Rotorcraft
News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.
Avionics
FAA Approves Garmin GI 275 Instrument for AStars
Garmin has received FAA supplemental type certificate approval to install its GI 275 electronic flight instrument in Airbus AStar helicopters.
Rotorcraft
Airbus Helicopters Completes Buy of German MRO, Supplier
ZF Luftfahrttechnik—which was acquired by Airbus Helicopters—has delivered more than 10,000 gearboxes.
Accidents
Four Dead in Australian Helicopter Midair
Four dead, nine injured after pair of Airbus EC-130B4 air tour helicopters collide near Australian theme park
Accidents
Gulf Operator Loses Second Helicopter in Two Weeks
The U.S. Coast Guard has called off the search for survivors from a Bell 407 operated by Rotorcraft Leasing, which has now had three crashes in 2022.
Rotorcraft
Sikorsky Challenging FLRAA Award
Lockheed Martin's Sikorsky unit is challenging Bell's win of the Army's award of the Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft contract to Bell.
Maintenance and Modifications
Robinson Mandates Tail Rotor Inspections, Replacements
Loose tail rotor tips prompted a Robinson service bulletin affecting all of its helicopter models.
Rotorcraft
Leonardo to Upgrade Canada’s Cormorant SAR Helicopter Fleet
The upgrade has been planned for a decade, but initially delayed on cost grounds, and will now expand the fleet in terms of both capability and numbers.
Rotorcraft
Leonardo Delivers First of 36 AW169M Twins To Austria
Austria is replacing its Alouette fleet with Leonardo AW169Ms, the first of 18 of which was delivered this morning.
Maintenance and Modifications
KULR Vibe AI Technology Mitigates Helicopter Vibrations
KULR Vibe technology utilizes artificial intelligence and on-aircraft sensors to mitigate helicopter vibrations.
Rotorcraft
Metro Aviation Achieves FAA's Fully-compliant SMS
Metro Aviation was an early participant in the FAA's safety management system pilot project.
Accidents
Transport Canada Mandates Bell 407 Tail Boom Checks
Transport Canada issued an airworthiness directive mandating torque checks and visual inspections on Bell 407 tail booms following in-flight separation.
Regulations and Government
NY Legislators Push To Close West 30th Street Heliport
New efforts to limit helicopter traffic over New York are expected following Gov. Kathy Hochul's veto last week of 'Stop the Chop' act.
Rotorcraft
Bell Delivers Two 412EPX Helicopters To Guatemala
In a ceremony marking the 101st anniversary of the Guatemalan Air Force, Bell delivered two Subaru Bell 412EPX helicopters.
Rotorcraft
Hirschberg Stepping Down at Vertical Flight Society
Mike Hirschberg said he plans to step down as executive director of the Vertical Flight Society.
Regulations and Government
New York Governor Vetoes Helicopter Noise Bill
Hochul cites federal preemption in vetoing the "Stop the Chop' Act, which would have allowed anyone to sue operators and others over helicopter noise.
Aircraft
How a Zero Carbon Electric Helicopter Could Save Lives and the Planet
How a Zero Carbon Electric Helicopter Could Save Lives and the Planet
Rotorcraft
Reconstituted Enstrom Gains FAA Production Certificate
Enstrom plans to restart helicopter deliveries next year
Environment
New York Governor Urged To Veto Helicopter Noise Bill
New York's "Stop The Chop" act would unleash torrent of civil suits against helicopter operators.
Avionics
Congresswoman Flies Helicopter with Pilot Assist System
Skyryse's FlightOS system enables almost anyone to fly a helicopter with almost no training.
Maintenance and Modifications
Alpine's New Bear Paws Approved for AStars
Alpine Aerotech's Bear Paws have received Transport Canada STC approval.
Avionics
Rotor Tech's 'Cloud Pilot' Flies Uncrewed R22 Helo
Rotor Technologies hopes to apply its remotely-operated aircraft technology to aerial firefighting.
Rotorcraft
Atlanta Police Department Upgrades to MD 530F
The Atlanta Police Department will purchase two MD 530F helicopters and upgrade its MD 500E.
Rotorcraft
Bristow Expands Leonardo Fleet For UK SAR
Bristow Group is expanding its Leonardo fleet with the purchase of six AW139 helicopters to support its UKSAR2G contract.
Rotorcraft
Erickson Delivers Eighth Air Crane to South Korea
The Korean Forest Service took delivery of its eighth Erickson S-64 Air Crane on December 3rd.
Accidents
Bell 407 Tail Booms To Get Fresh Scrutiny
NTSB calls on FAA to impose stricter inspection regime after Bell 407 in-flight tail boom separation
Aircraft
U.S. Selects Bell's V-280 Valor Tiltrotor For New Assault Aircraft
Bell's V-280 Valor tiltrotor technology beats Sikorsky and Boeing in battle to replace up to 4,000 Black Hawks for the U.S. Army.
Aircraft
Airbus Helicopters Expands Middle Eastern Market Inroads
Airbus Helicopters announces new sales and service deals during MEBAA Show.
Rotorcraft
Switzerland's Rega Orders 12 More Airbus H145s
Rega—a helicopter emergency medical services provider in Switzerland—will operate 21 Airbus H145 helicopters by 2021.
Rotorcraft
Electric Charging For eVTOL Aircraft Is Different From Cars
When it comes to battery charging, you can't treat an eVTOL aircraft like a Tesla car, says Australia's Electro.
Finance, Taxes, Insurance
Milestone Places S-92s With China's CITIC
Helicopter lessor Milestone has placed a pair of Sikorsky S-92s with China's CITIC Offshore Helicopter.
