Rotorcraft
News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.
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.
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.
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
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
AW149 Proves Worth After Early Setbacks
If the UK chooses the AW149 production could be transferred from Milan to Yeovil.
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.
Aircraft
Abu Dhabi Aviation Intensifies International Work
Abu Dhabi Aviation's new Ghana and Cyprus joint ventures meet the requirement for local content.
Charter & Fractional
Falcon Expects Bizjet MRO Boost With Launch of DWC Facility
All bizjet MRO is to relocate to DWC, with turboprop maintenance staying in Abu Dhabi.
Rotorcraft
Mi-38 Makes International Debut
The Russian Helicopters Mi-38 utility transport aims to become the modern replacement for the long-lived and highly popular Mi-8/17 series.
Finance, Taxes, Insurance
Falcon Aviation Opts for Milestone-leased AW189
Falcon Aviation Services is expanding its offshore oil and gas helicopter fleet with two more Leonardo AW189s. One is leased from Milestone.
Environment
Falcon Plans Urban Mobility Terminal for Expo 2020
The special-purpose terminal designed by Falcon Aviation is suited to all rotorcraft types, but especially the AW609 Tiltrotor.
Rotorcraft
Airbus H160M on Course for 2026 Service Entry
France intends to acquire 169 H160Ms for the HIL program, comprising 80 for the army, 49 for the navy, and 40 for the air force.
Engines
Gulf Investments in 'Aurus' VVIP Helicopter Brand Boosts Ansat
Kremlin hopes that by creating the Aurus brand it can help Russia capture a significant share of the VIP vehicle market, including helicopters.
Rotorcraft
Airbus's VSR700 Rotary-wing UAV Takes Flight
The VSR700 unmanned helicopter is intended to serve onboard vessels of the French navy to extend their surveillance horizon
Avionics
EASA To Add Human Factors to Rotor Certification
An EASA proposed amendment adds provisions into small and large rotorcraft certification specifications to ensure that human factors are accounted for.
Rotorcraft
U.S. Air Force Receives First HH-60W Helicopters
The initial two aircraft are at the Eglin complex to perform developmental and operational tests ahead of the main production run
Maintenance and Modifications
Australian Avgas Switch Tied To Robinson Engine Issues There
A new study by the Australia Helicopter Industry Association ties reformulated avgas to rash of piston helicopter engine problems there.
Engines
EASA Approves Safran Ardiden 1U For India's LUH
Safran Helicopter Engines has received EASA type certification approval for its new Ardiden 1U engine in India's Light Utility Helicopter.
Rotorcraft
Life Flight Expands AW109 Fleet
Utah-based Intermountain Life Flight is adding a seventh AW109 to its fleet.
Rotorcraft
Outlerlink Adds Analytics To IRIS
Outlerlink is adding cloud-based analytics to its IRIS aircraft monitoring system.
Engines
Safran To Build, Service Helo Engine with China's AECC
Safran and Aero Engine Corp. of China agree to study joint venture to ramp up production, service for WZ16.
Rotorcraft
Helicopter Market Turning Corner at Last, Say Pundits
Speakers at Vertical Flight Expo heard that after ten turbulent years, the helicopter market could be recovering from the oil price downturn.
Rotorcraft
Offshore Helicopter Market Sees Some Sign of Recovery
Demand for offshore helicopter services is improving, but it could take more time for contract rates to improve for operators
Rotorcraft
First U.S. AW169 HEMS Fleet Operational
Travis County, Texas Star Flight is operating three Leonardo AW169s configured for HEMS and SAR.
