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This article originally appeared in IFR Refresher, Apr. 2007. Distractions that occur during periods of high workload can create problems for pilots, especially if the event pulling the pilot’s focus away from flying the airplane appears to be a major system component failure. With a two-pilot crew, this danger is greatly reduced, since one pilot […]

“VFR Flight Not Recommended.” How often have you heard this phrase and flew anyway, to find conditions perfectly safe? And how many times have you heeded the warning and canceled, only to see perfectly flyable weather? Yet there are times the admonition proves wise, and “on the edge” conditions grew just enough worse to make […]

IMC Rating Gets a Possible Reprieve I wrote about the loss of the IMC rating last month, and the issue is not going anywhere for a while. However, there is a glimmer of hope on the horizon for U.K. IMC-rating holders. The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has indicated that it could be in favor […]

Acting FAA Administrator Bobby Sturgell told delegates attending the annual HAI Heli Expo in Houston that Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) will be up and running for helicopters servicing offshore oil platforms in the Gulf of Mexico (and any other aircraft properly equipped) by the end of next year. Sturgell said the system designed by ITT […]

Helicopter Association International says a total of 17,373 people attended Heli-Expo in Houston from Sunday to Tuesday, setting a new record and leaving the record number of exhibitors tired but happy. A total of 573 companies displayed their wares at the event and there were 65 helicopters on the showroom floor, which covered 252,700 sq. […]

A Virginia helicopter pilot will try to set a record for flying a helicopter around the world by making the 19,865 nm flight in 14 days. Scott Kasprowicz set a record for flying from New York to Los Angeles earlier this year (15:09.10 with six fuel stops) in his AgustaWestland Grand. The trip will be […]

A new 16-passenger helicopter being built in a joint venture with Harbin Aviation Industry Group in China was unveiled at Heli-Expo on Sunday. A mock-up of the aircraft is on display at the show, and the aircraft is expected to fly in 2009. “With regard to our Chinese partner, Harbin Aviation Industry Group (Avic II), […]

Sikorsky and its subsidiary, Schweizer Aircraft Corp., announced Sunday they are developing the next generation of the popular Schweizer 333 and that it will incorporate technology derived from the unmanned Fire Scout VTUAV. “The S-434 helicopter introduces a whole new level of flight performance,” said Schweizer President Paul Schweizer. “With a four-bladed rotor system, increased […]

American Europcopter announced at Heli-Expo that it had delivered its first EC225 to a U.S. customer. The EC225 is a heavy twin-turbine helicopter that draws on the company’s experience with the Super Puma family of helicopters. Era Helicopters bought the helicopter for its offshore operations in the Gulf of Mexico. “We are excited to be […]

The main players in the civilian turbine helicopter market delivered 813 aircraft last year, a 30 percent increase over the previous year, and that rate of growth is expected to continue, Honeywell predicts in its annual forecast of helicopter sales released at Heli-Expo. The company says medical and law enforcement sectors will account for 65 […]