Chad is the editor of AINalerts, AIN's daily business aviation newsletter, and is also the news editor at AIN Media Group.&nbsp;He has been writing about aviation, with an emphasis on business aviation, since 1994. Chad started his writing career at The Avion,&nbsp;the&nbsp;student newspaper at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida, serving as editor-in-chief before graduating with a bachelor's in aeronautical science. After a stint as managing editor at Professional Pilot&nbsp;magazine, he joined&nbsp;AIN in late 1998. Chad holds a commercial pilot certificated with instrument and multi-engine ratings, and he also is a CFI/CFII. He lives and works from his home in Venice, Florida.

Online Editor

Chad Trautvetter

Enstrom's lone flight-test TH180 prototype, N180TH, was substantially damaged during a hard off-airport landing on a Menominee, Mich. residential street after losing power late Friday morning. The test pilot walked away and was evaluated at a local hospital for minor injuries.

 


The helicopter hit tree tops and a power pole on the way down, substantially damaging the main rotor system and the skid landing gear. However, the cockpit and fuselage remained largely intact and upright. The helicopter came down approximately 1,800 feet short of the approach end of Menominee Airport's Runway 32. Wind at the time was reported from the northwest at 9 to 12 knots, gusting to 21 to 23 knots.

 


The TH180&nbsp;had&nbsp;logged&nbsp;49 hours since making its <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2015-02-11/enstrom-th180-makes-first-flight">first flight on February 6 last year</a>. Certification had been anticipated later this year. A second flight-test aircraft is under construction, and Enstrom president Tracy Biegler told AIN that its completion will be “expedited.”&nbsp;Conceived as a robust, low-cost training aircraft priced at&nbsp;less than&nbsp;$400,000, the TH180 is powered by a Lycoming HIO-390 piston engine.

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

Enstrom TH180 Prototype Damaged in Hard Landing

The test pilot walked away and was evaluated at a local hospital for minor injuries.

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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 information on safety procedures and concerns.

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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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.

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