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.
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.
Rotorcraft
Sikorsky Plays For The Rebound
Sikorsky's civil helicopter future is pegged to increased utility for its S-92A heavy twin.
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.
Finance, Taxes, Insurance
MD Helicopters Files Chapter 11 Bankruptcy
MD Helicopters receiving $60 million in debtor financing, will continue operating, while assets sold.
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.
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.
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.
Garmin Adds Touchscreen to Topline Aviator Watch
Garmin's new D2 Mach 1 watch adds a touchscreen and new functions such as information about glide distance and time.
Avionics
Thommen Targets CRT-to-LCD Upgrade Market
Thommen is expanding its LCD manufacturing capabilities to deliver more LCDs for retrofit of aircraft with CRT-type displays.
Maintenance and Modifications
Dart Developing H145 Fire Attack System
FAA certification of Dart's fire attack system for the H145 expected later this year.
WAI Conference Honors Female Aviation Pioneers
The 33rd Women in Aviation International conference concluded with the culmination of a dinner banquet honoring the WAI Pioneer Hall of Fame inductees.
Rotorcraft
China Orders Six More Leonardo AW189s
Leonardo will deliver six AW189s to China’s Rescue and Salvage Bureau of Ministry of Transport
Aircraft
Unleaded Avgas Effort Kicks Into Gear
The Eliminate Aviation Gasoline Lead Emissions initiative held a meeting March 16-17 to advance the elimination of lead from avgas.
Regulations and Government
Leonardo Sells Two AW139s to U.S. Department of Energy
The U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration has ordered two AW139s.
Avionics
FreeFlight Develops Drop-in 5G Radar Altimeter Solution
FreeFlight has developed a drop-in 5G interference mitigation solution for its RA-4000 and RA-4500 radar altimeters.
Rotorcraft
Garmin Foresees GI 275 Certification in March
Garmin should have FAA supplemental type certification for the GI 275 electronic flight instrument in Part 27 helicopters in March.
Rotorcraft
Bell Signs Purchase Agreements for 11 Helicopters
Bell has announced signed purchase agreements for 10 new helicopters, five of which were sold by Jet Aviation in Australia.
Maintenance and Modifications
Airbus Singles Upgraded
Airbus Helicopters has made a series of improvements to its line of single-engine helicopter
Rotorcraft
New Owner To Reopen Enstrom Helicopter
The assets of bankrupt Enstrom Helicopter have been purchased by a new ownership group that plans to reopen and expand the company.
Engines
Rolls-Royce Appoints New First Network Service Centers
Rolls-Royce (Booth 2817) has announced the appointment of five more new First (fully integrated Rolls-Royce support team) Network
Rotorcraft
Leonardo AW139 Sim Installed in Japan
Leonardo and Japanese logistics company Suzuyo have achieved certification for an AW139 full-flight simulator in Japan.
Rotorcraft
Stucki Floats Hybrid Helicopter Design
The founder of Marenco Swisscopter is back and looking for investors.
Rotorcraft
Vita Inclinata Returns with Hoist, Sling Load Stabilizer
The problem of how to stop a sling load from spinning has been solved by Vita Inclinata.
Rotorcraft
Leonardo Signs Deal for Four AW609s
European customer plans passenger service with quartet of Leonardo AW609 tilt rotors.
Maintenance and Modifications
MD Invests Big in Customer Support
MD Helicopters is expanding parts inventory by $24 million as part of its investment in beefing up product support.
Maintenance and Modifications
Blackhawk Buying Helo Tank Maker Recoil
Blackhawk Aerospace buying Recoil, maker of helicopter auxiliary fuel and fire suppression tanks.
