Mark Huber is an aviation industry veteran who has worked in the flight training, aircraft sales, aircraft component, and airport development businesses. He has flight time in more than 50 different and diverse aircraft, including helicopters, aerobatic aircraft, vintage warbirds, jet fighters, business jets and turboprops, and transport-category aircraft. He has jumped out of several of these—on purpose—with a parachute. His defense and aviation journalism has been published in a variety of national and international periodicals.

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Mark Huber

PHI flew the first operational automated “rig approach” to a platform in the Gulf of Mexico in a Sikorsky S-92 on November 14. Sikorsky and PHI developed the system to reduce pilot workload and the FAA approved its functionality earlier this year. The system is expected to be offered on the Sikorsky S-76D as well. 
Rig approach reduces the number of pilot-initiated items on approach and eliminates manual flying during the intermediate stages, including IAF, FAF and FDP. It incorporates data from the FMS, GPS and radar altimeter aboard the aircraft as well as wind data from the rig. The system can build an approach in 20 seconds and can be activated to fly the approach with a single button. On two-person crews, the pilot flying looks for visual cues while the non-flying pilot monitors the approach. Sikorsky expects the system to work in weather as low as 200 feet and a quarter mile. 
“This milestone culminates a five-year joint development effort between PHI and Sikorsky for rig approach. This new capability improves helicopter safety and operations for the offshore oil industry by reducing crew workload, increasing situational awareness and enhancing on-time performance,” said Carey Bond, president of Sikorsky Global Helicopters. 
The system can be retrofitted on existing S-92s with upgraded hardware and software.

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

Rig Approach operational for PHI

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

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News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Move will help increase availability and lower direct operating costs

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News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

News about simulators and training procedures, as well as workforce.

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News and developments about aircraft engines, including turbofan, turboprop, turboshaft and piston.

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