Bell’s new light twin nears FAA certification
moreLooking beyond the current financial picture, the Russian aviation industry plans to increase helicopter production in the coming years, according to Andrei Reus, director general of Oboronprom. In fact, the Russian helicopter manufacturing industry aims to capture 15 percent of the world’s helicopter market by 2015.At this year’s Heli-Russia he told AIN...
moreIn a three-way deal that first came to light as a memorandum of understanding (MOU) last year, Sikorsky announced last month that it had completed an agreement for India’s Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL) to build the cabins of its S-92 Helibus in India. The cabins will be manufactured at a new TASL facility in Hyderabad in the state of Andhra Pradesh....
moreThe Pentagon will spend an additional $1.2 billion to wind down the controversial Presidential helicopter replacement program and modernize the existing fleet of 30-year-old VH-3s currently used for the mission. That is on top of the $3.2 billion already spent on the program since 2005.
moreAgustaWestland’s order book for the AW139 medium twin now exceeds 430. The latest order is from Egypt’s Petroleum Air Services for two and options on two more. PAS services platforms in the Mediterranean Sea and Red Sea.
moreBedford, Texas-based RebTech will install NVG panels in 32 more Air Evac Lifeteam EMS helicopters by the end of the year. The company has already modified 17 helicopters for Air Evac.
moreTired of tow tugs? This battery-powered, remote-control, 16-inch-high mobile platform measures 12 by 14 feet, has a zero turn radius, integrated GPU capacity, and runs for four hours on a single charge. Price: $26,900. Visit www.heliwagon.com
moreLate in May, Eurocopter signed a new agreement with four of five unions represented at the company in France. The main goal of the work time agreement is to adapt to higher production rates, while simultaneously making provisions for possible ramp-downs. Due to different arrangements in the previous agreement, there are only four-and-a-half hours per day...
moreAgustaWestland last month announced that Tim Peake, an AgustaWestland senior test pilot, was selected by the European Space Agency as the first British astronaut to join the European Astronaut Corps. The European Space Agency began looking for four new (in addition to the current eight) astronauts in May last year to conduct future missions. The selection...
moreThe EAA announced that Elvis, one of 17 S-64 Aircranes operated and owned by Erickson, will be on display at its annual convention in Wisconsin this month and would likely fly demonstration slurry drops from its massive 2,650-gallon tank. The Oregon company builds, sells and operates S-64s in a variety of firefighting, construction and logging applications.
moreAir Methods has petitioned the NTSB to revise its probable cause findings related to the fatal midair collision between an Air Methods Bell 407 and a Classic Helicopters Bell 407 on approach to Arizona’s Flagstaff Medical Center on June 29 last year. The NTSB found the probable cause of the accident was “both helicopter pilots’ failure to see and avoid the...
moreNegotiations are expected to resume tomorrow between Bell Helicopter and the more than 2,400 production and maintenance workers from United Auto Workers Local 218 that went on strike two weeks ago after rejecting a “last, best, and final offer” from the helicopter manufacturer. The offer to the Fort Worth, Texas-based employees included $4,500 individual...
moreAccording to Stratford, Conn.-based Sikorsky, two more S-76D prototypes will soon join the helicopter test program, which is expected to conclude next year with certification and first deliveries. Meanwhile, the company said last week at the Paris Air Show that it is continuing envelope expansion on the first prototype, dubbed D1, which has been flying...
moreRuag Aerospace and Saab Avitronics are launching a low-cost protection system for helicopters that can be rapidly installed to provide a range of protective features on a per-mission basis. The plug-on device (POD) is an integrated, self-contained unit offering high levels of protection against man-portable and other low-level missile threats.
POD can be...
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