Rotorcraft

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

Maintenance and Modifications

PHI MRO Services Appointed Approved Leonardo Supplier

Move strengthens PHI's relationship with helicopter OEM
Leonardo AW139 helicopter
Maintenance and Modifications

Meridian Receives Part 145 Repair Station Certificate

MRO provider specializes in Bell 206 and 407 helicopter maintenance
Bell LongRanger helicopter
Rotorcraft

Avincis Strengthens Portugal Helicopter MRO Base

Plan will help ensure long-term job stability for Portugal workforce
Avincis Leonardo AW139 helicopter
Rotorcraft

PHI Adds H175s to Australian Energy Support Fleet

Twin-engine aircraft will be based at Broome in Western Australia
Airbus H175 helicopters operated by PHI Aviation in Australia
Rotorcraft

Onboard Talon Dual Cargo Hook Approved in Bell 429

Kits are retrofittable to 429s with existing single- or dual-hook systems
Onboard Systems International Bell 429 helicopter dual cargo hook system
Rotorcraft

Operators Enrolling in VAI Risk Accreditation Program

ORRA encourages helicopter companies to go beyond traditional risk management
Russian Helicopters
Rotorcraft

FAA Issues Special Airworthiness Cert for Skyryse One

Single-flight-control user interface makes helicopter flying safer and easier
Skyryse One modified Robinson R66 helicopter
Rotorcraft

Blade Helo Shuttle Service Returns to 2024 NBAA-BACE

Helicopter flights will be available to transport attendees between the Las Vegas Convention Center and Henderson Executive Airport
Blade NBAA-BACE 2021 shuttle service at Henderson Executive Airport (Photo: NBAA)
Rotorcraft

Aero Asset: Twin-engine Helo Market Retail Sales Drop

Europe was the only region to see sales increase, up by 5%
Aero Asset retail helicopter prices 1H24
Accidents

Snowmobiler Who Collided with Army Helo Awarded $3.3M

Black Hawk had landed on a private airstrip that was also a snowmobile trail
Accidents

Jury Awards $116M in Doors-off Helitour Crash

All five passengers drowned after autorotation into NYC's East River
Maintenance and Modifications

Schweizer Grants MRO Authorization to Italy’s Elicuneo

Boglietto-based helicopter service provider operates its own fleet of Schweizer 300 helicopters
(L-R) Elicuneo CEO Mauro Marino, Chief Flight Instructor Francesco Piazzolla, and Technical Manager William Silvani at Elicuneo's Boglietto helipad
Rotorcraft

SGi Becomes Leonardo AW09 Launch Customer for Indonesia

Company plans to offer medevac, cargo and passenger transport, and utility services
SGi signs for 10 Leonardo AW09 helicopters
Rotorcraft

EASA Rule Change Removes Full-flight Sim Mandate

Loft Dynamics VR flight simulation training devices can fill the full-flight simulator role
Loft Dynamics VR flight simulation training device assembly
Rotorcraft

Sikorsky Certifies S-92 Main Gearbox Life Extension

LifePlus methodology enables extended life for certain components
Sikorsky S-92 helicopter
Regulations and Government

Hansen Helicopters Imports Raise Questions

Government suggests that Hansen continues to operate in violation of court orders
Rotorcraft

Sasemar Awards Another 5-year SAR Contract to Avincis

The Avincis fleet used for the SAR contract includes Leonardo AW139s and Airbus H225s
Avincis Leonardo AW139 helicopter
Rotorcraft

Avincis Wins Spanish Maritime Search-and-rescue Contract

Portuguese operator has supported its Spanish client for more than 30 years
Avincis AW139 helicopter
Rotorcraft

Petroleum Air Expands Leonardo Helo Mx Capabilities

Egypt-based company is expanding in the Red Sea and Mediterranean
Vittorio Della Bella (left), Leonardo senior v-p helicopter customer support and training worldwide services, and Ehab Ali Abdel Maksoud, chairman and managing director, Petroleum Air Services.
Rotorcraft

Robinson Doubles Service Life on a Dozen R66 Helo Parts

Life extension will lower R66 helicopter operating costs by 6%
Robinson R66 helicopter
Rotorcraft

Bell Delivers Custom 505 to Brazil Auto Dealer

Helicopter's paint scheme matches that of the owner's Lamborghini Aventador
All Motors Brazil Bell 505
Safety

Indian Air Force Drops AW119 Helicopter in Rescue Flight

Rotorcraft was stranded in mountains after carrying pilgrims to shrines
Kestrel Aviation AW119 helicopter
Airports

Brisbane Bids For eVTOL Air Taxis to Support 2032 Olympic Games

Urban air mobility is among several transportation upgrades the Australian city is considering
Brisbane wants eVTOL air taxis in time for the 2032 Olympic Games
Rotorcraft

LCI Delivers Two AW139s to Babcock for EMS Operations

Striking flight path of the dragonfly motif was designed by Torres Strait Islander artist Alick Tipoti
Babcock EMS Leonardo AW139 helicopter
Accidents

Helo Accident Caused by Inadequate Engine Inspection

Six people were killed during a "Huey Reunion" event held in 2022
Marpat Aviation Bell UH-1B helicopter
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

FAA Proposes Special Conditions for Skyryse One STC

Requirements address certification for items not currently covered by existing regulations
Skyryse FlightOS automated flight control system in Robinson R66 helicopter
Rotorcraft

UK Government To Scrap Contract for Helicopter Flights

New contract will not be signed at the end of 2024
Royal Air Force Leonardo AW109 helicopter
Maintenance and Modifications

Bristow Ireland Gets Part 145 Mx Station Approval

MRO will support Bristow's search-and-rescue contract
Bristow Leonardo AW189 SAR helicopter (Photo: Bristow Group)
Aircraft

Sikorsky VH-92A Now Officially Marine One

Militarized S-92A transports U.S. president for the first time
VH Ceremony Sikorsky
Rotorcraft

Unither Bioelectronics Plans Hydrogen-powered Helicopters

Hydrogen fuel cells could power organ delivery flights
Mikaël Cardinal, vice president of program management and organ delivery systems at United Therapeutics, and David Smith, president and CEO of Robinson Helicopter Company, shake hands in front of a Robinson R66.