HMAS Canberra trials Chinooks
The HMAS Canberra (L02), a Canberra class landing helicopter dock ship of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), conducted deck and handling trials with two Boeing CH-47 Chinook heavy-lift helicopters, the RAN announced on 28 May.
The helicopters from Australia's 5th Aviation Regiment were on the ship for around a week. They will next undergo flight trials with HMAS Adelaide (L01), the second Canberra class amphibious ship in service. The data from the first trial will help in the trials aboard the L01.
The trials have so far been successful according to the navy. For the deck trial, the helicopters simulated landing in rough weather, where it may land off the designated landing spot. The trial tests whether its rotor blades are clear of any of the ship structures.
Maj Paul Lewis, Aviation Operations Officer, HMAS Canberra, said: 'The trial was conducted by the Royal Australian Navy's Aircraft Maintenance and Flight Trials Unit.
'Before the aircraft can operate on the ship we first need to put them on the flight deck and move them around in various configurations to ensure the aircraft will fit safely and that the deck markings and procedures are correct before we begin flying the aircraft.'
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