The first Sikorsky S-92 Helibus medium helicopter arrived at the company's West Palm Beach, Florida, development flight-test centre at the end of June, to be used as a propulsion systems testbed. Extensive ground-testing of the General Electric CT7-6D-powered helicopter is planned before the maiden flight, scheduled for the fourth quarter using the second prototype, which will be shipped from Sikorsky's Stratford, Connecticut plant in October.
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.
