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Byline: rotorcraftdominic perry london Germany is working to progressively bring its Airbus Helicopters Tigers back into service after a safety issue forced their grounding on 2 August. Berlin's decision to [...]

The article reports on the improvement in the HEMS operations in Great Britain, with mature air ambulance charities showing higher levels of sophistication in their choice of helicopters. Paul Westaway, director of customer services at Babcock Mission Critical Services Onshore has been working in Great Britain's helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) segment for a long time.

The article provides information on sales and profit related aspects of Airbus Helicopters Inc. and aviation market status. Topics discussed include views of Guillaume Faury, chief executive officer at Airbus Helicopters on the same; declining market conditions for helicopters of Airbus; and impact of digitalization.

The article discusses 2015 market updates on the helicopter manufacturing sector. Topics explored include the observed implications of declining crude oil prices for helicopter sales, the statement issued by CHC Helicopter regarding costs and offshore customer demand for helicopter transportation services, and the weak financial performance posted by manufacturer AgustaWestland which it attributes to the state of the oil and gas industry.

The article reviews the Bell 505 Jet Ranger helicopter from rotorcraft maker Bell Helicopter.

The article reports that the long-running oil price decline has affected heavy helicopter sales have eased off. The year 2016 saw the lowest order intake across the industry since 2008 with manufacturers receiving bookings for 541 civil and parapublic helicopters over 1.3 tonne. The situation made competition among important players both in the commercial and in the military domains.

HAL says it will produce the type's transmission, including its main and tail rotor gearboxes, along with avionics and digital automatic flight controls. Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) believes the new heavy- class helicopter it is developing for the Indian military can be "benchmarked" against the best products now on the global market. Mi-17 replacement plan takes off Heavy-class helicopter in development for Indian armed services also being "designed with global market in mind". [Extracted from the article]

The article focuses on the importance of new product development and market recovery in rotorcraft manufacturer Airbus Helicopters' recovery after it saw a drop in orders and deliveries between 2013 and 2014. Topics discussed include influence of weak demand coming from China in the state of the firm's orders and deliveries, the development of its first VIP variant expected to be delivered in 2016 and opportunities seen by the rotorcraft maker amid the downturn.

The article reports that helicopter manufacturer Leonardo Helicopters is leveraging experience developing helicopter AW609 and European Union (EU) funding to civil tiltrotor. Topics discussed include research and development investment of the company, opt of the interior layout in the several passenger range and certification not received by technology demonstration.

Airbus Helicopters has gained European type certification for its new H160 medium-twin, although it must wait until it secures US approval later this year before it can deliver the lead example. European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) certification documentation refers to the specific model as the H160-B. Maximum take-off weight is listed as 6.1t. [Extracted from the article]

Airbus Helicopters is hailing the success of a research project that has enabled for the first time the manufacturer to gather data on the stresses experienced by main rotor blades while they are in motion. Data gathered by the project "matched reasonably well" modelling carried out by Airbus Helicopters as part of existing blade research but which it has never previously been able to measure, notes Weber. [Extracted from the article]

Programme partners start building components for high-speed technology demonstrator [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

UK-headquartered Gama Aviation believes it can become a new force in rotary-wing operations as it nears the launch of helicopter air ambulance services in Scotland. However, Gama's ambition for the rotary-wing business is not limited to EMS operations: Gascoigne says that it would consider moving into both oil and gas transport and offshore windfarm support "if the time was right". [Extracted from the article]

Airbus Helicopters is still hunting for orders from the Indian military which, if successful, could see multiple new production lines established in the country. While Airbus Helicopters continues to market the civil LUH on behalf of KAI, the H155's LCH variant could conceivably be pitched against the Panther for some military contests, admits Cagnat. [Extracted from the article]

Manufacturer NHI working with operators of 11t-class helicopter to define additional future upgrades for rotorcraft [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article provides information on replacement of SKYe SH09 helicopter with Kopter and growth of airline industry Marenco Swisshelicopter AG. Topics discussed include labor transition from professional helicopter manufacturer and initial flight-test prototype; replacing rotor blades; and approval from European Aviation Safety Agency.

The article reports that Hungary has ordered 16 Airbus Helicopters H225Ms, all to be equipped with the manufacturer's HForce weapon system.

The article reports that Serbia has received the first of an eventual nine Airbus Helicopters H145M light-twins, with the initial search and rescue-roled example destined for use by the nation's air force

The article informs that acquisition of new heavylift helicopters for the German air force has been postponed, but the nation is planning to launch the procurement through competition between the all new CH-53K and Boeing's CH-47.

The article reports that the Royal Navy has ended its operation of Westland Sea King ASaC 7 helicopters after 49 years of operation, noting that three of the final helicopters made a commemorative flight on September 6, 2018.

The article reports that Airbus Helicopters Inc. is collaborating with its defence ministry customer in France on early de-risking activities for the H160M helicopter, noting that it was selected by the French government to carry out a tri-service requirement for rotorcraft.

The article reports on decrease in sale of military helicopters of the U.S. rotorcraft industry, due to reduced military spending, oil and gas prices, and markets conditions. It a decrease in sale of military helicopters of helicopters maker Airbus Helicopters in first quarter of 2016, and a decrease in revenue and earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) in 2015. It discusses financial performance of helicopter makers Bell Helicopter and Sikorsky.

The article reports on AgustaWestland SpA rebranding its division Finmeccanica Helicopters, as part of its "one company" initiative. The division is retaining the brand and model identities for its rotorcraft. Finmeccanica is set to undergo a further rebrand in the summer. Daniele Romiti, in charge of AgustaWestland since 2013, says they will get more traction in the worldwide market if we are perceived as a single company.

The article reports that the Norwegian government has approved the use of its fleet of NH Industries NH90 helicopters for both naval and coastguard operations.

The article reports that super-medium programme lifted as Government Flying Service takes first three public service-configured helicopters. It mentions views of Bruno Even, chief executive of Airbus Helicopters, on customers. It states that Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6- powered twins can carry certain amount of people, feature dual Goodrich hoists, a FLIR Systems 350HD electro-optical/infrared camera and are fully night-vision goggle certificated.

The article provides information on business plans of Bell Helicopter Textron Inc. to debut 525 Relentless helicopter in 2019 including Airbus Helicopters H225s and AS332 L2s; views of Patrick Moulay, Bell senior vice president on the same; and military mission equipment.

The article provides information on plans of Czech Republic government to replace Mil Mi-24s helicopters with Bell Helicopter UH-1Y and Leonardo Helicopters AW139M including contest proposed for the same by defence minister, Karla Slechtova.

The article provides information on requirement for replacement of CH-53 inventory of airforce by Germany with heavy-lift helicopters including capability management, CH-47F Chinook, and aerial refueling.

The article reports on the British Army to replace its Aerospatiale Gazelle AH1 helicopters.

The article reports that Airbus Helicopters is pushing back the launch of its X6 heavy helicopter programme, citing market uncertainty and the inability of suppliers to deliver disruptive technologies and offer views of Guillaume Faury, the airframer's outgoing chief executive, regarding the same.

The article offers information on impact of the appointment of Guillaume Faury on Airbus Helicopters and discusses the transformation of the helicopter business.

The article reports that Sikorsky would be exhibiting CH-53K King Stallion at next year's ILA Berlin event after receiving approval from from its launch customer, the US Marine Corps. the company is eyeing export contract with Germany which would use them to replacement for its air force's CH-53GA/GS rotorcraft.

The article reports on the denial of Norway government on issue of accelerating deliveries of 16 Leonardo Helicopters AW101s used in search and rescue operations despite the severe damage sustained by the lead example in a ground accident on November 24, 2017.

The article offers information on delivery of about 16 AW101 search and rescue (SAR) helicopters by Leonardo Helicopters to the Norwegian government.

The article reports that Airbus Helicopters will secure orders for its H160 medium- twin helicopters, even as it works through the final 12 months of airworthiness testing. It mentions views of Bernard Fujarski, senior vice-president of the H160 programme, on the same. It informs that Safran Helicopter Engines is due to gain certification for the Arrano turboshaft which powers the H160.

The article reports on a preliminary development contract to be issued by France for its hélicoptère inter-armées léger programme, which would enable manufacturer Airbus Helicopters to start initial risk-reduction activities.

The article offers information on the Maximum Pilot View Kit for aerial work operations from Swiss Rotor Solutions which is designed for Airbus Helicopters to increase their area visibility.

The article focuses on the efforts of Italian aerospace company AgustaWestland to deliver its helicopters in a bid to emerge from the scandal involving the sale of helicopters to the Indian government in 2013. It discusses the potential business opportunities and benefits from the twin-track approach of AgustaWestland for customers and the company. The potential sale of the AW169 rotorcraft over the next 20 years from 2014 is forecasted.

The article reports that Australia has joined Germany in grounding its fleet of Airbus Helicopters Tiger attack rotorcraft in wake of fatal crash in Mali in which several crew members were killed and mentions that Spain will have suspended flights involving its Tiger inventory.

The article reports that helicopter operator Era Group has cautioned that it sees no rapid return of service for its fleet of Airbus Helicopters H225s despite having been cleared for operations by regulator and mentions that the type is flying again on oil and gas missions.

The article reports that aircraft manufacturer Sikorsky has planned to export CH-53K King Stallion heavy-lift helicopters in Germany and Israel, citing concerns over the competition with Boeing CH-47 Chinook helicopter.

The article focuses on arrival of Airbus Helicopters H135 Juno HT1 and H145 Jupiter HT1 of Great Britain armed forces at the Royal Air Force's base in Shawbury, England on April 3, 2017, and mentions introduction of a new training fleet by Great Britain Ministry of Defense.

The article discusses the rotorcraft development programmes of helicopter manufacturers. Topics explored include various product launches such as the AgustaWestland AW109 multi-purpose helicopter and the Airbus Helicopters EC225e Super Puma variant, the delayed delivery of the Airbus Helicopters EC175 aircraft, and the statement issued by Sikorsky Global Helicopters president Carey Bond regarding the market entry of civil helicopters designed by the firm.

The article examines the reaction of helicopter industry firms which operate helicopters for transportation to North Sea drilling platforms of a report by Great Britain's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) on their safety practices. Remarks by officials of or official statements by companies including Bristow Group, CHC Helicopter and Bond Offshore Helicopters expressing overall support for proposed new regulations by the CAA are discussed.

The article reports that offshore operators in Aberdeen, Scotland are considering their future pilot training provision in anticipation of the increase in British oil exploration. Topics discussed include the different means of recruiting and training pilots by offshore operators Bond Offshore Helicopters, Bristow Helicopters and CHC Scotia and factors contributing to the increase in oil exploration including the high price of crude.

The article discusses the sales for the military aircraft manufacturing consortium NH Industries (NH) for 2012. Concerns are noted that orders for production of the NH90 troop transport and maritime military helicopters could be suspended or reduced due to complaints over late order deliveries and government budget cuts by countries such as Australia, Portugal, and Spain. NH executive Dominique Maudet asserts that the company is confident in the level of production and sales for 2013.

The article reports that the modernization process being undertaken by the British's HEMS operators has led to the decline in MD Helicopters MD900s.

The article reports on the progress of Airbus Helicopters in developing a replacement for its Dauphin helicopter. Topics covered include the completion of the serial design of the H160 helicopters, comments from head of the H160 programme Bernard Fujarski and features of the H160 which include rear biplane stabilizer, hockey stick-shaped main rotorblades and canted fenestron tail rotor.

The article reports the claim by investigators in Norway that the fatal crash of an Airbus Helicopters H225 model near Bergen, Norway in late April 2016 was due to metal fatigue in a gearbox component. According to the agency Statens Havarikommisjon for Transport (SHT), the accident is similar to the AS332 L2 (G-REDL) crash in 2009. Also cited is the emergency service bulletin issued by Airbus Helicopters to support customers flying the H225 and AS332 L2 helicopter models.