Mark Huber is an aviation industry veteran who has worked in the flight training, aircraft sales, aircraft component, and airport development businesses. He has flight time in more than 50 different and diverse aircraft, including helicopters, aerobatic aircraft, vintage warbirds, jet fighters, business jets and turboprops, and transport-category aircraft. He has jumped out of several of these—on purpose—with a parachute. His defense and aviation journalism has been published in a variety of national and international periodicals.

Contributor

Mark Huber

The U.S. FAA cleared the Airbus Helicopters Super Puma (H225s and AS332 L2s) for return to service via an alternate means of compliance (AMOC). The FAA grounded the helicopters in June (emergency airworthiness directive 2016-12-51) following the crash of an EC225LP in which the main rotor hub (MRH) detached from the main gearbox (MGB).

 


EASA in October had <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2016-10-07/easa-clears-super-pumas-service-return">lifted its own flight ban</a> on the helicopters through an AD that mandated an increased inspection regime and replacement of the second stage planet gear in the main gear box. Compliance with the October EASA AD and the FAA AMOC clears the helicopter for return to service in those jurisdictions and those that recognize its rulemaking.

 


Approximately five Super Pumas are on the FAA registry. However, aviation authorities in the UK and Norway continue to impose a flight ban pending the results of the investigation of the fatal April 2016 accident near Turoy, Norway, that killed all 13 on board a CHC EC225 LP being operated for Statoil. The accident led to a worldwide grounding of the type in June. North Sea energy company Statoil announced earlier this year that it will <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2016-12-06/north-sea-operator-statoil-drops-super-puma">no longer allow</a> its workers to be transported in Super Pumas under any circumstances.&nbsp;

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

FAA Clears Super Pumas for Return to Service

EASA had previously permitted the helicopters to return to flight.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Charlotte Bailey

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

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.

Pentagon permission facilitates sale of Bell 412EXP and 407M

U.S. Approves $800M Bell 407/412 Sale to Iraq Military

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.

Fire and disaster management agency to use aircraft in aerial reconnaissance role

Japan Orders Its First H160 for Emergency Response

Flights with two scaled technology demonstrators will inform potential future iterations 

Singaporean eVTOL Conducts Test Campaign In Germany 

Matt Thurber

New developments and products in avionics, specifically about aircraft electronics in the cockpit.

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.

More In Rotorcraft

U.S. Approves $800M Bell 407/412 Sale to Iraq Military

Pentagon permission facilitates sale of Bell 412EXP and 407M

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Fire and disaster management agency to use aircraft in aerial reconnaissance role

Singaporean eVTOL Conducts Test Campaign In Germany

Flights with two scaled technology demonstrators will inform potential future iterations

FAA Approves TSO for ASU Panoramic Night-vision Goggles

Lightweight white-phosphor NVG have a 94-degree field of view

FAA Floats Special Conditions for Skyryse Fly-by-wire R66

Proposed rule addresses pilot awareness of control limits

Vertical Lift Groups Extend Trade Show Partnership

European Helicopter Association and Vertical Aviation International extended their alliance

Sikorsky Is Upgrading the Black Hawk Helicopter for Evolving Military Needs

Armed forces will be able to outfit Black Hawks with new armament and equipment.

Sikorsky’s S-97 Raider Points to a New Level of Performance for Future Helicopters

Originally developed for the U.S. military, X2 technology is in search of a new customer.

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