Rotorcraft

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

Latest

Air Crane Lands on Pickup Truck

An Erickson S-64E Skycrane used the bed of a pickup truck as a landing surface after its right gear detached in flight.

Accidents

June 15, 2023

Military Variant of Leonardo AW609 Appears Likely

The U.S. Army's contract award to Bell to develop its V-280 tiltrotor for an assault aircraft raises speculation of the AW609's use as an escort vehicle.

Rotorcraft

June 13, 2023

Air Maestro Merges With Spidertracks

Combined companies Air Maestro and Spidertracks will provide comprehensive SMS and flight tracking software and hardware solutions.

Avionics

June 13, 2023

Safran Aims To Double Helicopter Engine Production

Safran Helicopter Engines' new CEO says the company will double annual production to 1,000 units in 2024.

Engines

June 12, 2023

Videos

Bell Helicopter 505 Jet Ranger X First Flight

Bell Helicopter 505 Jet Ranger X First Flight

Rotorcraft

November 17, 2014

Honeywell Synthetic Vision for Helicopters on the Horizon

Honeywell Synthetic Vision for Helicopters on the Horizon

Avionics

April 30, 2013

More Articles

First Production Grey Wolf in Final Assembly

Final assembly of the first production USAF Boeing-Leonardo MH-139A helicopter has begun.

Rotorcraft

June 12, 2023

China Flies First Helo with SAF

China's State Grid Space Technology has flown an Airbus H125 with a 40 percent sustainable aviation fuel mixture.

Fuel

June 12, 2023

Passenger Nearly Crashes Helitour Flight

A viral video shows a passenger reaching for the rotor brake.

Rotorcraft

June 9, 2023

FAA Floats Certification Path for Leonardo AW609 Tiltrotor

The FAA is seeking public comment on certification standards it has developed for the Leonardo AW609 civil tiltrotor.

Regulations and Government

June 9, 2023

Garmin GI275 Approved for Bell, Robinson Helos

Garmin's GI275 digital flight instrument has received FAA STC approval for installation in Bell 407 and Robinson R66 helicopters.

Avionics

June 7, 2023

Texas Aerospace Named European HeliSAS distributor

Genesys Aerosystems entered an agreement with Texas Aerospace Technologies to expand its HeliSAS distribution into European markets.

Rotorcraft

June 7, 2023

Bell Expands European Inroads

Bell is growing its European 505 fleet and adding Valencia training-center options.

Rotorcraft

June 6, 2023

Helicopter Operator Bristow Highlights Sustainability

Helicopter services company Bristow has released its second annual report detailing its commitment to sustainability.

Rotorcraft

June 6, 2023

India Trials Gagan Satnav System on Helicopter Routes

India is deploying its own GPS-aided Geo-augmented satellite-based navigation system, starting with low-level rotorcraft routes.

ATC

June 6, 2023

Leonardo Adds Distributors for AW09

Leonardo expects its AW09 single-engine helicopter to enter serial rate production in 2024.

Rotorcraft

June 6, 2023

Bell Logs First Turkish 407GXi Helicopter Sale

Sancak Air's CEO Mustafa Bayrak will use the GXi for private trips, piloting the single-engine rotorcraft himself and expanding the company's Bell fleet.

Rotorcraft

June 6, 2023

HAI Slams Parks Air Tour Plans for South Dakota and Hawaii

The Helicopter Association International is urging members to strongly oppose draft air tour management plans at four national parks.

Regulations and Government

June 5, 2023

Bell Sells Six 407GXi Helicopters to Argentina for SAR

Argentina’s Ministry of Defense has signed a contract to take six Bell 407GXi helicopters which will be used to assist with search and rescue missions.

Rotorcraft

June 1, 2023

Bristow Lands Irish Search and Rescue Contract

Bristow will provide helicopter search and rescue service for the Irish Coast Guard.

Rotorcraft

June 1, 2023

Sikorsky CEO Vows Continued Support for Discontinued S-76 Helicopters

Paul Lemmo said Sikorsky would continue product support for S-76 and seek customers for the S-92A+.

Rotorcraft

June 1, 2023

Piasecki Develops Hydrogen Helicopter at Sikorsky Factory

Piasecki Aircraft has acquired the former Sikorsky helicopter factory in Coatesville, Pennsylvania, and will use it to develop VTOL aircraft.

Aircraft

May 31, 2023