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.

Rotorcraft

Airbus Helicopters Posts Strong Medevac Order Intake

Airbus H135 and H145 helicopters continue to be popular among air ambulance providers.

Rotorcraft

GPMS, Truth Data Combine HUMS, FDM, FOQA Solution

GPMS will offer its HUMS and FDM technology combined with Truth Data's flight operations quality-assurance services.

Finance, Taxes, Insurance

Lessor Milestone Places Trio of Helicopters with PHI

PHI Aviation will augment its owned fleet with leased helicopters from Milestone Aviation Group.

Rotorcraft

Babcock Extends Contract with UK Air Ambulance Charity

Babcock will continue to provide an Airbus H135 helicopter, pilots, and maintenance to UK’s Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance charity.

Maintenance and Modifications

Heli-One To Offer AW139 Gearbox Testing

Canadian MRO Heli-One will offer testing for the Leonardo AW139 intermediate and tail gearboxes.

Charter & Fractional

AeroVanti Club Obtains New Financing

The company has already used some of the funds to buy a Phenom 100.

Charter & Fractional

Mente's Four Corners Offers 'Jets as a Service'

Four Corners Aviation focuses on offering bespoke private jet programs.

Maintenance and Modifications

Airbus Delivers First U.S. ACH130 Helicopter

ACH teases new interior design for 2023

Maintenance and Modifications

Aevex Twin Otter STC Boosts Maximum Takeoff Weight

Aevex's STC for the Twin Otter has been expanded to DHC-6-400 aircraft.

Engines

P&WC Launches Online Services Hub

Engine maker Pratt & Whitney Canada's online Services Hub is designed to speed up service and support.

Charter & Fractional

Jet Luxe To Add Pair of Global 7500s

Jet Luxe allows customers to "sponsor" aircraft in exchange for lower rates.

Charter & Fractional

Wheels Up Stock Nose Down

Wheels Up stock is now unmistakably nose-down, trading at $1.06 per share on October 11.

Environment

Unleaded Avgas: FAA Approves Fleet, EPA Preps Regs

The FAA authorized all piston aircraft to use unleaded avgas, while the EPA is taking steps to phase out lead in fuels for aircraft with piston engines.

Accidents

Police Helicopter Crash Stumps NTSB

The fatal May 2, 2020 crash of a Houston police helicopter occurred after an uncommanded right yaw, resulting in a loss of control.

Rotorcraft

Airbus Helicopters Strengthens Korea Ties

Airbus Helicopters and Korea Aerospace Industries have delivered the first jointly-produced light civil helicopter.

Regulations and Government

FAA OKs Night-vision Goggles for Robinson R66

Florida's Polk County Sheriff's Office will receive the first Robinson R66 helicopter fitted with night vision goggles.

Rotorcraft

FAA Certification Chief Promotes FBW in Light Rotorcraft

FAA's Lirio Liu hails the potential of fly-by-wire in light rotorcraft as 'a major advancement.'

Rotorcraft

Sheriff Calls Helicopters 'Flying Dinosaurs'

Hamilton County Ohio plans to replace outdated MD-series 500 sheriff helicopters with drones.

Rotorcraft

HAI Slams National Parks Air Tour Plan

HAI president James Viola believes a proposed parks overflight plan could put air tour operators out of business.

Maintenance and Modifications

Hartzell Engine Tech Unit Doubles Oklahoma Footprint

Hartzell Engine Tech's Quality Aircraft Accessories has completed a more than year-long expansion to its Tulsa facilities.

Rotorcraft

Baldwin Becomes Accepted Vendor For R-ASIAS

Rotorcraft Aviation Safety Information Analysis and Sharing (R-ASIAS) mirrors safety reporting programs developed for fixed-wing aircraft.

Rotorcraft

Accident Board Takes Fresh Issue with S-92 Main Gearbox

Issues with Vespel spline adapters continue to overhang S-92 main gearboxes.

Accidents

AW139 Makes Emergency Landing in Louisiana

All survive after a Bristow medevac flight experiences cockpit smoke and loss of flight controls, resulting in an emergency landing in southern Louisiana.