A multi-engine, instrument rated pilot, James Wynbrandt has been an AIN and Business Jet Traveler contributor since 2003. His in-depth reporting and insightful features have won more than a dozen editorial honors, including two National Business Aviation Association Gold Wing Awards (2019; 2021), and his articles have also appeared in the New York Times, Barron’s, Fortune, Forbes, and Smithsonian Air &amp; Space. He has flown his Mooney M20K 252 on assignments throughout North and Central America and the Caribbean. Wynbrandt is also the author of Flying High (Wiley &amp; Sons), a biography of Jet Blue founder David Neeleman, as well as histories, references works, and books on a variety of other topics from major publishers. He lives in New York City.

Contributor - Business Aviation

James Wynbrandt

At Heli-Expo today, Eurocopter unveiled the EC130 T2, an updated version of its venerable single-engine helicopter. It also announced orders for 105 of the new aircraft from seven launch customers: Maverick Helicopters, Papillon Helicopters, Blue Hawaiian Helicopters, Scandinavian Helicopter Group, Air Commander, Europavia and Enloe FlightCare. The EC130 T2 is powered by the Turbomeca Arriel 2D engine, which provides 10 percent more average power and lower specific fuel consumption than the original powerplant and has a higher time between overhaul interval. New and updated features include an active vibration control system; improved air ventilation; distribution and defogging systems; a redesigned cabin interior with full flat floor; and enhanced man-machine interface in the cockpit. New energy absorbing seats and a crashworthy fuel tank provide safety enhancements. About 70 percent of the EC130 T2’s airframe has been modified. Performance improvements include a higher maximum gross takeoff weight of 5,512 pounds and 6,724 pounds with sling loads, as well as a speed increase of up to 10 knots. External sound level remains within the rules mandated for flights in Grand Canyon National Park, an important benchmark for air tour operators. Neither pricing for the new aircraft nor the value of the launch customers’ purchases were made public.

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

Eurocopter EC130 Gets T2 Treatment

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Charles Alcock

News about environmental issues relating to aircraft operations, including noise issues, emissisions, and regulations. See Fuel for biofuel.

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

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.

Powercor deploys Bell 407GXi rotorcraft in Australia

Aerial Inspections Make the Difference in Fighting Bushfires

Matt Thurber

News about simulators and training procedures, as well as workforce.

Loft Dynamics device makes emergency training much more realistic 

Los Angeles Police Dept Puts VR Simulator to Work

Traffic jams make it worthwhile for people to fly on short helicopter charter flights

Sweet Helicopters Keeps Indianapolis 500 Fans Moving

Facility will serve regional customers and improve the OEM’s efficiency

Airbus Helicopters Opens Niagara Distribution Center

Brazil’s energy market is a strong driver of rotorcraft activity in LATAM

Rotortrade Sees Growth in Latin American Helo Market

Hanneke Weitering

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.

Contender to replace the branch's Airbus UH-72 Lakota trainers

Robinson Reveals R66 for Army Helicopter Training

News and issues concerning the aviation charter and fractional-ownership industries and markets, including company announcements, regulations, new developments and labor issues.

Universal Vulkaan Aviation has now ordered seven VIP helicopters

Leonardo’s Indian Distributor UVA Orders Two AW169s

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

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