Helicopters
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NewsAirbus Helicopters nets pair of Lithuanian orders
Airbus Helicopters has secured a double sales success in Lithuania, taking orders for a trio of five-bladed H145s and two H125s.
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NewsOmni Helicopters orders trio of AW189s, including single K-model variant
Leonardo Helicopters has secured a rare order for the AW189K, with Portugal-headquartered Omni Helicopters International (OHI) to take a single example of the super-medium-twin, alongside a pair of the baseline variant.
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NewsAirbus advances helicopter autonomy with Vertex tests
An advanced helicopter cockpit free of the traditional trio of controls could be on the way if Airbus Helicopters opts to advance the development of an automated flight-control system that was successfully trialled in recent flight tests.
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NewsRotor Technologies outlines near-term goals for R550X autonomous helicopter
US start-up Rotor Technologies is confident that customers will next year be operating its R550X platform – an autonomous version of the Robinson Helicopter R44 piston-single.
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NewsOffshore Helicopter Services could face £10 million bill if tax appeal fails
An unexpected demand for back taxes accumulated under previous ownership has led Offshore Helicopter Services (OHS) to issue a going concern warning in its latest accounts.
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NewsBell focuses on Middle Eastern parapublic, training missions
Bell is promoting a range of helicopters at this year’s show, including the Bell 429 configured for parapublic missions and the Bell 505, which has proven popular as a trainer.
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NewsRotor Technologies spins up autonomous R44 plans
Autonomous systems specialist Rotor Technologies is pressing ahead with the development of its R550X uncrewed helicopter having recently completed a flight-test campaign using a pair of smaller prototypes.
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NewsBristow boss brands lack of ‘servicable’ S-92s as brake on growth
Bristow Group chief executive Chris Bradshaw has hit out at the parts shortages that have left the offshore helicopter specialist with fewer “serviceable” Sikorsky S-92s than it needs.
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NewsLoose washer behind S-92 main gearbox emergency: Norwegian investigators
A loose washer jammed in part of the main gearbox (MGB), likely introduced during routine maintenance, was responsible for a significant oil leak and loss of pressure that forced the emergency landing of a Bristow Norway-operated Sikorsky S-92, Norwegian investigators have disclosed.
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NewsRisk assessment failings led to S-92 downwash fatality: AAIB
UK investigators have concluded that a catalogue of administrative and procedural errors contributed to the death of a member of the public after the downwash from a search and rescue helicopter blew them over as it came in to land at a Plymouth hospital.
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NewsOil and gas producers set out safety fears as S-92 gearbox shortage bites
Offshore helicopter safety is being put at risk by a shortage of spare parts, particularly main gearboxes (MGBs) for the Sikorsky S-92, as operators resort to “extraordinary actions” to maintain fleet availability, the body representing oil and gas producers has warned.
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NewsLeonardo lifts AW169 MTOW beyond 5t and adds 11-seat offshore option
Leonardo Helicopters has further boosted the performance of the AW169, unveiling a higher gross weight kit for the skid-equipped variant of the medium-twin that lifts its maximum take-off weight to 5.1t.
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NewsBell eyes Asia-Pacific opportunities across its portfolio
Bell sees opportunities in the Asia-Pacific for its full range of helicopters, from the entry level 505 to the advanced 525 Relentless, which is on the verge of US certification.
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NewsAirbus Helicopters readies for first US deliveries of ACH160
Airbus Corporate Helicopters is confident that it will hand over the first ACH160 in the USA in early 2024 following certification of the medium-twin by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in June this year.
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NewsAirbus Helicopters tests new single-stick control system for eVTOL aircraft on FlightLab
Airbus Helicopters has successfully tested an electric flight-control system aboard its H130-based FlightLab demonstrator, a key step towards development of the human-machine interface for its CityAirbus NextGen air taxi prototype.
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NewsPioneerLab ready to strike out on testing trail
Airbus Helicopters has provided additional details on its plans for the recently unveiled H145-based PioneerLab demonstrator, with flight trials to significantly ramp-up towards the end of the year.
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NewsGearbox tests push Airbus closer to Racer’s first flight
Airbus Helicopters is staying on course for a year-end first flight of its Racer high-speed demonstrator, with critical endurance tests recently completed on the rotorcraft’s gearboxes.
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NewsMD Helicopters closes on MD902 decision, as new owners mark first year in charge
MD Helicopters appears to be closing in on a decision regarding the future of its MD902, which could potentially see the manufacturer divest the NOTAR-equipped type.
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NewsLeonardo closes on approval for updated AW101 transmission performance
Leonardo Helicopters will in the coming weeks wrap-up a flight-test campaign to validate improvements to the AW101 that will offer pilots more power and control.
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NewsPatent filing shows Airbus interest in hybrid-electric tandem-rotor aircraft
Airbus Helicopters is potentially studying a novel high-speed rotorcraft concept that combines a hybrid-electric single-bladed tandem rotor configuration with a tail-mounted pusher propeller and wings for lift in forward flight.