Latest from Mark Huber
BAE rolls out civil Q-Sight
BAE Systems has its helmet/headset mounted Q-Sight head-up display (HUD) in its booth here (No.
Russia is a ripe market for Western makers’ helicopters
Russia is a ripe market for Western helicopters, and at least one company, AgustaWestland, plans to establish manufacturing there.
Sweeping changes for HEMS are likely
A series of fatal medevac helicopter crashes last year prompted fresh calls for increased industry regulation, and by November the FAA had announced change
For LAFD, AW139 choice came down to raw power
The Los Angeles Fire Department’s decision to acquire AgustaWestland AW139s came down to a simple value equation: nearly twice the horsepower of their curr
Rotorcraft
Eurocopter Weighing Options, Including Diesel Power
Eurocopter CEO Lutz Bertling revealed this morning that the company is working on bringing diesel power to a light helicopter, most likely the EC 120.
Rotorcraft
Robinson Ties Its Future to the R66
The second Robinson R66 made its first flight on February 18, marking an important milestone for a company dealing with the affects of the economic downtur
Rotorcraft
Honeywell Forecast Hedges Market Bottom
Honeywell’s annual market forecast for civil turbine-powered helicopters released yesterday predicts flat to slightly higher deliveries in the next five ye
Rotorcraft
Bell 429 Certification Slips Again
The projected certification date for Bell’s new 429 light twin has slipped from the first quarter to May.
Eurocopter’s focus is on cash conservation
Eurocopter CEO Lutz Bertling rebuffed concerns about how his company would fare in the face of the ongoing global economic crisis by stressing the company’
Robinson’s press event is vintage Frank
Most HAI press conferences involve stone-faced CEOs reading from note cards.
EC 145 a niche ‘spaceship’ for select EMS operators
The Eurocopter EC 145 is carving a growing niche among EMS helicopter operators for one main reason: cabin space.
Bell 429 certification slips again
The projected certification date for Bell’s new 429 light twin has slipped again.
Trade groups push for night use of NVG/EVS
A trio of helicopter trade associations are recommending that the FAA mandate night-vision goggles, enhanced-vision systems or IFR-only operations for all
Bristow defers some deliveries and freezes executive salaries
“We look forward to better days.”
That is how Bill Chiles, CEO of oil service helicopter operator Bristow Group, ended the company’s investor confe
Eurocopter Golden-hour Award
Last April 18 was a warm and blustery day in Chicago.
Industry perspective: MD Helicopters
Lynn Tilton runs Patriarch Partners, a New York equity company that specializes in buying and turning around distressed companies.
Eurocopter Golden-hour Award
Last April 18 was a warm and blustery day in Chicago.
Program Update: Sikorsky S-76D first flight ushers start of year-long test program
Sikorsky’s S-76D, the latest S-76 medium twin variant, made its first flight February 7 at the company’s West Palm Beach, Fla.
Rotorcraft
Sikorsky Takes First S-76D Up for a Whirl
Sikorsky’s S-76D made its first flight on Saturday at the company’s West Palm Beach, Fla.
Safety
NTSB Urges Closer Monitoring of Gulf Operators
On Tuesday, the NTSB issued a recommendation urging the FAA to monitor more closely the communication contingency plans of all Gulf operators following nat
Public Hearings on HEMS Accidents Under Way
Four days of NTSB public hearings on helicopter EMS safety began today in Washington, D.C., amid calls by the agency and the industry itself for reform.
Rotorcraft
EC 135 To Service Wind Farm
UK-based Bond Air Services has ordered a Eurocopter EC 135 that will be used for maintenance missions at the Greater Gabbard offshore wind farm.
Rotorcraft
AW Names R&D Partner
AgustaWestland has signed a six-year contract with the Porto-based Center of Excellence for Innovation in the Automotive Industry (CEIIA), which will thus
Rotorcraft
Cyprus Orders Five AW139s
Cyprus’s Ministry of Justice has ordered two AW139 medium twins for law enforcement and search-and-rescue (SAR) operations.
Rotorcraft
First Marine One Enters Completion
The first of five “block one” new production presidential helicopters arrived at Lockheed Martin’s Owego, N.Y.
Rotorcraft
AW139 Performs Offshore Medevac
Shortly after its entry into service in December with Mumbai, India-based Heligo Charters, an AgustaWestland AW139 performed a medical evacuation 217 nm of
ATC
Houston Low-altitude Route Delayed
The FAA has delayed until March 12 implementation of a new low-altitude area navigation route (Rnav), T-254, in the vicinity of the Houston terminal area.
Owners responsible for private helo approaches
Entities that build private approaches, departures and airways for helicopters have an obligation to maintain them, cautions Steve Hickok, who is now into
Safety
AAMS Pushes Mandated NVGs, IFR for Helo EMS
The Association of Air Medical Services (AAMS) is recommending the FAA mandate night vision goggles, enhanced vision systems or IFR-only operations for all
