Bell Helicopter has completed high-altitude flight testing of its tail fan demonstrator, in Leadville, Colorado, including out-of-ground-effect hover at 11,700ft (3,570m) and flight at greater than 13,000ft. The anti-torque ducted fan is planned for Bell's new MAPL line of light helicopters.
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.
