RotorTech heads to the Gold Coast in 2024

With a total of 1980 attendances over the three-day program from 21-23 June, RotorTech 2022 continued the pattern of growth across the past three events.

Airbus Helicopters, Jet Aviation and New Zealand’s Airwork were among the 100 participating exhibitor companies, complemented by conferences from Australia’s peak bodies, the Australian Helicopter Industry Association (AHIA) and Australian Association for Uncrewed Systems (AAUS).

"Strong attendance at RotorTech shows that the helicopter and uncrewed flight industries are both looking positively to the future and are committed to getting on with business," said Justin Giddings, CEO of RotorTech 2022 organiser AMDA Foundation.

At RotorTech 2022 the Australian Helicopter Industry Association conference program covered developments in aerial firefighting, emergency medical services, technology and regulation, featuring specialist chief pilot, chief engineer and flying instructor forums for the first time.

It included a highlight presentation and Q&A from Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) CEO Pip Spence and CASA Board Chairman, Air Chief Marshal (Retd) Mark Binskin.

The event also saw presentation of the AHIA’s 2022 Australian Helicopter Industry Awards. Richard Butterworth, head of training for operator Kestrel Aviation, was honoured with the Pilot of The Year Award for his contribution to night aerial firefighting flight trials, while David Paynter, Chief Executive Officer of piston engine repair and overhaul company Brisbane Aero, was named as Engineer Of The Year, for his work in determining issues around premature wear of helicopter piston engines in Australia’s north.

Long time AHIA and industry supporter Ken Keech, who was also part of the AMDA Foundation RotorTech organising team, was honoured with an AHIA Lifetime Membership.

With continuing challenges around engineer recruitment, the AHIA announced a A$500,000 Helicopter Engineers Foundation, which will introduce school-leavers to the helicopter engineering profession through a series of practical, hands-on activities conducted partly in participating helicopter industry workshops around Australia.

Australian Association for Uncrewed Systems Executive Director Greg Tyrrell said the association's conference program prompted lively debate, with insight from the Australian agencies and industries creating applications in the ever-growing sector.

"We are always keen to have end users in the room talking with industry, and at RotorTech we heard directly from end users in some of Australia's fastest growing applications of uncrewed technologies, from emergency services to agriculture," Tyrrell said.

"This is the kind of interaction and insight that helps ensure the industry is providing solutions that actually answer the needs of potential customers."

As announced at RotorTech 2022, planning has already begun to take the event to the RACV Royal Pines Resort on the Gold Coast in 2024.

“Royal Pines will provide both the relaxed social atmosphere for which this event is renowned, and the professional conference and exhibition amenities needed to stage a world-class industry exposition,” Justin Giddings said.

“The Gold Coast location will enable visitors to land and display helicopters without the issues of operating in and out of a capital city centre. It will also allow space for RotorTech to include uncrewed aerial systems demonstration flights.”

RotorTech 2024 is set for 4-6 June 2024.