Rotorcraft
News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.
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
NTSB: Winds Triggered 2018 Helitour Fatal
The NTSB has issued its final report on the 2018 Grand Canyon helitour crash.
Rotorcraft
Milestone, NHV Partner on Airbus H145s
New five-bladed Airbus H145s will suport Germany's Federal Armed Services training program.
Accidents
Pilot To Be Sentenced after Drone Hits LAPD Helicopter
Andrew Rene Hernandez, 22, could receive up to one year in federal prison.
Rotorcraft
Several OEMs Passing on Heli-Expo Show
Companies including Bell, Metro Aviation pull out of this year's Heli-Expo.
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
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.
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.
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
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.
Rotorcraft
DOT Watchdog Gives FAA Fresh 'Doors Off' Upbraiding
DOT IG critical of FAA current supervision of "doors off" helitour flights.
Rotorcraft
Air Methods Takes Aim at Helicopter EMS Membership Programs
The nation’s largest helicopter air ambulance company has launched a full-frontal assault on competitors who sell annual “memberships.”
Rotorcraft
Heli-Union Signs Up for Airbus H160s
Héli-Union is purchasing two new multi-mission Airbus H160 medium twins.
Rotorcraft
Bell V-280 Flies with Sling Loads
The Bell V-280 tiltrotor was recently flown with a new tactical common datalink (TCDL) and completed external sling load sorties.
Avionics
H135 Gets New Max Weight, Single-pilot IFR Upgrades
Airbus's H135 light twin gets a 265-pound boost in mtow, along with a new single-pilot IFR cockpit.
Maintenance and Modifications
Safran Signs China Utility To Engine Support Program
Safran Helicopter Engines has signed a Support-By-Hour contract with State Grid General Aviation Company of China.
Rotorcraft
HAI, FAA Call for Voluntary Rotorcraft Safety Retrofits
HAI president and FAA administrator call for retrofit of crash resistant fuel systems, seats, and structures in legacy helicopters.
Rotorcraft
FAA's Dickson Warns 'Disruptions' Could Affect Safety
FAA administrator Steve Dickson describes risks resulting from changes caused by the pandemic.
Rotorcraft
Manila Inducts Black Hawks, Considers Second Batch
The Philippines Air Force has begun operating the Black Hawk, having received its first batch of six in November.
Rotorcraft
Bell Acquires Fuel Cell Maker
Bell Textron has acquired Rhode Island-based Response Technologies, a manufacturer of fuel cells and polymers.
