Bell has selected Sextant Avionique's AFDS95-1 automatic flight control system for the instrument flight rules version of its Model 427 light twin-turbine helicopter. Certification flight testing will be conducted by Premier Aviation under contract to Bell. The AFDS95-1 is certificated on the Agusta A109K2, with approval on the PZLSwidnik Sokol SW-3A planned by year end.
Source: Flight International
Airbus Helicopters and partner PHI Aviation will shortly begin route-proving trials with the former’s H160 medium-twin in the Gulf of Mexico.
Piasecki Aircraft has secured new work for its ‘Heliplex’ facility in Coatesville, Pennsylvania, signing a collaboration agreement with Columbia Helicopters to upgrade Model 107 tandem-rotor helicopters to a new more fuel-efficient standard.
MD Helicopters has promoted Ryan Weeks to the role of president, overseeing the day-to-day operations of the rotorcraft manufacturer.
