Rotorcraft
News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.
Finance, Taxes, Insurance
New Venture Jettisons Parked Offshore Helos
A new venture has been formed to help lenders to the offshore rotorcraft industry dispose of under-utilized assets.
Aircraft
GAMA: 1Q genav Deliveries See Covid-19 Impact
Though the first quarter of the year started well for general aviation manufacturers, as the Covid pandemic took hold, deliveries fell.
Accidents
Flight Safety Foundation Tackles VFR Helicopter Accidents
Flight Safety Foundation proposes strategy to reduce commercial VFR helicopter operations.
Rotorcraft
K-Max Operators Awarded Key Firefighting Contracts
Forty percent of all Type 1, large helicopters exclusive use USFS firefighting contracts awarded to Kaman K-Max operators.
Avionics
Uniflight Global Adds Fixed-wing Avionics Offering
Uniflight Global has primarily specialized in helicopter MRO services since its founding.
Accidents
NTSB Faults Lacking Safety Culture in Aeromed Crash
The NTSB found that a helicopter air ambulance operator’s “inadequate management of safety” led to the fatal crash of a Survival Fight helicopter.
Maintenance and Modifications
Covid-19 Exacerbating Maintenance Technician Shortage
Twenty-five percent of Part 147 schools have suspended operations.
Maintenance and Modifications
Robinson Offers Tougher Windshields for Helicopters
Robinson is offering optional impact-resistant windshields for R22, R44, and R66 helicopters.
Accidents
Vortex Ring State Likely Preceded Fatal Bell 407 Crash
The NTSB has issued its final report on the fatal 2017 crash of a Virginia State Police (VSP) Bell 407.
Rotorcraft
Bristow-Era Merger To Close in June
Senior management team announced for merged Bristow-Era.
Maintenance and Modifications
San Juan MRO Surrenders Certificate after Investigation
Ecolift Corporation of Puerto Rico surrendered its repair station certificate following numerous allegations by the FAA of unauthorized maintenance work.
Rotorcraft
First Ospreys for Japan Arrive In-country
Japan is the first, and to date only, overseas customer for the Bell Boeing V-22 tiltrotor.
Accidents
Japan Super Puma Fatal Crash Tied To Tail Rotor Mx
Japan’s Transportation Safety Board (JTSB) has linked the 2017 crash of an Airbus Helicopters AS332L to tail rotor maintenance.
Rotorcraft
Collins Pegasus Helicopter Rescue Hoist Promises Innovations
Collins Pegasus Helicopter Rescue Hoist Promises Innovations
Finance, Taxes, Insurance
Insurance Hikes, Limited Covid Aid for Helo Operators
"Seismic changes” will continue for helicopter insurance.
Rotorcraft
Perot Pushes Alliance as eVTOL Hub
Perot promotes Fort Worth Alliance airport complex as home for UAS, eVTOL development.
Rotorcraft
VT Group Wins Support Contract for New Marine One Helo
As many as 21 Sikorsky VH-92As are expected to serve as replacements to the presidential helicopter fleet.
Rotorcraft
French Navy Revamps Its Helicopter Fleet
AS 365s and H160s helicopters are being leased to cover a gap between the retirement of the Aérospatiale Alouette III and the arrival of the H160M.
Avionics
Airbus H135 with Helionix Approved in Canada
Transport Canada has granted certification validation to the Airbus Helicopters H135 light twin equipped with the Helionix aviation system.
Rotorcraft
Heli XP 2020 Rescheduled for October
Normally held in May, Brazilian helicopter show Heli XP is now scheduled for October 21 and 22 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Aircraft
Leonardo Sees 2020 Hit from Decline in Civil Aviation Markets
Italy's Leonardo saw first quarter earnings decline, mainly on the civil side of its business, including helicopters, ATR airliners, and aerostructures.
Accidents
NTSB: Wisconsin EMS Crash Followed Loss of Control
The pilot was non-responsive before his ship rolled inverted.
Accidents
Houston Police Investigating Helo Crash as Homicide
Houston Police are investigating the fatal Saturday morning crash of one of the department’s helicopters as a homicide.
Rotorcraft
Textron CEO Scott Donnelly Bullish On Bell
Textron CEO Scott Donnelly sees a bright future for the company’s Bell unit.
Rotorcraft
Airbus Helicopters Grows Revenues, Profits in 1Q20
Improved earnings on the military side of the helicopter business have balanced disappointing news from the struggling oil and gas sector.
Rotorcraft
U.S. Helo Safety Team Offers Case Studies for Survival
The U.S. Helicopter Safety Team has released a new recommended practice training guide to mitigate risks, including plans based on real acccidents.
Airlines
Air Ambulance Crews Adjust To Covid-19 Operating Conditions
Flying in masks and gloves and distancing from cabin medical crews is now required conduct for emergency helicopter pilots.
Rotorcraft
Covid Taking Toll on Rotorcraft Employment
An HAI webinar with JSFirm highlighted the job losses that has come from the Covid-19 crisis in the rotorcraft industry, but offered tools for job seekers.
Rotorcraft
Bell 525 Edges Closer To Certification
Bell recently completed noise testing on its 525 super-medium twin.
Engines
Sikorsky Signs Cougar for S-92A+ Helicopter Upgrades
The Sikorsky S-92A+ upgrade kit provides added safety redundancy if primary lubrication fails and extends the overhaul interval by up to 25 percent.
