Event organisers AMDA Foundation say that new dates of 14-16 October will facilitate industry recovery ahead of bushfire season.

AMDA Foundation made the announcement on Thursday following a consultation period with all stakeholders.

CEO Ian Honnery said that the preservation of public health would always be their paramount commitment.

“Although government restrictions on gatherings and travel may be lifted by our original June dates, we have decided to act early and delay ROTORTECH 2020 to October in order to provide clarity for our stakeholders,” he said.

“This will allow industry to focus on managing through the COVID-19 crisis, with an October ROTORTECH 2020 then bringing the community together as a strong industry recovery event before operators are fully committed to the coming fire season.”

The October event’s exhibition will showcase more than 100 helicopter and unmanned flight related companies, along with the Australian Helicopter Industry Association’s annual conference, a Maintenance and Repair Organisation (MRO) conference and sessions on recent aerial firefighting experience, airborne law enforcement operations and heli-mustering.

Rotortech 2020 will also feature an Australian Association for Unmanned Systems (AAUS) conference, unmanned vehicle exhibitors and sessions on unmanned flight.

Helicopter Industry Association President Ray Cronin said that the Australian helicopter industry needs a forum to highlight both the challenges and successes in our industry.

“Rotortech is the industry’s own forum for sharing this information for the benefit of all. Delaying the event until October will allow the industry to ride out this crisis and then come together to focus on recovery,” he said.

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