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
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.
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.
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.
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.
Rotorcraft
LA Sheriff Uses Helicopters To Deliver Ballots
The Los Angeles Sheriff's Department began using its helicopter fleet to securely deliver ballot boxes
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.
Finance, Taxes, Insurance
More Insurance Pain Forecast for Rotor Industry
Helicopter insurance premiums are rising in a "hard market" that could last another two years.
Rotorcraft
Bristow's UK SAR Contract Extended
Bristow’s contract to provide search and rescue (SAR) services in the UK has been extended through 2026.
Rotorcraft
Russia Developing Fast Hybrid Helicopter with AI
The Russian concept helicopter driven by a hybrid power plant and artificial intelligence.
Rotorcraft
Aero Asset: Medium Helo Inventory Explodes
Nearly $1 billion worth of used rotorcraft remain on the market with a large increase in the inventory of medium twins.
ATC
Leonardo, ENAV Pair on Helicopter PBN
Leonardo and ENAV partner on developing more PBN options for helicopter operations.
Rotorcraft
Milestone Commits To Six Airbus H160s
Helicopter lessor Milestone Aviation is adding six Airbus H160 medium twin helicopters to its order book.
Rotorcraft
Bell 407GXi Gives Aeromed Operator SE/SPIFR Capability
Halo-Flight has begun operating a Bell 407GXi single engine, single pilot IFR (SPIFR).
Garmin Unveils D2 Air Aviation Smartwatch
It has a simpler user interface with just two buttons and an Amoled touchscreen.
Airports
Torqued: GA Road Trips in the Time of Coronavirus
Despite the pandemic, those of us who live and breathe aviation can't stay away from airports and aircraft.
Rotorcraft
Airbus Delivers H145D3 to Norwegian Air Ambulance
Airbus Helicopters has delivered the first five-blade H145 D3 to the Norwegian Air Ambulance Foundation.
