Rotorcraft
News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.
Rotorcraft
Airbus Helicopters Launches Tiger MkIII Update Program
The Tiger MkIII program will update a batch of 60 attack helicopters for the French and Spanish armies, with Germany able to join later if it so chooses.
Rotorcraft
Amstat: Preowned Helicopter Sales Outpace 2019, 2020
Single-engine turbine helicopter transactions saw the biggest and most consistent increases in 2021, while multi-engine pricing improved more, Amstat says.
Rotorcraft
HAI Plans Full Return of Heli-Expo in Dallas
The March 7-10 Heli-Expo will include a full exhibitor floor, educational and safety program, and possibly helicopter commuter flights.
Rotorcraft
Helicopter Ambulance Crews Facing Pandemic Burnout
"Everyone in healthcare is just exhausted," said Cameron Curtis, CEO of the Association of Air Medical Services.
Rotorcraft
HAI Honors Jeffrey Donnell for Maintenance Excellence
Jeffrey Donnell has had a 45-year helicopter maintenance career that has encompassed multiple roles with operators and major mx organizations.
Rotorcraft
HAI Salutes USCG in Cape Cod for Safety Excellence
The U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod has not only increased safety in New England but has had "far-reaching effects" throughout the service.
Rotorcraft
Metro Embraces Camera, Training Technology
Metro Aviation works to improve operations through the use of supplemental technology including base weather cameras and Icarus IFR training devices.
Charter & Fractional
Luxaviation-Rolls Tie-up Signals Bizav’s Move into AAM
Luxaviation's partnership with Rolls-Royce is one of the strongest signals yet that business aviation will play a role in the advanced air mobility sector.
Rotorcraft
Milestone, Helitak Develop Firefighting Sikorsky S-92A
Milestone Aviation has partnered with Helitak to develop an easy install, aerial firefighting kit for the S-92A featuring a quick-fill 1,050-gallon tank.
Rotorcraft
Aero Asset Establishes Helicopter Acquisition Arm
Aero Asset Acquisitions partners with Indiana bank to buy and sell helicopters.
Rotorcraft
Thailand to Get AH-6i Attack/Reconnaissance Helicopters
The Royal Thai Army has placed an order for the AH-6 helicopter with Boeing, while MD Helicopters has delivered MD 530Gs to neighboring Malaysia.
Rotorcraft
Helicopter Shuttle/Tour Flights Land at Heli-Expo
Helicopter Association International (HAI) is bringing a new feature to its upcoming Heli-Expo show: charter and tour flights.
Engines
Leonardo Aims For Hybrid-powered AW09
In efforts to assess helicopter hybrid propulsion, Leonardo has selected its single engine AW09 on which to build its hybrid prototype.
Rotorcraft
Covid Drives Record Tempo at Rega Air Ambulance
Swiss air ambulance provider Rega saw covid transports increase 49 percent in 2021.
Accidents
Weekend Helicopter Crashes Caught on Camera
One dead, four injured in California and Florida helicopter accidents.
Regulations and Government
5G Interference Spurs Helo Operators To Seek Exemptions
Helicopter operators file petitions with the FAA seeking exemptions to radar altimeter requirements in wake of 5G interference.
Airports
East Hampton Closure and Conversion Delayed until May
East Hampton, New York city officials and FAA try to resolve issues related to making KTHO a private-use airport.
Rotorcraft
Joby eVTOL Prototype Involved in Flight-test Accident
One of Joby Aviation’s two eVTOL prototypes had an accident during flight testing in California.
Rotorcraft
Liebherr Systems To Fly on HAL’s Light Utility Helicopter
The LUH is the latest in a line of HAL products to benefit from the systems provided by Liebherr-Aerospace.
Rotorcraft
Osprey Radar Goes to Sea Aboard the Fire Scout
The versatile radar draws on Leonardo’s experience with developing AESA radars, such as the Typhoon fighter’s ECRS and maritime-optimised Seaspray range.
Aircraft
ANA, Toyota Back Joby's eVTOL Rideshare Plans
Japanese airline ANA will work with Toyota and Joby Aviation to establish ridesharing flights in the latter company’s four-passenger eVTOLs in Japan.
Rotorcraft
Airbus Sees Steady Regional Demand for Military Helicopters
Replacing aging fleets will be the biggest driver of demand in the Asia-Pacific region over the next decade, reports Airbus Helicopters.
Regulations and Government
EASA To Adopt Rules on Tire Pressure, Heli Ditching
EASA has issued an opinion expressing its intent to adopt new regulations on tire pressure minimums and helicopter ditching survivability.
Finance, Taxes, Insurance
Milestone Signs 11-ship Deal with Omni Helicopters
Milestone Aviation Group has signed an 11 aircraft deal with Brazilian operator Omni Helicopters covering Leonardo AW139 and Sikorsky S-92A helicopters.
Engines
Honeywell Engines Selected for Defiant X
Honeywell’s new HTS7500 turboshaft has been selected to power the Lockheed Martin Sikorsky-Boeing Defiant X.
Rotorcraft
Bell 505 Fleet Tops 100,000 Hours
Bell's turbine light single has been delivered into 59 countries and amassed 100,000 flight hours since the first deliveries.
Finance, Taxes, Insurance
Milestone Completes Aramco Helicopter Fleet Renewal
Lessor Milestone delivered 26 helicopters to Aramco as part of that company's fleet renewal program.
Maintenance and Modifications
Dart Floats Approved for Airbus Five-blade H145s
Dart Aerospace has received FAA supplemental type certification for its emergency float system with integrated life rafts in water up to sea state 6.
Rotorcraft
Bristow Spends Latest Quarter In Hover
Helicopter operator Bristow Group breaks even on lower revenues, higher expenses.
Rotorcraft
Blade CEO Bullish On New York
Blade CEO anticipates a better political atmosphere and growth potential for helicopter and eVTOL passenger service in the New York City area.
