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
Russian Helicopters Delivers First Ansat to Europe
Russian Helicopters has made its first European delivery of an Ansat light twin.
Rotorcraft
Bell Teams with Germany's RAS for 505 Sales
Bell has appointed Rheinland Air Service (RAS) as the first authorized German dealer for the Bell 505 turbine light single.
Accidents
Los Angeles Drone Pilot Faces Year in Prison
The pilot of drone that hit an LAPD helicopter is facing federal charges for the unsafe operation of an unmanned aircraft.
Aircraft
GippsAero Shuts Down Airvan Manufacturing
India’s Mahindra Aerospace has shuttered its GippsAero subsidiary in Australia that had manufactured the GA8 Airvan.
Engines
Embraer and Energy Group EDP Team on Electric Aircraft
Energy group EDP is acquiring energy storage and battery charging technologies that will support Embraer's light electric aircraft program.
Rotorcraft
Lemmo To Succeed Retiring Sikorsky Prez Schultz
Sikorsky Aircraft president Dan Schultz will retire in early 2021, be replaced by Lockheed Martin executive Paul Lemmo.
Avionics
Aerocor Buys BlueMAX Data Transfer Unit
The BlueMAX data transfer unit offers a method to download engine and flight data from compatible avionics.
Avionics
Garmin Pilot 10.3 Mobile App Adds Notam Highlights
Pilots can more easily view airspace and obstacles that might affect their flight path on the new version of the Garmin Pilot app.
Aircraft
Reno Races In Jeopardy
The Reno Air Racing Association (RARA) needs $500,000 in donations to continue operations.
Accidents
Two Dead after Pair of Guimbal G2s Collide in Malaysia
Two dead, two survive after a pair of Guimbal Cabri G2 light helicopters collided in mid-air on Sunday in Malaysia.
Avionics
Avidyne IFD100 App Now Runs in Split-screen
Multitasking allows Avidyne's IFD100 app to run in a split-screen alongside other multitasking-capable apps.
Rotorcraft
Airbus Delivers 1,400th H135 Light Twin Helicopter
Airbus Helicopters has delivered its 1,400th H135 light twin. The ship was sold to French HEMS operator Mont Blanc.
Aircraft
Colombian Air Force Orders Four Cessna 172s
Textron Aviation's Cessna Skyhawk 172s will be used by the Fuerza Aérea Colombiana for initial pilot training.
Rotorcraft
First Leonardo Trekker Ordered for U.S. EMS Market
U.S. EMS operator Life Link III has ordered the first Leonardo AW109 Trekker light twin for the U.S. air ambulance market.
Rotorcraft
LA Sheriff Uses Helicopters To Deliver Ballots
The Los Angeles Sheriff's Department began using its helicopter fleet to securely deliver ballot boxes
Airports
Calgary Airport Covid-19 Test Program Opened to Genav
Certain on-demand and general aviation operators are now eligible to participate in a limited Covid-19 testing program at Calgary International Airport.
Engines
Hill Developing Own Helicopter Engine for HX50
Hill Helicopters revealed its 400-shp Hill GT50 light turbine engine designed specifically for the new Hill HX50 single.
Rotorcraft
Airbus Helicopters Takes New Look at Urban Air Noise
Airbus research into helicopter noise is being used to evaluate potential eVTOL designs.
Rotorcraft
Russian Helicopters Launches Indonesian Test Program
Russian Helicopters has launched an operations pilot test program for its Mi-8/171 twin in Indonesia on the islands of Sumatra and Kalimantan.
Rotorcraft
Trump's S-76B For Sale
N76DT, s/n 760351 is listed by Aero Asset with a price of “make offer,” but is believed to have a market value near $800,000.
Regulations and Government
FAA FSDOs Move into Virtual Plane
The FAA is conducting more business virtually in Covid-19 era: 5,000 Zoom meetings a day.
Regulations and Government
FAA Developing Broader SMS Mandate for Part 135 and 145
FAA hopes to have a proposed rule mandating broader safety management systems (SMS) ready by 2022.
Rotorcraft
Bell Delivers Three 407GXis To Polish National Police
The delivery marks the fifth Bell sent to Poland this year.
Rotorcraft
Air Methods Settles California Overtime Claims for $78M
Air Methods settled a seven-year class action suit brought by its California flight crews.
Saving Berni Stranders the Sea Turtle with a Piper Malibu
Saving Berni Stranders the Sea Turtle with a Piper Malibu
Accidents
Inquiry Clears Crew in Fatal 2013 Super Puma Crash
Accident triggered by "perfect storm of circumstances."
Rotorcraft
AW139 Enlisted To Support Giant Red Sea Project
The Helicopter Company will provide a Leonardo AW139 helicopter and crew to support construction of the Kingdom's massive Red Sea project.
Aircraft
LAX Sightings Are Likely Not Real Jetpacks
Airline pilots claim to have spotted pilots flying in "jetpacks" at thousands of feet near LAX, but could that be possible?
Rotorcraft
Miami-Dade Fire Gets First Leonardo AW139
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue (MDFR) has taken delivery of the first of four AW139s ordered last year.
Airports
London Heli Shuttle Driving Traffic at Biggin Hill
London Biggin Hill Airport is seeing more traffic during the Covid-19 pandemic with the help of the London Heli Shuttle.
