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.
Avionics
New Garmin Portable Adds Approach Overlays
Garmin's new aera 760 portable GPS navigator adds many avionics-like features in a compact 7-inch display.
Rotorcraft
U.S. Helo Safety Team Offers Case Studies for Survival
The U.S. Helicopter Safety Team has released a new recommended practice training guide to mitigate risks, including plans based on real acccidents.
Rotorcraft
Airbus Helicopters Grows Revenues, Profits in 1Q20
Improved earnings on the military side of the helicopter business have balanced disappointing news from the struggling oil and gas sector.
Maintenance and Modifications
Maintenance Trainer Adopts Online Learning
Fulcrum Labs and Aviation Institute of Maintenance have partnered to offer more online training for A&P mechanic students.
Rotorcraft
Bell 525 Edges Closer To Certification
Bell recently completed noise testing on its 525 super-medium twin.
Accidents
Huey Crash Kills Former L.A. Newscopter Pilot
Chip Paige was killed when a 1969 Bell UH-1H crashed into a Mesa, Arizona park.
Training and Workforce
Agreement Could Help Diamond Aircraft's Worker Pipeline
Diamond Aircraft Industries and Centennial College have agreed to collaborate in several areas such as student work placements.
Rotorcraft
U.S. Air Ambulance Industry Asks for Another $816M
Air ambulance bailout would cover estimated losses for the next six months.
Accidents
NTSB Releases Factual Report on Halladay Accident
The NTSB factual report on the fatal crash of baseball player Roy Halladay's Icon A5 found nothing wrong with the airplane.
Rotorcraft
Helo Operators Increase Use of Safety Tools
International Helicopter Safety Foundation survey shows marked increase in the use of best practice safety tools.
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.
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.
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
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.
Safety
Piper Aircraft Opens Face Shield Production Line
The Flordia-based airplane manufacturer established the production line last week after developing a successful prototype.
Avionics
Appareo Unveils Stratus Insight EFB App
The new Insight app from Appareo gives pilots a clearly spelled out transcription of ATC communications.
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
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
Covid-19 Grounds Helitour Operators
The Covid-19 crisis has shut down helitour operations from New York to Hawai.
Rotorcraft
Chilean Terrorists Allegedly Torch Air Crane
An arson attack destroyed the cockpit of an Erickson Air Crane on station in Chile.
