Resource Hub

(Times of India) – According to an Indian Parliament report, human error led to a Dec. 8, 2021, crash of an Indian Air Force Mi-17 that resulted in the deaths of 13 people, including Gen. Bipin Rawat.

The past year for the Portugal-based company included several advancements in supporting helicopter operators in Latin America.

Helicopter stunt pilot Fred North’s nonprofit pilot safety mentoring program has added Claude Vuichard, developer of the Vuichard Recovery Technique for escaping vortex ring state, as a global ambassador.

Robinson has obtained clearance from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and regulators in Argentina, India, and Japan to offer its empennage configuration retrofit kit, which includes a symmetrical horizontal stabilizer and tail cone that is now standard on all new models, for operators of existing R66, R44, and R22 helicopters.

This European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) airworthiness directive (AD), ATA 31–Instruments–Warning Unit Emergency Off Switches–Operational Check, takes effect Jan. 2, 2025.

This Transport Canada airworthiness directive (AD), CF-2024-42, Main Rotor Drive System–Cracking of Transmission Oil Check Valve, takes effect Dec. 27, 2024. It applies to Bell 427s with serial numbers 56001 through 56084, as well as 58001 and 58002.

This European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) airworthiness directive (AD), ATA 72–Engine–Gas Generator High Pressure Turbine Blades–Replacement, becomes effective Dec. 26, 2024. It revises AD 2024-0218, which was released Nov. 18, 2024.

The manufacturer has delivered the first NH90 under a batch order for 23 helicopters to the Spanish Directorate General of Armament and Material in Albacete. The order comprises 10 NH90s for the Spanish Army Airmobile Force, 7 for the country’s navy, and 6 for the Spanish Air and Space Force, with deliveries through 2028.

Leonardo has chosen the FlySight mission support system to complement its HeliAwareness avionics system as part of the CH-149 Cormorant modernization program for the Canadian Armed Forces.

Construction is complete at the new high-volume manufacturing facility at Covington Municipal Airport (KCVC) in Newton County under a partnership with automaker Stellantis. Production of Archer’s Midnight electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft is set to begin in early 2025.