General Aviation
News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.
Rotorcraft
Hill Dems Call For Helos To Have TAWS, Flight Recorders
A bill to mandate HTAWS and flight recorders for large helicopters was introduced by House and Senate Democrats.
Regulations and Government
Police Aviation Under the Gun
New political and budget pressures could ground some police helicopters in the U.S.
Engines
Leonardo AW189K Gets EASA Nod
Leonardo has received EASA certification for the super-medium twin AW189K, a variant developed with a pair of Safran Aneto 1K engines.
Rotorcraft
Unmanned Civil K-Max Helicopter To Deliver in 2021
Kaman Aerospace has already received commitments for its first five unmanned K-1200 K-Max helicopter kits for civil operators.
Aircraft
Cessna's Skyhawk 172 Marks 65 Years Of Flight
The largest Cessna 172 operator is the Civil Air Patrol, which this this week ordered 11 more of the type.
Aircraft
EASA Awards First Electric Aircraft TC to Pipistrel
EASA this week completed what it says is the world's first type certification for a fully electric aircraft, indicating it will pave the way for others.
Maintenance and Modifications
ESG Earns STC for 3G/4G Helicopter Cabin Wi-Fi
EASA has approved ESG’s STC for 3G/4G mobile communications and cabin wi-fi for the Airbus EC135 and EC635 helicopters.
Rotorcraft
France Funding Hybrid Airbus H125 Helicopter
Airbus Helicopters is poised to receive French government financial support to develop a hybrid powerplant for its H125 single.
Rotorcraft
Aircraft Lasered During George Floyd Protests
Helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft were lasered in at least three American cities during the recent George Floyd protests.
Avionics
Garmin Pilot App Adds Night Mode, Other New Features
Garmin Pilot version 10.1 adds night mode for approach charts, improved document viewer, and support for the Apple Pencil 2.
Rotorcraft
Coptersafety Qualifies AW139 Sim To Level-D
Helsinki-based Coptersafety has received FAA Level-D qualification from the FAA for its CAE AW139 full flight simulator.
Rotorcraft
Airbus E-Delivers New Helicopters to Helitrans
Norway’s Helitrans is the first customer to take delivery of new Airbus helicopters using the OEM’s e-Delivery process.
Avionics
Appareo Adds Conexus Connectivity Collection
Appareo's new Conexus Aircraft Communication Units will help operators and manufacturers collect flight monitoring data.
Avionics
Mid-Continent Adds Popular Autopilot Line
Mid-Continent Instruments and Avionics was named an authorized sales and service center for BendixKing AeroCruze, xCruze autopilots.
Rotorcraft
New Bell Buyers Get Garmin OnePak
Bell is offering buyers of new civil aircraft a free one-year subscription to Garmin OnePak database bundles and the Garmin Pilot app.
Rotorcraft
Canada's Universal Helicopters Shuts Down
Citing debt, Covid-19, Universal Helicopters ceases operations
Avionics
Coalition Concerned About Radio Altimeter Interference
An aviation industry coalition is concerned that a recent FCC decision will cause interference with radar altimeters.
Rotorcraft
Airbus, Bell Continue Rotor Research
Covid-19 has not stopped new rotor blade research and patents at Airbus and Bell.
Safety
Starr Offers Usage-based Insurance Pricing
By sharing flight records with Starr Insurance, pilots can obtain discounts on aircraft rental insurance.
Finance, Taxes, Insurance
New Venture Jettisons Parked Offshore Helos
A new venture has been formed to help lenders to the offshore rotorcraft industry dispose of under-utilized assets.
Accidents
Flight Safety Foundation Tackles VFR Helicopter Accidents
Flight Safety Foundation proposes strategy to reduce commercial VFR helicopter operations.
Safety
Opinion: Autonomous Genav Flight Not Far Away
Does Garmin's Autoland system mean that fully autonomous general aviation flying is next?
Rotorcraft
K-Max Operators Awarded Key Firefighting Contracts
Forty percent of all Type 1, large helicopters exclusive use USFS firefighting contracts awarded to Kaman K-Max operators.
Accidents
NTSB Faults Lacking Safety Culture in Aeromed Crash
The NTSB found that a helicopter air ambulance operator’s “inadequate management of safety” led to the fatal crash of a Survival Fight helicopter.
Safety
AOPA Issues New Covid-Era Operation Guides
As GA operators look to take flight again amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, AOPA issues advice for rusty pilots and prudent operators.
Maintenance and Modifications
Appareo Upgrades EnVision FDM Software
EnVision can now accept flight data from third-party devices.
Avionics
Garmin Autoland Certified in Piper M600
Garmin's Autoland technology has been certified in the Piper M600, the first time such a system has ever received FAA certification.
Maintenance and Modifications
Covid-19 Exacerbating Maintenance Technician Shortage
Twenty-five percent of Part 147 schools have suspended operations.
Maintenance and Modifications
Robinson Offers Tougher Windshields for Helicopters
Robinson is offering optional impact-resistant windshields for R22, R44, and R66 helicopters.
Accidents
Vortex Ring State Likely Preceded Fatal Bell 407 Crash
The NTSB has issued its final report on the fatal 2017 crash of a Virginia State Police (VSP) Bell 407.
