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
Aero Asset: Heavy Twins Lead Used Helicopter Market Rebound
Consultancy Aero Asset said the used helicopter market showed "incredible resiliency" in the last half of 2020.
Rotorcraft
USHST Calls for Light Helo Stability, Autopilot Systems
The USHST has unveiled recommended practices document for developing stability augmentation systems and autopilots in light helicopters.
Rotorcraft
Construction Begins on Dubai Expo Helicopter Terminal
Leonardo, Falcon Aviation Services building new rotorcraft terminal for Dubai Expo 2020
Safety
Cracked Bell 505 Collectives Draw Second Emergency AD
Transport Canada is now mandating fluorescent penetrant inspections on Bell 505 collective sticks every 25 hours.
Avionics
Survey shows flight planning app preferences
AIN surveyed readers to learn more about how pilots are using flight planning tablet apps and which ones they prefer.
Rotorcraft
Aireon To Provide ADS-B for Helos in North Sea
Aerion ADS-B system will monitor helicopter operations in the Bodo Oceanic flight region to altitudes of 10,000 feet.
Regulations and Government
GAO: Controversy Still Surrounds Flight Expense Sharing
The practice remains controversial and what's permitted is still unclear, though the FAA issued guidance on this subject a year ago, according to the GAO.
Maintenance and Modifications
Cracked Collective Prompts Bell 505 Emergency AD
Transport Canada issues emergency airworthiness directive mandating inspection of collective sticks in Bell 505s.
Rotorcraft
Blade Expands Helicopter Rideshares into Chicago
Blade Urban Air Mobility announced that it would base helicopters at Vertiport Chicago.
Accidents
USHST Issues Guidelines To Combat Inadvertent IMC
The U.S. Helicopter Safety Team (USHST) has developed a list of recommended practices focusing on spatial disorientation.
Flight Test: Garmin D2 Air Smartwatch
Garmin's D2 Air smartwatch packs a lot of features into a more reasonably priced device with an Amoled touchscreen.
Rotorcraft
PHI To Operate Airbus H160s in Gulf of Mexico
Airbus Helicopters has broken into the U.S. offshore market with a deal to provide four H160s to PHI and Shell.
Maintenance and Modifications
Air Methods Expands Airbus HCare To EC135 Fleet
A new Airbus HCare support contract will cover Air Methods fleet of 80 EC135 light twins.
Rotorcraft
Airbus Racer First Flight Pushed to 2022
Airbus will begin final assembly of the first Racer compound helicopter in the coming weeks.
Rotorcraft
HAI Safety Programs Help Reduce Operational Risks
HAI encourages industry to use its vast menu of helicopter safety programs that address culture, processes, training, and technology.
Accidents
'Fifty-Six Seconds To Live'
U.S. Helicopter Safety Team releases video on the perils of flying VFR into IMC.
Accidents
NTSB: Bryant's Pilot Disregarded Training
Pilot, operator faulted by NTSB in Kobe Bryant helicopter crash.
Rotorcraft
Bell Marks First European Delivery of 505 NXi
Bell recently delivered the first European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)-certified Bell 505 NXi.
Avionics
European Aircraft Can Upgrade to Garmin GI 275
The newly EASA-approved Garmin GI 275 flight displays are available for installation in a variety of aircraft types.
Rotorcraft
Highly-modified Kopter Begins Flight Testing
The flight test crew of a modified Kopter SH09 reported improved handling and stability.
Regulations and Government
Trump Helipad in Palm Beach To Be Demolished
The helipad at former President Trump’s Florida Mar-a-Lago club is being removed.
Rotorcraft
FAA Aviation Weather Cams Coming To Hawaii
FAA begins work required for installation of the first 10 weather cam systems in Hawaii.
Rotorcraft
Leonardo's AW139 Helicopter Turns 20
The worldwide fleet of 1,100 AW139 twin engined rotorcraft have amassed more than three million flight hours since the model was placed into service.
Rotorcraft
Airbus Helos Help in Covid-19 Vaccine Delivery Effort
The company reports that its aircraft are being used around the world to distribute the vaccines to isolated areas.
Accidents
Wrong Engine Shutdown Triggers Helicopter Fatal
An Airbus BK117 C2 crashed after the pilot shut down the No. 1 engine after the No. 2 engine began to fail.
Rotorcraft
Directional Aviation Buying Helo Operator AAG
Kenn Ricci’s Directional Aviation Group unit OneSky Flight is acquiring helicopter charter operator AAG from Sikorsky.
Regulations and Government
Capitol Hill Targets Helicopter Safety, Tourism
The new Congress begins with the introduction of bills calling for mandatory HTAWS, seeking limits on air tours.
Rotorcraft
Pentagon Will Track D.C. Helicopter Noise
Few practical options exist for mitigating helicopter noise in the Washington, D.C. area.
Rotorcraft
FAA Special Condition Suggests Bell 525 Nears Certification
Bell officially launched the 19-passenger 525 in 2012.
Avionics
TSO Granted for Tail-mounted ADS-B Transponder
The FAA has issued TSO authorization for the uAvionix tailBeaconX ADS-B Out transponder.
