Rotorcraft

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

Latest

Mexico AW109 Crash Now a Homicide Investigation

Mexican authorities have detained four people in connection with the December 2018 fatal crash of a 2011 Leonardo AW109S.

Accidents

December 28, 2020

EASA Proposes Modifications for Overwater Helo Ops

EASA is proposing equipment changes for Part 27 and 29 helicopters that are operated for extended periods over water.

Rotorcraft

December 28, 2020

Austrian Operator Orders Five Airbus H135 Light Twins

Airbus Helicopters will deliver the first newer variant of the H135 to ÖAMTC Air Rescue in early 2022.

Rotorcraft

December 23, 2020

Congress Nixes 'Surprise Air Ambulance Bills'

Covid relief legislation ends health insurance denials for "out-of-network" transports.

Regulations and Government

December 22, 2020

More Articles

Air Methods Takes Aim at Helicopter EMS Membership Programs

The nation’s largest helicopter air ambulance company has launched a full-frontal assault on competitors who sell annual “memberships.”

Rotorcraft

December 21, 2020

DOT Watchdog Gives FAA Fresh 'Doors Off' Upbraiding

DOT IG critical of FAA current supervision of "doors off" helitour flights.

Rotorcraft

December 21, 2020

Heli-Union Signs Up for Airbus H160s

Héli-Union is purchasing two new multi-mission Airbus H160 medium twins.

Rotorcraft

December 18, 2020

H135 Gets New Max Weight, Single-pilot IFR Upgrades

Airbus's H135 light twin gets a 265-pound boost in mtow, along with a new single-pilot IFR cockpit.

Avionics

December 17, 2020

Bell V-280 Flies with Sling Loads

The Bell V-280 tiltrotor was recently flown with a new tactical common datalink (TCDL) and completed external sling load sorties.

Rotorcraft

December 17, 2020

Safran Signs China Utility To Engine Support Program

Safran Helicopter Engines has signed a Support-By-Hour contract with State Grid General Aviation Company of China.

Maintenance and Modifications

December 16, 2020

FAA's Dickson Warns 'Disruptions' Could Affect Safety

FAA administrator Steve Dickson describes risks resulting from changes caused by the pandemic.

Rotorcraft

December 14, 2020

HAI, FAA Call for Voluntary Rotorcraft Safety Retrofits

HAI president and FAA administrator call for retrofit of crash resistant fuel systems, seats, and structures in legacy helicopters.

Rotorcraft

December 14, 2020

Manila Inducts Black Hawks, Considers Second Batch

The Philippines Air Force has begun operating the Black Hawk, having received its first batch of six in November.

Rotorcraft

December 11, 2020

Bell Acquires Fuel Cell Maker

Bell Textron has acquired Rhode Island-based Response Technologies, a manufacturer of fuel cells and polymers.

Rotorcraft

December 10, 2020

Airbus May Be Considering Hydrogen-powered Helicopter

Airbus's ZeroE project could be adapted to its helicopter business, executive says during Wichita Aero Club webinar.

Environment

December 9, 2020

Hill Helicopters To Offer HX50 as Kit

Hill Helicopters said its five-seat HX50 turbine single will initially be offered as an amateur-built aircraft in 2023 for $662,000.

Rotorcraft

December 8, 2020

Leonardo Delivering 17 More AW139s to Italian Air Force

Leonardo has delivered the first of 17 multirole HH-139B twin-engine helicopters to the Italian Air Force.

Rotorcraft

December 3, 2020

New Survitec Emergency Breathing System Offers More Air

Survitec's new Emergency Breathing System (EBS) offers offshore helicopter passengers and crew more air.

Rotorcraft

December 2, 2020

Airbus VSR700 Makes ATOLs from Moving Deck

Airbus's optionally piloted vehicle recently made fully autonomous takeoff and landing approaches to and from a moving deck simulator.

Rotorcraft

December 1, 2020

Bell Moves Commercial Business into New Center

Formerly the American Airlines building, Bell's Commercial Business Center will house about 600 employees.

Rotorcraft

December 1, 2020