Part 25 Certification Is A Big Step Forward For This Program

Avidyne has received STC approval for the IFD540 Multifunction Flight Management System in Citation 560 Excel/XLS aircraft equipped with Primus 1000 electronic flight instrument systems. “We are pleased to have completed our first in-house Part 25 Transport Category STC for the IFD series of Multifunction Flight Management Systems. This STC covers the installation of IFD540s in Citation Excel and XLS aircraft, and will be the basis for additional STC amendments and field approvals by Avidyne and our MRO partners for the entire range of Avidyne Multifunction Flight Management Systems in a wide variety of turbine aircraft,” said John Talmadge, Avidyne’s Vice President of

Next Test Priorities Will Explore Capabilities Of The New Tail Rotor And Recent Aerodynamic Mods

Since the resumption of the test flight activities in June in Pozzallo, Sicily, Kopter's third prototype (P3) has completed 40 flights, allowing testing of multiple aerodynamic modifications and configurations. The current configuration fitted on P3 has seen a significant improvement in smoothness and stability. Recent upgrades include an engine cowling extension for improved aerodynamics, a variable asymmetric tail plane at the best available incidence, the removal of the end plates and a larger upper vertical fin improving stability.

Accident Flight Was The Pilot's First Day Working The Hills Fire

On August 19, 2020 about 0945 Pacific daylight time, an Arrow-Falcon Exporters, Inc. UH-1H, N711GH, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Coalinga, California. The pilot, the sole occupant was fatally injured. The helicopter was operated as a public use firefighting flight. The accident flight was the pilot's first day working the Hills Fire, which had started four days prior. The pilot departed at 0846 followed by another pilot that was flying a Bell 212 helicopter for another operator. Investigators reviewed flight track data covering the area of the accident during the time surrounding the accident. Additionally, the Bell 212 pilot had an app recording his track t

AD 2020-19-08 Prompted By Reports Of Corrosion On Main Rotor Hub Tension-Torsion Strap (TT strap) Assemblies

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Bell Textron Inc. (Type Certificate previously held by Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.) (Bell), Model 204B, 205A-1, and 212 helicopters. This AD was prompted by reports of corrosion on main rotor hub tension-torsion strap (TT strap) assemblies. This AD requires reducing the life limit of a certain part-numbered TT strap assembly and prohibits installing this TT strap assembly on any helicopter. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. This AD is effective October 21, 2020.