Amy Wilder is a private pilot with more than two decades of experience as a writer and editor in a career spanning journalism, marketing, and communications. 
She has worked in aviation journalism since 2023, combining a lifelong passion for flight and a love of the aviation community with a penchant for storytelling. As a licensed pilot, she brings firsthand insight to the stories she covers, lending an authentic, on-the-ground perspective to industry coverage.
She holds a Master of Arts in Eastern Classics and a Master of Arts in Liberal Arts, both from St. John&#039;s College in Santa Fe, New Mexico, along with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Culture.

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Amy Wilder

Aerospace aftermarket service provider StandardAero announced Agrarflug Helilift as the European launch customer and Wildcat Helicopters as the Canadian launch customer for its tailboom modification STC at Verticon on Monday. The company has received STC approval from the FAA, EASA, and Transport Canada for Bell 212 and Bell 412 helicopters.
The modification removes 100 pounds from the airframe to improve payload capacity and reduce maintenance, the Scottsdale, Arizona-based company said, noting that roughly half of the weight reduction comes from the tailboom and the remainder from nose ballast. It replaces the original composite honeycomb baggage compartment with an aluminum sheet-metal semi-monocoque design. Traditional honeycomb structures are susceptible to corrosion, moisture intrusion, and delamination, particularly in offshore and high-heat environments, according to StandardAero.
“By reducing empty weight, improving center of gravity, and eliminating common structural maintenance drivers, we’re helping our customers increase revenue potential while lowering total cost of ownership,” said Andrew Park, general manager of StandardAero’s Langley facility.
“StandardAero’s tailboom modification delivers meaningful weight savings and addresses structural concerns we see in demanding operating environments,” said Wildcat Helicopters president Mike Michaud.
The upgrade features higher-strength longerons, new bulkhead frames for improved load transfer, no life-limited parts, and improved inspection access. The modification is compatible with existing flight controls, driveshaft assemblies, and installed STCs, including the BLR Aerospace FastFin system.

News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

StandardAero Announces Launch Customers for Bell Tailboom Modification STC

Modification removes 100 pounds to increase payload capacity

StandardAero announced launch customers for its tailboom modification STC for Bell 212 and 412 helicopters that removes 100 pounds from the airframe.

StandardAero Names Launch Customers for Bell Tailboom STC

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Matt Thurber

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

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News and developments about everything that goes into the cabin of an aircraft, from floor coverings to headliners, with a special emphasis on in-flight entertainment, communications and other electronics for passengers. If it is in the cabin of an aircraft, it’s covered here.

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Verticon 2026

In this article

Bell 212/214 Series

StandardAero

Bell

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