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
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
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.
Finance, Taxes, Insurance
Insurance Hikes, Limited Covid Aid for Helo Operators
"Seismic changes” will continue for helicopter insurance.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
Accidents
Huey Crash Kills Former L.A. Newscopter Pilot
Chip Paige was killed when a 1969 Bell UH-1H crashed into a Mesa, Arizona park.
Rotorcraft
Air Tour Pioneer Elling Halvorson Flies West
Elling Halvorson, who died on April 16 at the age of 88, founded Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters in 1965, a business that flies 600,0000 pax a year.
Rotorcraft
U.S. Air Ambulance Industry Asks for Another $816M
Air ambulance bailout would cover estimated losses for the next six months.
Rotorcraft
Sikorsky HH-60W Emerges From Climate Testing
The Air Force tested its rescue helicopter in extreme temperature regimes.
Engines
GE, Brightwater UAG ink T700 engine support agreement
GE Aviation also announces availability of its TrueChoice Commercial Services maintenance plan for the T700.
Rotorcraft
Helo Operators Increase Use of Safety Tools
International Helicopter Safety Foundation survey shows marked increase in the use of best practice safety tools.
Regulations and Government
Covid-19 Brings Changes To HEMS Aircraft, Crews
Covid-19 forces helicopter operators and regulators to make significant changes to air ambulance transports.
Rotorcraft
Used Helo Market Rises in Q1, but Drop Expected in Q2
Aero Asset report expects preowned helicopter first quarter 2020 sales gains to reverse from effects of Covid-19 and oil price decline.
Rotorcraft
U.S. Air Ambulances Seek $363.5M in Emergency Aid
Air Ambulances Seek $363.5 Million In Emergency Covid-19 Relief
Rotorcraft
Leonardo Closes On Kopter Acquisition
Leonardo pays $185 million for Kopter, as well as bonuses to owner Lynwood if certain milestones are met over the life of Kopter’s SH09 program.
