Rotorcraft

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

Latest

Bell Moving 505 Jet Ranger X Production to Canada

Bell does not expect that moving 505 production from Lafayette, La., to Mirabel, Quebec, will increase production costs or the helicopter's price.

French HEMS Operators Add Technical Crewmember

Mixed feedback on safety while some concerned patient care might be diminished.

Bell Bills 525 Relentless As S-92/Super Puma Replacement

Company is now describing the Bell 525 Relentless as an 18-seater for offshore oil-and-gas operations—two more seats than originally anticipated.

New Russian Naval Helicopter Previewed

Updates also provided on existing Kamov machines, including Ka-27 series and long-delayed first flight of Ka-62.

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NetJets Partners with London Heliport

Now rebranded NetJets London Heliport, the port also recently celebrated its 500,000th movement.

Leonardo’s New Divisions Emerge But Branding Not Quite Settled

The Italian-based group’s transition from Finmeccanica is proceeding, but heritage names may persist in some form or other

NTSB Wants Crash-resistant Fuel Systems on Airbus Helos

Manufacturer is developing the retrofit kit for AS350B2s, B3s and B3es and EC130B4s.

Regulations and Government

Bell Helicopter's Prague Facility Takes on Larger Role

New two-bay paint shop and delivery center make the Prague facility Bell's regional customization, delivery and aftermarket service center in Europe.

Maintenance and Modifications

OGP market: CHC Bankrupt, Others Posting Losses

Low oil prices are taking their toll on operators.

With FAA Papers in Hand, R44 Cadet Now Ready for Duty

The training helicopter has the same airframe, rotor system and Lycoming O-540-F1B5 as the R44 Raven I, but the Cadet’s rear seats are removed.

Thai Navy Accepts Its First Two Airbus H145M Helicopters

A total of 17 of the lightweight multi-role H145 series are heading for Thailand

AgustaWestland Rebranded Again, Now Leonardo Helicopters

Name change is a nod to the 15th and 16th Century Italian artist and inventor Leonardo da Vinci, credited with devising first concept for helicopter.

Third AW609 Enters Flight-test Program

The ground run of the third prototype follows the resumption of test activities with the first prototype, AC1, on April 15.

A Casualty of Low Oil Prices, CHC Files for Bankruptcy

Company “expects day-to-day operations to continue without interruption” and has “sufficient liquidity” to “maintain its continuing business operations."

Regulations and Government

EASA Issues Emergency AD for Airbus Helicopters H225

Norwegian investigators rule out “human error on board."

Rulemaking Group Tasked with Helo Bird-strike Defense

Present bird protection regulations apply only to transport category rotiorcraft and have not been updated since being adopted in 1966.

HeliTrak Enters R22 Autopilot Market

HeliTrak is in the final stages of certifying its Collective Pull Down system and autopilot for the Robinson R22.

Ka-62 Medium Twin Helo Takes Flight after Years of Delays

Target applications include passenger transport such as in oil-and-gas operations, as well as search and rescue.

Third Bell 525 Joins Flight-test Fleet

Two more test vehicles are scheduled to join the program this year—FTV4 in August and FTV5 in September.

Former Exec at MD Helicopters Parent Company Sentenced

Received $10,000 fine and five year's probation on felony conflict-of-interest charges and for making false statements to federal investigators.

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