200 rotary exhibitors at Duxford
This year’s Helitech 2009at the Imperial War Museum at Duxford near Cambridge has attracted just over 200 exhibiting companies representing 21 different countries and taking up around 4,000sq m of floor space.The last day of opening is tomorrow (Thursday 24 Sep).Sue Bradshaw, the event’s Exhibition Director, said, “There is always areal sense of community in the rotary wing industry and we aim to createan environment that supports and reflects that. As well as catching upwith long-standing customers and contacts, Helitech is all aboutcapitalising on a route into the sector for all levels of the rotarysupply chain”In addition to all the business meetings and networking taking place inthe hall, a number of exhibitor announcements and events took place.Eurocopter announced an order for a new EC135 for the West MidlandsPolice Air Support Unit. Before the new aircraft is delivered nextsummer, Eurocopter will provide West Midlands Police with a fullyequipped EC135 police helicopter, featuring a mission pod, to take overthe duties of the aircraft that the force lost recently due to an arsonattack.Meanwhile Sikorsky presented a ceremonial cheque to the RAF Museum, inaddition to donating an MH-53 helicopter to the museum. Sergei Sikorsky,son of Igor Sikorsky who founded the US helicopter giant, handed overthe cheque. Outside the exhibition hall, Helitech’s largest ever static displayarea, showcasing a total of 42 rotary craft in a variety ofconfigurations, was a highlight of the opening day. Additional featuresin the static display area are provided by Red Box International,demonstrating its space and cost saving AirLift device, and Host Systemsshowing how its mobile ATC tower is deployed.
