Rotorcraft

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

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Sikorsky eyes smoother ride with anti-vibration system

Helicopter flying could eventually be “jet smooth,” thanks to hub-mounted actuators that counter, at their source, vibratory loads stemming from blade mo

Rotorcraft

November 30, 2010

Chinese light helo makes first flight

China-based Avicopter announced on November 9 the first flight of its first indigenously developed light single-engine helicopter, the AC311, in Tianjin.

Rotorcraft

November 30, 2010

Maryland State Police orders six AgustaWestland AW139s

After a protracted and controversial procurement process, the Maryland State Police signed a deal last month to purchase six new AgustaWestland AW139s.

Rotorcraft

November 30, 2010

German group to test adaptive landing system

Researchers at the German aerospace research institute (DLR) plan to flight-test a system next year intended to aid landing in confined areas.

Rotorcraft

November 30, 2010

JetNet: Used Business Aircraft Transactions Climbing

Sales transactions of pre-owned business jets and turboprops, as well as turbine helicopters, posted healthy increases from a year ago, according to data r

Rotorcraft

November 30, 2010

NTSB Takes Stronger Stance on Helicopter Windshields

In its final report on last year’s fatal crash of a Sikorsky S-76++ in Louisiana, the NTSB call

Safety

November 30, 2010

Sikorsky Aims for ‘Jet Smooth’ Helicopter Ride

Sikorsky has revealed performance targets for an active counter-vibration system that could make a helicopter ride “jet smooth,” thanks to actuators that c

Rotorcraft

November 30, 2010

French Helo Lobby Concerned by New Rules

France’s helicopter lobby association, the UFH, is concerned about new rules recently released by the country’s civil aviation authority, the DGAC.

Regulations and Government

November 29, 2010

Schweizer Family Sues Sikorsky

Last week Sikorsky sought to quash a federal lawsuit brought by the Schweizer family that charges the Stratford, Conn.-based company with reneging on the t

Regulations and Government

November 23, 2010

Sikorsky Makes Progress with International S-70i

PZL-Mielec has flown the second Sikorsky S-70i

Aircraft

November 19, 2010

European Helo Operator Rebrands, and will expand

Heliportugal and Groupe SAF, two Portuguese and French operators that quietly merged in 2008, are announcing a common name and expansion plans.

Maintenance and Modifications

November 18, 2010

Chinese Light Turbine Helicopter Achieves First Flight

China-based Avicopter announced on Tuesday the first flight of its first indigenously developed light single-engine helicopter, the AC311, in Tianjin.

Rotorcraft

November 11, 2010

Bristow Wins Major Helo Contract in North Sea

Bristow Helicopters inked a multimillion-dollar, five-year contract with a consortium of oil companies in the North Sea.

Rotorcraft

November 11, 2010

New Restrictions Spark French Helo Lobby Ire

The French helicopter lobby association, UFH, is voicing concern about two new sets of rules recently released by the country’s civil aviation authority, t

Regulations and Government

November 2, 2010

FAA bundles sweeping changes in broad helicopter NPRM

Last month, after years of prodding from the NTSB and extensive consultation with the industry, the FAA issued its much anticipated notice of proposed rule

Regulations and Government

October 27, 2010

Bell ramps up 429 production

Bell Helicopter will have manufactured 33 of its new 429 light twins, sold most of

Rotorcraft

October 27, 2010