A multi-engine, instrument rated pilot, James Wynbrandt has been an AIN and Business Jet Traveler contributor since 2003. His in-depth reporting and insightful features have won more than a dozen editorial honors, including two National Business Aviation Association Gold Wing Awards (2019; 2021), and his articles have also appeared in the New York Times, Barron’s, Fortune, Forbes, and Smithsonian Air &amp; Space. He has flown his Mooney M20K 252 on assignments throughout North and Central America and the Caribbean. Wynbrandt is also the author of Flying High (Wiley &amp; Sons), a biography of Jet Blue founder David Neeleman, as well as histories, references works, and books on a variety of other topics from major publishers. He lives in New York City.

Contributor - Business Aviation

James Wynbrandt

HAI president Matt Zuccaro gave an upbeat assessment of the helicopter industry on the eve of Heli-Expo 2014. “Air tours are doing well, corporate operations have re-established themselves and offshore oil and gas work is very busy right now, so it’s a pretty positive picture,” he said. Nonetheless, the industry faces challenges including a potential shortage of pilots and mechanics.
“The younger generation has so many options,” said Zuccaro. “We’re starting a sales and marketing campaign to show them being a pilot or a mechanic is a good career path.” 
Of more immediate concern are “unwarranted” <a href="mailto:http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/ainalerts/2014-01-21/la-helo-noise-rules-tucked-federal-spending-bill">regulations being driven by political grandstanding</a> that might actually impinge on safety, Zuccaro said. “It’s at the point right now where regulations mandating [helicopter] routes and altitudes have become the forum of elected officials. They’re not even asking the FAA anymore; they’re telling them, ‘We want you to put in regulations on routes and altitudes’ based on [constituents’] complaints.”
Zuccaro said HAI and its members respect people’s concerns, but added, “Legislators are making regulatory decisions without any study of what the realignment would mean. It’s not being done for safety or for airspace efficiency. It’s being done for a small group of people who have gotten the ears of elected officials.”

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

HAI President Is Upbeat on Helicopter Industry

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Matt Thurber

New developments and products in avionics, specifically about aircraft electronics in the cockpit.

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.

The upgrade makes the helicopter much simpler to fly

ACE Aero Modding Black Hawks with Skyryse Controls

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.

Move will help increase availability and lower direct operating costs

Sikorsky Lengthens S-92 Inspection Intervals

Shipment to New Zealand will take place next year after paint and upgrades

Northern Rescue Growing Fleet to Five AW169 Helicopters

Plans call for growing the department's public safety presence

Fort Worth Police Buy Second Bell 505

AmyWilder

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.

Key innovations and safety updates event highlights

European Rotors 2024 Focuses on Vertical Flight Future

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

More In Rotorcraft

ACE Aero Modding Black Hawks with Skyryse Controls

The upgrade makes the helicopter much simpler to fly

Sikorsky Lengthens S-92 Inspection Intervals

Move will help increase availability and lower direct operating costs

Northern Rescue Growing Fleet to Five AW169 Helicopters

Shipment to New Zealand will take place next year after paint and upgrades

Fort Worth Police Buy Second Bell 505

Plans call for growing the department's public safety presence

European Rotors 2024 Focuses on Vertical Flight Future

Key innovations and safety updates event highlights

Rotortrade Partners with Safran, Joins Mentor Program

Preowned helicopter specialist is expanding its capabilities

Bell Logs Sales for 505 and 407GXi Helicopters

Includes the sale of the 100th Bell 505 in Europe

FAA Releases 2023 Helo Air Ambulance Ops Data Summary

Six accidents, two with fatalities, took place during calendar year 2023

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