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.
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.
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
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.
Avionics
Appareo Debuts AIRS-400 4K Image Recorder
Appareo's new AIRS-400 image recorder enables operators to implement FDM and FOQA programs.
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.
Aircraft
Fresh European Push on SAF
Airbus, Safran, Dassault, Onera, and the French Ministry of Transport launch study to evaluate burning 100 percent SAF.
Engines
Safran Arrano Helicopter Engine Gets FAA Nod
Safran Arrano engine approval brings FAA certification closer for Airbus Helicopters H160.
Rotorcraft
DOD IG Report Critical of 'Dusting' Protestors with Helos
This latest incident fuels the debate on the proper use of law enforcement helicopters.
Icon Shareholder Suit Claims IP Expropriation to China
A group of minority shareholders have filed a lawsuit against majority shareholders saying they are attempting to move Icon Aircraft IP to China.
Rotorcraft
Attorney Bailey, Former Enstrom Company Owner, Dies
F. Lee Bailey owned Enstrom from 1971-1979.
Aircraft
Vref Sees Strong Market for Business Aircraft Sales
In the aftermath of the Covid pandemic, some segments of used aircraft inventory cannot keep pace with demand.
Safety
Pfizer Flight Dept Helped Get Vaccine to Market Sooner, Exec Says
The head of Pfizer's corporate flight department detailed the integral role his operation played in getting a Covid-19 vaccine to market.
Accidents
NTSB: Spatial Disorientation Cause of AW139 Crash
The NTSB concluded that spatial disorientation was the cause of the 2019 night AW139 crash in the Bahamas.
Rotorcraft
Airbus Helicopters Taps Gorka as Russian Distributor
Gorka previously announced maintenance agreements covering Airbus EC130 and AS350 series helicopters.
Accidents
Helo Safety Experts Stress IIMC Avoidance Over Recovery
Webinar participants stress the need for better preflight and enroute weather decision-making.
