General Aviation
News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.
Finance, Taxes, Insurance
New Venture Jettisons Parked Offshore Helos
A new venture has been formed to help lenders to the offshore rotorcraft industry dispose of under-utilized assets.
Accidents
Flight Safety Foundation Tackles VFR Helicopter Accidents
Flight Safety Foundation proposes strategy to reduce commercial VFR helicopter operations.
Safety
Opinion: Autonomous Genav Flight Not Far Away
Does Garmin's Autoland system mean that fully autonomous general aviation flying is next?
Rotorcraft
K-Max Operators Awarded Key Firefighting Contracts
Forty percent of all Type 1, large helicopters exclusive use USFS firefighting contracts awarded to Kaman K-Max operators.
Accidents
NTSB Faults Lacking Safety Culture in Aeromed Crash
The NTSB found that a helicopter air ambulance operator’s “inadequate management of safety” led to the fatal crash of a Survival Fight helicopter.
Maintenance and Modifications
Appareo Upgrades EnVision FDM Software
EnVision can now accept flight data from third-party devices.
Safety
AOPA Issues New Covid-Era Operation Guides
As GA operators look to take flight again amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, AOPA issues advice for rusty pilots and prudent operators.
Avionics
Garmin Autoland Certified in Piper M600
Garmin's Autoland technology has been certified in the Piper M600, the first time such a system has ever received FAA certification.
Maintenance and Modifications
Covid-19 Exacerbating Maintenance Technician Shortage
Twenty-five percent of Part 147 schools have suspended operations.
Maintenance and Modifications
Robinson Offers Tougher Windshields for Helicopters
Robinson is offering optional impact-resistant windshields for R22, R44, and R66 helicopters.
Accidents
Vortex Ring State Likely Preceded Fatal Bell 407 Crash
The NTSB has issued its final report on the fatal 2017 crash of a Virginia State Police (VSP) Bell 407.
Rotorcraft
Bristow-Era Merger To Close in June
Senior management team announced for merged Bristow-Era.
Finance, Taxes, Insurance
Insurance Hikes, Limited Covid Aid for Helo Operators
"Seismic changes” will continue for helicopter insurance.
Rotorcraft
Perot Pushes Alliance as eVTOL Hub
Perot promotes Fort Worth Alliance airport complex as home for UAS, eVTOL development.
Avionics
Airbus H135 with Helionix Approved in Canada
Transport Canada has granted certification validation to the Airbus Helicopters H135 light twin equipped with the Helionix aviation system.
Accidents
NTSB: Wisconsin EMS Crash Followed Loss of Control
The pilot was non-responsive before his ship rolled inverted.
Accidents
Houston Police Investigating Helo Crash as Homicide
Houston Police are investigating the fatal Saturday morning crash of one of the department’s helicopters as a homicide.
Rotorcraft
Textron CEO Scott Donnelly Bullish On Bell
Textron CEO Scott Donnelly sees a bright future for the company’s Bell unit.
Rotorcraft
U.S. Helo Safety Team Offers Case Studies for Survival
The U.S. Helicopter Safety Team has released a new recommended practice training guide to mitigate risks, including plans based on real acccidents.
Maintenance and Modifications
Maintenance Trainer Adopts Online Learning
Fulcrum Labs and Aviation Institute of Maintenance have partnered to offer more online training for A&P mechanic students.
Avionics
New Garmin Portable Adds Approach Overlays
Garmin's new aera 760 portable GPS navigator adds many avionics-like features in a compact 7-inch display.
Rotorcraft
Airbus Helicopters Grows Revenues, Profits in 1Q20
Improved earnings on the military side of the helicopter business have balanced disappointing news from the struggling oil and gas sector.
Airlines
Air Ambulance Crews Adjust To Covid-19 Operating Conditions
Flying in masks and gloves and distancing from cabin medical crews is now required conduct for emergency helicopter pilots.
Accidents
Huey Crash Kills Former L.A. Newscopter Pilot
Chip Paige was killed when a 1969 Bell UH-1H crashed into a Mesa, Arizona park.
Training and Workforce
Agreement Could Help Diamond Aircraft's Worker Pipeline
Diamond Aircraft Industries and Centennial College have agreed to collaborate in several areas such as student work placements.
Rotorcraft
Bell 525 Edges Closer To Certification
Bell recently completed noise testing on its 525 super-medium twin.
Rotorcraft
U.S. Air Ambulance Industry Asks for Another $816M
Air ambulance bailout would cover estimated losses for the next six months.
Accidents
NTSB Releases Factual Report on Halladay Accident
The NTSB factual report on the fatal crash of baseball player Roy Halladay's Icon A5 found nothing wrong with the airplane.
Rotorcraft
Helo Operators Increase Use of Safety Tools
International Helicopter Safety Foundation survey shows marked increase in the use of best practice safety tools.
Regulations and Government
Covid-19 Brings Changes To HEMS Aircraft, Crews
Covid-19 forces helicopter operators and regulators to make significant changes to air ambulance transports.
