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
Beijing Police Orders First Leonardo AW189s for China
Leonardo has sold its first super-medium AW189 helicopters into the Chinese market.
Aircraft
AIN Announces 2021 Top Flight Award Winners
The second annual AIN Top Flight Awards honor excellence and innovation in business aviation and related fields.
Finance, Taxes, Insurance
Helicopter lessor LCI Acquires Nova Aviation Capital
LCI's Nova acquisition boosts its twin-engine rotary fleet to more than 140.
Rotorcraft
Bristow's Leonardo Fleet Tops 500,000 Hours
Leonardo marks Bristow milestone, first Africa sale for AW169.
Rotorcraft
Latest Ka-32 Makes First Flight
Updated Russian coaxial helicopter aimed at firefighting market.
Accidents
NTSB: Aircraft Accident Fatalities Decreased in 2020
Fatalities from general aviation aircraft accidents decreased overall last year amid broad pandemic-induced reductions in flight activity, the NTSB said.
Rotorcraft
Bell Bags New Orders At European Rotors
Bell announced orders for seven new aircraft at the recently concluded European Rotors conference in Cologne.
Rotorcraft
HAI Develops New Risk-assessment Tools
HAI has partnered with NGFT Solutions to develop new risk assessment tools tailored to the rotorcraft industry.
Rotorcraft
Airbus Delivers Five-blade H145 for Offshore Wind Use
Germany's HTM Helicopters will fly the first Airbus H145D3 for the offshore wind market.
Rotorcraft
HAI Strengthens Ties with European Helicopter Association
EHA and HAI already have combined efforts on several projects.
Rotorcraft
AAMS: New Air Medical Reimbursement Rules Are Unfair
The air ambulance lobby charges federal rules for the new "no surprises" medical billing act favor insurers and sues to block implementation.
Engines
P&WC Expanding Carbon Offset Program To Helicopters
Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) is expanding its year-old carbon offset service to include operators of the company’s helicopter engines.
Fuel
Air Ambulance Company Partners with P&WC on SAF
Pratt & Whitney Canada and ADAC Leftrettung are partnering on an SAF test program for air medical helicopters.
Maintenance and Modifications
SAEI and Thales Sign MRO Agreement
Saudi company SAEI is seeking to enhance its MRO offer by working with Thales specialists.
Aircraft
EASA Certification for CityAirbus NextGen Expected in 2025
Airbus says public acceptance will be key to the future of urban air mobility and eVTOL aircraft like its CityAirbus NextGen.
Rotorcraft
Helicopter OEMs Offer GI Bill Training, Scholarships
Bell and MD Helicopters recently announced financial assistance for rotorcraft students.
Aircraft
Leonardo AW609 Tiltrotor Takes Bow in Dubai
Leonardo's civil tiltrotor, on display at Expo 2020 and at the Dubai Airshow, should complete flight testing in August 2022.
Aircraft
Cirrus Aircraft Opens Arizona, Texas Facilities
Cirrus Aircraft held a grand opening of its Aircraft Innovation Centers in Chandler, Arizona, and McKinney, Texas.
Rotorcraft
Bell Delivers 400th Model 429 Light Twin
Bell marks 400th Model 429 with delivery to Canadian Coast Guard.
Regulations and Government
KIAL Kuwait Takes Third HEMS Bell 429
Bell announced the sale of a Bell 429 to Kuwait International Aircraft Leasing for use by the Ministry of Health.
Rotorcraft
UAE's Tawazun Bolsters VRT500 Helicopter Program
Tawazun takes 50 percent stake in VRT500 helicopter program, orders 100 aircraft.
Avionics
NAA and Garmin Celebrate Collier Trophy Award
At the Ritz-Carlton in Arlington, Virginia, aviation dignitaries gathered to celebrate the awarding of the Collier Trophy to Garmin's Autoland system.
Airports
Election Likely Seals Fate of East Hampton Airport
Town supervisor wants to largely reduce or eliminate commercial jet and helicopter traffic at KHTO.
Environment
Alphabet Groups Urge More Funding on Unleaded Avgas
The heads of six major aviation organizations urged congressional leaders to increase funding for unleaded aviation gasoline research and certification.
Rotorcraft
Bell Scores Orders at Air Med Conference
Bell booked orders for 18 of its 407GXi turbine single engine helicopters and options for nine more at the Air Medical Transport Conference.
Rotorcraft
Creating SMS Culture at the Pilot Level
Two helicopter operators exemplify the application of SMS concepts for a wide variety of mission types.
Rotorcraft
Flying Under a New-fangled Hood
Putting technology to work, two companies have developed IFR training hoods that allow instructors to change the visibility dynamically in flight.
AIN Announces 2021 Top Flight Award Nominees
Top Flight recognizes individuals, organizations, and technologies for excellence, innovation, and service.
Rotorcraft
Spectrum, Uniflight Partner on Med Interiors for AW119Kxi
Spectrum Aeromed and Uniflight will install medical interiors in Leonardo AW119Kxi helicopters for two air ambulance programs.
Rotorcraft
Skytrac and Stars Test In-flight Medical Data Transfer
Skytrac Systems and Stars have have partnered on in-flight medical data transfer from an Airbus Helicopters H145-D3.
