Canada’s NRC Aerospace research institute has flight tested a prototype video-based automatic station-keeping system that enables a search-and-rescue helicopter to lock on to and move with a target without human intervention. NRC’s Bell 412, its experimental fly-by-wire controls coupled to an Imago Machine Vision video tracking system, was able to follow a person walking around a field to within 1m (3ft) accuracy in ideal conditions, tracking any shape or colour.
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.
