Rotorcraft
News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.
Rotorcraft
Enstrom Marks 60 Years
Since incorporation in 1959, Enstrom Helicopter has delivered more than 1,300 helicopters to customers in 50 countries.
Rotorcraft
Congress Could Trigger Closure of 80% of U.S. Air Med Bases
"Patient protection" legislation could decimate U.S. air medical industry.
Rotorcraft
Study: 430,000 Urban Air Taxis By 2040
A new Frost & Sullivan study predicts urban air taxis will begin operations in 2022 and grow to a worldwide fleet of 430,000 by 2040.
Rotorcraft
Special Forces Training Center Opens in Croatia
Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary and Slovenia have opened a center to train helicopter crews tasked with supporting special forces.
Rotorcraft
Bell Delivers First of 12 Jet Ranger X Helos to Horizon
The UAE's Horizon International Flight Academy took delivery of the first of 12 Bell 505s this week.
Engines
EASA Approves Safran Aneto on Leonardo AW189
EASA has granted type certificate approval for installation of the Safran Aneto 1K engine in the Leonardo AW189 super-medium twin helicopter.
Avionics
Thales, StandardAero Team on Light Helo Autopilot
StandardAero and Thales signed an agreement to jointly develop and certify an advanced autopilot system for several light helicopters, including the AS350.
Aircraft
First Modified MV-22 Osprey Delivered
Bell and Boeing are upgrading older Marine Corps Ospreys to increase commonality across the fleet.
Rotorcraft
Kopter Freezes SH09 Design
Kopter Group has frozen the design of its SH09 turbine single helicopter.
Accidents
NTSB Chief: Doors-off Helo Flight Was 'Death Trap'
NTSB faults passenger harnesses, emergency floats in fatal NYC helo crash.
Rotorcraft
Three New Firehawk Helicopters Delivered To California
United Rotorcraft and Sikorsky announced the delivery of three new S-70i Firehawks to separate California firefighting agencies.
Accidents
Bell 407 Down in Gulf of Mexico
The USCG located debris from a Bell 407 that went missing Saturday.
Rotorcraft
MD/Elbit Team for MD 530G; More MD 530Fs for Afghanistan
Adding the Elbit Integrated Weapons System turns the MD 530G Block II into a potent light attack platform with advanced targeting capabilities.
Rotorcraft
Russian Air and Space Force Receives First Mi-38T
Three of the military version of the Mi-38 have been built and will be used for military evaluation trials by the Russian defense ministry.
Rotorcraft
Helicopter Is This Year's White House Ornament
An Eisenhower-era Sikorsky is this year's White House Historical Association's official Christmas ornament.
Rotorcraft
Drone Hits Newscopter over L.A.
Los Angeles ENG A-Star lands safely after drone hits vertical stabilizer.
Rotorcraft
Air Methods Moves To Address Patient Cost Concerns
Helicopter EMS provider Air Methods is expanding its in-network health insurance agreements.
Rotorcraft
Miami-Dade Orders Four Leonardo AW139 Helicopters
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue orders four AW139s; delivery will begin in later next year .
Rotorcraft
Ryan Unveils Upgraded VR Helo Sim
Ryan Aerospace's new Helimod Mark III Plus helicopter simulator adds full control loading.
Finance, Taxes, Insurance
Thora Capital Enters Helicopter Lease Market
Chicago-based Thora Capital has entered the helicopter lease market with $50 million.
Rotorcraft
IHSF Launches Sixth Annual Safety Survey
The annual global survey helps IHSF understand where safety initiatives are being implemented.
Rotorcraft
Inmarsat Moving forward with Helo Connectivity Service
SwiftBroadband Helo X-Stream was developed to enable advanced streaming, alleviating long-standing connectivity issues from rotor-blade interference.
Rotorcraft
MD Helicopters Increases Afghan Deliveries
Afghan Air Force's fleet of MD 530Fs has increased to 60.
Regulations and Government
EASA Pushing for Recorders on Small Helicopters
EASA is recommending that all Part 27 helicopters receive flight recorders to benefit the industry's overall safety.
Rotorcraft
Hungary Military Program Adding Airbus Helicopters
Hungary is undertaking a major overhaul of its rotary-wing forces, while Montenegro is seeking to add light multi-role machines.
Maintenance and Modifications
StandardAero Opens Vancouver Helicopter Mx Facility
The new facility brings pieces of helicopter maintenance work across StandardAero's footprint to one location.
Rotorcraft
Phase 2 T129B Takes to the Skies
Turkish Aerospace has flown an improved version of the T129 Atak attack helicopter for the Turkish armed and security forces.
Rotorcraft
Abu Dhabi Aviation To Add Five More Leonardos to Fleet
The order will increase the Abu Dhabi Aviation AW139 fleet, as well as add a new type, the AW169.
Rotorcraft
P&W Tapped to Power Russia’s VRT500 Light Copter
VR-Technologies announces P&W engine choice for the VRT500 on same day UAE investment company agrees to buy half the Russian company.
Rotorcraft
AW149 Proves Worth After Early Setbacks
If the UK chooses the AW149 production could be transferred from Milan to Yeovil.
