Manufacturer news

Latest Manufacturer news

Airbus’ China A330 Widebody Completion & Delivery Centre construction starts

The rugged and economic H215 ready for the U.S. market

Airbus Helicopters’ H215, the twin-engine, versatile, economic and robust helicopter designed to meet for a wide range of utility missions, will embark on a US-wide demo tour following its appearance on static display at the 2016 Heli Expo international trade show. Beginning on March 4, the...

Enstrom suffers set-back on TH180 trainer

Light rotorcraft manufacturer Enstrom Helicopter arrives at Heli-Expo with its display shorn of a key exhibit after its new TH180 piston-single trainer was severely damaged during flight-testing. "A piece of test equipment failed last week and totalled it," says Pierre du Pont, director...

Robinson begins taking orders for R44 Cadet

Robinson has begun taking orders for its new twin-seat derivative of the Raven, the R44 Cadet, as it closes on US Federal Aviation Administration certification. The piston-single trainer features at Robinson’s booth at Heli-Expo. It sells for $339,000 and is powered by the Lycoming 0-540-F1B5 piston engine. Company president Kurt Robinson said, speaking at Heli-Expo today, thatEASA cer...

Air Zermatt signs as launch customer for Marenco SKYe SH09

Marenco Swisshelicopter has secured a launch customer for its developmental SKYe SH09 light single, with Swiss firm Air Zermatt placing a firm order for a single example of the 2.6t rotorcraft. Delivery to the operator is due begin in 2017, on the back of European Aviation Safety Agency certification, says Marenco chief executive Martin Stucki. Although initially only for one aircr...

Bell Helicopter signs agreement with Aichi Prefecture for Bell 412EPI

Bell Helicopter, announced a signed purchase agreement with Aichi Prefecture for a Bell 412EPI configured for parapublic operations and used specifically for firefighting missions and disaster relief. “The selection of the Bell 412EPI will enhance Aichi’s capability and help ensure the safety and security of citizens throughout the region,” said Richard Thornley...

SIA collects first Airbus A350-900 plane on Thursday

The new model is said to be about 20 per cent more fuel efficient than existing models, and could help Singapore Airlines save costs amid heating competition with Gulf carriers. Singapore Airlines (SIA) has successfully completed the first maiden test flight of its first Airbus A350-900 in Toulouse, France - home of aircraft maker Airbus - and is set to pick up the keys on Thursday (Mar 3).&nbs...

It’s Almost Impossible to Crash This New Drone

The DJI Phantom 4 can see and avoid obstacles in its path. Chinese drone maker DJI wants to make flying a drone so easy that anyone can do it, thanks to easier-to-use controls and the ability to avoid obstacles. The $1,399 Phantom 4 can see and automatically avoid dangerous obstructions thanks to a new set of front-facing sensors. If the drone doesn’t think it can make it around a...

Behavior of carbon fiber reinforced plastics during flights verified precisely

Little is known as yet about the behavior of carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP) during a flight. As part of the Clean Sky research initiative and with the help of a measurement configuration based on fiber optics, Fraunhofer researchers have accurately verified the degree to which CFRP parts deform during flight. The pilots starts his takeoff. The tires slowly leave the asphalt. On board:...

Airbus A380 Makeover in Limbo on Emirates Capacity Squeeze

Airbus Group SE said a new version of the A380 superjumbo is unlikely to enter the market until the mid-2020s as the double-decker jetliner’s biggest operator, Emirates Airline, struggles with limits on flights from its home market. Emirates has pressed Airbus to develop a re-engined model of the world’s biggest passenger plane, the backbone of its international fleet, promising an...

Honeywell forecasts 4,300 to 4,800 global helicopter deliveries over next five years

In the face of a slower global economic growth environment and increased volatility in oil and gas-related markets, the helicopter industry is reacting with a cautious outlook for near-term new purchases. In its 18th annual Turbine-Powered Civil Helicopter Purchase Outlook, Honeywell forecasts 4,300 to 4,800 civilian-use helicopters will be delivered from 2016 to 2020, roughly 400 helicopter...

Textron launch PowerAdvantage program for King Airs

Textron Aviation, announced it has expanded its PowerAdvantage engine support program to Beechcraft King Air and Cessna Caravan turboprop platforms. Part of the company’s ProAdvantage suite of support programs, PowerAdvantage offers owners and operators comprehensive PT6A engine coverage with predictable costs for both routine and most unscheduled engine maintenance events. “ProAdva...

Esterline CMC Electronics avionics selected for Avicopter's new AC312C and AC312E helicopters

Esterline CMC Electronics CMA-9000 Flight Management System (FMS) and CMA-5024 Global Positioning System (GPS) Landing System Sensor have been selected as the navigation solution for use on both the AC312C and AC312E helicopters. The AC312C/E will be the latest-generation, twin-engine helicopters from Avicopter and are well suited for a full range of missions, including law enforcement, searc...

Finmeccanica Stressing Lighter Product Offerings

Finmeccanica Helicopters is stressing the lighter portion of its portfolio of AW models here at Heli-Expo in the wake of continuing softness in the offshore energy market. “We want to show the versatility of our product portfolio and have invested in new products at the right time that have come to market in a timely fashion. There is a general worry about the oil-and-gas down...

The Sukhoi T-4 Heavy Supersonic Bomber was an Experimental Craft, Here are 5 Cool Facts

The Sukhoi T-4 was a Soviet high-speed Reconnaissance, anti-ship and strategic bomber aircraft that did not proceed beyond the prototype stage. The T-4 had intake ramps similar to the XB-70, was made largely from titanium and stainless steel, and featured a quadruple redundant fly-by-wire control system but also employed a mechanical system as a backup. 5. First Flew in 1972 The first T-...

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Essential news

ATR sees Vietnam as a key growth market for regional aviation in Southeast Asia

ATR highlighted Vietnam's significant potential as a market for modern regional aviation, pointing to strong underlying demand, an expanding airport network and a new generation of turboprop...

Technip Energies, Airbus, Safran and Tereos join forces to develop a Sustainable Aviation Fuel production project in France

Technip Energies, Airbus, Safran and Tereos entered into an agreement to create Rebound, a joint venture to develop a large-scale Sustainable Aviation Fuel production project at the Port of...

Bombardier & Elie Saab collaboration introduces the Haute Couture of aviation with Global 8000 cabin design

Bombardier and ELIE SAAB unveiled a new chapter in business aviation: a bespoke cabin design for the Global 8000 aircraft that redefines the onboard experience through the lens of haute cout...

Boosting East Frisian Island connectivity - Inselflieger takes delivery of its second Tecnam P2012 STOL

FLN FRISIA-Luftverkehr GmbH Norddeich (Inselflieger) took delivery of its secondTecnam P2012 STOL aircraft. This acquisition is direct result of the outstanding operational su...