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
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.
Avionics
Rotor Tech's 'Cloud Pilot' Flies Uncrewed R22 Helo
Rotor Technologies hopes to apply its remotely-operated aircraft technology to aerial firefighting.
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.
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.
Aircraft
Tupan Unveils Turbine-powered Cargo UAV
Tupan Aircraft's unmanned cargo UAV family combines turbine and electric power to deliver high performance.
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
Airbus Helicopters Expands Middle Eastern Market Inroads
Airbus Helicopters announces new sales and service deals during MEBAA Show.
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
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.
Regulations and Government
Potted Planes Still Mean the Pokey
Marijuana law on the ground is different than law in the air.
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
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.
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
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.
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.
Maintenance and Modifications
ASU Snags Night Vision Contract from Brazil Government
Aviation Specialties Unlimited was awarded a contract to supply night vision equipment to military and government customers in Brazil.
Accidents
Bell 407 Tail Boom Separation Prompts FAASTeam Caution
Bell 407 operators are advised to torque check tail boom attachment hardware following a June in-flight separation accident.
Accidents
Metroliner Crashes on Wisconsin Golf Course
Three persons and 53 dogs survive aircraft crash with minor injuries after impacting golf course in Pewaukee, Wisconsin.
Aircraft
NASA's X-59 Quiet Supersonic Demonstrator Gets Engine
First flight of NASA's X-59 quiet supersonic demonstration aircraft is expected early next year.
Avionics
Aviation Coalition Asks FAA for More Time on 5G Retrofits
Aviation coalition seeks more time to retrofit aircraft with radar altimeters resistant to 5G C-band interference.
Rotorcraft
Robinson Helicopter Founder Frank Robinson Dies at 92
Frank Robinson, founder of iconic helicopter company, passed away over the weekend. He was 92.
Safety
NTSB’s Graham Calls for More SMS Participation
The NTSB's Most Wanted List for aviation continues to advocate for establishment of safety management systems and flight data monitoring.
EAA Chapter 40 Prepares for Milestone Young Eagles Flight
EAA Chapter 40 in Los Angeles plans to give its 10,000th free airplane ride to a child on November 26.
Maintenance and Modifications
Leonardo AW169 Gains EASA Skid, Single-Pilot SAR Approvals
EASA has certified the AW169 for skid gear and single-pilot advanced IFR search and rescue operations.
