Bell Global Training Academy Leads Efforts to Reduce Aircraft Carbon Emissions

Bell Textron will begin incorporating Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) into all Bell Training Academy (BTA) and customer demonstration fleet aircraft. Bell will be the first rotorcraft customer to receive SAF supply from Avfuel Corporation. "Bell is an active supporter of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association's sustainable fuel initiative, and we are committed to seeking more eco-friendly solutions for rotorcraft," said Michael Thacker, Executive Vice President, Technology and Commercial Business.

AD 2021-07-05 Retains All Inspections For Certain Serial-Numbered MRBs

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2007-26-52 which applied to certain Agusta S.p.A. (now Leonardo) Model A109C, A109E, and A109K2 helicopters. AD 2007-26-52 required inspecting for swelling, deformation, bonding separation, and for a crack on each main rotor blade (MRB) with a certain part-numbered tip cap installed, and removing the MRB from service before further flight if any of these conditions exist and exceed the prescribed limits. This AD retains all inspections for certain serial-numbered MRBs, but for MRBs with a certain tip cap installed, this AD requires dye-penetrant inspections rather than visual inspections. This AD was prompted by additional rep