HAI Convention News

Satcom, Surveillance, and Survival: Cobham Displays Range of Products at Heli-Expo
March 7, 2013 - 10:15am

From satellite communications equipment, to surveillance cameras, to life-support equipment, electronics systems and safety equipment, Cobham is displaying a wide-range of products at Heli-Expo ’13.

“We do really well with special-mission operators such as air medical, law enforcement or oil exploration,” Rob Creighton, marketing manager for Cobham Aerospace Communications, told AIN. “Anyone who has a determined task to perform.”
FreeFlight Gets Antenna Mount STC
March 7, 2013 - 10:15am

FreeFlight System of Waco, Texas (Booth No. C2203), announced at Heli-Expo ’13 that it has received STC approval for tailboom mounting of antennas for its RA-4000 and RA-5000 radar altimeters on Bell 206L, 206L-1, 206-L-3 and 206 L-4 helicopters. “The tailboom antenna mount STC gives Bell 206L owners who rely on radar altimeters significantly greater flexibility when installing other belly-mounted equipment to fulfill a variety of missions,” said Tim Taylor, president and CEO of FreeFlight Systems.
Sensor Technology Upgrades Load Monitors
March 7, 2013 - 10:10am

Sensor Technology (Booth No. C2432) announced upgrades to the HeliNav LoadMaster wireless load monitoring system for helicopter-mounted cargo hooks at Heli-Expo ’13. The system checks the actual weight of an under-slung load 10 times every second and displays that information on a cockpit-mounted display. The data may also be stored in the system for downloading post-flight.
Ramco Launches Cloud-Based MRO Software
March 7, 2013 - 10:05am

Ramco announced the launch of its cloud-based workspace solution yesterday at Heli-Expo ’13. Ramco Aviation on Cloud offers small and midsize operators the ability to replace their IT support infrastructure with the subscription-based program, which helps manage workorder and supply chain details, employee information and payroll data. “Helicopter companies and MROs addressing the heli-operator segment…constantly face operational hurdles,” said P.R. Venketrama Raja, Ramco vice chairman and managing director.
HAI Announces Winners of Inaugural Photo Contest
March 7, 2013 - 10:05am

An aviation maintenance technician’s self-portrait of his solitary work one evening on the swashplate friction of a large-cabin helicopter was recently awarded top honors in the first-ever photo contest in Rotor magazine, the official publication of Helicopter Association International (HAI).

Pablo Linares of Fort Worth, Texas, used a small digital camera mounted on a tripod to capture his work under the lights. In accepting the grand prize of $500, Linares stated the photo demonstrated that, “Behind a great aviation department, there is always a great maintenance crew.”
Eurocopter Canada Notes Two New STCs
March 7, 2013 - 10:00am

Eurocopter Canada announced two new STC approvals at Heli-Expo ’13. The company was recently approved to install a second battery for the EC130B4, providing operators with improved cold-weather starting, increased battery capacity and an optimized center of gravity range with the eight-seat configuration. Eurocopter Canada has also been approved to install a cable-cutting kit on the AS350. ECL president and CEO Guy Joannes noted his company is “is one of the only helicopter manufacturers worldwide to have a portfolio of kitted STCs developed in-house.”
Leibherr-Aerospace and Professional Aircraft Accessories Team Up
March 7, 2013 - 9:55am

Professional Aircraft Accessories (Booth No. C4711), a Greenwich AeroGroup company, announced at the show that it entered a five-year agreement, effective immediately, with Liebherr-Aerospace. The agreement will allow Professional Aircraft Accessories access to Liebherr’s landing gear technical documentation, revision services and technical engineering services.
Tanis Unveils Pre-heat System for Bell 429
March 7, 2013 - 9:50am

The heat is on the Bell Helicopter 429, thanks to an STC issued to Tanis Aircraft Products for a complete heli-preheat system for the light twin-engine helicopter.
Transport Canada Certifieds Latitude IONode for Specific Bells and Eurocopters
March 7, 2013 - 9:40am

Latitude Technologies (Booth No. C2222) used Heli-Expo ‘13 as the venue to announce that the company’s IONode ION100 advanced data acquisition unit has been certified by both the FAA and Transport Canada for installation on the Bell 206/207 series and Eurocopter AS350/355 equipped with the Latitude SkyNode S100 transceivers. According to Latitude president Mark Insley the company will be announcing additional STCs in the coming weeks.

Erickson Moves Closer to Acquiring Brazilian Operator
March 7, 2013 - 9:32am
Sikorsky S-61

Erickson Air-Crane has executed a binding term sheet to acquire the Air Amazonia aerial services business from Brazilian oil and gas exploration and production firm HRT Partcipacoes em Petroleo. The move supersedes a non-binding letter of intent Erickson submitted in September 2012.

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