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.
Avionics
Compact Cockpit Video Recorder Wins New Zealand Nod
Eye In The Sky approved for installation in Airbus and Robinson helicopters.
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.
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.
Rotorcraft
Leonardo Helicopters Makes Fresh Latin American Inroads
Leonardo Helicopters reports new AW139 and AW169 sales in Colombia, Mexico.
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.
Accidents
Mexico AW109 Crash Now a Homicide Investigation
Mexican authorities have detained four people in connection with the December 2018 fatal crash of a 2011 Leonardo AW109S.
Rotorcraft
EASA Proposes Modifications for Overwater Helo Ops
EASA is proposing equipment changes for Part 27 and 29 helicopters that are operated for extended periods over water.
Safety
Pilot Captures Video of 'Jetpack' Flying in LA Airspace
The video of what appears to be a manned jetpack shows it flying at 3,000 feet over the ocean near Palos Verdes, California.
Avionics
Moog Buys Genesys Aerosystems
Flight control manufacturer Moog is adding to its capabilities with the purchase of Genesys Aerosystems.
Regulations and Government
Congress Nixes 'Surprise Air Ambulance Bills'
Covid relief legislation ends health insurance denials for "out-of-network" transports.
Rotorcraft
DOT Watchdog Gives FAA Fresh 'Doors Off' Upbraiding
DOT IG critical of FAA current supervision of "doors off" helitour flights.
Rotorcraft
Air Methods Takes Aim at Helicopter EMS Membership Programs
The nation’s largest helicopter air ambulance company has launched a full-frontal assault on competitors who sell annual “memberships.”
Rotorcraft
Heli-Union Signs Up for Airbus H160s
Héli-Union is purchasing two new multi-mission Airbus H160 medium twins.
Avionics
H135 Gets New Max Weight, Single-pilot IFR Upgrades
Airbus's H135 light twin gets a 265-pound boost in mtow, along with a new single-pilot IFR cockpit.
Turtle Fliers Save a Large Load of Stranded Turtles
A Saab 340 was drafted to carry 120 cold-stunned turtles to aquariums in Texas.
Maintenance and Modifications
Safran Signs China Utility To Engine Support Program
Safran Helicopter Engines has signed a Support-By-Hour contract with State Grid General Aviation Company of China.
Avionics
Icon Offers G3X Upgrade for A5 Amphibian
Icon A5 buyers can now purchase an optional Garmin G3X Touch display and two-axis autopilot.
Avionics
Garmin Adds Smart Rudder Bias to Piston Twins
Smart Rudder Bias is the newest addition to the Garmin Autonomi family and brings new safety features to piston twins.
Rotorcraft
HAI, FAA Call for Voluntary Rotorcraft Safety Retrofits
HAI president and FAA administrator call for retrofit of crash resistant fuel systems, seats, and structures in legacy helicopters.
Rotorcraft
FAA's Dickson Warns 'Disruptions' Could Affect Safety
FAA administrator Steve Dickson describes risks resulting from changes caused by the pandemic.
Avionics
Garmin Upgrades GTN Xi Navigators
New features for the Garmin GTN XI navigators are available with a software update.
Rotorcraft
Bell Acquires Fuel Cell Maker
Bell Textron has acquired Rhode Island-based Response Technologies, a manufacturer of fuel cells and polymers.
Aircraft
EcoPulse Team Completes Preliminary Design Review
The hybrid-electric EcoPulse design, based on a TBM airframe, is being prepared for its first flight in 2022.
Rotorcraft
Hill Helicopters To Offer HX50 as Kit
Hill Helicopters said its five-seat HX50 turbine single will initially be offered as an amateur-built aircraft in 2023 for $662,000.
TallyHo App Offers Operators Menu of Service Providers
The TallyHo app is available for free on the App Store and Google Play.
Aircraft
LifeFlight Opens Singapore Base
Australia's LifeFlight air ambulance service is opening a base in Singapore.
Avionics
iFlightPlanner Integrated with iFly GPS
iFlightPlanner’s “Bring Your Own EFB” program has been enhanced with the integration with iFly GPS.
Rotorcraft
New Survitec Emergency Breathing System Offers More Air
Survitec's new Emergency Breathing System (EBS) offers offshore helicopter passengers and crew more air.
