Rotorcraft

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

Accidents

EMS Helo Crashes after Other Companies Decline Flight

All three crew killed in crash of Survival Flight Bell 407 in Ohio.

Rotorcraft

Airbus, Helisim Break Ground On Texas Training Center

$40 million helicopter training facility will include new Thales full-motion simulators.

Rotorcraft

Leonardo Opens Helicopter Support Facility in Louisiana

Leonardo Gulf Coast Support Center will include blade repair shop, parts warehouse.

Rotorcraft

Leonardo Encouraged by Navair Helicopter Trainer RFP

Leonardo thinks its TH-119 single is a more cost effective training helicopter for the U.S. Navy.

Rotorcraft

Erickson Aircrane Lost in Australia, Crew Safe

An Erickson Aircrane crashed near a dam while firefighting in Victoria.

Rotorcraft

ASG Sees Mixed Global Helo Market, Lights on Upswing

In the pre-owned market in Asia, prices have held steady but inventory has increased.

Rotorcraft

Bell V-280 Valor Tiltrotor Reaches 280 Knots

Bell V-280 hit target maximum speed after 13 months of flight testing.

Rotorcraft

Tax Credit Floated for Crash-resistant HEMS Fuel Tanks

Colorado congressmen propose a 10 percent tax credit against the cost of installing crash resistant fuel systems in EMS helicopters.

Rotorcraft

Airbus Helicopters' Orders Surge, Deliveries Fall

Orders are up, but deliveries are down for Airbus Helicopters in 2018.

Rotorcraft

Ansat Helo Certified for High-altitude Operations

Russian light twin helicopter now approved for takeoff and landing at altitudes up to 3,500 meters.

Rotorcraft

Bell's Singapore Center Gets Chinese Nod

China approval covers MRO work on the Bell 206, 407, and 429

Rotorcraft

Dispelling Common Misconceptions on Vortex Ring

Canada's helicopter training manual distinguishes between vortex ring and other situations.

Rotorcraft

More Offshore Spending Good News for Helo Operators

After years of decline, spending on offshore energy projects is expected to grow faster than onshore in 2019

Rotorcraft

Helicopter Instructor Sal Disi Dies in Cart Start Accident

Disi was a long-time fixture in the Tampa area aviation community.

Rotorcraft

Activist Investor Threatens Bristow-Columbia Deal

Investor says proposed Bristow-Columbia deal is unfair to current shareholders.

Rotorcraft

Air Ambulances Caught in Health Insurance Downwash

Private carriers routinely denying air ambulance claims

Rotorcraft

Bell 525s Fly North for the Winter

Pair of Bell 525s to engage in more cold weather testing near the Arctic Circle

Rotorcraft

Veteran Helo Operator Makes Case for Cockpit Cameras

Phoenix Heli-Flight Chief says cockpit cams save money, improve safety

Rotorcraft

New Helicopters for Indonesia’s Army and Air Force

Local contractor PT DI has associations with Airbus and Bell, and will built or outfit the new H225Ms and 412EPIs that have been ordered

Rotorcraft

Indian Army Set To Receive Apaches

While the debate over who will operate India's growing attack helicopter force continues, the Army Aviation Corps is looking forward to receiving Apaches

Rotorcraft

Green Power HUMS Wins STC for Bell 407GX/GXP

Green Power's Foresight MX lightweight HUMS system has been approved for installation on select Bell 407 models.

Rotorcraft

Checklist Creep Adds Complexity

The proliferation of checklists is yielding detail saturation and skill deterioration due to dependency, say some users.

Rotorcraft

Bell Unveils Nexus Air Taxi Concept at CES

Bell’s proposed solution for urban air mobility has a name, configuration and a team of partners aimed at bringing the Nexus to service by the mid-2020s.