Latest from Mark Huber
Rotorcraft
Robinson Rolls Out Its 12,000th Helicopter
The company reached the milestone delivered its first helicopter, the R22, in 1979.
Rotorcraft
EASA Okays Robinson R66 Turbine Marine
Tests were conducted in Spain last July at a facility capability of simulating the certification requirements.
Rotorcraft
FlightSafety Adds New Helicopter Course Offerings
FlghtSafety is adding new NVG and operational control specialist courses.
Rotorcraft
Luma Adds LED Caution Panels for Bells
The panels provide an affordable path to NVIS upgrades.
Rotorcraft
FAA Certification Due for Enstrom TH180 by End of 2016
Enstrom is test flying its second TN180, while a third is undergoing static testing and will fly soon.
Avionics
X-Naut's Tablet Coolers Now Available in Australia
The products are designed to enable use of iPads in extreme conditions.
Rotorcraft
Safran Moving Ahead with Larger Engine Program
Safran's engines powered helicopters for five first flights last year, although deliveries were flat and support revenues dropped.
Rotorcraft
Leonardo Adds Certifications and Helicopter Capabilities
The Italian company is inviting Heli-Expo attendees to experience a virtual reality search-and-rescue operation.
Rotorcraft
Bristow Reports Quarterly Loss and Improving Prospects
Bristow Group is seeing growing interest in contracts for its helicopter fleet, especially in Europe.
Rotorcraft
Airbus Helicopter Deliveries Are Up in a Down Market
The company's helicopter deliveries grew 5 percent last year compared to 2015, in a challenging marketplace.
Rotorcraft
Air Methods is Open to Further Growth and Acquisitions
Helicopter air ambulance operator Air Methods is focusing on improving safety along with other HEMS issues.
Safety
Virginia HEMS Program Reaches Out to Drone Operators
Communicating with local drone operators is helping Carilion Clinic's Lifeguard helicopter EMS program reduce the number of drone encounters.
Regulations and Government
New Bell, Robinson Light Helos Rack Up More Approvals
Australia has certified the new Bell 505 Jet Ranger X and EASA validated the type certification for Robinson's two-seat R44 Cadet.
Aircraft
Robinson Helicopter Sees Sales Recovery in 2017
The California helicopter manufacturer sees sales numbers climbing this year, along with average unit prices growing due to customer options.
Rotorcraft
Heli-Expo Preview 2017
Organizers expect the Dallas event to draw 20,000 attendees for educational and networking opportunities.
Charter & Fractional
Revenues Up, Earnings Down at Air Methods
"Industry-wide decline in demand” and acquisition of Tri-State Care Flight last year cited as contributors to lower earnings.
Rotorcraft
With New Funding, Russian Helicopters Plots Growth
Proceeds of the initial $300 million sale, about 12 percent of the company’s $2.35 billion value, will be used to implement its new business plan.
Rotorcraft
Bell Poised To Deliver First Production Jet Ranger X
Bell holds more than 400 letters of intent for the 505 and is in the process of converting them into firm orders.
Charter & Fractional
Air Methods Shareholder Said to be Pushing for Sale
Any sale of the company would be expected to produce a price substantially above its $1.4 billion market capitalization.
Accidents
U.S. Helo Accident Rate Down for Third Straight Year
There were 106 helicopter accidents in 2016, including 17 fatal accidents—a 12 percent decrease year-over-year.
Rotorcraft
Third AW609 Airborne, Will Soon Start Icing Trials
AC3 recently begun flight testing from the company's Philadelphia plant and will soon head to Michigan, for cold weather testing and icing trials.
Rotorcraft
Airbus Helicopters Dominates North American Market
Company delivered 60 new helicopters in North America in 2016, which equates to 50 percent of all rotorcraft deliveries in this region.
Rotorcraft
Bristow Secures New Financing as Helo Ops Losses Widen
Company's oil and gas business "continues to operate along the economic bottom" in a "dynamic and prolonged downturn."
Used Bizcraft Pricing Still Soft, but Market Improving
Pre-owned business jet and turboprop inventory fell modestly at year-end 2016, but pricing stil remained soft, especially for light and midsize jets.
Rotorcraft
U.S. Cabri G2 Fleet Growing Rapidly
The French helicopter manufacturer is experiencing rapid growth following U.S. certification in 2015.
Rotorcraft
Waypoint Sees Near-term Lift for Offshore Helo Market
Near-term outlook is now “optimistic, buoyed by OPEC’s announcement to cut production followed by non-OPEC producers vowing to do the same."
Rotorcraft
Airbus Helo Shipments Rise Despite 'Difficult Year'
Airbus Helicopters delivered 418 rotorcraft last year, a 5 percent increase over 2015.
Rotorcraft
Robinson Readies To Deliver Its 12,000th Helicopter
The milestone aircraft—a turbine single R66, S/N 0763—will be delivered to Hover Dynamics, one of three long-time Robinson dealers in South Africa.
Lockheed Warns of Financial Reporting Issues At Sikorsky
Lockheed Martin is reviewing possible problems with financial reporting controls at its Sikorsky helicopter division.
