Boeing has begun delivery of 45 MD 600N light single-turbine helicopters to the US Border Patrol, to replace Hughes OH-6As. Under a $71 million contract, the company will deliver nine aircraft a year. The low noise of the MD600's NOTAR tailrotorless anti-torque system was a major factor in the Border Patrol's selection of the helicopter.
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.
