Rotorcraft
News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.
Avionics
Hill Unveils Digital Cockpit for HX50 Helicopter
Hill's HX50 digital cockpit is designed to minimize pilot workload.
Rotorcraft
Leonardo Helicopters Rebrands Kopter SH09 as the AW09
With AW09 service entry projected for early 2024, Leonardo is making plans to work on a hybrid-electric helicopter in the second half of the decade.
Aircraft
Airbus Conducts Helicopter Refueling Trials with A400M Airlifter
The latest test campaign has achieved most of the objectives required to clear the A400M to refuel helicopters in flight.
Regulations and Government
NASA Helicopter Flies on Mars
Ingenuity becomes the first aircraft to conduct controlled, powered flight on another planet.
Rotorcraft
French Military Orders More Super Pumas
Purchase of eight more Airbus H225Ms is part of French government's sitmulus plan to aid the aerospace industry.
Engines
Airbus AStar Gets Power Boost
EASA has certified a 10 percent power upgrade for the Safran Arriel 2D engine in the Airbus Helicopters H125 single.
Rotorcraft
Safran Moving Forward on Hybridization, SAF for Helos
Safran anticipates handing over the Aneto-1X engines mid-year for 2022 Airbus Helicopters Racer flight trials that will prove out an "eco mode."
Regulations and Government
Biden Offshore Wind Boost Could Trigger Helicopter Boon
The Biden administration has indicated that it is going all-in on offshore wind, particularly in the New York Bight.
Rotorcraft
Pandemic Spurs Airbus Helicopters Training Changes
Airbus Helicopters has enhanced its distance learning capabilities and is now making many of those permanent.
Rotorcraft
David Fox Receives Top Mx Honors from HAI
HAI recognized David Fox, who has a maintenance and training career spanning five decades, with its Maintenance Excellence Award.
Rotorcraft
Airbus VSR700 Optionally-piloted Helo Hits Speed Milestone
Airbus is expanding the flight envelope of its VSR700 optionally piloted vehicle (OPV), recently achieving forward speeds of 60 knots.
Rotorcraft
HAI Honors John Cooper of Columbus Police Aviation Unit
John Cooper, the longest-serving pilot and safety and training officer for the Columbus (Ohio) Division of Police, is HAI's Law Enforcement Award Honoree.
Rotorcraft
Universal Avionics Gaining in Helicopter Marketplace
Universal Avionics sees plenty of opportunity for its ClearVision EFVS and SkyVis wearable HUD in the rotorcraft market.
Rotorcraft
LCI Teams with LCM on Sloane EMS Deal
LCA recently leased two Leonardo AW109SPs to UK-based Sloane Helicopters through a co-investing vehicle formed with LCM Partners.
Charter & Fractional
Wheels Up, Bell Collaborate on First Step Toward UAM
The companies are working together to usher in what they claim will be the first step toward urban air mobility (UAM) operations.
Accidents
L.A. Drone Pilot Avoids Prison
The operator of a drone that struck an LAPD AStar last year has been sentenced to a $500 fine and probation.
Rotorcraft
Used Helicopter Sales Slump—Again
Aero Asset notes a "parallel decline in both transactions and supply.”
Rotorcraft
Airbus Lands Asia-Pac O&G Launch Customer for H160
Derazona Helicopters in Indonesia has ordered an Airbus Helicopters H160 intermediate twin to service the local oil and gas sector.
Rotorcraft
Leonardo Progressing on Training Center, AW609, TH-73A
Leonardo is readying to open its new training center in a few weeks and begin deliveries of its new TH-73A program.
Rotorcraft
HAI Honors UM Team for Organ Delivery Via Drone
Golden Hour honorees, the University of Maryland UAS Test Site Team and Medical Center, developed a drone with monitoring equipment to deliver organs.
Rotorcraft
Bell Continues Cautious Swim into AAM Pool
Bell continues to move cautiously on its two marquis electric demonstration aircraft, the Nexus and APT.
Maintenance and Modifications
Safran Signs German Police to New Engine Support Deal
Safran Helicopter Engines has signed a new Support-By-Hour (SBH) contract with the German federal police.
Rotorcraft
Senior Airbus Exec: eVTOL Technology 'Not There Yet'
Romain Trapp said that it could be “decades” before eVTOL aircraft become integrated into an advanced air mobility (AAM) environment.
Rotorcraft
South Korea Wants Attack Helos, Minesweepers, More JDAMs
The ROK Army is looking to modernize its gunship fleet through the acquisition of an “Apache-class” helicopter to replace its aging Bell AH-1S Cobras.
Accidents
Alaska Heli-ski Hit Ridge and Tumbled in Fatal Crash
Sole survivor rescued six hours after helicopter's last satellite ping.
Rotorcraft
Erickson Lands New U.S. Firefighting Contracts
Erickson will begin utilizing Bell 214ST in U.S. aerial firefighting.
Rotorcraft
New AirborneX Platform Offers Helicopters for Lease
Ascent's website brings together owners and operators wanting to lease aircraft on flexible terms.
Rotorcraft
ENAV and Leonardo Demonstrate Helicopter PBN In Italy
ENAV and Leonardo have tested and validated helicopter PBN for the Foggia – Tremiti S. Domino Island route in Southern Italy.
Rotorcraft
Airbus Offering H175 to NYPD
Airbus is offering its H175 super-medium twin helicopter in the competition to replace the New York City Police Department’s Bell 412s.
Rotorcraft
Ontic Portfolio Balance Helps Drive Record Year
Ontic's rotorcraft business has remained steady throughout the pandemic, executives say.
