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.
Accidents
Alaska Heli-ski Hit Ridge and Tumbled in Fatal Crash
Sole survivor rescued six hours after helicopter's last satellite ping.
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
Erickson Lands New U.S. Firefighting Contracts
Erickson will begin utilizing Bell 214ST in U.S. aerial firefighting.
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
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.
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
Textron Powers Up New eAviation Division
Rob Scholl will lead Textron's formal entry into the electric aviation market.
Rotorcraft
HAI Honors California Nat. Guard for Creek Fire Rescue
Honored by HAI, the California National Guard 40th Combat Aviation Brigade used a Chinook and Black Hawk to rescue 242 trapped by the Creek Fire.
Rotorcraft
Airbus Begins Assembly of Racer Compound Helicopter
Airbus Racer isexpected to demonstrate increased speed and reduced emissions and noise.
Rotorcraft
NASA Readies Mars Helicopter for First Flight
NASA Ingenuity helicopter could fly on Mars sometime in early April.
Rotorcraft
Bell Opens Manufacturing Technology Center
Bell's Manufacturing Technology Center is designed to change the way rotorcraft are made.
Rotorcraft
StandardAero Continues Expansion in Helo MRO, STCs
One of StandardAero's newest STCs is an autopilot for light single helicopters.
Rotorcraft
Honeywell Adds Major Upgrades to Helicopter Avionics
Honeywell's latest avionics upgrades to synthetic vision, radar, and EGPWS are available for Leonardo's AW139.
Rotorcraft
EASA Recommends Fuel Lever Mods for Airbus Helo Singles
Airbus developed fuel lever modification in the wake of fatal 2018 NYC "door off" helitour flight.
Regulations and Government
NTSB: Close Passenger Revenue Loopholes in Part 91
NTSB addresses exceptions, exemptions, and perceived safety loopholes and shortcomings in passenger revenue Part 91 operations.
Rotorcraft
Bell's New Army Rotorcraft Programs Charging Ahead
Assembly has begun on the Bell 360 Invictus while the V-280 tiltrotor continues flight testing.
Rotorcraft
Many Obstacles Prevent Single-Engine IFR Helo Cert
Regulatory restrictions, costs, and operator and pilot mentality all have combined to serve as a disincentive for IFR flight in single-engine helicopters.
Rotorcraft
Airbus Expanding Customer Support Program
Airbus HCare now covers 2,400 helicopters and will be expanded to include legacy aircraft.
Textron Aviation Plans Hybrid Appearance at Sun 'n Fun
The Wichita airframer will use augmented reality and other technology to staff its booth at the Lakeland, Florida event.
Rotorcraft
HAI Pilot of the Year Robert McCabe Brought Lessons to USCG
HAI's Pilot of the Year, USCG Lt. Cdr. Robert McCabe, demonstrated his skills coaching a pilot through disorientation and shared the lessons learned.
Rotorcraft
Robinson Helicopter Hits Milestone, Sees Daylight
Torrance, California-based Robinson Helicopter started off the year with the delivery of its 13,000th rotorcraft.
Rotorcraft
Hillsboro Aero Academy Keeps the Rotors Turning
Although flight hours dropped significantly during the Covid pandemic, Hillsboro Aero Academy has been able to keep its fleet busy.
Rotorcraft
Hill Reveals More Features for HX50 Helicopter
Hill HX50 to have options including folding blades and landing gear skids.
Rotorcraft
Used Helicopter Market Attains Shaky Hover
Pandemic, falling energy prices, overhang used helicopter market.
Rotorcraft
Sikorsky Donation Helps Launch RedTail Academy
An anonymous donation of a Sikorsky helicopter is helping a chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen to launch RedTail Flight Academy.
Regulations and Government
New York City Helicopter Access War Heats Up
New York City is considering legislation that would effectively shut down heliports there.
