Rotorcraft

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

Latest

Leonardo Helicopters Makes Fresh Latin American Inroads

Leonardo Helicopters reports new AW139 and AW169 sales in Colombia, Mexico.

Rotorcraft

January 11, 2021

Bell Delivers 505 to Fort Worth PD

More than 300 Bell 505s are currently operating.

Rotorcraft

January 11, 2021

Blade To Start Westchester County-NYC Helo Service

Helicopter rideshare service Blade partnering with Ross Aviation to build a vertiport at Westchester County Airport in New York.

Rotorcraft

January 11, 2021

Malaysia Suspends Heli Operator's Training Certificate

The Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) has suspended the training certificate of My Heli Club following its second crash in less than two months.

Accidents

January 5, 2021

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Announcing the Top Flight Awards Rotorcraft Category Winner

Announcing the Top Flight Awards Rotorcraft Category Winner

Rotorcraft

January 4, 2021

Air Methods: 'No Surprises' Law Details Raise Concerns

Air ambulance company urges fair compensation after new law bans "no surprises" medical billings.

Rotorcraft

December 31, 2020

Mexico AW109 Crash Now a Homicide Investigation

Mexican authorities have detained four people in connection with the December 2018 fatal crash of a 2011 Leonardo AW109S.

Accidents

December 28, 2020

EASA Proposes Modifications for Overwater Helo Ops

EASA is proposing equipment changes for Part 27 and 29 helicopters that are operated for extended periods over water.

Rotorcraft

December 28, 2020

Austrian Operator Orders Five Airbus H135 Light Twins

Airbus Helicopters will deliver the first newer variant of the H135 to ÖAMTC Air Rescue in early 2022.

Rotorcraft

December 23, 2020

Congress Nixes 'Surprise Air Ambulance Bills'

Covid relief legislation ends health insurance denials for "out-of-network" transports.

Regulations and Government

December 22, 2020

Air Methods Takes Aim at Helicopter EMS Membership Programs

The nation’s largest helicopter air ambulance company has launched a full-frontal assault on competitors who sell annual “memberships.”

Rotorcraft

December 21, 2020

DOT Watchdog Gives FAA Fresh 'Doors Off' Upbraiding

DOT IG critical of FAA current supervision of "doors off" helitour flights.

Rotorcraft

December 21, 2020

Heli-Union Signs Up for Airbus H160s

Héli-Union is purchasing two new multi-mission Airbus H160 medium twins.

Rotorcraft

December 18, 2020

H135 Gets New Max Weight, Single-pilot IFR Upgrades

Airbus's H135 light twin gets a 265-pound boost in mtow, along with a new single-pilot IFR cockpit.

Avionics

December 17, 2020

Bell V-280 Flies with Sling Loads

The Bell V-280 tiltrotor was recently flown with a new tactical common datalink (TCDL) and completed external sling load sorties.

Rotorcraft

December 17, 2020

Safran Signs China Utility To Engine Support Program

Safran Helicopter Engines has signed a Support-By-Hour contract with State Grid General Aviation Company of China.

Maintenance and Modifications

December 16, 2020

HAI, FAA Call for Voluntary Rotorcraft Safety Retrofits

HAI president and FAA administrator call for retrofit of crash resistant fuel systems, seats, and structures in legacy helicopters.

Rotorcraft

December 14, 2020

FAA's Dickson Warns 'Disruptions' Could Affect Safety

FAA administrator Steve Dickson describes risks resulting from changes caused by the pandemic.

Rotorcraft

December 14, 2020

Manila Inducts Black Hawks, Considers Second Batch

The Philippines Air Force has begun operating the Black Hawk, having received its first batch of six in November.

Rotorcraft

December 11, 2020

Bell Acquires Fuel Cell Maker

Bell Textron has acquired Rhode Island-based Response Technologies, a manufacturer of fuel cells and polymers.

Rotorcraft

December 10, 2020