Sagem Avionics, part of the Safran group, is at Booth No. 7517 celebrating Slave Lake Helicopters’ selection of Sagem’s Integrated Cockpit Display System (ICDS) for its new Eurocopter AS350 B3e. That machine joins three others in the Slave Lake fleet, an AS350 B2, an EC120 and a Bell 206 B3, all with the Sagem ICDS.
Aviation
February 12, 2012 - 1:30pm
Sandel Avionics has been selected by Sikorsky to provide a new MIL-STD version of its HeliTAWS wire and terrain alerting system for forward-fit installation aboard the new S-70i Black Hawk helicopter in mid-2012.
The model ST3453H, like Sandel’s commercial model ST3400H HeliTAWS, protects against terrain, wires and obstacles, and is the only terrain avoidance system certified for nuisance-free operation below en route altitudes, according to the company.
February 12, 2012 - 1:20pm
Honeywell’s new Sky Connect Tracker III arrived at Dallas Executive Airport (RDB) aboard the company’s Eurocopter AS350 AStar demonstrator, just in time for a flight around the south suburbs, augmented by the company’s helicopter Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System (EGPWS).
February 12, 2012 - 10:00am
Anglo-Italian helicopter manufacturer AgustaWestland and Lease Corporation International (LCI) of Dublin, Ireland, have signed an agreement covering purchase of a fleet of AW139, AW169 and AW189 helicopters, a deal which, including options, is valued at more than $398 million.
February 12, 2012 - 7:15am
Four industry operator organizations have written comprehensive amendments to the International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO), to facilitate implementation of the safety standard by helicopter operators.
International Business Aviation Council (IBAC) representatives are offering two seminars during Heli-Expo to introduce operators to IS-BAO parameters. The seminars–Introduction to IS-BAO and the IS-BAO Auditor Accreditation Workshop–are available at the Helicopter Association International (HAI) Booth (No. 8632).
February 12, 2012 - 7:10am
Eurocopter launched its new EC175 helicopter four years ago at the Heli-Expo show in Houston, Texas, showing a fuselage mockup of the new helicopter. Last month, AIN editor-in-chief Randy Padfield had the opportunity to fly one of the EC175 prototypes at Eurocopter’s main facility on Marseille-Provence Airport in France. This is his report of that flight.
February 12, 2012 - 6:45am
The X3 compound helicopter demonstrator is to resume flights this month. Data analysis from the first two flight-test campaigns has prompted new questions, chief technology officer Jean-Michel Billig told AIN, and the launch of a third test campaign has been scheduled. The testing will explore the behavior of the main rotor at high speed. Some other goals relate to the Fadec and the link between rotor rpm and aircraft speed.
February 12, 2012 - 6:15am
Rolls-Royce (Booth No. 9040) has almost completed development of the 475-shp RR500 turboshaft but is still waiting for an aircraft manufacturer or modifier to specify the engine for a new project. Meanwhile, the Indianapolis-based engine manufacturer has moved into full-rate production with the 300-shp RR300 turboshaft, which powers the Robinson R66 light single. Improvements are also underway on the M250, to which both of the newer engines trace their roots.
February 12, 2012 - 6:00am
Sikorsky Aircraft has named 35 suppliers participating in an industry-funded effort to build two prototype S-97 Raider helicopters for evaluation by the U.S. military.The Raider is a follow-on to the company’sX2 technology demonstratorwith coaxial contra-rotating main rotors and a pusher propeller.
Sikorsky said it will invest about 75 percent of the Raider program’s expected cost, with suppliers investing 25 percent. Last June, Sikorsky and General Electric signed an agreement under which GE Aviation will provide its CT7-8 engine for the Raider.
February 11, 2012 - 9:25pm
Agusta Westland Tilt Rotor Co. (AWTR) flew an AW609 (née BA609) tiltrotor at Arlington Municipal Airport yesterday. The company also provided an update on the program, which comes in the aftermath of AgustaWestland’s taking over full ownership of the 609 project when former partner Bell Helicopter relinquished its half last November.
AgustaWestland established AWTR to complete certification and bring the AW609 to market, with its U.S. headquarters based at AWTR’s new office-hangar complex at the airport.
