Dominic Perry
Dominic Perry is deputy editor of Flight International but also contributes extensively to flightglobal.com. Although specialising in the coverage of the helicopter industry, he has written on most topics in aerospace – be they commercial, defence or business aviation. In addition, there has been an increasing focus on the decarbonisation of the industry and zero-emission flight initiatives.
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NewsLeonardo eyes carve-out of loss-making aerostructures unit
Leonardo is considering a carve-out of its underperforming aerostructures business in collaboration with industrial or financial partners to address worsening performance on the back of continued difficulties with the Boeing 787.
NewsItalian coastguard bolsters fleet with new ATR 42MP
Leonardo has secured an order from the Italian coastguard for a single maritime patrol-configured ATR 42-600.
NewsFalklands sign tentative deal for four more Islanders
The Falkland Islands government has signed a letter of intent (LoI) with Britten-Norman covering the acquisition of four BN-2 Islander utility aircraft.
NewsVertical Aerospace funding talks enter critical stage
Air taxi developer Vertical Aerospace faces a weekend of crucial talks between founder Stephen Fitzpatrick and Mudrick Capital, the company’s largest creditor, aimed at staving off a looming cash crisis.
NewsHeliOperations secures new German navy pilot training contract
UK-based HeliOperations has been awarded a £160 million ($207 million), seven-year contract to provide training for German naval helicopter pilots.
NewsAW609 stays on certification path amid ‘tangible progress’ with FAA
Leonardo Helicopters believes its AW609 civil tiltrotor remains on track to secure US certification next year following a series of recent interactions with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
NewsBell 525 edges towards certification finish line but ‘final tests’ remain
Bell’s goal to clinch US certification for its developmental 525 Relentless in 2024 is increasingly in the balance as the year draws to a close, with several flight-test points still to be addressed.
NewsBritten-Norman has new owner alongside fresh investment
UK aircraft manufacturer Britten-Norman has gained new owners alongside fresh investment in the business, analysis of company records reveals.
NewsLilium appoints KPMG to handle sale process
Lilium has appointed accountancy firm KPMG to sell the business, as the cash-strapped air taxi developer seeks new investment.
NewsSkyAlyne signs for 19 H135s under Canada’s FAcT contract
Airbus Helicopters has been contracted by joint venture SkyAlyne to provide 19 H135 trainers to the Royal Canadian Air Force as part of Ottawa’s Future Aircrew Training programme.
NewsUK progresses plans for Merlin helicopters to fly on until 2040
UK defence officials hope by next April to have awarded a pair of contracts to Leonardo Helicopters and Lockheed Martin to carry out risk-reduction studies as part of a project to enable the Royal Navy’s AW101 Merlin helicopters to fly on until 2040.
NewsReaction Engines to close as cutting-edge SABRE fails to advance
UK advanced propulsion developer Reaction Engines is to close down after it collapsed into administration having failed to secure additional funding.
NewsAirbus and OCCAR sign twin contracts to boost A400M capabilities and support
Airbus Defence & Space has signed a pair of contracts with procurement office OCCAR covering support and upgrade activities for the A400M airlifter.
NewsBeta betters balance sheet with Series C funding as loan extends Eve’s cash runway
Two of the big players in the emerging advanced air mobility sector have announced fresh financial backing against the backdrop of a tight fund-raising environment and the insolvency proceedings at one of their rivals.
NewsLilium sale process kicks off as self-administration goes ahead
Insolvency and restructuring experts from Gorg and Pluta Rechtsanwalts will shortly begin seeking buyers for Lilium’s main operating units following their appointment to the German firms under a self-administration process.
NewsTAI hands over first T625 Gokbey helicopter
Turkish Aerospace (TAI) has delivered the first T625 Gokbey helicopter, part of a launch order for 20 examples from Ankara for the new medium-twin.
NewsNigeria outlines M-346FA delivery schedule
Nigeria anticipates receiving its first of 24 Leonardo M-346FAs in early 2025, with six examples of the light-attack variant of the advanced jet trainer already in production.
NewsBoeing continues accepting Leap-1B deliveries despite machinists’ strike
CFM International has continued delivering Leap-1B engines to Boeing during the ongoing machinists’ strike, leading to the airframer accumulating an excess inventory of the powerplants.
NewsSupply chain pressures dent Gulfstream’s G700 delivery forecast
Gulfstream has slashed the number of G700s it expects to deliver this year on the back of continued supply chain issues.
NewsLilium subsidiaries file for insolvency
Lilium’s two principal German operating subsidiaries have filed for insolvency after running out of cash.