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
Helicopter Thief Convicted for Flying without a License
A Massachusetts man who had his license revoked in 2000 following a conviction for helicopter theft has now been found guilty of flying without a license.
Avionics
Gulfstream Selects Satcom Direct for Default Datalink
Satcom Direct’s FlightDeck Freedom has been selected as the default datalink for new Gulfstream aircraft.
Training and Workforce
Tru Receives SkyCourier Full-motion Simulator Cert
The Cessna SkyCourier flight simulator is based at FlightSafety International's Wichita East Learning Center.
Aircraft
Textron Completes Pipistrel Acquisition
Pipistrel becomes part of Textron's new eAviation division.
Rotorcraft
Sikorsky S-92 To Recover Rocket's First Stage in Midair
A Sikorsky S-92 helicopter will be used in an attempt to recover Rocket Lab's reusable Electron satellite booster mid-air following the rocket launch.
Airports
EVTOL Vertiport Projects Launched in U.S. Midwest
Construction is beginning on two eVTOL vertiports in the Quad Cities and Oshkosh.
Training and Workforce
ERAU Finding Early Successes with VR Training
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University implemented VR training last August and already is seeing a number of benefits.
Rotorcraft
Airbus Sells First 'Line Lounge' ACH160 in Brazil
The Airbus ACH160 can be equipped with the modular Line Lounge interior.
Airports
FAA Approves East Hampton Airport Conversion Plan
Private-use East Hampton airport will operate under PPR rules, will implement curfews, and will charge higher fees.
Safety
IMC Club Founder Forms Pilot Proficiency Network
IMC Club founder Radek Wyrzykowski is encouraging all pilots to learn about IFR flying with his new Pilot Proficiency Network.
Rotorcraft
Bestfly Expands Leonardo Fleet
Angolan operator Bestfly is expanding its fleet of Leonardo helicopters to support offshore energy.
Rotorcraft
Bristow, Helicentre Formalize Training Partnership
Bristow Group has selected Helicentre as its preferred provider of ab-initio commercial pilot training.
Charter & Fractional
Volare Expands Helo Ops At London Oxford
Volare Aviation has opened a dedicated helicopter maintenance, management and refurbishment facility at London Oxford Airport.
Accidents
NTSB: LASD Super Puma Crashed In Brownout
'Rescue 5' was responding to an emergency call and attempting to land when the helicopter became engulfed in dust, contacted a tree, and rolled over.
Finance, Taxes, Insurance
LCI Doubles Helicopters in Joint Venture
Helicopter lessor LCI now has 38 aircraft in a joint venture with Sumitomo Mitsui Finance and Leasing Company.
Fuel
GA Leaders Optimistic about Unleaded Avgas by 2030
General aviation association leaders expressed optimism about the industry finding a drop-in unleaded aviation fuel solution during a session at SNF.
Rotorcraft
Leonardo Adds To March Bookings
Leonardo booked orders for 23 helicopters worth $281 million in March.
Avionics
TailBeaconX ADS-B/navlight Transponder Receives FAA STC
The supplemental type certificate for the uAvionix tailBeaconX ADS-B transponder offers a lower-cost way to achieve ADS-B Out compliance.
Avionics
Bell 212 Gets Archangel Upgrade
Central American Aviation Services has completed the first Bell 212 upgrade with the Archangel air data attitude/heading reference system.
Environment
Santa Monica Airport Converts to Unleaded Avgas
The self-serve avgas pumps at California’s Santa Monica Airport have transitioned to Swift UL94 unleaded aviation gasoline.
Aircraft
Air Plains Services Exhibits Cessna 182XP 300hp at Sun n' Fun
Air Plains Services will showcase its extensive tip-to-tail refurbishment of a 1976 Cessna 182 which features a 300hp engine upgrade.
Aircraft
Textron Aviation Updates Beechcraft, Cessna Pistons
Textron Aviation is offering standard upgrades to new production Beechcraft Barons and Bonanzas as well as Cessna high-wing pistons.
Safety
AOPA ASI Launches Safety Campaign on VFR into IMC
ASI, which has found that pilots encounter VFR into IMC conditions on average every other week, is running a safety campaign to raise awareness of risks.
Aircraft
Textron Aviation Begins Deliveries of 10 Skyhawk Order
Kansas State University Salina Aerospace and Technology Campus took delivery of the first five Cessna 172 Skyhawk piston singles on Thursday.
Rotorcraft
Sikorsky Plays For The Rebound
Sikorsky's civil helicopter future is pegged to increased utility for its S-92A heavy twin.
Finance, Taxes, Insurance
MD Helicopters Files Chapter 11 Bankruptcy
MD Helicopters receiving $60 million in debtor financing, will continue operating, while assets sold.
Engines
Columbia, UAG Team To Support S-61 Helicopters
Columbia Helicopters and United Aero Group have signed a memorandum of understanding to cooperatively support the Sikorsky S-61.
Rotorcraft
Marenco Seeks Financing for New Helicopter
Marenco still needs to attract investors for its prospective M12 single/hybrid and M22 twin-turbine helicopters project.
Avionics
GPS Antenna Coupler Prevents Test Interference
CCX's new antenna coupler facilitates testing of GPS receivers while avoiding interference with nearby aircraft.
Avionics
Five Flight Deck Instruments Join Mid-Continent's Flex Family
Mid-Continent Instruments unveiled five new instruments in its Flex family of customizable aircraft instrumentation.
