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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Maintenance and Modifications
Airbus Singles Upgraded
Airbus Helicopters has made a series of improvements to its line of single-engine helicopter
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
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.
Rotorcraft
Leonardo AW139 Sim Installed in Japan
Leonardo and Japanese logistics company Suzuyo have achieved certification for an AW139 full-flight simulator in Japan.
Maintenance and Modifications
Blackhawk Buying Helo Tank Maker Recoil
Blackhawk Aerospace buying Recoil, maker of helicopter auxiliary fuel and fire suppression tanks.
Maintenance and Modifications
East/West Partnering with Autoflug
East/West Industries and German aerospace company Autoflug will co-market each other's products.
Avionics
Astronautics Demonstrate Wireless Airborne Comm System
Aeronautics AeroSync wireless airborne comm system will be the standard connectivity solution for Airbus H125, H130 helicopters.
Rotorcraft
THC In Deal for 16 Leonardo AW139s
The Helicopter Company of Saudi Arabia has placed an order for 16 more Leonardo AW139s, with options for seven more.
Rotorcraft
Stucki Floats Hybrid Helicopter Design
The founder of Marenco Swisscopter is back and looking for investors.
Rotorcraft
Leonardo Signs Deal for Four AW609s
European customer plans passenger service with quartet of Leonardo AW609 tilt rotors.
Rotorcraft
Paraclete Adds Wireless Comm to Helo Pilot Helmets
Paraclete and Global-Sys are working together to provide wireless communications for helicopter helmets.
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.
Aircraft
FlightSafety To Train Lilium eVTOL Pilots
FlightSafety International will provide mixed-reality training devices and training services for pilots who will be flying the Lilium Jet.
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
Blueberry Moves $80M Worth of Helicopters in 2021
Blueberry Aviation provides helicopter sales and consulting services.
Training and Workforce
VRM Switzerland Delivers First U.S.-based H125 VR Trainer
VRM Switzerland has delivered the first Airbus H125 VR trainer in the U.S. to Colorado Highland Helicopters.
Rotorcraft
JSFirm: 'Everyone Is Hiring' in Aviation
Aviation jobs website sees a 30-percent increase in job postings compared to pre-Covid numbers.
