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
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.
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.
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.
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.
Rotorcraft
Scared Passengers Sue Helicopter Operator
Passengers sue for mental distress after crew recovers from botched oil rig approaches, vortex ring state spin.
Regulations and Government
Helo Pilot Charged after Airlifting Ice Cream Cake
Dairy Queen drop-in lands helicopter pilot in the dock.
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.
Aircraft
Piper Certifies GWX 8000 Radar in M-class Singles
Buyers of Piper's M-series single-engine aircraft can now add the optional Garmin GWX 8000 digital radar.
Rotorcraft
Bristow Edging Toward Profitability
Helicopter operator Bristow Group narrows loss on increasing revenues.
Agricultural Aviation Celebrates 100th Anniversary
This week marks a milestone in general aviation history, the centennial anniversary of agricultural aviation.
Safety
FlightAware Offers Aviator Personal Flight Tracking
General aviation pilots can access the same tracking information as business jet and airline operations with the new FlightAware Aviator service.
Rotorcraft
Leonardo AW109 Light Twin Helicopter Turns 50
Leonardo's light twin helicopter made its first flight in 1971.
Rotorcraft
Opener Readies BlackFly eVTOL for Sales This Fall
Opener will offer single-seat eVTOL as Part 103 Light Sport aircraft.
Rotorcraft
F. Lee Bailey's Enstrom Tenure Creative, Chaotic
Famed trial attorney and aviator F. Lee Bailey guided Enstrom Helicopter through a decade of achievement.
Regulations and Government
Dickson: FAA Not Backing Down on Instruction LODA
FAA's chief says the agency is working on a new rule to clarify instruction requirements in certain category aircraft, but the industry isn't satisfied.
Aircraft
AINsight: By Gosh, It’s Oshkosh!
The first EAA AirVenture Oshkosh show since the last one in 2019 attracted huge crowds and record-breaking numbers of aircraft.
Aircraft
Blackfly Flies at AirVenture Show Center
The flight of Opener's Blackfly eVTOL aircraft added a new twist to the EAA. AirVenture airshow lineup.
Engines
GAMI Gains FAA STC for High-octane Unleaded Avgas
An unleaded replacement for leaded 100LL avgas is on the short-term horizon and may solve a difficult problem for general aviation.
