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

Western Canada’s Blackcomb Helicopters is equipping its fleet of four Airbus H135s and four Bell 212HPs with GPMS International’s Foresight MX health usage and monitoring system (HUMS).
“Some of our contracts mandate the use of HUMS to ensure we’re operating to the highest levels of safety,” said Jonathan Burke, president of Blackcomb. He added that his company selected Foresight MX for its simplicity, predictive analytics, and customer support. “We’re looking forward to start using the system after certification has been completed.”
“Being able to be more proactive than reactive is what we’re really looking forward to,” said Blackcomb director of maintenance Aaron Trimble. “If you’re able to plan ahead, you’re not having to go AOG and your customers, engineers, and of course, your management are all happier.”
Blackcomb provides helicopter tourism, utility, and civil services from bases at Boundary Bay Airport (Delta), Whistler, Pemberton, Squamish, Sechelt, Lillooet, Terrace, and Calgary/Springbank Airport.
Foresight MX provides machine condition monitoring, optimized rotor track and balance, and fleet data with exceedance monitoring. Certifications or certification work cover rotorcraft as small as the MD530F to as large as the Boeing CH-47D Chinook.

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

Blackcomb Helicopters Selects Foresight MX Health and Usage Monitoring System

The GPMS system will be installed on Blackcomb's Airbus and Bell helicopter fleets

Western Canada’s Blackcomb Helicopters is equipping its fleet of four Airbus H135s and four Bell 212HPs with GPMS International’s Foresight MX HUMS.

Blackcomb Helicopters Selects Foresight MX HUMS

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Curt Epstein

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.

AIN readers rate avionics, cabin management, and airborne connectivity manufacturers

AIN Product Support Survey 2026: Avionics

Kerry Lynch

Matt Thurber

News, issues, personnel, equipment and developments about air traffic management.

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.

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

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.

Experts gather to discuss the problems and solutions surrounding GNSS interference

AIN Roundtable—Readying for Potential Navigation Spoofing, Jamming

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

Product enables aircraft to work together with no need for satcom or cellular communications

Ciconia C&CAS Demos Coordination, Collision Avoidance

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.

New release adds missed approach climb gradient table and climb gradient values on departure procedures

Garmin Expands SmartCharts Reach to Canada and Mexico

Charles Alcock

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

Light jet now approved by Brazilian, U.S., and European regulators 

Autoland-equipped Phenom 300EV Gets Trio of Approvals

Expands availability of company's oxygen-mask head-up display system

Klatt Works Adds Gulfstream as Approved SAVED Supplier

Improves safety when flying into challenging airports

Honeywell Expands Guided Visual Approach List to 120

Jessica Reed

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

Heli-Expo 2024

More In Avionics