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EASA Approves Embraer's Sorocaba Service Center

Sikorsky nears full EASA approval for VIP S-76D

Sikorsky is “probably about several months away” from clearing up outstanding certification issues covering the VIP configuration of its S-76D with the European Aviation Safety Agency. The aircraft received initial approval for the varaint from the European regulator in February 2015,...

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 of product support at the Menominee, Minnesota-based manufacturer. Rather than being able to sho...

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...

Glass-panel Replacements Offered for Twin-turbine Helos

There are few options for replacing electromechanical attitude indicators and heading indicators on medium and heavy helicopters, but Astronautics has figured out a simple solution that takes advantage of existing wiring and panel architecture while adding modern glass cockpit capabilities. The Astronautics RoadRunner, announced at Heli-Expo 2016, is a simple upgrade for electromechanical ins...

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...

Dallas Airmotive, H+S Expands To Cover 65 Percent of Rotorcraft Fleets

BBA Aviation Global Engine Services companies Dallas Airmotive and H+S Aviation have added a series of new capabilities that expand their coverage to 65 percent of the world’s rotorcraft fleets. The new capabilities–including support for the PW200, PW210, PT6T and PT6C-67 (supported by H+S Aviation only)–are part of a multi-year effort to significant...

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...

Leonardo DiCaprio Lectures Oscars About Global Warming After Using Private Jet 6 Times in 6 Months

Leonardo DiCaprio used the platform of his Oscar success last night to lecture tens of millions of viewers about global warming, but the actor failed to mention that he routinely uses a CO2 belching private jet to travel between L.A. and New York. After receiving his award for best actor, DiCaprio launched into a rant about man-made climate change. “Climate change is real,” he sa...

This Private Plane Startup Is Now Worth Over A Half Billion Dollars

On-demand flight company Wheels Up raised over $96 million. Wheels Up is a membership-based private aviation company that last September announced “up to $115 million” in new venture capital funding from T. Rowe Price, Fidelity Investments and New Enterprise Associates. A lot of the related media coverage, however, left out the “up to” part. At the time, Wheels Up had...

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Signature Aviation, BETA Technologies, Republic Airways, and Brickyard Connection complete regional electric flight demonstrations across Florida

Signature Aviation, BETA Technologies, Republic Airways Holdings and Brickyard Connection completed three days of high-cadence electric flight demonstrations at Kissimmee Gateway Airport earlier...

Eve completes hover & low‑speed flights block, advancing eVTOL toward transition flight testing

Eve Air Mobility announced the successful closeout of the hover & low‑speed flights block in the flight test campaign of its full‑scale engineering prototype. The completed block generated hi...