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 distributor&nbsp;Mitsui Bussan Aerospace (MBA) of Japan has ordered six more AW139 intermediate-twin helicopters. The deal will bring the number of AW139s&nbsp;in&nbsp;Japan to nearly 70.&nbsp;
The agreement follows AW139 deliveries and orders in the&nbsp;country for end users such as the the Japan Coast Guard (21&nbsp;AW139s) and the Japan National Police Agency (two). In addition, three AW139s will be delivered in 2024 to&nbsp;Ishikawa Prefecture Fire Fighting &amp; Disaster Relief;&nbsp;Ministry of Land, Infrastructure&nbsp;and Transport of Hokuriku; and&nbsp;Saitama Prefecture Fire Fighting and Disaster Relief.&nbsp;
AW139s in&nbsp;service in Japan have logged more than&nbsp;110,000 flight hours. Some 150 Leonardo helicopters of various types are in service in the country&nbsp;for a wide range of missions, including law enforcement, emergency medical service, search and rescue, firefighting, disaster relief, VIP/corporate transport, electronic newsgathering,&nbsp;and maritime utility.&nbsp;
MBA specializes in aerospace, defense, and security systems;&nbsp;importing and selling helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft, space, defense, and security-related equipment;&nbsp;and related services. Its products include Leonardo’s helicopters, defense machines, and aircraft engines. The company was founded in 1982 and is based in Tokyo.

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

Mitsui Bussan Orders Six More Leonardo AW139s

Latest Japan AW139 helicopter order brings in-country fleet to near 70.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

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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.

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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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Flights with two scaled technology demonstrators will inform potential future iterations 

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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.

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