Bell Textron Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, unveils its new 140,000-square-foot Manufacturing Technology Center (MTC) in Fort Worth, TX. The MTC is an innovative proving ground where Bell will test and refine technologies and processes, demonstrating manufacturing readiness and ability to successfully build and support future vertical lift (FVL) aircraft. The facility provides capabilities that span all of Bell’s core manufacturing of rotor and drive systems, critical infrastructure and final assembly.

MD Helicopters, Inc. (MDHI) announces delivery of a newly certified MD 530F to Wilson Construction, headquartered in Aurora, OR. An operator of MDHI-brand helicopters since 2005, Wilson Construction had delivered its hardworking E-model aircraft to be overhauled and recertified as an F-model (Type Certificate 369FF) at MD Helicopters’ Mesa-Arizona manufacturing and completions center.

Helicopter Association International (HAI) sincerely regrets the passing of industry stalwart and past chairman of the board of directors, James O. Wisecup. Service information is pending and will be provided when available.

H+S Aviation, a Signature Aviation Global Engine Services (GES) company, announces the appointment of industry veteran Jim Payton to serve as the Global Strategic account executive for the company’s newly acquired CTS800 engine product line. H+S announced in April that it had been appointed the sole maintenance, repair and overhaul provider for the CTS800 engine by Light Helicopter Turbine Engine Company (LHTEC). Payton will partner with the integration team in order to launch the CTS800 program to operators in the fourth quarter of 2020.

Aviation Institute of Maintenance’s (AIM) Philadelphia campus will award veteran students, eligible for Post-9/11 (Chapter 33) benefits at the 100% coverage level, a grant that will cover any out-of-pocket tuition costs after their VA benefits and any Pell grants have been applied as long as they do not participate in the federal Title IV Loan programs. The grant is only offered at AIM’s Philadelphia campus.

Astronautics Corporation of America, in partnership with Rotorcraft Services Group (RSG), announces that RSG has received Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) supplemental type certificate (STC) SR01048DE for Astronautics’ AFI4700 RoadRunner Electronic Flight Instrument (EFI) on Bell 412/412EP/412HP/412SP/212 helicopters. RSG is the 412/212 STC holder and Parts Manufacturing Approval (PMA) installation kit provider for the RoadRunner EFI on these Bell platforms, as well as an Astronautics authorized dealer and installer.

Honeywell (NYSE: HON) secures approval from the U.S. Army through a product verification audit and opens a state-of-the-art T55 Repair and Overhaul Center of Excellence facility near its Honeywell Aerospace headquarters in Phoenix.

ECT, the only U.S.-based manufacturer of jet-engine compressor wash, announces the release of its AirCare Hand Sanitizer. ECT’s new product is being released in order to help people affected by the global COVID-19 crisis obtain their much-needed supplies. 

Safran Helicopter Engines signs a multi-year contract with the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) to support its Makila-powered AS532U2 Cougar Mk.II helicopter fleet. Following a public tender, the contract formalizes a maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) agreement to support over 40 Makila 1A2 engines until their end-of-life.

Ron Geall, a StandardAero Field Service Technician and Engine Instructor with over 20 years of experience with the M250/RR300 engines will be presenting this webinar series. In the next session on Thursday, July 2, 2020, he will discuss topics such as maintenance of the oil system, the different types of Rolls-Royce approved engine oils, guidelines on mixing oils, oil filtration, as well as troubleshooting methods to help locate possible causes of oil contamination, and more.