Mark Huber is an aviation industry veteran who has worked in the flight training, aircraft sales, aircraft component, and airport development businesses. He has flight time in more than 50 different and diverse aircraft, including helicopters, aerobatic aircraft, vintage warbirds, jet fighters, business jets and turboprops, and transport-category aircraft. He has jumped out of several of these—on purpose—with a parachute. His defense and aviation journalism has been published in a variety of national and international periodicals.

Contributor

Mark Huber

Bell Helicopter will officially dedicate its new 82,300-sq-ft assembly plant for the 505 Jet Ranger X light single in Lafayette, La., on Friday, August 28. The facility is expected to have up to 100 employees.

 


The 505 is approximately halfway through its flight-test program and the company said the aircraft remains on track to earn Transport Canada certification early next year. The first two flight-test vehicles have surpassed 300 flight hours and recently completed hot testing in Havasu, Ariz., and high-altitude testing in Colorado.

 


A third flight-test vehicle made its first flight on July 16. That aircraft is currently being used for certification, noise and handling qualities testing. It is also heavily configured with optional equipment such as Tcas, air conditioning, standby flight instruments and a second VHF radio. It will finish its certification testing near the end of the year with certification function-and-reliability testing.

 


Bell currently reports orders for more than 350 copies of the Jet Ranger X, which features the dual-channel Fadec Turbomeca Arrius 2R engine (504 shp) and Garmin G1000H avionics. Configurations available initially will be utility, law enforcement and corporate/VIP.

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

Bell To Open Jet Ranger X Facility, Reports on Progress

Bell 505 is approximately halfway through its flight-test program and is on track to gain Transport Canada certification by year-end.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

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Issues regarding financing of aircraft; aviation insurance; tax issues for aircraft operators; new companies and people in the aviation financing and insurance industries.

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.

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.

Commercial helicopter deliveries jump to 29 units as FLRAA program drives military growth

Bell Revenues Surge 35% in First Quarter

New developments and products in avionics, specifically about aircraft electronics in the cockpit.

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.

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.

HUMS will enable in-flight exceedance detection and immediate alerting functionality

Skytrac and Sikorsky Partner on Next-gen HUMS for S-92s

Charles Alcock

News about simulators and training procedures, as well as workforce.

Helicopter has been used for patient transfer missions in British Columbia

Helijet Gifts S-76A for Medical Flights in Ukraine 

Amy Wilder

News about environmental issues relating to aircraft operations, including noise issues, emissisions, and regulations. See Fuel for biofuel.

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

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The venerable helicopter manufacturer is looking at expanding its portfolio.

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