Rotorcraft

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

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BA609 Tiltrotor Flies in Public Again

In May, the second prototype of the Bell/Agusta BA609 tiltrotor flew for the first time in public.

Rotorcraft

July 5, 2007

Eagle Delivers First ‘Single’ Bell 212

Eagle Copters of Calgary, Alberta, has delivered its first three single-engine Bell 212 conversions.

Rotorcraft

July 5, 2007

FBI seizes records from helo air ambulance operator

On May 23 more than 50 FBI agents and employees of the FAA raided the headquarters of Air Evac Lifeteam in West Plains, Mo.

Rotorcraft

July 5, 2007

On second try, helo pilots complete pole-to-pole flight

Pilots Jennifer Murray, 66, and Colin Bodill, 56, completed their record-setting VFR pole-to-pole round-trip flight from Fort Worth on May 23 in a Bell 407

Rotorcraft

July 5, 2007

Eurocopter considers FBW for civil helos

Eurocopter is investigating all-electric helicopter system architectures, including flight controls, with the goal of having them in service within 10 year

Avionics

July 2, 2007

AW119 Ke receives EASA certification

The AgustaWestland AW119 Ke received EASA certification at the Paris Air Show last month.

Rotorcraft

July 2, 2007

MD Helicopters ‘not for sale’

MD Helicopters (MDH) last month dismissed as ill-founded “rumors” circulating that the company is for sale.In a statement, chairman and CEO Lyn

Rotorcraft

June 4, 2007

Eurocopter to solve EC 145’s tail-rotor control issue

Eurocopter is to issue a Service Bulletin that should solve a fleet-wide problem with the EC 145’s tail-rotor controls.

Rotorcraft

June 4, 2007

Turbomeca to address customer support woes

Turbomeca is endeavoring to improve product support after customers voiced dissatisfaction, notably about parts availability.

Rotorcraft

June 4, 2007

Turbomeca To Settle in Monroe, N.C.

French-based engine maker Turbomeca has chosen Monroe, N.C.

Rotorcraft

June 4, 2007

Eurocopter in Talks for Romanian Company…

Eurocopter is still talking to the Romanian privatization agency, AVAS, about taking over 65 percent of helicopter and light aircraft manufacturer IAR Ghim

Rotorcraft

June 4, 2007

…As Workers Suspend Strike

Workers at the IAR Ghimbav helicopter manufacturing plant in Brasov, Romania, have suspended their strike after three days.

Rotorcraft

June 4, 2007

FAA To Align OEI Rules with EASA

The FAA is proposing to amend one engine inoperative (OEI) rating definitions.

Regulations and Government

June 4, 2007

FAA Issues Emergency AD on MD 369 Series

An accident caused by the loss of a tail-rotor blade prompted the FAA to issue an emergency airworthiness directive (AD) for the MD 369 series.

Safety

June 4, 2007

Bell 429 flight tests gather momentum

Bell is planning to add the second 429 prototype to its flight-test effort next month.

Rotorcraft

June 4, 2007

EC 135 sheds EMS flight suit for business attire

The twin-engine Eurocopter EC  135 helicopter, well established in the emergency medical services and law enforcement sectors, is gaining greater acce

Rotorcraft

May 23, 2007