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.
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."
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.
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.
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
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
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
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
Used Helicopter Sales Slump—Again
Aero Asset notes a "parallel decline in both transactions and supply.”
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
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.
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
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.
Accidents
Alaska Heli-ski Hit Ridge and Tumbled in Fatal Crash
Sole survivor rescued six hours after helicopter's last satellite ping.
Rotorcraft
Erickson Lands New U.S. Firefighting Contracts
Erickson will begin utilizing Bell 214ST in U.S. aerial firefighting.
Rotorcraft
ENAV and Leonardo Demonstrate Helicopter PBN In Italy
ENAV and Leonardo have tested and validated helicopter PBN for the Foggia – Tremiti S. Domino Island route in Southern Italy.
Rotorcraft
Ontic Portfolio Balance Helps Drive Record Year
Ontic's rotorcraft business has remained steady throughout the pandemic, executives say.
Rotorcraft
Airbus Offering H175 to NYPD
Airbus is offering its H175 super-medium twin helicopter in the competition to replace the New York City Police Department’s Bell 412s.
Rotorcraft
Neo Aik Sia Honored for Excellence in Safety
HAI's Excellence Safety Award recipient Neo Aik Sia helped bring SMS to the Republic of Singapore Air Force and a number of other organizations.
Rotorcraft
Leonardo's Lynx Celebrates 50th Anniversary
The Lynx helicopter set a rotorcraft speed record in 1986.
Rotorcraft
GI 275 Simplifies Avionics Upgrades in Part 27 Helos
Garmin's new GI 275 electronic flight instruments feature touchscreen and dual concentric knob control.
Rotorcraft
Columbia Launches Multi-Mission Program For 234 Chinooks
Columbia Helicopters has unveiled its multi-mission helicopter program featuring its Model 234 Chinook tandem-rotor, heavy-lift helicopters.
Maintenance and Modifications
Foresight MX HUMS Approved for Bell 212/412
GPMS has received FAA Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) approval for its Foresight MX health monitoring system on the Bell 212/412.
