The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) weighs in on two initiatives critical to the safe, timely and successful integration of advanced air mobility (AAM) into the U.S. National Airspace System (NAS). The association’s comments — informed by NBAA’s AAM Roundtable and Emerging Technology Committee — provide direction to government agencies on proposals with potential impact for pilots, manufacturers, infrastructure developers and other stakeholders.

MD Helicopters (MDH) announces a contract signing with a Middle East customer to provide six Cayuse Warrior Plus Attack/Scout aircraft with precision weapons capability and six MD 530F glass cockpit upgrades. The twelve aircraft will support counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations by providing area security, tactical reconnaissance, convoy escort, and drug interdiction throughout the country. The armed MD 530F aircraft will receive glass cockpit upgrades at MD Helicopters in Mesa, AZ. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2024 for all twelve aircraft.

Axnes AS, a global provider of wireless communication solutions, receives direct feedback from the Italian Air Force about the vital role the PNG Wireless Intercom System played in its helicopter search-and-rescue operations during the recent flooding of northeast Italy. After rescue operations ended, the Italian Air Force contacted Axnes to praise the effectiveness and emphasize the necessity of wireless communications during hoisting operations on their AW139 helicopters.

The Airborne Public Safety Association (APSA) recognizes Aviation Specialties Unlimited (ASU) founder and CEO, Mike Atwood, at its annual APSCON convention in Orlando with the Public Safety Award sponsored by MD Helicopters. The award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated a longstanding and continuing dedication to airborne law-enforcement safety.

GPMS International announces that Blackcomb Helicopters, a helicopter utility service provider in Western Canada, has chosen to equip its Airbus EC135 T2 with the industry’s leading health and usage monitoring system (HUMS), Foresight MX.

Helicopter Association International (HAI) applauds the bipartisan passage of the Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act by the House of Representatives. The bill, which will reauthorize the FAA for five years, is a broad package that impacts all aspects of aviation, not just the agency’s function and policies.

The organizers of European Rotors are preparing for their biggest show yet, held in Madrid, Spain, Nov. 27–30, 2023, in Hall 9 of the IFEMA MADRID Convention Centre, approximately 10 minutes from the Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport (LEMD). In addition to the European Helicopter Association EHA and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), the Spanish Helicopter Association ATAIRE is co-hosting the event this year.

QAI Aviation (QAI) announces that the company has recently delivered a new Bell 407GXi EMS completion to Life Flight Network (LFN). LFN is a not-for-profit patient transport service that provides rotor-wing, fixed-wing, and ground ambulance transport throughout Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Montana.

Coulson Aviation announces its selection as the only private helicopter operator for the fifth consecutive year to support Southern California’s Quick Reaction Force (QRF) to fight wildfires. Contracting with Los Angeles, Orange and Ventura County fire departments with its fleet of Very Large Helitankers, pilots, and support crews, this new contract extends Coulson’s support of the QRF to 24/7/365, a first-ever opportunity for the company and the counties and the only contract of its kind worldwide.

MD Helicopters, LLC (MDH) announces that Mt Hutt Aviation (MHA) and 369 Ltd have teamed together to join MDH’s network of authorized service centers. Together these organizations will increase the level of service and support to MDH aircraft in New Zealand and the surrounding Australasia region. Currently their combined maintenance services include over 40% of the MDH aircraft operating in this region.