EASA pilots fly AW609 for first time
Pilots working for the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) have now flown the Leonardo Helicopters AW609 tiltrotor, matching their counterparts from the US regulator.
Oil firms must take blame for offshore helicopter shortages, consultancy argues
Oil companies will only “have themselves to blame” if they are forced to pay more for offshore helicopter transport services or see their operations hampered by the lack of available aircraft, a leading consultancy has argued.
Avio Aero gears up to deliver final missing component to Airbus Racer project
Airbus Helicopters expects later this month to receive the crucial Avio Aero-built main gearbox (MGB) for its Racer high-speed rotorcraft, the final missing component holding up the demonstrator’s first flight.
Leonardo flies AW249 attack helicopter pair as second Fenice prototype takes off
Leonardo Helicopters has finally flown the second prototype of the AW249 Fenice attack helicopter it is developing for the Italian army.
LCI sees onset of helicopter replacement cycle amid booming demand
Lessor LCI is eyeing a future bow-wave of replacement activity in the helicopter market, even as operators struggle to meet their near-term requirements for lift.
Leonardo Helicopters chief upbeat on Yeovil prospects as new contracts land
Leonardo Helicopters chief executive Gian Piero Cutillo believes the company’s UK site in Yeovil will remain a “centre of excellence” for the company, amid an expansion of its production footprint elsewhere.
Kopter flies first AW09 prototype with Arriel 2K engine
Swiss helicopter developer Kopter has performed the maiden sortie of its latest AW09 prototype – the first to be fitted with the Safran Helicopter Engines Arriel 2K powerplant.
Bell outlines 525’s growth potential as Relentless nears certification ‘finish line’
Bell is already contemplating future potential enhancements, including an increased maximum take-off weight (MTOW), for its 525 Relentless even as the super-medium-twin enters the final stages of its certification campaign.
Bell secures 407GXi, 429 orders in the Asia-Pacific
Bell has secured three orders in the Asia-Pacific, including the first Bell 407GXi sale in Taiwan.
Milestone sees full return to service for S-92 fleet by year-end
Lessor Milestone Aviation expects, by year-end, to have returned all its fleet of Sikorsky S-92 heavy-twins to service on the back of an oil and gas rebound that has been driving operator demand for helicopters.