The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) releases the first building block to enable the safe operation of hybrid and electrical vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft.

Safran Helicopter Engines and Thai Aviation Industries (TAI) sign an agreement to extend their support to helicopter engines used by the Royal Thai Armed Forces and Thai parapublic operators. The agreement marks a new stage in a partnership that began in 2017, with Safran supporting Makila used on H225 operated by the Royal Thai Air Force.

Airbus announces that Romain Trapp has been appointed president of Airbus Helicopters, Inc. and head of the North America region for helicopters. He succeeds Chris Emerson, who is assuming the role of president of Airbus Defense and Space, Inc.

S.A.F.E.

Vertical Flight Expo & Conference, formerly known as Helitech International, lands in Farnborough from November 5-7, in partnership with the British Helicopter Association (BHA). The event returns in a new guise to offer an opportunity for international operators to source technology for missions in oil and gas, HEMS, SAR and agriculture, amongst others.

Snap-On helps eliminate FOD (foreign object damage) with its new 6” Diagonal Flush Cut Cutter with Cushion Throat. The tool enhances worker safety by preventing projectile material during use.

MRO and flight operations software provider, Rusada, becomes the newest member of the European Helicopter Association (EHA). The EHA acts on behalf of the European rotorcraft industry, promoting the best interests of all sectors as an economically important, safe and sustainable industry essential to the success of European and national economies.

CHC Group announces that Carlos Madaleno, former sales director, has assumed the role of regional director as of May 1, 2019, upon Marcelo Luiz da Silva Soares retiring from the position. Soares joined CHC in his role in 2016 and has enjoyed a nearly 40-year career in the aviation and energy industries.

The Unmanned Safety Institute (USI), the industry leader in remote-pilot safety education, training and certification, announces a partnership with Helicopter Association International (HAI) to provide unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) training to HAI members around the world. Through this partnership, HAI members will receive a 15 percent discount on their courses when accessed through HAI’s Online Academy portal.

Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, announces that, should the Bell 407GXi be selected for the U.S. Navy Advanced Helicopter Trainer program, the company plans to conduct final assembly of the aircraft in Ozark, AL. Bell submitted its proposal to the Navy on April 2. The Navy is seeking to acquire 130 aircraft.