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

AmyWilder

News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

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 and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Lithium-ion battery STC expands options for helicopter operators 

Airwolf Aerospace Gets Brazil STC for TB17 Batteries 

Jessica Reed

LifeFlight's Mount Isa-based helicopter team rescued the couple and their two dogs

Helicopter Crew Makes Rescue in Australian Outback

Matt Thurber

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

Testing was also conducted by the Air Force

Vita Rescue System Hoist Is Qualified by U.S. Army

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.

European operators can now fly the helicopter in EU countries

Subaru Bell 412EPX Certified by EASA

ANSI standards will impose a more uniform framework

FAA Revises Human External Cargo Fall Protection Policy

New developments and products in avionics, specifically about aircraft electronics in the cockpit.

In this article

Leonardo

More In Rotorcraft

Airwolf Aerospace Gets Brazil STC for TB17 Batteries

Lithium-ion battery STC expands options for helicopter operators

Helicopter Crew Makes Rescue in Australian Outback

LifeFlight's Mount Isa-based helicopter team rescued the couple and their two dogs

Vita Rescue System Hoist Is Qualified by U.S. Army

Testing was also conducted by the Air Force

Subaru Bell 412EPX Certified by EASA

European operators can now fly the helicopter in EU countries

FAA Revises Human External Cargo Fall Protection Policy

ANSI standards will impose a more uniform framework

ACE Aero Modding Black Hawks with Skyryse Controls

The upgrade makes the helicopter much simpler to fly

Sikorsky Lengthens S-92 Inspection Intervals

Move will help increase availability and lower direct operating costs

Northern Rescue Growing Fleet to Five AW169 Helicopters

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

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN