Latest from Mark Huber
Maintenance and Modifications
June Closing Planned for American Eurocopter LGB
American Eurocopter said it will close its company-owned and -operated Long Beach, Calif.
Rotorcraft
Gulf operators see benefits of recent ADS-B activation
Operators using the newly activated automatic dependence surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) ATC and information system in the Gulf of Mexico will likely see fl
Rotorcraft
New Rotorcraft 2010
Both product support and research and development have taken hits in the helicopter industry as cash flow and current sales shrink, while future orders
Regulations and Government
New Standards Proposed for Composite Helo Parts
Yesterday, the FAA published a proposed NPRM covering new airworthiness standards for composite structures on normal category rotorcraft under FAR Parts 27
Rotorcraft
Changhe Completes First S-76C++
China’s Aviation Industry Corporation’s (Avic) Changhe subsidiary has completed its first Sikorsky S-76C++ airframe at its plant near Shanghai.
Rotorcraft
Bell’s XworX studying improved rotor blades
Bell Helicopter’s XworX special projects and rapid prototyping center exists to give customers added value, according to Nick Lappos, senior vice president
Avionics
Vector Gets STC For Bell 407 Glass Cockpit
Vector Aerospace Helicopter Services has received an FAA supplemental type certificate (STC) for an integrated cockpit display system (ICDS) in the Bell 40
Safety
Alertness management coming soon for HEMS
At hearings last month members of the Senate Aviation Operations subcommittee pressured FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt to speed the agency’s rewrite of re
Rotorcraft
Sikorsky Logs Milestones for S-76D, S-434
Two new Sikorsky civil helicopter programs–the S-76D and S-434–achieved significant milestones this week.
Rotorcraft
China’s AVIC Completes First S-76 Airframe
The Changhe subsidiary of China’s Aviation Industry Corp.
Training and Workforce
‘Virtual Terrain’ enhances training for civil NVG users
Early next year Night Readiness will unveil its 3.0 Virtual Terrain Board (VTB) night-vision goggle (NVG) training aid.
Training and Workforce
Tata, Sikorsky To Build Parts Facility in India
India’s Tata Sons has formed a joint venture with Sikorsky to make parts, including cabin components, for Sikorsky’s S-92A and other aircraft, including th
Regulations and Government
Agencies mandate new inspections for S-92 gearbox
The latest main gearbox (MGB) problem for the Sikorsky S-92A: foot-mount cracking that could lead to the complete separation of the MGB and subsequent loss
Rotorcraft
PZL-Swidnik Delivers 1,000th Airframe
Poland-based PZL-Swidnik late in October delivered its 1,000th helicopter fuselage–an AW109 light utility helicopter–to AgustaWestland.
Rotorcraft
VIH, HNZ Team in Australia
Canada-based offshore operator VIH Aviation Group (VIH) and New Zealand-based HNZ Group last month announced the formation of a joint venture to provide of
Rotorcraft
Deliveries Up, Orders Down at AW
Despite the gloomy economy, AgustaWestland disclosed sound financial figures for the first nine months of this year.
Rotorcraft
Eurocopter Unveils EC 175 Specs
Eurocopter has disclosed some performance numbers for the in-development EC 175 medium twin.
Safety
Helo Accident Rate Drops
In 2005 the International Helicopter Safety Team (IHST) was formed with the ambitious goal of reducing helicopter accidents 80 percent by 2016.
ATC
Flight Plan System Failure Causes Widespread Delays
Early this morning the FAA’s computerized system for loading flight plans failed, causing widespread traffic delays of up to 90 minutes and some airline fl
Aircraft
New (and born-again) Turboprops
Epic LTHints of trouble began to emerge at Bend, Ore.-based Epic more than a year ago when a deal for a $200 million
Accidents
Controversy surrounds S-61 crash investigation
The investigation into last year’s fatal crash of a 1965 Carson Helicopter Sikorsky S-61N is beginning to take on the tenor of a high-stakes suspense novel
Rotorcraft
Eurocopter challenges Maryland RFP
American Eurocopter has lodged a protest concerning the Maryland State Police’s (MSP) request for proposal (RFP) to replace its fleet of 11 aging AS 365Ns.
Rotorcraft
Manhattan operator halts service
New York’s only scheduled helicopter shuttle service is no more, at least for now.
Rotorcraft
Manhattan operator halts service
New York’s only scheduled helicopter shuttle service is no more, at least for now.
Aircraft
Farnborough Kestrel Could Be Built by Liberty
Farnborough Aircraft director Adrian Norris said this week at the NBAA Convention that his company is in discussions to have Liberty Aircraft produce the a
Aircraft
HondaJet on Track for 2011 Deliveries
The $3.9 million HondaJet appears to be on track for certification and first deliveries in late 2011, with the first conforming airframe expected to fly ea
Charter & Fractional
Marquis Jet sees demand on rebound
Marquis Jet’s Randy Brandoff said his jet card company is well positioned to take advantage of the shifting sands of the corporate jet market.
Aircraft
For now, Harco will still support the Eclipse 500
Harco general manager Michael Milardo said his company would support the Eclipse EA500–for now.
