Latest from Mark Huber
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.
Rotorcraft
Blade To Operate New Jersey Helistop
Blade Urban Air Mobility will operate the helistop in Jersey City's Newport neighborhood.
Fuel
Weststar Signs for Five More Leonardos
A Weststar AW139 became the first SAF-fueled helicopter to fly in Malaysia .
Aircraft
Tradewind Takes More Pilatus PC-12s
Tradewind Aviation has expanded its Pilatus PC-12 fleet to 24 and has more on order.
Charter & Fractional
Europe Key to Blade's Passenger Growth
Europe has become Blade Air Mobility's largest market.
Charter & Fractional
VistaJet CEO Rebuts Reports of Financial Distress
VistaJet points to record growth and 'prudent' financial policy following reports of financial difficulties.
Rotorcraft
Bell Touts 525 Super-medium Helicopter for North Sea Ops
Bell sees its in-development 525 super-medium as the right helicopter for North Sea operators.
Maintenance and Modifications
Leonardo Helicopters Plans Agusta-branded Service Centers
Dedicated service centers are the latest part of Leonardo's rollout of the Agusta luxury helicopter brand.
Rotorcraft
Babcock Awarded $192M Australian SAR Contract
Babcock Leonardo AW139s will provide medevac and search and rescue services to Australia's Queensland area.
Maintenance and Modifications
Boost HEC System for Airbus AStar Helos Gets EASA Nod
Boost Systems has received EASA STC approval for its human external cargo system for the Airbus H125 family of helicopters.
Regulations and Government
Erickson Air Crane Gets FAA Night Vision Goggle Approval
Erickson will begin NVG night-time firefighting operations with its Air Cranes
