The Helicopter Association International staged its annual Heli-Expo convention in Dallas from 9-11 February, following another disappointing year for most civil rotorcraft manufacturers. Despite warnings of US airspace restrictions and rocketing insurance costs, a 15% rise in exhibitor numbers, buoyant early 2003 sales and brighter forecasts were reasons for optimism. Paul Lewis and Guy Norris report.
Source: Flight International
Japan’s National Police Agency has taken delivery of a pair of Airbus Helicopters H160 medium-twins, becoming the type’s first parapublic operator in Japan.
CHC Helikopter Service is to deploy six helicopters – including three on-order Leonardo AW189s – to support a new offshore contract with Aker BP in Norway.
Leonardo is facing a £2.15 billion ($2.63 billion) damages claim from the family of King Power Group founder and chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha who was killed alongside four others when his AW169 helicopter crashed in the UK shortly after take-off due to a tail rotor failure.
