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

Leonardo announced Wednesday that Saudi Arabia’s The Helicopter Company (THC) and Abu Dhabi Aviation (ADA) had each ordered six more AW139 intermediate twin helicopters.&nbsp;THC also placed options for an additional 20 over the next 18 months.&nbsp;After delivery of its six on firm order,&nbsp;THC will have 49&nbsp;AW139s and uses the type for&nbsp;search and rescue, air ambulance, and corporate/VIP transport.
Established by the Saudi Public Investment Fund as part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 diversified investment plan, THC has been operating since 2019. It&nbsp;is the kingdom’s first and only commercial helicopter operator and has quickly built one of the largest commercial helicopter fleets in the Middle East.
Meanwhile,&nbsp;ADA will take delivery of its six AW139s between 2024 and 2026. They will join the company's current fleet of 33 Leonardo helicopters, which includes&nbsp;several models. ADA's AW139s are used primarily in support of the offshore energy industry.&nbsp;
ADA’s fleet of Leonardos&nbsp;logs more than 10,000 hours annually and is supported with MRO, training, and flight simulator services&nbsp;by the&nbsp;AgustaWestland Aviation Services Joint Venture in the United Arab Emirates.&nbsp;
Worldwide, nearly 1,300 AW139s have been sold to more than 290 customers in over 80 nations. Over 170 of those have been purchased by&nbsp;operators in the Middle East. The installed fleet of 1,130 has logged in excess of 3.6 million flight hours. The helicopter features a 60-minute run-dry main gearbox and more than 1,000 kits have been certified for the aircraft.&nbsp;

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

Leonardo Sells 12 More AW139 Helicopters to Middle Eastern Customers

The Helicopter Company and Abu Dhabi Aviation boost Leonardo AW139 fleets. 

Leonardo Sells 12 More AW139s to Middle Eastern Customers

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News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

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.

News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Nepal’s army and private operators have deployed rotorcraft across the flood zone

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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.

Pentagon permission facilitates sale of Bell 412EXP and 407M

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

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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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.

HAI Convention News 2023

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