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

Airbus Helicopters is delivering three more five-blade H145 light twins to air ambulance provider SAF Group, adding to the three already ordered by the company between 2018 and 2020. The new helicopters will be based in France in&nbsp;Grenoble, Valence, and Montpellier. SAF operates in France and Belgium and already flies a mixed fleet of 55 Airbus helicopters including a Super Puma, H135s, and H125s. SAF recently deployed its first H145, based in Belgium.

 


“We are happy that the five-blade H145 is gaining momentum in France and playing a key role in the modernization of the EMS fleet in the country,” said Airbus Helicopters CEO Bruno Even, who noted that the helicopter OEM and SAF have had a commercial relationship for more than two decades.&nbsp;

 


More than 1,470 helicopters in the H145 family are in service worldwide with over 470 of those engaged in air rescue and air ambulance missions. The fleet has accumulated more than six million flight hours. The latest derivative, with a five-blade bearingless main rotor system, was announced in 2019. This new rotor system helps increase the H145’s useful load by 330 pounds.

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

SAF Group Adding Three More Airbus H145s to Fleet

SAF is adding three more five-bladed Airbus Helicopters H145s to its air ambulance fleet in France and Belgium.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Neelam Mathews

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

Helicopters Play Crucial Role in Himalayan Flood Rescues

Charlotte Bailey

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

Pentagon permission facilitates sale of Bell 412EXP and 407M

U.S. Approves $800M Bell 407/412 Sale to Iraq Military

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.

Fire and disaster management agency to use aircraft in aerial reconnaissance role

Japan Orders Its First H160 for Emergency Response

Flights with two scaled technology demonstrators will inform potential future iterations 

Singaporean eVTOL Conducts Test Campaign In Germany 

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.

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Fire and disaster management agency to use aircraft in aerial reconnaissance role

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Lightweight white-phosphor NVG have a 94-degree field of view

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European Helicopter Association and Vertical Aviation International extended their alliance

Sikorsky Is Upgrading the Black Hawk Helicopter for Evolving Military Needs

Armed forces will be able to outfit Black Hawks with new armament and equipment.

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