SAFETY
Serious AW139 tail rotor incident prompts AAIB to recommend additional safety measures
Leonardo Helicopters should better assess risk of duplex bearing failure in intermediate-twin’s pitch control assembly, probe states.
SAFETY
Full ATC staffing still years away after deadly Reagan National collision: FAA
FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford does not see the civil aviation regulator hitting air traffic control staffing targets in the near future but defends the agency’s actions following the January 2025 mid-air collision that killed 67 people near Washington, DC.
Rotorcraft
Leonardo Helicopters chief Cutillo gains new role as part of group shake-up
Management change at top of Italian aerospace champion raises questions over leadership of rotorcraft business.
AEROSPACE
Tejas veteran steps into to job at HAL
Ravi K aims to boost innovation at state airframer.
Rotorcraft
AW139 faces FAA scrutiny over main rotor tension link cracks
Regulator says concern stems from recent flurry of reports from a US repair station flagging the issue.
ROTORCRAFT
Robinson refines fuel cell system ahead of hydrogen-powered R66’s first flight
Manufacturer continues initiative to develop a zero-emission version of its best-selling turbine helicopter.
ROTORCRAFT
KAI completes assembly of localised main gearbox for Surion
KAI is pressing forward with efforts to develop an indigenous transmission for the Surion helicopter.
ROTORCRAFT
US Army walks back commitment to full procurement of Block II Chinook
US Army officials say they plan to let frontline troops test out the latest version of the heavy-lift CH-47F helicopter with the 24 examples currently on order before committing to a full procurement.
Rotorcraft
US Army names new MV-75 tiltrotor ‘Cheyenne II’
The name reveal comes as manufacturer Bell is working to deliver the first of six MV-75 test aircraft that will launch the army’s tiltrotor fielding programme.
Helicopters
US Army still progressing with Black Hawk engine upgrade
Senior army officials in 2025 implied they would not move forward with the T901 Improved Turbine Engine, but GE Aerospace now says the programme continues with flight testing and development.
ROTORCRAFT
NHV to add pair of H160s from prospective owner GDHF
Belgian offshore specialist NHV Group is to introduce a pair of Airbus Helicopters H160 medium-twins to its fleet, leased from its prospective owner GD Helicopter Finance (GDHF).
Procurement
Bell advances, Lockheed dropped from US Army’s Flight School Next trainer competition
Three contenders advanced in the Flight School Next effort, which seeks to revamp the US Army’s basic rotary-wing instruction course, including by replacing Airbus Helicopters UH-72A Lakotas as the service’s primary trainer helicopter.