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
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
Rotor Leaders Stress Digital, Performance Advances
Tomorrow's rotorcraft could have systems updated in flight.
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.
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 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
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
New Team, New Focus at MD Helicopters
MD Helicopters hopes improved customer support will make it a player again in the commercial helicopter market.
Rotorcraft
Airbus Helicopters Orders Plunge 26 Percent
While Airbus Helicopters orders and deliveries drop, increasing service revenues improve the bottom line.
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.
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.
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.
2021 Aero Friedrichshafen Show Now Canceled
The Aero 2021 show in Friedrichshafen, Germany, that was rescheduled from this month to July has been canceled due to pandemic travel restrictions.
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.
Regulations and Government
NASA Helicopter Flies on Mars
Ingenuity becomes the first aircraft to conduct controlled, powered flight on another planet.
Engines
Airbus AStar Gets Power Boost
EASA has certified a 10 percent power upgrade for the Safran Arriel 2D engine in the Airbus Helicopters H125 single.
Rotorcraft
Safran Moving Forward on Hybridization, SAF for Helos
Safran anticipates handing over the Aneto-1X engines mid-year for 2022 Airbus Helicopters Racer flight trials that will prove out an "eco mode."
Rotorcraft
David Fox Receives Top Mx Honors from HAI
HAI recognized David Fox, who has a maintenance and training career spanning five decades, with its Maintenance Excellence Award.
Rotorcraft
Pandemic Spurs Airbus Helicopters Training Changes
Airbus Helicopters has enhanced its distance learning capabilities and is now making many of those permanent.
Regulations and Government
Biden Offshore Wind Boost Could Trigger Helicopter Boon
The Biden administration has indicated that it is going all-in on offshore wind, particularly in the New York Bight.
Avionics
Garmin’s New GI 275 and GTN Xi Avionics Offer Upgrade Path for Legacy Aircraft
Garmin’s New GI 275 and GTN Xi Avionics Offer Upgrade Path for Legacy Aircraft
Rotorcraft
HAI Honors John Cooper of Columbus Police Aviation Unit
John Cooper, the longest-serving pilot and safety and training officer for the Columbus (Ohio) Division of Police, is HAI's Law Enforcement Award Honoree.
Rotorcraft
LCI Teams with LCM on Sloane EMS Deal
LCA recently leased two Leonardo AW109SPs to UK-based Sloane Helicopters through a co-investing vehicle formed with LCM Partners.
Rotorcraft
Universal Avionics Gaining in Helicopter Marketplace
Universal Avionics sees plenty of opportunity for its ClearVision EFVS and SkyVis wearable HUD in the rotorcraft market.
