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
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
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Rotorcraft
Bell Sells Five 505 Singles Into The Baltics
Bell sold three 505s to Airborne during the European Rotors conference and appointed the company as its independent representative in the Baltic states.
Aircraft
DRF Luftrettung Expands Airbus Air Ambulance Fleet
German air ambulance provider DRF Luftrettung has ordered more Airbus H145 helicopters and additional services from the manufacturer.
Maintenance and Modifications
Airbus Signs New Service Clients at European Rotors
Airbus Helicopters gained significant new fleet clients for its HCare product support program during this week's European Rotors conference.
Engines
GE Delivers 250th CT7-2E1 Helicopter Engine
GE Aerospace has delivered its 250th CT7-2E1 helicopter engine to Leonardo Helicopter.
Rotorcraft
Bristow CEO Reports Slow Ascent in Revenue
Helicopter services company Bristow Group quadruples net income on modest revenue gains.
Maintenance and Modifications
Safran Signs Saudis To Hourly Service Contract
Safran Helicopter Engines will provide support-by-the-hour for The Helicopter and Jet Company's Airbus fleet in Saudi Arabia.
Rotorcraft
Study: eVTOL Industry Needs 10,000 Engineers
A study by VFS and Hysky Society urges diversity and inclusion to attract and retain needed engineering talent for new vertical flight programs.
Accidents
Seven Die in AW109E Helicopter Crash in Italy
The helicopter went down shortly after departing Italy's Tremiti Islands, killing all seven aboard.
Engines
P&WC Engines Log 200,000 Hours on Polish Ambulances
Poland's LPR air ambulance service has logged more than 200,000 hours on its PW206B-powered Airbus H135 helicopter fleet.
Rotorcraft
Rocketlab's Second S-92 Midair Rocket Capture Fails
Rocketlab pulls Sikorsky S-92 out of recovery area after telemetry failure.
