Rotorcraft
News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.
Rotorcraft
Vertical Flight Society Moves Annual Show Online
The Vertical Flight Society saw its membership rise during 2020 and has announced a new partnership with the U.S. Army to support skills training.
Regulations and Government
Nuke-sniffing Helicopter Deployed to Tampa
A Bell 412 will conduct radiation mapping and sensing flights over the site of Super Bowl LV.
Rotorcraft
Offshore Wind Needs New Helicopters Worth $1 Billion
A new report predicts that the helicopter fleet servicing the offshore wind electricity market will increase by 100 by 2030.
Rotorcraft
"Defiant X" Enters U.S. Army FLRAA Derby
Sikorsky and Boeing unveiled a slicker version of their SB-1 “Defiant” for the U.S. Army's $40 billion future long range assault aircraft competition.
Rotorcraft
Optionally Piloted K-Max To Begin Testing by Midyear
Kaman's optionally piloted vehicle module for the K-Max helicopter will enter ground and flight testing during the first half of 2021.
Accidents
Drone Injures Helicopter Crewmember
Drone pierces windshield of Chilean Navy UH-57B, injuring front seat crewmember.
Rotorcraft
VFS Cancels In-person Forum 77
The Vertical Flight Society has canceled its annual in-person Forum gathering due to continuing covid concerns.
Rotorcraft
Airbus Helicopters Flightlab To Test UAM Technologies
Airbus flying laboratory dedicated to evaluating future UAM and helicopter innovations.
Rotorcraft
HAI Cancels Heli-Expo 2021 Trade Show
The Helicopter Association International has cancelled its annual Heli-Expo trade show scheduled for March 22 to 25 in New Orleans.
Rotorcraft
Bell 412 Turns 40
Since 1981, Bell has delivered more than 1,100 412 medium twins across 11 different variants.
Maintenance and Modifications
True Blue Power Unveils New Li-ion Chargers
True Blue Power designed its new TT28-12 Charger Pro and TT28-2 Charger Mx to simplify lithium-ion aircraft battery charging.
Accidents
Pilot To Be Sentenced after Drone Hits LAPD Helicopter
Andrew Rene Hernandez, 22, could receive up to one year in federal prison.
Rotorcraft
Milestone, NHV Partner on Airbus H145s
New five-bladed Airbus H145s will suport Germany's Federal Armed Services training program.
Accidents
NTSB: Winds Triggered 2018 Helitour Fatal
The NTSB has issued its final report on the 2018 Grand Canyon helitour crash.
Rotorcraft
Twin-engine Helo Sales Mixed in Fourth Quarter
Aero Asset’s quarterly Helicopter Market Trends report said sales were up from the third quarter of 2020 but lower than the fourth quarter of 2019.
Rotorcraft
Several OEMs Passing on Heli-Expo Show
Companies including Bell, Metro Aviation pull out of this year's Heli-Expo.
Rotorcraft
Australia Selects Apache Guardian for Recon Requirement
Slaying Vipers and culling Tigers, the Apache has been selected to answer the Australian Army Aviation Corps attack helicopter requirement.
Avionics
Compact Cockpit Video Recorder Wins New Zealand Nod
Eye In The Sky approved for installation in Airbus and Robinson helicopters.
Rotorcraft
Airbus Helicopters H160 Readies for ENG Duty in Japan
All Nippon Helicopters will add a new Airbus H160 to its electronic newsgathering fleet in Japan.
Rotorcraft
HAI Doubles Down on In-person March Heli-Expo Show
The Helicopter Association International said it expects New Orleans to lift its Phase One covid restrictions in time for its annual trade show.
Rotorcraft
Blade To Start Westchester County-NYC Helo Service
Helicopter rideshare service Blade partnering with Ross Aviation to build a vertiport at Westchester County Airport in New York.
Rotorcraft
Leonardo Helicopters Makes Fresh Latin American Inroads
Leonardo Helicopters reports new AW139 and AW169 sales in Colombia, Mexico.
Accidents
Malaysia Suspends Heli Operator's Training Certificate
The Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) has suspended the training certificate of My Heli Club following its second crash in less than two months.
Rotorcraft
Announcing the Top Flight Awards Rotorcraft Category Winner
Announcing the Top Flight Awards Rotorcraft Category Winner
Rotorcraft
Air Methods: 'No Surprises' Law Details Raise Concerns
Air ambulance company urges fair compensation after new law bans "no surprises" medical billings.
Accidents
Mexico AW109 Crash Now a Homicide Investigation
Mexican authorities have detained four people in connection with the December 2018 fatal crash of a 2011 Leonardo AW109S.
Rotorcraft
EASA Proposes Modifications for Overwater Helo Ops
EASA is proposing equipment changes for Part 27 and 29 helicopters that are operated for extended periods over water.
Rotorcraft
Austrian Operator Orders Five Airbus H135 Light Twins
Airbus Helicopters will deliver the first newer variant of the H135 to ÖAMTC Air Rescue in early 2022.
Regulations and Government
Congress Nixes 'Surprise Air Ambulance Bills'
Covid relief legislation ends health insurance denials for "out-of-network" transports.
