Also: NBAA Likes PBOR II, Wipaire Viking Endorsement, R44 Update, PW Engine Ctr, Twirly Birds

Its going to be a great week for rotorcraft as HAI gets it start in Orlando, Florida... we should have confirmation today of new aircraft from Airbus Helicopters as well as progress reports from Bell, MD Helicopters, Sikorsky, Robinson, Enstrom, and a number of others. But, there is some excitement at HAI from the folks at Finmeccanica-AgustaWestland, who have confirmed FAA validation of the EASA certification for their AW189 medium twin engine helicopter. In its 17th annual Turbine-Powered Civil Helicopter Purchasing Outlook, Honeywell Aerospace produced a detailed report that forecast steady global helicopter demand for the next 5 years. Overall, five-year demand for turbine-powered, civil helicopters remains steady versus the 2014 five-year forecast, with moderate improvement in new helicopter purchase plans r

E-Fest: The Greatest Indoor Airshow We've EVER Seen!

While at E-Fest 2015, it’s obvious that ANN CEO and Editor-In-Chief, Jim Campbell, had a great time, and he talked with E-Fest committee member Frank Noll to get some background on this great event. Noll explained that E-Fest is an annual indoor electric R/C Festival that brings together about 250 pilots every February to fly, and to advance their sport. The event takes place at the University of Illinois Track and Field Armory in Champaign, Illinois. The primary sponsor of E-Fest is Hobbico, a major source of the equipment that makes flying indoor electric RC aircraft so much fun.

Integrates 68 Different Patented Airbus Technologies

Airbus Helicopters on Tuesday unveiled the twin-engine H160 at the Heli-Expo industry show’s opening in Orlando, Florida, where a full-scale representative model is being displayed at the company’s exhibit.

Upgrades To The Bell 407GX Further Enhance Capability, Company Says Bell Helicopter introduced the new Bell 407GXP Tuesday at Heli-Expo in Orlando, FL. The new aircraft incorporates the reliability and advanced technology of the Bell 407GX platform, and introduces performance improvement, payload increase and pilot workload reduction.

Ten-Year Deal To Power R66 Aircraft

Rolls-Royce and Robinson Helicopter Company have signed a new, 10-year agreement to supply at least 1,000 RR300 engines to power R66 aircraft.

Holds Initial Hearing With FAA Administrator Michael Huerta As The Only Witness On The Agenda

The House Transportation Aviation Subcommittee on Tuesday heard from FAA Administrator Michael Huerta as it began the process of crafting legislation to reauthorize the agency.

GA Pilots Will See Changes In Services Provided By FAA Flight Service Because Of Increased Use Of Online Computer Services

Recognizing a shift in users' preferences for automated services, the FAA is changing its Flight Service operation to make it more efficient and reduce costs. The agency says it will continue to maintain the highest level of safety.

Largest Bell 407 Sale In Company History

Bell Helicopter on Tuesday announced an agreement for the sale of 200 Bell 407GXPs configured for Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) to Air Methods Corporation. This order marks one of the largest commercial sales in Bell Helicopter’s history and one of the largest orders in the industry’s history. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2016 with a 10 year contract.

Joint Announcement Made At Heli-Expo With Real Aircraft ‘On-Static’ Public Premier

AgustaWestland and Bristow announced today the signing of a platform development agreement for the AW609 TiltRotor program. The announcement was made at Heli-Expo in Orlando, FL on the occasion of the ‘on static’ public premiere of a real AW609 aircraft at the US exhibition, featuring a dedicated Bristow/Eastern Airways paint scheme.

Finds Weaknesses In Controls Designed To Prevent Unauthorized Network Access

In a recent report, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) says that while the FAA has taken steps to protect its air traffic control systems from cyber-based and other threats, significant security control weaknesses remain, threatening the agency's ability to ensure the safe and uninterrupted operation of the national airspace system (NAS).