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The article provides an overview of the recreational rotorcraft showcased at the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh event. It highlights the Air Command gyroplane, which has undergone design improvements and now features a Polaris UTV engine. AutoGyro, the world's largest gyroplane manufacturer, is mentioned, along with its models such as the MTOsport, Calidus, and Cavalon. The article discusses the challenges faced by gyroplanes in terms of international regulations and the requirement for them to be sold as kits in the US. AutoGyro invested in obtaining certification for its aircraft in the US, allowing them to double their sales by delivering factory-built gyroplanes. They have also developed a government and commercial market for their products, including gyroplanes equipped with cameras for aerial observation and locust control. AutoGyro is currently working on developing the AutoGyro AirTaxi, a four-seat gyroplane that could be powered by various sources. Other recreational rotorcraft showcased at the event include gyroplanes from Gyro Technic, Helicycle's Helicycle kit helicopter, Jokertrike's Nisus gyroplane, Neo Aeronautics' ultralight electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, and Scion Helicopters' partnership with Toray Composites America to develop the SH-410 Vixen helicopter kit. [Extracted from the article]

The article provides a comprehensive overview of the Heli-Expo 2024 convention, which focused on the advancements and future of the helicopter industry. The convention, attended by individuals from 87 countries, showcased 625 exhibitors and 63 rotorcraft. The Helicopter Association International (HAI) rebranded itself as Vertical Aviation International (VAI) and announced that future conventions will be called "Verticon." The article also highlights significant news announcements, such as Equinor's purchase agreement for 10 Bell 525 Relentless aircraft and Saudi Arabia's The Helicopter Company signing framework agreements with Airbus and Leonardo for 38 firm orders and options for 210 helicopters. It further discusses updates and developments from various helicopter manufacturers, including Enstrom Helicopters, Leonardo Helicopters, MD Helicopters, Sikorsky, McDermott Aviation, and Columbia Helicopters. [Extracted from the article]

The AERO Friedrichshafen general aviation trade show in Germany exceeded expectations with 680 exhibitors from 38 countries and over 270 aircraft on display. The event showcased several rotorcraft and electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft designs, as well as a one-and-a-half-day conference on batteries and hydrogen. The exhibition also featured a Sustainable Aviation Trail highlighting exhibitors dedicated to sustainable aviation. Notable aircraft on display included the Leonardo Helicopters AW109SP GrandNew and AW139, as well as the complete Robinson helicopter product line. [Extracted from the article]

GoAERO has launched a competition called the GoAERO Prize, with over $2 million in prizes, to develop autonomous flyers for aerial emergency response operations. The competition aims to create safe and robust flyers that can respond to natural disasters, climate change, medical emergencies, and humanitarian crises. The three-stage competition will culminate in a fly-off competition in 2027, with various prize categories. The competition has received support from industry leaders such as NASA, Boeing, and Iridium Satellite Communications, and has partnerships with international aerospace organizations. The flyers will need to complete missions focused on productivity, adversity, maneuvering, precision, and adaptation. [Extracted from the article]

Aéro Montréal recently held its International Aerospace Innovation Forum, where several announcements and presentations were made regarding developments in vertical flight, advanced air mobility, and sustainable aviation in Québec and Canada. One of the key announcements was the creation of the Espace Aéro innovation zone, which aims to bring together stakeholders from various sectors to innovate and leverage the region's sustainable competitive advantages. The Québec government and several corporations are contributing funds to support this initiative. Additionally, Boeing announced a significant investment in Québec's aerospace innovation, including support for autonomous aircraft development. Other highlights from the event include Unither Bioelectronics receiving recognition for its work in using AAM technology for organ delivery, the Government of Québec's intention to take a stake in H55 S.A., and Harbour Air's launch of its ePlane conversion program. The establishment of Espace Aéro and the Initiative for Sustainable Aviation Technology (INSAT) is expected to drive further investment in AAM and sustainable aviation in Canada. [Extracted from the article]

The helicopter business in Canada often begins where the roads end. It's a business historically built on flying to remote places and is sustained by customers that work in the [...]

The Canadian helicopter industry celebrates 40 years since the establishment of the Bell and Airbus businesses. In the 1980s, the Canadian government aimed to develop the domestic aerospace industry and create high-skill jobs. A study recommended a "World Product Mandate" for any factory, leading to the creation of Bell Helicopter and MBB Helicopter factories in Quebec and Ontario, respectively. These factories have played a significant role in the development and production of various helicopter models, contributing to the growth of the Canadian helicopter industry. The industry has also had a positive impact on job creation, research relationships, and the domestic supply chain. [Extracted from the article]

In an article from Vertiflite, it is reported that the Robinson Helicopter Company had a successful year in 2023, delivering a total of 296 aircraft despite supplier constraints. The company's top export market was Brazil, followed by Australia and Canada, with increasing demand from Mexico. Robinson has built 13,800 aircraft since 1979 and aims to deliver its 14,000th aircraft this year. The company has a strong backlog and plans to increase production to meet demand. Additionally, Robinson announced a leadership transition, with David Smith becoming the new President and CEO. Smith plans to maintain the company's family culture and expand its product portfolio, including entering the autonomous market and developing larger helicopters. Robinson also showcased new products at the Heli-Expo, including impact-resistant windshields and a 4K-resolution cockpit video camera. The company is focused on investing in technology to address noise and emissions challenges in helicopters. [Extracted from the article]

WITH DEEPWATER OIL EXPLORATION SET TO TAKE OFF ON THE MEXICAN SIDE OF THE GULF OF MEXICO, HELICOPTER OPERATORS THERE ARE POISED FOR A NEW ERA OF GROWTH AND EXPANSION. [...]

Behind every operating helicopter is a skilled maintenance team. Thousands of people are required to keep the North American fleet of about 10,000 civilian helicopters in the air, so they [...]

Since the turn of the millennium, the helicopter industry in general, and the airborne law enforcement community in particular, has certainly had an interesting ride. While airborne capabilities increased substantially [...]

As the clock ticks down to the start of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on June 12, the country is busily preparing for the start of [...]

A growing number of utility helicopter customers in Canada are now flying with a new companion--a second engine. These helicopters can be found flying along power lines and pipeline right-of-ways, [...]

The Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) PT6 engine has been around for so long, it's hard to imagine a time when it didn't exist. This year, P&WC is celebrating its [...]

Canada's small but active helicopter aerial application industry is intimately tied to things that grow. And in a country where forestry and agriculture still make up a substantial part of [...]

Today, when an accident or injury occurs on an offshore oil platform or service vessel in the Gulf of Mexico, off Newfoundland's coast or in the Arctic regions, it's increasingly [...]

THE COMMERCIAL HELICOPTER MARKET IN CANADA IS NOTORIOUSLY COMPETITIVE, BUT THAT HASN'T STOPPED ABOUT TWO-DOZEN NEW COMPANIES FROM TRYING TO BREAK INTO IT. WE VISITED WITH THREE OF THESE NEW [...]

New Zealand is not only the world's largest per capita operator of helicopters, it's home to Composite Helicopters International (CHI) and Auroa Helicopters, two aviation companies that are developing composite [...]

More than 100 times a day, helicopters painted red, silver, black and white 'cross the beach' on their way to offshore platforms in the Gulf of Mexico, Alaska's Cook Inlet [...]

LIFT Aircraft LIFT Aircraft of Austin, Texas, delivered two production versions of its single-seat HEXA eVTOL aircraft and a flight simulator to Springfield-Beckley in late January to support its AOI-2 Phase II development and flight-testing contract with Agility Prime. In June 2020, the Air Force developed a technical airworthiness authority (TAA) plan for eVTOL aircraft, required in order for privately owned eVTOL aircraft to fly within military facilities and ranges under Air Force direction. All the companies that were accepted into the first tranche of Air Race participants were required to go through a threephase review process: a "solution brief" or written submission; a "company engagement", which includes a site visit by Air Force personnel to inspect an aircraft and learn about its systems; and a By Kenneth I. Swartz With the US Air Force's Agility Prime now underway for more than a year, Vertiflite looks back at the beginning and the most recent accomplishments. But when you take an aircraft that converts between a winged aircraft and a hovering aircraft, and you compound that with an entirely new propulsion system and an entirely new control system, the flight test sequence and the build-up looks and smells quite a bit different than a traditional aircraft. [Extracted from the article]