Rotorcraft

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

Latest

Bell Marks First European Delivery of 505 NXi

Bell recently delivered the first European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)-certified Bell 505 NXi.

Rotorcraft

February 5, 2021

Highly-modified Kopter Begins Flight Testing

The flight test crew of a modified Kopter SH09 reported improved handling and stability.

Rotorcraft

February 4, 2021

Trump Helipad in Palm Beach To Be Demolished

The helipad at former President Trump’s Florida Mar-a-Lago club is being removed.

Regulations and Government

February 4, 2021

FAA Aviation Weather Cams Coming To Hawaii

FAA begins work required for installation of the first 10 weather cam systems in Hawaii.

Rotorcraft

February 3, 2021

More Articles

Leonardo's AW139 Helicopter Turns 20

The worldwide fleet of 1,100 AW139 twin engined rotorcraft have amassed more than three million flight hours since the model was placed into service.

Rotorcraft

February 3, 2021

Airbus Helos Help in Covid-19 Vaccine Delivery Effort

The company reports that its aircraft are being used around the world to distribute the vaccines to isolated areas.

Rotorcraft

February 2, 2021

Directional Aviation Buying Helo Operator AAG

Kenn Ricci’s Directional Aviation Group unit OneSky Flight is acquiring helicopter charter operator AAG from Sikorsky.

Rotorcraft

February 2, 2021

Wrong Engine Shutdown Triggers Helicopter Fatal

An Airbus BK117 C2 crashed after the pilot shut down the No. 1 engine after the No. 2 engine began to fail.

Accidents

February 2, 2021

Pentagon Will Track D.C. Helicopter Noise

Few practical options exist for mitigating helicopter noise in the Washington, D.C. area.

Rotorcraft

February 1, 2021

Capitol Hill Targets Helicopter Safety, Tourism

The new Congress begins with the introduction of bills calling for mandatory HTAWS, seeking limits on air tours.

Regulations and Government

February 1, 2021

FAA Special Condition Suggests Bell 525 Nears Certification

Bell officially launched the 19-passenger 525 in 2012.

Rotorcraft

January 31, 2021

Bell's 4Q Helo Deliveries Slip, but Recovery Expected

Bell delivered 19 fewer commercial helicopters in the fourth quarter of 2020.

Rotorcraft

January 28, 2021

Erickson: Wildfires Are Going To Get Worse

Helicopter services company Erickson responding to growing wildfire threat.

Rotorcraft

January 27, 2021

Nuke-sniffing Helicopter Deployed to Tampa

A Bell 412 will conduct radiation mapping and sensing flights over the site of Super Bowl LV.

Regulations and Government

January 26, 2021

Airbus Helicopter Deliveries Dip 9.6% in 2020

Airbus Helicopters maintained a 48 percent share of the worldwide civil and parapublic market in 2020.

Rotorcraft

January 26, 2021

Vertical Flight Society Moves Annual Show Online

The Vertical Flight Society saw its membership rise during 2020 and has announced a new partnership with the U.S. Army to support skills training.

Rotorcraft

January 26, 2021

Offshore Wind Needs New Helicopters Worth $1 Billion

A new report predicts that the helicopter fleet servicing the offshore wind electricity market will increase by 100 by 2030.

Rotorcraft

January 26, 2021

Optionally Piloted K-Max To Begin Testing by Midyear

Kaman's optionally piloted vehicle module for the K-Max helicopter will enter ground and flight testing during the first half of 2021.

Rotorcraft

January 25, 2021

"Defiant X" Enters U.S. Army FLRAA Derby

Sikorsky and Boeing unveiled a slicker version of their SB-1 “Defiant” for the U.S. Army's $40 billion future long range assault aircraft competition.

Rotorcraft

January 25, 2021

Drone Injures Helicopter Crewmember

Drone pierces windshield of Chilean Navy UH-57B, injuring front seat crewmember.

Accidents

January 25, 2021