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.
Maintenance and Modifications
Dart Floats Approved for Airbus Five-blade H145s
Dart Aerospace has received FAA supplemental type certification for its emergency float system with integrated life rafts in water up to sea state 6.
Finance, Taxes, Insurance
Milestone Completes Aramco Helicopter Fleet Renewal
Lessor Milestone delivered 26 helicopters to Aramco as part of that company's fleet renewal program.
Rotorcraft
Blade CEO Bullish On New York
Blade CEO anticipates a better political atmosphere and growth potential for helicopter and eVTOL passenger service in the New York City area.
Rotorcraft
Bristow Spends Latest Quarter In Hover
Helicopter operator Bristow Group breaks even on lower revenues, higher expenses.
Garmin Updates InReach Mini Iridium Satcom
The inReach Mini 2 satellite communications device is now available from Garmin and offers increased battery life and access to more satellite networks.
Rotorcraft
Hill Details Progress on HX50 Turbine Single
UK start-up helicopter company plans first deliveries in 2023.
Avionics
FAA Issues AML-STC for Appareo AIRS-400 Data Recorder
The FAA has issued an approved model list supplemental type certificate for installation of Appareo's AIRS-400 in Part 27 helicopters.
Rotorcraft
Airbus Helicopters Posts Big Order Jump in 2021
Despite sales uptick, Airbus Helicopters CEO Bruno Even warns that a pre-pandemic market recovery is still two to three years away.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Wingcopter Strikes Deal for Medical Delivery Drones
German drone maker Wingcopter will provide a fleet of its tiltrotor Wingcopter 198s to the Spright unit of Air Methods.
Rotorcraft
Airbus Helicopters Delivers Last Dauphin
Airbus produced more than 1,100 Dauphin series helicopters over 40 years.
Rotorcraft
Enstrom Helicopters Shutters, Files Bankruptcy
Enstrom delivered more than 1,300 helicopters during its 64 year history.
Aircraft
Cirrus Announces 2022 G6 SR-series Improvements
Cirrus Aircraft announced its 2022 SR-series model improvements at its Cirrus CX customer experience convention in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Aircraft
Trainer Leasing Firm FlytFinance Launches
Flight schools can lease new training airplanes from FlytFinance.
Regulations and Government
The Problem With 5G
While it appears the airlines and telcos have cut a deal on 5G C-band roll-out, biz and rotorcraft appear out in the cold.
Rotorcraft
Bell 429 Fleet Tops 500,000 Hours
Bell's 429 light twin has a diverse roster of global customers.
Rotorcraft
French Police Takes 10 Airbus H160 Helicopters
The Gendarmerie Nationale has ordered 10 new Airbus H160 medium twin helicopters.
Genav Aircraft Owners Get Help with AOG Alerts App
AOG Alerts is a free app designed to allow pilots stuck away from home to request help from local aviators.
Regulations and Government
FAA, FCC Head for 5G Showdown
The debate over 5G C-band and radio altimeters is likely headed to court.
Accidents
Bad Night At Black Rock
The 2017 crash of an Irish S-92 highlights the hazards of night-time SAR operations.
Rotorcraft
Covid Drives Spike in Bristow SAR Missions
Bristow says 66 percent of its search and rescue missions in the Gulf of Mexico were Covid-related.
Rotorcraft
Hill Helicopters Tops 342 Orders
Development of its new turbine single helicopter is "right on schedule," according to Hill Helicopters.
Avionics
AGCO Plans Purchase of Appareo Systems
AGCO's acquisition of ADS-B avionics manufacturer Appareo should close in January 2022.
Aircraft
K-State Salina Receives First of 17 New Aircraft
K-State Salina took delivery of its first of five Cirrus SR20 piston singles.
Rotorcraft
Bavarian Police Order Eight Airbus H145s
Bavaria’s new five-bladed Airbus H145D3 helicopters will replace H135s operated by its police force.
Safety
Aviation, Wireless Groups Pledge Cooperation on 5G C-band
A move to cooperate on 5C interference comes after Airbus and Boeing CEOs called on the Biden Administration to delay the rollout of 5G C-band.
Rotorcraft
Spain Orders 36 Airbus H135 Helicopters
Spain's government will use new Airbus Helicopters H135s for pilot training and law enforcement.
Rotorcraft
Russian Mi-171A3 Makes First Flight
New Mi-171 variant designed to serve offshore energy market.
Billy Nolen To Head FAA's Safety Org
Nolen, who will lead a team of more than 7,600 FAA employees, succeeds Ali Bahrami, who stepped down at the end of June.
Rotorcraft
Coptersafety Gets FAA Part 142 Approval
Coptersafety currently offers FAA-approved programs for the Leonardo AW139.
