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
EASA Proposes Rules for Urban VTOL Air Taxis
EASA proposed VTOL air taxi rules sets operating standards and limitations.
Rotorcraft
Starspeed To Operate Penzance Helicopters
Starspeed will assume the operations of Penzance Helicopters to provide service to the Isles of Scilly.
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.
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.
Aircraft
Bombardier Workers Ratify New Contract
Bombardier continues to pay down debt as workers win 18.5 percent pay raise.
Aircraft
Universal Avionics Providing EVS Systems for Helicopters
Universal is providing panel and helmet mounted enhanced vision displays to European law enforcement agencies.
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.
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.
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.
Regulations and Government
New York Lawmakers Take Fresh Aim at Helicopters
State bill would outlaw all "non-essential" helicopter traffic in New York City.
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.
Rotorcraft
Helicopter Training Network Launches in Europe
European helicopter schools join forces to offer more diverse, specialized training.
Regulations and Government
Hansen Helo Case Hovers Near Mistrial
A second major delay interrupts Hansen Helicopter fraud trial.
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.
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.
Rotorcraft
UK Orders CHC To Offload Babcock Helicopter Business
UK authority brands CHC's 2021 acquisition of Babcock's offshore helicopter business anti-competitive.
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.
Training and Workforce
NGPA Doubles Aviation Scholarships
The National Gay Pilots Association is offering $300,000 in aviation scholarships this year, doubling last year’s amount.
Rotorcraft
Bristow Narrows Annual Loss
Bristow Group reported a net loss of $15.8 million on $1.1 billion in revenues for the 2022 fiscal year.
Rotorcraft
Leonardo Sending Trio of AW139s to Australia
CHC Australia will operate Leonardo AW139s for Emergency Rescue Helicopter Service.
Rotorcraft
Piasecki Enters Hydrogen Helicopter into eVTOL Race
Piasecki's new eVTOL and UAS designs build on legacy research vehicles.
Maintenance and Modifications
TransDigm Completes Dart Acquisition
Helicopter aftermarket manufacturer Dart acquired by TransDigm for $360 million.
Rotorcraft
Babcock Takes First H160s for French Navy
Helicopter operator Babcock will lease 10 Airbus H160 helicopters to the French Navy.
Rotorcraft
First Woman Pilots AW609 Tiltrotor
Emirati Sheikha Mozah bint Marwan Al Maktoum is the first woman to fly Leonardo's AW609 civil tiltrotor.
Regulations and Government
FAA Issues ATC Notice for Annual Oshkosh AirVenture
One of the big changes this year is the prohibition of aircraft camping at Appleton International Airport.
Regulations and Government
FAA Inspector Took 'Money and Hookers' To Ignore Violations
Former FAA inspector Cislo testifies at Hansen Helicopter trial.
Aircraft
PAL-V’s Flying Car on Track for 2024 Service Entry
PAL-V’s innovative flying car is gearing up to begin certification verification flights next year.
