General Aviation
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.
Rotorcraft
K-Max Leaps From Unmanned to Autonomous Operations
Near Earth Autonomy and Kaman Aerospace have developed an intelligent autonomy system for the K-Max helicopter.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
U.S. Agencies Issue Advisory on Drone Mitigation
A new advisory issued jointly by four U.S. federal agencies provides "legal landscape" on drone mitigation technology.
Security
FAA To Evaluate Drone-mitigation Technology
The FAA will evaluate at least 10 drone mitigation technologies/systems at its William J. Hughes Technical Center in New Jersey.
Rotorcraft
Hill Helicopters Developing Turbine Light Single
UK-based Hill Helicopters has unveiled a new light turbine single helicopter design, the HX50.
Aircraft
Airbus Delivering New Fleet of H125s to U.S. Customs
Airbus Helicopters has delivered the first of 16 new H125 helicopters uniquely configured for U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Avionics
G1000 NXi Certified in Piper Meridian
Garmin is now offering the G1000 NXi avionics upgrade for the Piper Meridian single-engine turboprop.
Rotorcraft
Bell Buyers Get Free SiriusXM
Bell is giving new buyers of its civil helicopters a free, three-month subscription to SiriusXM aviation weather and entertainment.
Rotorcraft
Leonardo Prepping Skid Kit for AW169
Leonardo is progressing with a skid kit for its AW169 medium twin helicopter.
Aircraft
Cirrus Expands European Training, Finance Options
Pilots flying under European regulations can obtain their Cirrus Vision Jet type rating at Aero Poznan's facility in Poland.
Rotorcraft
FAA International Rotorcraft Safety Conference Goes Virtual
Online registration for the FAA’s first virtual International Rotorcraft Safety Conference is now open.
Rotorcraft
Robinson Delivers 1,000th R66 Turbine Helicopter
The R66 fleet surpassed 1.2 million flight hours as Robinson delivered the 1,000th example.
Aircraft
Second Cessna SkyCourier Completes First Flight
The first conforming production flight test Cessna SkyCourier flew for one hour 35 minutes on its inaugural flight.
Rotorcraft
Leonardo Breaks Ground on Temp Facility in Florida
Leonardo broke ground this week on its U.S. Navy TH-73A temporary support facility at the Peter Prince Airport in Milton, FL.
Rotorcraft
Air Ambulances Successfully Navigating Covid Skies
Amid the Covid-19 pandemic, the air ambulance industry is holding its own—for now.
Rotorcraft
USAIG Safety Bucks Fully Cover Airbus Helo IIMC Course
Aircraft insurer USAIG customers can now use their $2,500 Safety Bucks To Cover Airbus Helicopters' IIMC Course.
Rotorcraft
Torqued: It Shouldn’t Take an Act of Congress To Mandate Safety Improvements
Changing regulations takes a long time, and there ought to be a simpler way to create mandates for safety improvements.
Rotorcraft
Bell Embraces Virtual Reality to Design Helicopters
Bell is using augmented and virtual reality, computer gaming technology, to develop new aircraft.
Rotorcraft
One in Five S-92 Helicopters Parked
Some 39 Sikorsky S-92s, comprising 19 percent of the global market, remain parked during the downturn.
Finance, Taxes, Insurance
GECAS Slashes Milestone's Value by $729M
GECAS has written down the value of its Milestone Aviation helicopter leasing unit by $729 million.
Training and Workforce
SimVenture Flyers Get a Taste of Oshkosh Operations
While this year's EAA AirVenture show was canceled, there was a way for pilots to try their hand at flying into a simulated version of the iconic airfield.
Aircraft
Covid Crisis Hits GippsAero
The Australian aircraft manufacturer has seen sales and deliveries of its GA8 Airvan dry up during the pandemic.
Avionics
Garmin Restores Database and Flight-planning Functions
A cyberattack on Garmin resulted in widespread problems for aviation and sports product users.
Rotorcraft
NASA Chief: Uncrewed Aircraft 'Safer'
The agency's administrator touts advanced UAM technologies.
Finance, Taxes, Insurance
HeliValue$: 'The Worst Helicopter Market in 40 Years'
Used helicopter values sink under the pressures of pandemic, cheap oil, and scarce credit.
Avionics
Daher Certifies HomeSafe Autoland in TBM 940
Daher has received both FAA and EASA approval of its HomeSafe emergency autoland system on its TBM 940.
Other Voices: Playing the Pandemic Roulette
A young flight instructor ponders the pandemic's effect on his career as a pilot while remaining hopeful about the future.
Airports
SkyBridge Plans Bizjet MRO Complex at Miami Opa-Locka
The proposed 500,000 square-foot facility at Opa Locka will include hangars, offices, a hotel, and support buildings.
Maintenance and Modifications
Ruag Opens New Paint Shop in Oberpfaffenhofen
RUAG Oberpfaffenhofen’s new paint and drying shop is now operational.
Maintenance and Modifications
Wysong Enterprises Keeps First Responders Airborne
The helicopter MRO has worked on more than 20 aircraft during the Covid-19 pandemic in the last 12 weeks.
Avionics
EASA Certifies Garmin G3X Touch
Europe-based owners of certified single-engine aircraft can now install this equipment in their aircraft.
