Stopwatch reset – again – for MRH90
The Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) has signed an agreement with Australian Aerospace and its industry partners the Defence Minister says will “help put the MRH90 helicopter program back on a positive footing”. The agreement “re-baselines the... [Continue reading]
FAA approves innovative Sikorsky platform approach system for S-92
The US FAA has approved a new functionality on the S-92 helicopter to provide offshore oil operators with an automated approach that reduces cockpit workload by 60 per cent and allows safer operations under challenging weather and operating conditions. ‘Rig... [Continue reading]
ATSB final report highlights need for R44 fuel tank replacement
A final report by the Australian Transport and Safety Bureau (ATSB) into the crash of a Robinson R44 in February 2012 that killed its two occupants has reinforced calls to replace the helicopter’s fuel tanks, which have been shown to have a tendency... [Continue reading]
Accident-free 2012 for HNZ
After collating all the statistics from its operations worldwide, HNZ Global has enjoyed an accident free 2012, flying more than 65,000 hours in mostly specialised helicopter operations all around the world. “Operating in both the utility market as... [Continue reading]
Look Ma, no pilot – Eurocopter successfully flies unmanned EC145
Eurocopter has flown an “optionally piloted vehicle” (OPV) – an EC145 – in a validation flight that included deployment of an external sling load and undertaking a representative observation mission. Following the success of the flight, Eurocopter... [Continue reading]
Aviation Australia recognised for support of RACQ CareFlight’s rescue helicopter
To acknowledge Aviation Australia reaching the milestone of a $30,000 contribution in 12 months, RACQ CareFlight announced it will display the Aviation Australia logo on one of its Bell 412 rescue helicopters based at Gold Coast Airport Bill Horrocks,... [Continue reading]
NZ acquires Seasprites originally ordered by Australia
The New Zealand government has approved the purchase of an upgraded and increased Seasprite helicopter fleet for the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF), taking up aircraft originally destined for Australia. Ten airframes comprising eight Seasprites and... [Continue reading]
Embraer/AgustaWestland cancel joint venture negotiations
Just 12 weeks after announcing they had signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a joint-venture company to produce AgustaWestland helicopters in Brazil, the two companies have announced their joint decision to terminate negotiations without... [Continue reading]
Colonial Leisure Group buys Heli Charters in far north Queensland
National hospitality and brewing company Colonial Leisure Group (CLG), owner of Nautilus Aviation in Townsville, has entered into a contract to buy Heli Charters in Cairns. The combined business will make it one of the biggest helicopter fleets in northern... [Continue reading]
ATSB urges replacement of R44 tanks
The Australian Transport and Safety Bureau (ATSB) chief commissioner Martin Dolan has urged owners of 100 Robinson R44 to replace the aircraft’s aluminium fuel tanks with bladder tanks before they face grounding by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority... [Continue reading]
Australian company designs new stoprotor aircraft technology
StopRotor Technology is developing a new technology aircraft that can fly as either a helicopter or fixed wing aircraft by transitioning between flight modes in what the company says is a concept “previously unexplored in the history of VTOL development”. StopRotor... [Continue reading]
