Dana Kerrick — Contributing Author It’s not unusual to receive rotor blades for repair after they’ve sustained damage from wire strikes, tree strikes and hangar strikes, or sometimes human strikes. The nature of the mission of the helicopter makes it necessary to “get close” to the job, and often increases the chance to experience these types of damage. This damage is never intentional and...

A commonly-accepted definition of communication between people goes something like this: Communication is the activity of conveying meaningful information . It requires a sender, a message and an intended recipient, although the intended recipient need not be present or aware of the sender’s intent to communicate at the time of communication. The act of communication can occur across vast...

FlightSafety International announces that it will expand its simulator-based Night Vision Goggle training program through a collaborative agreement with Aviation Specialties Unlimited (ASU). Night Vision Goggle training is currently available at FlightSafety’s Learning Center in Tucson, Arizona using the new FAA Level 7 qualified AS350 Flight Training Device. Other FlightSafety locations will...

Bell Helicopter announces that it has formed a distributor partnership to sell products from TrueView Enhanced Vision Systems (EVS), LLC under its Aeronautical Accessories brand. TrueView EVS’ infrared thermal imaging system improves flight safety in compromised flight conditions such as darkness or low light/low visibility conditionsand virtually eliminates the chance of controlled flight into...

After a four year restoration programme undertaken by a team of AgustaWestland apprentices, the record breaking Westland Lynx helicopter, which is still the official holder of the helicopter World Speed Record, was today unveiled by AgustaWestland’s CEO Bruno Spagnolini and apprentices to employees gathered at AgustaWestland’s Yeovil factory. After the unveiling Bruno Spagnolini, CEO, said “To...

Fort Worth, TX – The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is proposing a $194,249 civil penalty against ERA Helicopters Inc., of Lake Charles, La., for violations of the FAA’s drug and alcohol testing program regulations. The FAA alleges ERA failed to conduct required pre-employment drug tests and receive verified negative test results in 2010 before hiring eight employees to perform safety-...

The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has published its Annual Safety Review for 2010. The review shows a high level of safety for commercial air transport operations in EASA Member States*. Indeed, it was the first year in the history of aviation in Europe that no fatal accidents occurred for commercial helicopter and aeroplane operations. Commenting on the release of the review, EASA's...