Rolls-Royce boosted availability of RR300 engine parts and customer services by signing an exclusive distribution agreement with AAR. According to Rolls-Royce Helicopter Engine business president Ken Roberts, the worldwide AAR group
will provide a turnkey solution for RR300 operators around the clock. The RR300 turboshaft has been selected by Robinson Helicopter to power its new
R66 and
by RotorWay International for its Eagle 300T.

MD Helicopters reported that it now has Chinese certification for its entire product line. Approvals for the MD 500 series have just been granted, adding to existing certification in China for the MD 600N and Explorer. The U.S. manufacturer announced a new partnership with Composite Technology, which is to run rotor blade repair stations on its behalf.

Blue Sky Network introduced its new D410A flight tracking and two-way messaging transceiver at the Helitech show. The new Iridium satellite-based GPS tracking device provides a lower-cost alternative to the larger D1000A system while still being easy to use and with new messaging capability. The portable D410A retails for about $1,795 and weighs less than six ounces.

Air Harrods recently started operating the UK’s only executive-configured
version of the Sikorsky S-92. The aircraft is available for charter and can carry
16 passengers plus baggage up to 430 nm at a speed of nearly 165 knots.
z UK-based aircraft sales broker PremiAir Global reported that the market for
pre-owned helicopters is starting to pick up. But there are still some good deals to be had, according to managing director Tim Blockley, who explained that older aircraft have seen demand weakening. For example, the company’s portfolio includes a Sikorsky S-76A+ that was delivered as an S-76 in 1980 and then upgraded to the A+ version. It is being offered with new exterior paint for $1.5 million, a 40-percent drop on its value 12 months ago.

Skyquest Aviation launched two smart displays that allow operators to run their own software applications on an embedded fanless PC. The UK company said that this allows customers to customize mission software without the need to use separate laptops or processors. The 10- and 12-inch displays are made to be mounted in the cockpit and provide Ethernet connectivity and up to five USB interfaces.