraft Businesses

The ever expanding role of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) across a spectrum of operations raises crucially important questions for the rotorcraft sector. There might be situations where it is safer or more practical to deploy an unmanned platform, but how far can this go? What are the areas where the two sectors can work together to deliver greater effectiveness and what opportunities do these present for the rotorcraft industry? 

The Helitech International Business and Strategy Conference is taking a comprehensive look at these and other key issues arising from the rotorcraft / UAV interface in Focus On Unmanned Aerial Vehicles - an Opportunity for Rotorcraft Businesses, moderated by Peter Norton, Chief Executive, British Helicopter Association. The Focus On, a new component of the Business and Strategy Conference, comprises a series of sessions to be staged at ExCeL London on Tuesday afternoon, 6 October. Throughout, the core theme is how rotorcraft businesses can capitalise on their existing expertise to transform a competitor into new opportunities for growing their enterprises.

The opening session looks at the synergies between commercial UAVs and helicopters. Presented by Alix Leboulanger, Research Analyst, Aerospace & Defence, Frost & Sullivan, it features an overview of the market outlook for UAVs, examining their projected impact on commercial helicopters, opportunities arising for commercial helicopter operators and business ventures involving both types of platform. 'Heavier' fields of application, such as optionally piloted helicopters, will also be discussed.

There's a lot you need to know about operating UAVs and Angus Benson-Blair, Chairman, Association of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems UK, will set out to enlighten the audience inThe Low-down on Sub-25kg Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Operations. He will be explaining what is involved in becoming a professional UAV operator and the rules of governance that apply, as well as looking at how the UAV and rotorcraft sectors can work together to create new opportunities.

Infrastructure surveillance is a vigorous growth area for UAV operations. Wendy Welsh, Manager, Air Operations, Network Rail which has contracted with four UAV service providers to deliver aerial infrastructure surveillance - will be discussing the UAV missions, when and where they add value, how their operations are currently integrated with helicopter missions, and how the organisation sees the future in terms of challenges and solutions.

The UAV sector is developing rapidly and in diverse ways around the world. Benjamin Benharrosh of UAV manufacturer Delair-Tech will describe his company's experiences of its global operations, comparing those in Europe with Africa, Asia and South America, and giving specific examples of UAV applications in overseas markets.

This thought provoking module ends with a panel discussion where the presenters will be joined by Gerry Corbett, UAS Programme Lead, Civil Aviation Authority and Gavin Goudie, Operations Director, Blue Bear Systems.

Helitech International, of which the Business and Strategy Conference is a key component, will feature exhibitors from 22 countries worldwide, including Airbus Helicopters, AgustaWestland, BAE Systems, Bell Helicopter, Curtiss-Wright, Honeywell, ITT, Lockheed Martin, Milestone, Northrop Grumman, Pratt & Whitney and Vector Aerospace.