Author: Alan G.W.

The order will bring the Spanish Air Force Eurofighter fleet to 115 aircraft.The Spanish government has finalized a deal with the NATO Eurofighter and Tornado Management Agency (NETMA), based in Munich, Germany, to purchase 25 Eurofighter jets as part of the Halcon II program. This new order, which was anticipated months ago, includes 21 single-seat and four twin-seat aircraft, which will replace part of the Spanish Air and Space Force’s aging F-18 legacy Hornet fleet, based at Torrejon and Zaragoza.The order will bring the Spanish Air Force Eurofighter fleet to 115 aircraft.Export opportunities
Building on a prior 2022 Halcon contract for 20 Eurofighters, signed at ILA airshow in Berlin in June 2022, this agreement will bring Spain’s fleet to a total of 115 aircraft. The aircraft are set for delivery starting in 2030. The additional Eurofighters are said to enhance Spain’s air combat capabilities, strengthen its leadership role in NATO, and ensure continued support for the Eurofighter’s industrial base in Europe.
“The Eurofighter is Europe’s leading fighter jet, combining advanced technology and proven success in air superiority. It’s a testament to international cooperation and shows how Europe can collaborate on defense. We deeply appreciate the Spanish government’s trust in the Eurofighter and Airbus Defence and Space. This order isn’t just vital for defense; it also supports the European and Spanish supply chains,” said Mike Schoellhorn, CEO of Airbus Defence and Space.
Spain’s Eurofighters are built, tested, and delivered from Airbus’ facility in Getafe, near Madrid, with the program supporting over 16,000 jobs across Spain. The project involves several key Spanish defense and technology companies in the production process.
The acquisition, approved by Spain’s Council of Ministers in September 2023, and including the aircraft, engines, and essential support services, adds to the momentum building around the Eurofighter program, which is gearing up for more contracts in the near future.

Let’s have a look at the markings sported by the final six F-15E Strike Eagles of the 492nd Fighter Squadron, which have just returned from their deployment to the Middle East.The final six F-15E Strike Eagle jets belonging to the 492nd Fighter Squadron “Madhatters” of the 48th Fighter Wing, deployed to the CENTCOM AOR (Area Of Operation), returned to RAF Lakenheath, UK, on Dec. 19, 2024. This followed the return of the first flight of six Strike Eagles on Dec. 17.Let’s have a look at the markings sported by the final six F-15E Strike Eagles of the 492nd Fighter Squadron, which have just returned from their deployment to the Middle East.Bolars
The Strike Eagles arrived at their homebase as TABOR 61-66, around 10.21AM LT and, like the first “batch”, sported unique nicknames and nose arts inspired by figures from Greek mythology, along with some interesting bomb markings, representing the employment in combat of AIM-9X, SDBs (Small Diameter Bombs) and JDAMs (Joint Direct Attack Munitions).
The jets landed in the following order:

LN AF 97-0221 “Zeus” (with Bolar 1 on the tail)
LN AF 91-0331 “Prometheus”
LN AF 98-134 “Ares”
LN AF 91-0301 “Kronos”
LN AF 97-0220 “Athena”
LN AF 97-0218 “Poseidon”

The RAF Typhoons, which were returning from the Advanced Tactical Leadership Course in the UAE, made a stop in Turkey for a ‘detailed inspection’ in the presence of top Turkish and British defense officials.The diplomatic push of the United Kingdom and Germany for Turkey to acquire the Eurofighter Typhoon is now moving from words to facts, as on Dec. 18, 2024, two Royal Air Force (RAF) Typhoons landed at the Türk Hava Kuvvetleri’s (Turkish Air Force) Mürted Air Base in Ankara, at the presence of top British and Turkish defense officials.
SavunmaTR, while sharing the images and videos of the two arriving aircraft, quoted the Turkish Ministry of National Defense Yaşar Güler who said “the two Eurofighter Typhoon jets, which are currently involved in training in Qatar, will undergo inspection as soon as they arrive in Ankara.”
The U.K.’s Minister of State for Defence Procurement and Industry Maria Eagle,  Turkey’s Air Force Commander General Ziya Cemal Kadıoğlu, Deputy Minister Şuay Alpay and other THK personnel had a chance to closely inspect the jets during walkarounds, with some senior officers and pilots also allowed to climb into the cockpit.

Katar’da bir tatbikata katılan Birleşik Krallık’a ait iki adet Eurofighter Typhoon uçağı, dönüş yolunda Ankara’daki Mürted Hava Üs Komutanlığımıza indi.
Hava Kuvvetlerimiz tarafından incelenmek üzere gelen uçakları Birleşik Krallık Savunma Tedarik ve Sanayi Devlet Bakanı Maria… pic.twitter.com/WBBPgLTRHn
— T.C. Millî Savunma Bakanlığı (@tcsavunma) December 18, 2024
The Typhoons, with tail numbers ZK427 and ZK314, are FGR.4 variants and were flying in a clean, weapons-free loadout, with only three external fuel tanks for the journey back home. Notably, ZK427 is the final Typhoon delivered to the RAF in 2019, completing the British order for 160 aircraft.
The two aircraft belong to No.12 Squadron, the joint U.K./Qatar Typhoon squadron established in 2020 for the training of Qatari air and ground crews. The Typhoon recently took part in the 34th Advanced Tactical Leadership Course in the UAE. ZK427 can clearly be seen in the group photo from the exercise released last week.

Birleşik Krallık’a ait iki adet Eurofighter Typhoon uçağının Ankara’daki Mürted Hava Üs Komutanlığımıza gelişinden görüntüler…#MillîSavunmaBakanlığı pic.twitter.com/by8LycJD2k
— T.C. Millî Savunma Bakanlığı (@tcsavunma) December 18, 2024

‘Eurofighter Typhoons for being refused F-35s’
Interestingly, SavunmaTR had reported about the two Typhoons’ expected arrival on Dec. 17, saying the jets deployed to Qatar for training purposes would “undergo detailed examination as part of Turkey’s efforts to diversify and modernize its air force.” The report further added “this development is considered an important stage in the talks between Türkiye and the Eurofighter consortium.”
Turkey had long sought 40 Eurofighter Typhoons after it was expelled from the F-35 program in 2020 under the Countering America’s Adversary’s Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) for its acquisition of the Russian S-400 air defense system. As The Aviationist reported, defense minister Güler told the Planning and Budget Committee late in November that the United States expressed willingness to deliver the six F-35s already built and stored, after seeing Ankara’s progress with the KAAN fighter. Turkey has also reapplied to be admitted back into the F-35 program.

Prior to that development, Ankara complained about being refused its F-35As despite having built around 900 parts for the jet and an advance payment of $1.4 billion, later announcing discussions with Germany for procuring 40 Eurofighter Typhoons. Turkey subsequently also shared with the media images of its six F-35 jets stored at U.S. facilities, where they have been for the last six years.
Turkish Air Force Commander General Ziya Cemal Kadıoğlu inspecting the Eurofighter Typhoon’s cockpit. (Image credit: Turkey MND)
Reports have long appeared over the last year with Turkish officials claiming to have made progress with German and British defense and diplomatic authorities to sell the Typhoons to Ankara. These appeared to be in-principle approvals, which neither Berlin or London commented on, but did not explicitly deny either.
“After Turkey was removed from the F-35 program, it began searching for alternatives to meet its need for modern fighter jets. The Eurofighter Typhoon had the capacity to fill this gap due to its advanced radar and combat systems,” SavunmaTR added.
Turkish defense analysts said Ankara would select the Eurofighter in the configuration of the Tranche 4 or Tranche 5 jets acquired by the European partners. The Typhoon’s broader Phase 4 Enhancement (P4E), which could be included in the jets, would include the European Common Radar System (ECRS) Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, the new Praetorian Defensive Aids Sub-System (DASS) and the Pirate Infra-Red Search and Track (IRST).
Behind-the-scenes diplomacy
This could be a significant sign of Washington’s and the NATO brass’ approval for the sale of the jets to Turkey, and one can assume significant behind-the-scenes diplomatic wrangling between Ankara, Berlin, London and Washington. Over the last few years, Turkey has been cleared for Western arms sales after its acquiescence on certain geopolitical expectations.

A Royal Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jet landed at Ankara’s Mürted Air Base for inspection by Türkiye ⤵️
Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler previously stated that the jet, which participated in an exercise in Qatar, would arrive in Ankara, offering an opportunity to… pic.twitter.com/ukO3Npiurm
— Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) December 18, 2024

The U.S. approved in January a $23 billion deal with Turkey for 40 new F-16 Block 70 jets, together with upgrade kits for its existing F-16s, only after it ratified Sweden’s accession to NATO. It is a different matter that Turkey later decided to modernize its current F-16 fleet on its own by bringing more F-16s under the ongoing Project Özgür.
Likewise, the massive signal of a tacit approval for selling Turkey the Typhoons came after the events in Syria, where the Haya Tahrir al-Shams group ousted the President’s Bashar al-Assad regime. HTS has long been known to have enjoyed Turkish patronage.

Two years after the first Eagles returned to the United States, the last F-15C is now ready to leave Kadena Air Base in Japan, where the type was stationed since 1979.The United States Air Force’s 18th Wing is about to complete the divestment of its F-15C/D Eagle fleet, with the last airframe ready to depart Kadena Air Base. The service just released a small photo gallery on the DVIDS network with the self-explanatory title “The last Eagle,” showing Airmen assigned to the 67th Aircraft Maintenance Unit posing for a group photo in front of an F-15C on Dec. 6, 2024.

The U.S. Navy announced it awarded the contract to Northrop Grumman to conduct mission-systems integration for the E-130J that will replace the E-6B in the TACAMO mission.Northrop Grumman has been selected as the prime contractor for the E-130J NC3 (Nuclear Command, Control and Communications) aircraft which will perform the US Navy’s TACAMO (Take Charge And Move Out) mission. The development comes just a month after the news that first C-130J-30 Hercules earmarked for conversion into an E-130J TACAMO aircraft is now in production.

Recently released images show J-15s of one of the brigades attached to the Naval Aviation University practicing launch and recovery operations at an unspecified coastal base where a flight deck with jet blast deflectors and arresting wires has been set up.Sometime between late November and early December 2024, a brigade with China’s Naval Aviation University conducted takeoff and landing training on J-15 fighters in an unnamed military airport “near the coast”. The particularity of this exercise was the use of a land-based simulated carrier deck, which included jet blast deflectors and arresting cables.Recently released images show J-15s of one of the brigades attached to the Naval Aviation University practicing launch and recovery operations at an unspecified coastal base where a flight deck with jet blast deflectors and arresting wires has been set up.The J-15 series of aircraft
According to a translation of the article published on 81.cn, one of the PLA’s (People Liberation Army) official websites, the event was held to ‘hone strong skills’ and covered multiple aspects of launching and recovering aircraft on a carrier, such as equipment inspection, guided taxiing, and information relaying between different aircraft.
A J-15 recovers at the unspecified base, using an arresting cable to simulate landing on a carrier. (Image credit: 81.cn)
Furthermore, during the course, the brigade conducted a variety of exercises to test its airmen’s ability to handle both common and special situations involving the jets, and to comprehensively test their physical and psychological fitness, skills and combat styles. The report says that the officers and soldiers calmly and successfully completed the training tasks.
The operation was most likely intended to test the operational readiness of the crew, while also exposing the Naval Aviation University’s students to what an operational exercise may be like.

Dec. 17 — China PLA Naval Aviation University conducted field carrier takeoff and landing practice with J-15 carried-based fighter aircraft.
www.81.cn/yw_208727/16…
[image or embed]
— Ryan Chan 陳家翹 (@kakiuchan.bsky.social) December 17, 2024 at 9:26 AM

The rest of the article describes the exercise itself. One part describes how the take-off was systematically conducted: as a command was given, several ‘Flying Sharks’ entered the simulated deck one by one, guided by a marshaller.
The shooter then signaled to the takeoff operator to raise the jet blast deflector and wheel’s stop chocks, which are hydraulically actuated and hold the aircraft still as it applies power before the launch. Then, officers and soldiers at each position cooperated to conduct a detailed inspection of both the launch systems and aircraft, before the shooter authorizes the launch, the wheel stops are lowered, and the aircraft starts accelerating on the runway.

The landing sequence is also described in detail: the J-15 enters the simulated carrier’s holding pattern, before lowering the tail hook and slowly descending. As the rear wheels simultaneously touch down the deck, the tailhook firmly grabs the arresting cable and stops the jet steadily. The arresting cable pusher worked closely with the landing duty officer to quickly unhook and reset the arresting cable before the next fighter came in to land.
Two J-15s seen taxiing during the exercise. (Image credit: 81.cn)
The J-15 series of aircraft
The J-15 Flying Shark, also known by its NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) reporting name Flanker-X2, is a carrier-based aircraft, whose first flight took place on Aug. 09, 2009. It is a twin-engine, single seat carrier-based fourth generation multirole fighter developed to serve on the PLAN’s (People’s Liberation Army Navy) first generation of aircraft carriers, the Liaoning and Shandong.
SAC (Shenyang Aircraft Company, the manufacturer of the J-15s and other Chinese Flanker derivatives) acquired T-10K-3, an early prototype of Russia’s Su-33 (formerly Su-27K) carrier based Flanker, from Ukraine in 2001. Because SAC comprehensively studied and reverse-engineered the aircraft, the J-15 is structurally very similar to the Su-33, which is similarly a single seater jet with canard foreplanes.
However, structural differences aside, the J-15 features plenty of indigenous Chinese technologies and avionics through the knowledge gained in SAC’s own endeavors, like the J-11B. For example, the J-15 uses a higher proportion of composite materials, compared to the Su-33, to reduce the aircraft’s weight, and also allowing in turn for a slower landing speed. The aircraft also includes the ability to field Chinese missiles like the PL-15.
A Chinese sailor during the exercise near a jet blast deflector, with a J-15 in the background. (Image credit: 81.cn)
Initially, the largest shortcomings of the J-15s were its reliance on ski-jumps to take off and its underpowered, Russian-made AL-31 engines. These issues were gradually dealt with, and the engines were gradually replaced by China’s own WS-10 engines. This transition made the J-15 the last aircraft in the PLA inventory to transition to indigenous engines, and marked the end of Russian engines’ usage in PLA service. However, this still didn’t fix the ski-jump issue.
The need for a CATOBAR (Catapult Assisted Take Off Barrier Arrested Recovery) capable fighter resulted in an almost entirely new design, with prototype airframes designated J-15Ts being produced. These were initially meant to be design demonstrators for a more advanced J-15 with an upgraded avionics suite, including an AESA (Actively Electronically Scanned Array) radar.
The prototypes utilized and integrated SAC’s experience with the J-11D, a cancelled, super-Flanker with an AESA radar and other advanced systems. In the end, production aircraft based on the prototype J-15Ts, which military watchers initially referred to as the J-15B, were also designated the J-15T.
The J-15T, touted as the world’s best flanker, made its public debut this year at the Zhuhai Airshow alongside its Electronic Warfare cousin, the J-15D. It introduces several revolutionary capabilities to the PLAN’s fighting force.
First and foremost, the ability to take off using a catapult, allowing for a larger payload and more fuel to be carried is its most obvious improvement over the legacy J-15 model. The improved avionics, featuring an AESA radar, also significantly increases the combat capability of the PLAN’s carrier air wing. The latter is also complemented by the introduction of buddy refueling pods, which for the first time allow the PLAN to refuel its own planes in the air while at sea.
A J-15D flanked by two J-15Ts, one of which clearly shows the new buddy refueling pod introduced with the J-15T. (Image credit: Rin Sakurai)
The J-15T will enter service with the PLAN’s third carrier, the CATOBAR-equipped Fujian, which is currently undergoing testing, but has also already embarked on the Shandong and the Liaoning. This means that the J-15T is able to operate off both CATOBAR and STOBAR carriers. Notably, the Fujian returned from its fifth sea trials with rubber marks on its deck, signaling that an aircraft may have landed, or conducted a touch-and-go, on the carrier for the first time.

Albacete, Spain – Airbus Helicopters has delivered the first NH90 of the second batch of 23 helicopters to the Directorate General of Armament and Material (DGAM) at its facility in Albacete, Spain. This is the first NH90 in the Standard 3 configuration for the Spanish Air and Space Force.This second batch, which includes 23 NH90 helicopters, foresees the delivery of a total of 16 Standard 3 helicopters, ten of which will equip the Spanish Army Air Mobile Forces (FAMET), while six will go to the Air and Space Force. The Spanish Navy will receive seven navalised helicopters. Deliveries will be staggered from December 2024 to 2028.The first NH90 for the Spanish Navy in tactical transport version (MSPT) is in the process of finalising its Type Certificate from the Spanish Airworthiness Authority and is already in Albacete awaiting its final delivery to the DGAM in the coming weeks. The Spanish Navy personnel, belonging to the 14th Squadron, have already started their training at the Albacete plant to begin operations with their first NH90.”We are proud to be supporting our armed forces with these new state-of-the-art NH90s that will create a standardised modern fleet across all three armed forces. We have contributed to these  benchmark airborne forces with a helicopter that offers a world-class operational capability to the Spanish Armed Forces. The upcoming addition of the NH90 in the Spanish Navy is a definitive step in the modernisation and Airbus Helicopters will be ready to respond to the needs of the Spanish customer,” said Fernando Lombo, Managing Director of Airbus Helicopters in Spain.The new NH90 for the Spanish Air Force is the first NH90 in the Standard 3 configuration. It offers more advanced communications with enhanced encryption capabilities, greater operational safety features and a number of system optimisations.For its part, the MSPT will significantly increase the Spanish Navy’s strategic projection capabilities thanks to new onboard equipment such as a reinforced landing gear, a maximum take-off weight of up to 11 tonnes, and the automatic folding of the main rotor blades and rear fuselage. A total of 523 NH90s have already been delivered to 13 different countries and have accumulated nearly 420,000 flight hours. Spain, for its part, has 15 helicopters in  service with the FAMET, known as ‘Sarrios’, while the Spanish Air and Space Force has six NH90 ‘Lobo’ in operation. Both have been involved in the relief efforts following the passage of the Dana in Valencia.NHIndustries (NHI) is a joint venture formed by Airbus Helicopters, Leonardo Helicopters, and GKN Fokker. NHI is dedicated to the design, manufacturing, and support of the NH90 helicopter, delivering cutting-edge solutions to its global customer base.@EjercitoAire @Armada_esp @EjercitoTierra @AirbusHeli #DGAM #NH90 #MakingMissionsPossible

Now in its 15th year, CJI London is an established and international event attracting over 600 senior-level attendees from more than 40 countries, who are shaping the future of business aviation.  You can see everyone in your current and future transaction teams – and spend quality time catching up with them – during the 24 hours of scheduled networking (cocktail parties, lunches, The Dealmakers Dinner, Historic Public House Walking Tour and more).

The event also delivers updates from more than 80 industry leaders through TED-style presentations and interactive panel discussions, providing up-to-date information that can help your business grow in 2025 and beyond.
Who attends: Dealmakers & decision-makers from operators, OEMs, brokerages, financiers, FBOs, maintenance providers, arrangers, consultancies, appraisers, insurers, law firms and other expert executives advising and closing on business jet transactions.
What is included in the ticket price for CJI London 2025?

Three days of insights from industry leaders
The Dealmakers Dinner, where the biggest names in aviation network over a three-course dinner
The Flightcap After-Party, perfect for relaxed networking
Three cocktail receptions and the Historic Public House Walking Tour
Pre-conference industry briefing about aircraft management to stimulate discussion
Two breakfasts, two lunches, all refreshments and access to presentations, documentation, and recorded sessions
NEW networking activities (details coming soon!)
Plus, you’ll have access to our event app and delegate list to connect with over 600 attendees from 40+ countries—making this a can’t-miss opportunity to expand your network and business.

NBAA Regional Forum georgio.joachi… Wed, 12/18/2024 – 18:49 Orlando Executive Airport Off February 26, 2025 February 26, 2025 Aircraft events

Safety Standdown 2025 georgio.joachi… Wed, 12/18/2024 – 16:21 Hyatt Regency Hotel, Wichita, Kansas Off November 07, 2025 November 09, 2025 Aircraft events

Named Tryzub after the golden trident used as a national symbol of Ukraine, Colonel Vadym Sukharevskyi states that the new weapon has a range of over two kilometers.Colonel Vadym Sukharevskyi, Commander of the Unmanned Systems Forces in the Ukrainian Armed Forces, made an interesting revelation on Dec. 16, 2024 at a European Defense Industry conference: “Ukraine has laser weaponry called ‘Trident.’ We can state that today, Ukraine is, if I’m not mistaken, the fifth country that can claim to have a laser. As of now, we can use this laser to shoot down aircraft at altitudes of over 2 kilometers”.Named Tryzub after the golden trident used as a national symbol of Ukraine, Colonel Vadym Sukharevskyi states that the new weapon has a range of over two kilometers.Laser Weapons in Service
No further details were revealed regarding the weapon, including no information about whether it was an entirely domestic effort, or based on information or technology supplied by other nations. As Sukharevskyi mentioned, Ukraine would be the next of several nations to have already developed, and in some cases actively fielded, laser-based weapons.

The first six of a dozen U.S. Air Force F-15Es have returned to their homebase at RAF Lakenheath, once again sporting unique nicknames and some interesting markings.On Dec. 17, 2024, the first six of 12 F-15E Strike Eagle jets, belonging to the 492nd Fighter Squadron/48th Fighter Wing, returned to RAF Lakenheath, UK, after a short deployment to the Middle East.
The F-15Es of the “Maddhatters” deployed to the CENTCOM area or responsibility in November, to replace the Strike Eagles from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina, which had completed their “tour” in the sandpit and to beef up the U.S. presence amid growing regional tensions.
On Sept. 27, 2024, as part of an operation nicknamed “New Order”, the Israeli Air Force employed its F-15I Ra’am jets equipped with GPS-aided GBU-31(V)3/B JDAM bunker-buster bombs in a precision strike that killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. The Israeli attack led to Iran retaliating with a salvo of 180 ballistic missiles.
The 492nd FS F-15Es deployed to the region on Nov. 7, 2024 joining the F-15Es from Mountain Home AFB, Idaho, which had been moved in October, more or less one year after its sister unit at Lakenheath, the 494th Fighter Squadron “Panthers”, first deployed to the region. The 494th played a key role in repelling Iran’s April attack on Israel before returning home in May after a seven-month deployment: in the night between April 13 and 14, 2024, Airmen with the Panthers took part along with other U.S. and allied crews, in the largest air-to-air enemy engagement in over 50 years. In those hours, the Israeli air defenses faced 170 one-way drones, 120 Medium-Range Ballistic Missiles, and 30 Land-Attack Cruise Missiles during an unprecedented attack launched from Iran alongside Houthi terrorist group in Yemen as well as Iranian-backed proxies in Iraq.

Along with Israeli and allied assets, the F-15E Strike Eagles from the 494th Fighter Squadron (from Lakenheath) and the 335th Fighter Squadron (from Seymour Johnson), successfully engaged and destroyed more than 80 kamikaze UAVs, out of more than 300 drone and missiles intended to strike Israel. The 494th aircrews which took part to that air defense mission were praised by President Biden and later awarded two Silver Stars, six Distinguished Flying Crosses with the valor device, four Distinguished Flying Crosses with the combat device, four Distinguished Flying Crosses, two Bronze Stars, seven Air and Space Commendation Medals and seven Air and Space Achievement Medals.
Noteworthy, also the 492nd FS aircrew saw some action during their short deployment, as shown by the images sent us by our contributor and friend Stewart Jack. In fact, along with some unique nicknames and nose arts (which have become a tradition for deployed Strike Eagle units since some time) inspired by figures from Greek mythology, the initial six F-15Es of the Madhatters returning home as TABOR 51 – 56 and landing at RAF Lakenheath at 11.15AM LT on Dec. 17, sported some interesting bomb markings.
Here they are.
LN AF 97-0222 F15E Hades. This one sports AIM-9X, SDB and JDAM markings.
LN AF 91-0315 F15E Aphrodite with no bomb markings.
LN AF 97-0219 F15E Hermes with no bomb markings.
LN AF 91-0316 F15E Kratos with an AIM-9X marking.
LN AF 96-0202 F15E Thanatos with AIM-9X marking and two stars that might suggest drone kills.
LN AF 91-0302 F15E Hephaestus with no bomb markings.
The final six F-15Es are due to return to the base in the UK later this week.
A big thank you to Stewart Jack for sending us his photos!

Dallas, Texas, North Memorial Health is partnering with Airbus for the first time to welcome two new H135 helicopters to its Air Care program in late 2022.“Adding these helicopters to our fleet is the latest step in our long-term commitment to create the safest air medical program possible,” said Scott Sampey, vice president and chief of ambulance services for North Memorial Health. “We are excited about what the addition of this modern technology means in terms of improved safety and advanced patient care for our customers, communities and flight crews.”Air Care operates 24/7 out of seven bases and covers territory in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and North and South Dakota.  Air Care is part of the North Memorial Health system, which started as a single hospital in 1954 and has grown into a network of 26 specialty centers with 350+ care providers and more than 6,000 team members.“We could not be prouder to support the critical work of teams like North Memorial Health’s Air Care program,” said Cyndi Carter, air medical segment manager for Airbus Helicopters, Inc.  “It’s our honor to welcome them to the Airbus family, and we look forward to helping them introduce the proven and reliable H135 to the communities they serve.”

The H135 is the market leader in emergency medical services (EMS) worldwide and can be fitted with a wide range of EMS configurations, providing direct access and ample room for patient care. The H135 comes with the lowest operating and maintenance costs of any twin-engine helicopter and is also one of the quietest helicopters in its class.  Recent evolutions to the proven H135 include Airbus’ Helionix avionics suite and an alternate gross weight to further increases the useful load by up to 265 lbs.Airbus Helicopters is the leading provider of helicopters to the air medical transport industry, providing some 55% of the 2,600 EMS helicopters flying in the world today and more than half of all new air medical helicopters sold in the last decade in the U.S.@north_memorial #HEMS #H135 #makingmissionspossible  

#HelisimLLC #H145 #makingmissionspossible #training #fullflightsimulatorGrand Prairie, Texas,  The Helisim Simulation Center, located inside the Airbus Helicopters Inc. facility in Grand Prairie, Texas, has inaugurated a new Thales Reality H full-motion flight simulator, the first of its kind in the region. Helisim LLC, a subsidiary of Helisim SAS, has already invested $22 million for the new simulation center. The H145 simulator will offer the possibility for pilots to perform their initial and recurrent H145 training in the Americas, with customers already booked to begin training later this month. “The H145 is already recognized as the most versatile light twin helicopter around the world, used in market segments such as emergency medical services, law enforcement, military, oil & gas and private aviation,” said Romain Trapp, president of Airbus Helicopters, Inc. and head of the North America region. “With this brand new state of the art H145 Level-D full flight simulator, our North American customers can experience the highest levels of H145 training in their own backyard.” The 18,500 square-foot Helisim Simulation Center was designed to house two simulator bays, with the possibility to expand to hold three simulators in the future as needed. The training center also operates an H125/AS350 full flight simulator and an EC135/EC145 flight training device.This represents a major international expansion of France-based Helisim, a joint venture of Airbus Helicopters, Thales, and DCI which brings 20 years of experience in simulation training with Airbus helicopters.“With this new training center, Helisim is able to offer the best simulator-based training to H145 operators,” said Jean-Charles de Troy, managing director of Helisim LLC. “With outstanding equipment and software implemented, including an OEM simulator data package, along with integrating Airbus helicopter flight instructors, our goal is to offer a reliable and true-to-mission training experience to H145 pilots.”Developed by Thales, the Level D H145 full flight simulator is one of the most advanced simulators on the market, thanks to the integration of Airbus Helicopters avionics and software suite, a larger field of view, 4K projection technology, the unique Thales full electric Hexaline motion, and a new intuitive touch screen instructor station.“The Thales Reality H simulator is deployed all over the world for civil and military use and Thales is proud to have the first Reality H in the United States at Helisim in co-development with Airbus,” said Alan Pellegrini, CEO of Thales in North America. Equipped with Airbus Helicopters avionics and software suite, this simulator will provide the most true to life experience while allowing the safety of simulation training for a variety of real world situations. The simulator becomes Airbus Helicopters’ second H145 full flight simulator, the first being located in Germany.The North America training center is one of 18 training and simulation centers run by Airbus Helicopters worldwide and trains upwards of 1,500 pilots and maintenance personnel every year in Grand Prairie, which, as part of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, has seen significant growth and local investments in recent years.  About Airbus Helicopters, Inc.Airbus Helicopters Inc. is the leading supplier of helicopters in the United States, with a market share of nearly 65% and a presence dating back 50 years. A team of more than 725 employees operates local production and completion facilities for the H125 and UH-72 Lakota aircraft in Columbus, Mississippi, and provides world-class training, aftermarket support, and technical assistance from Grand Prairie, Texas, for the North American regional in-service fleet of nearly 3,100 helicopters.About ThalesThales (Euronext Paris: HO) is a global high technology leader investing in digital and “deep tech” innovations –  connectivity, big data, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and quantum technology – to build a future we can all trust, which is vital to the development of our societies. The company provides solutions, services and products that help its customers – businesses, organizations and states – in the Defence, aeronautics, space, transportation and digital identity and security markets to fulfil their critical missions, by placing humans at the heart of the decision-making process. With 83,000 employees in 68 countries, Thales generated sales of €19 billion in 2019 (on a basis including Gemalto over 12 months).www.thalesgroup.com @ThalesGroup @ThalesAerospaceAbout Helisim LLC HELISIM is a Joint Venture between Airbus Helicopters, Thales and DCI providing high-end simulation training services for pilots. HELISIM is the main simulation center for Airbus Helicopters platforms, operating 24/7 with over 150,000 cumulated flight hours, since its creation in 2000, and over 2,600 pilots trained every year. HELISIM LLC is the U.S. based HELISIM subsidiary created in 2018.

Grand Prairie, TEXAS, Airbus hosted a ceremony with leaders of the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School (USNTPS) to commemorate the UH-72A Lakota’s 10th anniversary at Naval Air Station (NAS) Patuxent River, Maryland.Airbus Helicopters established the Lakota program at the USNTPS in July 2009. Over the past ten years, the UH-72A Lakota fleet there has consistently exceeded operational availability targets and continues to provide high levels of mission readiness with availability rates averaging nearly 94 percent.”This is quite a milestone for the Lakota program. Experimental test pilots need a reliable and versatile aircraft as they are often flying an aircraft at the edge of its performance envelope, and we’re confident that we have provided the best value over the last ten years for this requirement,” said Scott Tumpak, Airbus Helicopters Inc. Vice President of Military Programs.The UH-72A Lakota is a version of the highly successful EC145 twin-engine rotorcraft used by U.S. Navy, U.S. Army and many other military units worldwide. Airbus has delivered over 430 Lakota aircraft to the U.S. Army. Globally, there are 1,345 H145 helicopters in service, amassing over 5.5 million flight hours.”From our experience delivering sophisticated and proven capabilities, we offer the Navy the most cost-effective and reliable aircraft from over 50 years of expertise, customer satisfaction, innovation and technology,” Tumpak said. “That is the foundation of our leadership position in delivering rotary- wing training capabilities today.”Airbus has a vested interest in delivering the effective training systems for Department of Defense rotary-wing aviators. Recently, the company offered its H135 as its proposal for the U.S. Navy’s Advanced Helicopter Training System (AHTS), soon to be known as the TH-73A. The H135 is a technically mature, FAA IFR-certified twin-engine aircraft that will enhance the U.S. Navy’s rotary-wing training curriculum. Similar to the UH-72A, the H135 has a storied performance history with an accumulation of more than 5 million flight hours. Today, the H135 is used in 11 military training helicopter programs by our nation’s closest allies.The H135 is poised to provide the Navy with a best-in-class pilot training capability most similar to the aircraft future aviators will fly in operational missions. Today, Airbus has 675 aircraft in operations by the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard and the Department of Homeland Security.The UH-72A Lakota is built in Columbus, Mississippi, the same location where Airbus has manufactured over 555 helicopters for the U.S. Government. This facility employs a workforce of over 40% military veterans, who continue Airbus’ 50-year tradition of manufacturing helicopters in the U.S.About AirbusAirbus is a global leader in aeronautics, space, and related services. In 2018 it generated revenues of € 64 billion and employed a workforce of around 134,000. Airbus offers the most comprehensive range of passenger airliners. Airbus is also a European leader providing tanker, combat, transport and mission aircraft, as well as one of the world’s leading space companies. In helicopters, Airbus provides the most efficient civil and military rotorcraft solutions worldwide.

GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas,  Pasco County Mosquito Control District in Florida has a new weapon in its fight against mosquitoes — two new Airbus H125s.Pasco County is home to roughly 45 different species of mosquitoes, and aerial spraying is one of the most effective ways to fight mosquito-borne diseases such as West Nile and Zika viruses. The H125 is the helicopter of choice for mosquito control, with this delivery bringing the total number of H125s in Florida alone that support this unique utility mission to 13.“In Florida, controlling mosquito populations is daily, year-round work, and our aerial tools are invaluable in the work that we do,” said Adriane Rogers, director of Pasco County Mosquito Control. “We are always looking for the best, most efficient and most cost effective ways to fight mosquitoes, and the H125 is the solution.”Pasco County has also entrusted Airbus with a full nose-to-tail HCare support contract for the H125 fleet. The five-year agreement covers both H125 helicopters for unscheduled parts removals.Operators like Pasco County credit the aircraft’s increased payload capacity, speed and enhanced safety measures with its popularity. The aircraft features improved Isolair and AgNav equipment for conducting mosquito control missions.“Thanks to its power and versatility, the H125 has emerged as the machine of choice for places such as Florida that must work year-round to protect its population from mosquitoes,” said Will Fulton, Head of Marketing for Airbus Helicopters Inc. “In Florida and elsewhere, mosquitoes are more than a nuisance; they’re a health and safety concern, and the H125 is a key resource to support this mission and help keep communities safe.”In addition to Pasco County’s two H125, the mosquito control district in Brevard County operate two H125, Lee County operates six, Florida Keys (Monroe County) operates two, and Charlotte County also operates one H125, which also serves the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office.More than 1,400 H125s are currently in-service worldwide. In addition to its power and versatility, the H125 is known for its advanced safety features and low maintenance costs. It features dual hydraulics, dual channel engine FADEC, a crash-resistant fuel system and glass-panel cockpit displays that reduce pilot workload.Airbus Helicopters Inc. is the leading supplier of helicopters in the United States, with a market share of nearly 65% and a presence dating back more than 50 years. A team of some 725 employees operates local production and completion facilities for the H125 and UH-72 Lakota aircraft in Columbus, Mississippi, and provides world-class training, aftermarket support, and technical assistance from Grand Prairie, Texas, for the North American regional in-service fleet of nearly 3,100 helicopters.

Finnish, Swedish, and Dutch fighter aircraft were scrambled on Tuesday Dec. 17, 2024 to identify and monitor Russian aircraft over the Baltic Sea, which turned out to be carrying inert supersonic cruise missiles.The first intercept was made by F/A-18 Hornets from the Finnish Air Force, which were met by Dutch F-35A Lightning IIs deployed to Estonia on a Baltic Air Policing mission, who took over escort duties. Finally, Swedish Gripens assumed the mission east of Gotland.Finnish, Swedish, and Dutch fighter aircraft were scrambled on Tuesday Dec. 17, 2024 to identify and monitor Russian aircraft over the Baltic Sea, which turned out to be carrying inert supersonic cruise missiles.Russian statement
Intercepts of Russian aircraft over the Baltic Sea are routine, with the Dutch F-35A contingent having done so only a week ago. More uncommon, however, is the intercept of visibly armed Russian bombers. In this case, each Tu-22M3 ‘Backfire’ appears to be armed with a single Kh-22 or Kh-23 missile (referred to by NATO as AS-4 Kitchen). This large missile can reach speeds in excess of Mach 4, and travel upwards of 600 km, while carrying a conventional or nuclear payload.

The $451 million contract will support the upgrade of 68 JASDF F-15Js as part of the Japan Super Interceptor program, introducing some capabilities currently being fielded on the U.S. Air Force F-15EX Eagle II.The U.S. DoD (Department of Defense) announced on Dec. 10, 2024, that the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center awarded Boeing a contract worth $450.5 million to support the F-15 Japan Super Interceptor program, following another similar contract on Nov. 22, 2024, worth $129.2 million. This contract, which also involves FMS (Foreign Military Sales), covers the acquisition of new radars, self-protection systems and mission computer units destined to equip the Super Interceptor.
The Japan Super Interceptor (JSI) program will see Boeing modernizing 68 of Japan’s aging single seater F-15J fighter jets for Japan. The JASDF (Japan Air Self-Defence Force) currently has 155 single seater F-15J and 44 two-seater F-15DJ in service, according to World Air Forces 2024, part of which were upgraded through the Japan-Multi-Stage Improvement Program (J-MSIP).
The JSI program, which will be worked on in Boeing’s St. Louis plant, Missouri, and Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, is projected to be completed by Feb. 2030. Japan’s MHI (Mitsubishi Heavy Industries), which built under license 163 F-15Js and 36 two-seat F-15DJs for the JASDF, will carry out upgrade work locally once the upgrade package is done, continuing the country’s tradition of producing American military technologies under license to strengthen its defense capabilities.
F-15J Eagles assigned JASDF 304th TFS prepare for take off during exercise Southern Beach at Naha Air Base, Japan, May 15, 2024. (Image credit: USAF/Melany Bermudez)
The F-15 Japan Super Interceptor Program
Japan’s modernization program for their aging F-15 Eagle interceptors will see 68 of the existing fleet of F-15J/DJ fighters upgraded to a Japan-specific variant of the Advanced Eagle. The number of aircraft aligns with Tokyo’s plans to upgrade only around half of its F-15J fleet, with the rest being replaced with 105 F-35As as outlined in the Medium Term Defence Program.
Originally initiated in 2019 with a requirement for kits to upgrade up to 98 of the JASDF’s Eagles, the Japan Super Interceptor program briefly came to a halt in 2020 amid rising costs. This was in part due to the need for a new production line and a switch to a newer electronic warfare system.
The U.S. State Department already approved new components’ sales in 2019 through an FMS case. The Japanese government ultimately included the modernization of 68 F-15Js in the fiscal year 2022 budget, resuming the works on the program.
The Japanese aggressor F-15DJ, serial number 92-8070, in 2018. (Image credit: Wikimedia Commons).
According to Japan’s ATLA (Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics Agency), these upgrades are crucial for national security, particularly in light of rising regional tensions, especially with China’s and North Korea’s advancements in military technology.
Although it is likely to have many similarities with the heavier, Strike Eagle-based Advanced Eagle series of F-15s, the JSI is set apart from them in the fact that it is a lighter interceptor, due to it being based off the F-15C/D air superiority variant. The JSI will largely stick to the air superiority mission that JASDF F-15s are currently tasked with, although it is expected to integrate some land-attack capabilities.

In fact, a contract to integrate Lockheed Martin’s AGM-158 JASSM was signed on Jul. 2024, as reported in a recent article here at The Aviationist. Tokyo will procure 50 AGM-158B JASSM-ER (Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile-Extended Range) to strengthen its stand-off defense capability and equip the F-15 with a long-range land-strike weapon.
A JASDF F-15J and a JASSM missile (Image credit: The Aviationist using JASDF and Lockheed Martin media)
The upgrades
The key aspects of the JSI upgrade include the Raytheon APG-82(v)1 AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) radar, Honeywell’s ADCP II (Advanced Display Core Processor II), and the BAE Systems AN/ALQ-250 EPAWSS (Eagle Passive Active Warning Survivability System). These technologies are also used in the Boeing F-15EX Eagle II, the USAF’s newest fighter, and upgrade packages for F-15s operated by other countries like South Korea.
After the upgrades, which will involve only F-15J-MSIP aircraft, the Japanese Eagle will have enhanced air-to-air capabilities, with improved detection, targeting and self-defense capabilities, as well as a first taste of multirole capabilities. As already mentioned, the upgraded Eagles will be able to complement the F-35s while also acting as cruise missile carriers.
It is not yet clear if the Japan Super Interceptor’s F-15 will receive a new cockpit, since its configuration will be similar to the Eagle II. In fact, the F-15EX has a full glass cockpit equipped with a 10×19-inch touch-screen multifunction color display and JHMCS II both in the front and rear cockpit, Low Profile HUD in the front, stand-by display and dedicated engine, fuel and hydraulics display, in addition to the standard caution/warning lights, switches and Hands On Throttle-And-Stick (HOTAS) control.
An F-15EX assigned to the 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo by 2nd Lt. Mary Begy)
Either way, the systems will be powered by the Advanced Display Core Processor II, reportedly the fastest mission computer ever installed on a fighter jet, and the Operational Flight Program Suite 9.1X, a customized variant of the Suite 9 used on the F-15C and F-15E, designed to ensure full interoperability of the new aircraft with the “legacy Eagles”.
The F-15JSI will be equipped with the new AN/APG-82(V)1 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar. The radar, which has been developed from the APG-63(V)3 AESA radar of the F-15C and the APG-79 AESA radar of the F/A-18E/F, allows to simultaneously detect, identify and track multiple air and surface targets at longer ranges compared to mechanical radars, facilitating persistent target observation and information sharing for a better decision-making process.
The AN/ALQ-250 EPAWSS will provide full-spectrum EW capabilities, including radar warning, geolocation, situational awareness, and self-protection to the F-15. Chaff and flares capacity will be increased by 50%, with four more dispensers added in the EPAWSS fairings behind the tail fins (two for each fairing), for a total of 12 dispenser housing 360 cartridges.
EPAWSS is fully integrated with radar warning, geo-location and increased chaff and flare capability to detect and defeat surface and airborne threats in signal-dense and highly contested environments. Because of this, the system enables freedom of maneuver and deeper penetration into battlespaces protected by modern integrated air defense systems.

Argentina and Denmark sealed a $300 million contract in April for 24 second-hand F-16 jets. The Fuerza Aérea Argentina has been without a supersonic fighter since 2015, following the retirement of its last Dassault Mirage IIIs.Argentina’s first F-16B, purchased from Denmark, landed in the country on Dec. 16, 2024, after being transported disassembled inside the cargo hold of an Argentine Air Force (Fuerza Aérea Argentina) KC-130H Hercules. The KC-130H (registration TC-69) departed from Aalborg Air Base in Denmark and landed at El Palomar, from where the F-16 will be further transported to Tandil Air Base.Argentina and Denmark sealed a $300 million contract in April for 24 second-hand F-16 jets. The Fuerza Aérea Argentina has been without a supersonic fighter since 2015, following the retirement of its last Dassault Mirage IIIs.Argentinian C-130s in Denmark to transport the first F-16
According to Pucara, another KC-130H (TC-66) transported the engine, components, spares parts and other tools last week. Reuters reported that Argentina and Denmark sealed a $300 million contract in April 2024 for 24 second-hand F-16A/B MLU jets. That agreement also included delivery of four flight simulators, eight engines and spare parts for the aircraft for five years.
The U.S. additionally approved a $941 million package in October that includes weapons and spare parts. “The proposed sale will improve Argentina’s capability to meet current and future threats by providing the additional capacity to conduct air defense, offensive counter air, and close air support operations,” said the U.S. Department of State.
The FAA has been without a supersonic fighter since 2015, after retiring its last Dassault Mirage IIIs. The service has relied, since then, on the older generation A-4AR Fightinghawk, with around 30 jets bought from the U.S. in 1983 after the Falklands War.

¡TENEMOS EL PRIMER F-16 EN ARGENTINA! Hoy, el C-130 de la @FuerzaAerea_Arg aterrizó en El Palomar con el fuselaje a bordo, y siguió rumbo a Tandil para iniciar el armado. Una gran noticia para nuestra defensa y un motivo de orgullo para todos los argentinos. pic.twitter.com/XQVK7EMIaB
— Ministerio Defensa (@MinDefensa_Ar) December 15, 2024

The first F-16B, designated ET-210, interestingly played an important role in Denmark’s operationalization of the F-35s. In fact, the aircraft was used as a chase plane during testing at Edwards Air Force Base, California.
The deliveries of the remaining F-16s will begin in 2025, with six aircraft planned, and will continue until 2028. Meanwhile, the twin-seater aircraft just delivered will serve as a training platform, with the goal of having the first operational F-16s by Dec. 2025.
There are conflicting reports, however, mentioning that ET-210 might not fly in Argentina after all. In fact, the aircraft is the only Block 10 F-16 included in the contract, with the remaining ones being Block 15s, and as such it is being reported it will be used only for ground training. The aircraft will be officially presented on Dec. 18.
The disassembled F-16 fuselage being loaded on to the KC-130H’s at Denmark’s Aalborg Air Base. (Image credit: Argentina Ministry of Defense)
Argentinian C-130s in Denmark to transport the first F-16
On Dec. 13, 2024, the Argentine Ministry of Defense posted images of the F-16’s fuselage, without the wings, the vertical stabilizer and radome, being loaded onto the C-130H. “The F-16 is one step away from arriving at the VI Air Brigade in Tandil. The last components of the F-16BM Block 10 fuselage were loaded onto the C-130 Hercules, ready to travel from Denmark to our country. A dream that our fighter pilots have been waiting for for a long time and that is now about to become a reality. It’s getting closer and closer,” said the MoD in an Instagram post.
On Dec. 16, the Argentine MoD again posted on Instagram after the C-130H arrived at El Palomar with the F-16. “Today, the C-130 of the Fuerza Aérea Argentina landed at El Palomar with the fuselage on board, and continued to Tandil to begin the assembly. A great news for our defense and a reason to be proud of for all Argentinians.” Tandil Military Air Base, in the Buenos Aires Province, is home to the VI Air Brigade and will be the home of the newly acquired F-16s.

Argentine Minister of Defense Luis Petri also shared the images of the loading of the disassembled F-16 into the cargo hold of the C-130 Hercules, under the supervision of the ground crew: “With the second flight of the Fuerza Aérea Argentina to Denmark, we complete the arrival of the first F-16 to Argentina. It is the most important purchase for national defense. Having a supersonic aircraft system is not only a deterrent, but also guarantees the real exercise of sovereignty, protecting our airspace like never before,” Petri said.

The acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines by Alaska Airlines is taking its first steps, following the announcement of new Alaska Airlines routes between Seattle and Asia. In addition, the Group will enhance its domestic network with new services from San Francisco to the Hawaiian Islands, increase flights between Hawai’i and Japan, maximize widebody services and improve the connection of East Coast and Midwest flights to Hawai’i. These operations will start in 2025. Alaska will inaugurate flights between Seattle Tacoma and Tokyo Narita beginning May 12th, 2025 with Hawaiian Airbus A330-200s, while service to Seoul, available for sale early next year, will…

2024 has been another busy year for the aviation industry, with numerous important aircraft deliveries fulfilled by the two biggest commercial aircraft manufacturers, Airbus and Boeing. Both have faced different challenges this year, and both have frequently revised their production and delivery targets. That said, many airlines welcomed new aircraft types to their fleets in 2024. Let’s take a look at the most significant of those we saw this year. 

GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas, Airbus Helicopters, Inc. has submitted a bid to the New York Police Department (NYPD)’s request for proposal for two new helicopters to partially replace their aging fleet of rotorcraft. Airbus is prepared to equip the New York Police Department with high-tech, high-performance search and rescue H175 helicopters.“Airbus is honored to have the opportunity to present the capabilities of the H175 to this iconic customer as they make an informed decision as to the best possible path forward to protect and serve the citizens of New York who count on them,” said Treg Manning, vice president of Sales and Marketing at Airbus Helicopters, Inc. “Not only do they need a helicopter that will be a responsible neighbor in the skies with a low sound footprint, they need versatility, reliability, performance, and the most modern technologies integrating key safety features right into the helicopter – they’d get all of this, and more, in the H175.”Called on to support, protect, and serve the more than 8.5 million citizens in all five New York City boroughs and the immediate surrounding areas, NYPD is responsible for missions that include surveillance, search and rescue, counter terrorism, SWAT, medical evacuation, high rise rescue, and firefighting. The current request for proposal for two new helicopters was released earlier this month, with an award announcement expected later this year.Airbus’ H175 is a twin-engine helicopter that can accommodate up to two pilots and 18 passengers, and is well-suited to perform a wide range of public service missions such as search and rescue (SAR), emergency medical services, law enforcement, and firefighting as well as land and maritime border control operations. It benefits from more than 20 certified cabin configurations that can be easily interchanged based on mission requirements. The H175 benefits from the latest developments of Airbus Helicopters’ state-of-the-art Helionix avionics suite, which bolsters the helicopter’s search and rescue capabilities with advanced SAR modes.“As a former police service member, I know how important it is for our nation’s law enforcement to be able to serve and protect in the specific ways that their communities need,” said Ron Kelley, airborne law enforcement segment manager at Airbus Helicopters, Inc. “Serving and protecting in New York City means having the ability to perform rescues and evacuations in a busy urban setting, to operate in a maritime environment, and to be ready to fly at a moment’s notice. The entire Airbus team stands ready to support NYPD with the H175, which is a reliable and versatile platform to help them support those who need them, in any environment.”     Airbus is committed to pioneering sustainable aerospace, integrating technologies into its latest helicopter designs that work to reduce sound levels and carbon footprints. The H175 is equipped with a variable rotor speed control system, which works to adjust the helicopter’s RPMs to reduce the sound levels when it is flying over densely populated areas like New York City. As one of the quietest helicopters in its weight class, the H175 is also fully compliant with Stage 3 noise level requirements.Airbus Helicopters Inc. is the leading supplier of helicopters in the United States, with a market share of nearly 65% and a presence dating back over 50 years. A team of more than 725 employees operates local production and completion facilities for the H125 and UH-72 Lakota aircraft in Columbus, Mississippi, and provides world-class training, aftermarket support, and technical assistance from Grand Prairie, Texas. More than half of all helicopters delivered for airborne law enforcement missions in North America over the past 10 years have been from Airbus. 

#HCare #makingmissionspossible #airmethods #AirbusHEMSGRAND PRAIRIE, Texas, Air Methods Corporation – the largest civil operator of Airbus helicopters worldwide with more than 450 aircraft in operation – has signed a $24 million, five-year HCare Smart support contract with Airbus Helicopters, Inc. to cover its fleet of 31 EC145 helicopters.“This is the first of what we hope to be multiple HCare contracts, which allows us to partner with Airbus to drive safety, reliability, and cost targets for our customer base,” said Leo Morrissette, EVP of Operations for Air Methods. “This contract provides us peace of mind knowing that we are working with the manufacturer, to provide a higher level of service, and responsiveness for our patients.”This is Air Methods’ first HCare contract with Airbus, and discussions are underway to extend similar support coverage to other aircraft models in the Air Methods fleet, which also includes the H125, H130, H135 and H145.  Air Methods is the leading air medical service provider, delivering lifesaving care to more than 70,000 people every year. With nearly 40 years of air medical experience, Air Methods is the preferred partner for hospitals and one of the largest community-based providers of air medical services. Air Methods has a fleet of owned, leased, or maintained aircraft with more than 450 aircraft.“Air Methods is a key and trusted member of the Airbus family, and we’re extremely proud to help support the life-saving air medical operations they carry out on a daily basis all over the country,” said Anthony Baker, vice president of Customer Support at Airbus Helicopters, Inc. “With nose-to-tail airframe coverage for their EC145 fleet, we will collaborate with Air Methods to  support efficient management, streamline costs and eliminate surprises, with the intent of increasing operational availability and allowing Air Methods to focus its resources on its core business of fully supporting its customer base.” HCare is Airbus Helicopters’ comprehensive services offering, delivering tailor-made and competitive solutions to customers. It spans five domains: material management, helicopter maintenance, technical support, training and flight operations, and connected services, with experts available on-call 24/7. The HCare material management service starts out with Easy (on-request catalogue services) and Smart (four by-the-hour options), before progressively building up to Infinite (full availability commitments).About Airbus Helicopters, Inc.Airbus Helicopters Inc. is the leading supplier of helicopters in the United States, with a market share of nearly 65% and a presence dating back 50 years. A team of more than 700 employees operates local production and completion facilities for the H125 and UH-72 Lakota aircraft out of Columbus, Mississippi, and provides from Grand Prairie, Texas, world-class training, aftermarket support, and technical assistance for the North American regional in-service fleet of nearly 3,100 helicopters.About Air MethodsAir Methods (www.airmethods.com) is the leading air medical service, delivering lifesaving care to more than 70,000 people every year. With nearly 40 years of air medical experience, Air Methods is the preferred partner for hospitals and one of the largest community-based providers of air medical services. United Rotorcraft is the Company’s products division, specializing in the design and manufacture of aeromedical and aerospace technology. Air Methods’ fleet of owned, leased or maintained aircraft features more than 450 helicopters and fixed wing aircraft. 

@FAANews  #newH145 #H145 #makingmissionspossibleGrand Prairie, Texas, The new five-bladed H145 helicopter has received its certification from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This type certification covers the full range of capabilities, including single-pilot instrument flight rules (IFR) and single engine operations (Cat.A/VTOL), along with night vision goggle capability. This newest version of the H145 family received EASA certification this past summer and was delivered to launch customer Norwegian Air Ambulance Foundation in September. The first five-bladed H145 delivery in the U.S. is set to take place in early 2021.“The FAA certification is an important milestone for the H145 program, as our customers in North America are eagerly awaiting its arrival and our entire team looks forward to delivering and supporting this new variant,” said Romain Trapp, president of Airbus Helicopters, Inc. and head of the North America region. “We’d like to sincerely thank the FAA and everyone else who has contributed to achieving this certification through the various challenges that 2020 has presented to us all in the aviation industry.” Airbus Helicopters, Inc. has begun updates to the current H145 final assembly line (FAL) in Columbus, Mississippi, with new wiring testing capabilities for the five-blade variant. Technicians are also undergoing training in preparation for receipt of the first kits of the new version later this year. This latest upgrade of the H145 family adds a new, innovative five-bladed rotor system to the multi-mission H145, increasing the useful load of the helicopter by 330 lbs (150 kg). The simplicity of the new bearingless main rotor design will also simplify maintenance operations, further improving the benchmark serviceability and reliability of the H145, while improving ride comfort for both passengers and crew.Powered by two Safran Arriel 2E engines, the H145 is equipped with full authority digital engine control (FADEC) and Airbus’s own Helionix digital avionics suite. It includes a high performance 4-axis autopilot, increasing safety and reducing pilot workload. This helicopter’s particularly low acoustic footprint makes the H145 the quietest helicopter in its class.The new version of Airbus’s best-selling H145 light twin-engine helicopter was unveiled at Heli-Expo 2019 in Atlanta with launch customers announced for almost every market segment. During its  high-altitude test campaign in South America, the H145 set its skids down on the Aconcagua, the highest mountain in the Southern hemisphere, further proving its capabilities even in harsh conditions. About Airbus Helicopters, Inc.Airbus Helicopters Inc. is the leading supplier of helicopters in the United States, with a market share of nearly 65% and a presence dating back more than 50 years. A team of more than 725 employees operates local production and completion facilities for the H125 and UH-72 Lakota aircraft in Columbus, Mississippi, and provides world-class training, aftermarket support, and technical assistance from Grand Prairie, Texas, for the North American regional in-service fleet of nearly 3,100 helicopters.

GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas, Aug. 28, 2020 – Airbus Helicopters, Inc. will introduce the newest series of its Lakota helicopter to the U.S. Army’s fleet, the company announced today at the 2020 National Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS) virtual tradeshow.   Starting with new orders placed this year for 17 additional Lakota helicopters, the U.S. Army will welcome the newest series – known as the UH-72B – to their fleet in 2021. Airbus has delivered more than 460 UH-72A Lakota helicopters to the U.S. Army, Navy and National Guard, with the 463rd and final UH-72A model slated for delivery in September.   “Since we first began operations with the UH-72 Lakota some 15 years ago, this helicopter has been the workhorse of the Army and National Guard, saving lives, assisting in disaster relief, training thousands of pilots, and, more importantly, helping to protect our communities and our country,” said  COL Calvin Lane, US Army Project Manager for Utility Helicopters. “Procuring the UH-72B Lakota provides tremendous value with no research and development costs for the Army.”   The UH-72B will enter service for the U.S. Army National Guard and is the latest iteration of the same commercial, off-the-shelf aircraft that has been the Army’s Light Utility Helicopter since the first Lakota contract award in 2006. The Army is leveraging the benefits of a commercial off the shelf (COTS) program by receiving product improvements and enhancements through the evolution of the aircraft, without investing any government money into the development of those capabilities.   “This is welcome news for the men and women building the Lakota in Mississippi, as we expand our production capabilities and prepare for a successful future for the Lakota,” said Scott Tumpak, vice president responsible for Airbus military helicopter programs in the U.S. “Since 2006, every single Lakota has been delivered on time and on cost by our American workforce, whose pride of workmanship is evident in every aircraft we deliver.”   The UH-72B is based on the widely successful H145, which incorporates various product improvements that have been developed during the lifecycle of the commercial aircraft. The efficient Fenestron tail rotor, more powerful engines, enhanced controls and the Airbus Helionix avionics suite, to name a few, will provide added benefits for mission safety and flight performance. With more than nine configurations available, the Lakota delivers proven performance, outstanding operational reliability, and unmatched versatility for a broad spectrum of military missions.  Airbus Helicopters, Inc. builds the Lakota at its production facility in Columbus, Mississippi, which employs a workforce that is made up of 40% veterans.  Since the program’s beginning in 2006, the Army and National Guard have amassed nearly 800,000 total flight hours. The UH-72A is the primary rotary-wing training aircraft for the Army, and serves in roles as diverse as search and rescue, disaster relief, counter-drug operations, and live-saving MEDEVAC flights.  About Airbus Helicopters Inc.  Airbus Helicopters Inc. is the leading supplier of helicopters in the United States, with a market share of nearly 65% and a presence dating back 50 years. A team of more than 750 employees operates local production and completion facilities for the H125 and UH-72 Lakota aircraft in Columbus, Miss., and provides world-class training, aftermarket support, and technical assistance from Grand Prairie, Texas, for the North American regional inservice fleet of nearly 3,100 helicopters. #lakota #madeinUSA #USArmy #makingmissionspossible 

Grand Prairie, Texas, September 10, 2019 – Airbus Helicopters Inc. has delivered to Metro Aviation Inc. the first EC145e produced at its U.S. assembly plant in Columbus, Miss. This latest aircraft delivery is part of an order for 25 that Metro placed in 2018, and the remaining aircraft will all be delivered out of Columbus.Metro is a Shreveport, La.-based company that operates air medical helicopter services for hospitals and customizes new helicopters for a variety of missions. Metro was the first customer in the world for the EC145e when Airbus Helicopters launched the model in 2015. The twin-engine EC145e was initially introduced for use with Visual Flight Rules (VFR).”Airbus Helicopters is pleased to deliver this EC145e, now the third Airbus model to be produced in the U.S. by workers in our Columbus plant,” said Romain Trapp, President of Airbus Helicopters Inc. and head of the North America region. “For more than a decade, our workforce has been producing high-quality aircraft for both the U.S. Army and more recently our commercial operators in North America.”Metro developed its own Federal Aviation Administration approved avionics package in partnership with Genesys Aerosystems, as well as air medical and utility configurations. The Metro/Genesys upgrades include Supplemental Type Certificates for a Single Pilot/Dual Pilot Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) system; a VFR electronic flight instrument system (EFIS); and autopilot and stability augmentation system upgrades.”Metro is pleased to continue a long-term relationship with Airbus, providing aircraft that meet a wide range of customer needs, and we are especially happy with the EC145e,” said Metro President and CEO Mike Stanberry. “The IFR package we received earlier this year provides an upgrade to an extremely dependable and reliable global airframe, making it more cost- effective with a higher payload.”Airbus Helicopters is the leading provider of civil and commercial helicopters in North America. The company opened its Columbus plant in 2004, where it began production of UH-72A Lakota helicopters for the U.S. Army in 2007. More than 440 Lakotas, also a derivative of the EC145, have been delivered to date. Airbus also performs final assembly of its top-selling H125 commercial helicopter in Columbus, as well as the bulk of its helicopter completions for the region.About AirbusAirbus is a global leader in aeronautics, space and related services. In 2018 it generated revenues of € 64 billion and employed a workforce of around 134,000.

EU and China close their aviation partnership project; gearing up for the future

The European Union – China Aviation Partnership Project (APP), launched in 2016 and funded by the Service for Foreign Policy Instruments (FPI) of the European Commission, will mark the completion of its second phase with an official closing event hosted by the EU Delegation to the People’s Republic of China in Beijing on 17 December 2024.

Annalisa Farina
Mon, 16/12/2024 – 13:03

Over 7-8 December, much of Flightradar24’s most tracked flights list was occupied by flights to, from, or near Syria as rebels entered Damascus and news spread that Syria’s Bashar al-Assad had been deposed. With the Russian government announcing it had granted Assad and his family asylum and they were in Moscow, we began to ponder Assad’s possible paths to Russia. 

The following options present to us the most likely scenarios, though there are certainly multiple variables that leave open the possibility of additional options.  

Option A — IL-76 from Latakia

Bombardier Defense 2025 Avalon Reception eliot.khemlani Wed, 12/11/2024 – 15:54 TBD, Downtown Melbourne, Australia You must have JavaScript enabled to use this form. Kindly complete the form below to RSVP for the ceremony: Rank First name Last name Company Name / Government entity Job Title Email For further information on how we collect and process your personal data, please see our Privacy Statement. By checking this box, you consent to receive marketing communications from Bombardier and agree to Bombardier’s Terms of Use and Privacy Statement. (optional) Submit Leave this field blank (optional) Bombardier Defense cordially invites you to a reception held…

Dubai Airshow 2025 georgio.joachi… Wed, 12/11/2024 – 15:31 DWC, Dubai Airshow Site Off November 17, 2025 November 21, 2025 Aircraft events

Dallas, Texas – Riverside Police Department will add two new Airbus H125 helicopters to its law enforcement fleet that serves and protects the City of Riverside, California, following an order placed December last year.“The Riverside Police Aviation Unit is excited to expand its mission capabilities and offer our community additional services by entering into a larger helicopter platform,” said Riverside Police Lieutenant Denny Corbett. “Additional services will include increased flight times for patrol, firefighting capabilities, and officer and citizen rescue capabilities, in addition to other mission essential services. The new H125s are a welcome addition to the current aging helicopter fleet.”The city of Riverside is the largest city in Riverside County with a population of over 350,000 and an area covering over a hundred square miles. The Riverside Police Department Aviation Unit recently celebrated its 50th year as a law enforcement aviation unit.  The Unit is comprised of six pilots, two tactical flight officers and two mechanics. The Aviation Unit maintains a seven day a week flight schedule, providing air support for the City of Riverside, fulfilling a contract to provide air support for the City of Corona, CA, and assisting both City Fire Departments. The unit also maintains relationships with Federal agencies, providing support to their Federal partners. Delivery of the new helicopters is anticipated in the first half of 2023.“Law enforcement agencies continue to turn to the H125 thanks to its versatility, safety, high performance, and for the reliability of a helicopter that will be ready to help them serve and protect their local communities,” said Ron Kelley, airborne law enforcement segment manager at Airbus Helicopters, Inc. “We’re excited to welcome Riverside PD to the Airbus family and look forward to supporting their essential missions.”

Known for its power, versatility and excellent performance in hot and high conditions, the H125 features dual hydraulics, dual channel FADEC, a crash resistant fuel system, and advanced glass-panel cockpit displays. It is the leading airborne law enforcement helicopter for many state and local agencies, accounting for nearly half of all intermediate single-engine helicopters delivered for that mission in North America over the last decade. The H125 is built at Airbus Helicopters, Inc.’s production and completion facility in Columbus, Mississippi, by a team made up of 40% U.S. veterans.#airbornelawenforcement #H125 @RiversidePolice

Dallas  – Boston MedFlight has just signed an order for its first five-bladed H145 helicopter as part of a fleet renewal and expansion project to support an increased need for critical care transportation in New England.“The H145 has been a proven and efficient platform for us to carry out critical life-saving flights when time is of the essence, and we look forward to improving and expanding our capabilities with the addition of the newest H145 variant to our fleet,” said Boston MedFlight CEO Maura Hughes. “The power, stability, large cabin size and flexibility of this platform enable us to provide expert and compassionate care to our patients in the air while also knowing that we can carry all the equipment needed for whatever medical emergency comes our way. We thank Airbus for their support and look forward to beginning operations with this new H145.” Boston MedFlight is the region’s primary provider of critical care and medical transport, caring for more than 5,600 patients annually, including the most critically ill and injured infants, children and adults. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Boston MedFlight provides more than $7 million each year in free and unreimbursed care to patients in need who have little or no insurance. Their current Airbus fleet of five H145 helicopters serve as mobile ICUs, staffed by a critical care nurse and critical care paramedic.The purchase of the new five-bladed H145 is part of an ongoing fleet renewal and expansion program to meet increased demand for critical care transport in the Boston area, where they have been saving lives for nearly 40 years. Boston MedFlight also plans to retrofit their current fleet to the five-bladed variant in the next year.“Boston MedFlight will be the first air medical operator in the U.S. to take delivery of a new five-bladed H145, and we are extremely proud to support the essential, life-saving work that they carry out every day,” said Romain Trapp, President of Airbus Helicopters, Inc. and head of the North America region. “The H145 is a fantastic tool for any air medical operator who needs their helicopter to be an actual flying hospital or ICU. We are grateful to all the team at Boston MedFlight for continuing to place their trust in Airbus and thank them for being such a longstanding customer.”  This latest upgrade of the multi-mission H145 adds a new, innovative five-bladed rotor system, increasing the useful load of the helicopter by 330 lbs. (150 kg), simplifying maintenance operations, and improving ride comfort for both passengers and crew. Powered by two Safran Arriel 2E engines, the H145 is equipped with full authority digital engine control (FADEC) and Airbus’s own Helionix digital avionics suite, increasing safety and reducing pilot workload.Airbus Helicopters is the leading provider of helicopters to the air medical transport industry, providing some 55% of the 2,600 EMS helicopters flying in the world today and more than half of all new air medical helicopters sold in the last decade in the U.S.@bostonmedflight #HEMS #H145 #makingmissionspossible  

Dallas, Texas – The Metropolitan Nashville Police Department has announced plans to enhance its crime fighting capabilities with two new Airbus H125 helicopters.The new helicopters, which represent the department’s inaugural partnership with Airbus, will be delivered later this year.Nashville reaches 526 square miles and includes both high-density urban locations and rural areas. Each year, the department’s aviation unit responds to more than 2,000 calls, including searches for lost children, fleeing felons, drug eradication, robberies and vehicle pursuits.“We need a versatile, powerful and proven aircraft to help us protect and serve the Nashville community,” said Metro Nashville PD Lt. Tommy Durbin. “After a thorough review of aircraft, it became clear the H125 is the right helicopter for the mission.”The H125 is a cost effective, multi-mission helicopter that delivers high performance, enhanced maneuverability and reduced pilot workload. As the leading airborne law enforcement helicopter for many state and local agencies, the H125 accounts for nearly half of all intermediate, single-engine helicopters delivered for that mission in North America over the last decade.“The H125 remains one of the most popular law enforcement helicopters in the U.S., and it’s not hard to see why,” said Ron Kelley, airborne law enforcement segment manager at Airbus Helicopters, Inc. “It thrives in a variety of missions, and law enforcement agencies know it will be there for them when their citizens need it most.”Standard features on the H125 include dual hydraulics, dual channel engine FADEC, a crash resistant fuel system, and advanced glass-panel cockpit displays. The Nashville Police Department’s fleet will be configured with the latest search, communications, and surveillance equipment to support its various airborne law enforcement public safety missions.The H125 is built at Airbus Helicopters, Inc.’s production and completion facility in Columbus, Mississippi, by a team made up of 40% U.S. veterans.#airbornelawenforcement #H125 @NashvillePolice

Dallas, Texas, March 10, 2022 – The Kern County Sheriff’s Office in California will acquire two new Airbus H125s as part of a plan to modernize its aging fleet of helicopters.A first-time Airbus customer, Kern County selected the H125 platform following a thorough vetting process and several flight demonstrations throughout 2020 and 2021. The new helicopters will protect and serve the county’s population of roughly 900,000, which includes the city of Bakersfield.“We operate in a challenging environment with hot summers over 100 degrees, cold winters with temperatures below freezing, and as we tested and compared the H125 with other platforms, it quickly became evident that the H125 was the best helicopter overall for all of our missions and provided the best value for the County of Kern,” said Kern County Sheriff’s Office Air Support Lieutenant Joel Swanson. “We’ve operated an Air Unit for 50 years, and we are the only law enforcement airborne support in a county the size of small states. We cannot wait for these aircraft to be delivered and be put to use to support our deputies and serve the citizens of our community.”Kern County spans roughly 8,100 square miles with a diverse terrain that includes valleys, mountains and desert, elevations of 300 ft. to 8,000 ft. Its temperatures in summer can exceed 105 degrees, requiring a helicopter than can deftly navigate hot and high conditions. In addition, the sheriff’s department sought a platform with impressive endurance, payload capability and the most advanced safety features on the market.A multi-mission workhorse, the H125 boasts a powerful performance, enhanced maneuverability and reduced pilot workload, all in one cost-effective platform. As the leading airborne law enforcement helicopter for many state and local agencies, the H125 account for nearly half of all intermediate single-engine helicopters delivered for that mission in North American over the last decade.“We are thrilled to welcome the Kern County Sheriff’s Office to the Airbus family,” said Ron Kelley, airborne law enforcement segment manager at Airbus Helicopters, Inc. “The H125 has become a trusted tool for law enforcement agencies across the U.S., and we are proud to support those missions.”#airbornelawenforcement #H125 @KernCountySheriff

Washington D.C. – After taking delivery of the first UH-72B Lakota helicopter in September last year, the U.S. Army National Guard is finalizing its training and will begin fielding the new helicopter with numerous state Guard units, beginning with Arizona. Subsequent states to operate the new 5-bladed UH-72B include Colorado and New Mexico later this year, followed by additional National Guard units as new UH-72B helicopters are delivered.  “We are pleased to introduce this new variant of the proven Lakota in operation with our first National Guard units, as the capabilities of the new UH-72B will help us provide the safest and most modern solution to be successful in our essential missions,” said Mike Hadley, Vice President of NGAUS. “We’re proud of the teams who work hard every day serving and protecting our nation, and we hope to be able to expand the UH-72B into other states’ fleets in the future.”The UH-72B is the latest iteration of the proven commercial, off-the-shelf (COTS) aircraft that has been the Army’s Light Utility Helicopter since the first Lakota contract award and delivery in 2006. Based on the widely successful H145, the UH-72B incorporates technologies that increase both safety and flight performance, including the latest five-bladed main rotor, the Fenestron shrouded tail rotor, two Safran Arriel 2E engines, and the Airbus-designed Helionix avionics suite. “The latest variant of the proven and mission-capable H145 family, the UH-72B is a welcome addition to the National Guard fleet for their critical missions saving lives, providing natural disaster relief, interdicting illegal drugs, ensuring homeland security, and more,” said Scott Tumpak, Vice President responsible for Airbus military helicopter programs in the U.S. “We’re proud to continue supporting the Lakota legacy of success and congratulate the Arizona National Guard on their inaugural UH-72B mission flights.” The UH-72B Lakota delivers proven performance, outstanding operational reliability, and unmatched versatility for a broad spectrum of military missions. It’s built at the Airbus Helicopters, Inc. production facility in Columbus, Mississippi, by a workforce of nearly 250 employees that is made up of 40% U.S. veterans.

Grand Prairie, February 5, – Airbus Helicopters Inc. and Helisim broke ground Tuesday on a new, state-of-the-art helicopter pilot and maintenance crew training center in Grand Prairie, Texas.With an initial investment of $40 million, the Helisim Simulation Center will provide introductory and recurrent training to thousands of pilot personnel each year. The first stage of the new facility is scheduled for completion later this year when the first new Thales Reality H Level D full-motion flight simulator will be delivered.Helisim, a joint venture of Thales and Airbus Helicopters and a global leader in helicopter training, will develop and operate the simulation center. The center will house the first Level D full-motion flight simulators in North America for Airbus H145 and H175 helicopters, two high-tech civil helicopters, which are now entering wide use in the Americas.“Airbus Helicopters builds some of the most innovative helicopters on the market today. The North American training center will meet our customers’ needs for exceptional training on those aircraft,” said Anthony Baker, Vice President of Customer Support for Airbus Helicopters Inc. “This training center will advance safety for the thousands of men and women who operate and fly in our helicopters every day.”The new center represents a major international expansion of France-based Helisim, which brings 18 years of experience in simulation training for Airbus Helicopters aircraft.“Helisim is committed to improving flight safety across our industry through simulator-based training,” said Christian Cochini, CEO of Helisim. “By working closely with Airbus Helicopters Inc. and Thales, we will now be able to provide unparalleled training solutions to North American customers.”Eventually, the North American training center will expand to include an H160 simulator, once that helicopter model is certified and production is underway. The center also incorporates the existing training facilities of Airbus Helicopters Inc., including its H125/AS350 full flight simulator and H135/H145 flight training device.The venture is expected to bring several thousand pilots and maintenance personnel to Grand Prairie every year, sometimes for two weeks or more, supporting the growing local economy in Grand Prairie.“Grand Prairie is a proud supporter of Airbus Helicopters Inc., which has helped to make North Texas a hub of aviation,” Grand Prairie Mayor Ron Jensen said. “This training center will strengthen that reputation while boosting our local economy.”About AirbusAirbus is a global leader in aeronautics, space and related services. In 2017 it generated revenues of € 59 billion restated for IFRS 15 and employed a workforce of around 129,000. Airbus offers the most comprehensive range of passenger airliners from 100 to more than 600 seats. Airbus is also a European leader providing tanker, combat, transport and mission aircraft, as well as one of the world’s leading space companies. In helicopters, Airbus provides the most efficient civil and military rotorcraft solutions worldwide.About HELISIMHELISIM is a Joint Venture between Airbus Helicopters, Thales and DCI providing high-end simulation training services for pilots. HELISIM is the main simulation center for Airbus Helicopters platforms, operating 24/7 with over 150,000 cumulated flight hours, since its creation in 2000, and over 2,600 pilots trained every year. HELISIM LLC is the U.S. based HELISIM subsidiary.

Las Vegas  – Boston MedFlight, a nonprofit organization that provides critical care air medical transport for Boston-area and other Eastern Massachusetts hospitals, has ordered three new versatile Airbus H145 helicopters as part of a comprehensive plan to upgrade its fleet with more modern and more capable aircraft.“The H145 platform suits our needs because of its versatility, safety, durability, and reliability,” said Charlie Blathras, Chief Operations Manager for Boston MedFlight. “It is the best all-around vehicle for our mission profile.”The first two helicopters will be placed into service this spring, with the third arriving in the fall. The new aircraft will replace Boston MedFlight’s H145 predecessors, two EC145s, and a BK117. Boston MedFlight has flown Airbus helicopters since the consortium’s founding in 1985.“We are proud that Boston MedFlight, one of this nation’s leading critical care transport services, has once again placed its faith in helicopters from Airbus, as well as in our company’s support and service team,” said Christopher Emerson, President of Airbus Helicopters Inc. “We believe the H145 will be an excellent fit for the Boston MedFlight mission, and we look forward to our continued partnership.”Boston MedFlight serves a consortium of seven Boston-area medical centers and transports more than 4,000 critically ill and injured patients each year, including approximately 1,800 by air. The nonprofit provides expert care and efficient transportation to adult, pediatric and neonatal patients with a diverse range of diagnoses, including medical, trauma, and neurological, respiratory, cardiac and obstetrical concerns.The Airbus H145 is the class-leader among light twin-engine helicopters, incorporating Airbus Helicopters’ advanced cockpit design and innovative Helionix avionics suite. Its versatility, spacious cabin, and rear-loading clamshell doors have made it the leading choice for air medical programs in the United States and worldwide.Airbus Helicopters Inc. is the leading provider of civil and commercial helicopters in the U.S. The company is based in Grand Prairie, Texas where it operates helicopter completion, paint, and MRO facilities, performs flight test and engineering support, and flight and maintenance training for customers. The Columbus, Miss. plant produces UH-72A Lakota helicopters for the U.S. Army and the H125 for the civil market.Be sure to follow Airbus Helicopters for all the news and events throughout the show: http://www.airbus.com/newsroom/events/HAI-2018.html.Twitter: @AirbusHC_usa

Although Helene weakened from a Category IV hurricane after making landfall on Sept. 26, the storm stalled over the Blue Ridge Mountains for three days and unleashed its fury on several small mountain communities. Punishing winds, rain, and tornadoes, combined with unique aspects of mountain topography, led to torrential flooding and devastating landslides wiping entire towns off the map.Helene caused more than 2,000 landslides in western North Carolina alone and was dubbed a once-in-1,000-year rainfall event by the National Weather Service. People watched as rivers burst their banks and washed their homes downstream leaving them stranded, in need of food, water, shelter, and relief supplies. Completely inaccessible“Things were really bad,” said Chief Warrant Officer 2, Kevin Deharo, a UH-72 Lakota pilot with the North Carolina National Guard. “Everywhere was cut off and completely inaccessible; there were down bridges, collapsed houses, and a lot of stranded elderly people and pets who needed our help.” Deharo is part of Detachment 1, Bravo Company 2-151st Aviation Regiment and performs missions with the North Carolina Helicopter Aquatic Rescue Team (NCHART) when called upon. NCHART is a partnership between the National Guard, Highway Patrol, Emergency Management and local first responders, and after Helene hit, Deharo flew nearly 40 hours over a five-day span in the UH-72 Lakota performing critical search and rescue missions. 

Priceless assetsJustin Graney, an official with the North Carolina Department of Public Safety, said that NCHART aviation teams have been performing rescues across the state for 20 years, but this recent effort following Helene in western North Carolina was the most robust aviation response in the state’s history.“After a disaster, aviation assets are priceless and allow us to get critical commodities in areas devastated by a storm,” he said. “They either rescue folks from an aircraft using a static line [or] lower into the area and make a rescue.” In all, the NCHART team made 540 air rescues during Helene, 196 were conducted by hoist operations, he said. Perfect operations when pushed to the limitChief Warrant Officer 3, John Seeger, a member of the South Carolina National Guard who serves as part of Alpha Company 2-151st Aviation Regiment, also flew missions in support of Hurricane Helene.  Seeger said that his unit was tasked to do grid-search operations up and down valleys, and then hover or land at specific landing zones (LZ) to deliver supplies or rescue people in need of assistance. “The LZs for this mission were really tight – 45’ x 45’,” he said. “We not only had to think about how to land, but also how to get out. There were a lot of wind and obstacles in our way, including downed trees and power lines and we had to be precise in our execution.”Seeger, who has flown the Lakota since 2020, said he and his crew performed 57 total rescues, including 12 pets, and delivered more than 1,000 kg. of supplies. “This mission was perfectly suited for the Lakota. We pushed it to its limit, and it handled things perfectly,” he said.

A higher power marginStaff Sgt. James Bailey, who flew with Deharo and served as the crew chief and hoist operator on the Lakota during hurricane relief efforts, said they frequently train for this mission. “We practice rescues in that area [of North Carolina] all the time,” he said. “How much we train enabled us to be absolutely prepared for whatever came our way.”Deharo added that the helicopter performed exceptionally well in difficult circumstances and enabled the pilots to focus on the mission, rather than the aircraft. “I cannot say enough good things about how the platform performed during the mission,” Deharo added. “We operated in really tight areas and the platform gave us a good power margin to do what we needed to do. No doubt, [Lakota] helped us be a force for good in this terrible situation.”

Bombardier Celebrates 200th Delivery of its Industry-Defining Global 7500 Aircraft, Underscoring Success of this Record-Setting Ultra-Long-Range Platform December 09, 2024 matthew.nicholls Fri, 12/06/2024 – 18:25 Business jets and services Listing text Bombardier Celebrates 200th Delivery of its Industry-Defining Global 7500 Aircraft, Underscoring Success of this Record-Setting Ultra-Long-Range Platform Meta Image Page category News & Events

Etihad Airways recently unveiled a major international expansion, with 10 new routes from Abu Dhabi starting in the second half of 2025. The company will have new operations to Africa, Asia and North America, being Asia the main market with a total of seven new destinations, followed by Africa with two and one to the United States. For the first time in its history, Etihad announced 10 new additions to its route network on the same day. Algiers (Algeria), Atlanta (United States), Chiang Mai (Thailand), Hanoi (Vietnam), Hong Kong (Hong Kong), Krabi (Thailand), Medan (Indonesia), Phnom Penh (Cambodia), Taipei (Taiwan)…

You’re the Captain! is now widely available just in time for your holiday shopping. Our exciting and engaging new puzzle book tests avgeeks and puzzlers with aviation themed puzzles, maps, games and more. It’s the perfect gift for the person in your life who stops and stares at the sky when an airplane passes over.  You’re the Captain! Inside the book, you can expect to find more than 100 brainteasing puzzles where you’ll be challenged to solve aircraft problems, navigate flights to safety, and test your geographic knowledge. With word puzzles, numeric puzzles, and plenty of color map puzzles, there’s…

Set your sights on owning the skies with a brand new game powered by Flightradar24. Skycards is a digital collectible card game where players build decks featuring real-world aircraft. Collect as many different aircraft as you can to reach the top of the airport leaderboard and battle against other players for coins and bragging rights. The game is an addictive, real-time quest that is perfect for aviation enthusiasts, mobile gamers, and anyone in between.   Click on an image above for an expanded view of each image How does Skycards work? When you first open Skycards you’ll find yourself looking at…

Air Canada will restart scheduled passenger flights with Boeing 767-300(ER), aircraft that had been withdrawn in 2020 due to the Coronavirus pandemic. The airline plans to bring back 767s with registrations C-FOCA and C-GLCA, which will resume service after almost four years of storage at Marana Pinal Air Park (MZJ/KMZJ). Air Canada commented the Boeing 767s will return passenger operations following the delay of new aircraft deliveries. Both 767s will be configured for 211 passengers in two seating classes (24 Business and 187 Economy). Canada, Jamaica and the United States will be its markets. Map by gcmap.com Las Vegas (LAS): eff…

Airbus Helicopters and Kawasaki Heavy Industries have been working together on the H145 family of helicopters for almost 50 years – a relationship that was forged with the introduction of the first helicopter of the H145 family, the BK117. It was the beginning of a success story as the partners came together to celebrate the delivery of the 2000th H145 to the Swiss air rescue operator, Rega, with the global fleet having reached 8 million flight hours. “We are proud and honoured to celebrate nearly five decades of partnership with Kawasaki Heavy Industries on our H145 family of helicopters, which brings together the best of Airbus’ and Kawasaki’s technologies, performance and industrial capabilities,” said Axel Humpert, Head of the H145 programme at Airbus. “I would like to thank Kawasaki Heavy Industries for their commitment and the journey of continuous improvement we have shared to make the H145 the world’s most successful light twin helicopter.”“The BK117/H145 family has an excellent reputation with our customers in Japan, among other countries, and the latest version has been a real game changer for operators across the globe. Its current global success is the result of the combined efforts of both companies and their long-standing partnership,” said Katsumi Tamura,  Director Helicopters Business Group at Kawasaki Heavy Industries. “We are proud and honoured to be part of this great team and on behalf of Kawasaki Heavy Industries, I would also like to thank Airbus Helicopters for their amazing support and cooperation, which has been indispensable to us throughout the years.”A long history of global success marked by key enhancements In 1974, discussions began between the German company, Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm (MBB), one of the founding companies of Airbus Helicopters, and Kawasaki Heavy Industries to jointly develop a multi-mission helicopter. Three years later, in 1977, MBB and Kawasaki signed the cooperation agreement for the BK117 programme – the B standing for Bölkow and the K for Kawasaki. The prototype completed its maiden flight in 1979, with more than 400 BK117s eventually being produced for customers worldwide.To meet the requirements of  customers and operators of the helicopters, the teams in Japan and Europe worked to further improve the robust multi-purpose rotorcraft, resulting in the development of the EC145. The aircraft, which received type certification in 2000, came with a number of benefits, including an enlarged cabin, increased  speed and useful load, and reduced sound levels. In 2014, the H145 came to life, with innovations that include the Helionix avionics suite with a 4-axis autopilot, high-performance Safran Arriel 2 engines with digital control and a Fenestron shrouded tail rotor. In 2020, the five-bladed H145 was introduced – an innovation that increases the aircraft’s capabilities and facilitates maintenance. 

A collaboration that makes missions possibleThe aircraft’s certification and subsequent developments were game changers for operators worldwide and a testament to the ongoing collaboration with Kawasaki Heavy Industries. Since the launch of the H145 family, Kawasaki Heavy Industries has been a key player, providing vital parts such as the helicopter’s airframe and main gear box. Thanks to this collaboration, operators have been able to perform a long list of critical missions, including helicopter emergency medical services, law enforcement, aerial work, or offshore transport.

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, Jason is traveling in Japan and Ian is prepping his Thanksgiving Turkey. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty to discuss. An Azimuth Airlines SuperJet caught fire after a hard landing in Antalya. A Swiftair 737-400 operating for DHL crashed 1.5km short of the runway in Vilnius, killing one of four crew members on board. And Emirates took delivery of its first A350, but the flight path left many scratching their heads. Helpful links for this week’s episode Azimuth Airlines flight catches fire after hard landing Swiftair 737-400 crashes in Vilnius Emirates A350 delivery…

© Carole Desheulles Dassault Aviation took part in the launch of the 6th planting campaign for the new Maubuisson forest in the Val d’Oise department, France. The Company is a major sponsor of this project, which aims to create an immense wooded area of over a million trees on 1,340 hectares near its new Cergy plant. This is the largest reforestation project to be carried out in France in four centuries. It will create a link between the Saint-Germain-en-Laye and Montmorency forests, ensuring the capture and storage of a significant quantity of carbon for decades to come. The aim of…

© Italeri For the model enthusiasts among you, here’s one of the Mirage III E, a Dassault aircraft that dates back to the 1960s and which enjoyed great export success. Details of this model… Designed for low-altitude ground attack, the Dassault Mirage III E (and its export version, the Mirage III D) is a multi-role version of the Mirage III C, which was more of an interceptor. Represented in 1:48 scale, the Italeri Mirage III E (ref. 2816) is available in four versions (with decals), meaning it can be adapted to country of use and relevant operational specifications. With its…

How do you remove 25 old electricity pylons, install new ones and leave no trace on the centuries-old forests of Serra do Mar in Brazil? Tac Power Lines and Omni Táxi Aéreo proved they had the answer – the H225. The helicopter carried out a complex and precise operation to keep the population connected, while minimising impact on the environment and public.The operation was carried out in difficult mountain terrain, within an environmentally protected park in the Serra do Mar, which serves as a bridge between the coastal lowlands of Santos and the São Paulo plateau. “The use of helicopters in the construction of transmission lines results in a faster and more efficient construction method, reducing the global project timeline. It is also an important tool for preserving forests, reducing environmental impact and making it quicker to obtain permits for the work,” explains Fernando Cruz, CEO of Tac Power Lines.Only suitable for heavyweightsAt the heart of this operation is the H225, with which OMNI has extensive experience of more than 11 years. “This accumulated experience has enabled us to respond in a short space of time to Tac’s demands, and above all to meet their expectations. The operational performance of the H225, with its high load capacity and operational availability, enabled the mission to be carried out safely in a much shorter time than had been planned without the helicopter,” explains Décio Galvão, OMNI’s Commercial Director. The decision to use the H225 was not taken lightly. “The great advantage of the H225 is its high external load capacity of up to 3,800 kg in its standard version, which allows heavier materials to be used and reduces flight times. Another important factor is the use of a twin-engine helicopter with two pilots, which considerably increases the operational safety level of the mission,” OMNI states.Overcoming challenges successfullyDécio Galvão reflects on the challenges and achievements of the project: “It was hugely satisfying for OMNI to have participated in this first transmission line construction project with Tac, where we were able to demonstrate the high operational capability of the H225. We flew 313 flight hours, performed 318 flights with a total of 1,841 stages completed, transporting 3,144 tonnes of cargo. It was a 6-month contract, with 111 days of operation and an operational availability of around 96%.” 

A bright future for aerial constructionThe success of this pilot project opens up new possibilities for the energy sector in Brazil. With ambitious plans to expand the installed network in this segment, the industry is poised to benefit from innovative construction solutions such as those demonstrated by OMNI and Tac Power Lines. As Décio Galvão concludes, “With this contract, we strengthen OMNI as a transport solutions company also for the energy sector, which opens up a number of new business opportunities.” Fernando Cruz echoed this sentiment, stating, “The outlook is very encouraging. We have a very strong partnership with OMNI and we should take this to other projects. Tac offers its clients a complete engineering and construction solution, adding the use of the H225 to the total safety of our works.” The sky is no longer the limit for energy infrastructure development in Brazil, as helicopters pave the way for faster, safer, and more responsible construction methods. As Tac proudly declared, “It is very gratifying to see our country becoming a benchmark in this type of construction. The introduction of the H225 on construction sites raises levels of safety and productivity.”

Challenger 300 Mirna.SainzGom… Mon, 11/25/2024 – 19:43 Challenger 300 20035 Challenger 300 20039 Cabin 11 Challenger 300 20039 Cabin 2 Challenger 300 20039 Cabin 3 Challenger 300 20039 Galley Challenger 300 20039 Cabin 4 Challenger 300 20039 Cockpit Challenger 300 20039 Lav Challenger 300 20039 Exterior Download the fact sheet to learn more about this pre-owned aircraft. Download

A Swiftair 737-400 freighter operating for DHL crashed short of Vilnius Airport while on final approach in the early morning hours of 25 November. The aircraft was operating a flight from Leipzig to Vilnius when it impacted the ground approximately 1.5 km from the runway. Local authorities report that one pilot was killed, while three other crew members aboard the aircraft sustained injuries. The crew contacted approach control and received clearance for the ILS Z RWY 19 approach. Previous arrivals also landed on Runway 19. In the graphic below, all approach paths are clustered until the flight path of BCS18D…

Bombardier Defense Delivers First Global 6500 Aircraft to the U.S. Army’s HADES Program November 25, 2024 Arevig.Afarian… Fri, 11/22/2024 – 18:52 Defense The Bombardier Global 6500 aircraft delivered to the U.S. Army in support of the HADES program. Listing text Bombardier Defense Delivers First Global 6500 Aircraft to the U.S. Army’s HADES Program Meta Image Page category News & Events

On this week’s AvTalk, severe turbulence leads to an inflight engine shut down on an SAS A330. A CargoJet 767 overruns the runway in Vancouver after a flap failure. A Southwest Airlines jet is struck by a bullet in Dallas. A Qantas A380 flew for a month with a tool in one of its engines. And hundreds of hamsters get loose on a TAP A321neo. Helpful links for this week’s episode SAS A330 encounters severe turbulence CargoJet 767 runway overrun in Vancouver ATSB Qantas A380 engine tool report Hamster plane Thank you for listening! Thank you so much for listening…

Etihad Airways is getting ready to announce ten new destinations this Monday the 25th, and they’ve been building up the suspense with little hints. They want you to guess where they might be. The fun thing about this is even the people I know at the airline have no idea what the new cities are. Etihad has been busy Etihad has been busy the last couple of years adding aircraft, reactivating A380s, installing new cabins and adding cities to the route map. And we’ve had the chance to be around for some of the fun as we’ve joined the Abu…

Thunderstorms are one of the most dynamic weather phenomena affecting aviation, with substantial implications for flight safety, comfort, and operations. They are powerful weather systems that can produce strong winds, lightning, heavy rain, hail, and turbulence. Understanding the nature of thunderstorms, their development, and their potential impacts on aircraft is essential for pilots, airlines and flight planners. Let’s take a closer look at how they are formed and the reasons we actively avoid them. What are thunderstorms?A thunderstorm is a weather system characterized by the presence of cumulonimbus clouds and is associated with heavy precipitation, thunder, and lightning. Thunderstorms occur due…

Bombardier’s Global 7500 Business Jet Soars to New Heights, Continues Record-Setting Pace with 75 Speed Records November 21, 2024 matthew.nicholls Wed, 11/20/2024 – 21:42 Business jets and services Listing text Bombardier’s Global 7500 Business Jet Soars to New Heights, Continues Record-Setting Pace with 75 Speed Records Meta Image Page category News & Events

© Airemploi In partnership with Dassault Aviation, MBDA, Safran, the French Air Force and GIFAS, the Airemploi association, which bears the “Feminizing the aeronautics professions” label, is organizing a series of events around the theme of “Women in Defense”, taking place from November 18 to 26 as part of Industry Week. The aim of these events is to introduce young women to the many career opportunities in the aerospace, defense and arms industries, fields in which they remain under-represented. Through visits to industrial sites and discussions with female professionals, “Women in Defense” aims to inspire the next generation of female…

© Éditions Paquet The next installment in the adventures of young Natalia, who dreams of becoming a pilot in 1930s Europe. Against all odds… In the first volume of “La Rhapsodie du ciel” (Rhapsody of the Sky), Natalia, a young teenager on a mission to become a pilot, saw her dreams crushed by her father’s refusal. That’s when she decided to leave home to visit her uncle Alfred, who had worked as an airplane mechanic for an aviation legend, Robert. He was less than forthcoming—her uncle refused to divulge his secrets—which made for an awkward situation with his niece. In…

Fighting fires and rescuing people at the same time: this is the mission of Rio de Janeiro’s fire department. Combining highly skilled aviation professionals with a specialised medical team, the all-women crew intervenes to save lives across the State of Rio with their H125s. Lieutenant Colonel Raquel Lopes, helicopter pilot with the state’s fire department and first female commander of its Air Operations Group, and Major Juliana Rangel, aero-medical rescue specialist in the fire department, tell us more about their essential operations and how the squad came together.
The crew behind Rio de Janeiro’s fire department

Can you describe a typical day at work?Raquel Lopes: In the fire department’s aviation unit, we undertake sea rescue missions, mountain rescues at high altitudes, airborne medical rescues, evacuations, medical operations in restricted areas, inter-hospital transportation or vital organ transport, among other duties.Juliana Rangel: We form a crew consisting of a doctor, nurse, technician and pilot. This allows us to perform rescues for medical evacuation and inter-hospital transport. Our inland area is still very underserved, so there is a high demand for interhospital transport to provide adequate healthcare for both clinical and trauma patients. My role in the crew is to act as a doctor in the air. What’s special about your crew and the missions you perform?J.R.: We underwent operational crew training, since being trained as a doctor for firefighting missions is not enough. We needed to go through specialisation and operational training to be qualified to perform the operational crew functions. As we are a small crew, we have to perform both the doctor’s and the crew’s functions, so we’re trained to assist the pilot in landing in non-certified locations and in hard-to-reach places. Each member of the crew brings something special. We always have to work with a lot of technical attention and coordination. It’s a constant job to pay attention to everything happening around you. The main mission is for us to save lives and return home intact. 

How do helicopters contribute to the success of your rescue and medical service operation?R.L.: For sea rescues, helicopters are more agile. The Ecureuil helicopter is a very versatile, agile aircraft, allowing us to land in restricted and narrow places. Besides being a very fast aircraft, I feel quite comfortable flying it. I really like it. For firefighting missions, the H125 has the highest power margin. It enables us to carry more personnel, a larger payload, or transport a greater amount of water. It allows for an electric winch and the transport of heavier loads. It is a crucial asset in our operations.J.R.: For medical rescue operations, the H125 enables us to reach difficult-to-access docks. We can land on the beach or on highways. The H125 provides us with an opportunity to operate in a variety of scenarios. It also meets our operational requirements for patient handling and aeronautical evacuations, because we need to land in locations that larger aircraft wouldn’t be able to reach.

GE Aerospace and NASA are partnering for a series of test flights that will deepen the aviation industry’s understanding of contrail formation and persistence. The flights will be conducted off the US east coast using GE’s highly-modified 747-400 Propulsion Test Platform and NASA’s Gulfstream C-20A (GIII) as part of the Contrail Optical Depth Experiment (CODEX). The NASA aircraft will closely follow the GE 747 and scan the aircraft’s wake with Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) technology.

© Éditions Atemporelle This work retraces the history of aviation in the Vienne department (86) over the past century. A century of aviation in one department! That’s the focus of this highly local retrospective, featuring a detailed list of all aviation events that took place in the Poitou region in the 20th century: between 1909 and 1914, in the years leading up to World War I, at the very start of the war (notably when Blériot’s aircraft, “La Vienne” was named after the department), with Jacques de Grailly, a member of the military, and Gilbert Landry, a civilian. In more…

Category: Business / Corporate Jet; Make: Learjet; Year: 1982; Callsign: N531K; Serial No.: 53; Total Time: 9040; Country: United States;

Category: Business / Corporate Jet; Make: Learjet; Year: 2002; Callsign: N217MG; Serial No.: 217 ; Total Time: 1947; Country: United States;

Your journey through an airport is just as important as your journey through the air. Navigating large airports can be a daunting part of travel, especially in global hubs that handle millions of passengers each year. To streamline movement between terminals and connect travelers to mainline transport options, many airports have invested in efficient transit systems—from sleek monorails and light rails to innovative automated people movers and eco-friendly pod systems.

Here’s our global countdown of the most effective (and most interesting) airport shuttle and transit systems by passenger numbers.

Virgin Atlantic will return to Mexico after a six-year hiatus.   Cancún will be back on the airline’s regular schedule during winter 2025/26.   From/to London Gatwick with Boeing 747-400(ER), Virgin’s last operations in 2019.   Virgin at Cancún airport – January 2019 The airline has announced it will resume flights to a major Latin American market in the Caribbean that it stopped flying in late 2019. Virgin Atlantic will restart services to Cancún, and for the first time it will operate from London Heathrow, as of October 19th, 2025, using Airbus A350-1000 jets. In accordance with its press release, Virgin…

Bombardier Appoints New International Sales Team Members to Expand its Market Presence November 15, 2024 marie.andree.charron Fri, 11/15/2024 – 18:35 Company news Listing text Bombardier today presented the latest evolution of its International Sales Team organization that will support the growing worldwide aircraft sales business while continuing to nurture long-lasting relationships with clients in their specific regions. Meta Image Page category News & Events

An SAS A330 en route from Stockholm (ESSA | ARN) to Miami (KMIA | MIA) encountered severe turbulence just off the east coast of Greenland on 14 November resulting in the automatic shutdown of one of the aircraft’s engines. The pilots were able to restart the affected engine and divert safely to Copenhagen. Turbulence hit just east of Greenland and lasted a very short time. Thankfully, no one on board among the 254 passengers nor crew reported any serious injuries.In the granular data snapshot below, it is possible to see the effects of the turbulence and also the pilots’ reacting…

On this week’s AvTalk, at least three aircraft are struck by bullets while trying to landing in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Spirit Airlines could soon file for bankruptcy after Frontier walks away from a potential merger. And Colombian cargo carrier Aerosucre has yet another close call, striking the ILS array at the end of the runway while trying to depart Bogota. Helpful links for this week’s episode Spirit Airlines flight 951 hit by bullets FAA NOTAM restricting US flights in Haiti below 10,000 feet Aerosucre 727 strikes ILS array Apple AirTag find my bag coming soon 99% Invisible’s podcast on Spirit Halloween…

Airbus marked a significant milestone with the first intercontinental flight of its A321XLR, the latest addition to its narrowbody family. On Thursday, November 14, 2024, the aircraft, EC-OIL, operated flight IB347 from Madrid-Barajas Adolfo Suárez Airport (MAD) in Spain to Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) in the United States, demonstrating its efficiency and versatility. IB347 Playback Iberia (IB/IBE) took delivery of the first production A321XLR on October 30, 2024, and the carrier plans to introduce a further 7 aircraft over the coming months. The A321XLR, short for “Extra Long Range,” has been designed to meet the growing demand for longer routes…

Dassault Systèmes’ 3DEXPERIENCE Platform to Be Used for Electric Vehicle Development at Volvo Cars

Much has already been written about how helicopters are irreplaceable when it comes to dealing with natural disasters, be they floods, fires or hurricanes. It is estimated that the number of Brazilians who will be exposed to the consequences of climate change will be 6.5 million by 2030*, and the need for more modern helicopters is already in the public debate. It is recognised that climate change has a direct impact on the number, nature and strength of adverse weather events. While Brazil has generally been largely spared from earthquakes, eruptions or hurricanes, a study** shows that overflowing rivers, sudden torrential rains, forest fires, along with landslides are the most frequent and costly catastrophes for the country, with a 60% prevalence per year compared to other crises. “Latin America in general is facing increasingly violent and frequent natural disasters, in many cases linked to the El Niño phenomenon,” explains Alberto Robles, Head of Latin America at Airbus Helicopters. “But in the case of Brazil, its enormous size and difficult access to some populations make helicopters even more essential, and a greater number of helicopters are needed to cover the country.” A versatile solutionIn Brazil today, the response to natural disasters is managed by various agencies such as the Ministry of Defence, Minister of Environment or the various state fire and police forces. The general view is that few agencies can afford helicopters only for specific emergency response tasks, but instead need versatile platforms that can be adapted to a multitude of missions depending on the need. Another prevailing opinion is the need for many units in order to spread them throughout the country and cover a maximum area, since Brazil is a country of 8.5 million square kilometres, an area more than 13 times the size of France. The south and the Atlantic coast are the most vulnerable regions: in the last 12 months alone, five tropical cyclones have been recorded in the south of the country.

H145, the guardian angel of many countriesIf there is one helicopter that has established itself in recent years as the multi-role platform par excellence, it is the H145.  In addition to the almost 500 Lakota units already in the possession of the US armed forces, customers such as the French civil security force, the German armed forces or, in Latin America, the Ecuadorian and Honduran governments, have chosen it – among other things – for its quick configuration time of just 10 minutes, depending on the mission: from firefighting with a Bambi Bucket®, to medical evacuation with two stretchers or search and rescue with a hoist. “We are convinced that the best option for Brazil’s multi-purpose needs is a platform like the H145, manufactured locally, with support in close proximity to operators, and above all, that provides the protection and support that the population needs to face what lies ahead.”

When catastrophe is unprecedentedAfter a week of historic storms and torrential rains in early May this year, Brazil’s southernmost state of Rio Grande do Sul suffered immense flooding that included the collapse of dams and landslides, causing an environmental and humanitarian catastrophe. Nearly 180 people died and more than 2.3 million people were affected by what the government called a “climatic catastrophe”. Military operators, parapublic agencies, as well as civilian customers such as OMNI and Helisul, used their helicopters for search, rescue, evacuation and transport of essential materials. In total, 56 Airbus helicopters flew around 2,000 hours to assist victims, day and night. Helibras sent a support team to the Canoas Air Force base, at the heart of the tragedy, to provide 24-hour support to operators who needed to get the best out of their helicopters. For its part, the Airbus Foundation donated helicopter flight hours to the Red Cross organisation for aerial coordination and transport of emergency personnel.*Climate Adaptation Platform **Climate Change Knowledge Portal

The next volume in the “Origines” series, which retraces the early days of the characters that helped make “Buck Danny” a must-read in aviation comics. Now it’s Sonny Tuckson’s turn.

For this third volume in the “Origines” series, the authors are delving into Sonny Tuckson’s past, after devoting the first two volumes to young Buck Danny. This is how we discover Tuckson’s childhood, in the 1930s, smack-dab in the middle of Texas. The town where he lives—and where he’s clearly bored to tears—is called Crockett, and it’s much like any other town in this part of the American South.

It was here that his uncle, a modest landowner, took him in, despite the lukewarm relations between them. His only friend is Jo. They enjoy racing cars together, trying to outrun the son of a very important local landowner, Peter Tannen.

Medidata and Bioforum Bolster Decade-Long Relationship to Advance Clinical Data and Biometric Solutions for Clinical Trials

Bombardier Defense Social eliot.khemlani Mon, 11/11/2024 – 18:39 Norton’s Brewing Company, 125 N Saint Francis Ave, Wichita, KS 67202 You must have JavaScript enabled to use this form. Kindly complete the form below to RSVP for the ceremony: Rank First name Last name Company Name / Government entity Job Title Email For further information on how we collect and process your personal data, please see our Privacy Statement. By checking this box, you consent to receive marketing communications from Bombardier and agree to Bombardier’s Terms of Use and Privacy Statement. (optional) Submit Leave this field blank (optional) Sun, 11/24/2024 – 12:00…

Bombardier Defense HADES Platform delivery WAG eliot.khemlani Mon, 11/11/2024 – 18:39 Nortons Brewing Company, 125 N Saint Francis Ave, Wichita, KS 67202 You must have JavaScript enabled to use this form. Kindly complete the form below to RSVP for the ceremony: Rank First name Last name Company Name / Government entity Job Title Email For further information on how we collect and process your personal data, please see our Privacy Statement. By checking this box, you consent to receive marketing communications from Bombardier and agree to Bombardier’s Terms of Use and Privacy Statement. (optional) Submit Leave this field blank (optional) Sun,…

Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) commenced operations on August 1, 1946. The airline was established through a consortium agreement between three national airlines: Denmark’s Det Danske Luftfartselskab (DDL), Norway’s Det Norske Luftfartselskap (DNL), and Sweden’s Svensk Interkontinental Lufttrafik AB (SILA). SAS’s inaugural flight was a transatlantic service from Stockholm via Copenhagen and Prestwick to New York, utilizing a Douglas DC-4. This route was significant as it established SAS’s presence in the competitive international market, laying the foundation for its future growth and expansion. Over time, SAS expanded its fleet and network, steadily building a comprehensive range of services that today spans Europe,…

Air Tanzania continues its international expansion in Africa, with the launch of services to South Africa in late November. The airline plans to operate four flights per week with Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft, configured for 181 passengers in two seating classes (16 Business and 165 Economy). In accordance with its website, Air Tanzania’s inaugural flight to Johannesburg will depart from Dar-es-Salaam, the country’s largest city and main financial hub, on November 30th at 11:00 local time. With this schedule, the company will offer 724 weekly seats on each leg, reaching almost 3,000 seats a month, with Airlink being the…

Ever wanted to know what type of plane an aircraft was just by looking at it? In this series, we explore some key features on aircraft to look out for when spotting aircraft in order to identify them with ease.  The Airbus A330 Often dubbed ‘The Butter Machine’ due to its smooth landings, the Airbus A330’s easily identifiable feature is its landing gear. The Airbus A330 has two sets of main landing gear, with four wheels on each. These ’tilt’ backwards, allowing for the smooth landings which the A330 often completes with ease.  You can see clearly the tilted main…

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, Boeing machinists in the pacific northwest ratify a new contract, ending a 53 day strike. We discuss what’s in the contract and where Boeing goes from here. Spirit Aerosystems, the maker of 737 fuselages, says it may not have long as a “going concern.” Spirit Airlines will furlough hundreds more pilots next year as it continues searching for a path out of the financial hole it’s in. The Wall Street Journal reports that Russia is behind the series of parcel fires in air cargo shipments in Europe. Dublin’s passenger cap is on hold for now,…

© Éditions Paquet In the 1930s, a young girl’s dream of becoming a pilot is thwarted by her family’s reluctance to let her take to the skies. But every family has its exceptions! In the 1930s: Natalia, a young teenager, dreams of becoming a pilot—despite her father’s objections—and of following in the footsteps of Robert, a “flying ace” who has gone missing. When her father outright refuses, she decides to pay a visit to her uncle Alfred, who was once close to Robert and who now lives on the fringes of society, selling spare airplane parts among other things. Eager…

Bombardier Q3 Results Keep the Company On-Track to Full-Year Guidance, Propelled by Record Services Revenue and Continued Year-Over-Year Growth November 07, 2024 stephanie.fara… Wed, 11/06/2024 – 19:09 Financial Results Listing text Bombardier Q3 Results Keep the Company On-Track to Full-Year Guidance, Propelled by Record Services Revenue and Continued Year-Over-Year Growth Page category News & Events

Amsterdam – Airtelis and Airbus Helicopters took the opportunity of European Rotors to announce the signature of a framework agreement for the purchase of up to five H145 helicopters, including the firm order of one. The helicopters are foreseen to be operated and used by Airtelis’ subsidiary Oya Vendée Hélicoptères, which provides support for the offshore wind industry. “The H145 has proven to be the perfect helicopter for our offshore wind operations during the construction of the new Yeu Noirmoutier offshore energy platform off the coast of Nantes,” said Laurent Giolitti, Executive President of Airtelis.

Amsterdam – Airbus and Østnes Helicopters, the official distributor for Airbus Helicopters in the Nordic countries, announced a contract for ten Airbus H125s at this year’s European Rotors. They will join a fleet of more than 150 H125s in the region, which mainly perform utility and aerial work missions. “Nordic customers require a truly versatile helicopter which can perform a wide range of missions,” said Frode Østnes, CEO of Østnes Helicopters. “The H125 has proven that it has the capabilities time and again. Our customers in the region depend on these aircraft for essential missions and we are determined to ensure they benefit from short delivery times.

Salt Lake City, Utah – Global Medical Response (GMR) has placed an order for 28 Airbus helicopters, including six H125s, five H130s, 14 H135s and three H145s, as it continues expanding its air medical fleet. Following GMR’s order of five Airbus helicopters earlier in 2024, the company will operate a fleet of nearly 200 Airbus helicopters, reinforcing its position as one of the largest operators of Airbus helicopters in North America.Expanding on the 28 aircraft ordered, GMR will have options to purchase an additional 23 new Airbus helicopters over the next three years. With this order,

Paris – The Dutch Ministry of Defence has awarded a contract to Airbus Helicopters for 12 H225Ms. The contract also includes an initial batch of support and services. The agreement was signed by Vice-Admiral Jan Willem Hartman, Head of the Netherlands Command Materiel and IT (COMMIT) agency, and Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters during the Euronaval trade show in Paris.“We are very proud to see the Royal Netherlands Air Force and COMMIT renewing their trust in Airbus Helicopters.

Bombardier’s New Brand Evolution Wins Two Red Dot Awards for Brand Design Excellence November 04, 2024 marie.andree.charron Mon, 11/04/2024 – 01:09 Business jets and services Marie-Andrée Charron Representative, Communications +514.441.2598 Marie-Andree.Charron@aero.bombardier.com Listing text Bombardier’s New Brand Evolution Wins Two Red Dot Awards for Brand Design Excellence Meta Image Page category News & Events

Fort Erie, Canada – Airbus Helicopters has signed a landmark contract with SkyAlyne, a joint venture between Canadian defence leaders CAE and KF Aerospace, to provide the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) with 19 Airbus H135 helicopters to train the next generation of RCAF Pilots.

Hiring Events – Indianapolis, IN Madeleina Breton Fri, 11/01/2024 – 15:09 Virtual Event Off November 14, 2024 November 14, 2024 November 15, 2024 November 14, 2024 Event Information Career events

Hiring Events – Cincinnati, OH Madeleina Breton Fri, 11/01/2024 – 14:39 Virtual Event Off November 13, 2024 November 13, 2024 November 14, 2024 November 13, 2024 Event Information Career events

Bombardier’s Must-Attend Safety Standdown Seminar Set to Open in Wichita, KS, Incites Aviation Professionals to Elevate their Influence November 01, 2024 matthew.nicholls Thu, 10/31/2024 – 15:08 Company news Listing text Bombardier’s Must-Attend Safety Standdown Seminar Set to Open in Wichita, KS, Incites Aviation Professionals to Elevate their Influence Meta Image Page category News & Events

Medidata Launches Bundled Solutions to Support Oncology and Vaccine Trials, Accelerating Study Design and Execution

EASA publishes first Easy Access Rules for small category VCA The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has published the first Easy Access Rules for small category VCA (VTOL-capable aircraft). This publication contains requirements for the management of small category VCA, displayed in a consolidated, easy-to-read format, with advanced navigation features through links and bookmarks. It consolidates the following material: Charalampos Ka… Thu, 31/10/2024 – 13:37

Bombardier Celebrates 100th Challenger 3500 Aircraft Delivery, Underscoring Continued Success as Best-Selling Platform October 31, 2024 allison.beauli… Wed, 10/30/2024 – 21:32 Company news Bombardier Challenger 3500 Inflight Listing text Bombardier Celebrates 100th Challenger 3500 Aircraft Delivery, Underscoring Continued Success as Best-Selling Platform Meta Image Page category News & Events

Bombardier Defense Proudly Delivers Eighth Global Aircraft to the U.S. Air Force Battlefield Airborne Communications Node Program October 31, 2024 stephanie.fara… Wed, 10/30/2024 – 19:48 Defense Listing text Bombardier Defense Proudly Delivers Eighth Global Aircraft to the U.S. Air Force Battlefield Airborne Communications Node Program Meta Image Page category News & Events

© Raids Aviation For this October-November 2024 issue, the editors of “Raids Aviation” pay tribute to the French Air and Space Force and its ambassadors with a look back at a flagship show from the summer of 2024. For its October-November 2024 issue, “Raids Aviation” magazine followed the Patrouille de France during last summer’s epic show in the gardens of the Château de Versailles, as part of the Night Fountains festival (Friday, June 28, 2024) on the 90th anniversary of the French Air and Space Force (AAE). A spectacular show, lasting an hour and fifteen minutes, which showcased the prowess…

Dassault Systèmes Collaboration Yields Breakthrough Guide for Using Virtual Twins in Clinical Trials

Bombardier Defense Global 6500 delivery in support of the U.S. Army’s HADES program josh.marrache Tue, 10/29/2024 – 15:39 Bombardier Defense, 1 Learjet Way, Wichita, Kansas, 67209 USA You must have JavaScript enabled to use this form. Kindly complete the form below to RSVP for the ceremony: First name Last name Media Outlet Job Title (optional) Email I plan to attend the media event In Person (optional) Virtually (optional) For further information on how we collect and process your personal data, please see our Privacy Statement. By checking this box, you consent to receive marketing communications from Bombardier and agree to Bombardier’s…

Medidata and Cogstate Strike Strategic Partnership Transforming Clinical Trials in Neurology with Clinical Outcome Assessment and Clinician Solutions Powered by AI and Advanced Analytics

Dassault Systèmes’ 3DEXPERIENCE Platform Recognized as PACT Conformant, Unlocking Decarbonization in the Value Chain

Dassault Systèmes’ 3DEXPERIENCE Platform Recognized as PACT Conformant, Unlocking Decarbonization in the Value Chain

The H130 helicopter marks a significant milestone with the integration of a new autopilot system. This technological innovation redefines the flight experience, offering a multitude of benefits for both pilots and operators.