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

Safran Helicopter Engines has established a second assembly line at its plant in Grand Prairie, Texas, to produce Arriel 2E engine for the U.S. Army’s new Airbus Helicopters UH-72B Lakota. Deliveries of these helicopters to the Army began in September.&nbsp;The engine had been exclusively made in France.&nbsp;

 


“Assembling this variant&nbsp;in Texas reflects our commitment to the helicopter industry to invest and grow our U.S. presence, bringing us closer to our customers, and allows us to provide increased capability and proximity support,” said Thierry Derrien, president and CEO of Safran Helicopter Engines USA.

 


Safran assembles, tests, and supports several Arriel variants in Grand Prairie, including the -2D for the Airbus H125 and the -1E2 for the U.S. Army UH-72A Lakota, which has more than 900 engines in its fleet. The Arriel also powers the U.S. Coast Guard’s fleet of 102 Airbus MH-65 Dolphins.

 


More than 3,000 Arriel series engines are in service throughout the U.S. and some 12,000 Arriel engines have been produced and collectively have amassed more than 50 million flight hours. The Arriel family, with power ratings between 650 and 1,000 shp, is installed in more than 40 different rotorcraft models. According to Safran, an Arriel-powered helicopter takes off every 15 seconds every day.

News and developments about aircraft engines, including turbofan, turboprop, turboshaft and piston.

Safran Adds Second Helo Engine Assembly Line In Texas

Safran's new Texas assembly line will produce the Arriel 2E engine for the U.S. Army’s UH-72B Lakota.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Matt Thurber

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.

One engine would be able to run at low-idle in a twin-engine helicopter application

FAA Proposes Special Conditions for PW220A Idle Cruise

Charles Alcock

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.

Improved engine production and test facilities are mainly focused on military programs

Rolls-Royce Completes $1 Billion Engine Site Upgrade

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.

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

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.

The first hybrid-electric flights above 30,000 feet, as well as the first across the North Atlantic, GE says.

GE Aerospace and Beta Technologies Cross Atlantic in Hybrid-electric Saab 340B Commuter Aircraft

Australian start-up planned to convert Beechcraft Bonanza and 1900D aircraft

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

Turboshaft has flown more than 600 hours after first flight in March 2023

EASA Issues Type Certificate for AW09 Arriel 2K Engine

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.

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

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.

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