South Africa-based rotary operator Henley Air is to be the launch customer for GE Aerospace’s Rotor Analysis Diagnostic System Next Generation (RADS-NG). The system will be used across Henley Air’s fleet of helicopters, which includes the Bell 222 UT, Bell 206 and 206L, Bell 407, Dauphin AS 365 and Agusta 119 MK11.

“The RADS-NG will differentiate Henley Air as a leader in cutting edge vibration analysis for the region,” says executive chairman André Coetzee. “The distinct advantage of performing regular, proactive vibration measurements on our mixed fleet of helicopters and integrating such data with GE Aerospace’s development and support structures will provide a real-time benefit in enhancing engine and component life.”

Deliveries will begin in 1Q24, and training and support will be rendered by GE Aerospace in commissioning the RADS-NG capability across Henley Air’s fleet.

“The RADS-NG will allow operators to complete their rotor track and balance operations and diagnostics in fewer flights while significantly reducing flight and pilot time and saving fuel,” says GE general manager of avionics Matt Burns. “Our team developed the system with input from customers, enabling more control over adjustment solutions and providing for future needs.”

RADS-NG will replace RADS-AT (Advanced Technology) and AVA (Aviation Vibration Analyser) as GE Aerospace’s portable vibration diagnostics solution for vehicles where permanent installation is not practical or to supplement existing systems.

As the industry standard for RT&B and standard equipment for the US Army and the UK Navy, one RADS-NG unit can support an entire fleet. Approximately 5,000 RADS-AT units have been supplied supporting civil and military rotorcraft like the Airbus H125, Bell 412, Boeing CH-47, Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk, Leonardo AW139 and more than 200 other vehicle types and variants. The system’s versatility also offers fixed-wing vibration diagnostics for aircraft such as the Lockheed C-130 Hercules and the capability to support the new generation of eVTOL aircraft.

Henley Air is a specialist helicopter company based at Rand airport, Johannesburg. It offers a variety of fleet and mission options within the southern African region, including helicopter flight training, charter, contract and emergency medical service. The maintenance demand to sustain a 24/7 service across four national operational bases necessitated Henley Air’s own maintenance facility, which was established in early 2022.