James Wynbrandt
Contributor - Business Aviation
A multi-engine, instrument rated pilot, James Wynbrandt has been an AIN and Business Jet Traveler contributor since 2003. His in-depth reporting and insightful features have won more than a dozen editorial honors, including two National Business Aviation Association Gold Wing Awards (2019; 2021), and his articles have also appeared in the New York Times, Barron’s, Fortune, Forbes, and Smithsonian Air & Space. He has flown his Mooney M20K 252 on assignments throughout North and Central America and the Caribbean. Wynbrandt is also the author of Flying High (Wiley & Sons), a biography of Jet Blue founder David Neeleman, as well as histories, references works, and books on a variety of other topics from major publishers. He lives in New York City.
Latest from James Wynbrandt
Maintenance and Modifications
Erickson Bringing Sikorsky’s Matrix Tech to Firefighting Fleet
Erickson and Sikorsky team to bring Matrix autonomous technology to Erickson’s firefighting S64 fleet.
Rotorcraft
Broker Rotortrade Reports 30 Sales in 2019
Broker Rotortrade closied 30 sales in 2019, and two EC225 orders from Air Greenland in 2020.
Finance, Taxes, Insurance
Helo Lessor LCI Adds Investors, AW139
Helo Lessor LCI signed partnerships with Invesco, Santander backing and announced the addition of a Leonardo AW169 to its fleet.
Rotorcraft
Enstrom, Botswana Ink 480B Order
Enstrom Helicopters received orders for three 480B helos from Botswana for Q2 delivery.
Accidents
FAA Administrator Dickson Stresses Safety at Heli-Expo
FAA Administrator Dickson cites safety, drones, and eVTOL as key focus areas for the agency’s helicopter initiatives.
Cabin Interior and Electronics
Metro Delivers First U.S.-made EC145e
Air medical operations provider Metro Aviation delivers first U.S.-made EC145e to Duke Life Flight.
Finance, Taxes, Insurance
Milestone Lands Seven More Helicopter Leases
Helicopter lessor Milestone Aviation sees a “positive demand outlook” as it adds more helicopters to its fleet.
Rotorcraft
Kaman Advances UAS K-Max for Military, Commercial Ops
Proved in combat, Kamen touts at Heli-Expo progress on UAS K-Max for military and commercial ops.
Rotorcraft
EMS Pilot’s Organization Debuts New Website
Non-profit National EMS Pilot’s Association unveils new “user-friendly” website at Heli-Expo.
Avionics
Luma Touts New LED Master Caution Panel
Bellevue, Washington-based Luma Technologies is showcasing it new LED upgrade suite for the UH-60 and S-70 platforms at Heli-Expo 2020.
Cabin Interior and Electronics
Alpine Aerotech Intros Digital VFR Solution for Bell 212
Canada’s Alpine Aerotech reports receiving FAA and EASA STCs for digita Bell 212 VFR flight instruments and will “price the kit aggressively.”
Aircraft
AEM Outfits New Sikorsky, Enstrom Platforms
Anodyne Electronics Manufacturing Corp. selected for Sikosrsky S-70i Firehawk loudspeakers, and Enstrom 280B Master Caution Panel.
Rotorcraft
FlightSafety to Add Level-D EC145 and AW139 Sims
FlightSafety International announces copter training expansion at Heli-Expo with addition of in-development Level-D EC145 and AW139 sims.
Avionics
Astronics Gets Canadian STC for Max-Viz SVS
Astronics Corporation received a Transport Canada STC for its Max-Viz 1400/1200 SVS for Bell 407s.
Rotorcraft
Schweizer Nears Reintroduction of S300 Piston-powered Helicopter
Start-up Schweizer RSG is ready to put the iconic eponymous rotorcraft back into production, with first deliveries slated for the third quarter of 2020.
Avionics
SNC Demos eHealth and Monitoring for HEMS Industry
Sierra Nevada Corp. is demonstrating its eHealth Remote Monitoring solutions for the EMS industry this week at Heli-Expo 2020.
Rotorcraft
Twirly Birds To Host Member Meeting
International organization Twirly Birds invites members and interested parties to attend annual membership gathering.
Rotorcraft
Uniflight Touts Medical Configurations for Mercy Flight
MRO Uniflight completes configurations for Mercy Flight Buffalo’s three new Bell 429s.
Rotorcraft
Mecaer Highlights Magnificent Interior
Mecaer delivered a Magnificent interior retrofit for a utility-configured Bell 505.
Environment
Jet Aviation Commits to Sustainability in Singapore
Bizav service’s provider Jet Aviation highlights in Singapore collaborations and its own efforts to “contribute to sustainable aviation.”
Aircraft
NexGen Airbus Corporate Jets Taking Off
Exec versions of Airbus’s newest wide-body and single-aisle airliners now coming to market, company reports in Singapore.
Aircraft
Vision Systems Electronic Dimmable Windows on Display
Suspended particle device smart glass dimmable windows provide infinite variable shading and instant response time.
Aircraft
Lufthansa Technik To Perform First A350 VIP Conversion
Germany’s Special Air Mission Wing is tapping Lufthansa Technik to convert a widebody A350 into transport fit for government delegations.
Aircraft
Airbus Fello'fly Harvests Wake Energy to Save Fuel
Airbus Fello'fly demonstrator project, based on “biomimicry,” aims to adapts birds’ techniques to save energy with group flights.
Rotorcraft
P&W Tapped to Power Russia’s VRT500 Light Copter
VR-Technologies announces P&W engine choice for the VRT500 on same day UAE investment company agrees to buy half the Russian company.
Aircraft
GDC Technics Wins USAF Contract for Advanced Wingtip
The USAF Lifecycle Management Center will try GDC Technics’s Advanced Wingtip Solution, now in flight tests, on the C-130J and C-5.
Aircraft
GE and Sanad Ink Engine MRO Deal
Under a new contract, Sanad Aerotech will provide GE with maintenance and overhaul services for next generation GE and CFM engines.
Cabin Interior and Electronics
Turning the Upgrade Biz Inside Out
Cabin completion and refurbishment specialists display their capabilities at the Dubai Airshow.
Training and Workforce
The Middle East, Where Pilot Shortage and Training Market Meet
At the Dubai Airshow, Cirrus, Diamond, and Embraer aim their trainers at Middle East market.
Aircraft
Etihad Celebrates First Middle East 3D-printed Parts Facility
The Middle East’s first EASA-approved additive manufacturing center enables Etihad’s MRO division to make quicker repairs.
