General Aviation
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.
Regulations and Government
AINsight: Recent FAA Medical Updates and Controversies
The FAA's recent changes to vision restriction verbiage and relaxation of rules regarding cardiovascular conditions have pilots talking.
Avionics
FAA Approves New Aspen Display Software Update
Aspen Avionics has released a software update with Garmin GFC 600 autopilot interface capability.
Avionics
Hands-on: Flying with Lightspeed’s Delta Zulu Headset
Lightspeed aims to usher in a new era of sensor-equipped headsets to make flying safer.
Rotorcraft
Hill Helicopters Tops 700 Orders
Hill plans to begin flight testing of its HX50 helicopter later this year.
Cabin Interior and Electronics
Iridium Releases Certus-based Portable Communicator
The new Iridium Go! exec satellite communications device has been tested in light aircraft and delivers higher-speed connectivity.
Aircraft
Enstrom Flies First New-production Helo Since Reopening
Enstrom flies its first new production helicopter since reopening in May 2022, a 480B.
Fuel
Avfuel Launches 50th-anniversary Celebration at SDC
The company reflects on its history and looks ahead at NBAA's Schedulers and Dispatchers Conference this week in Nashville.
Training and Workforce
How To Be a Safe Helicopter Pilot
There's more to being safe than simply not crashing, and here we learn how from helicopter experts.
NBAA Honors FirstEnergy's Spring Adamo for Leadership
Spring Adamo, a longtime business aviation scheduler and former chair of the S&D Committee, is this year’s recipient of the S&D Leadership Award.
Environment
Genav Groups Caution EPA on Transition from Leaded Avgas
In comments to the EPA's proposed endangerment finding on leaded avgas, seven general aviation groups cautioned on need for safe transition to unleaded.
Accidents
No Witnesses, Video for Fatal Bell 407 Gulf Crash
NTSB preliminary report notes that no eyewitnesses or video exists in investigation of a Bell 407 that crashed on takeoff from Gulf Coast energy platform.
Rotorcraft
CHC Divests Babcock's Former UK Offshore Operations
CHC Helicopter Group is selling Offshore UK following competition finding.
Rotorcraft
European Rotors Moves To Madrid in 2023
The 2023 European Rotors conference will be held in Madrid from November 28 to 30.
Finance, Taxes, Insurance
Bombardier Says 2022 Results Will Top Expectations
Bombardier says 2022 financial results will be better than forecasted.
Avionics
Garmin Resolves GFC 500 Runaway Trim Issue
Pending the latest fix, owners of aircraft affected by the potential Garmin GFC 500 runaway trim issue had to disable elevator pitch trim systems.
Finance, Taxes, Insurance
Bristow Refinances UK SAR Debt
Bristow signs $176 million deal to refinance debt associated with UK SAR contract.
Accidents
Missing King Air Recovered Off Maui
Three medevac crewmembers died when an air ambulance crashed off Maui in December.
Rotorcraft
AStar Ground School To Be Offered at Heli-Expo 2023
EuroSafety International will offer an Airbus H125 ground school at this year's HAI Heli-Expo.
Maintenance and Modifications
ASI Revamps Debonair, Piper Meridian Cockpits
Avionics installer ASI highlighted Garmin avionics upgrades on two high-performance single-engine airplanes.
Rotorcraft
FAA Issues New Heliport Guidance
FAA issues new advisory circular on heliport planning, design, and construction
Maintenance and Modifications
Boost Gets Canada STC for Personnel Carrying System
Boost Systems has received Transport Canada STC approval for its personnel carrying device system for transport category rotorcraft.
Avionics
FAA Approves Garmin GI 275 Instrument for AStars
Garmin has received FAA supplemental type certificate approval to install its GI 275 electronic flight instrument in Airbus AStar helicopters.
Regulations and Government
FCC Proposes Radio Licenses for UAS Operators
FCC Notice of Proposed Rulemaking seeks comment on mandatory radio licenses and potential spectrum interference for UAS operations.
Accidents
One Dead as Phenom 300 Crashes on Takeoff at Provo Airport
Pilot dies after Embraer Phenom 300 crashes on takeoff in Provo, Utah.
Accidents
Four Dead in Australian Helicopter Midair
Four dead, nine injured after pair of Airbus EC-130B4 air tour helicopters collide near Australian theme park
Maintenance and Modifications
Robinson Mandates Tail Rotor Inspections, Replacements
Loose tail rotor tips prompted a Robinson service bulletin affecting all of its helicopter models.
Safety
Polaris Launches Advanced FlightRisk Safety App Features
Polaris Aero has expanded its Vocus app suite of aviation safety software with a sharable FlightRisk component.
Aircraft
Textron Announces First Airline Order for SkyCourier
Mexico's startup regional airline Aerus has placed an order for two Cessna 408 SkyCourier and four Cessna Grand Caravan EX turboprop singles.
Regulations and Government
FAA Clears One-shot Covid Vaccine
The FAA has approved the one-shot Johnson & Johnson Covid vaccine for pilots, air traffic controllers, and others subject to FAA medical clearance.
Aircraft
New FAA Policy Could Delay Aircraft Transactions
U.S. aircraft owners could be forced onto foreign registrations by a new FAA privacy policy.
