OPENED by the Duke of York and featuring a wide range of developments in the rotating wing field, Helitech 89 was characterised by a large increase in size compared with the previous event two years ago. A substantial Soviet presence was also evident which now seems to be normal for major air shows. Large helicopters which appeared included the Mi‐26 and Mi‐24 and there was also a Mi‐17 equipped for Emergency Medical Service (EMS). Civil and military equipment was extensively featured including the Aerospatiale As355F (EMS) shown by McAlpine Helicopters, Westland WS‐70 Black Hawk and Sikorsky S‐76. Developments of all kinds illustrated the progress being made in avionics, systems and materials for helicopters which is comparable with that in the fixed wing field. Particular interest also attaches to the appearance of sophisticated health and monitoring systems combined with flight data recorders, the latter becoming mandatory in the UK for certain helicopters in 1991.
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