Larry Jackson – Contributing Author Helicopters are special machines. The maintenance professionals who work on them are also special. We are a fussy bunch when it comes to maintenance and with good reason. Fixed-wing aircraft can’t hover! When it comes to maintenance, in particular weighing operations to determine airworthiness, we have to consider the sensitive nature of the beast. Helicopters...

Attitude, heading, altitude and airspeed are four very fundamental and important flight parameters for a pilot. Most of the time pilots don’t even think about where this information is coming from — they just look at the data on their displays and it gives them a picture in their brain of where their aircraft is in the air right now. Typically this can be separate instruments for each flight...

According to the American Trauma Society, trauma is the number one cause of death in the United States for persons under the age of 44. Trauma is defined as an acute personal wound or injury requiring immediate care. Between 140,000 and 160,000 trauma-related deaths occur nationwide every year. For each death, at least two permanent disabilities occur. The total annual cost of accidental death...

California Shock Trauma Air Rescue (CALSTAR) is a non-profit regional air ambulance service. Its mission in is “to save lives, reduce disability and speed recovery for victims of trauma and illness through rapid transport, quality medical care and education.” CALSTAR staffs every flight with two critical care registered nurses ready to provide the pre-hospital care 24 hours per day. Today,...

Aspen Avionics announces the Technical Standard Order (TSO) approval of Evolution Synthetic Vision (ESV) for Evolution Primary Flight Displays (PFDs) and Multi-function Flight Displays (MFDs). Evolution Synthetic Vision is enabled by Software Version 2.4.x, which will be available upon Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) approval. FAA STC approval of ESV is imminent and shipment availability is...

Bell Helicopter has received FAA approval for new vision and lighting accessory kits for Bell 407 helicopter models. The Aeronautical Accessories-branded, STC-certified kits are available for immediate shipment. The new Aeronautical Accessories vision and lighting kits are available in four configurations designed to improve visibility. The following kits are available: • Preflight lighting kit...

Becker Avionics announces the recent delivery by Eurocopter Germany GmbH of the 1000th EC135 to ADAC Air Rescue with a Becker Avionics digital audio and intercom system, DVCS6100, installed. ADAC Air Rescue will utilize the aircraft primarily for HEMS missions. “The DVCS6100 is the ideal system for HEMS operations, due to the excellent Man-Machine-Interface, outstanding field reliability, and its...

Night Flight Concepts (NFC) announces that it completed provision of night vision goggle (NVG) maintenance training to the National Research Council of Canada (NRC). The training will help to further NVG lifecycle support and capability development in the evolving Canadian NVG market. As Canada’s national aerospace laboratory, NRC Institute for Aerospace Research (NRC-IAR) always assumed a...

Columbia Helicopters announces the promotions of Kurt Koehnke to vice president of maintenance and Roy Toavs to director of maintenance. In his new position, Koehnke will oversee all maintenance activity for the company. He has served as director of maintenance since 2002, and was responsible for all maintenance-related operations in the field and the company’s FAA Part 135 maintenance program...

Vector Aerospace Corporation announces the official opening of Vector Aerospace Engine Services-Atlantic’s new service center in Grapevine, Texas, in support of the Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) PT6A, JT15D and PW100 series of engines, as well as the Rolls-Royce M250 model engine. “Establishing a new and enhanced service center operation in Texas enables us to be more proactive and...