Latest from Mark Huber
Rotorcraft
Fifth Leonardo AW609 Tiltrotor Joins Flight-test Program
The first production AW609, AC5, will fly soon and then join the ongoing flight-test program in Philadelphia.
Rotorcraft
Metro Embraces Camera, Training Technology
Metro Aviation works to improve operations through the use of supplemental technology including base weather cameras and Icarus IFR training devices.
Rotorcraft
Helicopter Ambulance Crews Facing Pandemic Burnout
"Everyone in healthcare is just exhausted," said Cameron Curtis, CEO of the Association of Air Medical Services.
Aircraft
Sole An-225 Cargoliner Damaged in Russia-Ukraine War
Antonov An-225, UR-82060, victim of Russia attack on Ukraine’s Kyiv-Hostomel Airport.
Rotorcraft
Aero Asset Establishes Helicopter Acquisition Arm
Aero Asset Acquisitions partners with Indiana bank to buy and sell helicopters.
Rotorcraft
Milestone, Helitak Develop Firefighting Sikorsky S-92A
Milestone Aviation has partnered with Helitak to develop an easy install, aerial firefighting kit for the S-92A featuring a quick-fill 1,050-gallon tank.
Engines
Leonardo Aims For Hybrid-powered AW09
In efforts to assess helicopter hybrid propulsion, Leonardo has selected its single engine AW09 on which to build its hybrid prototype.
Rotorcraft
Covid Drives Record Tempo at Rega Air Ambulance
Swiss air ambulance provider Rega saw covid transports increase 49 percent in 2021.
Accidents
Weekend Helicopter Crashes Caught on Camera
One dead, four injured in California and Florida helicopter accidents.
Regulations and Government
5G Interference Spurs Helo Operators To Seek Exemptions
Helicopter operators file petitions with the FAA seeking exemptions to radar altimeter requirements in wake of 5G interference.
Airports
East Hampton Closure and Conversion Delayed until May
East Hampton, New York city officials and FAA try to resolve issues related to making KTHO a private-use airport.
Finance, Taxes, Insurance
Milestone Signs 11-ship Deal with Omni Helicopters
Milestone Aviation Group has signed an 11 aircraft deal with Brazilian operator Omni Helicopters covering Leonardo AW139 and Sikorsky S-92A helicopters.
Engines
Honeywell Engines Selected for Defiant X
Honeywell’s new HTS7500 turboshaft has been selected to power the Lockheed Martin Sikorsky-Boeing Defiant X.
Rotorcraft
Bell 505 Fleet Tops 100,000 Hours
Bell's turbine light single has been delivered into 59 countries and amassed 100,000 flight hours since the first deliveries.
Avionics
ALPA Rips FCC, Wireless Lobby Anew over 5G
ALPA president accuses FCC of "systematic failure of governance."
Maintenance and Modifications
Dart Floats Approved for Airbus Five-blade H145s
Dart Aerospace has received FAA supplemental type certification for its emergency float system with integrated life rafts in water up to sea state 6.
Finance, Taxes, Insurance
Milestone Completes Aramco Helicopter Fleet Renewal
Lessor Milestone delivered 26 helicopters to Aramco as part of that company's fleet renewal program.
Rotorcraft
Blade CEO Bullish On New York
Blade CEO anticipates a better political atmosphere and growth potential for helicopter and eVTOL passenger service in the New York City area.
Avionics
FAA: 5G C-band Interference Solution Could Take Years
FAA Administrator Steve Dickson downplayed the impact of 5G C-band on GA during a February 3 House Aviation Subcommittee meeting.
Rotorcraft
Bristow Spends Latest Quarter In Hover
Helicopter operator Bristow Group breaks even on lower revenues, higher expenses.
Rotorcraft
Hill Details Progress on HX50 Turbine Single
UK start-up helicopter company plans first deliveries in 2023.
Airports
FAA Continues To Clear 5G Aircraft Backlog
FAA clears 90% of U.S. commercial fleet to operate normally near 5G C-band service.
Avionics
Viavi Tech Detects 5G Radar Altimeter Interference
Arizona-based Viavi Solutions has devised a method to identify interference between 5G C-band communications networks and radar altimeters.
Rotorcraft
Airbus Helicopters Posts Big Order Jump in 2021
Despite sales uptick, Airbus Helicopters CEO Bruno Even warns that a pre-pandemic market recovery is still two to three years away.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Wingcopter Strikes Deal for Medical Delivery Drones
German drone maker Wingcopter will provide a fleet of its tiltrotor Wingcopter 198s to the Spright unit of Air Methods.
Rotorcraft
Airbus Helicopters Delivers Last Dauphin
Airbus produced more than 1,100 Dauphin series helicopters over 40 years.
Rotorcraft
Enstrom Helicopters Shutters, Files Bankruptcy
Enstrom delivered more than 1,300 helicopters during its 64 year history.
Avionics
Latest 5G Delay Welcomed but Ultimate Solution Unlikely Soon
Wireless carriers agree to further 5G C-band delay near busy airports.
Airlines
Wireless Carriers Agree To Another 5G Delay
As international carriers cancel U.S.-bound flights out of safety concerns, Biden pledges "permanent" solution.
Avionics
Industry, FAA Scramble To Clean Up FCC 5G 'Mess'
"Flight cancellations and operational disruptions will be a reality," ALPA warns.
