General Aviation
News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.
Regulations and Government
Covid-19 Brings Changes To HEMS Aircraft, Crews
Covid-19 forces helicopter operators and regulators to make significant changes to air ambulance transports.
Avionics
Aspen Avionics Lowers Multi-display Pricing
Aspen Avionics is offering discounts on the purchase of multiple displays and on safety features.
Rotorcraft
U.S. Air Ambulances Seek $363.5M in Emergency Aid
Air Ambulances Seek $363.5 Million In Emergency Covid-19 Relief
Rotorcraft
EASA Issues Covid-19 Guidance for Helo Ops
EASA has issued guidance for continued helicopter operations in the face of the continuing Covid-19 pandemic.
Maintenance and Modifications
SmartBay Certified on Tecnam P92JS
Operating costs of the SmartBay sensor suite-equipped Tecnam P92JS are about half that of a light helicopter.
Rotorcraft
Helijet Offers Free Flights To Medical Professionals
Responding to the Covid-19 crisis, Helijet is offering free flights to medical professionals in the Vancouver area.
Rotorcraft
Air BP Providing Free Fuel To UK Air Ambulances
Responding to the Covid-19 pandemic, Air BP is providing free jet fuel for a number of UK air ambulance helicopter services.
Avionics
Appareo Unveils Stratus Insight EFB App
The new Insight app from Appareo gives pilots a clearly spelled out transcription of ATC communications.
Safety
Piper Aircraft Opens Face Shield Production Line
The Flordia-based airplane manufacturer established the production line last week after developing a successful prototype.
Rotorcraft
Covid-19 Shutters London Heliport
The London Heliport at Battersea is closed until at least April 13.
Rotorcraft
German Medevac Transports Patients In Special Isolettes
German helicopter air ambulance service DRF Luftrettung will begin transporting Covid-19 patients in “EpiShuttles” this week to protect patients and crew.
Rotorcraft
Leonardo Dedicating Aircraft, Plants To Covid-19 Fight
Leonardo is using fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters to aid Italian authorities in the country’s ongoing struggle against Covid-19.
Rotorcraft
Bristow Flying Covid-19 Patients
Bristow Group is transporting suspected Covid-19 patients in specially-configured helicopters.
Training and Workforce
Leonardo To Offer RUAS Training
Leonardo is expanding its training offerings to include rotorcraft UAS.
Rotorcraft
How Garmin’s GFC 600H Flight Control System Makes Flying a Helicopter a lot Easier - AIN
How Garmin’s GFC 600H Flight Control System Makes Flying a Helicopter a lot Easier - AIN
Rotorcraft
Covid-19 Grounds Helitour Operators
The Covid-19 crisis has shut down helitour operations from New York to Hawai.
Rotorcraft
Maryland PD Marks 50 Years of Medevacs
The Maryland State Police Aviation Command marked the 50th anniversary of its first civilian medevac mission.
Rotorcraft
Blade Offers Delivery Service During Covid-19 Crisis
Blade is offering delivery service from New York City to the surrounding areas including the Hamptons during the Covid-19 crisis.
Rotorcraft
Chilean Terrorists Allegedly Torch Air Crane
An arson attack destroyed the cockpit of an Erickson Air Crane on station in Chile.
Training and Workforce
Preventing Aircraft Loss of Control with Expanded Envelope Exercises - AIN
Preventing Aircraft Loss of Control with Expanded Envelope Exercises - AIN
Sun 'n' Fun Pushes Back Annual Event by One Month
The annual light general aviation show, for now, is scheduled to be held May 5-10 in Lakeland, Florida.
Rotorcraft
FAA to Helo Pilots: 'HOWI' the Weather?
The FAA’s Helicopter Operations Weather Information (HOWI) project aims to identify gaps and shortfalls associated with weather information.
Rotorcraft
Guardian Flight Brings Helo Air Ambulance To Alaska
Global Medical Response (GMR) unit Guardian Flight will open its first Alaska rotor wing base at Kenai.
Engines
Safran Eyes Aviation Biofuel Production in France
Safran Helicopter Engines is studying the feasibility of producing aviation biofuels in southwest France.
Rotorcraft
Bristow Partners With Schiebel for UK SAR
Helicopter operator Bristow has partnered with Schiebel to conduct the first trial in the UK of unmanned aircraft for maritime and land search and rescue.
Aero Friedrichshafen Postponed Amid Virus Effects
The postponed Aero Friedrichshafen show in April is set to be rescheduled at a later date.
Maintenance and Modifications
New Blades Certified for Air Crane
Erickson has received FAA certification approval for its new composite main rotor blades for the S-64E Air Crane.
Advanced Air Mobility: The Next Evolution in Aviation?
New technologies are currently being developed that have potential for a transformative impact.
Aviation Talent Shortage: The Time to Act is Now
There’s growing concern about the state of the aviation talent pool.
