Latest from Andrew Healey
Robinson leads in U.S. helo manufacturing
Robinson Helicopters sales increased to nearly 80 percent of all commercial piston and turbine rotorcraft produced in North America during the first half o
Police Colibri a hangar queen?
The police helicopter in Edmonton, Alberta, spends 75 percent of its time on the ground, according to a criminologist, and the city council should decide w
Westland sale under scrutiny
The UK government is investigating GKN’s $1.79 billion (£1 billion) sale of its 50-percent stake in helicopter company AgustaWestland on grounds of nationa
Training and Workforce
Sim training in demand for UK helicopter ops
Instrument-rated helicopter pilots are an expensive resource, particularly in the UK.
ATC
LAAS on back burner, but WAAS is heating up
The FAA’s decision to relegate the GPS Cat 1 local-area augmentation system (LAAS) to a mere R&D program (AIN, March 2004, page 1)
Rotorcraft
Borgman To Retire
Sikorsky announced that company chairman Dean Borgman will retire in July.
Rotorcraft
Full Icing Clearance In Sight for S-92
Sikorsky’s S-92 has successfully completed the artificial icing requirement of the FAA’s icing-certification program, thus preparing the aircraft for its f
Rotorcraft
CJ Systems Expands LifeFlight
CJ Systems Aviation Group is expanding its Baptist Hospital LifeFlight aeromedical program in Pensacola, Fla., with a second base at Mobile, Ala.
Performance where it's needed
Boundary Layer Research has won FAA approval for a hover-performance increase of up to 250 pounds for Bell 204Bs, 205A-1s and UH-1Hs fitted with its tailbo
Firefighting rotorcraft showed their worth; Europe responds
Last year was something of a landmark in helicopter firefighting activity.
EC 225 production ship airborne
The first production Eurocopter EC 225 medium twin made its maiden flight in late June.
Who is buying UTair?
A mystery buyer has bought nearly half the shares in one of the world’s biggest helicopter operators, Russia’s UTair Aviation.
CHC pulls in the reins
CHC Helicopter is scaling back its offices in St.
Small is beautiful
Robinson Helicopter CEO Frank Robinson has convinced the El Salvador National Police force that they should downshift to piston-powered helicopters.
Charter & Fractional
America (still) rising, albeit slowly
Fledgling helicopter commuter airline America Rising has pushed back to 2006 the launch of its New York to Washington, D.C.
Rotorcraft
Never say never again: Bond Helicopters returns
The prodigal sons of the North Sea oil-support community, brothers Stephen and Peter Bond, have returned to the fray more than eight weeks early.
Rotorcraft
‘Smart’ system could reduce helicopter noise and vibration
Reducing vibration and noise is key to the goal of gaining public acceptance of the rotorcraft as a routine mode of transport.
Rotorcraft
European Feedback Needed
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is inviting European operators to comment on its proposed operations and licensing regulations.
Rotorcraft
Norsk Wins Barents Sea Contract
A 16-month, $16 million (including options) contract to service new Statoil Snøehvit production platforms in the Barents Sea has been awarded to Norsk Heli
Avionics
EGPWS Standard on S-76s, S-92s
Sikorsky plans to make Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning Systems (EGPWS) standard equipment on all future production S-76s and S-92s.
Rotorcraft
Modular EC 135 Revealed
Eurocopter has developed its own concept of a modular helicopter to meet what it believes are the security requirements of the new generation of EU members
Safety
R22 AD requires rotor-blade check
The FAA issued an emergency Airworthiness Directive last month to all Robinson R22 owners and operators, calling for them to carry out immediate checks to
Rotorcraft
Heli-Expo Report Las Vegas: Orders top $600 million at vibrant Heli-Expo
A deluge of orders for new helicopters during HAI’s Heli-Expo, held in Las Vegas last month, surprised even seasoned industry watchers on the floor.
Rotorcraft
Bell CEO plans to reinvigorate venerable helo manufacturer
Bell Helicopter was at last month’s Heli-Expo in Las Vegas in force as usual, with a 412 and a 407 on display at its booth.
Rotorcraft
Civil tiltrotor designs fly in face of several challenges
Last June Bell/Agusta completed initial testing of its BA609 civil tiltrotor at Bell’s Fort Worth, Texas flight-test center.
Rotorcraft
Jean Phelan remembered
Jean Ross Howard Phelan, a pioneering airplane and helicopter pilot, died early last month at the age of 87.
Rotorcraft
Bristow leads on EC 225
Bristow Helicopters has ordered two Eurocopter EC 225s, with a scheduled service entry of spring next year.
Rotorcraft
UK leads improved Helideck Lighting Initiative
A research program commissioned by the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has produced findings that could lead to safer night landings on offshore helideck
Rotorcraft
Rolls-Royce overhauls Model 250 service network
Rolls-Royce has introduced a new network of service centers that it claims offers “unprecedented” full-capability repair and overhaul (R&O) support to oper
Rotorcraft
Progress being made in rotorcraft infrastructure
Progress is being made toward the goal of rotorcraft taking their place in the national transportation infrastructure, according to presenters at January’s
