Elite Helicopters says receiving instrument flight rules approval for its Agusta A109 fleet - after 15 years of operating under visual flight rules only - "takes the company to a new level". Customers of the Goodwood-based aircraft management and charter company "like the reassurance that we can operate in all weather conditions", says operations director Sharon Douglas.
Rolls-Royce has announced an exclusive distribution arrangement with AAR for aftermarket supply of parts and services for the RR300 engine that powers, among others, the Robinson R66 five-seat helicopter.
Bristow Group signed for three AgustaWestland AW139s at Helitech. The offshore energy giant has options for further purchases of the Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6C-powered medium-twin.
The Iraqi air force has ordered 60 more tracking kits from Guardian Mobility, taking its total order for the Iridium and Globalstar satellite network-based cockpit devices to 125. The Canadian company is also targeting its technology at helicopter operators, particularly those flying in remote forest areas in northern Europe where GSM coverage is patchy.
Sergei Sikorsky - son of helicopter pioneer and company founder Igor Sikorsky - was at Helitech to hand over an MH-53 to the RAF Museum at Duxford, which the US helicopter manufacturer sponsors.
Source: Flight International
