Heliflite has proudly delivered two new R44 Newscopters to The Australian Traffic Network. The two new R44 Newscopters are added to their Sydney based machine which replaced a Bell JetRanger in late 2003. The two new Newscopters have begun operating in Melbourne and Brisbane as radio and television metropolitan traffic reporting helicopters.
The R44 Newscopter is the world’s first turn-key Electronic News Gathering (ENG) helicopter. Other news helicopters require expensive third party installation of the ENG equipment after the helicopter is delivered. The R44 Newscopter is designed, manufactured and tested by Robinson as a completed FAA approved ENG helicopter at a fraction of the costs of a turbine newshelicopter.
The new digital R44 Newscopter II comes equipped with a 360 continuous rotation 5-axis gyro-stabilized camera system with an Ikegami HL-59WNA digital camera and Canon 21x lens. This high-resolution broadcast camera system comes with a redesigned lightweight, ergonomic digital laptop control console designed specifically for the R44.
Robinson produced the new camera system completely in house to control development, quality, and production. The compact, light Ikegami digital camera was chosen and the gimbal redesigned for a perfect fit. Additionally, the control console was redesigned to house the digital remote control and Robinson extras, including integrated transmit, intercom and video switches.
With the higher resolution and broadcast-quality picture, the digital system offers ease of precision operations through the digitally controlled gimbal. The new digital system is lighter, easier to maintain, and more tolerant of extreme temperature changes and harsher environments.
Heliflite has been the distributor for Australia’s most popular helicopter range since 1977 with over 400 R22s and 150 R44s currently on the Australian Civil Register.
