Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, Will Be The 11th Base

Life Link III plans to open a new base of operations in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota in spring 2022. This new base, which marks the company’s eleventh helicopter base location throughout Minnesota and Wisconsin, will provide additional air medical resources with industry-leading clinical capabilities to support Life Link III’s consortium member-owners and surrounding communities. “Together, Life Link III and Essentia, as well as our valued healthcare, public safety and EMS partners, will work collaboratively to ensure an unwavering commitment to quality, safety, and exceptional patient care.”

Airflow’s 9-Passenger Hauler to Come? 

Airflow, an AAM company working on their 4 and 9-passenger electric STOL aircraft, has announced a new investment from Plug Power Inc. Known for their hydrogen engines and mobility fueling systems, Plug will help in the development and certification of a hydrogen fuel cell for short haul regional aircraft. Their new agreement with Airflow is hoped to bring their ProGen hydrogen cells to a wider market of vehicles, later branching to a wide spectrum of missions and aircraft types in the aviation industry.

Remotely Operated Cargo Operations Expanding

Reliable Robotics has raised $100 million in a Series C funding round for further development of their Remotely Operated Aircraft System. Breaking from other unmanned aerial platforms, Reliable's technology is independent from any one aircraft, capable of future fitment across a multitude of planes. The funding round, led by Coatue Management, brings a fresh infusion of capital to Reliable's research, enabling them to scale up its aircraft certification program and expedite the launch of commercial cargo operations. On the offering, Jaimin Rangwalla, Senior Managing Director at Coatue, said the team's progress and track record so far gave them confidence. "We believe Reliable Robotics is a leader i

AD 2021-20-12 Prompted By Failure Of An Emergency Flotation System (EFS) Float Compartment To Inflate

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Leonardo S.p.a. Model AB139, AW139, AB412, and AB412 EP helicopters. This AD was prompted by failure of an Emergency Flotation System (EFS) float compartment to inflate during maintenance of the EFS. This AD requires inspecting certain EFSs and depending on the results, marking certain parts or removing certain parts from service, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. This AD is effective November 22, 2021.