Rotorcraft
News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.
Environment
HAI Promotes SAF Use at Heli-Expo 2024
Rotorcraft arriving in Anaheim for annual helicopter convention can fill up on SAF at the staging area
Avionics
GFC 600H Autopilot Now Available in IFR Configuration
The Leonardo A109 Trekker is the first helicopter approved for the IFR autopilot
Training and Workforce
Bristow UK Pilots Plan Two-Day Strikes Starting March 3
The helicopter operator's pilots bemoan lack of contract progress
Rotorcraft
Bell Reveals Designer Cabin to Asia's Helicopter Market
Bell's 429 Designer Series makes its Singapore Airshow debut
Avionics
Blackcomb Helicopters Selects Foresight MX HUMS
The GPMS system will be installed on Blackcomb's Airbus and Bell helicopter fleets
Regulations and Government
Senate FAA Reauthorization Mandates Part 135 for All Air Tours
Alphabets urge rejection of costly new Part 135 provisions
Rotorcraft
Airbus Displays Innovation in Twin and Single Helicopters
A corporate version of the H130 and a mockup of the H145 are on show in Singapore
Safety
AAIB: AW189 Incident Crew Did Not Understand Its AFCS
An AFCS mismatch triggered an uncommanded yaw
Rotorcraft
USHST Develops Peer Program for Mental Health Support
USHST will connect pilots in need of mental health support with volunteer pilots and professionals
Aircraft
Asia Well Placed For Leading Role in Advanced Air Mobility
New eVTOL aircraft could transform urban public transportation
Rotorcraft
Airbus Set To Start Racer High-speed Flight Trials
The hybrid-electric design features a box wing and a pair of pusher propellers
Avionics
Avidyne IFD Flight Management Systems Now NVG-compatible
The optional NVG feature is available for $3,600
Maintenance and Modifications
Enstrom Opens Repair Station in Michigan
Company houses new repair shop at its factory in Menominee, Michigan
Rotorcraft
FAA Certifies Symmetrical Stabilizer for Robinson R44
The new empennage was first certified on the R66 last September
Rotorcraft
Loft Dynamics Opens Santa Monica VR Sim Center
The full-motion VR simulator costs one-twentieth the price of a full-flight simulator
Accidents
Former Chile President Dies in Helicopter Accident
Shortly after takeoff, the helicopter crashed into the Ranco Lake in Chile
Rotorcraft
Air Evac Helicopter in Oklahoma Hit Geese Before Crashing
NTSB found dead goose in flight controls, others in crash area
Rotorcraft
Hands On: Flying a Modern Classic, MD Helicopters’ MD530F
The 369-series helicopters have been in production for more than 60 years
Rotorcraft
Helicopter OEMs See Big Civil Market Opportunities in China, India
Pilot training, infrastructure, fuel challenge growth
Safety
Helicopter Seat Pain Solutions Are on the Horizon
Contoured cushions and better materials could mitigate pilot injury
Aircraft
Flying the MD530F and the Resurrection of MD Helicopters
We test the MD530F and see for ourselves how the company is coming back from bankruptcy.
Rotorcraft
Rotor Debuts Autonomous Helicopter in New Hampshire
The flight demonstrated autonomous helicopter operation in front of a live audience
Rotorcraft
French DGA Orders 42 Airbus H145 Helicopters
H145s will be used by French police and rescue services
Training and Workforce
Canada Grants First Training Org Approval to Coulson
The free training enables students to earn Canadian aircraft maintenance engineer-structures certification
Rotorcraft
Tata and Airbus To Start Helicopter Production in India
H125 final assembly line will be Airbus' second manufacturing plant in the country
Rotorcraft
NASA's Mars Helicopter Bites the Dust
Ingenuity's rotor blades sustained damage upon landing
Rotorcraft
Bell Textron's 4Q23 Results Surpass Projections
Bell's profit totaled $320 million last year, compared with $282 million in 2022
Accidents
Three Die in Oklahoma HEMS Crash
Air Evac Bell 206 LongRanger crashes at night on repositioning flight
Rotorcraft
Airbus Helicopters Orders Rise, Deliveries Flat for 2023
Airbus delivered 346 helicopters in 2023
Rotorcraft
Aero Asset Sees Strong Single-engine Helicopter Pricing
Prices remained steady while sales numbers dropped significantly
