Helicopter Express Took On Its First S-64 Air Crane From Erickson In September 2022

Helicopter Express has acquired the aerial firefighting operations business unit and aircraft of Erickson -- best known for being the manufacturer/operator of the monster heavy-lift S-64 Air Crane helicopters. Some of Erickson’s remaining businesses will stay alive as standalone entities. Further; Erickson will stay on as an independent manufacturer and service provider for the S-64 Air Crane helicopter fleet. “The acquisition of Erickson’s firefighting operations and fleet furthers our growth plan into new aerial markets and makes us the premier heavy-lift operator globally,” said Scott Runyan, CEO of Helicopter Express.

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Skydweller Aero successfully completed the first flight of its solar-powered aircraft, the Skydweller, earlier this month. This groundbreaking aircraft, which boasts a wingspan exceeding that of a Boeing 747, undertook its inaugural flight autonomously--without any human pilot onboard or in direct control--from Stennis International Airport in Bay St Louis, Mississippi. VoltAero has commenced certification testing for the innovative electric-hybrid powertrain of its Cassio 330 aircraft. This testing phase marks a crucial step in the development of the Cassio e-aircraft family, specifically tailored for the five-seat Cassio 330. The Vertical Flight Society Selected the Winners of this year's Design-Build-Vertical Flight Student Competition, sending the team from Texas A&M home with the gold. The competition assesses student's ability to draft, develop, and c

Affordable, Irreverent Aussie Airline On the Rocks

Bonza, a Low-Cost Carrier in Australia, recently announced the suspension of all flight services citing increasingly negative impressions of future viability. The carrier technically entered voluntary administration, though it's hard to say it was a graceful occurrence when it left passengers all over Australia stranded where they stood. Bonza CEO Tim Jordan said that the firm was having "discussions" regarding the carrier's "ongoing viability", making sure to tack on an apology for everyone affected. 

Lots of the Little Guys Will Have to Institute an SMS, if They Haven't Already

The Aircraft Electronics Association reminded members about the upcoming changes to SMS procedures, since the upcoming change will add them to the laundry list of things a number of smaller operations will have to contend with. In the end, the changes to 14 CFR Part 5, Safety Management Systems, will ensure all certificate holders operating under the rules for commuter and on-demand operations under Part 135, commercial air tour operators under section 91.147, production certificate holders that are holders or licensees of a type certificate for the same product, and holders of a type certificate that license out that type certificate for production under Part 21.

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Norges Luftsportforbund chose Aura Aero's little 2-seater in electric trim for their next glider tow aircraft. The INTEGRAL E takes the low-wing, tricycle gear, bubble canopy design and replaces an assortment of piston engines with Safran's ENGINeUS electric power plant. The result, which should enter service in 2026 (or thereabouts, given developmental delays). French sport plane manufacturer Elixir Aircraft announced a continuation of its never-ending production expansions, this time adding facilities in the US and France. Stateside, Elixir will open a reassembly facility in Florida at the Sarasota Bradenton Airport. Parts delivered from France will be checked, inspected, and assembled into full aircraft there, with the Florida location becoming the administrative, sales, and support hub for the entire US domestic market. AeroMech Incorporated will offer

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UAVOS has recently achieved a significant milestone in public safety and emergency services with the first operational deployment of its UVH 170 unmanned helicopter, designed specifically for wildfire suppression. The deployment, which involved both day and night operations, represents a critical advancement in the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in managing natural disasters. In a landmark agreement announced on April 22, 2024, magniX, a leader in electric aviation technology, has entered into a Letter of Intent with Harbour Air to supply 50 magni650 electric engines. This initiative is set to transform Harbour Air, North America's largest seaplane operator, by electrifying its fleet starting with the iconic De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver aircraft. The Vertical Flight Society (VFS) announced a significant milestone in the electric vertical takeoff and

Loss Of Helicopter Control While Maneuvering, Which Resulted In Main Rotor Blade Contact With The Tailboom In Flight

Analysis: **This report was modified on April 29, 2024. Please see the docket for the original report.**According to the operator, the lesson syllabus for the instructional helicopter flight included emergency procedures, equipment malfunctions, and vortex ring state (VRS) recognition and recovery. Flight track data, video, and a witness statement indicated that the helicopter was maneuvering at slow speeds about 2,000 ft mean sea level in the minute before the accident and shortly before a 4-ft section of the tailboom separated and the helicopter entered a spiraling descent to the ground.

From 2023 (YouTube Version): The Life, Death, Life, Death, and Life of a Glorious Warbird

In 1981, business-owner Jim Tobul and his father purchased a Chance-Vought F4U Corsair. More accurately, the two men purchased three truckloads of parts that, over the following decade, they fashioned into a flying warbird. That Jim Tobul is an FAA certified AMP/IA and pilot was critical to the endeavor, but not so critical as the father-and-son team’s passion for aviation, the Corsair, and the history embodied in the aircraft to which they dedicated vast tracts of their lives. The machine the Tobuls built—and upon which they bestowed the apt nom de guerre, Korean War Hero—is Chance Vought F4U-4 Corsair serial number Bu#97143, registration number N713JT. The aircraft served two tours of duty with the U.S. Navy and flew over two-hundred combat missions before it was retired from Naval service on 05 July 1956.<

 

 

Bobby Bailey, a bit of a fixture in sport aviation circles for his work with the Bailey-Moyes Dragonfly (now in production with Pitman Air), has been lost in an aircraft test accident. Shortly after his appearance at SUN n FUN 2024, Bailey reportedly was asked to test fly a customer-built Dragonfly out of the Groveland airport in Florida... Recent investigations and a great deal of data has resulted in ANN’s SportPlane Resource Guide’s report card system having to deal with new and worrisome reports on a number of companies. Evidence and data received from customers of the Czech-based Orlican sportplane operation has resulted in a ‘Not Recommended’ rating for the troubles documented by at least one one owner who has been trying to get his aircraft for nearly two years... The US Parachute Association tell

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