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
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.
Avionics
TSO Granted for Tail-mounted ADS-B Transponder
The FAA has issued TSO authorization for the uAvionix tailBeaconX ADS-B Out transponder.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Rotorcraft
Bell 412 Turns 40
Since 1981, Bell has delivered more than 1,100 412 medium twins across 11 different variants.
Accidents
NTSB: Winds Triggered 2018 Helitour Fatal
The NTSB has issued its final report on the 2018 Grand Canyon helitour crash.
Avionics
FreeFlight Gains Approval for Datalink ADS-B Transceivers
FreeFlight's new ADS-B Datalink transceivers are now approved for installation in more than 400 airframe types.
Accidents
Pilot To Be Sentenced after Drone Hits LAPD Helicopter
Andrew Rene Hernandez, 22, could receive up to one year in federal prison.
Rotorcraft
Several OEMs Passing on Heli-Expo Show
Companies including Bell, Metro Aviation pull out of this year's Heli-Expo.
Rotorcraft
HAI Doubles Down on In-person March Heli-Expo Show
The Helicopter Association International said it expects New Orleans to lift its Phase One covid restrictions in time for its annual trade show.
Avionics
Compact Cockpit Video Recorder Wins New Zealand Nod
Eye In The Sky approved for installation in Airbus and Robinson helicopters.
Rotorcraft
Leonardo Helicopters Makes Fresh Latin American Inroads
Leonardo Helicopters reports new AW139 and AW169 sales in Colombia, Mexico.
Rotorcraft
Blade To Start Westchester County-NYC Helo Service
Helicopter rideshare service Blade partnering with Ross Aviation to build a vertiport at Westchester County Airport in New York.
Accidents
Malaysia Suspends Heli Operator's Training Certificate
The Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) has suspended the training certificate of My Heli Club following its second crash in less than two months.
Rotorcraft
Air Methods: 'No Surprises' Law Details Raise Concerns
Air ambulance company urges fair compensation after new law bans "no surprises" medical billings.
