Rotorcraft

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

Rotorcraft

Airbus H145 a Popular Choice for European Air Ambulances

The five-blade Airbus Helicopters H145 is gaining traction with European air ambulance operators.

Norwegian Air Ambulance Airbus H145D3 helicopter

Rotorcraft

Sikorsky Pushes X2 For NATO NextGen Rotorcraft

Sikorsky has teamed with Leonardo to investigate its compound helicopter technology for NATO's Next Generation Rotorcraft Capability program.

Rotorcraft

Autonomy Is Key for Fast Aerial Firefighting Response

Rain Industries is developing autonomous capabilities for aerial firefighting helicopters.

Aircraft

Boeing Brings Full Portfolio to Paris

Boeing says its upcoming airplane models will help pave the way to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

Regulations and Government

CHC Challenges Irish Coast Guard SAR Award

CHC is challenging Ireland's award of a $715 million Coast Guard search-and-rescue contract to Bristow Group.

Irish Coast Guard search and rescue helicopter in flight over ocean

Accidents

Air Crane Lands on Pickup Truck

An Erickson S-64E Skycrane used the bed of a pickup truck as a landing surface after its right gear detached in flight.

Erickson S-64E Skycrane in flight near mountains hauling log on hoist

Rotorcraft

Military Variant of Leonardo AW609 Appears Likely

The U.S. Army's contract award to Bell to develop its V-280 tiltrotor for an assault aircraft raises speculation of the AW609's use as an escort vehicle.

Avionics

Air Maestro Merges With Spidertracks

Combined companies Air Maestro and Spidertracks will provide comprehensive SMS and flight tracking software and hardware solutions.

view from helicopter flight deck in flight over city

Engines

Safran Aims To Double Helicopter Engine Production

Safran Helicopter Engines' new CEO says the company will double annual production to 1,000 units in 2024.

Safran plans to double its engine manufacturing output in 2024.

Rotorcraft

First Production Grey Wolf in Final Assembly

Final assembly of the first production USAF Boeing-Leonardo MH-139A helicopter has begun.

Fuel

China Flies First Helo with SAF

China's State Grid Space Technology has flown an Airbus H125 with a 40 percent sustainable aviation fuel mixture.

An Airbus H125 has become the first helicopter to make an SAF-powered flight in China.

Regulations and Government

FAA Floats Certification Path for Leonardo AW609 Tiltrotor

The FAA is seeking public comment on certification standards it has developed for the Leonardo AW609 civil tiltrotor.

Leonardo AW609 tiltrotor in flight over company hangar

Rotorcraft

Passenger Nearly Crashes Helitour Flight

A viral video shows a passenger reaching for the rotor brake.

A viral video shows a passenger reaching for a rotor brake during helitour flight

Rotorcraft

Texas Aerospace Named European HeliSAS distributor

Genesys Aerosystems entered an agreement with Texas Aerospace Technologies to expand its HeliSAS distribution into European markets.

Genesys HeliSAS system installed in helicopter with pilot pressing button

Avionics

Garmin GI275 Approved for Bell, Robinson Helos

Garmin's GI275 digital flight instrument has received FAA STC approval for installation in Bell 407 and Robinson R66 helicopters.

Rotorcraft

Bell Expands European Inroads

Bell is growing its European 505 fleet and adding Valencia training-center options.

Rotorcraft

Bell Logs First Turkish 407GXi Helicopter Sale

Sancak Air's CEO Mustafa Bayrak will use the GXi for private trips, piloting the single-engine rotorcraft himself and expanding the company's Bell fleet.

Bell 407GXi helicopter in flight over mountainous region

ATC

India Trials Gagan Satnav System on Helicopter Routes

India is deploying its own GPS-aided Geo-augmented satellite-based navigation system, starting with low-level rotorcraft routes.

Poonawalla Aviation flew its Airbus H145 aircraft using India's new GAGAN satellite-based navigation system.

Rotorcraft

Leonardo Adds Distributors for AW09

Leonardo expects its AW09 single-engine helicopter to enter serial rate production in 2024.

Rotorcraft

Helicopter Operator Bristow Highlights Sustainability

Helicopter services company Bristow has released its second annual report detailing its commitment to sustainability.

Regulations and Government

HAI Slams Parks Air Tour Plans for South Dakota and Hawaii

The Helicopter Association International is urging members to strongly oppose draft air tour management plans at four national parks.

Blue Hawaiian Helicopter tour in flight near a waterfall in Hawaiian Islands

Rotorcraft

Bell Sells Six 407GXi Helicopters to Argentina for SAR

Argentina’s Ministry of Defense has signed a contract to take six Bell 407GXi helicopters which will be used to assist with search and rescue missions.