Rotorcraft
News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.
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.
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.
Rotorcraft
Passenger Nearly Crashes Helitour Flight
A viral video shows a passenger reaching for the rotor brake.
Rotorcraft
Texas Aerospace Named European HeliSAS distributor
Genesys Aerosystems entered an agreement with Texas Aerospace Technologies to expand its HeliSAS distribution into European markets.
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
Helicopter Operator Bristow Highlights Sustainability
Helicopter services company Bristow has released its second annual report detailing its commitment to sustainability.
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.
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.
Rotorcraft
Leonardo Adds Distributors for AW09
Leonardo expects its AW09 single-engine helicopter to enter serial rate production in 2024.
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.
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.
Rotorcraft
Sikorsky CEO Vows Continued Support for Discontinued S-76 Helicopters
Paul Lemmo said Sikorsky would continue product support for S-76 and seek customers for the S-92A+.
Rotorcraft
Bristow Lands Irish Search and Rescue Contract
Bristow will provide helicopter search and rescue service for the Irish Coast Guard.
Aircraft
Piasecki Develops Hydrogen Helicopter at Sikorsky Factory
Piasecki Aircraft has acquired the former Sikorsky helicopter factory in Coatesville, Pennsylvania, and will use it to develop VTOL aircraft.
Charter & Fractional
India Expands Emergency Medical Flight Network
The Indian government plans to build hundreds of helipads along highways that could be used by helicopters, drones, and new eVTOL aircraft.
Rotorcraft
Hill Helicopters Order Book Tops 800
Hill Helicopters will unveil its first completed HX50 helicopter to the public in December.
Fuel
Weststar Signs for Five More Leonardos
A Weststar AW139 became the first SAF-fueled helicopter to fly in Malaysia .
Rotorcraft
Sloane Ups Leonardo AW109 Orders
Leonardo and its UK/Ireland dealership continue to achieve good sales in UK and Ireland, with the AW109 family leading the way.
Rotorcraft
Blade To Operate New Jersey Helistop
Blade Urban Air Mobility will operate the helistop in Jersey City's Newport neighborhood.
Rotorcraft
Airbus Corporate Helicopters Posts Record Annual Sales
ACH’s latest product, the ACH160, is leading the way for sales efforts, which have achieved significant success with other models from the range.
Environment
EASA Proposes Noise Standards for eVTOLs
EASA is proposing using heavy helicopter noise limits for eVTOLs until it can gather more data on the new vehicles to refine these standards.
Charter & Fractional
New ACA Board Member To Boost Rotary Representation
Alana Burns has led Atlas Helicopters to become one of the UK’s leading helicopter charter companies.
Charter & Fractional
Europe Key to Blade's Passenger Growth
Europe has become Blade Air Mobility's largest market.
Maintenance and Modifications
Leonardo Helicopters Plans Agusta-branded Service Centers
Dedicated service centers are the latest part of Leonardo's rollout of the Agusta luxury helicopter brand.
Rotorcraft
Bell Touts 525 Super-medium Helicopter for North Sea Ops
Bell sees its in-development 525 super-medium as the right helicopter for North Sea operators.
Avionics
Meridian Helicopters Completes 25th Bell 206L Refurb
Meridian Helicopters completed its 25th Bell 206L upgrade and delivered the custom-refurbished aircraft to Clearview Air.
Maintenance and Modifications
Boost HEC System for Airbus AStar Helos Gets EASA Nod
Boost Systems has received EASA STC approval for its human external cargo system for the Airbus H125 family of helicopters.
Regulations and Government
Erickson Air Crane Gets FAA Night Vision Goggle Approval
Erickson will begin NVG night-time firefighting operations with its Air Cranes
Rotorcraft
Babcock Awarded $192M Australian SAR Contract
Babcock Leonardo AW139s will provide medevac and search and rescue services to Australia's Queensland area.
