Latest from Mark Huber
New Turboprops
Chinese Firm Acquires Epic’s AssetsComposite aircraft builder Epic’s plan for three new turboprop and two light jet models collapsed when the
Single-engine VLJ makers see programs stall
The trajectory for single-engine very light jets is up and to the right.
Maintenance and Modifications
Proper support keeps older aircraft flying
The plunging values of certain models of older business jets has rekindled a timeless debate: when is a jet too old to fly? “A rule of thumb is when the ai
Cabin Interior and Electronics
Completion centers await new Boeing widebody projects
Head-of-state and VVIP completions centers are awaiting two new Boeing widebodies–the 747-8 and the all-composite 787.
Rotorcraft
Major Helicopter Orders Landed at EMS Conference
Helicopter EMS operators and OEMs announced several large orders for new aircraft at the opening of the Air Medical Transport Conference in Fort Lauderdale
Aircraft
Extra Tries To Salvage Montrose Deal
Tomorrow night the Montrose County (Colo.) Commission will consider a revised incentive package aimed at luring Extra Aircraft to build an assembly plant t
Aircraft
Extra Aircraft Deal Mired in Montrose
The deal to build an Extra EA-500 assembly plant in Montrose, Colo., has hit a significant snag.
Rotorcraft
Bell 429 certified for Waas
Bell Helicopter announced last month that its new 429 light twin has been approved for precise wide area augmentation system (Waas) glid
Accidents
Cougar Sues Sikorsky Over Fatal S-92 Crash
On the eve of a Canadian Government report on the fatal March 2009 crash off Newfoundland that killed 17 of 18 aboard a Sikorsky S-92A, operator Cougar Hel
Maintenance and Modifications
Phoenix Heliparts to appeal Part 145 certificate revocation
Phoenix Heliparts said it will appeal the FAA’s emergency r
Rotorcraft
AgustaWestland adds SW-4 to its line-up
Last year AgustaWestland (AW) acquired a majority interest in Polish airframer PZL-Swidnik.
Regulations and Government
HeloS Exempted From Some Runway Incursion Reporting
The NTSB has clarified its runway incursion reporting rule when it comes to helicopters.
Maintenance and Modifications
Hillsboro pledges to fight proposed civil penalty
Hillsboro Aviation executives believe the company is being punished for good behavior.
Rotorcraft
Robinson Helicopter founder-president retires
Frank Robinson feigned insult when asked about his possible retirement at a 2009 press conference.
Operators plan to wait and see on Santulli’s Milestone venture
Richard Santulli’s re-entry into the helicopter game drew mixed reaction from a variety of operators who spoke to AIN.
Rotorcraft
Bell ceases production of its 40-year-old JetRanger
Later this year Bell Helicopter will deliver its last JetRanger, a 206B3. According to a company spokeswoman, Bell decided “to stop production on the
Rotorcraft
HeliFlite Recapitalized
New Jersey Bell 430 and Sikorsky S-76B operator HeliFlite recently announced that investors made an equity infusion into the company in exchange for a 60-p
Rotorcraft
CHC Call for Papers
CHC Helicopter is inviting interested parties to submit papers for presentation at its 2011 Safety & Quality Summit addressing topics within the genera
Rotorcraft
Sikorsky To Fly All-electric Helo
Sikorsky plans to fly an all-electric 300C training helicopter by year-end.
Rotorcraft
Air Medical for Sale
The investment firms that own the Air Medical Group, which includes helicopter EMS provider Air Evac Lifeteam, have hung a “for sale” sign on the enterpris
Rotorcraft
Saudis Pick Sikorsky
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Interior ordered 12 S-76D twins at Farnborough.
Rotorcraft
Saudis Pick Sikorsky
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Interior ordered 12 S-76D twins at Farnborough.
Rotorcraft
Saudis Pick Sikorsky
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Interior ordered 12 S-76D twins at Farnborough.
Rotorcraft
Bell Committed to 609 Tiltrotor
This year’s Farnborough airshow came and went without the long-anticipated announcement by either Bell or AgustaWestland as to what would become of their j
Rotorcraft
Panama Getting AW139s
Six AgustaWestland AW139s will be delivered to Panama’s Aeronaval Service as part of a bilateral anti-crime agreement focused on international drug traffic
Rotorcraft
X2 Will Qualify for Speed Record
The fact that Sikorsky’s experimental X2 is a compound helicopter will not exclude it from setting an official helicopter speed record, according to Marcel
