With support from Safran Helicopter Engines, TotalEnergies, and Airbus Helicopters, France’s defense procurement agency (Direction Générale de l’Armement - DGA) carries out the first test flight of an Airbus NH90 in which one of its two RTM322 engines ran on sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). The fuel meets the aviation industry's objective of accelerating decarbonization without making any modifications to the aircraft, engine or logistics infrastructure (known as a drop-in fuel).

GPMS International, provider of the helicopter industry’s most advanced health and usage monitoring system (HUMS) known as Foresight MX, announces that it has received an FAA supplemental type certificate (STC) for the UH-60A Black Hawk platform. The company worked closely with PJ Helicopters during the STC process, who will become the first Black Hawk operator to utilize Foresight MX’s advanced capabilities.

MD Helicopters (MDH) announces the delivery of its first of three MD 530F helicopters to the Huntington Beach Police Department (HBPD). The helicopter was delivered in a special ceremony at the MD Helicopters factory before flying to its new home in Huntington Beach, CA.

Bell Textron Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) company, announces that Life Flight Network, the largest not-for-profit air-medical program in the country, will add four additional Bell 407GXi helicopters. These aircraft will bring Life Flight Network’s current operating fleet to seven Bell 407GXis, remaining the largest air-medical operator of the Bell 407GXi in the Pacific Northwest and Intermountain West.

Device Technologies, Inc. (DTi), designer and manufacturer of specialty wire protection, cable management and sealing solutions, announces it has applied for FAA Design Approval for a PMA (Parts Manufacturer Approval) for Spring-Fast® Wire Protection Grommets. Once approved, aerospace engineers and techs can take advantage of the superior M22529 grommet technology and replace old legacy MS21266 glued nylon grommets. This PMA will apply to three variants of Spring-Fast: M22529/1, M22529/2, and M22529/3.

Wayne Fry, FAA Flight Standards division manager for General Aviation Safety Assurance, is named the new government co-chairman of the United States Helicopter Safety Team (www.ushst.org). The USHST was formed in 2013 as a regional partner within the International Helicopter Safety Team (now the Vertical Aviation Safety Team, VAST, https://vast.aero/) to lead a government and industry cooperative effort to promote safety and work to reduce civil helicopter accidents and fatalities.

Helicopter Association International (HAI) announces the winners of the 2023 ROTOR Magazine Photo Contest. The popular contest attracts hundreds of entries annually from photographers around the world.

Hartzell Engine Tech receives FAA Parts Manufacturer Approval (PMA) for its Sky-Tec HT (High Torque) starters for Robinson two-place R22 and four-place R44 light utility helicopters. The company’s Sky-Tec HT starter for Lycoming engines features an integrated self-resetting Kickback Protection System (KPS) to protect the powerplant and starter from an engine kickback. The PMA for the plug-and-play starters was obtained through the company’s Organization Designation Authorization (ODA) program.

Columbia Helicopters, a heavy-lift helicopter OEM, MRO and operator, announces it has sold and delivered a Columbia Model 107-II Vertol to Heliswiss International AG (HSI). The sale makes HSI the official launch customer for the aircraft in Europe.

Enstrom announces the flight of the first new 480B helicopter after reopening just eight months ago. The turbine-powered 480B is the 1317th Enstrom helicopter built and the 255th 480-series helicopter. This aircraft was not built from an unfinished, leftover airframe but by using components procured, machined, fabricated and assembled onsite.