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
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.
Accidents
Bad Night At Black Rock
The 2017 crash of an Irish S-92 highlights the hazards of night-time SAR operations.
Regulations and Government
FAA, FCC Head for 5G Showdown
The debate over 5G C-band and radio altimeters is likely headed to court.
Rotorcraft
Hill Helicopters Tops 342 Orders
Development of its new turbine single helicopter is "right on schedule," according to Hill Helicopters.
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.
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.
Rotorcraft
Spain Orders 36 Airbus H135 Helicopters
Spain's government will use new Airbus Helicopters H135s for pilot training and law enforcement.
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
Coptersafety Gets FAA Part 142 Approval
Coptersafety currently offers FAA-approved programs for the Leonardo AW139.
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.
Environment
Aviation Industry Groups Object to Santa Clara 100LL Ban
Aviation groups are protesting the decision by California’s Santa Clara County to ban the sale of 100LL aviation gasoline at two GA airports.
Training and Workforce
Redbird Flight Simulations Plots $2.2M Expansion
Austin, Texas-based Redbird Flight Simulations is expanding its footprint with a new 50,000-sq-ft facility in nearby Kyle.
Aircraft
Textron Aviation Delivers Cessna 206s to West Point
The U.S. Military Academy at West Point will use the Cessna 206 Turbo Stationair HD airplanes for its cadet aviation training program.
Rotorcraft
Coast Guard MH-65 Crew Flies Dramatic Niagara Falls Rescue
A crew from Air Station Detroit was called to extract a woman from a car in the Niagara River near American Falls.
Rotorcraft
MD Helicopters Partners With UAV Leasing for Air Taxis
Helicopter OEM and leasing company teams on air taxi, border patrol services.
Rotorcraft
Sikorsky Delivers First S-70M Civil Black Hawk
A new-production, third-generation Black Hawk is now available for civl and parapublic customers with FAA restricted category certification.
Regulations and Government
FAA Issues New 5G Interference Airworthiness Directives
New FAA rules would prohibit certain aircraft operations where 5G interference is encountered or likely.
Rotorcraft
Perot Donates Bell 407 To Dallas Police
Texas real estate developer Ross Perot, Jr. has donated a Bell 407 GX to the Dallas police department.
Rotorcraft
Saudis Place Order for 26 More Airbus Helicopters
The Helicopter Company (THC) of Saudi Arabia has ordered 20 light twin H145 D3 five-bladed models and six ACH160 medium twins from Airbus.
EAA Membership Surpasses 250,000 Mark
Approaching its 70th anniversary, EAA has seen its membership grow by 25 percent over the past five years, surpassing the 250,000 mark.
