Latest from Mark Huber
Rotorcraft
New Team, New Focus at MD Helicopters
MD Helicopters hopes improved customer support will make it a player again in the commercial helicopter market.
Rotorcraft
Airbus Helicopters Orders Plunge 26 Percent
While Airbus Helicopters orders and deliveries drop, increasing service revenues improve the bottom line.
Rotorcraft
EASA Approves VR Device for Helicopter Flight Training
EASA approves VRM's VR flight simulation training device for the Robinson R22.
Rotorcraft
Airbus Fitting Helicopter Flightlab With Autonomous Capability
Airbus plans complete demonstration of autonomous helicopter Flightlab in 2023.
Avionics
Hill Unveils Digital Cockpit for HX50 Helicopter
Hill's HX50 digital cockpit is designed to minimize pilot workload.
Regulations and Government
NASA Helicopter Flies on Mars
Ingenuity becomes the first aircraft to conduct controlled, powered flight on another planet.
Rotorcraft
French Military Orders More Super Pumas
Purchase of eight more Airbus H225Ms is part of French government's sitmulus plan to aid the aerospace industry.
Engines
Airbus AStar Gets Power Boost
EASA has certified a 10 percent power upgrade for the Safran Arriel 2D engine in the Airbus Helicopters H125 single.
Rotorcraft
Pandemic Spurs Airbus Helicopters Training Changes
Airbus Helicopters has enhanced its distance learning capabilities and is now making many of those permanent.
Regulations and Government
Biden Offshore Wind Boost Could Trigger Helicopter Boon
The Biden administration has indicated that it is going all-in on offshore wind, particularly in the New York Bight.
Rotorcraft
Airbus VSR700 Optionally-piloted Helo Hits Speed Milestone
Airbus is expanding the flight envelope of its VSR700 optionally piloted vehicle (OPV), recently achieving forward speeds of 60 knots.
Rotorcraft
Used Helicopter Sales Slump—Again
Aero Asset notes a "parallel decline in both transactions and supply.”
Accidents
L.A. Drone Pilot Avoids Prison
The operator of a drone that struck an LAPD AStar last year has been sentenced to a $500 fine and probation.
Rotorcraft
Airbus Lands Asia-Pac O&G Launch Customer for H160
Derazona Helicopters in Indonesia has ordered an Airbus Helicopters H160 intermediate twin to service the local oil and gas sector.
Maintenance and Modifications
Safran Signs German Police to New Engine Support Deal
Safran Helicopter Engines has signed a new Support-By-Hour (SBH) contract with the German federal police.
Rotorcraft
Bell Continues Cautious Swim into AAM Pool
Bell continues to move cautiously on its two marquis electric demonstration aircraft, the Nexus and APT.
Rotorcraft
Senior Airbus Exec: eVTOL Technology 'Not There Yet'
Romain Trapp said that it could be “decades” before eVTOL aircraft become integrated into an advanced air mobility (AAM) environment.
Accidents
Alaska Heli-ski Hit Ridge and Tumbled in Fatal Crash
Sole survivor rescued six hours after helicopter's last satellite ping.
Rotorcraft
Erickson Lands New U.S. Firefighting Contracts
Erickson will begin utilizing Bell 214ST in U.S. aerial firefighting.
Rotorcraft
ENAV and Leonardo Demonstrate Helicopter PBN In Italy
ENAV and Leonardo have tested and validated helicopter PBN for the Foggia – Tremiti S. Domino Island route in Southern Italy.
Rotorcraft
Airbus Offering H175 to NYPD
Airbus is offering its H175 super-medium twin helicopter in the competition to replace the New York City Police Department’s Bell 412s.
Accidents
Five Dead in Alaska Heli-ski Crash
The Airbus Helicopters AStar went down near the Knik Glacier near Palmer Saturday.
Rotorcraft
Leonardo's Lynx Celebrates 50th Anniversary
The Lynx helicopter set a rotorcraft speed record in 1986.
Rotorcraft
Textron Powers Up New eAviation Division
Rob Scholl will lead Textron's formal entry into the electric aviation market.
Maintenance and Modifications
Foresight MX HUMS Approved for Bell 212/412
GPMS has received FAA Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) approval for its Foresight MX health monitoring system on the Bell 212/412.
Rotorcraft
Columbia Launches Multi-Mission Program For 234 Chinooks
Columbia Helicopters has unveiled its multi-mission helicopter program featuring its Model 234 Chinook tandem-rotor, heavy-lift helicopters.
Rotorcraft
Bell Opens Manufacturing Technology Center
Bell's Manufacturing Technology Center is designed to change the way rotorcraft are made.
Rotorcraft
Airbus Begins Assembly of Racer Compound Helicopter
Airbus Racer isexpected to demonstrate increased speed and reduced emissions and noise.
Rotorcraft
NASA Readies Mars Helicopter for First Flight
NASA Ingenuity helicopter could fly on Mars sometime in early April.
Rotorcraft
EASA Recommends Fuel Lever Mods for Airbus Helo Singles
Airbus developed fuel lever modification in the wake of fatal 2018 NYC "door off" helitour flight.
