Air Maestro, a leading SaaS provider of critical safety management systems, flight operations, and training solutions, has been supporting aviation operators since 2005. Its comprehensive Operational and Safety Management System is trusted by the globe’s most dynamic aviation operators.

Spidertracks empowers the aviation industry with real-time aircraft management and proactive safety decisions. Committed to enhancing aviation safety, Spidertracks assists thousands of aviators worldwide to ensure their teams return home safely every day.

This decision marks a significant milestone in the journey of these two businesses, uniting their already complimentary efforts towards a common goal and addressing critical, unserved needs in the global aviation industry. The merger amplifies the strengths of the two businesses, creating a unified front in enhancing safety and operational efficiency in the aviation industry. The merged businesses will deliver a unified software platform that leverages the strengths of each company’s offerings and expands the suite of services available to customers, while allowing for a rapidly accelerated, shared product roadmap that will deliver unparalleled value to the market.

As part of the merger, Aleks Banas, CEO of Air Maestro, will take over the CEO role of the combined business, with Steve Whitaker, Spidertracks’ CPO and COO, transitioning to COO.

Aleks remarked, “the Aviation industry is poorly served by a fragmented collection of sub-scale, legacy businesses. Most at some degree of scale are owned by short-term-oriented, financially focused private equity or venture capital firms that have no long-term vision for or staying power in this market. By combining Air Maestro and Spidertracks, we will immediately be one of the largest global players in the space, offering the most comprehensive and capable suite of solutions to the commercial aviation market.”

Paul Yancich, co-founder and Managing Director of Arcadea group, went on to say, “Air Maestro and Spidertracks have long been solving different elements of the same fundamental challenge within aviation: how to operate a profitable, successful flight organization without ever sacrificing quality, safety, or efficiency. This is a monumental challenge, and, until this merger, no single business could come close to serving customers’ entire needs.”

Steve Whitaker, COO, added, “We’ve heard clearly from the market that they want fewer vendors with expanded capabilities and more modern technology. Our newly formed business will be the only vendor in the world that can truly provide an end-to-end safety, operations, tracking, FDM, FOQA, and fleet management solution. And while we’re thrilled at our current combined capabilities, we will be investing materially to bring far more functionality to market in the near-term.”

Arcadea Group is excited to shepherd this new growth phase for Air Maestro and Spidertracks. The firm is confident that the resulting synergies will lead to improved products and services for customers, a safer and more efficient aviation community, and a stronger competitive advantage in the marketplace.

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“The success of this flight is of great significance to stimulate SAF promotion and its application,” said Du Guihe, Board Chairman of SGST. “It makes a positive impact on the enterprises which are proactive on low-carbon general aviation development. It is also a breakthrough for China’s general aviation industry to better implement carbon emission reduction in the post-pandemic era.”

“I am proud that our customer, SGST, launched this noteworthy SAF flight with the H125, marking Airbus Helicopters as the first helicopter manufacturer to perform a SAF flight in China,” said Colin James, Managing Director of Airbus Helicopters in China. “In an effort to reduce carbon emissions and set a standard within the industry, we are working with our partners to use locally-produced SAF.”

“The takeoff of SAF-powered helicopters in China once again illustrates the achievements of Safran Helicopter Engines in terms of innovation and SAF application. We have a full engine portfolio certified to operate on up to 50% of SAF. We would like to recall hereby our willingness to play an active role in China by providing propulsion solutions. With our main partners SGST and Airbus Helicopters, we will make further contributions to promote our joint vision of green aviation,” said Marc Delort, General Manager of Safran Helicopter Engines China.

This milestone comes just a few weeks after Airbus and the CNAF signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to intensify Chinese-European cooperation on the production, competitive application and common standards formulation for SAF during the French state visit to China. SAF is an alternative aviation fuel made from feedstock ranging from used fat, oil and grease, to municipal and forestry waste. Compared to fossil jet fuel, SAF has been shown to result in up to 80 percent reduction in CO2 across the entire SAF lifecycle. This cooperation agreement between Airbus and CNAF aims to optimise the SAF supply chain by diversifying the sources and enhancing SAF production towards the ambition of using 10 percent SAF by 2030.

The use of SAF is one of Airbus Helicopters’ levers to contribute to ATAG’s Scenario 3 outlook to NetZero in 2050. One of the main benefits of using this new fuel is that it allows the aircraft to minimise its carbon footprint while maintaining the same flight performance.

Today, all Airbus helicopters are capable of flying with a blend of up to 50% of SAF mixed with kerosene, with the aim of having the aircraft operate with 100% SAF by 2030.
Please visit our website to learn more about sustainable aviation fuel.

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Jean’s appointment will help Loft Dynamics with their increased global expansion. This expansion, and their recent rebranding from VRM Switzerland to Loft Dynamics, comes at a crucial time for the aviation industry, which is currently dealing with a global pilot shortage and concerns over its overall negative environmental impact.

In-Depth knowledge and experience

Jean is seasoned international accountant with a strong corporate finance background. A Canadian CPA by training, Jean started his career at PwC in Canada and in Switzerland where he led mergers and acquisitions mandates. He held finance leadership roles at two innovative E-Commerce and SAAS companies prior to joining Loft Dynamics as their CFO.

Rising as a team

Taking about his new role as Loft Dynamics CFO, Jean explains: “At the beginning of the day, for me it comes down to the people you work with and how much inspiration you find in each other to surpass yourself and also go through the flip sides of success.”

“When I met with Loft Dynamics’ passionate leadership team and learned about their journey, I knew I wanted to be part of it,” says Jean.

Jean’s personal interests

Jean, his wife and two children live in the Lake Zürich area. He loves to spend time backcountry skiing or doing water sports. Jean is also passionate about cooking, and is an avid wine enthusiast.

Providing flight training customers with the right services

Jean will be responsible for offering Loft Dynamics clients a comprehensive array of suitable and reasonable financial and simulator services. These services range from purchase contracts or simulator leasing options to long term service contracts. Whether this is to operate a simulator successfully or to improve flight safety of pilots in a cost-efficient way, it is Jean’s and Loft Dynamics’ ambition to help their customers succeed.

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“We are looking forward to welcoming the dedicated team of experts from Uniflight Global LLC in Grand Prairie to our organization. Once completed, this acquisition will consolidate our position as a leader in the helicopter aftermarket. Building on the proud history of the Grand Prairie team, the establishment of Optima Aero USA opens up new business opportunities and promotes our growth in the North American market. With increased capacity and an expanded range of services, we are well-positioned to meet the growing needs of our customers. We intend to invest in the development of this 30,000-square-foot center of excellence, specializing in helicopter maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) and components,” said Toby Gauld, President and Founder of Optima Aero.

“I have tremendous respect for Toby Gauld and the organization that he has built at Optima Aero,” added Joe Hawke, CEO and Chairman at Uniflight Global LLC. “So I am delighted to have the hard work and dedication of my Uniflight-Grand Prairie colleagues be recognized by one of the industry’s leading aftermarket solution providers. The acquisition of the Grand Prairie location by Optima Aero is ideal for U.S. market entry. We wish Optima Aero continued growth and success with its new U.S.-based operations, and we look forward working together in the future.”

Expansion of Service Offering

Optima Aero expands its service offering and is now able to provide maintenance services and turnkey complementary solutions for a wide range of helicopters and engines from Airbus Helicopters, Leonardo Helicopters, Bell Flight, and Sikorsky.

“The advanced expertise of the Grand Prairie team, combined with the robustness of the existing processes, will enable us to increase our capacity to deliver innovative, environmentally friendly, and high- quality solutions to our customers worldwide. With our team of specialists spread across our facilities in Beloeil, Anglet, and Grand Prairie, Optima Aero is committed to pushing the boundaries of excellence and remaining at the forefront of the aerospace industry,” stated Mr. Gauld.

Optima Aero is committed to maintaining the highest standards of quality, reliability, and customer satisfaction. The establishment of Optima Aero USA, following the announcement of Optima Aero Europe in 2022, reinforces Optima Aero’s commitment to being a trusted partner for its customers.

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The annual remote-control, electric-powered vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) DBVF competition seeks to encourage student interest in unmanned aircraft technology, and small air vehicle design and fabrication. The competition is designed to develop hands-on skills and familiarization with electric VTOL and advanced air mobility (AAM) technology at the university student level, helping to prepare the next generation of engineers and leaders to push the limits of this exciting technology into the future. VFS awarded a total of $5,000 to schools in the competition this year.

The 2022-2023 request for proposal (RFP) published in August 2022 challenged the teams to build an electric VTOL aircraft weighing no more than 20 lb (9 kg) and capable of carrying a payload of at least 2 lb (0.9 kg), with sufficient endurance to complete the demanding competition requirements. In addition, the aircraft had to be capable of flying manually and autonomously. The RFP and other information are available at www.vtol.org/fly.

Eleven universities from across North America and Europe entered the competition in September and were approved to compete based on the sufficiency of their plans and technical approach. All 11 teams also submitted Preliminary Design Reports in December, and the teams with the top five ranked reports were awarded $300 each to help offset costs and competition travel expenses. Those teams were from Cooper Union, Delft University of Technology, University of Cincinnati, University of Maryland and University of Michigan.

Seven schools progress enough to submit a Final Technical Report submission on May 8: Auburn University, Cooper Union, McGill University, University of Maryland, University of Michigan, Vaughn College of Aeronautics & Technology and University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Five schools made it to the final round. In addition to the three winning teams, Michigan and Vaughn also attended the DBVF competition flyoff, and University of Michigan received an honorable mention. Notably, Auburn University completed all aspects of the demanding competition, including completing circuits under both manual control and fully autonomous flight.

This year’s competition expanded the overall course size to increase the challenge of combining VTOL requirements with efficient, high-speed forward flight. The flyoff was hosted this year by SURVICE Engineering’s Applied Technology Operation (ATO), held at the Harford County Airport in Churchville, Maryland, on June 6–8.

“The long-range endurance course in this year’s event pushed teams to consider out of the box UAS configurations,” said Dr. Jason K. Cornelius of NASA Ames Research Center, who volunteers as the VFS DBVF Program Director. “Combining challenging tailsitter and lift + cruise configurations with high on-site winds presented a truly real-world test environment for the students. I was greatly impressed by the ingenuity and resilience of the students and am looking forward to the continued growth of the event.”

“Every one of the teams had to overcome formidable obstacles in this competition, including workload, manufacturing challenges and numerous crashes,” said VFS Director of Strategy Mike Hirschberg. “All the students learned a tremendous amount, which is the main purpose of the DBVF competition.”

The Society is very grateful for the support of SURVICE Engineering and the donation of its facilities, airspace control and flight test expertise over the past year. Fittingly, SURVICE and its partner Malloy Aeronautics won a contract in April with the Navy and Marine Corps Small Tactical Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) program office (PMA-263) to produce nearly 200 Tactical Resupply Vehicle (TRV) aircraft, the first production cargo UAS for the military.

This year, Moog, Inc. was also a sponsor and provided important support to the competition.

Over the past year, VFS members from industry and government volunteered to plan, execute and judge the competition. Volunteers from the nearby Army Research Laboratory (ARL) in particular provided important assistance.

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Lake Havasu City Police and Fire departments, Mohave County and San Bernardino Sheriffs’ Offices, San Bernardino Fire, Arizona State Park Rangers, and AMR ground ambulance, in conjunction with TriState CareFlight, spent Thursday morning, June 8, executing real-life rescue scenarios.

“Our CareFlight team participates in these types of emergency-response trainings annually, giving a practical and first-hand experience of rescue and recovery,” said TriState CareFlight Account Executive Valerie Yezerova. “These trainings create a lot of muscle memory so when the call to action is real, we are ready to respond in a seamless way.”

Each agency plays a pivotal role in responding to various incidents including boating/watercraft accidents, missing swimmers or boaters, drowning victims, etc. For example, the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) Division of Boating provides public safety coverage along the Colorado River from the Parker Dam to the Davis Dam and on Lake Havasu.

“The MCSO Dive Rescue and Recovery Team consists of 25 sworn and civilian rescue divers,” said MCSO Division of Boating Safety and Dive Team Instructor Sgt. Kyler Cox. “This training will give these agencies the opportunity to coordinate resources to ensure the best possible response to any critical incident on our waterways.”

The TriState CareFlight team responds when dispatched through a 911 call or a local first responder agency request. The flight team consists of a seasoned pilot and a highly trained critical care team consisting of a nurse and a paramedic. On scene, the team stabilizes the patient for transport to the receiving hospital. On every transport mission, the clinical team carries blood products (i.e. blood and plasma) and will administer it in flight if necessary, positively increasing patient outcomes through pre-hospital care.

The real value of this specialty training is building interagency collaboration so that when an accident occurs, they are collectively better suited to handle the emergency.

“Being able to train with our partner agencies is critical,” said Flight Nurse Bekah Williams. “We are able to get a feel for equipment and personnel, which can be the difference between life and death in an emergency situation.”

Flight Paramedic Liam Smith agrees and adds that communication among agencies is critical to safety.

Each agency wants to remind people that if they’re on the water, on any type of watercraft, they need life jackets on them, or at least with them — one for each person.

TriState CareFlight is part of Air Methods, the nation’s largest air medical services provider. Residents of Arizona, California, and Nevada receive emergency air medical care, as well as interfacility transport when they need to move from one hospital to another for specialized care, thanks to TriState CareFlight’s well-positioned base in Lake Havasu City.

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“Attacks or accidents caused by unmanned aircraft systems could have catastrophic effects on our national and economic security. Federal agencies must have the tools they need to address this evolving security threat,” said Senator Peters. “This bipartisan bill will help our federal government protect high profile events and critical infrastructure from recklessly or nefariously operated drones, and ensure that we are respecting the rights and liberties of responsible drone users.”

“With past incursions into our airspace in recent months, we need to meet potential, oncoming threats,” said Senator Johnson. “I’m happy to join this bipartisan group of senators to address these potential threats in a manner that safeguards Americans’ privacy and individual liberties.”

“Our commonsense, bipartisan legislation counters malicious drones at the border and protects critical infrastructure across our state – keeping Arizona families safe and secure,” said Senator Sinema, Chair of the Senate Border Management Subcommittee.

“North Dakota remains the nation’s proving ground for UAS technology development and implementation,” said Senator Hoeven. “In order to reap the benefits of UAS technology, we must guard against the malicious use of UAS. Our legislation helps ensure we have authorities in place to secure our airspace and improve public safety through counter-UAS technology.”

The commercial market for UAS is rapidly expanding due to the increased accessibility of these new technologies. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) estimates that by 2024 about 2.3 million UAS will be registered to fly in U.S. airspace. The increasing numbers of registered UAS create a higher risk of both unintentional disasters and malicious activity from foreign adversaries or criminal organizations that seek to weaponize drones or engage in illegal activities, such as the trafficking of illicit drugs across U.S. borders. Recent incidents have demonstrated disruptions that UAS can cause. Last year, the White House was partially evacuated after a drone entered restricted air space over Washington, D.C. In 2022, federaxl officials stopped all arrivals and departures at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport after a drone that was reported in the area raised safety concerns. Drones have also disrupted and threatened the safety of large scale public events. For example, there were nearly 2,500 drone incursions over stadiums during National Football League games in 2022 – including one that caused a stop in play at a game in Seattle.

The Safeguarding the Homeland from the Threats Posed by Unmanned Aircraft Systems Act reauthorizes DHS and DOJ’s current authorities to counter UAS threats provided by the Preventing Emerging Threats Act of 2018. The bill also authorizes the Transportation Security Administration to proactively protect transportation infrastructure from drone threats. The legislation authorizes DHS and DOJ to use existing authorities to protect critical infrastructure. The legislation allows state and local law enforcement and critical infrastructure owners and operators to use drone detection technology that has been approved by DHS.The bill creates a pilot program that will require coordination between state, local and federal law enforcement to mitigate UAS threats. Finally, the legislation requires DHS to develop a database of security-related UAS incidents that occur inside the United States.

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“Our acquisition of Performance Rotors marks the latest step in furthering XTEND’s vision of making remote interactive operations accessible to everyone, in a range of scenarios, including inspection, public safety and security,” said Aviv Shapira, co-founder, and CEO at XTEND. “Every day, people risk their lives to make our world safer. Inspection is just one area, among many, where machines, robots and drones can be used to accomplish what people can’t, in a more economical, efficient, and safer manner. We are delighted that Keith Ng, Performance Rotors’ co-founder and CEO, and his team are joining XTEND on our journey towards making XOS the operating system of choice for controlling drones, robots, vehicles, smart devices, and smart machines remotely, safely, and intuitively.”

XTEND provides revolutionary human-guided autonomous machine systems that enable any operator to perform extremely accurate manoeuvres and actions, in any environment with minimal training. XTEND’s patented XOS operating system enables effective, practical autonomy, by fusing the best of human intelligence and machine autonomy, to enhance the operator’s abilities, and simultaneously reduce the risk of injury. Allowing professionals to control drones and smart machines and carry out complex tasks that require human interaction and decision-making safety and remotely.

“Performance Rotors’s mission has always been to develop drones and robotics solutions for data acquisition in GPS-denied and confined space environments, without the risk to human lives,” said Keith Ng, co-founder, and CEO of Performance Rotors. “Our extensive client base spans many of the world’s major oil and gas, maritime and infrastructure projects, and our hardware is being used across the World, particularly in APAC. We are confident that combining XTEND’s innovation XOS software with our world-class technology brings the best of the industry together in one powerful and easy to use solution that comprehensively addresses the critical challenges facing our customers today.”

Chartered Group, who led the acquisition, is an innovative global private equity firm, which provides extraordinary global investment funds and opportunities for a greener and more digitalized world across several disciplinaries. Eyal Agmoni Chairman of Chartered Group adds: “The acquisition of Performance Rotors not only enriches XTEND’s offering in industrial inspection, but it will also enable Aviv and his team to further diversify their expertise in oil and gas, maritime and infrastructure projects, and develop XTEND’s software business globally, particularly here in APAC and Japan.”

Alongside expanding application of its easily programmable and configurable XOS operating systems into inspection, public safety, security, and other civilian markets, the XTEND team have recently been awarded several multi-million $ contracts with the U.S. Department of Defense and MAFAT, the Israeli Ministry of Defense’s Research & Development Directorate, to modernize their use of drone technology. In both cases, XOS is already enabling military drone operators to interactively operate multiple smart machines from a remote, safe distance, with zero training.

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UAVOS Inc. has been selected by Bayanat, a leading provider of AI-powered geospatial solutions, to deliver its Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) for a wide variety of applications including aerial photography and perimeter control. The UAS consists of two UVH 25EL unmanned autonomous helicopters powered by electric motors, a ground control station and various sensor payloads including the multispectral camera, LiDAR, as well as digital and thermal cameras. UAVOS also provides full operational support, including training, and a fundamental review of what the UAS is to be used for.

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Why it matters: BVLOS flights are taking off (literally!) thanks to their ability to reach remote or inaccessible areas more efficiently and quickly collect and share data.By leveraging the nation’s largest and fastest 5G network, drones equipped with cameras and sensors can capture high-resolution video and imagery used for near real-time analysis, monitoring and critical decision-making.

Who it’s for: Anyone who needs to “put eyes” on nearly any type of infrastructure, agriculture, solar and wind farms, power lines, disaster relief areas and more.

The Un-carrier has earned its wings! Valmont Industries Inc. and T-Mobile (NASDAQ: TMUS) today announced the completion of an industry-first long-distance BVLOS drone inspection flight enabled by 5G.

Traditional methods for infrastructure monitoring typically require extensive manpower, manned aircraft operations or ground-based inspections, which involve significant safety risks, more time and more money.

But not anymore ― especially now that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is granting more waivers for BVLOS drone operations. And as one of the first companies in the U.S. to receive said waiver, Valmont is ahead of the game.

In under three hours, Valmont accomplished a non-stop 77-mile drone mission from Childress to Aspermont, Texas inspecting vital infrastructure like power lines, railroads, bridges and more. The drone used a Harris Aerial H6E drone equipped with a T-Mobile 5G connected Sony A7RM5 camera. Significantly faster and more fuel efficient, this task was three times faster than conventional methods, while using less than two gallons of fuel.

Mission highlights:

• Valmont drone inspection teams used less than one-fourth gallon of fuel per hour.
• Flight pushes average distance of UAS inspections from less than 20 miles per day to more than 60.
• Even though the route was very rural, T-Mobile 5G provided live data transfer throughout the three-hour flight.
• The Sony A7RM5 combined with the ability to fly closely to utility lines, provided high-resolution details for critical infrastructure inspection.
• The flight proves that drones are a viable, safe, and efficient alternative to helicopters for infrastructure.
• Harris Aerial’s drone and Valmont’s proprietary payload are fully National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) compliant.

“Range has been a hurdle in the drone inspection space, until now,” said Jake Lahmann, UAS Manager at Valmont Industries Inc. “To be able to get this kind of range in a single drone flight is really going to revolutionize the way the industry approaches infrastructure inspections.”

“5G was built to make life easier,” added Ulf Ewaldsson, President of Technology at T-Mobile. “Whether it’s connecting a person on their smartphone or improving long-range drone infrastructure inspections, there is no doubt that the reach and speed of T-Mobile 5G is making it possible for entire industries to revolutionize the way they work.”

With 5G, Valmont’s drone inspection service is another example of 5G-enabled technologies that can be used to quickly respond to or prevent an emergency. By preemptively monitoring infrastructure sites with greater accuracy, Valmont can help prevent malfunctions and breakdowns before they have a chance to have a widespread impact.

Working closely with the FAA on BVLOS drone operation policies, Valmont plans to offer drone-in-a-box (DiaB) services nationwide in 2024. This enables anyone needing aerial inspection services the ability to order a drone, unbox it and watch it run its inspection while a Valmont pilot flies it remotely from virtually anywhere in the U.S.

T-Mobile is the leader in 5G, delivering the country’s largest, fastest and most awarded 5G network. The Un-carrier’s 5G network covers 326 million people across two million square miles — more than AT&T and Verizon combined. 275 million people nationwide are covered by T-Mobile’s super-fast Ultra Capacity 5G, and the Un-carrier plans to reach 300 million people with Ultra Capacity this year — nearly everyone in the country. T-Mobile 5G is available on all T-Mobile phone plans.

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Under the terms of the 12-year contract, CAE will build and deliver new full-flight simulators for the CH-47F and UH-60M platforms to meet the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence’s rotary-wing simulation services requirements. In addition to owning and operating the new training devices, CAE will also implement CH-47F and UH-60M software configurations for reconfigurable collective training devices.

Located at the U.S Army Aviation Center of Excellence (USAACE), the FSTSS program represents the world’s largest helicopter simulation training program, replacing the former Flight School XXI (FSXXI) program, which supported simulation and training for nearly two decades. The FSXXI program trains approximately 3,900 Army aviators annually, bringing Initial Entry Rotary Wing (IERW) and graduate-level pilots, crews and units to a higher level of proficiency.

“Proven U.S. Army training success at our Dothan Training Center for fixed-wing aviators and the expertise delivered through Flight School XXI and Advanced Helicopter Flight Training Services at Fort Novosel allows CAE to expand our trusted training solutions with the FSTSS program,” says Daniel Gelston, Group President, CAE Defense & Security. “It is our honor to provide training and simulation to all Army pilots, both fixed- and rotary-wing, to enhance mission readiness.”

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As Director of Business Development, Chad will be responsible for developing and generating relationships with existing customers as well as prospects that will allow AAT to continue its growth trajectory in commercial repairs. He will further develop and diversify market opportunities consistent with strategic initiatives by performing marketplace research and analyses.

“Chad has a deep understanding of the marketplace, and what MROs need to thrive in the aircraft maintenance industry,” said Glenn Mayberry, President at AAT.  “His vast experience with commercial repairs will help us expand our business in the right direction.”

David MacDonald, CEO/Owner, commented: “Chad Duval is an outstanding appointment for AAT as we extend the influence of our repair capabilities to major airlines and operators around the world.  His extensive experience is welcomed, and I know that he will pave the way for our business development into commercial aviation to new heights.”

Chad has this to say about his new role with AAT, “I am excited about the opportunity provided by AAT to foster business development in machining, new manufacturing, and commercial airline repairs. I look forward to working with the team.”

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The aim of the collaboration is to enable KSS to expand its lifesaving service to include drone delivery of time-sensitive vital medical equipment to scene as part of its rapid response capability, potentially transforming pre-hospital emergency healthcare across Kent, Surrey and Sussex, in order to save even more lives when every second counts towards survival.

Drones can significantly enhance the efficiency of emergency response services by delivering Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs), and other time-critical medical supplies, to scene faster than any ground unit, or in support of helicopter operations, while also providing visual situational awareness to the dispatch centre.

Leigh Curtis MBE, Executive Director of Service Delivery at KSS, says: “Our collaboration with Everdrone to initiate implementation of this technology is a first for an air ambulance charity in the UK. The technology is already making a viable difference to patient outcomes in other countries, so this is an important step in our ambition to help save the lives of even more people in communities across Kent, Surrey and Sussex.”

Everdrone CEO, Mats Sällström, says: “Everdrone is proud to be in collaboration with KSS to bring this new life-saving drone technology to the UK. We are working together towards successful implementation with KSS, a team of world-leading Helicopter Emergency Medical Service pioneers and key opinion leaders within pre-hospital emergency care.”

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The helicopters supported training for the engineer Soldiers throughout the day while flying over Fort McCoy’s cantonment area and training areas. The 224th was completing extended combat training operations at Fort McCoy. The unit regularly completes training at Fort McCoy, DPTMS officials said.

According to the U.S. Army Acquisition Support Center’s fact sheet description for the CH-47F, “the CH-47F Chinook is the Army’s only heavy-lift cargo helicopter supporting combat and other critical operations. The CH-47F has a suite of improved features such as an upgraded digital cockpit featuring the Common Avionics Architecture System, a new monolithic airframe with vibration reduction, and the Digital Automatic Flight Control System, which provides coupled controllability for operations in adverse environments (reduced visibility, brown out, and high winds).”

The fact sheet also states the CH-47F’s common cockpit enables multiservice digital compatibility and interoperability for improved situational awareness, mission performance, and survivability, as well as future growth potential.

In describing its benefit to the Soldier, the center’s fact sheet also states “the CH-47F tactically transports forces and associated equipment and provides routine aerial sustainment of maneuver forces. Secondary missions the Chinook executes to support Soldiers and commanders include medical evacuation, search and rescue, parachute drops, disaster relief, and aircraft recovery. The CH-47F Block II program provides additional capability to the field with greater reach, increased payload capacity, and an increase in maximum gross weight to 54,000 pounds.”

Chinook helicopters also have supported 89B (ammunition supply specialist) sling-load training at Fort McCoy for many years.

By Army definition, ammunition supply specialists are “Soldiers responsible for the management of ordnance to include ammunition and explosives.” Soldiers who are 89B-qualified are tasked with receiving, storing, and issuing conventional ammunition, guided missiles, large rockets, explosives, and other ammunition and explosive-related items. During two phases 89B course training under the Regional Training Site-Maintenance umbrella at Fort McCoy, students learn all of the entry-level basics about the course. The sling-load training is one of the last major training events during ASC.

“A sling load is used to transport munitions to remote locations or to expedite shipments in hostile locations,” said former course instructor 1st Sgt. Doug Dobitz, now with the 86th Training Division. “Being able to accomplish this is a critical task for the students as they will be responsible for this task in the future; along with this is all the associated paperwork and shipping documents.

“The components to complete a sling load include proper weighing of the load to ensure the proper aircraft is used, equipment serviceability checks, rigging to the proper standards, completion of the hookup to the helicopter, and proper use of hand and arm signals,” Dobitz said. “Also, some higher-level tasks are discussed as value-added training, such as landing-zone site selection, hook-up team duties, safety considerations, and knowledge of hazards at landing zones.”

CH-47 aircrew who supported 89B training at Fort McCoy in the past were with the Army Reserve’s 7th Battalion, 158th Aviation Regiment of New Century, Kansas.

For the May 24 training, the Chinook crews were favored with clear weather and favorable conditions to support the training effort. No safety issues were reported.

Fort McCoy was established in 1909 and its motto is to be the “Total Force Training Center.” Located in the heart of the upper Midwest, Fort McCoy is the only U.S. Army installation in Wisconsin.

The installation has provided support and facilities for the field and classroom training of more than 100,000 military personnel from all services nearly every year since 1984.

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Both the NPS and the FAA are seeking public feedback on draft Air Tour Management Plans (ATMPs) and associated environmental assessments (EAs) proposed for four parks in two states: Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park and Haleakalā National Park in Hawaii, and Badlands National Park and Mount Rushmore National Memorial in South Dakota. The current draft ATMPs for the two South Dakota locations eliminate ALL air tours; those proposed for the Hawaii sites cut air tours by 50% or more.

Besides closing off opportunities for thousands of visitors to enjoy the natural beauty of the parks, the NPS aims to cut back air-tour flights to such a degree that some tour operations will close.

HAI is requesting that its members and others in the industry comment on these draft ATMPs by Jun. 20, 2023, to demonstrate their support for keeping America’s national parks open to all.

Supporters can quickly and easily add comments to each proposal’s official register before the Jun. 20 deadline by clicking on the links below. Because the government counts form letters as a single comment, HAI asks that respondents take a moment to personalize their response and share their reasons why the flights should continue:

• Badlands National Park ATMP completely eliminates air tours
• Haleakalā National Park ATMP cuts air tours by 50%
• Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park ATMP cuts air tours by 86%
• Mount Rushmore National Memorial ATMP completely eliminates air tours.

“It is time to use our collective voice, even if you do not think you are affected by these proposals,” says James Viola, HAI president and CEO. “The Park Service will continue to produce these ATMPs for other lands administered by them, so it is important that our industry speaks up now. I suggest that you also forward this message to your friends and colleagues so that the Park Service hears us loud and clear.”

Flying tours is an important workforce development pipeline for the vertical aviation industry. Reducing or eliminating these flights will create significant complications for an industry that is already facing a shortage of skilled personnel. Moreover, tourism is a major economic driver in both Hawaii and South Dakota.

“The helicopter tour businesses buy fuel and supplies from other local businesses. Their employees have mortgages, buy groceries, and pay taxes. While some localities might be able to absorb the loss of an entire tourism sector, these ATMPs will probably have a significant economic impact on smaller communities that are dependent on tourism,” says Viola.

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The Luxaviation App is the next step in Luxaviation’s commitment to creating a seamless travel experience for their customers, while focusing on eco-friendly charter management, as it offers the options to carbon offset flights and book empty leg flights on aircraft that would otherwise fly empty. Moreover, customers may choose to adopt Sustainable Aviation Fuel, which helps reduce up to 80% in CO2 emissions over the lifecycle of fuel.

The app comes after the launch of its online platform in September 2022, and has been fully designed in house. It brings innovative features such as the option to live chat with and ask questions to the Luxaviation charter teams, even during a flight, and the empty leg availability booking system, through which first-time jet customers can book a private jet at a lower cost.

It also draws on the existing features of the online platform such as booking tracking from confirmation to arrival, the option to fully customise the flying experience, as well as the access to aircraft’s detailed specifications.

Pieter Steyn, Chief Information Officer of Luxaviation, states: “Responding directly to market needs, we have developed this technology in house so that it is totally customisable to react to the charter demands. We are leading the market during an exciting time for business aviation, as advancement in technology allows us to truly understand the behaviours of our customers. I am thankful for the team and their hard work, which helps advance our efforts to strive for excellence in the private aviation sector.”

The online platform has become a key tool for Luxaviation’s new and existing users since September 2022. With the application, the Group will continue to provide a luxurious and seamless experience in business travel for their customers.

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The UK Civil Aviation Authority is launching a survey on the use of active carbon monoxide (CO) detectors for members of the General Aviation (GA) community in the UK.

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“This leading-edge technology is set to revolutionise pilot training”, says Luxaviation CEO Patrick Hansen.

“F-light Line H145D3 FTD3 is equipped with leading-edge technology that replicates real flight scenarios and provides a realistic experience for pilots to practice and perfect their flying skills. It comes with advanced features, including a cockpit simulator, flight dynamics, and (original GARMIN®) navigation systems, allowing pilots to train in a safe and controlled environment,” states Maximilian Rommel, RS Flight Systems CEO.

“The modular trainer is powered by REISER’s Level D Full-Flight Simulation software to guarantee the highest fidelity of flight model and avionics replication,” adds Dr. Roman Sperl, CEO Reiser Simulation and Training GmbH. “We are proud to have found the right partner in RS Flight Systems and look forward to expand our cooperation in the future.”

“Starspeed Training is renowned for delivering the very best advanced helicopter pilot training. Not only will implementing the new F-light Line Training Device enhance our training capabilities for our trainee helicopter pilots, through real-life flight simulation experiences, it will further allow us to extend the reach of our services and welcome new customers. Whether an experienced HEMS pilot or first-time civilian flyer, we look forward to experiencing the enhanced capability of the new device,” says Steve Godfrey, Head of Training at Starspeed Training Limited. “Our commitment to delivering quality for our diverse range of customers is at the core of Starspeed’s ethos and is an extension of the values at Luxaviation Group in which we operate.”

F-light Line H145D3 FTD3 is scheduled to go in operation in Q2 2024 at Starspeed Training at Kemble Aerodrome, Gloucestershire, UK.

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Colonel Shawn Fitzgerald, Commander of the 106th Rescue Wing, praised Shetty for his service at the wing.

“Doc Shetty has played an integral part in the growth of the Medical Group,” said Fitzgerald. “I have no doubt that he is the right man for the job, bringing a wealth of experience to the position, and that he will continue to elevate the bar in the Medical Group and take them proudly to the next level.”

In 2009, Shetty commissioned with the 927th Air Refueling Wing at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida. In 2012, he transferred to the 106th Rescue Wing. He is the current Vice Chairman of the Emergency Department of Mercy Hospital in Rockville Centre, New York.

In 2020, Shetty was named the 106th Medical Group Chief of Aerospace Medicine, supervising all flight surgeons and establishing and maintaining medical standards for flyers. He is also the Chairman of the Aerospace Medical Council where he leads the implementation of medical regulations in the wing.

As the Chief of Aerospace Medicine, Shetty coordinated medical training between the medical group and local hospitals. The latest training conducted by Shetty was recently recognized by the Director of the Air National Guard, Fitzgerald said.

In his remarks, Shetty thanked his family and his fellow Airmen for their support during his military career.

“I am thankful for this opportunity to lead the Medical Group,” he said. “I am lucky to have had such great guidance to be put in a position to succeed.”

Shetty is a graduate of Massapequa High School and attended New York University College of Arts and Sciences and New York University School of Medicine, earning a degree as a Doctor of Medicine.

Shetty was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal and is a Fellow of the American College of Emergency Medicine. He also created a training affiliation with Good Samaritan University Hospital to prepare military medics for deployment.

He is married to Vicky Shetty, and they have two children: Deven and Anjali.

The 106th Rescue Wing, based at F.S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base in Westhampton Beach, N.Y., operates and maintains the HC-130J Combat King II search and rescue aircraft, and the HH-60G Pave Hawk rescue helicopter. The 106th Rescue Wing is home to a special warfare squadron with pararescuemen and combat rescue officers, specializing in rescue and recovery, and deploys for domestic and overseas operations.

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ChipCHECK, a portable and automated debris analysis tool, was selected following a multi-year trial, that was initiated under the Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC) Build in Canada Innovation Program (BCIP), now known as the Innovative Solutions Canada Program (ISCP). The purpose of the ISCP was to bring high Solution Readiness Level (SRL) innovations from Canadian technology developers to the intended market for feedback. Throughout the course of the program, Bell evaluated the effectiveness of ChipCHECK in supporting the CH146 Griffon. ChipCHECK provided Bell with the ability to analyze and evaluate the source of gearbox and engine wear debris at the Flightline with accuracy and an unprecedented turnaround time.

Bell is very positive about the impact of ChipCHECK and the ISCP. “The CH146 is the workhorse of the RCAF’s Tactical Aviation capability and ChipCHECK provides added assurance that the aircraft is ready to fly the demanding missions of the Canadian Armed Forces at all times” says Marc Bigaouette, Director Canadian Government Programs at Bell.

The benefits of ISCP have helped launch a uniquely Canadian innovation into markets around the world. “We cannot overstate the benefits of the program as it provided us with a new level of engagement with the RCAF and with industry-leading Original Equipment Manufacturer, Bell Textron Canada. The ISCP has provided us with valuable user feedback that we have incorporated into the ChipCHECK product line” said Shaun Horning, President, & CEO of Gastops. “It has helped us build a product that has now been adopted by as many as 17 defence forces across the globe” says Horning. For over 40 years Gastops has been leading the creation and digitization of intelligent condition-monitoring solutions used to optimize the availability, performance, and safety of critical engine and gearbox components. ChipCHECK has enabled operators and maintainers to make educated, proactive, and prognostic maintenance decisions without the reliance on complex and often distant analytical techniques and equipment.

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The GI 275 is intentionally designed to take advantage of the common 3.125-inch flight instrument size, reducing installation time and preserving the existing instrument panel. Its bright, high-resolution touchscreen display and wide viewing angle offer superior readability in the cockpit. In addition to interfacing with the flight instrument via the touchscreen, a dual concentric knob allows pilots to access a variety of key functions. Suitable as a direct replacement to many aging flight instruments, the GI 275 is easy to incorporate into a variety of panels and offers operators a simple and straightforward upgrade path to achieve modern flight instrument features and functions.

Primary attitude indicator

When installed as a primary attitude indicator, the GI 275 offers improved reliability, potential weight savings and reduced maintenance compared to less reliable, vacuum-driven attitude indicators. Optional Helicopter Synthetic Vision Technology (HSVT) overlays a rich, 3D topographic view of terrain, traffic, obstacles, power lines, airport signposts and more, all within the GI 275 attitude display¹. Additional features include the display of outside air temperature, groundspeed, as well as true airspeed and wind information on the attitude indicator, and wireless functionality like sharing of GPS position and backup attitude information to the Garmin Pilot app.

Course deviation indicator (CDI) & horizontal situation indicator (HSI)

When installed as a CDI or HSI, the GI 275 is designed to accept a variety of GPS and navigation inputs, allowing up to two GPS sources and two VHF navigation sources. The GI 275 features an Omni Bearing Resolver that allows the flight instrument to interface to a variety of legacy navigators on the market without the need for an expensive adapter. With an optional magnetometer, it is also capable of providing magnetic-based HSI guidance. The HSI can also provide enhanced features such as map inset and traffic, terrain or weather overlay. Selecting the CDI source can be accomplished through the touchscreen interface, while course and heading selection is completed using either the touchscreen or dual concentric knob.

Multi-function display (MFD)

When owners replace an older mechanical CDI or HSI, the GI 275 can double as a modern digital indicator and adds MFD-like capabilities such as a moving map², weather², traffic, obstacles, WireAware power lines, SafeTaxi^® airport diagrams and five-color terrain shading. For backup navigation information, a built-in VFR GPS enables convenient direct-to navigation guidance, displaying aircraft position information on a moving map, and when enabled, offers forward-looking terrain and obstacle avoidance (FLTA) capability to alert in advance where potential hazards may exist. Additionally, HTAWS (Helicopter Terrain Awareness and Warning System) is available on the GI 275³. The GI 275 electronic flight instrument can also be paired with Garmin’s GRA^® 55 or GRA 5500 radar altimeters, or other select third-party products, to display altitude Above Ground Level (AGL) while also providing visual and aural annunciations to the pilot.

The GI 275 is available as a retrofit for Bell 407⁴ and Robinson R66 helicopters through authorized Garmin dealers. The GI 275 comes with a two-year warranty and is supported by Garmin’s award-winning aviation support team, which provides 24/7 worldwide technical and warranty support. For additional information on Garmin’s helicopter solutions, visit garmin.com/helicopters.

Garmin products and services have revolutionized flight and become essential to the lives of pilots and aircraft owners and operators around the world. A leading provider of solutions to general aviation, business aviation, rotorcraft, advanced air mobility, government and defense, and commercial air carrier customers, Garmin believes every day is an opportunity to innovate. Recipient of the prestigious Robert J. Collier Trophy for Garmin Autoland, Garmin developed the world’s first certified autonomous system that activates during an emergency to control and land an aircraft without human intervention. Visit the Garmin Newsroom, email our media team, connect with @garminaviation on social, or follow our blog.

¹Features and functions depend on configuration and variant selected; visit a Garmin Authorized Dealer for additional information

²Not supported in select instrument panels; see a Garmin Authorized Dealer for details

³HTAWS enabled WAAS GNS series, GTN series or GTN Xi series navigator required

⁴Installation of the GI 275 is not approved in 407 GXi variants equipped and approved for IFR operations

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“We are extremely proud to embark on the certification process for our vertiports in Dubai,” said Dr Fethi Chebil, CEO and Founder of VPorts. “We are making history today as we are the first infrastructure company in the world to initiate a vertiport certification process. With this milestone undertaking, Dubai has confirmed its leadership in the AAM sector. By adhering to regulations of the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), we are taking a proactive approach to ensure all our vertiports meet and exceed industry standards, providing a secure and efficient environment for the operation of electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft.”

The certification process, developed by the GCAA, aligns with regulation CAR IX-HVD Part III, which outlines the requirements and guidelines for the certification and operation of onshore vertiports within the UAE. The process will start with the design approval phase; VPorts plans to obtain design approval for the world centre within six months – a key step in the construction phase. The certification of the Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) vertiport will follow shortly.

In his comments, Tariq Bin Ghalaita, General Aviation Director at Mohammed Bin Rashid Aerospace Hub, said: “We are pleased to see VPorts engaging in the certification process of its vertiports as part of the world integrator centre. This certification process signifies a substantial step in our pursuit to cement Dubai’s status as a global powerhouse of aviation and innovation. MBRAH is more than an aerospace hub. We are a launchpad, propelling the aerospace industry to greater heights both within the UAE and globally. With the AAM project, MBRAH is excited to be working towards a future where transportation is faster, safer, and more efficient than ever before. By leveraging cutting-edge technology and innovation, we are creating a new era of air transportation that will unlock new possibilities and drive progress across industries. From urban air mobility to logistics and beyond, we believe that the sky is the limit when it comes to the transformative potential of AAM. Embracing Page 2 pioneering advancements like this lies at the core of our mission, ensuring we create a thriving and dynamic ecosystem for the aerospace industry in Dubai. This step is not just a milestone for AAM in the UAE, but a beacon charting the path for the sector globally. It heralds a bright future we are proud to be part of.”

The certification process is a testament to VPorts’ commitment to establishing a robust and sustainable AAM infrastructure network. It demonstrates the company’s readiness to enter the market and operate to the highest standards of safety and compliance. “VPorts’ leadership brings a heightened level of confidence to investors interested in the AAM industry,’’ declared Dr Chebil.

The need for private and public investors to deliver advanced infrastructure, development, and operations is crucial for the success of AAM. Multiple revenue streams and opportunities will be pursued and leveraged at all stages of development, from project conception to design, development, and long-term implementation.

VPorts’ vertiports are designed as cutting-edge transportation hubs that facilitate the seamless integration of eVTOLs into urban environments and existing transportation ecosystems. They incorporate advanced technologies, such as automated landing systems, smart charging infrastructure and robust safety procedures, to ensure optimal functionality and passenger comfort. Moreover, VPorts’ infrastructures will contribute to reducing traffic congestion, improving accessibility, and promoting sustainable transportation solutions in the bustling city of Dubai.

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As part of the investment, Supernal will pilot TruWeather’s comprehensive V360° software-as-a-service product in the Company’s vehicle and surrounding operations to collect and integrate real-time distributed sensor weather data. V360° will provide Supernal with a comprehensive view of low-altitude weather and enable the Company to more accurately assess and predict weather conditions at critical locations and along flight paths. Supernal plans to deploy the TruWeather system in its future launch markets and make the infrastructure available to the broader AAM community.

“Supernal is pleased to incorporate TruWeather technology into our vehicle and operations testing as we work to make Advanced Air Mobility as safe and reliable as commercial aviation,” said Adam Slepian, chief commercial officer, Supernal. “The concept is simple: Better weather measurements mean better forecasts for AAM operations. TruWeather’s solution is advanced and can turn potential flight delays or cancellations into safe and timely passenger journeys for Supernal customers – and the entire industry.”

V360° can deliver eVTOL operators wind and weather updates every 15 minutes with tens of meters of grid resolution at and around vertiports. This model has 1 kilometer or better resolution along flight corridors and captures the effects that buildings have on wind flow, which is critical when flying in urban environments. By comparison, the best data available in commercial aviation today is 2.5 kilometer resolution and does not provide for urban building disrupted wind flows.

“TruWeather is excited about Supernal’s investment in our vision, team and capabilities,” said Don Berchoff, co-founder and CEO, TruWeather Solutions. “We feel fortunate to have the opportunity to work closely with one of the premier mobility service providers in the world to further accelerate our learning and enable Supernal’s success in building a safe, efficient business with an unparalleled passenger experience. Our job is to keep them flying safely and we know how to do that from a weather perspective with the help of our outstanding sensor and urban modeling partners.”

TruWeather is a leader in identifying and adopting the most advanced weather sensor technology to power its proprietary weather software to deliver micro-weather precision and accuracy for the transportation industry and beyond. TruWeather has spent five years developing the next generation of micro-weather data collection technology and analytics for AAM and conducts R&D at Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) test ranges – sanctioned by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) – in four states across the U.S.

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Created in 1961 by an Executive Order of President John F. Kennedy, the “E” Award is the highest recognition that any U.S. organization can receive for significantly contributing to the expansion of U.S. exports. The award was presented to Rotorcorp President Sean Casey by US Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo at a ceremony today at the Department of Commerce in Washington, DC.

 A total of 24 organizations from 14 different states were recognized at the ceremony, with 11 of those firms receiving the “E” Award. Rotorcorp is honored to be counted among them.

“On Behalf of President Joe Biden, I congratulate Rotorcorp on its distinguished achievements in exports, which is delivering tangible benefits for local economies, workers, and their families,” said Secretary Raimondo. “The world turns to the United States for innovative products and solutions thanks in part to U.S. businesses of all shapes and sizes that export. Rotorcorp serves as a model that will inspire enterprises and entrepreneurs everywhere.”

U.S. companies are nominated for the “E” Awards through the U.S. Commercial Service office network. The service network spans more than 100 US Cities and more than 75 countries, all to help U.S. companies to export U.S. goods to international markets. Criteria for the award are based on four years of successive export growth, usually accompanied by a rising percentage of export sales within total sales. Following nomination by a local Commercial Service Office, the “E” Award Committee, which is chaired by the Department of Commerce, and includes representatives from ExIm Bank, and the Departments of Labor, State, and Transportation, makes the final award recommendation.

“The ‘E’ Awards Committee was impressed with Rotorcorp’s record of export sales to more than 45 international markets. (Rotorcorp’s) commitment to eCommerce development to facilitate international sales was also particularly notable,” said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo in her letter announcing the award. “Rotorcorp’s achievements have clearly contributed to national export expansion efforts that support the U.S. economy and create American jobs.”

“We are truly honored to be one of just 11 companies, and the only company from Georgia, to receive the 2023 “E” Award,” said Rotorcorp President Sean Casey. “With more than half of our revenues now derived from serving our International customers, the “E” Award is a validation of our commitment to a well-developed export strategy and continued investments into our systems, processes, and the growth of our professional team”.

In addition to Rotorcorp’s eCommerce store, which makes it easy for customers to buy parts online in multiple languages, Rotorcorp’s customer service team is fluent in English and Spanish. All of this makes it easier for international customers to call or email the company to get help and technical advice when they need it.

Global since its inception in 2011, the Authorized Robinson Helicopter Company Service Center has grown to serve over 3,000 customers who rely on Rotorcorp to keep their Robinson R22, R44, and R66 helicopters flying safely.

In December of 2022, Rotorcorp delivered major components and engines to the Uruguay National Police as part of a winning public contract the company was awarded.“We are very pleased with how Rotorcorp advocated on our behalf”, said Mr. Eduardo Cheker, Director of Aviation for the Uruguay National Police. “They helped deliver the items we needed on time and helped keep our public safety helicopter fleet mission ready.”

Robinson helicopter owners, operators, and maintainers are invited to learn more about Rotorcorp and access the Robinson helicopter parts store by visiting the company website at www.rotorcorp.com.

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The TracPlus iOS app leverages the latest in Apple technologies and has been completely rewritten from the ground up, ensuring seamless performance and enhanced functionality.

Listening to valuable feedback from customers, both recent and past, TracPlus has incorporated several user-centric changes into the app’s user interface (UI). The refreshed layout reflects the company’s dedication to optimizing the application for users in the field.

Key changes introduced in the TracPlus iOS app include:

1. Persistent data: The app now supports offline functionality, enabling the storage of report data on the device. This enhancement eliminates the need to fetch data over the wire upon application restart, allowing users to view last known locations even without an internet connection.
2. Messaging conversation: Messages and replies are now displayed in a conversation format, enabling users to view conversations in context. The app’s notification system also directs users to the messaging view when the application is running in the background.
3. Improved Map Interaction: Users can now view report data directly from the context of the assets on the map, eliminating the need to switch between reports lists and map views.
4. Optimized User Experience: Fixed UI elements have been minimized, optimizing the screen real estate for map-related activities and providing a more immersive experience.
5. Enhanced Icons: The app features improved asset icons, highlighting major aircraft makes and models. These improvements have already been back-ported to TracPlus Cloud and will be implemented in the Android application as well.
6. Trail Modes: The app introduces multiple trail modes, offering users more options to view or constrain information on the map.
7. Searchable: The assets list is now searchable and filterable, simplifying the identification of specific assets. Reports can also be filtered to display only non-standard events, making it easier to identify takeoff, landing, and drop events.
8. Transport State: Asset and Report contexts now provide immediate visibility into GSM or Satellite transmission information, available in both lists and on the map.
9. Network State: The app now visually indicates the device network status. Additionally, it prevents message sending while offline, with plans to implement a queue system for dispatching messages once network coverage is restored.
10. Dark Mode Support: TracPlus iOS app now seamlessly supports the device’s mode setting, offering a more personalized and comfortable user experience.
11. Dedicated iPad Support: The app now features dedicated support for iPad, providing an optimized interface for users leveraging the larger screen.
12. Expanded Login Options: Users can now log in to the TracPlus app using Microsoft SSO or TracPlus email credentials, offering increased convenience and flexibility.

TracPlus is excited about the release of its new iOS app and is committed to delivering further updates and enhancements for customers.

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“We are proud to purchase the first Bell 407GXi in Turkey,” said Mustafa Bayrak, CEO, Sancak Air. “As a business owner, this aircraft will be flown by me for my private flights. The 407GXi impressed us with its high cruise speed, smooth flight characteristics and advanced avionics.”

The Bell 407GXi is proving popular with customers in the European region. At HAI Heli-Expo 2023, Bell announced the signed purchase agreements for two Bell 407GXi to corporate customers in the UK, one to Zeus Essential Holding Limited in Ireland and four to the Polish National Police (PNP).

“The Bell 407GXi is an excellent aircraft for corporate and VIP transportation, providing both comfort and speed while safely getting passengers to their destination,” said Patrick Moulay, senior vice president, International Commercial Sales. “This aircraft has had many successes around the world and assists with a variety of missions. We are thrilled that a loyal customer like Sancak Air has chosen one of our aircraft again.”

With its Rolls-Royce M250-C47E/4 dual-channel FADEC turbine engine, the Bell 407GXi delivers impressive performance and fuel efficiency, with ability to cruise at 133 kts (246 km/h). It also comes equipped with the latest Garmin G1000H NXi Integrated Flight Deck featuring high-resolution displays, faster processors and the ability to connect to tablets and smartphones.

There are now 1,590 Bell 407s operating around the world in all six continents, surpassing six million total fleet flight hours. The aircraft sets a high standard for single-engine aircraft with its unmatched reliability and performance.

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AWHero leverages on Leonardo’s unique combination of longstanding and extensive capabilities in rotorcraft system development and within integration in support of the uncrewed aerial system and naval application sectors. The first and only RUAS in its class with a military certification, obtained in Italy in late 2021, and based on worldwide recognised standards, which already demonstrate the robustness of the system, AWHero now features new developments stemming from previously planned and anticipated activities based on a range of enhancements.

The new developments include in particular: a heavy fuel powerplant based on a unique twin-engine solution increasing efficiency safety and Time Between Overhauls; airframe modifications delivering significant operational and support advantages (powerplant integration, payload bay capacity, system/sensor integration and field of view, maintainability, on-deck stability); advanced sensor modularity; – the Leonardo Gabbiano TS Ultralight maritime radar for unmatched all-weather wide area coverage -; enhanced survivability, and cyber resilience. However, the system builds upon the certified and proven basic configuration with which it shares the rotor system, transmissions, a core avionic system, data-link architecture, and a control station.

Gian Piero Cutillo, MD of Leonardo Helicopters, said “AWHero is part of a forward-looking roadmap that Leonardo is implementing to maintain its leadership in vertical flight applications in the frame of current and future technological evolutions, which will extensively re-shape this industry. Within this roadmap, uncrewed systems and relevant enabling technologies (i.e. automation/autonomy, communications, sensors integration and fusion) are key elements in which the company has been significantly investing, while leveraging a fruitful collaboration with the Italian Military Authorities. The system enhancements unveiled today reflect the incremental yet firm move from basic design to CONOPS (Concept of Operations) focused configuration. This is particularly true for the relevant naval applications, which remain a priority market for these kind of systems, which are able to meet intelligence and situational awareness extension capabilities with an optimized use of resources.”

AWHero is optimized to support a range of assets involved in a range of naval and multi-domain operations such as ISTAR (Intelligence Surveillance Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance), ASW (Anti-Submarine Warfare), Electronic Warfare, Communication Relay, Border Protection, Combat support, and Force Protection, and can be integrated with the naval combat management system.

Leonardo’s integrated capabilities in rotary-wing platforms, system integration, UAS systems and support/training services as well as proprietary technology delivers AWHero’s operators with unmatched system growth and customisation potential and through-life cycle support benefits.

Since 2019, AWHero has been conducting maritime surveillance capability demonstrations on ships within the framework of the OCEAN2020 initiative, the European Defence Fund strategic research programme for naval surveillance technology and maritime safety, including 43 organisations across Europe and led by Leonardo. It has benefitted from a range of capability demonstration initiatives in the RUAS domain in Italy, UK and Europe.

Leonardo is the only company in Europe, which is able to provide complete solutions by designing and developing all the elements of uncrewed systems: platforms, sensors, mission systems, control stations and offer customers a certified low risk, highly effective, fully integrated capability. Leonardo is a key partner and contributor to significant European uncrewed system programmes and Leonardo’s expertise and capabilities in the sector have been extensively demonstrated during international exercises. Leonardo has developed proprietary uncrewed systems and technologies, including anti-drone capabilities and uncrewed traffic management (UTM) systems. The continuous development and integration of cutting-edge solutions across all domains of remotely-piloted and autonomous/semi-autonomous systems and technologies is a key element of Leonardo’s ‘Be Tomorrow 2030’ Strategic Plan.

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“Sustainability means striking the right balance between our economic, social, and environmental responsibilities,” said Bristow President and CEO, Chris Bradshaw. “We must strive to have as limited an impact on our local environments as possible. We must also ensure our operations remain robust through the contributions of a diverse and engaged workforce, providing the safe and exemplary service customers have come to expect from us over the past 75 years. This report demonstrates our forward progress on this journey.”

Bristow’s global environmental sustainability highlights in 2022 include using a 10 percent blend of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) for Bristow’s flights to bp’s North Sea offshore operations in the U.K. Continental Shelf, improving environmental management through ISO 14001:2015 certification and establishment of a Corporate Environmental Management System (U.K. and Brazil operations were certified in previous years), and growing the partnerships with and commitment to top companies developing electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) and short take-off and landing (eSTOL) aircraft.

The Company’s social sustainability highlights for 2022 include implementing a new incident response management solution to further enhance the robust Target Zero safety culture, helping to achieve a 50 percent reduction in Lost Time Incident Severity Rate (LTISR) and a 56 percent reduction in lost workdays, as well as donating more than $500,000 to community engagement programs through its global Bristow Uplift program. Additionally, Bristow implemented a new employee platform to improve tracking of volunteer hours and tied the Company’s sustainability programs to broader-impact objectives through alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

“By reinforcing our sustainability commitments, we strengthen our business resilience and competitiveness, ultimately contributing to the overall success of our Company while positioning ourselves as the top choice for the best and brightest minds. This report outlines the meaningful differences we are striving to make that positively impact the lives of our employees, passengers, customers and investors, as well as in the communities we call home,” Bradshaw added.

The complete sustainability report can be viewed by clicking HERE.

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HeliHub.com is providing an external link.  Police Aviation News is responsible for the content of their monthly newsletter

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MAP Computer Systems and their flagship product CLASS have been supporting the Job Management needs of the Aerial Application Industry for 25 years. The software is based on the principles and concepts developed over the years through consultation with aerial operators Australia wide, ensuring it meets the aviation sector’s specific requirements.

The planned integration of the CLASS software into Tabula’s existing aviation solution, AirVision, is set to revolutionise the way job management is handled in the agriculture aviation sector. This integration will enable seamless chemical inventory management, pilot commission calculations, and detailed reporting.

“Our vision is to empower our customers with cutting-edge technologies that optimise their operations and drive industry advancements,” said John Enlow, CEO of Tabula. “Mark Parry, founder of MAP Computer Systems, has built a very well respected and capable system. This partnership and future acquisition of the CLASS software represents a significant milestone in our AirVision journey, as we continue to enhance our offerings and expand our global presence.” Tabula’s immediate focus will be on integrating the CLASS software for its Australian fixed-wing customers.

Mark Parry, CEO of CLASS, will join the Tabula Aviation team at the upcoming Aerial Application Association of Australia convention. The convention is scheduled to take place on the Gold Coast from June 5th to 7th.

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“Our government is committed to providing free, world class health care no matter where you live in Queensland,” Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said.

The record funding arrangement gives certainty to Queenslanders that for the next ten years, the vital search, rescue and aeromedical services provided by LifeFlight will continue to operate, bringing equity of health care to people across the state.

“This announcement is welcome news for LifeFlight and the communities we serve every day and we thank the Palaszczuk government for this commitment,” said LifeFlight Australia Chair, Honourable Jim Elder.

The funding will contribute to upgrading aircraft and equipment including a modern power-stretcher loading system compatible with Queensland Ambulance Service stretchers.

“The guarantee of significant funding from the Queensland Government provides the assurance of ongoing support whilst affording us the opportunity to future proof LifeFlight so we continue to care for future generations of Queenslanders,” said LifeFlight CEO, Mr Ashley van de Velde OAM.

The upcoming state Budget allocates $18.3 million for the most significant regional infrastructure project LifeFlight has undertaken in its 44-year history, within Sunshine Coast Airport’s new Aerospace Precinct.

“Not only will this funding ensure LifeFlight can continue to airlift some of the sickest and most vulnerable patients in their hour of need, it will also mean a newly built for purpose hangar can be constructed at the Sunshine Coast airport,” said Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Shannon Fentiman.

The hangar will have appropriate space and support facilities to give LifeFlight the versatility to, if operationally required, immediately house two AW139 RACQ LifeFlight Rescue helicopters and one Challenger 604 RACQ LifeFlight Rescue Air Ambulance jet.

“We are fortunate to have a world-class dedicated, agile and reliable helicopter rescue service for seriously ill and injured Queenslanders,” said Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment Cameron Dick.

LifeFlight will also expand and upgrade its highly specialised Engineering facilities which service the RACQ LifeFlight Rescue fleet, with Budget allocation contributing over the next 10 years to a new, larger hangar complex at Archerfield Airport, enabling LifeFlight Australia to double its current capacity for base maintenance activities.

“Being able to operate from these new heavy maintenance facilities, to be constructed by the Archerfield Airport Corporation, will deliver the modern and efficient maintenance operation that will be needed to support the growing demand for the aeromedical services required of LifeFlight by the Government,” said Ashley van de Velde.

Last year, the Queensland Government provided $60.2 million toward the Brisbane Airport Corporation’s Regional Aeromedical hub for both LifeFlight and the Royal Flying Doctors Service.

The Brisbane super base is due for completion at the end of 2024.

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A&P Helicopters, based out of Richvale, California, provides a diverse range of services including Power Line Construction, External Cargo, Construction Lifts, Human External Cargo, Power and Pipeline Patrol, Law Enforcement, Motion Picture, Photography, and Insurance Retrieval.

The Eagle Single has been designed to be the helicopter of choice in the medium-lift market. An all-commercial helicopter ensuring lasting value, product support, part commonality, aftermarket accessories availability, and unmatched performance. The Eagle Single is suited to a variety of mission types including (but not limited to) personal use & film production, firefighting, utility work, forestry, and search & rescue. The Eagle Single is certified in Canada, the USA, Australia, Chile, Peru, Indonesia, and Japan.

This Eagle Single suited for utility work included some recent configuration upgrades including a lightweight utility configuration (under 6000 lbs.), full vertical reference door, new interior & exterior paint, new avionics suite, a complete rewire, and interior refurbishment.

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NHV will provide helicopter transportation services to support CNR’s operations offshore at the Espoir field and the Baobab field, including scheduled crew changes, transportation of passengers and goods, unscheduled ad hoc flights, and emergency cover.

To provide these services, NHV will operate with 2x AW169 helicopters instead of the previously used Dauphin N3 helicopter. Innovation is key at NHV Group, so they want to operate with a modern fleet to achieve the highest levels of customer satisfaction. These helicopters are specifically designed for offshore operations and will allow NHV to provide safe and reliable transportation services to CNR’s operations in Ivory Coast.
“NHV has been delivering helicopter services in Côte d’Ivoire for CNR since 2014 and we are delighted to continue to provide them with our helicopter services according to their needs. This is the third type of helicopter we have provided to them,” said NHV Côte d’Ivoire Managing Director, Agathe Dona-Fologo.

“Our team is dedicated to providing safe and reliable transportation to our clients, and we look forward to supporting CNR’s offshore operations in Abidjan for the next five plus years!”

The award of this new contract highlights NHV Côte d’Ivoire’s commitment to providing high-quality helicopter services to its clients in West Africa.

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Cmdr. Seth Saalfeld relieved Cmdr. Jonathan D. Dorsey as Commander, Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 12.

Prior to the in-flight change of command Dorsey was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal by Capt. Michael B. Sweeney, Commander, Carrier Air Wing (CVW 5), during an end of tour award ceremony.

“The Golden Falcons are the first airborne and the last down every day,” said Sweeney. “My mission statement is to launch combat ready aircraft from combat ready warships you all help us to succeed in that. CVW-5 and the strike group are always ready because of your efforts.”

Cmdr. Dorsey assumed command of HSC-12 on March 3, 2021 in Naval Air Facility (NAF) Atsugi, Japan. He deployed three times throughout the Indo-Pacific area of operations with Carrier Air Wing Five (CVW-5) aboard CVN 76 leading his squadron to be awarded the 2022 Battle Efficiency “Battle E” Award and the 2022 Chief of Naval Operations Safety “Safety S” Award.

“Golden Falcons I will carry you with me always,” said Dorsey. “I will be forever grateful for the honor of serving so many fine Americans by being your Skipper. Remember that comfort is the killer of dreams so remember to say yes to the challenges as they come.”

Cmdr. Saalfeld was selected for squadron command in March 2019 and reported to HSC-12 as Executive Officer (XO) in March 2022. He has accumulated over 2,700 flight hours since earning his naval Aviator wings in January 2008. Prior to becoming the XO of HSC-12 Saalfeld served as a team chief, Strategic Command, J-5 Nuclear Directorate. While there he supported the production and quality review of all submarine and aircraft launched nuclear weapons plans.

“It has been a true honor to serve with Commander Dorsey in helping lead the Golden Falcons through the measurable successes of the past 15 months,” said Saalfeld. “I am immensely proud to take Command of this outstanding squadron full of the hardest working Sailors and Aircrew who ensure we are combat ready every day.”

HSC-12 is forward-deployed to NAF Atsugi attached to CVW-5, as part of Carrier Strike Group (CSG 5) embarked aboard CVN 76, HSC-12 supports in Anti-Surface Warfare, Search and Rescue, Combat Search and Rescue, Naval Special Warfare Support and Vertical Replenishment.

CSG-5 is forward-deployed to U.S. 7th Fleet, the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, conducting operations and routinely interacting with allies and partners to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific.

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Tabula will continue to make the business of aerial application easier and safer, even as the jobs grow more complex. CEO John Enlow says, “Tabula’s mission is to help our customers protect and grow the value of their productive land now and for future generations to come. We’re changing our name because we’re looking to the future. While this will be an evolution for us, it is not a transformation. The name change to Tabula will better reflect our expanded capabilities and future vision.”

As Tabula, the company will provide an even more comprehensive suite of solutions for landowners, contractors, and aviators, spanning health and safety, job management, compliance, and more. Customers can expect the same great products and services delivered by the same team. Enlow concluded, “We’ll continue to evolve our solutions under Tabula – just as we’ve done under TracMap. It’s all aimed at bringing certainty to customers’ operations and reporting, enhancing their productivity, and building a knowledge bank of valuable data”. The name Tabula is inspired by the ancient practice of recording information on flat, portable surfaces called tabulae. Ingenious record keepers and skilled cartographers of the past laid the foundation for the modern-day tablet and map. By adopting the name Tabula, it embraces the company’s roots in mapping and its commitment to recording vital data while looking ahead to a future of continued innovation.

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“This year we want to take the Museum in a different direction regarding our fundraising efforts,” explained Paul Kahan, AHMEC’s Executive Director, “such as smaller events that help to support our community and create educational opportunities for visitors of all ages.

Upcoming events include an ongoing speaker’s series, interesting science-based workshops for kids ages 6 through 12, and fun events like the upcoming FamilyFest on June 24, Haunted Helicopters on October 28, and SantaFest on December 9. Additionally, two week-long summer camps offer science demonstrations, hands-on activities, and more.

“We really appreciate the support we have received so far this year for these programs,” Kahan added. “We have been able to expand our exhibit space and add more interactive exhibits, as well as create a fun kids play area.”

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View It 360 supported DAA in the production of a full 360 degree tour of one of the charities lifesaving helicopters, providing incredible insight and access to the cockpit and other areas which would normally be out of bounds to the public.

This new experience, recently unveiled at the Devon County show, enables the user to climb on board their Airbus H145 helicopter G-DAAS sitting up front in the cockpit and in the rear cabin of the helicopter to take in everything on board. Throughout the experience viewers can learn about the equipment that the DAA medical crew carries and the technology that keeps them flying. Over the course of 3 days at the show over 180 people including youngsters, parents and grandparents enjoyed the experience.

Charlotte Leventis, Head of Communications at DAA, said:

“The VR experience gives us an amazing opportunity to engage with supporters of all ages in a new and exciting way. In particular, we are pleased to offer this tour to those with restricted access who can now enjoy the view from the pilot’s seat and inside the helicopter just by sitting comfortably and wearing one of our VR headsets.  We’re incredibly grateful to Noel and the team at View It 360 for their generous donation of two VR headsets so that we can continue to share this experience across Devon”.

Noel Sexton, Director of View It 360 Ltd, said:

“We were delighted to work with DAA on this project, giving the public an opportunity to truly engage with the charity and its incredible, life-saving technology. Grounding the helicopters for fundraising events isn’t an option, so our VR headsets will allow the DAA team to take the helicopters along with them! The facility to view spaces ‘virtually’ empowers everyone to feel included, regardless of physical ability or their location.”

The partnership between these two local organisations offers virtually limitless potential as they continue to work together on more exciting projects, now and into the future. But the bond between both organisations runs much deeper than just your usual working relationship after Noel and his family were directly impacted by DAA’s time-critical work, Noel explains:

“In 2005 my wife Nikki and I had a home birth of our son; Callum. After about an hour from birth, whilst feeding, he turned blue and stopped breathing. The DAA helicopter crew arrived soon after and airlifted Callum and my wife, Nikki to Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton where, thankfully, Callum was given the “all clear” and came home later that day. It is from this point that we have had a connection with DAA and support the charity whenever we can. I am also incredibly proud of my parents who both volunteer at DAA events and have looked after several DAA collection boxes around their local community for many years now.”

Corporate Engagement Manager at DAA, Tracy Owen works to promote opportunities for organisations from across Devon to collaborate with the charity on exciting initiatives such as these. She commented:

“I am always looking for new ways to engage with local businesses and develop lasting relationships, so when the opportunity to work with Noel on this virtual reality project came along, we were thrilled!”

The 360 degree virtual tour of the helicopter is also available on the charity’s website here: bit.ly/DAA-360-tour so hop on board soon and take a look around.

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Bell Textron is Canada’s leading manufacturer of vertical lift aircraft. The company offers a range of commercial and military helicopters, and to date, it has produced more than 5,600 aircraft. CCC and Bell Textron have successfully delivered several aircraft in South America, including four Bell 407 helicopters to the Colombia National Police and two Bell 412 helicopters to the Colombia Naval Aviation Group, through Canada’s G2G contracts.

CCC is Canada’s government to government contracting agency. Through CCC’s International Prime Contractor service, the Government of Canada brings qualified Canadian companies to meet the needs of government buyers around the world. Every G2G contract has the legal effect of being signed in the name of the Government of Canada and comes with an assurance of contract performance. To learn more about G2G contracting, contact the CCC team.

QUOTES

“CCC is proud to partner with Bell Textron, a global leader in aerospace, to bring Canadian technology and expertise to Argentina.” – Kim Douglas, Vice-President of Business Development and Marketing, Canadian Commercial Corporation

“This announcement is a testament to the long-standing partnership of Bell and CCC to deliver Canadian-built helicopters to customers around the globe. The Argentinian MOD will be well-served by the unmatched reliability and performance of its new Bell 407GXi fleet, and our team is delighted to enable their search and rescue missions,” said Steeve Lavoie, president, Bell Textron Canada.

QUICK FACTS

• The Canadian aerospace industry represents approximately 21% ($1.37 billion) of the value of G2G contracts signed in the last 5 years.
• Bilateral trade between Canada and Argentina was valued at $1.3 billion in 2021, up 42% from 2020. Canadian exports to Argentina were valued at nearly $355.6 million in 2021, up 46.7% from 2020.
• In 2021-22, CCC was active in 64 countries and helped Canadian companies export $2.5 billion in goods and services to governments around the world.
• Bell Textron supplies military and commercial helicopters, tiltrotor aircraft, and related spare parts and training to governments and commercial customers around the world.

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Ole Maloy, Managing Director of Siemens Healthineers Middle East, Southern & Eastern Africa, said, “At Siemens Healthineers, we are committed to providing access to care for everyone. Our partnership with Wingcopter will look to bridge the existing gaps in healthcare infrastructure, providing equitable and affordable access to diagnostic testing and medical supplies.”

The utilization of Wingcopter’s delivery drones interconnected with Siemens Healthineers’ laboratory diagnostics facilities will allow for quick and automated 2-way delivery of samples, medicine and other medical products. The battery-powered drones will be operated by Wingcopter, covering a range of 75 kilometers while maintaining the cold chain at all times. These sustainable and efficient drone delivery networks will allow for the centralization of sample testing and medical consumables distribution, resulting in improved access to diagnosis, faster turnaround time, increased efficiency and reduction in costs.

Tom Plümmer, CEO and Co-founder of Wingcopter GmbH comments, “We are convinced that we have found the perfect partner for our bold ambitions to improve and save the lives of millions of people on the African continent and beyond. Partnering with Siemens Healthineers will bring us a big step closer to the goal we are working tirelessly towards: to make a real social impact worldwide for those who need it most through fast, reliable and sustainable drone delivery networks in the sky.”

Roughly half of the world’s population still lack access to essential health services such as timely diagnostic services, according to a report from the World Bank and WHO. While accessibility for diagnostic testing will increase, the drone delivery solution will also have a positive impact on the UN Sustainable Development Goals, from access to health, to potential reductions in carbon footprint and the risk of road accidents, to capacity building on drone operations. Wingcopter intends to train and upskill local young people, creating jobs and perspectives in the fast-growing drone industry. In doing so, Wingcopter is following the company’s approach in Malawi, where operations are run by an all-local, majority-female crew.

The exact time and place of the first deployment of drone-based lab sample deliveries will be announced in due time.

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“Mitch is no stranger to the industry or ASU, and he brings with him proven NVG experience,” said ASU President Dr. Joe Estrera. “ASU continues to win training contracts worldwide, and his experience and skills are a welcome addition to our team as we expand our mission to advance safety globally.”

McKinstry is an Idaho native, born and raised in Twin Falls. In his early twenties, he was inspired and mentored by ASU’s founder Mike Atwood to get involved with aviation through the Idaho Army National Guard. That led him to a distinguished military aviation career spanning over 38 years. He served in several duty positions as a flight instructor, standardization pilot, master gunner primarily in the AH64 Apache helicopter.

Later in his career, he transitioned to the UH60L as an instructor and safety officer. CW5 McKinstry retired in August 2022 as the Idaho Army National Guard State Aviation Safety Officer. He transitioned from the Idaho National Guard to Life Flight Network for a short period before being recruited by ASU. McKinstry brings more than 2000 hours of night flying experience using Night Vision Imaging Systems to the ASU team.  “It really is an honor to continue a career instructing and flying with such an outstanding company and leader in the industry.  I look forward to working with the ASU team in supporting our partners making flying at night as safe as possible.”

ASU recently announced winning the FAA rotorcraft training contract, and McKinstry will play a vital role in helping to train not only FAA pilots but also aircrews for initial and recurrent training.

McKinstry joins an experienced team of NVG instructor pilots who have trained over 6000 pilots and crewmembers. ASU holds FAA certifications in Part 133, 135, 137, and 141.

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Under the new regulation, HEMS operators are required to implement certain equipment upgrades to enhance safety and operational capabilities. SPAES is proud to offer the installation of the Moving Map Display, a crucial tool for enhanced situational awareness and navigation assistance. This advanced display system provides real-time location information, terrain awareness, and obstacle alerts, enabling HEMS crews to make informed decisions quickly and efficiently during critical missions.

In addition to the Moving Map Display, SPAES is also equipped to install the Radio Altimeter with Annunciator, a vital instrument that provides accurate altitude information and audible warnings. This combination ensures precise altitude monitoring and enhances flight safety by alerting the crew to any deviations from the desired altitude.

“We are thrilled to introduce our comprehensive suite of solutions for medical systems on a global scale,” said Joachim Schanz, CEO of SPAES. “As a Part21J and Part21G Organisation, we have a deep understanding of the regulatory requirements and the unique needs of HEMS operators. Our meticulously designed medical equipment aims to optimize functionality, space utilization, and patient comfort, thereby enhancing the overall capabilities of HEMS missions. Our expertise, combined with our commitment to delivering quality and timely services, positions SPAES as the ideal partner for HEMS operators seeking equipment installations and modifications.”

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Earlier this year, the delivery acceptance of the TH-73A trainer helicopters were halted due to a nonconforming antenna provided by a subcontractor.

A team at DCMA Philadelphia worked with the contractor for a variance that was approved by the Federal Aviation Administration, said Rich Badey, quality assurance representative.

“The Navy will acquire 130 TH-73A helicopters that will replace the 35-year-old TH-57 Sea Ranger helicopter training system,” Badey said. “It will meet advanced rotary wing and intermediate tilt-rotor training requirements for the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard through 2050.”

The TH-73A improves pilot training and skills by using current cockpit technologies and modernized training curriculum that reflect the capabilities in the current Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard inventory, Badey said.

“Using a skills-based approach to training with just-in-time methodology, incorporating modern technology, the TH-73A will ensure rotary wing aviators are trained at a higher quality, more efficiently, and are ready to meet the challenges faced in the fleet,” Badey said.

The Navy’s first TH-73A arrived at Naval Air Station Whiting Field in Milton, Florida, in August 2021 and will be used to train several hundred aviation students per year over the next three decades.

DCMA’s team of trusted professionals are uniquely qualified for the work it performs in delivering quality products and weapons systems, on time, to America’s warfighters and international partners. The agency is undergoing a major reorganization to continue to meet the requirements of the military services it supports.

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The company will transform the 219,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility into an advanced R&D center for next-generation Vertical Take Off and Landing (VTOL) aircraft, Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), and related enabling technologies. Notably, the company’s forthcoming PA-890 helicopter, the world’s first zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell rotorcraft, will be built and tested there. The facility — which includes engineering development, aircraft assembly, paint and finishing facilities, and a well-equipped production flight test and delivery center — will open its doors to employees in the fall and is expected to attract about 400 workers by 2028.

“This world-class facility will serve as a strong foundation for future growth and will enable us to expand our R&D and production capabilities as we deliver transformational vertical lift technologies to the defense and commercial markets,” said John Piasecki, CEO of PiAC. “We chose to expand our development capabilities in the Delaware Valley because of its deep roots within the helicopter industry, its highly-talented workforce, and its robust supplier network. PiAC is committed to creating local jobs by fostering cutting-edge innovation and we’re excited to support a community that has long prided itself on delivering aviation excellence.”

“Chester County is home to some of the most talented manufacturing and tech workforces in the country,” said U.S. Representative Chrissy Houlahan from Pennsylvania’s 6th congressional district. “Piasecki’s expansion into Coatesville is further testament to what many of us have known for years – Chester County is a great place to grow your business. It’s incredibly exciting to see a company like Piasecki, a long-time aviation industry innovator, continue their commitment to developing new technologies like the PA-890 hydrogen fuel cell-powered helicopter right here in PA’s sixth district. These advancements have the potential to transform vertical lift flight and help eliminate carbon emissions. Piasecki’s Coatesville expansion will revitalize the manufacturing facilities which were formerly home to Lockheed Martin/Sikorsky Heliplex. I’m proud to support their vision and will continue to support innovations such as hydrogen fuel cell development through my work in Congress.”

Piasecki’s acquisition and expansion into the Heliplex facility was enabled by the strong support from Pennsylvania Governors Tom Wolf and Josh Shapiro; Chester County Commissioners; the Chester County Economic Development Council; Senator Robert Casey; and Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan.

80 years of innovation — now pioneering the next generation of vertical flight

“2023 marks 80 years of PiAC innovation in vertical flight, a legacy that began in 1943 with the PV-2, the second successful helicopter to fly in America, now on display at the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum. Shortly after, PiAC developed the world’s first tandem rotor helicopter — a revolutionary design that has been instrumental in countless life-saving missions around the globe since WWII — and which lives on in Boeing’s CH-47 Chinook helicopters,” said Piasecki. “PiAC is building on this legacy with a truly groundbreaking vertical lift technology portfolio, including advanced digital flight control and flight automation technology, hydrogen fuel cell and hybrid propulsion systems, morphing aerostructures, and more. We work closely with partners in government, academia, and industry to advance these technologies and develop platform and system-level air vehicle integrations as well as conduct flight tests.”

Major PiAC R&D programs currently being executed:

• Hydrogen Fuel Cell PA-890 eVTOL — The PA-890 eVTOL aircraft is the first zero-emission hydrogen-powered compound helicopter. The slowed-rotor winged helicopter is intended for use in a variety of missions including Emergency Medical Services (EMS), delivery of high-value On-Demand Logistics (ODL), On-Demand Mobility (ODM) personnel air transport, and many other commercial applications. In addition to zero carbon emissions, the PA-890 eVTOL enables up to a 50% reduction in direct operating cost and reduced noise compared with today’s fossil fuel turbine helicopters. PiAC is collaborating with ZeroAvia, a leader in hydrogen-powered fixed wing aviation, to develop and implement its revolutionary High Temperature Proton Exchange Membrane (HTPEM) hydrogen fuel cell technology for PA-890 and other VTOL applications. Investment from the U.S. Air Force in the ground testing of a 660kW HTPEM hydrogen fuel cell propulsion system is accelerating the development, certification, and production fielding of the PA-890 to address the needs of the military as well as the $40 billion commercial light helicopter market.
• Aerial Reconfigurable Embedded System (ARES) — ARES is a modular multi-mission tilt duct VTOL vehicle that can be operated unmanned (UAS) or with an optional manned flight module. ARES is designed with a small landing footprint to enable shipboard and expeditionary operations as well as provide embedded multi-mission C4I, ISR, combat, and logistics support to small distributed combat forces operating over extended distances and in complex terrain. Rapidly-reconfigurable Mission Payload Modules deliver mission flexibility that significantly reduces overall logistics footprint and cost. The ARES Demonstration Vehicle was developed in partnership with Lockheed Martin with funding from DARPA. With follow-on funding from the U.S. Air Force and Army, PiAC and Honeywell are developing and integrating a triplex fly-by-wire flight control system to initiate ARES flight testing by the end of this year.
• Adaptive Digital Automated Pilotage Technology (ADAPT) — ADAPT is a flight control software package designed to achieve unprecedented improvements in safety/survivability, performance, and affordability for U.S. military and commercial aircraft. ADAPT exploits the inherent redundancy of control effectors present in advanced VTOL platforms and modified legacy fleet rotorcraft to automatically allocate control commands between effectors to respond to aircraft damage or to optimize the control configuration of the aircraft for increased performance, maneuverability, reduced vibration or fatigue loads, or for a weighted combination of these attributes.

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Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company released a new video to celebrate the life of the aviation pioneer which began on his May 25, 1889 in Kiev, Russian Empire (now Ukraine). The video features past and present Sikorsky employees commenting on his innovative spirit that continues to inspire them as they pursue their dreams supporting military and civil missions.

“When you come into Sikorsky, you don’t feel like you’re in a generic homogeneous company,” said Paul Lemmo, President of Sikorsky. “You feel like you’re part of an innovative company that continues to want to carry on the work of its founder. And it’s just an incredible honor to be part of that.”

Igor Sikorsky’s impact on the rotorcraft industry and the state of Connecticut has been profound, including tens of thousands of employees who embraced Igor’s vision at the company’s Connecticut facilities, locations in Florida, Texas, and Alabama, as well as international operations in Poland and Australia. The company currently employs more than 13,000 people in the U.S. and around the world.

“The jet may have made the world smaller. The helicopter made it bigger by allowing mankind to live and work in areas that would have been inaccessible by any other vehicle,” Igor Sikorsky once said.

Sikorsky is celebrating the 100^th Anniversary of the company’s founding in 1923 by marking the company’s historic achievements, conducting events and sharing social media content which includes interviews with current and former employees, seldom seen historic footage, images and audio recordings.  You can learn more about Igor and the history of the company he built at the Sikorsky Archives.

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The bill will provide for a coordinated federal initiative across research and mission agencies to support unmanned aerial systems (UAS) research and development activities and ensure U.S. leadership in UAS and advanced air mobility technologies (AAM).

With the demand for drones from businesses and government only getting larger, the UAS market is expected to grow to more than $63 billion by 2025 – up from $5 billion in 2018. And as one single Chinese drone manufacturer with ties to the Chinese Communist Party currently controls the market, it is critical for both economic development and national security to advance and strengthen the domestic drone industry.

“We’re already dangerously behind when it comes to the production of UAS. To say China has cornered this market is an understatement,” said Chairman Lucas. “This bill will develop strong, safe, and secure domestic UAS and AAM industries that will grow our economy and counter foreign threats. I want to thank Ranking Member Lofgren for working with me to put together a strong bipartisan bill. I’m proud to move it forward at this critical time where we face mounting global competition.”

“I’m glad to have moved another bipartisan bill through the Science Committee,” said Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren. “The bill we passed today represents a strong collaborative effort by Committee Members and staff on both sides of the aisle, and I thank them for their hard work. By supporting unmanned aircraft systems research and development, we are putting our best foot forward to bolster U.S. leadership in this burgeoning industry. This cross-cutting approach to supporting UAS involves many of our science agencies, and is key to our economic and national security. I thank Chairman Lucas for his leadership and look forward to passing this bill on the House floor soon.”

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The extension continues the involvement of EIA, Apple Express Courier Ltd., and Ziing Final Mile Inc., and comes as a result of the successful collaboration between DDC and all the partners involved, showcasing the significant potential of drone delivery services in enhancing logistics and expanding transportation options in and around an airport environment.

The EIA drone delivery project, which began with the execution of an agreement with EIA in 2019, won an XCELLENCE Award for innovation from the Association for Unscrewed Vehicles Systems International and became commercially operational in May 2022, has been a key focus for DDC as it looks to expand its drone delivery capabilities in Canada. The project has been successful in demonstrating the ability of drones to transport cargo and parcels between the airport and nearby industrial areas, improving logistics and reducing ground transportation and road congestion as well as demonstrating the efficiency, safety, and reliability of DDC’s drone delivery platform.

Steve Magirias, CEO of Drone Delivery Canada, commented: “We are pleased to have secured the extension of our operations at EIA, which will allow us to continue to provide innovative and efficient drone delivery services to our customers. We are also actively working with EIA to develop a next phase of drone delivery routes which could enable us to further expand our operations and explore new use cases for drone delivery within the EIA area.”

The next phase of operations is expected to include an expansion of the drone delivery operations at EIA, including additional routes and cargo capacity, as well as the integration of new technologies and operational improvements.

“The positive feedback and support from our customers and partners have been instrumental in our success, and we are excited to further demonstrate the tremendous potential of our drone delivery technology” said Mr. Magirias.

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Stacey Ingram, Program Director for REACH, said packed red blood cells are now available to the medical crews to provide to patients who may be suffering from severe blood loss and require aggressive fluid resuscitation under their care.

“The addition of blood products to our aircraft is an important step in providing care at a moment’s notice to critically ill and injured patients,” said Ingram. “Early administration of blood products can help provide important stabilization for patients being transported to a higher level of care.”

Ingram also said she is grateful for the investments REACH has made to provide these blood products and that the announcement comes during National EMS Week.

“It is fitting that during National EMS Week, we share the news of another investment REACH has made into the communities of Northern Nevada,” said Ingram. “This is a testament to REACH’s dedication to providing the highest levels of care and to continuous improvement.”

REACH operates four air medical bases in Northern Nevada in Elko, Ely and Reno.

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The business residence is in the Toulouse – Blagnac airport area, located just a two-minute walk from the airport with easy access to bus lines, airport shuttles, and tramways. A dedicated local team will oversee business development, sales, support, and services activities. The convenient location improves support for customers and offers a stronger presence close to OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) partners for commercial aviation and civil avionics systems.

The move to the Blagnac Airport office follows the recent opening of a new facility for Universal Avionics’ North American engineering and research facility in Duluth, Georgia. The facility features open-space seating and collaborative meeting areas, fostering innovation for product design and development.

“Innovation is at the heart of our organization, built into its culture. Having a collaborative space where we can come together to share ideas is key,” said Dror Yahav, CEO of Universal Avionics. “We are excited to continue to expand our team and capabilities worldwide.”

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“The Bell 407GXi is a proven platform in high-altitude environments and will be pivotal to Argentina’s Military Search and Rescue operations,” said John Ramos, managing director, Latin America. “All six Bell 407GXis will be outfitted in a utility configuration critical to rescue missions in Argentina’s mountainous terrain.”

Founded in 1986, Bell Textron Canada Ltd. is now represented by 1,400 highly skilled employees across the country focused on innovation, customer experience and superior service and support for customers around the globe. Bell Textron Canada Ltd. is responsible for Bell’s current commercial production line, including the Bell 505, Bell 407GXi, Bell 429 and SUBARU Bell 412EPX. To date, the company has built more than 5,600 commercial helicopters and delivered more than 1,000 aircraft to Canadian customers.

This announcement is a testament to the long-standing partnership of Bell and CCC to deliver Canadian-built helicopters to customers around the globe. The Argentinian MOD will be well-served by the unmatched reliability and performance of its new Bell 407GXi fleet, and our team is delighted to enable their search and rescue mission.” – Steeve Lavoie, Bell Textron Canada ltd.

Bell proves its mature production and sustainment support capability with more than 1,600 Bell 407s globally, logging six million flight hours across the fleet and actively performing flight training as well as military and para-public missions. The 407GXi’s Garmin G1000H NXi Flight Deck enhances situational awareness and reduces pilot workload by delivering easy-to-read information at a glance. The Bell 407GXi’s new IFR capability will allow all-weather operations while continuing to provide multi-mission capability safely, reliably, and effectively.

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“We are very pleased with our program development activities to date and making very good progress as we move toward the selection of primary suppliers and finalize the definition of our aircraft systems architecture,” said Alice Altissimo, vice president of program management and operation of Eve.  “We continue to invest and our team is working hard with the goal of developing a mature aircraft for certification and entry into service in 2026.”

Eve has completed propeller tests on its propeller rig in Brazil in order to measure aerodynamic performance and sound properties for modeling and development.  The number and the overall characteristics of blades (torsion, shape, etc.) are critical in defining vibration, load and sound profile, as well as energy requirements of the eVTOL. Our engineers tested multiple models to improve efficiency and reduce sound footprint and operating costs.

The company also recently began testing its vertical lift rotors aboard a new custom truck-mounted platform. The mobile testbed was designed specifically to evaluate the performance of rotors during the transition phase of flight. Our engineering team has already begun testing and gathering data on the aerodynamic characteristics of rotors in forward flight. Eve’s eVTOL features a lift+cruise configuration with dedicated rotors for vertical flight and fixed wings to fly on cruise, with no components required to change position during flight.  This configuration favors safety, efficiency, reliability, and certifiability while also reducing the cost of operation and additional maintenance, repair and overhaul costs.

The results from the company’s recently completed wind-tunnel tests, along with the findings from the propeller and truck-mounted rig, are being used to increase the fidelity of the company’s flight simulator and fly-by-wire system. Eve is also utilizing learnings from ongoing enhanced Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) calculations to mature the analysis of the transition between the hover and cruise phases of the flight, among other tools.

Eve expects to conclude the selection of main equipment suppliers in the first half of 2023 and start the assembly of our first full-scale eVTOL prototype during the second half of 2023, followed by the test campaign in 2024. Eve’s eVTOL is scheduled to be certified and enter service in 2026.

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Embarked on board the patrol vessel “Bamberg”, the S-100 is being employed, day and night, to monitor commercial ship emissions within the German Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the North Sea. In addition, the UAS will support a variety of other maritime surveillance tasks, such as vessel traffic monitoring, maritime law enforcement patrols in German territorial waters, environmental protection and when called upon, supporting Search and Rescue (SAR) missions.

In its primary task of measuring ships’ sulphur emissions in the busy shipping lanes, the S-100 is able to check compliance with the EU rules governing the sulphur content of marine fuels, in real time. Measurements are transmitted whilst airborne through to the EMSA RPAS Data Centre and then on to the relevant authorities.

Hans Georg Schiebel, Chairman of the Schiebel Group, said: “By measuring the sulphur emissions and gathering data of ships that do not adhere to the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) environmental regulations, we are playing a vital role in helping to ensure the sustainability of our ecosystem. We are proud that the S-100 UAS is proving to be a valuable asset in this endeavour.”

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Following the announcement by the Irish Coast Guard today (May 30, 2023), Alan Corbett, Bristow’s Chief Operating Officer, Government Services, said: “We are honoured the Irish Department of Transport has confirmed Bristow Ireland as the preferred bidder for the provision of the Irish Coast Guard Aviation Service.

“We will continue working closely with the Irish Department of Transport to finalise contracts and look forward to integrating our significant global experience and capabilities into this critical public service.”

The contract will provide for the day and night-time operation of four helicopter bases in Sligo, Shannon, Waterford and Dublin. In addition to the helicopter service, the new Coast Guard aviation service will, for the first time, also include a fixed wing aircraft element.

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Designed for passengers, cargo and emergency services, Odys Aviation’s aircraft will be able to deliver all-electric propulsion for 320 kilometres, with a hybrid-electric range of more than 1,200 kilometres. This means, they have the potential to reduce carbon emissions on pan-GCC air travel by up to 76 per cent, and provide a zero-carbon travel alternative for all journeys across the UAE. The California-based start-up plans to launch a full-scale prototype in 2025, with the aircraft entering into service in 2027.

The company has joined the Ministry of Economy’s NextGen FDI program to facilitate the launch of a regional headquarters in Abu Dhabi, which will also include a high-volume assembly and maintenance plant. The move will create more than 2,000 direct and indirect jobs in the UAE and would result in the export of the first aircraft manufactured under the “Made in the UAE” certification.

His Excellency Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade, said: “The new partnership with Odys Aviation marks another important milestone in the UAE’s journey to create a knowledge-based economy, powered by innovation. We see significant opportunities for the operation of Odys aircraft across the UAE in civilian, cargo and civil defence activities, and we look forward to developing a new sustainable, low-carbon aviation sector – from clean energy air travel through to advanced manufacturing and research and development capabilities. Our NextGen FDI program is helping to transform the UAE’s advanced manufacturing and industrial sector and create new clusters of excellence around world-changing ideas.”

In response to joining the programme, James Dorris, Co-Founder and CEO at Odys Aviation, commented: “We are proud to partner with the UAE Ministry of Economy.  The UAE is the perfect market for Odys to establish a footprint and we are excited to work collaboratively with UAE entities to develop an advanced air mobility ecosystem. By bringing Odys to the UAE, we aim to partner with the existing strong aviation sector and leverage local supply chain opportunities. 2023 has been dedicated The Year of Sustainability here, and Odys is honoured to take part in transforming the energy ecosystem. Our aircraft will also mean brand new opportunities for domestic air connectivity in the UAE and regional flying between key GCC cities, cutting door-to-door times in half compared to conventional travel options today, and doing so in a carbon friendly way.”

The move to the UAE builds on significant interest in the Odys Aviation aircraft. Despite being in relative stealth mode, the start-up has received pre-orders for more than 1,200 aircraft from operators and airlines around the world.

Launched in 2022, NextGenFDI aims to support the growth of the nation’s knowledge-driven economy by enabling rapid incorporation processes to speed up licensing, facilitating the issuance of bulk or golden visas, accelerating banking services, and providing commercial and residential lease incentives for advanced technology companies seeking to relocate to the UAE.

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The Urban ATM prototype was initially tested during Eve’s Chicago Simulation Experience last fall to support the validation of foundational Urban ATM concepts and the integration of UAM into the ecosystem. The simulation, which used helicopters as a substitute for eVTOLs, performed tests of Urban ATM technology in combination with simulating ground services, infrastructure and equipment requirements, and vehicle and passenger journeys. The simulation provided essential feedback for Eve to advance the development of its commercial Urban ATM solutions through which customers will be able to enjoy tailored traffic management services that meet their needs and achieve efficient operations and resource optimizations.

“Advanced Air Mobility have the potential to unlock significant new transportation options and economic opportunities for society. Eve recognizes that these developments need to be reviewed for safety and unification with the current airspace ecosystem to avoid potential logistical challenges,” said Andre Stein, co-CEO of Eve. “By offering comprehensive solutions, our Urban ATM technology will provide critical traffic management services which will be essential to address these concerns. Eve’s Urban ATM will play a key role in enabling the global UAM market to scale and has a customer-centric design to address future operations’ pain points.”

Eve is engaging with Atech, Embraer’s Air Traffic Control technology and system integrator company, to support the development of the Urban ATM software solution. Eve will leverage Atech’s experience in developing aviation-grade products from the ATM systems in Brazil. To enable product adoption, Eve is leveraging partnerships with key organizations to share knowledge and multiple strengths that will empower stakeholders. The partnerships established thus far include Halo Aviation, BLADE India, Skyway, Bluenest, Volatus and Ferrovial. Eve has been conducting advisory groups with these partners to ensure that its software development aligns with their needs and will maximize the potential value of Urban ATM to their operations.

The company is also continuing to collaborate with regulators, air navigation service providers, fleet operators, vertiport developers, airports and other UAM ecosystems stakeholders across the Americas, Europe and Asia Pacific to advance concepts and begin developing technology to support the initial operation and scaling of UAM operations from an ATM perspective.

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Headed up by Project Lead, Dr Gareth Grier, the Centre for Excellence is seen as a pivotal move for EHAAT in delivering its vision; to create a world-leading community through which pre-hospital care is developed to achieve the best possible outcomes for all patients.

Dr Gareth Grier said: “We are proud of the history of our service, especially the major achievements that have been delivered over the years. With a vision that is bold, innovative and sits at the heart of our community, together with this new and ambitious structure, our Centre for Excellence will build on the hard work that has already positively impacted so many people in our region.

“Importantly, we are reshaping our approach to education, research, and innovation across areas of the advanced medical care that we provide, creating a framework where, working collaboratively with our partners and the wider community, the highest possible standards of pre-hospital clinical care can be reached.”

The Centre for Excellence is underpinned by its four pillars: Research and Scholarship, Innovation, Education and Training, and Community, which support three overarching clinical domains, and targeted areas of focus:  cardiac arrest, head injury and patient experience and outcomes.

Cardiac arrest, where the heart suddenly stops, is hugely time critical where help must be delivered within minutes in order for a patient to survive. Where family members and onlookers intervene with chest compressions and the use of a defibrillator, survival rates can be remarkable. The Centre for Excellence will have a specific new focus on how it can help more people receive CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) training in the community, so when the unexpected happens, they can help.

EHAAT’s medical teams already deliver world class care for patients who have suffered a head injury. However, they believe there are even more opportunities to improve outcomes as they intervene during the vital early minutes after a head injury has occurred.

Dr Grier explained: “We will focus on how world-leading research and innovation can help us set a new bar in the care that can be delivered.  We understand the impact that a head injury can have on patients and their families and are determined to do everything possible to make improvements for them.”

Being suddenly injured or having a sudden illness, can be a hugely frightening and traumatic experience for both patients and their families. The difficulties experienced can last for many weeks, months, and even years after EHAAT’s clinical teams have delivered the initial care.

“Our Patient and Family Liaison Team has made a huge difference in recent years,” Dr Grier continued. “So there is an intention to significantly increase our ability to provide support, care, and compassion for our patients and their families, way beyond the crucial initial phase.

“Our relatively small team of dedicated and specially trained nurses and paramedics offer meetings with patients and their families, where they can help to offer explanations about their situation, signposting to organisations and individuals who can provide additional help, and perhaps provide some hope where a major life-event has happened.

“In recognising the enormous difference that contact with our team after an event can have, we are extremely keen to expand our team and offer even more help in the future.

“We have a perpetual vision here at EHAAT, and we are always aspiring to do more; creating an environment where these specific topics for pre-hospital care have been brought together is a key step forward.

“However, fundamentally, as a charity, the donations that we receive are crucial, so we have the ability to push the boundaries of pre-hospital care in the coming decades and have a focussed and determined team who will do all they can to make this happen. So, on behalf of the clinical team I would like to thank everyone who donates to support the work that we do.”

EHAAT’s CEO Jane Gurney, said: “Achieving clinical excellence sits at the centre of our ambitions with patient experience and outcomes encompassing all our activity, so the Centre for Excellence is a really exciting step for us. I am truly delighted the charity, supported by our Trustees, is now building on the incredible work we are doing day in day out, to change the face of pre-hospital care within our region and beyond.”

Main photo shows Dr Gareth Grier, Project Lead for the Centre for Excellence. Gareth is a consultant in emergency medicine and prehospital care. He has spent 30 years undertaking prehospital care in various organisations including voluntary aid societies and for mass gathering events. Gareth re-joined the EHAAT team in March 2022, as the project lead for its Centre for Excellence. He is a senior lecturer in prehospital medicine at Queen Mary University, London, where he designed the intercalated BSc and MSc degrees in prehospital medicine. Gareth was the founder of The Institute of Prehospital care and has been responsible for the training and education of countless clinicians over the years. He regularly delivers lectures and educational events locally, nationally, and internationally and has travelled to many countries to share thoughts on the management of injured patients during the very early phase of care.

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At Heli-Expo 2023 in USA in March Leonardo had announced preliminary sales contracts for over 50 AW09s with various customers, and these included 10 units and 10 options for Helitech Asia PTE LTD. The South-East Asian company will distribute the AW09 in the markets of Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, South Korea, and Vietnam, where customers have expressed a strong interest in acquiring the new helicopter.

Both parties will greatly benefit from this partnership. The Helitech Asia team with its extensive aeronautical experience in the region is Leonardo’s ideal partner to sell the state of the art AW09, whose outstanding cabin gives the aircraft an unequalled mission capability and versatility, allowing to perform various missions, ranging from passenger transport, utility, EMS or law enforcement.

Acquired three years ago by Leonardo, the AW09 perfectly complements Leonardo’s product range in the Long Light Single segment, introducing an all-new design aircraft to sustain a long-term competitive positioning in this weight category.

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Let’s take a look at how frequent power checks can be worthwhile.

Performing engine power checks can keep your helicopter going

These types of tests will tell you a lot you need to know about the performance of your helicopter’s engine. This can be a good idea both in real-time (so you know your helicopter will be capable of taking you where you need to go) and in the long-term, as the more checks you do, the more data you’ll have to hand to compile a well-rounded view of performance. When you have a broad scope of information to analyse, you’ll be better able to spot changes, troubleshoot issues and recognise the general condition.

When you understand better the condition of your engine, you’ll find that you’ll spend far less time and money on your helicopter. The biggest risk of not doing regular power checks is neglecting to catch easily fixable problems, which can lead to more expensive repairs and downtime.

With this in mind, Engine Condition Trend Monitoring (or ECTM) tools can come in more than handy. Automating checks and calculations, analysing data in real-time, minimising human error and more can help pilots and helicopter operators to streamline their usual processes and get deeper insights for the information they need with little to no input.

Effective ECTM will require the recording of key parameters, and a dedicated performance calculator can take care of this for you by performing calculations, saving and storing data you may need to refer to later and drawing automatic conclusions to make sure everything functions as it should.

Frequency promotes accuracy

The more checks you perform, the more precise the measurements become and the more accurate conclusions you can draw. It’ll even help you to find false results. As there can be deviations in data, there can be discrepancies in trends. When these present themselves, ECTM can detect abnormalities by machine learning. More frequent checks will give a better idea of whether these outcomes are false.

The good news is that serious mechanical faults like foreign object damage will be detected in real-time, allowing for a faster response.

Minimising repairs and saving money is already an advantage point, but did you know that frequent helicopter engine power assurance checks can also help to find signs of engine’s condition degradation and decrease of engine performance sooner? Identifying a problem at the early stage is important for promoting the lifespan of your engine and lowering its operating costs. Since you probably want your engine to operate as long as possible, this becomes a significant factor to consider.

The way you use your helicopter can affect its performance

By becoming aware of the trends within your engine’s condition, you can begin to see how the way you fly is having an impact. For example, does the engine operate as it should during take-off and more? Is it functioning at optimum performance at all times? Do engine cycles consume consistently?

Sometimes, observed trends can seem chaotic, but there could be something causing these step changes. Often, these changes can be so minor that significant, long-term analysis can be the only way to spot them.

Deep analysis

Some pilots want to take a more traditional approach that is often cheaper, but takes up a lot of time and has the potential for human error. This is referring to creating spreadsheets, where data will be added manually to track the many points of engine performance. The biggest drawback to this isn’t just how time-consuming the process can be, but any inaccuracies that may be recorded can have a significant impact on the overall results of the engine’s condition.

If this is you, it’s worth considering just how beneficial using innovative, automated software can be. It will automatically analyse data for you and can significantly reduce a whole host of unnecessary costs.

Modern technologies are developed and designed with both the user and top performance in mind, and the solution offered by Helitrends is certainly affordable when you weigh up the time and costs that are typically associated with manual tracking processes. The Helitrends app allows pilots to analyse engine performance, save collected data and produce educated, intuitive conclusions that could help save your helicopter’s engines from expensive repairs.

Instead of wasting money on overpriced gadgets, download the Helitrends app on an iPhone or iPad, and get to grips with the outstanding services for free. If you are happy with the tools on offer, the UI and more and would like to access even more features, there’s a pro version available, too. Operating your helicopter’s engines in good condition and effective performance has never been simpler than with the innovative performance calculator – the Helitrends app.

[Sponsored Post]

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Important for the life-saving charity is its commitment, to make the very best choices for the environment, its people and the community. And for the last five years, EHAAT has been working to assess sustainability across the whole organisation, identifying new opportunities to further reduce its environmental impact.

This work has been carried out in conjunction with Carbon Footprint Ltd who, in its most recent Carbon Footprint Appraisal report, has concluded that the charity has achieved a reduction of 21.2% in absolute emissions. This means that EHAAT has qualified to use the Carbon Footprint Standard branding on all its marketing materials, to demonstrate its carbon management achievements.

A pivotal part of the reduction attained is down to the construction of EHAAT’s new airbase at North Weald, which was completed in February 2021. It was designed with environmental considerations as a priority and achieved an energy performance certificate (EPC) grading of A, the highest possible.

The results with regard to electricity costs for the new 24/7 building are impressive. This is put down to the fact that the new airbase went above and beyond the required building regulations, with additional initiatives incorporated that included the installation of photovoltaic (PV) panels on the roof, motion sensor lighting inside the building, and an all-electric heating and cooling system.

Yet for EHAAT, sustainability is not just isolated to North Weald, it is also being carried across to its sister airbase at Earls Colne, as well as spreading out through its clinical and retail operations.

For instance, two out of the fleet of four rapid response vehicles are now plug-in hybrid vehicles, and the order is in for two further vehicles to ensure the fleet is totally hybrid within the next few months.

Also, EHAAT’s nine charity shops across the region, as well as its donation centre in Stevenage provide a sustainable and ethical option when people dispose of unwanted goods, promoting reuse and recycling to reduce landfill and make a positive difference to the UK’s carbon footprint.

As well as electric vehicle charging points at both airbases and charity headquarters at Earls Colne, additional steps have been implemented to improve waste segregation and recycling. The Earls Colne airbase is also benefiting from PV panels on the roof, and a new electric eco boiler heating system.

Cliff Gale is Special Projects Adviser for the charity, with one of his remits being managing sustainability.

He said: “As primarily a helicopter operator, there is no getting away from the fact that we are a carbon hungry operation, especially when it comes to fuel. However, we are doing everything we can to help mitigate our environmental impact, reduce our carbon footprint and carry out measures for carbon offsetting, such as planting trees. We are also monitoring closely future innovations, such as the development of sustainable aircraft fuel.

“There has been a whole shift change here at EHAAT from top to bottom, and we are looking to our future. Sustainability is now a standing item on our Board meeting agenda, and the fact that I have been appointed to this new role is testament to the charity’s commitment to drive forward on its aim to be as carbon neutral as possible.”

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Located in Las Cruces, New Mexico, NMSU Fire Department provides emergency fire, medical, hazardous materials, and confined/technical rescue services to the NMSU main campus and the DACC Las Cruces campus, as well as mutual aid to Dona Ana County and the City of Las Cruces. The department also provides fire prevention, public education services and programs to reduce the occurrence of fire.

“Our volunteers must meet the same firefighting and emergency medical standards as professional firefighters in the industry,” said NMSU Fire Department Chief Johnny Carrillo. “This is a very demanding lifestyle that is not suitable for everyone, and we’re excited to utilize Air Methods Ascend online courses to prepare our volunteers for the job ahead.”

The Ascend in-person and online clinical education programs provide access to world-class educators, state-of-the-art tools, and cutting-edge technologies to help pre-hospital and critical care clinicians build their knowledge, enabling them to operate at the top of their licensure and fulfill continuing education requirements. Education programs include both advanced manikin-based simulation and virtual reality training that mirror real-world patient care scenarios, building life-saving skills and confidence. Courses meet certification requirements for Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing (BCEN), Commission on Accreditation for Pre-Hospital Continuing Education (CAPCE) and International Board of Specialty Certifications (IBSC).

“We are excited to partner with the NMSU Fire Department to provide their students with the advanced, high-quality education they need to become the next generation of healthcare providers,” said Dr. Stephanie Queen, Air Methods Senior Vice President of Clinical Services. “Air Methods Ascend prepares students for real-world scenarios by providing them with the knowledge and skills they need to handle any situation. Our courses are designed to be challenging and realistic, so that students can be confident in their abilities when they are faced with a real-world emergency.”

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With this new solution, Entrol reaffirms its will to fulfilling its customer demands by working with the latest technology available in the market and creating new standards for the industry.

Mixed Reality technologies offer a blend of virtual and real-world elements. This technology allows the user to get a high level of immersion in the training together with the touch and feel of a cockpit, much needed by the pilots for their training, creating a highly interactive experience.

Mixed Reality technology is focused on mission training. The 360º field of view allows trainees to train in highly immersive scenarios, performing SAR, HEMS, or Fire Fighting missions as if they were in a real aircraft. This field of view and Entrol’s high-fidelity cockpit replica will take the training to a new height.

The possibility of interconnection between simulators also increases the capabilities of this solution, as different helicopter pilots or crew members can train in the same environment without the need to be in an identical location.

Welcome to a new reality.

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moviation is a local UAM service startup that introduced its urban air mobility service platform VONAER in February this year. It offers various extra services for user convenience, such as booking and using air vehicles like helicopters and eVTOLs via the app, linking with ground transportation services, and running lounges.

The business partnership ceremony took place at Plana’s headquarters in Giheung-gu, Yongin, with the attendance of Braden J. Kim, CEO of Plana, and Shin Min, CEO of moviation.

The main goal of the business partnership is to generate new business opportunities and boost the growth of the AAM ecosystem.

As part of the agreement, the two companies will share information and discuss routes, cabin configurations, and customer experience to optimize end-customer satisfaction. The companies will also look for potential opportunities in the AAM business to attain mutual benefits and shared growth.

“We are excited to improve the satisfaction of our future passengers based on the infrastructure and data accumulated by moviation,” said Braden J. Kim, CEO of Plana. “We hope that this MOU will help us expand the domestic AAM market.”

“This partnership is very meaningful to us as two Korean startups have formed a cooperative relationship in the AAM market, which is dominated by various large companies,” said Shin Min, CEO of moviation. “We hope it will send a message to all those involved in the industry to cooperate.”

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At Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition – LIMA, Leonardo and Weststar Aviation Services (Weststar) of Malaysia celebrated technological and commercial development agreements and an important sustainability milestone.

Weststar will introduce the AW609 tiltrotor in Malaysia through the operation of one aircraft under a lease contract. The aircraft will be used to carry out a range of roles and missions in the country, supporting a further development of its operational capabilities tailored for the specific regional market requirements and expectations. Leonardo will supply initial training and maintenance support, with demonstration activities planned by the partners during the capability development phase. This latest achievement for the AW609 programme, the world’s first multirole tiltrotor designed to obtain civil certification, marks the entry of the allnew type in South-East Asia.

“As Weststar continues to push the boundaries of innovation and operational excellence, we are excited to partner with Leonardo to introduce the AW609 tiltrotor in Malaysia. This groundbreaking aircraft will revolutionise our operational capabilities, providing us with a versatile platform to fulfil our various missions. We are proud to be the pioneer in bringing the world’s first multirole tiltrotor to South-East Asia, and we look forward to demonstrating its exceptional capabilities to our present and potential clients.” said Tan Sri Syed Azman Syed Ibrahim, the Group Managing Director of The Weststar Group.

In addition to this important collaboration announcement on revolutionary rotorcraft capability development, Weststar signed a contract for five more AW139 intermediate twin helicopters in an offshore configuration. This move will strengthen the level of support provided by Weststar to the regional energy industry with the best-seller in the world’s market in its class.

A significant sustainability milestone was also achieved by a Weststar AW139 in VIP configuration on 22nd May, with the aircraft performing a first demonstration flight with SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel) in Malaysia, taking off from Subang Airport (home to Leonardo in Malaysia) bound for LIMA. The SAF fuel was supplied by PETRONAS Dagangan Berhad (PDB) in collaboration with Neste, the world’s leading SAF producer.. The flight using SAF in real operations marked a first in Malaysia for helicopters, further demonstrating Leonardo’s capability to reduce the impact that aviation has on global carbon emissions across geographies.

“At Weststar, we are committed to driving sustainable aviation practices and reducing our carbon footprint. We are a step closer toward reducing the environmental impact of Malaysia’s rotor wing sector with the successful demonstration flight of our AW139 fuelled with Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). This achievement exemplifies our commitment to harnessing innovative solutions driving positive change in the industry. We remain dedicated to shaping a greener future for the aviation industry and reducing carbon emissions across borders,” added Tan Sri Syed Azman.

“At PDB, we are committed to supporting the aviation industry’s decarbonisation efforts. This collaboration is a positive step in the right direction in promoting sustainable aviation future”, said PDB Chief Operating Officer (COO) Khalil Jaffri Muhammad Muri.

Since its establishment in 2003, Weststar, a leading regional offshore helicopter transportation services provider, has grown to become one of the global key players in the offshore helicopter industry. To date, Weststar operates over 35 AW139, AW169 and AW189 helicopters out of its bases in Malaysia, Indonesia, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Namibia, Mauritania, Gabon, and the Republic of Congo, becoming one of the largest commercial operators of Leonardo helicopters. Leonardo continues to play a major role in the Malaysian helicopter market, expanding its presence and increasing its capabilities through a continued plan of investment. With a regional hub for customer support and training near Kuala Lumpur, Leonardo has been present in the region for many years, with hundreds of helicopters performing missions such as offshore and passenger transport, utility, homeland security, law enforcement, SAR, emergency medical services, maritime patrol, military naval roles and armed reconnaissance.

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Air-Dynamic SA, a proud supporter of the new generation of electric aircraft, will operate and manage these Lilium Jets for its customers in Switzerland and Italy, which will offer customers early access to the premium ‘club configuration’ Lilium Jet including the Lilium Pioneer Edition.  

This partnership expands Lilium’s reach into the high-end European business travel and tourism market. The Lugano-based company with almost 20 years of experience in helicopter and jet charters specializes in networked routes across Switzerland, Italy, Côte d’Azur, and French Alps. Air Dynamic has a fleet of two new generation PC-12s based directly at Lugano airport and manages different jets and helicopters on behalf of private owners and AOC holders. 

Raffaella Meledandri, CEO of Air-Dynamic SA said: “This partnership represents an important step for Air-Dynamic SA and the entire aviation industry. We are excited to work with Lilium to develop innovative and sustainable solutions for the future of aviation. The first project’s goal is to connect Lugano directly with Milan City Center and in parallel to establish a good connection in Italy for the most touristic destinations such as Lake Como and Capri.”  

Sebastien Borel, CCO of Lilium said: “With today’s partnership, Lilium deepens its reach into Europe’s premium travel market. We’re leveraging Air-Dynamic’s innovative and entrepreneurial approach to operating and managing private jets and helicopters in the region. The partnership fits well in our commercial first phase strategy to engage the premium segment with our impressive Lilium Pioneer Edition Jet.” 

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The helicopters include 40 single-engine helicopters (H125/H130) plus three ACH160s from Airbus Corporate Helicopters in Line configuration with the Lounge package to add to two ACH160s already on order.

The contract is the largest commercial helicopter order booked by Airbus in Italy and will see the helicopters delivered over the coming years for a range of private and business passenger services as well as utility operations.

The Air Corporate board said in a statement: “We are experiencing a growing demand for the innovative ACH160 in the Italian market. The ACH160 is a beautiful, safe and comfortable helicopter and the Line configuration with Lounge package configuration guarantees elegance and, at the same time, excellent performance”.

“Equally the H125 remains the helicopter of reference for aerial work missions in Italy due to its unrivalled performance. The H130 is also enjoying great success in our country for tourist flights and passenger transport”.

Airbus Helicopters Head of Europe Region Thomas Hein said: “I would like to thank Air Corporate for its continued trust in our products. This order is the result of the years we invested in building and maintaining a strong business relationship with Air Corporate. I am proud of the success of Air Corporate in further expanding its fleet and the private business aviation sector in Italy”.

The latest announcement expands on 28 additional orders from Verona-based Air Corporate in recent years as part of an ongoing fleet expansion. In the past two years alone, Air Corporate has taken delivery of 17 Airbus helicopters, including the first of two twin-engine H135s.

Airbus helicopters have been flying in Italy for 50 years and the company is a key player in the Italian helicopter market with 90 customers and a fleet of more than 240 helicopters in service.

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David George, Chairman of Sloane Helicopters, said: “We are proud to further strengthen our longstanding partnership with Leonardo through the order of two more airframes. With eight new helicopters delivered since the last EBACE and more to come, this rapid expansion exemplifies Sloane’s commitment to both the Leonardo products and growth of the UK & Ireland helicopter market. The addition of these two airframes further solidifies Leonardo’s position as the leading helicopter manufacturer in the VIP/Corporate market and we are honoured to play a key role in this attainment.”

In July 2022, Sloane confirmed its Distributor Agreement for the 2022-2024 timeframe, covering both types and the AW169 light intermediate twin model. The long-term success between Sloane Helicopters and Leonardo was established in 1995, when Sloane became the sole distributor of Leonardo VIP/corporate helicopter in the UK and Ireland. Under this collaboration, nearly 110 Leonardo commercial helicopters have been delivered to operators and private users in the UK and Ireland. The Distributorship Agreement has provided customers with continued benefits by dramatically reducing delivery times and providing customers with product expertise and a full range of support packages, which also helps Leonardo to maintain its position as leader in the executive/private transport market in the UK and Ireland, among other applications. This has been further reinforced following the launch of the new Agusta VIP brand in late 2021 with its exclusive features and all-new service offer.

Sloane Helicopters is also an Authorised Service Centre, providing maintenance and support services for the majority of GrandNew and all AW169 VIP helicopters in the region. Additionally, Sloane Helicopters is a Type Rating Training centre for Leonardo helicopters in the UK.

Overall, the position of Leonardo in the segment in the region has shown solid performance over the last 12 months with total orders for nearly 15 helicopters in UK and Ireland including a mix of AW109GrandNew/Trekker and five AW139 intermediate twins, all with deliveries expected in the 2H 2023-2025 period. Regarding the AW139, those latest orders further expand the success of the best-in-class twin engine intermediate helicopter for Private/Corporate transport missions in UK and Ireland, thanks to its maturity and reliability characteristics, combined with high level of comfort and unrivaled performance, bringing the total number of aircraft of this type flying in the region to nearly 20. In addition to the new orders, over the last year eight AW109s from previous contracts were delivered in these two countries.

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Sustainable Aviation Fuel

Weststar Aviation Services made headlines at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition 2023 (LIMA 2023) when it signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with PETRONAS, Malaysia’s national oil and gas company. This MOU serves as a blueprint for collaboration between Weststar and other offshore helicopter operators in Malaysia, alongside PETRONAS, to drive the adoption of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) in offshore helicopter operations. This pioneering initiative underscores Weststar’s dedication to supporting environmental sustainability and reducing carbon emissions in the aviation industry.

During the LIMA’23 exhibition, Weststar Aviation Services, together with Leonardo Helicopter Malaysia and PETRONAS, successfully integrated Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) into one of Weststar AW139 VIP helicopters, establishing Weststar as the first helicopter operator in the country to adopt SAF.

Sustainable aviation fuel is an eco-friendly alternative to conventional aviation fuel derived from renewable sources like biomass and waste. SAF provides several benefits for helicopter operators, including 80% reduction in carbon emissions compared to traditional jet fuel. It also improves fuel efficiency, resulting in lower operating costs for operators, and offers a higher energy density than regular jet fuel, allowing helicopters to travel longer distances with a single tank. SAF has gained widespread acceptance among helicopter operators worldwide and Weststar’s adoption of SAF marks a significant milestone in sustainable aviation in Malaysia.

Agreement with Leonardo Helicopter Malaysia

Another momentous occasion was the signing of an agreement between Weststar Aviation Services and Leonardo Helicopter Malaysia, witnessed by esteemed guests including the and the Prime Minister, YAB Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Ambassador of Italy to Malaysia, His Excellency Massimo Rustico, Transport Minister, YB Tuan Loke Siew Fook, Mr Edoardo Rixi, Italy Vice Minister of Transport, and the Chief Minister of Malacca YAB Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh. The agreement encompasses the purchase of 5 AW139 helicopters, as well as the AW609 tiltrotor aircraft partnership agreement, which will facilitate Weststar Aviation Services’ global expansion plans and bolster Weststar’s local operations.

Weststar is the sole operator in Asia to have entered an exclusive partnership with Leonardo for the AW609 rotorcraft. This strategic collaboration demonstrates Weststar’s strong commitment to exploring the diverse potential missions and roles of the AW609 aircraft. As part of this partnership, Leonardo will provide Weststar initial training and maintenance support, while both parties plan to conduct demonstration activities during the capability development phase. This partnership signifies Weststar Aviation Services’ dedication to driving innovation, enhancing operational efficiency, and delivering exceptional customer service.

The AW609 is a groundbreaking aircraft that combines the vertical take-off and landing capabilities of a helicopter with the speed and range of a fixed-wing aircraft. Its unique tiltrotor technology enables seamless transitions between vertical and forward flight, making it ideal for a wide range of applications including executive transport, emergency medical services, and offshore operations.

Reaffirmation of Commitment to Excellence

“We are immensely proud of the achievements and partnerships formed during LIMA 2023,” stated Tan Sri Dr. Syed Azman Syed Ibrahim, the Group Managing Director of The Weststar Group. “The signing of the MOU with PETRONAS and the agreement with Leonardo Helicopter Malaysia marks significant milestones in our journey towards sustainable aviation practices and global expansion. We are grateful for the support and collaboration of our esteemed partners, and we remain dedicated to delivering world-class helicopter services while prioritizing environmental responsibility and operational excellence.”

Weststar Aviation Services’ participation at LIMA 2023 has solidified its position as an industry leader in offshore helicopter transportation services and highlighted its unwavering commitment to sustainable practices, innovation, and exceptional service delivery.

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