Rotorcraft

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

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.
30th Street heliport in New York City with helicopter on the pad and another incoming for landing
Rotorcraft

Hirschberg Stepping Down at Vertical Flight Society

Mike Hirschberg said he plans to step down as executive director of the Vertical Flight Society.
Vertical Flight Society executive director Mike Hirschberg.
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.
Guatemalan military personnel cut ribbon in front of Bell 412EPX during a ceremony at a ceremony at La Aurora International Airport
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.
Bell 407 in flight
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.
Helicopters on helipad at the West 30th Street heliport in New York City
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
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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.
Blade helicopters at heliport in NYC, one coming in for landing
Avionics

Congresswoman Flies Helicopter with Pilot Assist System

Skyryse's FlightOS system enables almost anyone to fly a helicopter with almost no training.
U.S. Rep. Julia Brownley (D-Calif.) flying Skyryse FlightOS-equipped automated Robinson R44 helicopter
Avionics

Rotor Tech's 'Cloud Pilot' Flies Uncrewed R22 Helo

Rotor Technologies hopes to apply its remotely-operated aircraft technology to aerial firefighting.
Robinson R22 helicopter takes off uncrewed at the FAA’s unmanned aircraft systems test site using Rotor Technologies "Cloud Pilot" operating system.
Maintenance and Modifications

Alpine's New Bear Paws Approved for AStars

Alpine Aerotech's Bear Paws have received Transport Canada STC approval.
Alpine Aerotech Bear Paw for H125 helicopter
Rotorcraft

Reconstituted Enstrom Gains FAA Production Certificate

Enstrom plans to restart helicopter deliveries next year
Enstrom 480B
Rotorcraft

Atlanta Police Department Upgrades to MD 530F

The Atlanta Police Department will purchase two MD 530F helicopters and upgrade its MD 500E.
MD 500E Helicopter operated by the Atlanta Police Department in hangar on tow cart
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.
Bristow Leonardo AW139 in flight
Aircraft

Airbus Helicopters Expands Middle Eastern Market Inroads

Airbus Helicopters announces new sales and service deals during MEBAA Show.
Airbus Helicopters H130 in flight
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.
Bell V-280 Valor tiltrotor airccraft in flight
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
separated tailboom from a Bell 407 which crashed in June in Hawaii
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.
Overhead view of Erickson S-64 Air Crane on airport ramp at sunset
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.
Rega Air Rescue Service Helicopter in flight over mountains in Swiss Alps
Regulations and Government

The "No Surprises Act" is a License To Steal

The federal "No Surprises Act" places the air ambulance industry in financial peril, according to the Association of Air Medical Services.
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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.
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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.
Rotorcraft

Airbus Launches 'DisruptiveLab' Demo Helicopter

Airbus's latest helicopter is a flying laboratory designed to test technologies to cut carbon emissions and noise.
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Maintenance and Modifications

BLR FastFin Certified for Black Hawk Helicopters

BLR Aerospace has received FAA STC approval for its patented FastFin system for the Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter.
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Rotorcraft

Bell Logs More Than 230,000 Flight Training Hours

The Bell Training Academy has exceeded 230,000 flight training hours and trained over 130,000 pilots from more than 135 countries.
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Rotorcraft

UK Sending Retired Sea Kings to Ukraine

British government to provide trio of retired Westland WS-61 Sea King helicopters to Ukraine.
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Maintenance and Modifications

ASU Snags Night Vision Contract from Brazil Government

Aviation Specialties Unlimited was awarded a contract to supply night vision equipment to military and government customers in Brazil.
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Accidents

Bell 407 Tail Boom Separation Prompts FAASTeam Caution

Bell 407 operators are advised to torque check tail boom attachment hardware following a June in-flight separation accident.
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Regulations and Government

Australian Army Helicopter Ignited Massive Brushfire

Australian coroner's court is investigating a 2020 Orroral Valley bushfire, which was started by army helicopter’s search light.
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Rotorcraft

March to More Electric Rotorcraft Continues

AVX Aircraft wins Department of Defense contract to develop all-electric flight control system for helicopters.
Rotorcraft

Airo Group Expands Scope For eVTOL Operations and Prepares To Go Public

Airo Group Expands Scope For eVTOL Operations and Prepares To Go Public
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