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

Airbus Helicopters has signed a contract with&nbsp;China’s&nbsp;GDAT, a helicopter lessor and operator, for 50 H160 intermediate-twin helicopters—a deal&nbsp;worth more than&nbsp;$700 million. The announcement came during French President Macron’s state visit to China&nbsp;and is the largest single order for the H160 on the civil and parapublic market since the helicopter was unveiled in 2015.&nbsp;
The helicopters will be used for missions supporting offshore oil and gas, wind farms, and harbor piloting, as well as a parapublic missions such as &nbsp;air ambulance. Airbus and GDAT also signed a strategic cooperation agreement related to support and services capabilities. GDAT specializes in helicopter sales, leasing, maintenance, and modifications, as well as operating emergency rescue and other government services flights. It is headquartered in Shanghai and has four wholly-owned subsidiaries across China, in addition to&nbsp;operating bases in Suzhou and Ningbo&nbsp;and an overseas branch in London.
	“We are honored&nbsp;GDAT has decided to bolster their&nbsp;all-Airbus fleet of 26 helicopters with the addition of 50 H160 helicopters. The H160 has been designed at the outset as a multimission helicopter and is, therefore, well suited to the multiple segments that lessors provide for,” said Airbus Helicopters CEO&nbsp;Bruno Even.&nbsp;GDAT’s current Airbus fleet includes 21 H225 Super Pumas.

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

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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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Pentagon permission facilitates sale of Bell 412EXP and 407M

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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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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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