Helicopter Maintenance News

After taking delivery of the first UH-72B Lakota helicopter in September last year, the U.S. Army National Guard is finalizing its training and will begin fielding the new helicopter with numerous state Guard units, beginning with Arizona. Subsequent states to operate the new five-bladed UH-72B include Colorado and New Mexico later this year, followed by additional National Guard units as new UH-72B helicopters are delivered.

MD Helicopters, Inc. (“MD” or “the Company”) announces that it has entered into an asset purchase agreement with a creditor consortium led by Bardin Hill and MBIA Insurance Corporation (the “Creditor Consortium”). The Creditor Consortium will acquire nearly all of the Company’s assets and provide new capital to strengthen MD’s financial position and support the Company’s continued ability to manufacture and service its high-performance helicopters. The Company expects to continue its regular course of operations throughout the sale process and remains focused on serving its civil and military customers and working with suppliers as normal.

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration names Billy Nolen to serve as acting FAA Administrator after FAA Administrator Steve Dickson departs at the end of March. Deputy Administrator Bradley Mims will also take on an expanded role during this interim period, focusing on the FAA’s workforce and the nation’s airports.

Helicopter Association International announces a successful HAI HELI-EXPO 2022, which welcomed 13,083 helicopter professionals from 72 countries. From the largest manufacturers to the small businesses that are the backbone of the industry, each company shared its products and services with eager buyers.

Helicopter Association International (HAI) reaffirms its opposition to the recommendations contained in the FAA Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC) Final Report. The report, submitted to the FAA on March 10 and now posted on the FAA website, proposes several recommendations to the agency that, if implemented, will compromise flight safety for low-altitude National Airspace System (NAS) operators.

Snap-on Industrial introduces the new Intrinsically Safe ControlTech™ Wireless Electronic Torque Wrenches. A wholly new design in torque tools, the Snap-on Intrinsically Safe ControlTech™ Torque Wrenches are engineered and tested for operation in Class 1 Division 2 hazardous environments where flammable gases, vapors or liquids may potentially be present.

Leonardo Helicopters MD announces that the Rescue and Salvage Bureau of Ministry of Transport, PRC (MOT CRS), has signed a contract for six AW189 super-medium twin-engine helicopters, which will be utilized across the coastlines of China for maritime SAR operations. The fleet deliveries will be completed by 2023.

Bell Textron Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) company, announces the sale and delivery of a Bell 429 in a wheeled landing gear (WLG) configuration to Australia’s Alto Group. This would be the first Bell 429 WLG helicopter in Australia and Alto Group’s third Bell helicopter.

TransDigm Group Incorporated (NYSE: TDG), announces that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire DART Aerospace ("DART" or "the company"), a portfolio company of Greenbriar Equity Group, L.P. and First Aviation Services Inc., for approximately $360 million in cash.