Latest from Mark Huber
Airports
Web-based Helo Noise-tracking System Goes Live in L.A.
Allows Los Angeles Basin residents to review and identify helicopter operations and file a noise complaint about them.
Rotorcraft
AIN Blog: Will Sikorsky be sold whole?
The rotorcraft manufacturer is likely a “parts and pieces” sale.
Rotorcraft
More Layoffs at Bell Helicopter
Company laying off 315 more employees and suspending all new external hiring, citing declining production of the V-22 and a softer commercial market.
Regulations and Government
French Court Reverses Course on Bell 429 Skid Patent Row
Bell again denied patent infringement and accused Airbus Helicopters of unfair “legal maneuvering.”
Rotorcraft
Bell Re-Energizes Product Support
Textron unit has a three-pronged plan to keep customer aircraft flying.
Rotorcraft
Ornge Reconsiders AW139 Fleet
The air ambulance service could eventually sell or trade its AW139s.
Accidents
Criminal Charges Mulled in Fatal Helicopter Midair
The crash occurred in Argentina during filming of a French reality television show and killed several French Olympians.
Rotorcraft
Sikorsky Grows Helicopter Engineers in Brazil
Sikorsky is sponsoring the education of rotorcraft engineers in Brazil
Rotorcraft
Roberts Replaces Retiring Rieder at Erickson
Erickson introduces new Jeff Roberts as new CEO
Avionics
FreeFlight Unveils New Radar Altimeter
The new FRA-5500 radar altimeter meets FAA’s new RIN 2120-AJ53 rules
Rotorcraft
Test Pilots Say AW609 is Easy to Fly
AW609 test pilots say neither helicopter, nor fixed-wing pilots will find it hard to transition to flying a tiltrotor.
Rotorcraft
Bristow Orders 17 Airbus H175s
Bristow has added more orders for the Airbus Helicopters H175 medium twin
Maintenance and Modifications
Airbus Boosts Product Support As Market is Squeezed
Airbus Helicopters announced a new customer support policy, including an extended warranty
Maintenance and Modifications
Sifco Unveils Cadmium Travel Kit
Kits are designed to enable touch-up work in the field, including during AOG situations.
Rotorcraft
Avinco Surfs Strong Pre-owned Helicopter Market
The company has added new sales representatives and completed 25 sales last year.
Rotorcraft
Turbomeca Provides Power for New Indian Helicopters
Twin-engine HAL light combat helicopter to be powered by Ardiden 1H1, while HAL light utility helicopter will use Ardiden 1U.
Rotorcraft
Lider and CAE Partner on S-92 Training in Brazil
CAE will train Lider’s S-92 pilots at Sao Paolo’s Congonhas Airport.
Safety
FAA Rotorcraft Safety Conference Set for Next Month
Conference will feature helicopter safety presentations, exhibits and speeches from government and industry representatives.
Rotorcraft
McMurdo Joins International Marine Rescue
IMRF’s project seeks to improve maritime search and rescue capability around the world.
Rotorcraft
Composite Helicopters Pursuing Certified Models
The New Zealand company is moving toward certification of three models of its composite helicopter.
Rotorcraft
NJ Pols take aim at NYC helitours
Attempt underway to restrict heli-tour operations departing from New Jersey airports and heliports.
Rotorcraft
Bristow Group Hits Earnings Turbulence
UK helicopter operator sees lower earnings, but sees opportunity with SAR bases opening.
Rotorcraft
Macquarie Leases Eight More Helicopters
Operators in Trinidad and Mexico are set to receive S-76 and Bell 412EP helicopters.
Rotorcraft
Bristow Commits To Being Partner and Customer for AW609 Civil Tiltrotor
The UK-based operator expects to place a double-digit order for the tiltrotor in 2017.
Rotorcraft
Air Methods Signs Big Order for New Bell 407GXP
A more powerful engine and upgraded G1000H avionics software are featured in the next 407GXP.
Rotorcraft
Robinson Boosts Production as Sales Surge, Strikes Deal for 1,000 Rolls-Royce Turboshafts
Production is back up to eight to nine helicopters per week: one R22, three R66s and four to five R44s.
Rotorcraft
Panalpina Packs Up Helos in Afghanistan
Models shipped by Panalpina included the Bell 212, S-61, AS330J and Columbia 234.
Rotorcraft
Staco Aims Small in Helicopter Market
Company manufactures illuminated panels, subsystems, switches and data-entry solutions.
Rotorcraft
AgustaWestland Continues Upward Trajectory
In 2014, company delivered more than 200 new helicopters and booked orders for more than 230 worth $3.45 billion.
Rotorcraft
AgustaWestland to build AW609 in Philadelphia
The price of the AgustaWestland civil tiltrotor will be comparable with that of super-medium helicopters.
