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
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.
Regulations and Government
AINsight: Spin Cycle
The FAA's decades-old thinking on spin training needs a new approach.
Rotorcraft
Helo Market Expected To Grow to $41 Billion by 2027
Growth will be driven by the demand for light helicopters, greater aftermarket demand, and the commercialization of UAM and eVTOL aircraft.
Aircraft
Cirrus Plans ‘Innovation Center’ at Duluth HQ
Cirrus Aircraft has secured a 60-year ground lease for its recently acquired building and land in Duluth, Minnesota.
FBOs
NATA Introduces Unleaded Avgas Guidance
The National Air Transportation Association has released a white paper: Unleaded Avgas Conversion Considerations for Aviation Fuel Providers.
Regulations and Government
Hansen Helicopters, CEO Walker Guilty on All Counts
Prosecutor: Case 'about greed.'
Avionics
Garmin Adds More Twins to Smart Rudder Bias Approvals
Beechcraft Baron B55s with the required autopilot and display can now be equipped with Garmin's Smart Rudder Bias.
Rotorcraft
Bristow Wins Equinor SAR Contract
Bristow will provide a trio of SAR-configured Sikorsky S-92s to Norway's state-owned energy company.
Accidents
Fatal Bell 212 Crash Tied To Defective Pin
Canada’s Transportation Safety Board has linked the fatal crash of a 1979 Bell 212 to the failure of a main rotor blade hub strap retaining pin.
Rotorcraft
MD Helicopters Emerges from Bankruptcy
MD Helicopters's assets have been acquired by a new operating company and it has appointed a new board, CEO, and senior executives.
Avionics
Lightspeed Unveils ‘Safety Wearables’ Headset Series
Lightspeed's new Delta Zulu changes the parameters of aviation headset design with new safety and audio features.
Maintenance and Modifications
Airbus Launches HCare Classics Support for Legacy Helos
HeliDax has enrolled its entire fleet of 36 Airbus H120s in Airbus's new product support program.
Avionics
Safran Bidding for Thales' Power Business
Safran is negotiating with Thales to acquire its aeronautical electrical systems business.
Maintenance and Modifications
Canada's G2 Performs VIP AStar Conversion
Quebec-based G2 Aviation has converted a utility AStar to VIP configuration for use by Helicraft for VIP transport and aerial city tours.
Environment
GAMI Secures Piston Fleet Approval for Unleaded Avgas
The FAA, which gave fleet approvals for use of GAMI's G100UL in piston aircraft, plans to use the same review process for other unleaded candidates.
Airports
AAM Infrastructure Still the Known Unknown
Panelists at the VFS Electric Aircraft Symposium stressed the need for advanced air mobility infrastructure for commercial success.
Avionics
SkyLink 7100 Qualified for Crewed Aircraft
Blue Sky Network has qualified its SkyLink 7100 Iridium satcom to DO-160G, and the antenna has received FAA TSO C159d approval.
Rotorcraft
PHI Opens Regional Headquarters in Perth
PHI's new regional headquarters in Perth will oversee operations in the Asia Pacific.
Regulations and Government
Investigator: Hansen Helicopters Fleet 'Not Airworthy'
The Hansen Helicopters trial in Guam saw the final prosecution witness testify about the company's many accidents.
Avionics
Australia Offers VFR Pilots ADS-B Avionics Subsidy
The Australian government is offering up to AUS$5,000 to help offset costs of installing ADS-B equipment in crewed VFR aircraft.
Maintenance and Modifications
Flexjet Unveils New Helicopter Interior
Flexjet has unveiled a bespoke interior and paint livery on one of its Sikorsky S-76 helicopters based on the Bentley Bacalar luxury automobile.
Charter & Fractional
Tailwind To Launch NY to D.C. Seaplane Service
Tailwind's New York to Washington DC flights will serve College Park Airport in Maryland with Cessna Caravans on amphibious floats.
Finance, Taxes, Insurance
CHC Helicopter Restructures Finances
CHC Group's debt restructuring will provide more than $100 million in new capital and liquidity for the company.
Accidents
Co-pilot Jumps Without a Parachute, Dies
After damaging the landing gear during a landing attempt, the co-pilot of a CASA 212 results in co-pilot's airborne suicide.
Regulations and Government
Australia Launches General Aviation Safety Campaign
Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority has launched a general aviation pilot safety campaign in cooperation with other agencies and associations.
Regulations and Government
Helo Schools Agree To Pay $7.5 Million False Claim Settlement
Universal Helicopters and Dodge City Community College are alleged to have violated Veterans Affairs benefit rules.
Regulations and Government
Another Fatal Crash As Hansen Helo Trial Resumes
Prosecutors allege Hansen executives formed Pacific Spotters to continue 'fraud scheme.'
Rotorcraft
Artemis To Fly Aboard Norwegian SAR AW101
Technology that transforms cell phones into rescue beacons to be demonstrated in upcoming search and rescue exercise.
