42
GA
/ Vol. 5 / No.4 / APRIL 2013
During March this year Garmin
International Inc. announced new
features and capabilities of the
GTN series touchscreen GPS/NAV/
COM that address the specific
needs of helicopter operations.
Enhancements include environmen-
tal qualification meeting stringent
helicopter vibration and temperature
testing standards, optional Night
Vision Goggle (NVG) compatibility,
optional built-in Helicopter
Terrain Awareness and Warning
System (HTAWS) and more.
The speed and ease of data entry
and the rapid access to information
enhance situational awareness and
reduce workload in the helicopter
cockpit so the pilot can keep focused
on the mission at hand. The GTN
series combines touchscreen data entry
and integrated radio tuning with vivid
display features, including detailed
mapping and the option to display and
control TAS/TCAS traffic, datalink
weather, weather radar and more.
The GTN also supports remote
transponder and audio processor control,
saving valuable panel space. Garmin's
GTX 32/33/33D remote transponders
(sold separately) interface with the GTN
so that pilots can control transponder
functions from the GTN display.
Helicopter News
NAC's Rand Airport based Helicopter
Maintenance Division has recently
restructured the management team,
following the departure of Paul Sankey,
the maintenance workshop manager
and Jarrett Burisch, the floor supervisor.
Ashley Spolander will now assume
responsibility for Bell Helicopter
maintenance and Rudi Kleynhans
will take care of Robinson Helicopter
maintenance, both reporting to
Redmond Fowle. Ashley and Rudi
are both factory trained engineers
with significant experience in the
respective products and a combined
12 years of experience at NAC.
Paul Sankey and Jarrett Burisch,
who both started as apprentices with
NAC are reaching for their dream of
owning their own maintenance facility.
They go with NAC's blessing and best
wishes for the future. NAC and their
new venture will be mutually supportive
and look forward to a successful
partnership wherever possible.
The remainder the Helicopter
Maintenance division management and
administration team remains unchanged.
Redmond, Ashley or Rudi look
forward to continuing with the
provision of world class support for
Bell and Robinson helicopters. ·
Management
changes at
NAC Helicopter
Maintenance
Division - Rand
Ashley Spolander (left) and Rudi
Kleynhands both factory trained engineers.
Lanseria based company, Trio
Aviation, has announced that with
immediate effect it has undergone a
name change and will now be known
as Trio Helicopters and Aviation.
The change came about as a
result of the demise of Mr Meyer
Potgieter. The sole members are
now Frans J. Grobbelaar and
Christoffel (Stoffel) Botha.
Frans gained most of his flying
experience under the mentorship of
Johan Brink obtaining numerous pilot's
licenses on various helicopters after
which he proceeded on qualifying
as engineer to sign off numerous of
the major aircraft. Frans is also a
founder member of Trio Aviation.
Stoffel started his career in the
SAAF from where he proceeded to the
then Atlas and concurrently became
a founder member of Trio Aviation.
Trio Aviation was first established
at Lanseria in 2000 and since then has
enjoyed a solid reputation for quality
maintenance, service and repair work
on all major types of helicopters. The
company members are determined this
will continue to grow in the future.
It is currently one of the biggest
rotorcraft engineering companies
in the country maintaining a large
number of aircraft under contract,
excluding the daily calls.
A complete scope of work
is offered including:
· The extensive Turbine Component
and Alison engine shop.
· The Heavy Air Frame shop
where even the worst damage
can be repaired or rebuilt.
· The usual Line Maintenance for
MPI's etc are done in the main hangar.
· Under the company Group
License Trio can work on any
aircraft ranging from a Robinson
R22 up to a Sikorsky S61. ·
Trio Aviation undergoes name change
On February 22 Bell Helicopter,
announced the delivery of two Bell
429s, one to the Nigeria Police Air
Wing (NPAW) and another to the
Nigeria Emergency Management
Agency (NEMA). These Nigerian
deliveries are the first 429 deliveries
on the continent of Africa. NPAW
will utilize the Bell 429 for general
law enforcement, surveillance and
force projection. NEMA will fly
the aircraft for disaster relief and
humanitarian support missions.
The NPAW and NEMA selected
the Bell 429 for is large cabin size,
state-of-the-art avionics, its smooth
and fast ride, and the EASA-approved
Bell Helicopter maintenance
program that ensures superior
post-delivery support and service.
NPAW is a long-standing Bell
Helicopter customer, having operated
several Bell helicopter models
including the Bell 47, 206, 427, 412,
and now, the Bell 429. Both NPAW
and NEMA formally accepted the
Bell 429s in Piney Flats, Tenn.
Bell Helicopter
delivers first Bell
429s to Nigeria
at Bell Helicopter's customizing
facility. Final delivery of the aircraft
took place upon completion of
EASA-approved customizations.
The Bell 429 is the world's
newest and most advanced light twin-
engine helicopter. It has conducted
extensive flight demonstrations in
every continent, except Antarctica,
and has been certified in more than
40 countries. With configuration
options ranging from VIP to HEMS,
law enforcement, utility and oil &
gas, the Bell 429 offers superior
mission capability and adaptability. ·
Garmin
®
optimizes
GTN
TM
series for
helicopter operations
The GTN 750