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.
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
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.
Rotorcraft
CHC Divests Babcock's Former UK Offshore Operations
CHC Helicopter Group is selling Offshore UK following competition finding.
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.
Accidents
Missing King Air Recovered Off Maui
Three medevac crewmembers died when an air ambulance crashed off Maui in December.
Finance, Taxes, Insurance
Bristow Refinances UK SAR Debt
Bristow signs $176 million deal to refinance debt associated with UK SAR contract.
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
Aircraft
New FAA Policy Could Delay Aircraft Transactions
U.S. aircraft owners could be forced onto foreign registrations by a new FAA privacy policy.
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.
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.
Maintenance and Modifications
Robinson Mandates Tail Rotor Inspections, Replacements
Loose tail rotor tips prompted a Robinson service bulletin affecting all of its helicopter models.
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.
Aircraft
Gulfstream G650 Marks 10 Years in Service
Gulfstream has delivered more than 500 of its flagship G650/G650ER long-range jets since its entry into service in 2012.
Maintenance and Modifications
KULR Vibe AI Technology Mitigates Helicopter Vibrations
KULR Vibe technology utilizes artificial intelligence and on-aircraft sensors to mitigate helicopter vibrations.
Accidents
Metroliner Had Autopilot Issues Before Crash Landing
The Metroliner full of rescue dogs that crashed onto a Wisconsin golf course last month had autopilot and control issues, according to the NTSB.
Accidents
NTSB: Altimeter Working on Power Line-snared Mooney
Mooney that flew into Maryland power lines was off-altitude and off-course.
Rotorcraft
Hirschberg Stepping Down at Vertical Flight Society
Mike Hirschberg said he plans to step down as executive director of the Vertical Flight Society.
Avionics
Safety Notice Issued on Garmin GFC 500 Autopilot
A problem with Garmin's GFC 500 autopilot when equipped with auto trim may cause an uncommanded trim runaway when the autopilot is first engaged.
Accidents
Transport Canada Mandates Bell 407 Tail Boom Checks
Transport Canada issued an airworthiness directive mandating torque checks and visual inspections on Bell 407 tail booms following in-flight separation.
Maintenance and Modifications
MT Flight Tests an 11-blade Propeller
MT-Propeller has flight tested an 11-bladed propeller on a Piper PA-31T Cheyenne twin turboprop.
Regulations and Government
New York Governor Vetoes Helicopter Noise Bill
Hochul cites federal preemption in vetoing the "Stop the Chop' Act, which would have allowed anyone to sue operators and others over helicopter noise.
Training and Workforce
EAA Young Eagles On Track after Covid
More than 49,000 young people received free introductory aircraft rides this year as part of the EAA's Young Eagles program.
