VVIP cabin adds premium finishes, lighting, and storage features

Bell Textron launched more luxury interior options for the Bell 429, marking the latest upgrade in the Designer Series offerings for the light-twin helicopter.

VVIP Interior Added as Option for Bell 429 Designer Series

Upgraded rotorcraft delivers significantly improved performance

The MD 564 will have a 400-nm range and 4-hour endurance with main and auxiliary fuel.

MD Helicopters Unveils 6-bladed MD 564 Utility Helicopter

Nomad 100, U-Hawk, and HEX set to soar

The Nomad 100 VTOL drone, the U-Hawk autonomous Black Hawk derivative, and the HEX tilt-wing VTOL tech demonstrator are progressing toward first flight in 2026.

Three Sikorsky Demonstrators Target First Flights in 2026

Orders are up 5.1% compared to 2024

On Leonardo’s civil side, sales for offshore operations are doing well, as are EMS and corporate and VIP transportation. 

Leonardo Maintains Growth Trajectory in All Segments

Verticon 2026 Day 1

Verticon 2026 Day 2

VAI Convention

News from Verticon 2026

Verticon 2026

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Charlotte Bailey

Matt Thurber

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

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Prototypes have been retired, and industrialization phase moves forward

Leonardo’s Production AW09 Leading Flight-test Program

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

Around 60% of facility to be redeveloped via €230 million investment

Substantial Airbus Marignane Site Expansion Underway

Curt Epstein

Ever more vertical integration is the mantra for this manufacturer

Robinson Preps Torrance Factory for R88 Production

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

Fourth prototype, the program’s first aircraft built in full serial configuration, set to join the fleet this year 

H140 Powering through Flight Testing  

Amy Wilder

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

Standards exist, but ops drive exposure

Bird Strikes: The Rotorcraft Operating Reality

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

23 British-built AW149s to help safeguard sovereign manufacturing capability 

Leonardo Wins UK Contract for New Medium Helicopter

Jessica Reed

“This year’s honorees represent the discipline, judgment, and consistency that define top-tier operations”

VAI 2026 Salute to Excellence Awards Recognize Top Performers

Company showcases turboprops as cost-effective, high-endurance surveillance platforms

Daher Touts Kodiaks’ Public Safety Bonafides at Verticon

Charles Alcock

News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

Alpha Metalcraft Group is in talks with eVTOL aircraft developers 

Direct Plating Could Reduce Rotor Blade Cost and Weight

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.