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.
Avionics
Garmin Autopilot Certified in Bell 505
The Bell 505 is the second helicopter model to be certified for installation of Garmin's GFC 600H helicopter flight control system.
Regulations and Government
AOPA Takes Issue with FAA Compensation Definition
AOPA is taking issue with an FAA decision that defines "compensation" for flight-sharing expenses to flight instructors in certain aircraft.
Rotorcraft
Kit Copter Maker RX Enters eVTOL Market
Former Rotorway kit helicopter company entering the eVTOL market in partnership with Advanced Tactics.
Aircraft
Stratos 716X To Make Public Debut at AirVenture
Stratos will initially offer the 716X single-engine jet as a kit.
Engines
Hartzell Acquires Pre-heat Product Maker Tanis
Hartzell Propeller will move Tanis production to Ohio.
Regulations and Government
NBAA, AOPA Object to New FAA Policy on Training
NBAA and AOPA have panned the FAA’s revised policy clarifying how flight training can be compensated in aircraft with special airworthiness certificates.
Rotorcraft
Aero Asset: Twins Leading Used Helo Market
North America accounts for 50 percent of used twin engine helicopter sales worldwide.
Accidents
UK S-92 Near-CFIT Highlights Hazards of MVFR Flight
The UK S-92 helicopter low-altitude incident parallels circumstances of Kobe Bryant fatal crash.
Rotorcraft
FAA Approves Safran Arrano, Paves Way for Airbus H160
Safran Helicopter Engines’ Arrano 1A has received FAA type certification for installation in the Airbus Helicopters H160
Rotorcraft
South Africa's 'Rocket' Air Ambulance Service Takes Off
Rocket using Bell 222s to provide first-world air ambulance service in South Africa
Training and Workforce
FAA Approves RealSimGear Simulator as BATD
The basic aviation training device approval for RealSimGear flight simulators opens opportunities for pilots to train and stay current.
Accidents
Another Firefighting Bell 212 Down
The sole occupant pilot survived the crash of a firefighting Bell 212 into California's Lake Shastina.
Regulations and Government
Bell 212 Crash Prompts Emergency AD
The FAA is mandating replacement of certain main rotor hub strap pins on Bell 204, 205, and 212 helicopter models following fatal crash in Canada.
Maintenance and Modifications
Van Horn Developing AStar Tail Rotor
Van Horn expects its new tail rotor system for the Airbus AStar helicopter family to be available next year.
Rotorcraft
Bell Building Systems Integration Lab
Bell's SIL will support the Army's future vertical lift programs.
Safety
Air Methods: Solving the IIMC Accident Problem
Air Methods has eliminated inadvertent flight into IMC accidents with new simulator training programs.
Training and Workforce
Brunner Wins Contract for NovaSim Mixed Reality Simulator
Lufthansa Aviation Training is buying mixed-reality NovaSim full-motion flight simulation training devices from Brunner Elektronik.
Avionics
Appareo Debuts AIRS-400 4K Image Recorder
Appareo's new AIRS-400 image recorder enables operators to implement FDM and FOQA programs.
Avionics
AEA Show Celebrates Returning to Normal
This year's Aircraft Electronics Association convention bodes well for other events this year, with high numbers of attendees and exhibitors.
Avionics
Mid-Continent Introduces TSO’d Chronos Clocks
Mid-Continent's new Chronos clocks combine features such as USB power, time, timer, volts, and temperature.
Training and Workforce
Kansas Police Officers Awarded Free Ground School
Ortega Aviation Services in Wichita has awarded ground school scholarships to nine area police officers.
Avionics
Back in the Live Show Saddle
The aviation industry seems closer to normal after I attended my first in-person event since the coronavirus pandemic started in early 2020.
Aircraft
Blade, Eve Strike U.S. Urban Air Mobility Service Deal
UAM manufacturer Eve and transport provider Blade have struck a deal whereby Eve will provide Blade with eVTOL use starting in 2026.
Avionics
FAA Approves First General Aviation Head-up Display
The STC for MyGoFlight's SkyDisplay head-up display brings added safety features to GA aircraft at a significantly lower price.
Accidents
Settlement Reached in Kobe Bryant Helicopter Crash
Operator, pilot's estate, settle with families in Kobe Bryant helicopter crash.
Finance, Taxes, Insurance
Mass. Gov. Declares GA Month, Senate Mulls Landing Fee
While Massachusetts governor declares July general aviation appreciation month, the state senate is considering a $1,000 per GA aircraft landing fee.
Accidents
Court Limits Access to NTSB Investigation Documents
U.S. Fifth Circuit rules that helitour crash counsel isn't entitled to view all interagency documents between the NTSB and parties to the investigation.
Rotorcraft
SAF Group Adding Three More Airbus H145s to Fleet
SAF is adding three more five-bladed Airbus Helicopters H145s to its air ambulance fleet in France and Belgium.
Accidents
Snorkel Suspect in Fatal Firefighting Copter Crash
The Black Hawk helicopter's snorkel was observed swinging "violently" before impacting the main rotors and perhaps the tailboom.
Rotorcraft
Customs To Investigate Helicopter Use on Protestors
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency said it would investigate the use of one of its helicopters at a Minnesota protest.
