Randy Padfield
Freelance writer

Latest from Randy Padfield

Rotorcraft

Sierra Nevada Offers Solution to Degraded Visual Environments

“We learned that using different sensors together works very well,” he told AIN.
Rotorcraft

MD Helicopters is Manufacturing for the Future

MD Helicopters is expanding its vertically integrated manufacturing capabilities as it prepares to return the MD902 twin-engine helicopter to market.
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Rotorcraft

GE Aviation Expands TrueChoice Service to T700 Engines

TrueChoice Flight Hour for commercial T700 helicopter engine is a comprehensive service for maintaining commercial operations.
Maintenance and Modifications

Flightdocs Brings Maintenance Tracking to a Higher Level

Flightdocs charges an annual subscription per aircraft in different tiers, from Robinson helicopters to a Boeing 777.
Rotorcraft

Heli-One Offers New H225 Mods for HEMS Operations

New modifications for the H225 helicopter include an updated medical wall, a stretcher installation, a loud hailer and an enhanced vision system.
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Rotorcraft

Lufthansa Training, DRF Luftrettung Join Forces on Pilot Training

Lufthansa Aviation Training and DRF Luftrettung have teamed to demonstrate their combined pilot training expertise at Heli-Expo 2020.
Rotorcraft

StandardAero, Robertson CRFT's Move into Canada

StandardAero and Robertson Fuel Systems hand over the first two Canadian-bound of the crash-resistant fuel tanks.
Rotorcraft

Tilton Explains MDHI Switched to InSight on MD 900/902

Tilton cites long-term relationship and advanced technologies in move to Universal Avionics InSight.
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Rotorcraft

Applied Video Imaging Extends Its Warranty to Three Years

The producer of rugged video system components has extended its warranty period from two years to three years.
Rotorcraft

Air Center Helicopters Gets First CAMTS' Special Ops OK

Air Center Helicopters is supporting personal recovery and casualty evacuation in Northwest Africa. Medical teams consist of two paramedics.
Rotorcraft

MD Helicopters Reroutes Back To Universal Avionics InSight

Insight will be a full solution and enhance the aircraft’s capability for IFR, VFR and all types of operations. Insight is near certification.
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Rotorcraft

Three New Sikorsky S-70i Firehawks Grace Heli-Expo

The new Firehawks on display this week at Heli-Expo will soon be available to siphon and drop water, perform hoist rescues, and provide medical transport.
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Rotorcraft

Mars Helicopter Replica Rotors Into Anaheim

NASA's Mars Helicopter, designed to operate in the red planet's extremely thin air, makes an appearance this week at Heli-Expo 2020 in Anaheim, California.
Rotorcraft

PAC International Makes Old Helicopters New Again

PAC International reurbishes helicopters to make them like new again.
Rotorcraft

Heli-Expo Hosts Aircraft Mx Safety Session

While safety events are provided for pilots, "This one is just for mechanics."
Rotorcraft

ITT Enidine Smooths the Ride for Helicopters

ITT has a legacy of providing expertise and innovative solutions for flight-critical rotorcraft applications designed to meet each customer's needs.
Rotorcraft

Italian Style for Aircraft Interiors

Integral to the display are craftsmanship of Tramontano leathers, the high-tech processing of carbon-fiber and the design of computer and communication.
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Rotorcraft

Avalex Offers Rugged Surveillance Equipment for Helos

Avalex has seven different product lines that it puts together, essentially as a complete mission kit for operators.
Rotorcraft

Tests Prove Efficacy of Astronautics' Wireless Comm System

The entire system was tested from end-to-end, from the airborne hardware to the secure ground system, enabling secure two-way data transmittal.
Avionics

Astronics Rolls Out Electronic Circuit Breaker for Aircraft

Cockpit automation integrates with avionics, which eliminates thermal circuit breakers and lots of wiring, Kellsey Justus said.
Maintenance and Modifications

Concorde Battery Secures FAA Nod for Platinum Batteries

Use of the battery will result in stronger starts, prolonged service life and reduced wear on the engine, according to Concorde.
Avionics

Becker Avionics Receives TSOs for New Transponder

The BXT6500 mode-S transponder features enhanced privacy settings that can disable both ADS-B and mode-S transmissions.
Finance, Taxes, Insurance

Adler Joins BrightWater Partners

BrightWater Aviaiton Capital will focus on sales, lease, and sustainment of military and commercial aircraft.
Environment

Research Tweaks Rules of Thumb for Helicopters Flying Neighborly

Tests of six different helicopter models last year, which collected more than 1,500 data points, put “scientific rigor behind the rules of thumb."
Maintenance and Modifications

Avionics Upgrade To Boost Capability of USCG MH-65 Helos

The pilots can also set the system to fly directly to that position, fly a search pattern and view the point or the flight plan on a digital map.
Rotorcraft

Fresno County Sheriff Accepts All-glass-cockpit MD530F

FCSO’s Air Support Unit has operated 500-series helicopters since its inception more than 20 years ago, logging more than 30,000 flight hours.
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Training and Workforce

Indonesian Flight School Opts for Redbird VTO Helo Trainer

The Redbird VTO's motion system provides cues so small, precise and quick that the pilot feels the deviations before ever seeing them in the visuals.
Maintenance and Modifications

UTC Aerospace and PAG Sign Deal for AS350 Servos

PAG’s global network and investment in UTAS main and tail rotor servos will make it easier for Airbus AS350 operators to access spares, the company says.
Rotorcraft

Fidelity Flight Fills Army National Guard Order for UH-72A Sims

The device simulates the twin-engine Airbus Helicopters UH-72A, a militarized version of the Eurocopter EC145.
Rotorcraft

MD Helicopters on a Roll with Military Contracts

Deliveries of the first five of 30 of new MD 530F Cayuse Warrior helicopters to the Afghan Air Force are slated to begin delivery in May.
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