Erickson Incorporated, an aerospace manufacturer and global aerial services company that has fought fires for nearly 50 years, returns to serve the citizens of Australia for its 20th year. The October start of the fire season parallels the beginning of summer “Down Under,” and Erickson has six S-64 Aircranes located in or en route to Victoria, South Australia; New South Wales; and Perth, Western Australia. The National Aerial Firefighting Centre (NAFC) extended a contract to supply Aircranes for 2017-2018, through Australian partner Kestrel Aviation.

Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, announces that its V-280 Valor has achieved first flight. The V-280 Valor is a next-generation tiltrotor that is designed to provide unmatched agility, speed, range and payload capabilities at an affordable cost. The milestone represents exceptional progress on the V-280 development program and brings Bell Helicopter one step closer to creating the next generation of vertical lift aircraft for the U.S. military.

Universal Avionics announces its Top Dealers of 2017 to be Avmax for North and South America (Americas) and Heli-One Norway for International Dealer of the Year.

The third H160 prototype has received a fresh coat of paint and now features a striking “carbon” livery designed as a nod to the Airbus A350 XWB MSN2 flight-test aircraft. Both aircraft are produced using advanced composite materials supplied by Airbus’ long term partner, Hexcel.

National air medical transport provider Med-Trans Corporation moves its headquarters operations into a new building at the Denton Enterprise Airport. The new 31,500-square-foot facility includes 24,000 square feet of office and classroom space in addition to 7,500 square feet of hangar accommodations.

Airbus Helicopters celebrates the tenth anniversary of its Albacete factory, underlining the essential role that the Spanish plant will play as part of the company’s new industrial strategy. A ceremony was presided in Albacete by the Spanish Minister of Defense, Maria Dolores de Cospedal, who took the opportunity to sign the handover certificate for two H215s to the Spanish Air Force’s 802 Squadron/RCC Canarias as well as two HAD/E Tigers and an NH90 for the Spanish Army Airmobile Force (FAMET).

Sherwin-Williams adds a leading aerospace coatings distribution partner to its Central and South American sales and service network with the signing of a distribution agreement with Aviation Chemical Solutions, Inc., (ACS). This distribution expansion supports Sherwin-Williams’ global growth in the general, business, commercial and military aviation sector and strengthens its overall service offerings for its expanding worldwide customer base.

Helicopter Foundation International (HFI), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, annually offers up to 19 scholarships to help support students studying to become part of tomorrow’s helicopter indust

Aviation Specialties Unlimited (ASU) receives notice from Transport Canada that it has received a supplemental type certificate (STC) on the Airbus AS350. ASU modified the AS350 for HNZ Topflight. The modification was ASU’s 208th on this airframe globally.

REBTECH, a company specializing in avionics night vision lighting, announces a partnership with Kuerzi Avionics of Lommis, Switzerland.  Kuerzi will perform night vision filter implementation and aircraft installations for REBTECH in Europe.