Mark Huber is an aviation industry veteran who has worked in the flight training, aircraft sales, aircraft component, and airport development businesses. He has flight time in more than 50 different and diverse aircraft, including helicopters, aerobatic aircraft, vintage warbirds, jet fighters, business jets and turboprops, and transport-category aircraft. He has jumped out of several of these—on purpose—with a parachute. His defense and aviation journalism has been published in a variety of national and international periodicals.

Contributor

Mark Huber

A Leonardo AW101 completed high-altitude performance testing last week in Buena Vista (KAEJ) and Leadville, Colorado (KLXV). The tests were conducted as part of a performance improvement program to raise engine power and main gearbox torque rating to 117 percent.&nbsp;

 


The high-altitude testing was used to confirm the three-engine helicopter’s ability to recover and land safely in the event of engine failure. Buena Vista is situated at an altitude of 7,950 feet while Leadville is North America's&nbsp;highest-elevation&nbsp;public-use airport&nbsp;at an altitude of 9,934 feet. Leonardo said, “Power consumption testing future-proofed the aircraft for impending certification requirements.”&nbsp;

 


The test helicopter was shipped to Baltimore, where it was reassembled and then flown 1,600 nm to Colorado. After testing, it was ferried back to Leonardo Yeovil, UK via Canada, Greenland, Iceland, and Scotland. It will be delivered to its customer, the Norwegian Ministry of Justice and Public Security&nbsp;by year’s end.&nbsp;

 


Leonardo's AW101 has a maximum takeoff weight of 32,187 pounds and is in service with a variety of militaries worldwide including the Canadian armed forces, whose variant is known as the CH-149 Cormorant.

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

Leonardo AW101 Takes On Leadville

Tri-engine Leonardo AW101 helicopter completes OEI high-altitude testing at famed Colorado airport.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Matt Thurber

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Shipment to New Zealand will take place next year after paint and upgrades

Northern Rescue Growing Fleet to Five AW169 Helicopters

Plans call for growing the department's public safety presence

Fort Worth Police Buy Second Bell 505

AmyWilder

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

News about simulators and training procedures, as well as workforce.

Key innovations and safety updates event highlights

European Rotors 2024 Focuses on Vertical Flight Future

News and developments about aircraft engines, including turbofan, turboprop, turboshaft and piston.

Preowned helicopter specialist is expanding its capabilities

Rotortrade Partners with Safran, Joins Mentor Program

Includes the sale of the 100th Bell 505 in Europe

Bell Logs Sales for 505 and 407GXi Helicopters

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

In this article

Leonardo

More In Rotorcraft

Northern Rescue Growing Fleet to Five AW169 Helicopters

Shipment to New Zealand will take place next year after paint and upgrades

Fort Worth Police Buy Second Bell 505

Plans call for growing the department's public safety presence

European Rotors 2024 Focuses on Vertical Flight Future

Key innovations and safety updates event highlights

Rotortrade Partners with Safran, Joins Mentor Program

Preowned helicopter specialist is expanding its capabilities

Bell Logs Sales for 505 and 407GXi Helicopters

Includes the sale of the 100th Bell 505 in Europe

FAA Releases 2023 Helo Air Ambulance Ops Data Summary

Six accidents, two with fatalities, took place during calendar year 2023

Helicopter Operators Sign Orders with Airbus and Leonardo

Both manufacturers announced new business during the European Rotors trade show

Learning To Fly Helicopters in the Guimbal Cabri G2

How a long-time fixed-wing pilot transitions to the rotary-wing world

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN