HAI HeliExpo preshow day

Swiss helicopter - a teaser for tomorrow

First day at HeliExpo in Orlando. There were only two press conferences and most of the show was still setting up in the main hall. However, we did get to hear about Thommen's new search light the HSL 1600.
Thommen is a Swiss company, which started making clocks and watches (there's a surprise 'eh) moved into aviation watches and then into search lights. This one is at the forefront of the market having integrated software and the ability to operate up to 200 knots in a static position or 150 if moving... more in Helicopter Life magazine.
The other press conference was Agusta Westland - who still hope for the US Presidential Helicopter - humm, bet you thought that dream had died, but guess they have some Charlie Sheen like tendencies. Anyway, they also see the vertical market as the hope of the future. Signor Orsi sees 2050 as being a world of verticality - towns will be revolutionized by vertical entry and exit and helicopters will no longer be for EMS, rescue and rich VIPS but general transport like buses... he may be right but we are notoriously bad at predicting the future.
Enough for tonight. Tomorrow is a long day starting with the Eurocopter breakfast.