Matt Thurber, editor-in-chief at AIN Media Group, has been flying since 1975 and writing about aviation since 1978 and now has the best job in the world, running editorial operations for Aviation International News, Business Jet Traveler, and FutureFlight.aero. In addition to working as an A&amp;P mechanic on everything from Piper Cubs to turboprops, Matt taught flying at his father’s flight school in Plymouth, Mass., in the early 1980s, flew for an aircraft owner/pilot, and for two summer seasons hunted swordfish near the George’s Banks off the East Coast from a Piper Super Cub. An ATP certificated fixed-wing pilot and CFII and commercial helicopter pilot, Matt is type-rated in the Citation 500 and Gulfstream V/550. Based in the Pacific Northwest, Matt and his team cover the entire aviation scene including business aircraft, helicopters, avionics, safety, manufacturing, charter, fractionals, technology, air transport, advanced air mobility, defense, and other subjects of interest to AIN, BJT, and FutureFlight readers.

Editor-in-Chief

Airbus Helicopters AS332L, EC225, H215, and H225 series

Matt Thurber

The Hellenic Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection has signed a contract to purchase eight Airbus H215 Super Puma helicopters, along with an option for two more. Under a government-owned, contractor-operated model, Airbus and H215 firefighting operators Airtelis and SAF Hélicoptères will partner to provide technical and operational support.&nbsp;
Funding for the purchase is provided by two European funds and the tender was managed by the Project Preparation Facility of Growthfund (the National Fund of Greece) on behalf of the ministry.
The Hellenic Fire Brigade operates two Super Pumas, and the Hellenic Air Force operates 12. With a range of 540 nm and capable of carrying 19 firefighters, a water bucket, or a belly tank, the H215 can conduct firefighting operations at night, thanks to its four-axis autopilot.
“The signing of the contract for the purchase of new H215 helicopters represents an important step in our efforts to mitigate the devastating consequences of the climate crisis in our country,” said Panagiotis Stampoulidis, deputy CEO of Growthfund. “This is the largest contract signed under the Aegis National Programme to bolster the civil protection mechanism in Greece with modern equipment, and we are delighted that the Project Preparation Facility of Growthfund swiftly concluded this tender with transparency and efficiency.”

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

Greece Buying Airbus H215 Helicopters for Firefighting Operations

Super Puma can drop more than four tonnes of water at a time

With a range of 540 nm and capable of carrying 19 firefighters, the H215 can conduct firefighting operations at night, thanks to its four-axis autopilot.

Greece Buying Airbus H215s for Firefighting Operations

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Kerry Lynch

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.

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.

Revenues increased 10% and orders by 58.7%

Orders Surge, Revenues Up in Q1 at Airbus Helicopters

News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

Coverage supports more than 60 helicopters in SAR and offshore energy operations

Bristow, Sikorsky Sign S-92 Enhanced Support Agreement

Company will use the helicopter for business travel in Europe

Bell’s First 505 Sale to Netherlands Goes to Verdegro

Jessica Reed

Issues regarding financing of aircraft; aviation insurance; tax issues for aircraft operators; new companies and people in the aviation financing and insurance industries.

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.

Commercial helicopter deliveries jump to 29 units as FLRAA program drives military growth

Bell Revenues Surge 35% in First Quarter

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

HUMS will enable in-flight exceedance detection and immediate alerting functionality

Skytrac and Sikorsky Partner on Next-gen HUMS for S-92s

Charles Alcock

News about simulators and training procedures, as well as workforce.

Helicopter has been used for patient transfer missions in British Columbia

Helijet Gifts S-76A for Medical Flights in Ukraine 

Amy Wilder

News about environmental issues relating to aircraft operations, including noise issues, emissisions, and regulations. See Fuel for biofuel.

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

In this article

AS332/EC225/H215/H225

Airbus Helicopters

More In Rotorcraft

Orders Surge, Revenues Up in Q1 at Airbus Helicopters

Revenues increased 10% and orders by 58.7%

Bristow, Sikorsky Sign S-92 Enhanced Support Agreement

Coverage supports more than 60 helicopters in SAR and offshore energy operations

Bell’s First 505 Sale to Netherlands Goes to Verdegro

Company will use the helicopter for business travel in Europe

Bell Revenues Surge 35% in First Quarter

Commercial helicopter deliveries jump to 29 units as FLRAA program drives military growth

Skytrac and Sikorsky Partner on Next-gen HUMS for S-92s

HUMS will enable in-flight exceedance detection and immediate alerting functionality

Helijet Gifts S-76A for Medical Flights in Ukraine

Helicopter has been used for patient transfer missions in British Columbia

Spanish Super Pumas Log 437 Hours Battling Chile Fires

Fire season activity up 20% over last year

Kitz-Air Becomes Latest Bell 412EPX Customer in Europe

Austrian operator signed an order during the Aero Friedrichshafen show in Germany

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