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.

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Mark Huber

Bell Helicopter signed a purchase agreement in China June 28 with Shaanxi Helicopter Co. Ltd. (SHC) for 100 Bell 407GXP singles with deliveries starting this year. The Bell deal with the subsidiary of Shaanxi Energy Group is worth about $300 million at list prices and finalizes a&nbsp;framework agreement the company entered with SHC in 2016. The agreement was formalized during a signing ceremony in Xi’an with Bell CEO Mitch Snyder and Shaanxi Energy Group president Xiaoning Yuan, along with leaders from Shaanxi Province and the U.S. and Canadian embassies.

 


“Bell Helicopter has been developing its support and presence in China for several years and this further establishes our commitment to the region,” said Snyder. Yuan said his company's selection of the 407GXP was based in part on its multi-role capabilities in “a broad range of segments, including EMS, parapublic, tourism and firefighting.”

 


Bell launched the 407GXP, the latest 407 variant, in 2015. It features an additional 50 pounds of payload capability compared with the original model; a new M250 Rolls-Royce engine that improves hot-and-high performance and fuel efficiency; new avionics capabilities such as hover performance calculator improvement; and a transmission TBO extension of 500 hours.

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

Bell Inks $300M China Deal for 100 407GXPs

407GXP was selected in part on its multi-role capabilities in “a broad range of segments, including EMS, parapublic, tourism and firefighting.”

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

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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.

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

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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.

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

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Proposed rule addresses pilot awareness of control limits

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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.

European Helicopter Association and Vertical Aviation International extended their alliance 

Vertical Lift Groups Extend Trade Show Partnership

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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