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AINtv: MD Helicopters CEO Lynn Tilton and more...
March 18, 2008
Find out why Patriarch Partners founder Lynn Tilton bought MD Helicopters and where it’s going today, why she might buy a bankrupt very light jet manufacturer and what she thinks about the current state of the U.S. economy. Then learn from Jet Aviation CEO Peter Edwards how his company is taking its business aviation service around the world. Click here to...
moreBankruptcy at helo training school rattles rotor industry
March 01, 2008
The largest civilian helicopter school in the U.S. abruptly ceased operations on February 3 amidst allegations by students and former employees of skewed ethics, mismanagement, misrepresentation and possible criminal activities. Executives throughout the industry fear that the building scandal surrounding Silver State Helicopters and its founder, Jerry...
moreBell Opts To Restructure Product Line
March 01, 2008
Bell Helicopter is restructuring its product line to accelerate deliveries of aircraft in high demand, namely the Bell 412, 407 and 429. The Fort Worth manufacturer is increasing production of these models while ending production of the Bell 206B3 JetRanger, 427, 430 and 210 by 2010. Bell anticipates that the change will enable it to build a larger number...
moreActive-Noise-Reduction Headset Unveiled
March 01, 2008
Lightspeed Aviation last month unveiled the Zulu Helo, an active-noise-reduction headset for helicopter pilots. The company claims Zulu’s noise reduction and non-clamp design eliminates headset fatigue. Orders for the $900 Zulu Helo can be placed through a Lightspeed-authorized dealer. Deliveries are slated to begin this month.
moreFAA to consider comments on ADS-B NPRM
March 01, 2008
March 3 is the final date by which the user community can file its comments on the FAA’s Oct. 1, 2007, Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) regarding the agency’s $2+ billion transition plan to the Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) system. FAA officials might be slightly apprehensive as the deadline approaches, since users are expected to...
moreOwner-pilot Breaks NY-LA Helo Record
March 01, 2008
Northern Virginia businessman and helicopter pilot Scott Kasprowicz, along with copilot Steve Sheik, broke the New York to Los Angeles transcontinental rotorcraft speed record on February 16. He flew his AgustaWestland A109S Grand (registration N1US) from Sheltair Aviation at New York La Guardia Airport to Landmark Aviation at Los Angeles International...
moreFrench company targets training market with Cabri
March 01, 2008
Guimbal Hélicoptères has plans to take on the ubiquitous R22 in the training market. The company, launched by a former Eurocopter employee, has made headway, having secured orders from several European companies, including Eurocopter.The Cabri has been designed for three types of mission–training, aerial work and private transportation. It received a CS-27...
moreObstacle detection options abound for helo operators
March 01, 2008
Equipment manufacturers are striving to provide effective, reliable obstacle detection, as collisions with obstacles, notably wires, account for a significant portion of helicopter accidents. Offerings vary from expensive laser radars that benefit situational awareness to lower-cost systems with more limited functionality. Germany-based EADS Defence and...
moreThree bidders competing for UK SAR work
March 01, 2008
Three teams bidding to take over the provision of UK search-and-rescue helicopter (SAR-H) services beginning in 2012 submitted their responses to the initial invitation to tender at the end of January and are embarking on a further round of dialogue before the program moves to the next selection stage.The bidders, who are chasing a deal that could be worth...
moreInaer To Take Over Elilario
March 01, 2008
As these pages went to press, Spanish-based operator Inaer was about to close its acquisition of Italian counterpart Elilario. Inaer operates 136 helicopters for EMS, offshore support, aerial work, surveillance, firefighting, scheduled air transport and executive charter. It has bases in Spain, Chile, Portugal and Italy. It is known under several brands,...
moreAir Ambulance Starts Up in Pakistan
March 01, 2008
Princely Air Ambulance will be Pakistan’s first privately operated air ambulance company, UK-based Medical Aviation Services (MAS), which has entered a technical support agreement with Princely, announced last month. Medical Aviation Services in December sold a used Eurocopter BO 105 to the new firm. MAS is providing training in the UK on the BO 105 before...
moreTurbomeca Leads Mx Data Project
March 01, 2008
Engine maker Turbomeca, project coordinator of the system for mobile maintenance accessible in real time European research program, late in January staged a demonstration of the advantages integrated information systems can offer in maintenance. The $37 million program aims to collect, over long distance and in real time, engine fleet data. It will enable...
moreItalian Corporate Pilots Gather
March 01, 2008
Italy-based manufacturer AgustaWestland held its first Italian Corporate Pilot Conference in January. Almost all of the 50 pilot attendees fly AgustaWestland helicopters, the company said. Operational, regulatory, product and safety matters were among the topics under discussion. An immediate follow-on to the event was the formation of the AgustaWestland...
morePosting record sales, OEM ramps up production
March 01, 2008
At a news conference in Paris in late January, Eurocopter disclosed its results for last year–an all-time high in sales that surpassed the previous record set in 2006. Lutz Bertling, the CEO of the Franco-German-Spanish helicopter manufacturer, also outlined his strategy for expanding the company’s influence in the coming years.Eurocopter recorded orders...
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