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

Bell will build U.S. Navy variants of its 407GXi single in Ozark, Alabama, should it be selected for the service’s Advanced Helicopter Trainer program, the company announced last week. The Navy is seeking to acquire 130 aircraft, and Bell submitted its proposal to the Navy on April 2. Bell’s Ozark facility already delivers unmanned 407s to the Navy through the Fire Scout program.

 


The 407GXi cruises at 133 knots and is outfitted with the new Rolls-Royce M250-C47E/4 dual-channel Fadec turbine engine and Garmin’s G1000H NXi integrated flight deck. Bell previously announced that it is seeking FAA IFR certification for the aircraft and hopes to have that in hand by August. The company is the current legacy provider of training aircraft for the Navy with the TH57, a derivative of the Model 206. The 407 is currently assembled at Bell’s Mirabel, Canada plant.

 


Bell is competing in the trainer replacement competition with the Airbus Helicopters H135 light twin and the Leonardo AW119Kx single. “Bell is proud to be the only U.S.-based manufacturer to participate in the Navy Advanced Helicopter Trainer competition,” said CEO Mitch Snyder. “Our Ozark team has the proven capability to deliver advanced training aircraft for the next generation of Naval aviators.” Bell is expected to increase its Ozark workforce by 25 percent to approximately 100 should it win the contract.&nbsp;

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

Bell Vows To Build 407GXis for U.S. Navy in Alabama

Bell has submitted its 407GXi single as a proposed new U.S. Navy training helicopter.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

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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.

The upgrade makes the helicopter much simpler to fly

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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.

Move will help increase availability and lower direct operating costs

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

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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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