February 26, 2008

High-tech firm forms dedicated aerospace unit

PCB Piezotronics, a manufacturer of sensors and instrumentation with 40 years experience in the aerospace industry, announced the formation of a new division focused on the aviation and defense markets. The Depew, N.Y. firm specializes in the manufacture of force, torque, load, strain and acoustic pressure vibration sensors.
The company has named Ronald Levecchi, an engineer and 30-year indus more

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Brazil Certifies Soloy LTS101 Conversion

Soloy Aviation Solutions said it received approval from Brazil’s National Civil Aviation Agency for its Honeywell engine conversion for Eurocopter AS 350BA and B2 helicopters. “This approval opens the way for Brazillian operators to have the same engine options for these popular helicopters as currently enjoyed by our many existing customers,” said David Stouffer, Soloy’s CEO. Previous STC approva more

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Aerolite Lands AW139 EMS Completions

Swiss aircraft interior specialist Aerolite received a contract from Norway’s Lufttransport AS to outfit three AgustaWestland AW139s with emergency medical transport interiors. The helicopters will receive dedicated turnkey medical interiors including single- and dual-patient litters, integrated patient loading systems, cabinetry and system and equipment integrations. According to Max Bucher, Aero more

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AgustaWestland Leads ‘Green’ Initiative

AgustaWestland kicked off a meeting in Brussels on February 5 of the so-called Clean Sky Program. A founding member of the Clean Sky initiative and co-leader of the Green Rotorcraft Integrated Technology Demonstration project, the European helicopter builder wants to develop and produce cleaner and quieter helicopters, which it says could boost their roles in future air transport systems. AgustaWe more

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HeliFlite, Sentient Jet Form Partnership

HeliFlite Shares and Sentient Jet on February 12 announced they have partnered to make seats on the aircraft they operate available to members of one another’s programs. Under the agreement, HeliFlite clients can fly on Sentient Jet’s airplanes while Sentient members gain access to quick, convenient helicopter flights to most local airports in the Northeast.

HeliFlite is an executive h more

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CMC Unveils TacView EFB

CMC Electronics is showcasing its newest Class 2 electronic flight bag (EFB), specifically designed for military helicopters and called TacView. The 5- by 7-inch flat-panel unit is being demonstrated at the CMC booth (No. 2424) with imagery from CMC’s uncooled infrared sensor-based enhanced-vision system. The night-vision- goggle-compatible TacView is a derivative of CMC’s PilotView EFB for civil more

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Tiny French-made Cabri takes on Robinson’s R22

By Thierry Dubois and Gil Roy

Guimbal Hélicoptères, a French startup company, announced it has received EASA certification for its light twin-seater, the Cabri G2. Bruno Guimbal, the designer of the small piston-engine helicopter, told HAI Convention News he has received 12 firm orders to date.

The Cabri is a Eurocopter-sanctioned challenger to the Robinson R22. It has been designed with three primary missio more

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Surging demand at Turbomeca creates factory capacity crunch

Turbomeca, the French helicopter turbine engine manufacturer, predicts the helicopter market overall will experience continued strong growth for the next two years before cooling somewhat. In that span, the company will be working overtime to keep up with demand.

Turbomeca vice president of market and products strategy Charles Claveau offered an overall assessment of the helicopter mar more

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Eurocopter expanding U.S. support capability

By Mark Huber

Eurocopter has long dominated the new helicopter sales market, but it has notably lagged behind its competitors in terms of customer service and support rankings within North America. Last year, the company ranked third overall behind Bell and MD Helicopters in a product support survey conducted by Aviation International News, sister publication of HAI Convention News. American Eurocopter is aimin more

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US Helicopter succeeding where others have failed

By Curt Epstein

Imagine you’re a business traveler running late after a meeting in downtown Manhattan. Your flight home leaves in an hour from John F. Kennedy International Airport. If you are at all familiar with the geography, you know you’ll miss it–unless, of course, you could take a helicopter from midtown to JFK and then walk straight onto your airplane.

In service since 2006, US Helicopter is th more

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