General Aviation
News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.
Training and Workforce
Desktop Simulators Shine During Pandemic
For pilots stuck without the ability to stay current by flying, desktop simulation offers are potent alternative.
Rotorcraft
Horizon Academy's Bell 505 Fleet Tops 1,000 Hours
UAE's Horizon International Flight Academy achieved the milestone with the 12 Bell 505 light singles it's received since January.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Swiss Researchers Develop Fast 'Detect and Avoid' Tech
New detect and avoid technology identifies other fast-moving objects in as little as 3.5 milliseconds.
Rotorcraft
Aaron Brings Helicopter Upset Training to Southern Utah
Chuck Aaron's helicopter upset and instrument training coming to Southern Utah University.
Aircraft
Tom Casey Finally Flies West
Tom Casey was never officially recognized for his record-breaking round-the-world seaplane flight in 1990.
Rotorcraft
Bell Expanding Virtual Training Offerings
Bell is expanding its virtual training offerings during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Rotorcraft
HAI Members Pledge 'Covid Clean'
The Helicopter Association International's "Covid Clean" program seeks to reassure rotorcraft customers.
Maintenance and Modifications
EASA Approves Five-blade Airbus H145
Customer deliveries of the new Airbus Helicopters H145 D3 will begin later this summer.
Regulations and Government
Hawaii Pols Seek End to Part 135 Exemptions
Sens Schatz, Hirono introduce legislation to mandate 135 for air tour, skydiving ops.
Rotorcraft
Hill Dems Call For Helos To Have TAWS, Flight Recorders
A bill to mandate HTAWS and flight recorders for large helicopters was introduced by House and Senate Democrats.
Engines
Leonardo AW189K Gets EASA Nod
Leonardo has received EASA certification for the super-medium twin AW189K, a variant developed with a pair of Safran Aneto 1K engines.
Regulations and Government
Police Aviation Under the Gun
New political and budget pressures could ground some police helicopters in the U.S.
Rotorcraft
Unmanned Civil K-Max Helicopter To Deliver in 2021
Kaman Aerospace has already received commitments for its first five unmanned K-1200 K-Max helicopter kits for civil operators.
Aircraft
Cessna's Skyhawk 172 Marks 65 Years Of Flight
The largest Cessna 172 operator is the Civil Air Patrol, which this this week ordered 11 more of the type.
Aircraft
EASA Awards First Electric Aircraft TC to Pipistrel
EASA this week completed what it says is the world's first type certification for a fully electric aircraft, indicating it will pave the way for others.
Rotorcraft
France Funding Hybrid Airbus H125 Helicopter
Airbus Helicopters is poised to receive French government financial support to develop a hybrid powerplant for its H125 single.
Maintenance and Modifications
ESG Earns STC for 3G/4G Helicopter Cabin Wi-Fi
EASA has approved ESG’s STC for 3G/4G mobile communications and cabin wi-fi for the Airbus EC135 and EC635 helicopters.
Avionics
Garmin Pilot App Adds Night Mode, Other New Features
Garmin Pilot version 10.1 adds night mode for approach charts, improved document viewer, and support for the Apple Pencil 2.
Rotorcraft
Aircraft Lasered During George Floyd Protests
Helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft were lasered in at least three American cities during the recent George Floyd protests.
Rotorcraft
Coptersafety Qualifies AW139 Sim To Level-D
Helsinki-based Coptersafety has received FAA Level-D qualification from the FAA for its CAE AW139 full flight simulator.
Avionics
Appareo Adds Conexus Connectivity Collection
Appareo's new Conexus Aircraft Communication Units will help operators and manufacturers collect flight monitoring data.
Rotorcraft
Airbus E-Delivers New Helicopters to Helitrans
Norway’s Helitrans is the first customer to take delivery of new Airbus helicopters using the OEM’s e-Delivery process.
Avionics
Mid-Continent Adds Popular Autopilot Line
Mid-Continent Instruments and Avionics was named an authorized sales and service center for BendixKing AeroCruze, xCruze autopilots.
Rotorcraft
New Bell Buyers Get Garmin OnePak
Bell is offering buyers of new civil aircraft a free one-year subscription to Garmin OnePak database bundles and the Garmin Pilot app.
Rotorcraft
Canada's Universal Helicopters Shuts Down
Citing debt, Covid-19, Universal Helicopters ceases operations
Avionics
Coalition Concerned About Radio Altimeter Interference
An aviation industry coalition is concerned that a recent FCC decision will cause interference with radar altimeters.
Safety
Starr Offers Usage-based Insurance Pricing
By sharing flight records with Starr Insurance, pilots can obtain discounts on aircraft rental insurance.
Rotorcraft
Airbus, Bell Continue Rotor Research
Covid-19 has not stopped new rotor blade research and patents at Airbus and Bell.
Finance, Taxes, Insurance
New Venture Jettisons Parked Offshore Helos
A new venture has been formed to help lenders to the offshore rotorcraft industry dispose of under-utilized assets.
