RECENT publicity about problems with the navy’s new MRH-90 helicopter did not tell the whole story, according to Commander Fleet Air Arm Commodore Vincenzo Di Pietro.
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During first-of-class flight trials for the navy’s most recent major warship, the amphibious assault ship HMAS Canberra, the MRH-90 helicopter sustained minor damage while starting and stopping its rotor.
“The helicopter was repaired on board the ship and flew off as planned and without difficulty,” Commodore Di Pietro said.
“The testing period was very successful, and involved over 800 landings of Seahawk and MRH-90 helicopters on HMAS Canberra,” he said.
“We had no problems flying to or from the ship, day or night.
“At 28,000 tonnes the ship is the largest the navy has ever operated and there is much to learn about it. Its shape and size create some interesting wind patterns around its flight deck and while the wind over the deck is mostly predictable it needs to be measured and analysed so we know the limits within which we can operate the helicopter effectively from the ship.
“Part of the first-of-class trials is to discover the wind envelope for operating the helicopter from the time it starts its rotors through flying operations from the deck, and then to the time it stops its rotors.”
Commodore Di Pietro said the results of the trials would be analysed and provide the necessary knowledge to operate helicopters to the best and safest extent possible from HMAS Canberra.