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.
Environment
CHC Flies S-92 with Sustainable Aviation Fuel
Helicopter operator CHC has completed the first flight of a Sikorsky S-92 on sustainable aviation fuel.
Rotorcraft
Bell Establishes 525 Experience Center in Norway
Bell is promoting its new super-medium twin to offshore energy and military customers in the region.
Engines
Airbus Testing Hybrid Propulsion on Flightlab Helo
Airbus Helicopters says experimental electric engine backup system could eventually lead to serial production hybrid engine models.
Rotorcraft
Phoenix PD Orders Five Airbus H125s
Phoenix PD calls Airbus H125 "best aircraft for the job."
Avionics
Garmin Certifies Smart Rudder Bias in Cessna 414A
Garmin has received FAA approval for Smart Rudder Bias in the Cessna 414A and for the GFC 600 autopilot in the Piper Meridian.
Rotorcraft
Blade Aims To Dominate Organ Transport Market in U.S.
Blade said it will merge its MediMobility business with Trinity Air Medical, which it has signed an agreement to acquire.
Avionics
Thales Begins Flying FlytX Helicopter Avionics
Thales has begun flight testing its compact FlytX helicopter avionics suite in a Helicopteres Guimbal Cabri G2.
Avionics
Hands On: Garmin GFC 600H in Bell 505
Garmin's GFC 600H helicopter flight control system has been certified in the Bell 505, the company's second rotorcraft application for the system.
Training and Workforce
RedTail Flight Academy Opens at Stewart Airport
Wheels Up has partnered with RedTail Flight Academy to offer internships to graduates of the academy's commercial pilot training program.
Engines
Safran Runs Makila 2 Helicopter Engine on 100% SAF
Safran has successfully test run one of its Makila 2 helicopter engines on 100 percent sustainable aviation fuel .
Avionics
Becker Teams with Iris on Collision Warning System
Becker Avionics and Iris Automation are developing a non-required safety-enhancing equipment collision avoidance safety system for GA aircraft and UAVs.
Rotorcraft
Milestone Leasing Three AW139s to Thai Aviation
The intermediate twin AW139s will be used by Thai Aviation Services to support an offshore production and exploration contract in the Gulf of Thailand.
Aircraft
Cirrus Opens Training, Innovation Centers
Cirrus Aircraft's growing business has lead to expansion of its flight training, management, and engineering capabilities.
Cabin Interior and Electronics
Completions & Refurbishment 2021
Highlights of a remarkable turnaround year
Rotorcraft
Vertiport Chicago Primed for eVTOL Future
Vertiport Chicago adds customers including Blade, anticipates future eVTOL operations.
Rotorcraft
CHC Completes Babcock Acquisition
CHC Helicopter Group (CHC) has completed its acquisition of Babcock International’s offshore oil-and-gas aviation business.
Rotorcraft
United Rotorcraft Orders Five More Black Hawks
Air Methods unit will convert Sikorsky S-70s into Firehawk firefighters.
Rotorcraft
North American Guimbal Fleet Tops 50,000 Hours
Nearly 300 Cabri G2s have been delivered worldwide.
Rotorcraft
Hill Helicopters To Offer Skid Gear Model
Hill Helicopters said it would offer its turbine single with an option of either wheeled or skid gear.
Training and Workforce
Redbird Pro Gives Pilots Proficiency Score
The new Redbird Pro App uses machine learning to customize a pilot's proficiency training program.
Airports
New York/New Jersey Helicopter Traffic Draws Fresh Fire
Critics target heliports, civil operations
Rotorcraft
Lockheed Shuttering Sikorsky Coatesville
Lockheed Martin says it is closing Sikorsky's Coatesville, Pennsylvania plant early next year.
Aircraft
Grob G109B Joins Aerobility Aviation Charity Fleet
Aerobility, a UK-based charity offering disabled people the opportunity to fly, has added its fifth aircraft, a two-seat Grob G109B motor glider.
Maintenance and Modifications
Airbus Delivers Five-blade H145s to Germany's ADAC
German air ambulance provider ADAC has taken delivery of two five-bladed Airbus H145s and announced plans to upgrade its H145 fleet to the same config.
Rotorcraft
Leonardo Lands Order for Four IFR AW119Kx Singles
Western New York air ambulance provider Mercy Flight Central has ordered four IFR certified Leonardo Helicopters AW119Kx singles.
Regulations and Government
Helo Pilot Charged after Airlifting Ice Cream Cake
Dairy Queen drop-in lands helicopter pilot in the dock.
Rotorcraft
Scared Passengers Sue Helicopter Operator
Passengers sue for mental distress after crew recovers from botched oil rig approaches, vortex ring state spin.
Rotorcraft
First Five-blade Airbus H145 Delivered in North America
Canadian air ambulance operator Stars has become the first North American operator of the five-bladed Airbus Helicopters H145 light twin.
Rotorcraft
Erickson Puts Itself in Play
Erickson seeks partner to help fund new technology, MRO expansion.
Rotorcraft
Bristow Edging Toward Profitability
Helicopter operator Bristow Group narrows loss on increasing revenues.
