Helicopters
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NewsJapan certificates Airbus Helicopters H160
Japanese civil aviation authorities have issued type certification for the Airbus Helicopters H160 medium-twin, as the type makes steady progress towards service entry.
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News
Airbus Helicopters readies first ACH160, but handover hinges on FAA approval
Airbus Helicopters is gearing up for the first delivery of its new H160 medium-twin, with the initial example in a VIP configuration currently performing test flights from the manufacturer’s Marignane, France base.
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News
Norway continues roll-out of search and rescue AW101s
The Royal Norwegian Air Force has begun operations with search and rescue-roled Leonardo Helicopters AW101 at Orland air base – the second location to go live with the 15.6t rotorcraft.
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News
Yorkshire Air Ambulance upgrades fleet with new five-bladed H145s
Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) has become the first UK customer for the new five-bladed variant of the Airbus Helicopters H145, signing for two examples of the light-twin.
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News
Updated Ka-32 to gain new engines and flightdeck
Russian Helicopters is to modernise the Kamov Ka-32, adding uprated engines, a glass cockpit and a new fire-fighting system to the co-axial rotor-equipped heavy-twin.
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News
Textron to take time over eVTOL development as batteries ‘not yet ready’
Scott Donnelly, the chief executive of Textron – owner of Beechcraft, Cessna and Bell – has seemingly ruled out the imminent launch of an urban air mobility (UAM) vehicle, stressing that battery technology has not advanced sufficiently to support such an application.
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News
Airbus to test autonomy with Vertex demonstrator
Airbus in 2023 will begin flight tests of a new sense and avoid system integrated onto its H130-based Flightlab helicopter as it works to mature autonomous technologies to increase operational safety on current and future platforms.
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News
Kaman’s autonomous K-Max Titan helicopter makes first flight
Kaman’s unmanned K-Max Titan helicopter flew for the first time on 21 April.
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News
Airbus Helicopters claims Chinese content on H175 can be replaced if offered to UK military
Airbus Helicopters insists it can overcome obstacles related to Chinese content on its H175 should the super-medium-twin be offered as a replacement for the UK Royal Air Force’s Puma fleet.
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News
Fly high or reduce speed to cut civil helicopter birdstrike: EASA
Civil helicopter operators are being advised to reduce airspeed if they are unable to avoid flying at low altitude, as a defensive measure against the risk of serious birdstrike. Rotorcraft manufacturers should incorporate a dedicated caution in flight manuals warning operators that flight below 2,500ft increases the likelihood and ...
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News
Leonardo Helicopters eyes hybrid future as it rebrands Kopter SH09
Leonardo Helicopters and Kopter are already contemplating the development of a hybrid-electric rotorcraft demonstrator even as they work to bring the newly rebranded AW09 to market.
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News
New rotorcraft to complete Qinetiq’s ETPS fleet update
The UK’s Qinetiq-run Empire Test Pilots’ School (ETPS) is poised to complete its major fleet renewal programme, with a trio of replacement rotorcraft due to enter use within months.
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News
Shin-Nihon Helicopters receives Japan’s first Bell 407GXis
Japan’s Shin-Nihon Helicopters has taken delivery of two Bell 407GXi helicopters, making it the country’s first operator of the type.
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In depth
Airbus ready to accelerate Racer after 2020’s false start
At this point last year Airbus Helicopters was gearing up for final assembly of the Racer high-speed rotorcraft it is building under the EU’s Clean Sky 2 programme, setting the demonstrator on course for a first flight in late 2021.
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News
Airbus Helicopters secures first Indonesian H160 customer
Indonesia’s Derazona Helicopters has become the first Indonesian customer for the Airbus Helicopters H160 medium-twin. Derazona will use the rotorcraft for roles such as supporting offshore oil and gas fields, utility, and passenger transport, says Airbus Helicopters. Source: Airbus Helicopters A rendering of the H160 ...
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News
Japanese coast guard orders two additional H225s
The Japan Coast Guard has ordered two additional H225s, to be used for search and rescue (SAR) and other missions.
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News
Bell commits to SAF blend for training fleet
Bell has begun using a 30% blend of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in its 20-strong training and customer demonstration fleet as it bids to lower the environmental impact of general aviation.
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News
EASA recommends 48-72h post-vaccination pause for aircrew
European safety regulators are advising aircrew to wait at least 48h, and up to 72h for single-crew operations, before engaging in flight-related tasks after being vaccinated against Covid-19. The precautionary measure arises from uncertainty as to whether in-flight conditions at cruise altitudes – including lower air pressure and the ...
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News
Cambodian firm orders country's first Bell 429
The Bell 429 has secured its first order in Cambodia, with the country’s Chip Mong Group placing an order for one example.
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News
Bell still considering Nexus concepts for UAM space
Bell is continuing to mature systems and technologies that could equip its future Nexus urban air mobility (UAM) vehicle but has yet to commit to a timeline for its development or service entry.
