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
Leonardo Opens $80M Philadelphia Training Center
The new Leonardo academy will be operated by Rotorsim, a joint venture between Leonardo and CAE.
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.
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.
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
Pandemic Spurs Airbus Helicopters Training Changes
Airbus Helicopters has enhanced its distance learning capabilities and is now making many of those permanent.
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.
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
Universal Avionics Gaining in Helicopter Marketplace
Universal Avionics sees plenty of opportunity for its ClearVision EFVS and SkyVis wearable HUD in the rotorcraft market.
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.
Accidents
L.A. Drone Pilot Avoids Prison
The operator of a drone that struck an LAPD AStar last year has been sentenced to a $500 fine and probation.
Aircraft
75th Anniversary Bonanza Offers Nod to Olive Ann Beech
Textron Aviation has unveiled an optional package on the 75th anniversary of the Beech Bonanza that pays tribute to Olive Ann Beech.
Rotorcraft
Used Helicopter Sales Slump—Again
Aero Asset notes a "parallel decline in both transactions and supply.”
Avionics
Garmin Adds Power, Type-C to USB Ports
The manufacturer's new charger offers more power and flexibility with Type-C and Type-A USB ports.
Rotorcraft
Leonardo Progressing on Training Center, AW609, TH-73A
Leonardo is readying to open its new training center in a few weeks and begin deliveries of its new TH-73A program.
Rotorcraft
Airbus Lands Asia-Pac O&G Launch Customer for H160
Derazona Helicopters in Indonesia has ordered an Airbus Helicopters H160 intermediate twin to service the local oil and gas sector.
Rotorcraft
HAI Honors UM Team for Organ Delivery Via Drone
Golden Hour honorees, the University of Maryland UAS Test Site Team and Medical Center, developed a drone with monitoring equipment to deliver organs.
Rotorcraft
Bell Continues Cautious Swim into AAM Pool
Bell continues to move cautiously on its two marquis electric demonstration aircraft, the Nexus and APT.
Maintenance and Modifications
Safran Signs German Police to New Engine Support Deal
Safran Helicopter Engines has signed a new Support-By-Hour (SBH) contract with the German federal police.
Rotorcraft
Senior Airbus Exec: eVTOL Technology 'Not There Yet'
Romain Trapp said that it could be “decades” before eVTOL aircraft become integrated into an advanced air mobility (AAM) environment.
