Rotorcraft
News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Rotorcraft
Hill Details Progress on HX50 Turbine Single
UK start-up helicopter company plans first deliveries in 2023.
Rotorcraft
Sikorsky Teases Advanced Air Mobility Plans
Sikorsky teased expectations of its plans for the advanced air mobility (AAM) sector last week at the Electric VTOL Symposium.
Rotorcraft
El Aero Services Becomes First HAI SMS Program User
HAI unveiled its program in October to provide small and cost-conscious operators assistance with implementing SMS.
Aircraft
Bell Upgrading USAF Osprey Tiltrotor Nacelles
Eyeing long-term maintainability of the USAF Osprey fleet, Bell is swapping out nacelles with ones that are more maintainable, robust.
Rotorcraft
Airbus Helicopters Posts Big Order Jump in 2021
Despite sales uptick, Airbus Helicopters CEO Bruno Even warns that a pre-pandemic market recovery is still two to three years away.
Rotorcraft
Airbus Helicopters Delivers Last Dauphin
Airbus produced more than 1,100 Dauphin series helicopters over 40 years.
Airports
Skyports Buys London's Falcon Heliport for eVTOL Ops
Skyports has acquired Falcon Heliport, one of only two public heliports in London, and will develop it as a potential vertiport for eVTOLs.
Rotorcraft
Enstrom Helicopters Shutters, Files Bankruptcy
Enstrom delivered more than 1,300 helicopters during its 64 year history.
Avionics
Industry, FAA Scramble To Clean Up FCC 5G 'Mess'
"Flight cancellations and operational disruptions will be a reality," ALPA warns.
