Rotorcraft » Rotorcraft Aircraft

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft.

Safe Flight Promotes Powerline Detection
March 5, 2013 - 1:00pm

Safe Flight Instrument (Booth No. C3932), a supplier of safety and performance products since 1946, made it clear yesterday at Heli-Expo that in terms of safety, avoiding powerlines is much to be preferred over existing helicopter modifications designed to cut powerlines on contact.

Speaking at a media conference yesterday, Safe Flight v-p Thomas Grunbeck promoted the White Plains, N.Y. company’s powerline detection and warning system, which emits a pulsing, audible sound as well as a visual alert when it detects powerline hazards.
Pentagon Moves Closer To Deciding Future Helicopter Technology
March 5, 2013 - 12:40pm
Bell V22 with Twin Tail

March 6 will be a big day for helicopter OEMs and could shape the future of the industry for decades to come. Phase One proposals are due into the Army Aviation Applied Technology Directorate by tomorrow that likely will lead to the construction of Joint Multi-Role demonstration aircraft (JMR TD) that could fly as early as 2017 and lead to the start of production aircraft between 2025 and 2030.

Phoenix Heliparts Celebrates 10th Anniversary
March 5, 2013 - 11:00am
The 45,000-sq-ft hangar at Phoenix Heliparts’s Mesa, Ariz. facility is near capacity.

From a husband-and-wife operation launched 10 years ago in the family garage in Mesa, Ariz., Phoenix Heliparts has grown into major player in the art of restoring older helicopters to a new and useful life.

The company’s main facility in Mesa, about 14 miles north of Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport, now totals about 45,000 sq ft and there is an additional 25,000 sq ft and a designated landing area at the airport for flight testing.
Agusta and Embraer Sign MOU To Build Helicopters in Brazil
March 5, 2013 - 9:30am

Italian helicopter manufacturer AgustaWestland signed a memorandum of understanding in late January to establish a joint venture with Brazilian aircraft company Embraer. The plans calls for the two companies to manufacture AgustaWestland helicopters in Brazil for both the domestic and regional military and civilian markets.
Agusta and Embraer Sign MOU To Build Helicopters in Brazil
March 5, 2013 - 9:30am

Italian helicopter manufacturer AgustaWestland signed a memorandum of understanding in late January to establish a joint venture with Brazilian aircraft company Embraer. The plans calls for the two companies to manufacture AgustaWestland helicopters in Brazil for both the domestic and regional military and civilian markets.
Bristow To Launch Eurocopter EC175 in U.S.
March 5, 2013 - 6:00am
EC175

Bristow Helicopters, the largest global helicopter provider, is set to become the U.S. launch customer for the not-yet-certified Eurocopter EC175. Representatives of the operator and manufacturer are expected to sign the purchase agreement at Eurocopter’s Heli-Expo booth (No. C2922) at 3 p.m. this afternoon, here in Las Vegas.
Bell Helicopter Introduces Bell 412EPI, 407GT
March 4, 2013 - 8:45pm
Bell 412EPI

Bell Helicopter announced upgraded variants of its Model 407 and 412 helicopters today, and the Fort Worth, Texas-based company is displaying them this week at Heli-Expo, which opens tomorrow in Las Vegas.

Phoenix Offers In-house Financing and Insurance
March 4, 2013 - 7:25pm

Phoenix Heliparts, with 1st Source Bank and Southwest Aviation Insurance Group, plans to offer financing and insurance options on its future MD 500 helicopter sales. Phoenix Heliparts (Booth No. C1527) aims for its Mesa, Ariz. headquarters to become the one-stop shop for MD 500 purchases by “providing a total service experience and simplifying the process of restoring and upgrading MD 500s.”

Phoenix Heliparts president Tina Cannon said the goal is “to reduce the challenges that buyers face when undergoing a custom helicopter restoration.”
Legacy Equipment Provides Backbone for Bell’s Future
March 4, 2013 - 5:45pm

Bell Helicopter introduced several new model variants of legacy helicopters and is displaying them here at Heli-Expo.

Fenton New Head of Greenwich AeroGroup Brazil
March 4, 2013 - 5:20pm

Greenwich AeroGroup (Booth No. C4711) hired aviation veteran John Fenton as its new president of Greenwich AeroGroup of Brazil.

In his new role, said the company, “Fenton will lead the revitalization and restructuring of Helivia,” a Greenwich company providing offshore helicopter charter services for the rapidly expanding oil and gas industry in Brazil.

Pages