New Hill GT50 Turbine Engine To Offer Maximum Continuous Power of 400 HP

Hill Helicopters has unveiled its Hill GT50 light turbine engine, designed specifically for the new Hill HX50 personal helicopter. The GT50 is a compact, light, and innovative solution. "The GT50 was designed and developed by a team of industry veterans, using methods, tools, and techniques pioneered over decades," says Hill Helicopters President and CEO Jason Hill. "It is an intelligent ensemble of proven ideas and architecture, embodied into a new engine that fully exploits modern advancements, manufacturing methods, and supply chain opportunities to fulfill a specific market need."

Updated Composite Main Rotor Blades Fit The Bell 206B JetRanger

Arizona-based rotor blade manufacturer Van Horn Aviation (VHA) has received a Letter of Acceptance from Transport Canada for the company’s updated composite main rotor blades fitting the Bell 206B JetRanger helicopter. Approved by the FAA in August 2020, the new VHA 206B Version 2 main rotor blades may now be installed for use on Bell 206B JetRangers in Canada. Featuring corrosion resistant carbon fiber skin and spars, an efficient NASA-designed laminar-flow airfoil, tapered tip, and stainless steel/nickel abrasion strips along the entire length of the leading edge, the VHA 206B Version 2 main rotor blades contain different carbon fiber ply counts and orientations than the origi

AD 2020-22-07 Was Prompted By An Accident And Multiple Reports Of A Cracked Main Gearbox (MGB) Support Case

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Bell Textron Inc. (Type Certificate previously held by Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.) Model 412, 412CF, and 412EP helicopters. This AD requires revising the existing Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM) for your helicopter. This AD was prompted by an accident and multiple reports of a cracked main gearbox (MGB) support case. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. This AD is effective November 18, 2020.

AD 2020-22-04 Requires An Inspection To Determine If Ti-Bolts Installed On The Forward And Aft Tail Rotor Drive Shafts Are Affected Parts

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Model EC135P1, EC135P2, EC135P2+, EC135P3, EC135T1, EC135T2, EC135T2+, EC135T3, and EC635T2+ helicopters. This AD was prompted by reports of improper heat treatment of titanium (Ti)-bolts installed on the forward and aft tail rotor drive shafts, resulting in a broken Ti-bolt. This AD requires an inspection to determine if Ti-bolts installed on the forward and aft tail rotor drive shafts are affected parts, and replacement if necessary, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is inco