Eurocopter has clarified the EC175 certification status, having apparently changed plans. The new medium twin is “on time” for full certification late this year. At one point, Eurocopter was planning a basic type certification late last year, followed by offshore mission equipment certification this year. The company has decided to combine the certifications.
Helicopters
March 4, 2012 - 12:20am
Garmin received an STC for installation of the G500H helicopter avionics system in the Robinson R44. The installation requires a 10-hole instrument panel. For R44s with the seven- or nine-hole panel, a custom panel is available from Garmin, or customers can purchase one from Robinson. The G500H price is $24,995, and optional helicopter synthetic vision technology adds $8,000. The installation requires a $500 parts kit, and the custom Garmin instrument panel costs $4,500.
March 2, 2012 - 10:30am
The U.S. Navy’s latest attempt to replace the aging Presidential helicopter fleet has been delayed. The Pentagon rejected an analysis of alternatives (AoA) for the VXX program because no “cost-effective” solution was identified, according to the Government Accountability Office (GAO).
March 1, 2012 - 2:30pm
In a deft political maneuver that capitalizes on the perceived need of Congress to deliver election-year public works spending, Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) attached an amendment today imposing helicopter flight restrictions in Long Island and Los Angeles to the $52 billion federal highway bill (S.1813). This amendment would mandate offshore routes for helicopters transiting the North and South sections of Long Island and require the FAA to develop more restrictive flight paths for civil helicopters operating over the Los Angeles basin.
March 1, 2012 - 8:00am
America may run on Dunkin’, but the world runs on oil.
So does the helicopter industry. This was particularly evident at Heli-Expo 2012 (February 11 to 14), held rather appropriately in Dallas, deep in the heart of the U.S. petroleum market.
March 1, 2012 - 3:35am
Late in January Eurocopter unveiled record revenues–more than €5 billion, with service activity offsetting helicopter deliveries that sagged slightly. The Marignane, France-based company claims to have a 43-percent market share. For 2020, CEO Lutz Bertling is aiming at €9 billion revenues ($11.7 billion), at least 40 percent of it derived from services.
February 29, 2012 - 1:05pm
A mechanic at Glendale Municipal Airport (KGEU), Ariz., while standing next to a Robinson R44 during a maintenance run of the engine on Friday last week, lost control of the aircraft, which had been parked between two buildings near the airport’s south hangar.
February 28, 2012 - 2:25pm
Bob Munton, founder and former owner of the biennial Helitech show, thinks the rotorcraft industry still needs another event. Planned for September 26 to 27 in Silverstone, England, The Helicopter Show already has commitments from the UK distributor of Robinson Helicopter, Marenco SwissHelicopter, Helicopters Guimbal of France and Quest Helicopters of the UAE.
February 28, 2012 - 2:05pm
Startup manufacturer Marenco Swisshelicopter said it booked orders for 23 SKYe SH09 helicopters at Heli-Expo 2012, which was held earlier this month in Dallas. This brings the Swiss company’s backlog to 34 helicopters. The first SH09 prototype is currently being assembled near Zurich, Switzerland, and the company aims to fly it by year-end. Certification is slated for 2014, with deliveries of the eight-place, $3 million SH09 slated to start in 2015.
February 22, 2012 - 1:00pm
Sikorsky Aircraft has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Mexican helicopter service provider Aeroservicios Especializados (ASESA) to jointly explore assembly and service opportunities in support of Black Hawk helicopters.
