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
Offshore Helicopter Market Bounces Back
Air & Sea Analytics predicts substantial price hikes for the offshore helicopter market.
Avionics
MD 500E Glass Cockpit Gets FAA Nod
The new "slimline" advanced glass cockpit for MD 500E Helicopter features Garmin avionics and has been granted FAA approval for installation.
Safety
RedTail Academy Grad Receives Internship at Baldwin
Baldwin Safety & Compliance has initiated an internship program and welcomed its first participant from the first RedTail Academy graduating class.
Regulations and Government
Hawaii Governor Expected To Veto Helicopter Bill
Hawaii Governor David Ige says bill ascribes FAA authority to the state and is unenforceable.
Rotorcraft
Airbus Helicopters Delivers 7,000th Ecureuil
Airbus H125 and H130 family of light singles have been delivered to more than 2,000 customers since 1974.
Rotorcraft
Bristow Flies Leonardo AW609 Tiltorotor
Bristow's first AW609 is on the Leonardo production line in Philadelphia.
Rotorcraft
Bell Sells More 505 Singles into Europe
Bell's fleet of Europe-based 505 helicopters has grown to 65.
Avionics
Garmin Instruments Approved for Legacy Piston Robinsons
Garmin has received STC approval for installation of its GI 275 electronic flight instrument in R44 and R22 helicopters.
Rotorcraft
Rogerson Kratos Getting The 'Top Drop' On Fires
Rogerson Kratos subsidiary Top Drop is repurposing Black Hawks to fight fires.
Accidents
Blog: Aircraft Float Posture and Ditching Considerations
Simply hoping an aircraft ditching will not happen to you is no way to prepare for a successful outcome.
Rotorcraft
EASA Proposes Rules for Urban VTOL Air Taxis
EASA proposed VTOL air taxi rules sets operating standards and limitations.
Finance, Taxes, Insurance
LCI Acquires 19 Helicopters from Lobo Leasing
Lessor LCI is acquiring 19 helicopters from Lobo Leasing in South America, Africa, and Europe.
Maintenance and Modifications
HAI and AEA Team on New Mx SMS Program
The Helicopter Association International and the Aircraft Electronics Association are teaming on a maintenance safety management system.
Rotorcraft
Starspeed To Operate Penzance Helicopters
Starspeed will assume the operations of Penzance Helicopters to provide service to the Isles of Scilly.
Aircraft
Bombardier Workers Ratify New Contract
Bombardier continues to pay down debt as workers win 18.5 percent pay raise.
Rotorcraft
Skytrac Transmits Real-time EMS Patient Data
Air ambulances equipped with Skytrac can transmit patient data via satellite or cell in real-time and live-stream video to remote physicians.
Regulations and Government
China Updates Five-year General Aviation Plan
China recently issued its latest five-year plan for general aviation, which aims to provide a “strong legal guarantee” for advancing civil aviation.
Aircraft
Universal Avionics Providing EVS Systems for Helicopters
Universal is providing panel and helmet mounted enhanced vision displays to European law enforcement agencies.
Accidents
UK Reports No Commercial Aviation Fatal Mishaps in 2021
None of the five fatal fatal accidents in the country last year involved commercial or turbine general aviation aircraft.
Avionics
Garmin Autopilot EASA Approved for AStars
Garmin receives EASA approval for installation of its GFC 600H digital autopilot for Airbus AS350 helicopters.
Aircraft
Cirrus Delivers First Aircraft to United's Flight School
Cirrus Aircraft will deliver a total of 25 SR-Series Trac20 piston singles to United Aviate Academy.
Regulations and Government
New York Lawmakers Take Fresh Aim at Helicopters
State bill would outlaw all "non-essential" helicopter traffic in New York City.
Rotorcraft
Helicopter Training Network Launches in Europe
European helicopter schools join forces to offer more diverse, specialized training.
Avionics
ForeFlight Releases Sentry Plus ADS-B Receiver
The Sentry Plus ADS-B In receiver is now equipped with an OLED display that shows the battery life, g-load, and carbon monoxide levels.
Regulations and Government
Hansen Helo Case Hovers Near Mistrial
A second major delay interrupts Hansen Helicopter fraud trial.
Accidents
Attorneys Want More FAA Oversight of Helitours
Hawaii aviation attorney says 'FAA is not doing its job.'
NOAA Approves ACR Portable 406-MHz Beacons
ACR Electronics' ResQLink 410 and ResQLink View personal locator beacons with Return Link Service have been approved by the NOAA and Cospas-Sarsat.
Rotorcraft
R44 Makes First Flight with MagniX Electric Propulsion
Tier 1 Engineering plans to build fleet of all-electric R-44s for organ transport using MagniX propulsion.
Eve Turns to Porsche for Mass-production Expertise
Porsche Consulting will provide insight on supply chain for high-volume production, as well as strategy for global manufacturing and logistics.
Rotorcraft
UK Orders CHC To Offload Babcock Helicopter Business
UK authority brands CHC's 2021 acquisition of Babcock's offshore helicopter business anti-competitive.
