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.
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
Airbus Begins Assembly of Racer Compound Helicopter
Airbus Racer isexpected to demonstrate increased speed and reduced emissions and noise.
Rotorcraft
Bell Opens Manufacturing Technology Center
Bell's Manufacturing Technology Center is designed to change the way rotorcraft are made.
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
NASA Readies Mars Helicopter for First Flight
NASA Ingenuity helicopter could fly on Mars sometime in early April.
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.
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
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
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
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.
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
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.
Accidents
NTSB Chair Pushes for More Helicopter IFR
In the wake of the Kobe Bryant crash report, NTSB chairman Robert Sumwalt is pressing for more IFR helicopter operations.
Rotorcraft
Erickson To Begin Flying Optionally-piloted Air Crane Next Year
Erickson said it would begin flying an optionally-piloted S-64F+ in 2022 and that it aimed for first customer deliveries in 2024.
Rotorcraft
Kopter Restarts SH09 Helicopter Flight-test Program
The Kopter prototype was retrofitted with new rotor components, Garmin G3000H avionics.
Rotorcraft
HAI Expanding International Reach, Safety Programs
While HAI head James Viola's year didn't go exactly as planned, his association is making progress on a number of fronts from new members to safety.
Regulations and Government
New York City Helicopter Access War Heats Up
New York City is considering legislation that would effectively shut down heliports there.
Rotorcraft
CHC AW139s To Fly with HTAWS In Brazil
CHC is partnering with Shell and Leonardo to launch Leonardo's Helicopter’s Enhanced Helicopter Terrain Awareness and Warning System in Brazil.
Rotorcraft
Leonardo's 2020 Helicopter Deliveries Fall 29 Percent
Leonardo delivery drop offset by increased military and support sales.
Rotorcraft
Rotortrade Posts 'Resilient' 2020 Results
International helicopter reseller Rotortrade said it completed 27 transactions last year.
Rotorcraft
CHC Buying Babcock's Offshore Aviation Unit
CHC is purchasing Babcock's offshore aviation business in the UK, Denmark, and Australia.
Rotorcraft
Babcock Offshore Posts Larger 2020 Loss
Babcock Mission Critical Services Offshore said it had a pre-tax loss of $30.285 million.
Rotorcraft
Bell Moves To Remedy Cracked 505 Collectives, Restrictions
Bell said corrective actions for cracked collective sticks on its model 505 light single helicopter are currently in engineering review.
