Rotorcraft
News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.
Maintenance and Modifications
Airbus Delivers First U.S. ACH130 Helicopter
ACH teases new interior design for 2023
Regulations and Government
Federal Air Mobility Coordination Act Becomes Law
The legislation mandates federal interagency coordination in support of advanced air mobility.
Aircraft
Leonardo AW609 Tiltrotor Makes NBAA-BACE Debut
Leonardo's AW609 tiltrotor is being shown at NBAA-BACE for the first time, while flight of first production aircraft is "imminent."
Aircraft
Airbus Corporate Helicopters Turns Five
Marking its fifth anniversary, Airbus Corporate Helicopters displays its top-selling yacht-friendly helicopter and a cabin mockup of its new ACH160.
Avionics
Helicopter Institute Selects FreeFlight's Altimeters
FreeFlight Systems is equipping Helicopter Institute's fleet with its 5G-tolerant Terrain-series radar altimeters.
Rotorcraft
European Rotors Seeing Exhibitor Jump over First Event
European Rotors has attracted more than 200 exhibitors so far, a 25 percent increase from the inaugural event in 2021.
Accidents
Police Helicopter Crash Stumps NTSB
The fatal May 2, 2020 crash of a Houston police helicopter occurred after an uncommanded right yaw, resulting in a loss of control.
Rotorcraft
Airbus Helicopters Strengthens Korea Ties
Airbus Helicopters and Korea Aerospace Industries have delivered the first jointly-produced light civil helicopter.
Regulations and Government
FAA OKs Night-vision Goggles for Robinson R66
Florida's Polk County Sheriff's Office will receive the first Robinson R66 helicopter fitted with night vision goggles.
Regulations and Government
GAMA Head Decries 'Broken' FAA
Pete Bunce says FAA reform is needed for U.S. aerospace to remain competitive.
Rotorcraft
FAA Certification Chief Promotes FBW in Light Rotorcraft
FAA's Lirio Liu hails the potential of fly-by-wire in light rotorcraft as 'a major advancement.'
Regulations and Government
EASA To Revise Helo EMS Operational Rules
EASA is raising the bar for helicopter emergency medical service operations in Europe, with new rules to take effect by mid-2023.
Aircraft
Hyundai’s Supernal Division Unveils Its S-A1 eVTOL Aircraft
Hyundai’s Supernal Division Unveils Its S-A1 eVTOL Aircraft
Rotorcraft
Sheriff Calls Helicopters 'Flying Dinosaurs'
Hamilton County Ohio plans to replace outdated MD-series 500 sheriff helicopters with drones.
Rotorcraft
HAI Slams National Parks Air Tour Plan
HAI president James Viola believes a proposed parks overflight plan could put air tour operators out of business.
Rotorcraft
Baldwin Becomes Accepted Vendor For R-ASIAS
Rotorcraft Aviation Safety Information Analysis and Sharing (R-ASIAS) mirrors safety reporting programs developed for fixed-wing aircraft.
Rotorcraft
First Navy Class Begins Training in Leonardo TH-73A
Student naval aviators will now train in the Leonardo TH-73A Thrasher.
Accidents
AW139 Makes Emergency Landing in Louisiana
All survive after a Bristow medevac flight experiences cockpit smoke and loss of flight controls, resulting in an emergency landing in southern Louisiana.
Rotorcraft
Accident Board Takes Fresh Issue with S-92 Main Gearbox
Issues with Vespel spline adapters continue to overhang S-92 main gearboxes.
Rotorcraft
French Navy Receives First Airbus H160 for SAR Duties
Six civilian-standard helicopters are being taken into service by the Marine Nationale in advance of the first deliveries of militarized H160Ms.
Rotorcraft
Helo Market Expected To Grow to $41 Billion by 2027
Growth will be driven by the demand for light helicopters, greater aftermarket demand, and the commercialization of UAM and eVTOL aircraft.
Rotorcraft
Brazilian Military Orders 27 Airbus H125s
The order for 27 Airbus H125 helicopters will be used by the Brazilian air force and navy flight training programs.
Regulations and Government
Hansen CEO Walker Remanded into Custody
Hansen Helicopters CEO John Walker was remanded into custody on Monday after judge expressed concerns about 'getting burned.'
Regulations and Government
USAF Grey Wolf Advances Toward Deployment
The FAA STCs clear the path for the Boeing-Leonardo MH-139A helicopter's operational testing.
Rotorcraft
Poland Plans to Acquire Large Apache Guardian Fleet
If all the planned 96 AH-64Es are purchased it will make the Polish army the second biggest Apache operator after the U.S. Army.
Regulations and Government
Hansen Helicopters, CEO Walker Guilty on All Counts
Prosecutor: Case 'about greed.'
Accidents
Fatal Bell 212 Crash Tied To Defective Pin
Canada’s Transportation Safety Board has linked the fatal crash of a 1979 Bell 212 to the failure of a main rotor blade hub strap retaining pin.
Rotorcraft
Bristow Wins Equinor SAR Contract
Bristow will provide a trio of SAR-configured Sikorsky S-92s to Norway's state-owned energy company.
Rotorcraft
MD Helicopters Emerges from Bankruptcy
MD Helicopters's assets have been acquired by a new operating company and it has appointed a new board, CEO, and senior executives.
Engines
XL Aerospace Develops New Fuel Nozzle Test Stand
The XL Aerospace fuel nozzle test stand's configuration supports a range of Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6C/T, PW206, and PW207 turboshaft engines.
