We’re thrilled to announce that PHI now has the first two type-rated pilots in the H160B manufactured by Airbus Helicopters! 🎉 Meet Chris McBride and David Williams (pictured left and right, respectively), who achieved this major milestone at the Airbus facility in Grand Prairie.
PHI is eager to welcome the H160 to our fleet and conduct route proving this summer. We look forward to launching this new generation of aircraft into the Gulf of Mexico! 🚁✨ Shell
#H160 A great, innovative .. and nice Helicopter. Humbly proud to the hard work made by my colleagues from UMBRAGROUP developing the crew and customer-friendly electric landing gear actuators ie #EMAs
Great memory of #HAI2023, in Atlanta (+ a superb picture taken by unknown spotter in Marignane)
Thank you PHI Aviation
FAA ATP-H / IR / NVG / ICAO flight Instructor of MI-8MTV1 / MI-171 / 171 A1 - FFS / FTD Flight simulator instructor - SAR & fire fighting pilot /Master’s degree in Business and international relations
Freelance Grant Writer and Project Manager (Horizon Europe) / More than €125 millions secured for my clients and employers over the last 15 years / To The Point founder
🚁 Important milestone for the European Clean Sky 2 funding initiative: the Airbus Helicopters' Racer prototype has achieved its inaugural flight at speeds of 400 km/h. This project is a collaborative effort involving 40 partners from 13 European countries.
This success highlights the importance of the European Union's support for research and innovation, enabling significant advances in aeronautical technologies while promoting more sustainable aviation. The Racer, which consumes 20% less fuel compared to current models, exemplifies Europe's commitment to eco-friendly innovation. In addition to missions where every minute counts - emergency medical services, search and rescue, commercial or private aviation - the Racer could also be adapted for military use.
The definition of a 'wingman' is ...
noun. a pilot whose aircraft is positioned behind and outside the leading aircraft in a formation.
The same can also be said for us at Wingman...
Click on the link below to find out more about what we do at Wingman, including our available programmes.
https://ow.ly/kTNt50QrE7v
This article is fantastic - but what really stands out are the unresolved issues of categorization.
As full authority fly-by-wire becomes ever more common, and alternative flight control schemes are introduced to enhance safety of flight, it’s my belief that we need to move beyond the external characteristics of an aircraft, and think about categories aligned with human-machine interface similarities.
Performance based airworthiness rules like Part 23, SC-VTOL, and AC 21.17-4 have proven themselves to be flexible enough to support almost all small aircraft - perhaps there is room for consolidation here, as well - supported by differentiated means of compliance.
Some quotes to consider:
“It looks a bit like what would happen if a regular helicopter and an airplane merged into a single aircraft”
“At 220 knots, half of the lift comes from the rotor, and half from the wing,”
“When it’s cruising forward in a specific speed range—between 180 and 190 knots—the pilots can shut off one of the engines, saving fuel.”
Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011:
“rotorcraft” means a power-driven, heavier-than-air aircraft that depends principally for its support in flight on the lift generated by up to two rotors;
(8b)
“vertical take-off and landing (VTOL)-capable aircraft (VCA)” means a power-driven, heavier-than-air aircraft, other than aeroplane or rotorcraft, capable of performing vertical take-off and landing by means of lift and thrust units used to provide lift during take-off and landing;’;
14 CFR 1.1:
Airplane means an engine-driven fixed-wing aircraft heavier than air, that is supported in flight by the dynamic reaction of the air against its wings.
Helicopter means a rotorcraft that, for its horizontal motion, depends principally on its engine-driven rotors
Rotorcraft means a heavier-than-air aircraft that depends principally for its support in flight on the lift generated by one or more rotors.
Powered-lift means a heavier-than-air aircraft capable of vertical takeoff, vertical landing, and low speed flight that depends principally on engine-driven lift devices or engine thrust for lift during these flight regimes and on nonrotating airfoil(s) for lift during horizontal flight.
Vertical Flight Society
Mike Hirschberg
My latest story for Fast Company is all about a flying machine from Airbus Helicopters called Racer, which has hit 190 knots in testing so far. All helicopters are cool, but this one is especially neat and weird. It has wings and propellers and no tail rotor!
Airbus A330neo Tops Widebody Orders With 57 New Aircraft Since July
The re-engined A330 aircraft has seen a significant order uptick since the July Farnborough Airshow; with 57 firm orders and 60 options placed by four customers, the Airbus A330neo has become the most ordered widebody aircraft in recent weeks. This raises the question of whether the aircraft type is making a comeback
Read more at:
https://lnkd.in/ddgSW7TN#AviationTalk#aviationnews#avgeek#aviation
The company seems to have overlooked the infamous “Great Engine War” between them and GE, spawned by the significant developmental difficulties that P&W experienced with their F100 during the 1970s. If you’re unfamiliar with that, it’s a valuable historical lesson regarding the value of competition and a competitive industrial base for defense acquisition, though certainly with other “lessons learned” to be drawn from the episode and its impact on future programs.
The celebration continues! Read our Pratt & Whitney article in Aviation Week Network celebrating 50 years of the F-16 and its engine. Very proud of the entire F100 team led by Josh Goodman for all the work they do to keep this jet flying.
"We get great feedback on our engine from the pilots who fly the Viper," said Goodman. "It's a pilot's engine. It provides safety and predictability while giving the combat edge."
https://lnkd.in/dHRK_dpv
Soaring High: The World's Largest Aircraft Makers
The aviation industry boasts a range of players, but a few giants dominate the skies when it comes to building the biggest airplanes. Here's a quick look at the top contenders:
Airbus and Boeing: These two titans hold the vast majority of the market share for large commercial jets. Airbus, based in Europe, currently leads in deliveries, while Boeing, from the US, is known for its iconic 7-series aircraft.
Emerging Players: While Airbus and Boeing reign supreme, other companies like COMAC (China), Mitsubishi (Japan), and UAC (Russia) are making strides in the large passenger aircraft market.
Beyond these giants, the industry encompasses various players specializing in different segments. Companies like Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and Textron Aviation contribute significantly by manufacturing military aircraft, business jets, and other specialized flying machines.
The future of aircraft manufacturing is exciting, with innovations in sustainability and electric propulsion emerging on the horizon. This paves the way for potential new players and advancements in an industry that continues to shape the way we travel and explore the world.
Where aviators experience the exhilaration of flying high on their aircraft's wings, it captures the essence of freedom, skill, and adventure that defines the unique sport of piloting through boundless skies.
For 50 years, our team members have been the driving force behind the success of the F-16, bringing their distinct talents to every jet we produce.
Go Behind the Wings of the F-16 with January, an aircraft painter who meticulously adds the finishing touches as each jet rolls off the assembly line. Our mission wouldn’t be possible without the specialized skills of thousands of team members working tirelessly behind the scenes. The expertise and attention to detail exemplified by January are critical to our success.
#Falcon50#F16#Avionics#Innovation
This is the day the helicopter operators around the world have been waiting for. They will witness PHI and Airbus Helicopters demonstrating together the great value the H160 generates as THE new generation medium helicopter. The H160 is a full mission spectrum global success story in the making.
Airbus has delivered the first H160 in the U.S. to PHI Aviation, marking the beginning of H160 operations in the country. This is the first of the initial four H160 helicopters that PHI will operate for offshore transportation in the Gulf of Mexico.
Prior to beginning commercial operations, the helicopter will be used in a route-proving programme designed to demonstrate the H160’s capabilities in the demanding offshore environment. This will help facilitate a smooth entry into service, ensuring the operator and final customer are familiar with the aircraft’s advanced technology and safety features.
Read the press release: https://lnkd.in/eV54ZSxX#AirbusHelicopters#MakingMissionsPossible#H160
Helicopter Engineer at PHI AMERICAS Trinidad.AW139, EC135,S76A, S76A ++, S76C ++,S76D, BO-105-CBS-4.
6moI'm happy to see the acknowledgement of the pilots. Who are the first set of Engineers/ mechanics?