Climb Rate Was Over One Meter Per Second From 13,120 Feet To 16,400 Feet

UAVOS’ UVH-170 unmanned helicopter recently demonstrated its ability in mountainous operations by successfully conducting its first high altitude flight -- reaching a height of 16,400 feet. The rotary-wing UAS carried the Gyro-stabilized two-axis gimbal with integrated Radio data link. The payload weighed just under nine pounds. During the two-hour flight, the climb rate was over one meter per second from 13,120 feet to 16,400 feet. The drone’s high altitude capability was made possible through the modification of the fuel injection system of the 4-stroke gasoline propulsion system. The practical ceiling can be greatly increased through the enhancements of the fue

During Transition To Forward Flight, The Helicopter Contacted The Lower Power Line

On June 2, 2020, at 1327 Pacific daylight time, a Bell 206L3 Helicopter, N65PJ, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Fairfield, California. The pilot and 2 passengers were fatally injured. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 133, rotorcraft external load (Human External Cargo (HEC)) operation. The helicopter was operated by PJ Helicopters under contract from Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) to perform power line repair work. According to PG&E, the linemen had completed work for the day and had been picked up by the pilot. The lineman would have been connected to an external cable and airlifted bac

AD 2020-13-06 Prompted By Material Microstructure Anomaly

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. (P&WC) PW150A model turboprop engines. This AD was prompted by a determination by the manufacturer that certain PW150A engine high-pressure (HP) centrifugal impellers may exhibit a material microstructure anomaly that has a potential to adversely affect the low cycle fatigue characteristics of the part. This AD requires replacement of the affected HP centrifugal impellers. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. This AD is effective August 6, 2020.