Latest from Mark Huber
Operators are seeing the benefits of night vision
Growing interest from helicopter operators wanting to use night-vision goggles (NVGs) is spurring demand for better training as well.
Criminal probe into Silver State collapse likely
As more students come forward to say they believe they were swindled by the country’s biggest civil helicopter flight school, attorney general offices in s
Forecasts see helo demand close to OEM capacity
With a new generation of light single-engine helicopters on the horizon, continued strong demand for twins and aggressive fleet replacement plans worldwide
Eurocopter expanding U.S. support capability
Eurocopter has long dominated the new helicopter sales market, but it has notably lagged behind its competitors in terms of customer service and support ra
Rotorcraft Technology: Cockpit Recorders
American Eurocopter and the Bristow Group’s Air Logistics unit have partnered separately with “augmented reality solutions” provider Appareo Systems (Booth
Program Update: VH-71 Kestrel
The U.S.
Program Update: Rolls-Royce
Serving perhaps as a testament to the current strength of the world helicopter market, engine maker Rolls-Royce (Booth No.
Rotorcraft
Silver State Helo Criminal Charges Possible
Several state attorneys general are looking into the activities surrounding the bankruptcy of Silver State Helicopters and its founder, Jerry Airola.
Aircraft
Program under review, LM halts Marine One development
Pentagon sources confirmed to AIN that Lockheed Martin has been ordered to stop work on the development of a second block of AW-101-varian
Rotorcraft
Eurocopter EC 145 Joins Mayo Fleet
Mayo Medical Transport took delivery of a new Eurocopter EC 145 in December.
Rotorcraft
Eurocopter Delivers First Two Chinese EC 225s
Eurocopter delivered the first two EC 225 medium twins in China to the Ministry of Communications in Zhuhai late last year.
Rotorcraft
French EMS Pilots Go on Strike Again
The SNPL, the French chapter of the ALPA pilot union, has called for a new strike among EMS helicopter pilots, claiming it is not satisfied with either the
Rotorcraft
Russian Military Disrupts Offshore Helo Ops in Norway
Helicopter traffic around the Statfjord and Gullfaks offshore oil fields in Norway was disrupted on December 11 by the incursion of the Russian carrier/cru
Regulations and Government
Air-Tour operators oppose more stringent rules
The Helicopter Association International (HAI) recently hosted a series of meetings in Las Vegas aimed at deflecting recent NTSB criticism of the industry
Rotorcraft
Civilian operators clamor for night-vision goggles
The civil night-vision goggle market is booming for emergency medical service (EMS) and law enforcement applications, but significant regulatory barriers c
Rotorcraft
Robinson forges ahead on turbine R66 program
Robinson Helicopter and Rolls-Royce are making progress with their partnership on the Robinson R66.
Rotorcraft
Saudi Arabia Orders 40 Sikorskys
In a major deal announced at the Dubai Air Show last month, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of the Interior ordered 40 Sikorskys.
Rotorcraft
Schweizer Studies 333 Derivative
Sikorsky subsidiary Schweizer is developing a derivative of the existing Schweizer 333 light single.
Rotorcraft
AgustaWestland Logs New Orders
VIP and government flight specialist Dubai Air Wing has ordered two AW139s in executive configuration.
Rotorcraft
FAS Expands Fleet
Abu Dhabi-based Falcon Aviation Services (FAS) last month gave an update on its fleet expansion.
Rotorcraft
Eurocopter Takes Over McAlpine
McAlpine Helicopters is now owned entirely by Eurocopter, which has renamed the company Eurocopter UK.
Regulations and Government
CHC Orders S-92s and AW139s
CHC Helicopter has ordered 12 Sikorsky S-92s and 13 AgustaWestland AW139s.
Rotorcraft
Sikorsky Moves S-76 Production
Sikorsky’s Keystone subsidiary will take over final assembly and completion of the S-76C++ and subsequent variants of the twin-turbine helicopter, includin
Rotorcraft
Hot-and-high testing validates Bell 429 performance specs
The Bell 429 can hover out of ground effect (OGE) at 11,000 feet at its maximum takeoff weight of 7,000 pounds.
Rotorcraft
More oversight possible for air-tour operators
The NTSB is calling for stricter FAA en route surveillance of Grand Canyon area air-tour operators based on its findings from two fatal helicopter accident
Regulations and Government
Bell 206 JetRanger reaches milestone 40th anniversary
Earlier this year, Bell Helicopter celebrated the 40th anniversary of its popular single-turbine light helicopter, the JetRanger.
Aircraft
Adam makes over VLJ interior
Customer feedback has prompted Adam Aircraft to redesign the cabin of its A700 very light jet to incorporate a combination of luxury automobile features wi
Rotorcraft
X2 could make first flight by month’s end
Sikorsky’s X2 technology dem-onstrator could fly by year-end, according to Peter Grant, Sikorsky’s director of advanced programs.
Rotorcraft
Medevac convention yields orders for OEMs
Bell and Eurocopter posted large orders at the recent Air Medical Transport Conference (AMTC) held in Tampa, Fla., in September, selling a combined 50 heli
Rotorcraft
Forecast predicts boom time for manufacturers
The latest market projection for the civil helicopter market: red-hot.
