The arrow is pointing in the right direction —downward. Over the past two decades, the U.S. helicopter fatal accident rate has been cut in half, from 1.27 fatal accidents per 100,000 flights to 0.63. However, the industry has hit a plateau during 2018 and 2019. Fatal accidents in the U.S. are continuing at approximately the same level. To reduce the number of fatal accidents even more, the U.S...

Associated Aircraft Group (AAG), a wholly owned subsidiary of Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company (NYSE: LMT), renews its WYVERN Wingman certification for the 22nd year in a row. WYVERN Ltd. is a globally recognized leader in aviation-safety risk management. The Wingman Standard is an audit set forth to rigorously vet air-charter operators and is a requirement for many consumers of the business aviation industry.

The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) announces it has submitted proposed changes to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 409: Standard on Aircraft Hangars, addressing the issue of foam fire-suppression systems in aircraft hangars. NATA’s comments were developed through a collaboration with its members and the aviation industry. The Association’s comments were also based on the University of Maryland’s research report, "Review of Foam Fire Suppression System Discharges in Aircraft Hangars," written by Dr. James Milke and undergraduate students from the Department of Fire Protection Engineering, of which Dr. Milke serves as Chair.

In a celebratory ceremony attended by a number of helicopter operators, industry OEMs and local government officials, StandardAero announces the opening of its newest helicopter maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility, continuing its longstanding commitment to the strategic Richmond, BC, area and to providing comprehensive aftermarket services to the dense helicopter industry in the Pacific Northwest and global community alike.

Pratt & Whitney, a division of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX), and Russian Helicopters (part of Rostec) announce that the Pratt & Whitney PW207V engine has been selected to power its VRT500 light, single-engine, civil helicopter designed by VR-Technologies LLC (part of Russian Helicopters).

As part of its mission to supply the largest product offering to operators worldwide, DART Aerospace announces it has recently received EASA validation of its Bell 505 standard and float Skidtubes, alongside its existing TCCA, FAA and Mexican DGAC approvals. These skidtubes complement the Bell 505 Emergency Float System, which was launched close to two years ago.

Concorde Battery Corporation, in support of aircraft maintenance technicians and in conjunction with aircraft parts manufacturers, airframe manufacturers, parts distributors, industry associations and the FAA, opens registration for 6 IA renewal events in 2020. Participants can take advantage of the technical expertise Concorde has gathered in one location and leave with an 8-hour certificate at no charge.

Summit Aviation, a Greenwich AeroGroup Company, announces it has received the HIRE Vets Platinum Medallion Award from the U.S. Department of Labor for 2019 for its efforts to recruit, employ and retain the nation’s veterans.

Precision Aviation Group, Inc. (PAG), a provider of products and value-added services to the worldwide aerospace and defense industry, receives an award from Airbus Helicopters Inc. (AHI) for achieving 100% on-target quality performance, recognizing the company’s performance in support of Airbus Helicopters’ AS350, UH-72A, EC-135 and EC-145 platforms.

Bell Textron Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, signs an agreement with the Army Partnership for Youth Success Program (PaYS) during a Veterans Day ceremony at the Bell Forth Worth headquarters.