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

MD Helicopters has delivered the final five MD 530F Cayuse Warriors to the Afghan Air Force that were part of a 30-aircraft order placed in September 2017, the comany announced on Monday. The order was part of a $1.4 billion, five-year IDIQ (indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity) contract. Sixty 530Fs have been delivered to the Afghan Air Force.

 


The aircraft are shipped to Afghanistan via Boeing 747 freighter from MD’s assembly plant in Mesa, Arizona, to Kandahar, where they are reassembled and readied for flight.&nbsp;MD has 24 aircraft contracted via the IDIQ contract and future deliveries remain on schedule.

 


“The iconic MD Helicopters airframe was born to serve the warfighter,” said MD CEO Lynn Tilton. “As a proud American manufacturer with a decades-long pedigree of delivering best-in-class rotorcraft options, we remain committed to the ongoing delivery of robust light scout attack helicopter solutions to U.S. and allied nations around the world.”&nbsp;

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

MD Helicopters Increases Afghan Deliveries

Afghan Air Force's fleet of MD 530Fs has increased to 60. 

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

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.

A new training program will help pilots make the most of the new flight control system

Garmin Helicopter Autopilot Certified in Robinson R66 

Brazil has largest helicopter fleet in the region

Rotortrade Opens New Brazil Subsidiary

Charles Alcock

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.

Powercor deploys Bell 407GXi rotorcraft in Australia

Aerial Inspections Make the Difference in Fighting Bushfires

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

Loft Dynamics device makes emergency training much more realistic 

Los Angeles Police Dept Puts VR Simulator to Work

Traffic jams make it worthwhile for people to fly on short helicopter charter flights

Sweet Helicopters Keeps Indianapolis 500 Fans Moving

Facility will serve regional customers and improve the OEM’s efficiency

Airbus Helicopters Opens Niagara Distribution Center

Brazil’s energy market is a strong driver of rotorcraft activity in LATAM

Rotortrade Sees Growth in Latin American Helo Market

Hanneke Weitering

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.

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