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
Hands On: Training with the ForeFlight Master
Gary Reeves specializes in avionics training and also teaches pilots how to use their electronic flight bag apps.
Accidents
Helo Crashed while Testing New Fire Bucket System
All four aboard the Brainerd Helicopters UH-60A were killed during the test of a new fire bucket release system.
Rotorcraft
Bristow Narrows Losses On Declining Revenues
Bristow Group says it expects the offshore helicopter market to recover in late 2021.
Aircraft
Alliance To Bring Electric Caravan Flights to New York City
An alliance between Lima NY, Blade Urban Air Mobility, and Magnix will see Lima convert its Caravan seaplane fleet to all-electric.
Accidents
Metroliner-Cirrus Midair Occurred on Parallel Approach
An NTSB prelim report notes the May 12 midair collision between a Cirrus SR22 and Swearingen Metroliner occurred while they were on parallel approaches.
Rotorcraft
Subaru and Bell Deliver First 412EPX
Japan’s national police has taken delivery of the first customer production Subaru Bell 412EPX helicopter.
Rotorcraft
Universal and Bell Team On 505 Training
Universal Helicopters (UHI) is partnering with Bell to deliver pilot training in the Bell 505 Jet Ranger X light turbine single.
Aircraft
Tuskegee Airmen's RedTail Academy Buys Piper Trainers
Two Piper Pilot 100i aircraft will help launch the Tuskegee Airmen RedTail Flight Academy, which will provide flight-training opportunities for minorities.
Rotorcraft
Airbus H160 Earns JCAB Approval
Airbus Helicopters’ H160 medium twin has been granted type certification by Japan’s Civil Aviation Bureau.
Rotorcraft
Insurer Seeks Removal from Bryant Crash Lawsuit
OC Helicopter insurer Endurance claims $10 million policy does not cover rotorcraft.
Avionics
Avidyne Helios FMS Receives TSO Approval
Avidyne now has FAA TSO approval for two new FMSs, the Atlas for fixed-wing aircraft and Helios for rotorcraft.
Rotorcraft
Helo IMC Avoidance Course Launched
The USHST and HAI have launched the “56 Seconds to Live” course on line.
Rotorcraft
Bell Delivers 300th Jet Ranger X
The first Bell 505 was delivered in 2017. Today 300 aircraft are in operation across six continents.
Rotorcraft
Airbus Helicopters H145 Simulator Lands in U.S.
A Thales Airbus Helicopters H145 simulator has been installed at Helisim’s simulation center on the Airbus campus in Grand Prairie, Texas.
Rotorcraft
Rotor Leaders Stress Digital, Performance Advances
Tomorrow's rotorcraft could have systems updated in flight.
Fuel
U.S. Pipeline Closure Could Disrupt Jet-A Supply
Ransomware attack on Colonial pipeline could wreak havoc on U.S. East Coast aviation operations.
Rotorcraft
Columbia and Aurora Team On Vision System
Columbia Helicopters and Boeing’s Aurora Flight Sciences team to develop vision system for daylight firefighting.
Avionics
Hands On: Garmin inReach Mini Iridium Satcom
For low-cost airborne connectivity, a portable Iridium satcom like this one offers a useful alternative.
Rotorcraft
Robinson Helicopter Logs 13,000th Delivery
Robinson has been manufacturing helicopters since 1979.
Rotorcraft
Leonardo Opens $80M Philadelphia Training Center
The new Leonardo academy will be operated by Rotorsim, a joint venture between Leonardo and CAE.
Rotorcraft
Bell Commercial Helo Deliveries Edge Higher in Q1
Those deliveries also pushed the company's revenue higher while profits were down from R&D spending on the Army's Future Vertical Lift programs.
Rotorcraft
Bell Nears Final Fix for Cracked 505 Collectives
The company says it has enough stock of replacement collective sticks to cover the entire 505 fleet.
Rotorcraft
Airbus Helicopters Orders Plunge 26 Percent
While Airbus Helicopters orders and deliveries drop, increasing service revenues improve the bottom line.
Rotorcraft
New Team, New Focus at MD Helicopters
MD Helicopters hopes improved customer support will make it a player again in the commercial helicopter market.
Safety
CloudAhoy Puts Flight Path Vector into Debrief Tool
The addition of the flight path vector to CloudAhoy's postflight analysis tool helps pilots improve their performance.
EAA Breaks Ground on Educational Center
The pilot training and youth education facility, next to the EAA Aviation Museum in Oshkosh, marks the first expansion of the site in 20 years.
Aircraft
Textron Aviation Appoints Eastern Canada Caravan Dealer
Eastern Canada has traditionally been a strong market for the Cessna Caravan, according to Textron Aviation.
Rotorcraft
Airbus Fitting Helicopter Flightlab With Autonomous Capability
Airbus plans complete demonstration of autonomous helicopter Flightlab in 2023.
Avionics
Hill Unveils Digital Cockpit for HX50 Helicopter
Hill's HX50 digital cockpit is designed to minimize pilot workload.
Training and Workforce
GA Orgs Urge FAA To Address Flight Training Pay
AOPA, EAA, and GAMA asked the FAA to issue guidance clarifying its view on a court ruling deeming that flight instructors are carrying persons for hire.
