Rotorcraft
News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.
Training and Workforce
Bell Valencia Trains Hundreds Annually
Bell 429 simulator at Valencia Spain logs more than 1,000 hours each year
Avionics
Airbus Makes Fully Automated Helicopter Flight
The automated flight technologies are designed to reduce pilot workload
Rotorcraft
Konner Appoints Distributor for Ultralight Helicopters
The Italian company is displaying its K-1 and K-2 models at this week's European Rotors show
Maintenance and Modifications
Airbus Helicopters Continues To Attack Supply-chain Issues
The rotorcraft OEM is buying suppliers, out-of-production aircraft for parts
Finance, Taxes, Insurance
UAE Exits VRT500 Helicopter Partnership
UAE may develop the VRT500 coaxial helicopter independently
Rotorcraft
European Rotors Opening Next Week in Madrid
Rotorcraft show is the largest such event in Europe
Training and Workforce
Bell Delivers 505th Model 505 Turbine Single
Bell 505 now in service on six continents
Rotorcraft
FAA Grants Approval for Thales AStar 4-axis Autopilot
EASA and Transport Canada approvals to follow
Accidents
Compressor Cracks Cited in Canadian Helo Crash
Rolls-Royce is encouraging operators to upgrade to new forged design
Rotorcraft
Schweizer Completes First OEM Certified Helicopter
The program adds new life to older Schweizer helicopters
Finance, Taxes, Insurance
Levl Closes $54M Deal with EMS Operator Avincis
Lobo's joint venture leasing unit closed the deal with Europe's largest air ambulance operator
Regulations and Government
Hansen Helicopters Mx Director Pleads Guilty
Phillip Kapp faced multiple charges including defrauding the FAA and NTSB
Rotorcraft
ARC Resurrects the Avian Pegasus Gyroplane
ARC will begin Pegasus test flights in early 2024 at its facility in Cranfield, UK
Rotorcraft
AW169 Targets Gulf Government Sales
The new skid undercarriage is well-suited to military and government agency applications
Aircraft
Eve Air Mobility Eyes Bangalore as Launchpad for India Operations
India's massive population makes for an deal backdrop
Maintenance and Modifications
FlySight and Centum Integrate SAR Capabilities
Combined SAR solution utilizes cell phone signals
Rotorcraft
Electric Air Taxis Take Flight in New York City
Joby and Volocopter fly their eVTOL prototypes from the Downtown Manhattan Heliport
Aircraft
Russian Knights Lead Dubai Presence
Russia’s aerospace industry is making a rare international appearance in Dubai
Rotorcraft
Bell Delivers First Batch of Forty 505 Helicopters to Korea
Helicopters will be used by Korea's navy and army for primary rotorcraft flight training
Rotorcraft
Korea’s Helicopters Make Dubai Debut
Both helicopters are showing their capabilities in the daily Dubai flying displays
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
UAE Tech Start-up Eanan Unveils Cargo Drones
The company operates in the Mohammed Bin Rashid Aerospace Hub at Dubai South.
Rotorcraft
Flightwin Adding Applications for Unmanned Rotorcraft Family
The FWH-1500 has completed fire suppression and flood relief missions
Regulations and Government
Appeals Court Drops Charges against Hansen Helicopters Chief Pilot
The decision marks a significant development in the ongoing fraud case
Rotorcraft
Skyryse Claims First Automated Autorotation Landing
The company aims to roll out the first production example of its converted R66 helicopter in early 2024
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Rotor Technologies' Uncrewed Helicopter Completes Landmark Flight Campaign
Two R220Y helicopters flew autonomously for more than 20 hours
Safety
Errant Washer Triggers S-92 MGB Leak, Emergency Landing
Norwegian authorities blame emergency S-92 landing on maintenance
Rotorcraft
Life Flight Network Adds Three New Bells to Fleet
Air ambulance provider builds Bell fleet to 32
Maintenance and Modifications
Broken Supply Chain Hobbles Offshore S-92 Operators
Aircraft's dispatch reliability plummets as safety concerns rise
Rotorcraft
GAO: U.S. Guard Helo Pilots Burdened by Limited Flight Hours
Lack of pilot proficiency factors into Guard helicopter accidents examined by the Government Accountability Office
Regulations and Government
Air Ambulance Industry Pushes Back against New VA Rule
Lawsuits, legislation attempt to block new ambulance reimbursement scheme
