Helicopters – Page 211
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High endurance rotorcraft set to fly
The Pentagon's Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and Frontier Systems this year plan to flight-test a revolutionary unmanned helicopter that can remain airborne for up to 48h and achieve an unrefuelled range of 5,550km (3,000nm). Neither DARPA nor Abraham Karem, Frontier president, will disclose details of the research ...
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Eurotilt consortium drives for tiltrotor funding from EC
A consortium of European companies led by Eurocopter has requested funding from the European Commission (EC) for a new 19-seat tiltrotor ground test programme. The consortium comprises 33 companies from nine countries, including Spain's CASA and Fiat Avio of Italy. The European rotorcraft technology integration for a long-range transport ...
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Pop-out floats
The US Federal Aviation Administration has approved Robinson R44 emergency pop-out floats, allowing the pilot to resume flying, without noticeable loss of airspeed, once a cause of an emergency is corrected. Robinson says the $22,000 floats are lightweight, durable and inflate in about 2s. The company has delivered the first ...
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Mergers
Aviation Sales is to buy Kitty Hawk's airframe and JT8D engine maintenance operations in Oscoda, Michigan. The $21.5 million deal includes a three-year agreement for airframe and engine maintenance on the airline's 34 Boeing 727s. The FHL Division of Claverham in the UK has formed a joint venture with Italy's ...
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Rural helicopter
Illinois, USA-based farm supplies chain Rural King has taken delivery of its first Eurocopter AS350BA AStar helicopter, to be used to transport company executives across its network of 17 shops. American Eurocopter has also signed a service contract with German company KID-Systeme for the supply and maintenance of cabin systems. ...
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Indian order
Hindustan Aeronautics has ordered two Schweizer 330 light helicopters for its new helicopter training school. The Indian manufacturer and distributor plans to assemble Schweizer machines at Bangalore. Source: Flight International
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Romania extends Brasov deadline
Romania has given Bell until next month to resubmit a proposal to take over state-run aerospace manufacturer IAR Brasov and establish a licence production line for the AH-1W SuperCobra attack helicopter. Bell presented fresh proposals to the Romanian prime minister on 23 June, and was given a 60-day extension ...
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Eurocopter/Kawasaki fly EC145
Eurocopter and Kawasaki have begun test flights of the EC145 medium utility helicopter, a successor to the jointly developed BK117 twin turboshaft. The manufacturers decline to reveal programme details, but the helicopter is understood to be a development of the BK117, incorporating some cockpit and forward fuselage features of ...
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Bell considers 206 upgrade and ponders plans to modify 412Plus
Paul Lewis/WASHINGTON DC Bell is considering improving its 206 helicopter, rather than developing an all-new replacement to compete with the Eurocopter EC120. In the meantime, the company expects to decide before the end of the year on a 412Plus upgrade. "We're looking at enhancements to the 206. We're ...
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Brazilians buy Twin Pandas for Amazon
Canadian Aerospace Group International (CASG) has received a $58 million firm order for 15 Twin Panda 19-seat twin turboprops from a Brazilian transport consortium. The aircraft - including seven float-equipped models - will be used to transport passengers and freight throughout the Amazon basin. The Canadian company has firm ...
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Omniflight contract
Omniflight Helicopters has signed a 10-year contract extension to operate Indianapolis, Indiana's Life Line air medical programme and to refurbish its two Eurocopter BK117s. Omniflight has signed a similar deal with Billings, Montana-based Help Flight Services, which will upgrade to a Eurocopter EC135. Source: Flight International
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Sikorsky enters fractional ownership market
The increasing popularity of helicopters as a business tool has prompted Sikorsky to start a dedicated helicopter fractional ownership programme in the USA, with its 15-seat S-76C+. The programme, dubbed Sikorsky Shares, is due to begin soon and will be offered initially within the north-east region of the USA, ...
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Meggitt acquires Whittaker for $380m
UK sensors, avionics and structures specialist Meggitt is to buy Whittaker of the USA for $380 million, advancing its strategy of exploiting niche markets in the aerospace industry. Whittaker specialises in aircraft valve production, ground fuelling products and fire/smoke detection systems, and will add to Meggitt's portfolio of aircraft ...
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Bell aims for US/Canadian 427 approval in July
Bell expects to receive Canadian and US airworthiness certification for its new 427 helicopter in July after completing modifications to the 407's similarly designed tail rotor in a move designed to prevent any further tail boom blade strikes. Certification of the eight-seat 427 has been delayed progressively since the ...
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Landmark delivery for Eurocopter EC135
Paul Derby Eurocopter's EC135 twin-engined helicopter programme reached a landmark at Paris yesterday. The manufacturer delivered the 100th EC135 to the helicopter unit of the Bavarian police force at the show and says that confirmed sales now stand at 160. The force has now received eight of the ...
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AlliedSignal and Sikorsky join on EGPWS
AlliedSignal and helicopter manufacturer Sikorsky have teamed up to develop an enhanced ground proximity warning system (EGPWS) for rotary wing applications. The specially developed system for helicopters will differ substantially from the fixed wing EGPWS, says AlliedSignal. A digital moving map will replace the traditional paper chart in the ...
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Mergers
Shareholders in US Airways Express carrier CCAIR have approved its merger with Mesa Air, of which it will become a wholly-owned subsidiary. Heroux has increased its involvement in Bombardier's Canadair Regional Jet programme by acquiring fellow Canadian aerostructures companies Metro Machining and Les Industries CAT. Turboméca is to acquire the ...
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Bell ponders launch of improved 412+
Paul Derby Bell Helicopter is still pondering whether it makes sense to launch an improved Model 412+ helicopter and says it will announce its plans by the end of the year. If the go-ahead is given, the project would be a Bell Agusta-driven programme, adding to the BA609 ...
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Proteus takes delivery of another Agusta helicopter
French helicopter operator Proteus yesterday took delivery of an Agusta A109 Power and lodged options for four more aircraft with the Italian manufacturer. Proteus already operates a fleet of four A109s from several bases in France and intends to use this aircraft in an EMS role. Agusta says its ...
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Honeywell unveils Primus Epic avionics system
Steve Nichols You would think that Mike Smith, president of Honeywell's Commercial Aviation Systems, would be too preoccupied with the AlliedSignal Aerospace merger to talk about business. But he's philosophical. "We've had a lot excitement over the last two weeks, but one constant in any business nowadays is ...