Enstrom Helicopter Corporation announces the sale of six turbine-powered 480B aircraft to M-Landarch, the Enstrom representative in Thailand. The $12 million contract includes flight and maintenance training, and the aircraft are expected to deliver in the second half of 2019. The helicopters will be used for ab-initio and advanced flight training.

The Rescue and Salvage Bureau (CRS) of the Chinese Ministry of Transport (MOT) is extending its medium class search and rescue helicopter fleet with the Airbus H175, beginning with a signature for two aircraft in search and rescue (SAR) configuration. 

S.A.F.E. Structure Designs, a provider of ergonomic safety-first aviation maintenance equipment, announces it has completed its contract with Next Era Energy of West Palm Beach, FL, designing, engineering and manufacturing OSHA-compliant maintenance stands and hangar equipment to outfit the first AW169 helicopter to enter the United States. The finalized maintenance stands are providing the mechanics with safe access around the helicopter, increased ergonomic efficiency for the technicians while working on the aircraft, and decreased damage to the helicopter’s exterior surface.

Aircraft Propeller Service, LLC, one of the world’s leading commercial propeller maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) organizations, announces it has signed a major contract with the Brazilian Army to overhaul approximately 300 Airbus Helicopter main- and tail-rotor servo actuators for Fennec AS350/550 and Panther AS365 aircraft.

Helicopter Foundation International (HFI), the charitable arm of Helicopter Association International, announces the 20 recipients of scholarships for 2019. Available to aviation students around the world, the scholarships support HFI’s long-standing mission to educate the next generation of helicopter professionals.

Robinson’s R22 officially turns 40 years old on March 16th. In celebration, at this year’s Heli Expo convention in Atlanta, Robinson will display a new R22 (S/N 4797, N40YR) painted in the same scheme and colors as the very first R22 (S/N 0001).

Onboard Systems International, Inc., a provider of innovative helicopter cargo hook equipment, announces its dual cargo-hook kit for the MD500 series has been STC-certified by the FAA. This cargo hook system meets the 14 CFR Part 27 certification requirements for human external cargo (HEC) and has been built around a dual installation of Onboard's TALON® LC Hydraulic Hook. The kit will be on display at the 2019 Heli-Expo show at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, GA, on March 5-7 at Onboard's booth (B5409).

Alpine Aerotech is best known for its comprehensive maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) capabilities; serving leading makes and models of helicopters worldwide.

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration recognizes the National Center for Aerospace and Transportation Technologies (NCATT) Aircraft Electronics Technician (AET) certification as equivalent to formal training when determining eligibility for a repairman certificate. This action helps simplify the application process for repairman certification, strengthening efforts to recruit and retain avionics technicians in this innovative and fast-growing industry.

Airbus Helicopters Inc. and Helisim have broken ground on a new, state-of-the-art helicopter pilot and maintenance crew training center in Grand Prairie, TX.