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Russian firm relaunches Mi-34 with Arrius engine
October 01, 2009
Russian Helicopters is relaunching production of the Mi-34S1 light piston helicopter and simultaneously working on a turbine version, the Mi-34S2 Sapsan, powered by a Turbomeca Arrius 2F. The Sapsan (Russian for peregrine falcon) is expected to be certified under U.S. FAR 27 and European CS 27 regulations.First delivery is pegged for the fourth quarter of...
moreIndia’s Pawan Hans adds Eurocopters
October 01, 2009
India’s Pawan Hans Helicopters (PHHL), a government enterprise that claims to be the largest helicopter operator in the country’s civil and parapublic market, signed a $9.8 million contract for three AS 350B3 Ecureuils in June. Chairman and managing director R. K. Tyagi told AIN the company expects delivery of the helicopters around August or September next...
moreItaly tests first dedicated route for low-level IFR helo flying
October 01, 2009
A recent study of the transportation infrastructure in Italy determined the nation needs a means of effecting a major improvement in the flow of traffic between its densely populated urban areas, and the country is testing opening low-level air routes to rotorcraft as a way of improving mobility. The Italian civil aviation authority– Enac–is scheduled to...
moreFirst Eurocopter EC 135 Hermès Is Back on the Market
September 29, 2009
Falcon Aviation Services, a charter operator based in Abu Dhabi, has placed its Eurocopter EC 135 “L'Hélicoptère par Hermès” on the market, less than five months after taking delivery. UK-based PremiAir is marketing the luxurious light twin. Although Falcon Aviation is “operationally very happy with the aircraft,” CEO Philip Markham told AIN, it fills a...
moreVH-71 Presidential helicopter teeters on the edge
September 28, 2009
The future of the VH-71 presidential helicopter program neared the wire last month as Congress worked to pass a final 2010 defense appropriations bill that the President would sign before the start of the fiscal year on October 1. If the bill is not signed into law by then, Congress would need to pass a continuing resolution to temporarily fund the...
moreNew Chinooks for Canada, and Upgrades for UK
September 15, 2009
Boeing took a long-expected order from Canada for 15 CH-47F Chinook helicopters worth $1.15 billion. These will be new-build helicopters, to enter service in 2013 and 2014. Boeing said it would offset the entire contract value with contracts and partnerships in Canada. Canada already operates six CH-47Ds that it acquired urgently last year from the U.S....
moreCessna Parent Textron Sees Bizjet Recovery in 2011
September 10, 2009
During a Textron business update yesterday, company chairman and CEO Lewis Campbell said he is seeing trends of economic stabilization, though he admitted that subsidiary Cessna Aircraft is still “fighting its way through the most difficult down cycle, maybe in the history of the business jet industry.” While he added that 2010 is going to be a “tough year”...
moreUsed Helo Market Better than Bizjets, but Still Weak
September 08, 2009
Market conditions for pre-owned rotorcraft are “below normal levels and falling,” according to a monthly rotorcraft survey published last week by UBS Investment Research. The firm’s latest rotorcraft composite index, which measures overall business conditions, came in at 40, some 5 percent higher than UBS’s previous survey but still 10 points below...
moreNTSB Seeks To Reduce EMS Helicopter Flight Risks
September 03, 2009
On Tuesday, the NTSB issued 19 recommendations for helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS), addressing pilot training; safety management systems; collection and analysis of flight, weather and safety data; flight data monitoring; development of a low-altitude airspace infrastructure; and the use of dual pilots, autopilots and night vision goggles. HEMS...
moreSenate FAA Bill Calls for Major Changes for Helo EMS
September 01, 2009
Comprehensive changes for the helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) industry are contained in the U.S. Senate’s proposed FAA authorization legislation. Under the bill, HEMS operators would be required to comply with Part 135 for all flights; however, destination weather reporting would apply only after the FAA determined that reliable and portable...
moreFAA Extends HEMS Part 135 Wx Reporting Exemption
September 01, 2009
An exemption that allows helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS) operators to conduct Part 135 EMS departures under IFR rules in VFR conditions and in the absence of approved weather-reporting sources has been extended to Sept. 30, 2011. To qualify to fly under Exemption 6175, an operator must be a member of both the Helicopter Association International...
moreEx-Im Bank Backing $200 Million in U.S. Helo Exports
September 01, 2009
Four new AW139s destined for Trinidad and Tobago are the latest in a series of U.S.-manufactured helicopters whose export loans are being backed by the U.S. Export-Import Bank. The Ex-Im reports guaranteeing through July more than $200 million in U.S. commercial helicopter export loans for aircraft destined for markets in the Americas and Asia. This...
moreMidair raises concerns about VFR corridor over Hudson
September 01, 2009
New York’s airspace could be changing. The Hudson River VFR corridor came under fresh and vociferous political attack in the wake of the August 8 fatal midair between a Piper PA-32R piston single and a Liberty Helicopters Eurocopter AS 350BA. The accident killed nine. Following the crash, the FAA announced that it is studying possible changes to the...
moreAir-tour operator Maverick focuses on high-end service
September 01, 2009
The greater Las Vegas area has the highest and most competitive concentration of helicopter tour operators in the U.S. They have traditionally survived with heavy discounting, under-the-table commissions paid to tour bookers and concierges, low pay, high employee turnover and aging aircraft. Maverick Helicopters is bucking that trend. Its formula...
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