Latest from Mark Huber
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.
Regulations and Government
NTSB: Close Passenger Revenue Loopholes in Part 91
NTSB addresses exceptions, exemptions, and perceived safety loopholes and shortcomings in passenger revenue Part 91 operations.
Rotorcraft
Airbus Expanding Customer Support Program
Airbus HCare now covers 2,400 helicopters and will be expanded to include legacy aircraft.
Rotorcraft
Bell's New Army Rotorcraft Programs Charging Ahead
Assembly has begun on the Bell 360 Invictus while the V-280 tiltrotor continues flight testing.
Rotorcraft
Hill Reveals More Features for HX50 Helicopter
Hill HX50 to have options including folding blades and landing gear skids.
Rotorcraft
Used Helicopter Market Attains Shaky Hover
Pandemic, falling energy prices, overhang used helicopter market.
Rotorcraft
CHC AW139s To Fly with HTAWS In Brazil
CHC is partnering with Shell and Leonardo to launch Leonardo's Helicopter’s Enhanced Helicopter Terrain Awareness and Warning System in Brazil.
Regulations and Government
New York City Helicopter Access War Heats Up
New York City is considering legislation that would effectively shut down heliports there.
Rotorcraft
Kopter Restarts SH09 Helicopter Flight-test Program
The Kopter prototype was retrofitted with new rotor components, Garmin G3000H avionics.
Rotorcraft
Erickson To Begin Flying Optionally-piloted Air Crane Next Year
Erickson said it would begin flying an optionally-piloted S-64F+ in 2022 and that it aimed for first customer deliveries in 2024.
Accidents
NTSB Chair Pushes for More Helicopter IFR
In the wake of the Kobe Bryant crash report, NTSB chairman Robert Sumwalt is pressing for more IFR helicopter operations.
