Aviation Week reports, “Bell’s 214ST is set to become the latest legacy helicopter to go back into production to address global shortfalls in rotary-wing firefighting capability. Australia’s McDermott Aviation, which owns the type certificate to the twin-engine, 8-metric-ton helicopter, is planning to produce new-build versions of the rotorcraft. It will be powered by either the General Electric CT7/T700 or Safran’s Aneto turboshaft. McDermott currently owns all 24 of the remaining operational 214STs of the 85 that were built. It has been using them on firefighting contracts, most notably in Greece, where the company had 14 aircraft deployed last year.”
Full Story (Aviation Week)
Tag: rotocraft
Helicopter MRO Market Projected to See Steady Growth
Aviation Week reports, “Global helicopter MRO demand is projected to surpass $81 billion through 2033. The 2024 edition of the Aviation Week Network’s Commercial Aviation Fleet & MRO Forecast projects how the world’s aircraft fleet and aftermarket will evolve over the next 10 years.”
Full Story (Aviation Week)
Upgraded Bell CH-146C Mk II Griffon Performs First Flight for RCAF
Vertical Magazine reports that the first Royal Canadian Air Force Bell CH-146 Griffon to have completed the CH-146C Mk II upgrade “has performed its maiden flight, the manufacturer has announced. The modification to the RCAF’s CH-146 Griffons — a variant of the Bell 412EP — is being completed under the Griffon Limited Life Extension (GLLE) project, which is designed to extend the fleet’s service life to at least 2031.”
Full Story (Vertical Magazine)
Lilium to Partner with Atlantic Aviation to Electrify More Than 100 Atlantic FBOs
Flying Magazine reports Atlantic Aviation “on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Germany’s Lilium to electrify its network of more than 100 FBOs.” The companies will partner to “transform existing U.S. airport infrastructure to accommodate the manufacturer’s flagship Lilium Jet, a seven-seat eVTOL design for regional air mobility (RAM) services.”
Full Story (Flying Magazine)
Norway Considers Grounding Sikorsky Helicopters After Fatal Crash
Reuters reports, “Norway on Thursday halted all helicopter traffic to its offshore oil and gas fields after a deadly crash, and said it was considering grounding Sikorsky’s S-92A aircraft model while investigating the accident.” During a search and rescue mission Wednesday, one occupant was killed and five others were injured when a “helicopter plunged into the ocean off western Norway … police and oil company officials said.”
Full Story (Reuters)
Germany Orders 82 Armed H145 Twin-Engine Light Helicopters from Airbus
Aviation Week reports, “Germany has placed an order with Airbus Helicopters for up to 82 light-attack versions of the OEM’s H145 twin-engine light helicopter. In what is the largest order yet for the armed H145M, the new helicopters will be an interim replacement for the German Army’s troubled Tiger attack helicopters.”
Full Story (Aviation Week)
Bell Promoting Range of Helicopters at Dubai Air Show
FlightGlobal reports, “Bell is promoting a range of helicopters at this year’s Dubai Air Show, including the Bell 429 configured for parapublic missions and the Bell 505, which has proven popular as a trainer. Two Bell helicopters are in the static display at the show: a Bell 429 operated by the Abu Dhabi Police and a Bell 407M used by an undisclosed military customer.” The Bell 429 “features an electro-optical/infrared sensor with an operator’s station. It also has a winch, spotlight, and a beam across the top of the cabin that allows special forces to conduct fast-roping descents.” According to FlightGlobal, the “two helicopters are part of a broader Textron Aviation presence at this year’s show, which also includes fixed-wing aircraft.”
Full Story (FlightGlobal)
Lilium Progresses Along Path of Producing its Lilium Jet Air Taxi
Aviation Week reported that Lilium has “signed up a supplier of silicon-anode battery cells for its Lilium Jet electric air taxi, outlined its road map for battery improvements, and hinted at ambitions to supply its battery technology to a wider range of electric aircraft for the regional market.”
Full Story (Aviation Week)
Airbus Helicopters Opens 3D Printing Center
Aviation International News reports that Airbus Helicopters “has opened a new 3D printing center at its Donauwörth, Germany site, expanding in-house capacity for this technology.” The airframer now “operates three machines for components made of titanium, four for plastic, and one for aluminum.” Airbus is “using the process for serial production parts as well as for components for prototype aircraft such as the CityAirbus NextGen eVTOL and the high-speed Racer experimental compound helicopter.” Airbus Helicopters Managing Director for Germany Stefan Thomé said, “Among other advantages, 3D printing can reduce the weight of aircraft components, which leads to less fuel consumption. Such potential can bring financial benefits and contribute to reducing CO2 emissions during operations.”
Full Story (Aviation International News)
NASA, DARPA, Sikorsky Design Air Taxi Software
ExecutiveGov reports that NASA is working with DARPA and Sikorsky “to develop and test autonomous software designed for future self-flying air taxis.” NASA said the research is “led by NASA’s Advanced Air Mobility program, which aims to take transportation to new heights by innovating passenger and freight flights in dense traffic environments and other scenarios.” AAM’s mission is “to ensure a safe, accessible, automated, yet affordable air transport in hard-to-reach urban and rural areas.” The three organizations “are currently designing software using scripted flight paths as well as customized test tablets and ground control room simulations to understand the technology’s behavior and response to air-to-air encounters.” The software will eventually “be installed and tested on Sikorsky’s modified S-76B helicopter, labeled the Autonomy Research Aircraft, and its Optionally Piloted Vehicle Black Hawk helicopter.”
Full Story (ExecutiveGov)