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.
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.
Maintenance and Modifications
KULR Vibe AI Technology Mitigates Helicopter Vibrations
KULR Vibe technology utilizes artificial intelligence and on-aircraft sensors to mitigate helicopter vibrations.
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.
Accidents
NTSB: Altimeter Working on Power Line-snared Mooney
Mooney that flew into Maryland power lines was off-altitude and off-course.
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
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.
Rotorcraft
Hirschberg Stepping Down at Vertical Flight Society
Mike Hirschberg said he plans to step down as executive director of the Vertical Flight Society.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Avionics
Congresswoman Flies Helicopter with Pilot Assist System
Skyryse's FlightOS system enables almost anyone to fly a helicopter with almost no training.
Maintenance and Modifications
Alpine's New Bear Paws Approved for AStars
Alpine Aerotech's Bear Paws have received Transport Canada STC approval.
Avionics
Rotor Tech's 'Cloud Pilot' Flies Uncrewed R22 Helo
Rotor Technologies hopes to apply its remotely-operated aircraft technology to aerial firefighting.
Rotorcraft
Atlanta Police Department Upgrades to MD 530F
The Atlanta Police Department will purchase two MD 530F helicopters and upgrade its MD 500E.
FBOs
Yingling Teams with Ortega for Employee Flight Training
Wichita Eisenhower National Airport FBO Yingling Aviation to subsidize employees' flight training through Ortega Aviation Services.
Rotorcraft
Bristow Expands Leonardo Fleet For UK SAR
Bristow Group is expanding its Leonardo fleet with the purchase of six AW139 helicopters to support its UKSAR2G contract.
Aircraft
Tupan Unveils Turbine-powered Cargo UAV
Tupan Aircraft's unmanned cargo UAV family combines turbine and electric power to deliver high performance.
Accidents
Bell 407 Tail Booms To Get Fresh Scrutiny
NTSB calls on FAA to impose stricter inspection regime after Bell 407 in-flight tail boom separation
Aircraft
Airbus Helicopters Expands Middle Eastern Market Inroads
Airbus Helicopters announces new sales and service deals during MEBAA Show.
Rotorcraft
Erickson Delivers Eighth Air Crane to South Korea
The Korean Forest Service took delivery of its eighth Erickson S-64 Air Crane on December 3rd.
Rotorcraft
Switzerland's Rega Orders 12 More Airbus H145s
Rega—a helicopter emergency medical services provider in Switzerland—will operate 21 Airbus H145 helicopters by 2021.
Rotorcraft
Electric Charging For eVTOL Aircraft Is Different From Cars
When it comes to battery charging, you can't treat an eVTOL aircraft like a Tesla car, says Australia's Electro.
Finance, Taxes, Insurance
Milestone Places S-92s With China's CITIC
Helicopter lessor Milestone has placed a pair of Sikorsky S-92s with China's CITIC Offshore Helicopter.
Regulations and Government
Potted Planes Still Mean the Pokey
Marijuana law on the ground is different than law in the air.
Regulations and Government
The "No Surprises Act" is a License To Steal
The federal "No Surprises Act" places the air ambulance industry in financial peril, according to the Association of Air Medical Services.
Rotorcraft
Airbus Launches 'DisruptiveLab' Demo Helicopter
Airbus's latest helicopter is a flying laboratory designed to test technologies to cut carbon emissions and noise.
Accidents
NTSB Calls For Alaska Air Tour Special FAR
The NTSB says voluntary safety measures by Ketchikan air tour operators are 'ineffective' and calls on FAA for SFAR governance.
Maintenance and Modifications
BLR FastFin Certified for Black Hawk Helicopters
BLR Aerospace has received FAA STC approval for its patented FastFin system for the Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter.
Rotorcraft
Bell Logs More Than 230,000 Flight Training Hours
The Bell Training Academy has exceeded 230,000 flight training hours and trained over 130,000 pilots from more than 135 countries.
