Rotorcraft
News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.
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.
Rotorcraft
Life Flight Orders Eight New Bells
U.S. HEMS provider Life Flight Network has ordered eight new Bell helicopters.
Accidents
Crashed Korean H225 Had Recent Maintenance
A Korean Airbus H225 that crashed into the East Sea had a heavy inspection in October.
Finance, Taxes, Insurance
Bristow Out Of Bankruptcy
Bristow restructured with new capital and board of directors.
Rotorcraft
Airbus Studying Obscurant Defense for H145M
The rapid-action “fog” screen has been successfully implemented for military vehicles and is now being proposed for helicopters
Rotorcraft
Blade Per-seat Helicopter Service Comes To L.A. Market
Helicopter per seat ride share booking service Blade is expanding into the Los Angeles metro area market.
Rotorcraft
Rogue Drones Impede California Firefighters
Illegal drone flights California forced firefighting helicopters to stand down.
Maintenance and Modifications
Dart Acquires Aero Design
Dart's acquisition of Aero Design boosts its portfolio to over 1,100 STCs.
Rotorcraft
Vuichard Ring Vortex Recovery Now FAA Approved
Developed by Claude Vuichard, the rotorcraft procedure to escape potentially perilous ring vortexes in now in the latest FAA Helicopter training handbook.
Rotorcraft
African Countries Seek Additional ‘Hinds’
The Mi-24/35 family has been operated for many years by many nations in Africa and continues to be of considerable interest to operators in the continent.
Rotorcraft
New-format Vertical Flight Expo To Open at Farnborough
The Vertical Flight Expo promises a trade show focused on more than just helicopters, by incorporating unmanned aircraft and urban air mobility.
Rotorcraft
Kaman Announces More K-Max Orders
Kaman has announced more orders for its heavy lift K-Max, company continues to work on civil unmanned version.
