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
Air Methods Expands Airbus HCare To EC135 Fleet
A new Airbus HCare support contract will cover Air Methods fleet of 80 EC135 light twins.
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
Airbus Racer First Flight Pushed to 2022
Airbus will begin final assembly of the first Racer compound helicopter in the coming weeks.
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.
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.
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.
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
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
FAA Aviation Weather Cams Coming To Hawaii
FAA begins work required for installation of the first 10 weather cam systems in Hawaii.
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
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.
Rotorcraft
Directional Aviation Buying Helo Operator AAG
Kenn Ricci’s Directional Aviation Group unit OneSky Flight is acquiring helicopter charter operator AAG from Sikorsky.
Rotorcraft
Pentagon Will Track D.C. Helicopter Noise
Few practical options exist for mitigating helicopter noise in the Washington, D.C. area.
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
FAA Special Condition Suggests Bell 525 Nears Certification
Bell officially launched the 19-passenger 525 in 2012.
Aircraft
New ASTM Standard Addresses Small Airplane Load Data
The new standard developed by ASTM International's GA aircraft committee will be used by OEMs, MROs, and regulators.
Avionics
TSO Granted for Tail-mounted ADS-B Transponder
The FAA has issued TSO authorization for the uAvionix tailBeaconX ADS-B Out transponder.
Aircraft
Bye Starts Series Production of Electric eFlyer 2
Three series-conforming examples of the two-seat eFlyer 2 will be used by Bye Aerospace to complete FAA Part 23 type certification.
Rotorcraft
Erickson: Wildfires Are Going To Get Worse
Helicopter services company Erickson responding to growing wildfire threat.
Rotorcraft
Airbus Helicopter Deliveries Dip 9.6% in 2020
Airbus Helicopters maintained a 48 percent share of the worldwide civil and parapublic market in 2020.
Rotorcraft
Vertical Flight Society Moves Annual Show Online
The Vertical Flight Society saw its membership rise during 2020 and has announced a new partnership with the U.S. Army to support skills training.
Regulations and Government
Nuke-sniffing Helicopter Deployed to Tampa
A Bell 412 will conduct radiation mapping and sensing flights over the site of Super Bowl LV.
Rotorcraft
Offshore Wind Needs New Helicopters Worth $1 Billion
A new report predicts that the helicopter fleet servicing the offshore wind electricity market will increase by 100 by 2030.
Accidents
Drone Injures Helicopter Crewmember
Drone pierces windshield of Chilean Navy UH-57B, injuring front seat crewmember.
Rotorcraft
VFS Cancels In-person Forum 77
The Vertical Flight Society has canceled its annual in-person Forum gathering due to continuing covid concerns.
Rotorcraft
HAI Cancels Heli-Expo 2021 Trade Show
The Helicopter Association International has cancelled its annual Heli-Expo trade show scheduled for March 22 to 25 in New Orleans.
