Latest from Mark Huber
Avionics
Canada Denies Ligado Operating Permission
Citing GPS interference, U.S. aviation groups hope Canada's Ligado ban prompts the FCC to reverse its 2020 approval.
Engines
Safran Validates Helicopter Hybrid Propulsion
Safran Helicopter Engines has validated its "eco mode" hybrid helicopter propulsion system for the Airbus Racer.
Accidents
NTSB: Pilot Inattention Caused Medevac Crash
The NTSB finds controlled flight into terrain accident caused by pilot reading log book while flying in mountains.
Rotorcraft
Airbus H145 a Popular Choice for European Air Ambulances
The five-blade Airbus Helicopters H145 is gaining traction with European air ambulance operators.
Rotorcraft
Sikorsky Pushes X2 For NATO NextGen Rotorcraft
Sikorsky has teamed with Leonardo to investigate its compound helicopter technology for NATO's Next Generation Rotorcraft Capability program.
Rotorcraft
Autonomy Is Key for Fast Aerial Firefighting Response
Rain Industries is developing autonomous capabilities for aerial firefighting helicopters.
Regulations and Government
CHC Challenges Irish Coast Guard SAR Award
CHC is challenging Ireland's award of a $715 million Coast Guard search-and-rescue contract to Bristow Group.
Accidents
Air Crane Lands on Pickup Truck
An Erickson S-64E Skycrane used the bed of a pickup truck as a landing surface after its right gear detached in flight.
Avionics
Air Maestro Merges With Spidertracks
Combined companies Air Maestro and Spidertracks will provide comprehensive SMS and flight tracking software and hardware solutions.
Charter & Fractional
Charter Broker Paramount Unveils Supplemental Lift Program
Paramount Business Jets has launched Corporate Wing Solutions, a supplemental lift program drawing from a fleet of 4,000 vetted aircraft.
Rotorcraft
Military Variant of Leonardo AW609 Appears Likely
The U.S. Army's contract award to Bell to develop its V-280 tiltrotor for an assault aircraft raises speculation of the AW609's use as an escort vehicle.
Rotorcraft
First Production Grey Wolf in Final Assembly
Final assembly of the first production USAF Boeing-Leonardo MH-139A helicopter has begun.
Engines
Safran Aims To Double Helicopter Engine Production
Safran Helicopter Engines' new CEO says the company will double annual production to 1,000 units in 2024.
Fuel
China Flies First Helo with SAF
China's State Grid Space Technology has flown an Airbus H125 with a 40 percent sustainable aviation fuel mixture.
Rotorcraft
Passenger Nearly Crashes Helitour Flight
A viral video shows a passenger reaching for the rotor brake.
Regulations and Government
FAA Floats Certification Path for Leonardo AW609 Tiltrotor
The FAA is seeking public comment on certification standards it has developed for the Leonardo AW609 civil tiltrotor.
Charter & Fractional
South Florida Part 135 Operator Exec Airlink Shutters
South Florida Part 135 charter operator Executive Airlink abruptly shuttered operations on Tuesday.
Avionics
Garmin GI275 Approved for Bell, Robinson Helos
Garmin's GI275 digital flight instrument has received FAA STC approval for installation in Bell 407 and Robinson R66 helicopters.
Rotorcraft
Leonardo Adds Distributors for AW09
Leonardo expects its AW09 single-engine helicopter to enter serial rate production in 2024.
Rotorcraft
Helicopter Operator Bristow Highlights Sustainability
Helicopter services company Bristow has released its second annual report detailing its commitment to sustainability.
Rotorcraft
Bell Expands European Inroads
Bell is growing its European 505 fleet and adding Valencia training-center options.
Regulations and Government
HAI Slams Parks Air Tour Plans for South Dakota and Hawaii
The Helicopter Association International is urging members to strongly oppose draft air tour management plans at four national parks.
Charter & Fractional
Honda Aircraft Offers Assistance to Jet It Fractional Owners
Honda Aircraft Company will help transport, store, and re-home HondaJets previously managed by Jet It, which suspended operations unexpectedly on May 18.
Charter & Fractional
Wheels Up Skirts Stock Delisting with Reverse Share Split
Authorizing a reverse stock split to avoid a possible NYSE delisting, Wheels Up still faces a shareholder suit relating to the company's financial filings.
Rotorcraft
Sikorsky CEO Vows Continued Support for Discontinued S-76 Helicopters
Paul Lemmo said Sikorsky would continue product support for S-76 and seek customers for the S-92A+.
Rotorcraft
Bristow Lands Irish Search and Rescue Contract
Bristow will provide helicopter search and rescue service for the Irish Coast Guard.
Rotorcraft
Bell Sells Six 407GXi Helicopters to Argentina for SAR
Argentina’s Ministry of Defense has signed a contract to take six Bell 407GXi helicopters which will be used to assist with search and rescue missions.
Charter & Fractional
Volato Offers Lifeline to Jet It HondaJet Owners, Pilots
Volato is working to accommodate aircraft, pilots, and customers from shuttered fractional HondaJet provider Jet It.
Rotorcraft
Hill Helicopters Order Book Tops 800
Hill Helicopters will unveil its first completed HX50 helicopter to the public in December.
Aircraft
FAA Seeks More Info on 5G Radio Altimeter Interference
Avionics and aircraft manufacturers and operators are being asked to provide test analysis and reports to the FAA as the agency ponders more 5G actions.
