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

Columbia Helicopters and Brightwater United Aero Group (UAG) have entered into a memorandum of understanding to cooperatively support the Sikorsky S-61 and its GE CT58 engines. UAG—which provides parts sales, repairs, consulting, and supplier integration services—&nbsp;was granted the Sikorsky distributorship of&nbsp;total support of the S-61 platform in 2020. The company said it believes working with Columbia will lead to a more “holistic” support solution for S-61 customers.&nbsp;

 


Operating&nbsp;and maintaining&nbsp;the CT58 engine for more than six decades, Columbia&nbsp;in 2018&nbsp;became the total logistics support provider for&nbsp;T58 and CT58 engines and was licensed by GE to produce all procurable spares under its FAA production certificate.&nbsp;

 


The S-61 was first produced in 1961 and more than 1,400 were built in both military and commercial variants. The aircraft was widely used by militaries worldwide as a search and rescue and anti-submarine warfare platform. The VH-3D variant continues to fly the President of the United States as “Marine One.”&nbsp;&nbsp;While militaries have begun retiring the type, S-61s continue to be used by select civil operators for firefighting and heavy-lift missions.&nbsp;&nbsp;

 


Sikorsky and Carson Helicopters in 2010 had announced the&nbsp;S-61T program&nbsp;to modernize and extend the life of up to 110 S-61s by 20 to 30 years. However, program delays and changing government priorities substantially truncated that number. The first S-61T made its initial test flight in January 2014.&nbsp;&nbsp;

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

Columbia, UAG Team To Support S-61 Helicopters

Columbia Helicopters and United Aero Group have signed a memorandum of understanding to cooperatively support the Sikorsky S-61.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Sarah Rose

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.

"Supply chain is affecting a lot of things right now."

Engines Leaders Rev Up for 2025

Charles Alcock

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

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.

Chinese eVTOL aircraft manufacturer has also made its first passenger demonstration flights in Thailand

EHang Seeks Higher-performance eVTOL Electric Propulsion Systems

News about environmental issues relating to aircraft operations, including noise issues, emissisions, and regulations. See Fuel for biofuel.

Issues regarding financing of aircraft; aviation insurance; tax issues for aircraft operators; new companies and people in the aviation financing and insurance industries.

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

Trading update reports strong demand in the commercial airliner engines sector

Rolls-Royce Confirms Closure of Electric Propulsion Unit

News and developments about aviation fuel, including jet fuel, aviation gasoline, and biofuel.

RTX company Pratt & Whitney Canada is part of the government-backed INSAT program

Hydrogen Combustion Test To Start on PW127XT Turboprop Engine

Companies signed a new memorandum of understanding to expand their collaboration

ZeroAvia and PowerCell Agree To Scale Up Fuel Cell Partnership

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 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.

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