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

Helicopter lessor LCI and Sumitomo Mitsui Finance and Leasing Company (SMFL), have acquired five more helicopters: two Airbus H145D3s, two Airbus H145T2s, and one Leonardo AW139. They will be deployed in Europe and Asia. The new aircraft bring&nbsp;the companies’ total joint venture (JV) portfolio to 38 units, valued at more than $420 million and&nbsp;representing a doubling of the number of aircraft in the JV since its launch in September 2020 with 19 helicopters.

 


The JV’s fleet is in operation across countries including the UK, Germany, France, Spain, Italy,&nbsp;Norway, and Australia with more than 75 percent of the fleet engaged in operations including emergency medical services, search and rescue, and offshore wind farm support. Since its inception in 2004, LCI has entered into $8 billion of transactions in the fixed-wing and helicopter markets.

 


“Our continued expansion is a clear demonstration of the initial success and long-term potential of LCI’s partnership with SMFL. Using our collective expertise, I am confident that we can achieve further growth with an increasing focus on socially-aware helicopter missions across the globe,” said LCI CEO Jaspal Jandu.&nbsp;

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

LCI Doubles Helicopters in Joint Venture

Helicopter lessor LCI now has 38 aircraft in a joint venture with Sumitomo Mitsui Finance and Leasing Company. 

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Amy Wilder

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.

Pre-tax earnings for service group climb 20.6%

NetJets, FlightSafety Revenue Rises in First-half 2026

Hanneke Weitering

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

Financing supports Eco Caravan certification and hybrid-electric APU development

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Kerry Lynch

Moody's assigned a Ba2 credit rating, up from Ba3, while maintaining a positive outlook

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Matt Thurber

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

Decision support system helps pilots assess risks up to 14 days ahead of planned flight

PlaneWX Pilots Save with 5X5 Insurance Safety Rewards

Component sales boosted Beta’s second-quarter revenue

Beta Is Turning Its eVTOL Competitors into Customers

Charles Alcock

UK group says it will complete Valo eVTOL’s critical design review this year 

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Buyers urged to seek guidance, consider financing before finding an aircraft

IADA Panel: Financing Has Evolved Beyond a Buying Tool

Howard Hardee

News and issues relating to civil and military unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) of all kinds and sizes, including those used for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), combat (unmanned combat air vehicles, or UCAVs), law enforcement, research and other applications. Of particular focus is the FAA's planned integration of UAS into the U.S. national airspace system.

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