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

The fourth Bell 525 Relentless joined the program’s test fleet last week, when flight-test vehicle number 4 (FTV4) flew from Bell’s flight test center in Arlington, Texas. The helicopter joins two others currently in flight test. One more, FTV5, is scheduled to fly in the fourth quarter of this year.

 


Prototypes of Bell’s new super-medium twin have completed more than 400 hours of flight testing since they resumed flight in July 2017 following a one-year stand-down following the fatal crash of FTV1 in 2016. During one-engine inoperative testing at high speed, FTV1 experienced severe vibration and broke up in-flight.

 


Following this accident, Bell implemented several design changes to the 525, including filtering of the biomechanical and sensor feedback by the control system to prevent amplification of vibrations in specific flight conditions.&nbsp;Bell is aiming to complete flight testing and gain certification for the 20,000-pound fly-by-wire helicopter next year.

 


“This is another significant milestone for the Bell 525 program and a testament to the hard work being completed at our flight research center,” said Bell 525 program vice president Byron Ward.&nbsp;

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

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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.

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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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Sikorsky Lengthens S-92 Inspection Intervals

Move will help increase availability and lower direct operating costs

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Key innovations and safety updates event highlights

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Preowned helicopter specialist is expanding its capabilities

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Includes the sale of the 100th Bell 505 in Europe

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

Helicopter Operators Sign Orders with Airbus and Leonardo

Both manufacturers announced new business during the European Rotors trade show

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