The Bell 210 light utility helicopter has made its first flight at Bell's facility in Bristol, Tennessee. The remanufactured, civil-certificated UH-1H Huey incorporates Bell 212 components and improved 1,800shp (1,340kW) Honeywell T5317A/B engine which, with other changes, lifts its gross weight by 11-18% and cuts direct operating costs by 40%, says Bell.
Source: Flight International
The US government has blacklisted more private companies over alleged connections to the training of Chinese military aviators, including two firms operated by former test pilots in the UK Royal Air Force and South African air force.
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.
