Aerotech Helicopters launches into HUMS with Foresight MX

GPMS International has announced that privately owned aviation operator Aerotech has completed installation of the Foresight MX health and usage monitoring system (HUMS) on one of its UH-60 Black Hawks.

Chris Boyd, Head of Flight Operations for Aerotech Helicopters, explained: “Being in Australia, especially with former military aircraft, getting parts when we’re AOG can be very difficult. Every hour that we’re down can put homes and lives at risk. We knew we had to move from being reactive to unscheduled maintenance events to proactive and predictive and there’s only one way to really do it. And that’s with Foresight MX HUMS.”

Ronnie Ries, Vice President of Marketing at GPMS, added: “Most civil-operated Black Hawks are no longer supported by the OEM, placing big responsibilities on the operators. To maximize availability, they’re planning their supply chain out not in months, but in years. This is where Foresight MX can help. By identifying issues when they’re at a bearing level instead of a gearbox, the availability of parts is greater, replacement costs are lower, and the time to get the birds back in the air is significantly faster. Add in the remote monitoring capabilities, operators like Aerotech will have a better view of the health of their fleet, no matter where they are in Australia, or even around the world.”

Based on key findings from the Bushfires Royal Commission, Aerotech has purchased six Black Hawks in recent years to provide Australia with the permanent Type 1 helicopter firefighting capability that’s required to support the ever-increasing bushfire threats around the country.

Sam McCabe, Managing Director of the Aerotech Group, said: “For nearly 60 years, we’ve been proud to service our customers both in South Australia and around the world … But providing our aerial assets to the South Australian Country Fire Service (CFS) is sacred to us, as most of our employees, friends, and families are protected by their incredible efforts.”

GPMS International recently announced that helicopter utility provider Blackcomb Helicopters had chosen to equip its four Airbus EC135s and four Bell 212HPs with Foresight MX.