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General Aviation/Helicopter News

Discussion in 'Commercial & General Aviation' started by Jet News, Dec 30, 2012.

  1. Jet News

    Jet News JF News Editor Staff Member

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    Youtube video puts bi-plane pilot in trouble with the FAA

    A video originating on Youtube has caught the attention of the FAA. They have apparently launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the 'dangerous handling' of a bi-plane aircraft, 'endangering' two persons on the ground in what appeared to be a stunt. The crazed pilot, Jason Newburg, allegedly came within a few feet of a camera-person and ATV-rider while barely missing the ground by a few inches all at 200mph. Here is the video...

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OL4FdIQrV4&feature=player_embedded
  2. Jet News

    Jet News JF News Editor Staff Member

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    Helicopter manufacturer Eurocopter promises new line of aircraft

    Eurocopter is promising that at least four new helicopters will be added to their model line by 2020. One of these will be a replacement for the well-known and successful EC155 large cabin helicopter. This helicopter has served well and can be seen in many applications from business use onboard owner's yachts to airport shuttling to air-ambulance work and so on. Eurocopter has been working on the development of the replacement for the EC155. It is currently known as the X4 and they are moving towards first flight of this bird in 2015.

    Furthermore, Eurocopter expects to bring in the X6 and X9. The X6 is looking like a replacement for the EC225 while the X9 will be a new light twin powered helicopter. However, the first new model is the super-medium-class EC175, which is on course for entry into service later this year.
  3. Jet News

    Jet News JF News Editor Staff Member

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    Looks like the grounded EC225 could return to service by April

    You may remember that mid and late last year Eurocopter had two EC225 helicopters that ditched in the North Sea. Lutz Bertling, the CEO of Eurocopter believes that the EC225 can be returned to service by April of this year even though they still cannot pin-point a solution of sorts. Since the ditchings, safety regulators forced Eurocopter to ground its EC225 fleet. "We need to install these additional safety barriers to convince the regulators that we can fly safely," he says. "But even if [the regulators] say they will lift the restriction, we need to convince the oil companies and the passengers that it is safe to fly."
  4. Jet News

    Jet News JF News Editor Staff Member

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    Engineers uncover problem to failed fueldraulic line on F-35B

    Engineers working on the F-35B JSF seem to have discovered the problem as to why the fueldraulic line on that model aircraft failed on Jan 16. The program was temporarily grounded until officials could find out what was the cause. According to the JPO (Joint Program Office), engineers have ruled out any design or maintenance problems. "Evidence revealed a quality discrepancy from the company that produces the fueldraulics line," the JPO says. "The investigation determined the line was improperly crimped."

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  5. Jet News

    Jet News JF News Editor Staff Member

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    South Korea finally successfully launches rocket, satellite

    South Korea successfully launches the Korean Satellite Launch Vehicle (KSLV-1), the first one to go orbital and launch a satellite. Two previous attempts all failed amidst global media and political ridicule. The launch comes a few weeks after arch-rival North Korea's first successful launch, which orbited a small but evidently uncontrolled satellite.
  6. Jet News

    Jet News JF News Editor Staff Member

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    Paint for aircraft that mimick shark skin?

    Researchers have been dabbling with the idea of creating a coating for aircraft that mimicks how the rough sandpaper-like shark-skin allows the shark to slip effortlessly through the water. The same way that is done, they are hoping to create a coating/paint system that simulates the same scenario thus leading to further-more efficient aircraft. The idea isn't exactly new because Airbus tried with the idea in the 90s but didn't garner much success. The resurgence in interest in this concept really is because of countinued rising fuel prices and better technology in paint systems.
  7. Jet News

    Jet News JF News Editor Staff Member

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  8. Jet News

    Jet News JF News Editor Staff Member

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    With the first AW139 flying successfully Agusta-Westland have the fourth AW169 test aircraft airbourne too. They now have four test aircraft all flying, the most recent flew for the first time on January 31st. The other three flew for the first time in May, June and November of 2012.

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  9. Jet News

    Jet News JF News Editor Staff Member

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    Seems like you will soon be able to monitor the 'health' of packages that you ship. There is a new 'Monitor' coming on stream that will allow you to assess how your package is being or was treated during transit by handlers. The device has been developed by Cambridge Consultants and is no larger than a coin piece. Utilizing an embedded sensor, the device can monitor how well your postal package or perhaps, luggage has been treated in-transit. It has to be used in conjunction with a phone application.

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  10. Jet News

    Jet News JF News Editor Staff Member

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    Have anyone heard about this? DLR is testing an air-blowing rotor-blade for helicopters. It seems that the leading edge of the blade has small holes in it in which air is blown out to help reduce vibrations and turbulence as well as other performance enhancing aspects. If you do not know DLR is a German aerospace research center. Below is a DLR photo of a fixed blade in a wind tunnel.

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  11. Jet News

    Jet News JF News Editor Staff Member

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    CEO of Finmeccanica arrested by police

    Giuseppe Orsi, CEO of Finmeccanica has been arrested by Italian police. Why? Apparently it is part of an ongoing investigation and involves corruption. The corruption is allegedly linked to the sale of 12 VIP-roled AgustaWestland AW101 helicopters to the Indian defence ministry. Even the CEO of AgustaWestland, Bruno Spagnolini, is said to have been placed under house arrest. "Finmeccanica expresses support for its chairman and CEO, with the hope that clarity is established quickly, whilst reaffirming its confidence in the judges," the statement says. "The operating activities and ongoing projects of the company will continue as usual."

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  12. Jet News

    Jet News JF News Editor Staff Member

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    Boeing could be in a bit of trouble with their 747-8 aircraft

    Boeing could be in some trouble with their new 747-8 aircraft. No this has nothing to do with lithium-ion batteries but more with being able to fill orders for the type aircraft. The company may very well have to slow down production or be forced to build unsold type aircraft. As is stands, 31 January, Boeing had 67 unfilled orders for 747-8s, including 39 747-8Fs and 28 747-8Is. Pretty dire situation especially when Boeing is said to building 747-8s at a rate of 24 a year but customers have not claimed all of the delivery slots for next year.
  13. Jet News

    Jet News JF News Editor Staff Member

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    Seems that the disgraced Finmeccanica boss has been replaced! Following in the wake of Orsi's arrest by Italian police, Finmeccanica executives had a board meeting and now he has been replaced. Alessandro Pansa takes over the CEO position. Orsi was arrested on 12 February as part of an ongoing investigation centred on the 2010 sale of 12 AgustaWestland AW101 helicopters to the Indian government.
  14. Jet News

    Jet News JF News Editor Staff Member

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    Check out the finish on this bird! This is one of the new Sikorsky S-92s for offshore work. It is the first of 16 of these helicopters that will be delivered to UK mission critical services company Avincis Group for operation by its Norwegian subsidiary Norsk Helikopterservice.

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  15. Jet News

    Jet News JF News Editor Staff Member

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    Eurocopter gets deal with India for seven EC135 helicopters

    Eurocopter inks a deal with India for seven EC135 helicopters. The new helicopters will be sent into emergency medical services missions (HEMSM) after delivery. A second order for the light twin is expected to follow in the coming months, to satisfy the growing demand for HEMS services throughout the country, according to Eurocopter.

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  16. Jet News

    Jet News JF News Editor Staff Member

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    It appears that New Delhi is making moves to cancel that Agusta Westland AW101 contract for twelve of the type helicopters. This is obviously amidst all the controversy and on-going investigation of Agusta Westland and the Finmeccanica CEO.

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    Agusta Westland

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  17. Jet News

    Jet News JF News Editor Staff Member

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  18. Jet News

    Jet News JF News Editor Staff Member

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    British Airways lower fares to passengers with less luggage

    British Airways is offering lower fares to passengers that fly with less luggage. That is, the less luggage in the hold of the aircraft, the cheaper it would be fo you. If you just traveled with carry-on luggage, you would be in for lower fares supposedly. I believe this is a bid to follow and compete more with lower-cost airlines like Ryanair and easyJet and make it more attractive to passengers to fly with British Airways. The British carrier is going to offer the discount for those pasengers carrying hand luggage from Gatwick to five short-haul European destinations. Those five short-haul destinations are, Turin, Tunis, Jersey, Dubrovnik and Amsterdam.
  19. Jet News

    Jet News JF News Editor Staff Member

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    Nigeria validates Bell 429 helicopter

    The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority NCAA validates the Bell 429 light twin helicopter for use in their country while also giving the nod to the increased gross weight.

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  20. Jet News

    Jet News JF News Editor Staff Member

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    Sky Aviation has received their first Sukhoi SuperJet. The aircraft was delivered on February 27th, 2013 at the Halim Perdanakusuma International Airport in Jakarta. Below is a photo of the said aircraft.

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