Helicopters
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NewsUrgent checks ordered on Bell 505 collectives after pre-flight fracture
Operators of Bell 505 helicopters are being ordered urgently to inspect collective sticks on the type for cracks, after an incident in which the assembly fractured on an aircraft during pre-flight checks. Collective sticks are mounted to the left of each pilot’s seat and control the pitch of the ...
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News
Airbus Helicopters wins oil and gas launch customer for H160 via PHI lease deal
Airbus Helicopters has secured a launch customer for the H160 in the oil and gas market as part of a three-way partnership with US operator PHI and global energy giant Shell.
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Bristow plans to muscle in on windfarm market
Helicopter specialist Bristow Group says a move into the offshore windfarm support market is a “strategic priority” for the firm as the energy sector increasingly transitions away from oil and gas to renewable power.
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Bell closes on 525 certification as it sets mid-2021 deadline for FAA submission
Bell could finally gain certification for the 525 Relentless this year, ending a 10-year development effort for the super-medium-twin helicopter.
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HAL details progress on new 13t helicopter for India
Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) believes the new heavy-class multi-role helicopter it is developing for the Indian military can be “benchmarked” against the best products on the global market.
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New windtunnel tests begin for next-generation civil tiltrotor project
A second round of windtunnel testing is under way of a new composite wing which will equip a high-speed tiltrotor demonstrator being developed as part of the EU’s Clean Sky 2 programme.
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H225 orders a cause for concern, but H160 offers lift for Airbus Helicopters
Relatively strong order intake in previous years should see Airbus Helicopters maintain output levels over the next 12 months, delaying the impact of 2020’s 20% fall in bookings for one or two years, according to the airframer’s chief executive.
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CityAirbus tests show path to certification: Airbus Helicopters chief
Airbus Helicopters believes it is in a position where it could begin the certification process for a new aircraft architecture following a series of flight tests with urban air mobility (UAM) demonstrators.
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Airbus Helicopters chief continues to push next-generation European rotorcraft
Airbus Helicopters chief executive Bruno Even has reiterated the need for Europe to develop a next-generation military rotorcraft and continues to court Italian rival Leonardo as a potential partner for the project.
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Airbus Helicopters reveals Flightlab testbed
Airbus Helicopters has unveiled a new flying testbed that will allow it to mature new technologies up to three times faster than through current methods.
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Airbus Helicopters touts H175 as Puma replacement for the UK
Airbus Helicopters could offer the H175 super-medium-twin to the UK as a replacement for the Royal Air Force’s fleet of Puma utility helicopters in 2025 – despite the fact that no military variant of the 8t rotorcraft exists.
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Airbus Helicopters looks to Leonardo to counter US threat in military sector
Europe’s two rotorcraft manufacturers must come together to develop a next-generation military helicopter or run the risk of losing out to their rivals, an Airbus Helicopters executive has warned.
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EASA outlines tighter regulations for over-water helicopter operations
European regulators are proposing to tighten rules for helicopters that are operated over water for extended periods in order to speed the uptake of the latest safety standards.
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Colombia picks AW139 as presidential transport helicopter
Colombia has selected the Leonardo AW139 intermediate-twin as its new presidential transport helicopter.
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Longer-range Ansat helicopter makes maiden flight
Russian Helicopters has flown the first example of the upgraded Kazan Ansat-M light-twin helicopter, which boasts enhanced range and flight performance. Under an initiative funded by Russia’s trade ministry, which has provided Rb230 million ($3.1 million) for the work, the longer-range helicopters will be delivered to regional airlines. ...
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Analysis
The global helicopter market in numbers
A breakdown of the global in-service fleets across the civil and military helicopter markets, together with historic fleet and delivery trends.
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News
EASA approves weight increase for H135 as Airbus Helicopters seals new orders
Airbus Helicopters has secured European certification for a new alternate gross weight (AGW) on the H135 light-twin, which increases maximum take-off weight to 3,100kg.
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Analysis
Bell advances electric tail rotor concept, but stays cautious on production timeline
Bell is confident that its EDAT electric tail rotor system will eventually make its way into production, although the manufacturer cautions that this may not happen for another five to 10 years.
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Analysis
Assembly of first Mi-171A3 prototype gets under way
Russian Helicopters has begun assembly of the first Mil Mi-171A3 prototype ahead of a maiden sortie in 2022.
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News
Patents signal Bell’s interest in biplane tiltrotor and variable-direction tail rotor designs
A slew of patent awards for Bell over recent months – including a biplane tiltrotor, a pusher propeller drivetrain and an anti-torque tail rotor that can be turned through 90° – highlight the range of innovations potentially being considered by the helicopter manufacturer.
