Helicopters – Page 26
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NewsBabcock says offshore helicopter market ‘no longer attractive’ in long term
UK services firm Babcock has again cast doubt on its long-term future operating crew-change helicopters in support of the offshore oil and gas sector, with its chief executive branding performance in the segment as “frustrating and disappointing”
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AnalysisUK spins up second phase of privatised search and rescue helicopter contract
In just over four years the UK could have three different firms running its search and rescue (SAR) operations using smaller helicopters than at present and calling on assets as diverse as unmanned air vehicles and high-altitude pseudo-satellites.
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NewsFrance to fund development of hybrid successor to H125 helicopter
Airbus Helicopters appears to be a major beneficiary of French government support measures for its aerospace industry, with funding to develop a low-emission hybrid-engined successor to its best-selling H125 Ecurueil light-single, plus orders for 20 rotorcraft from its current range.
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NewsBell patents reveal split-tip rotor blades and tail rotor replacement
Future Bell helicopter designs could come with split-tip main rotor blades and anti-torque control provided by a cross-flow fan embedded in the tail boom, rather than a traditional tail rotor, if two recent patents are used. While the manufacturer has previously revealed the cross-flow fan on its FCX-001 concept aircraft ...
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NewsAirbus Helicopters touts safety benefits of rotor blade measurement research
Airbus Helicopters is hailing the success of a research project that has enabled for the first time the manufacturer to gather data on the stresses experienced by main rotor blades while they are in motion.
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NewsLeonardo Helicopters spins up delivery solution to beat Covid-19 travel bans
Leonardo Helicopters is turning to technology to enable customer shipments despite the travel restrictions imposed by the coronavirus crisis which have caused a build-up of completed but undelivered aircraft at its prodution sites.
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NewsLeonardo finances hit by airline crisis after strong start to year
Italian group suspends 2020 guidance as commercial market collapse throws outlook into uncertainty
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NewsOffshore helicopter firms await outcome of CH-148 crash investigation
Offshore helicopter operators will be waiting nervously for the outcome of investigations into the crash of a military helicopter off the coast of Greece in which six Canadian personnel were killed. The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Sikorsky CH-148 Cyclone anti-submarine warfare helicopter came down in good weather in the ...
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NewsWhy the US Air Force’s eVTOL effort helps private investor confidence
With the financial impact of the coronavirus looming over the lead funders of the development of electric-vertical-takeoff-and-landing aircraft, the nascent industry is set to receive a small boost from the US Air Force in calendar year 2020.
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NewsCougar Helicopters signs as launch customer for S-92A+ upgrade
Sikorsky has secured a launch order for its S-92A+ upgrade kit, with Canada’s VIH Aviation Group signing a four-unit agreement for the fleet of its operating unit Cougar Helicopters.
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In depthDespite delays, high-speed Racer begins to take shape for Airbus Helicopters
First flight may have slipped by around 12 months, but at production sites across Europe components for the Airbus Helicopters Racer high-speed technology demonstrator are beginning to come together.
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NewsAirbus Helicopters maintains Racer’s pace despite delays
Airbus Helicopters insists that its Racer high-speed technology demonstrator is still on track to meet a revised first flight deadline of late 2021, despite some development items lagging behind schedule.
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NewsRocket Lab demonstrates catching piece of falling rocket in mid-air with helicopter
As part of the demonstration, Rocket Lab dropped the test stage from a light helicopter over the ocean. The stage’s fall was slowed by a parachute. A second helicopter swooped in and snagged the parachute’s drogue line with a specially designed grappling hook at about 5,000ft.
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NewsH225 bags follow-on order from Japan Coast Guard
The Japan Coast Guard has ordered two additional Airbus Helicopters H225s. The two new rotorcraft will bring the service’s fleet of the type to 15 examples, says Airbus Helicopters. Source: Airbus The new order will take the Japan Coast Guard H225 fleet to 15 examples “We thank ...
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NewsAirbus calls time on Voom
Voom, the Airbus-backed online helicopter booking platform, has ceased operations following disruption caused by the Covid-19 outbreak.
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NewsBell promotes potential of VIP V-22 tiltrotor
Bell has begun promoting a VIP version of the V-22 tiltrotor it produces in partnership with Boeing, designed for head-of-state transport missions. To date, the airframer has sold the Osprey solely for military applications, chiefly to the USA, where is it operated by the air force, marine corps and navy; ...
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NewsNorth Sea helicopter operators provide dedicated coronavirus response fleet
Oil and gas operators working from Aberdeen in the north of Scotland have assembled a fleet of helicopters for emergency repatriation flights of offshore staff as a response to the coronavirus crisis.
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NewsFrench air force plans Puma replacement with leased H225s
France has begun a process to replace its air force’s fleet of ageing SA330 Puma rotorcraft with leased Airbus Helicopters H225s.
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NewsLeonardo Helicopters deliveries halted on Italy coronavirus lockdown
Leonardo is currently unable to deliver helicopters built at its plant in Vergiate in the north of Italy thanks to travel restrictions imposed due to the coronavirus outbreak.
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NewsFatigue cracking in turbine blade led to AS355 F1 engine failure
Rolls-Royce will release a newly designed third-stage turbine wheel for its M250-C20F turboshaft engine by the end of the year, which will have improved strength and tolerance to fatigue cracking.