Author: Alan G.W.

Maintenance Activity Group (AG012) Meeting 01-2025 This is a regular meeting of the Maintenance Activity Group (AG012) of the EASA Stakeholder Advisory Body (SAB). If you wish to learn more about the EASA SAB, as well as the Member States’ Advisory Body (MAB) and Technical Bodies (TeBs), please visit the EASA Advisory Bodies Webpage Annalisa Farina Fri, 02/05/2025 – 20:05

Bombardier Announces the Election of its Board of Directors May 01, 2025 Victoria Drolet Thu, 05/01/2025 – 12:09 Company news Listing text Bombardier Announces the Election of its Board of Directors Page category News & Events

United Airlines will expand its operations in Australia, by launching flights to Adelaide beginning in December. The flights will have three weekly frequencies on Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft, with a capacity of 257 passengers in two classes. Adelaide will become the airline’s fourth regular connection in the country, joining Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. Currently, according to our database, United has 29 flights per week between the U.S. and Australia, being Sydney its main destination in terms of frequencies and routes. Monday, Thursday and Saturday UA 207  San Francisco SFO 23:05 · 09:30+2 ADL Adelaide UA 208  Adelaide ADL 14:55 ·…

The first part of a trilogy devoted to Marcel Dassault, this book logically looks back at the beginnings of the French aircraft manufacturer, particularly at the dawn of the 1930s. For this triptych devoted to the French aviation pioneer, Philippe Ricco, already author of numerous works on fighters and bombers, focuses at length on the 1930s. Why 1930 onwards? After the 1914-1918 war, during which he founded the Société d’Etudes Aéronautiques (SEA) with Henry Potez (after developing the famous éclair propeller), Marcel Bloch turned his attention to commercial activities, notably real estate. The reason for this diversification? Quite simply because,…

Athens, Greece, 30 April 2025 – Airbus Helicopters has signed a contract with the Hellenic Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection for the purchase of eight H215 helicopters (with an option for two additional aircraft) to support the combat of wildfires in the country following a tender conducted by the Project Preparation Facility of Growthfund (the National Fund of Greece) on behalf of the Ministry. This contract is supported by two European funds and aligns with the Ministry’s Aegis Programme aimed at enhancing the capabilities of the Civil Protection forces. The contract will be based on a “government owned contractor operated” (GO-CO) model for which Airbus Helicopters will be partnering with experienced H215 firefighting operators, Airtelis and SAF Hélicoptères, for the technical and operational support. “The signing of the contract for the purchase of new H215 helicopters represents an important step in our efforts to mitigate the devastating consequences of the climate crisis in our country,” said Panagiotis Stampoulidis, Deputy CEO of Growthfund, about the significance of the project. “This is the largest contract signed under the ‘Aegis’ National Programme to bolster the Civil Protection mechanism in Greece with modern equipment, and we are delighted that the Project Preparation Facility of Growthfund swiftly concluded this tender with transparency and efficiency.”  “Wildfires have burned on average three to five million square kilometres globally in recent years with significant environmental consequences. It is an honour to have been selected to support the combat, with our H215 helicopters, that Greek communities face every year,” said Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters. “The H215 is used around the world for firefighting missions with its ability to drop more than four tonnes of water at a time. Relying on experienced operators, such as Airtelis and SAF Aerogroup, is exactly what the French Securité Civile does. Airbus Helicopters has been a long-standing provider of helicopters for essential missions in the country and together with our GO-CO partners, we are sure that the H215 will be a vital and reliable asset,” he added. SAF Aerogroup specialises in complex helicopter operations like mountain rescue, air medical services, firefighting, and humanitarian/logistic missions, demonstrated by their 2024 H215 RescEU deployment to Greece. The group also manages high-precision lifting, maintenance, and pilot/technician training, offering comprehensive high-value air services to governmental and international organisations. Similarly, Airtelis, a French operator based in the South of France with over 60 years of experience stemming from its parent company RTE, has broadened its focus beyond power grid support to include emergency response, notably firefighting, for a wider range of national and international clients.  Airbus Helicopters has been a long-standing partner in Greece since the early 2000s in both the civil and parapublic and military sectors. The Hellenic Fire Brigade operates two Super Pumas and the Hellenic Air Force operates 12 Super Pumas. The Super Puma ecosystem in the country will benefit from the support activities and training of technicians and pilots foreseen by the contract.The H215 is a multirole helicopter that is part of the Super Puma family with over 1,100 helicopters delivered and more than 6 million flight hours under its belt. The H215 is equipped with the H225’s renowned 4-axis autopilot which enables firefighting activities to be conducted at night as well as during the day. It is deployed around the world for firefighting missions thanks to its range of around 540 NM, superior endurance of more than two hours, and its ability to transport 19 firefighters. As one of the only heavy helicopters in production that is civil certified along with its ability to be equipped with either a water bucket or a belly tank, it is the ideal complement to any country’s firefighting assets. @AirbusHeli #H215 #MakingMissionsPossible

EASA Summer Safety Campaign 2025 — Cabin Safety The Cabin Safety online event is part of the Summer Safety Campaign 2025 of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).  Join EASA, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) of Norway, Norwegian and Widerøe live from the CAE Cabin Training Centre in Oslo to discuss the key challenges of cabin safety.  The agenda of the event covers the following topics: lithium batteries fire prevention; unruly passengers; minimising turbulence injuries; and preventing crew from falling out of aircraft doors.  Charalampos Ka… Wed, 30/04/2025 – 18:31

For the second volume of his “Artbook”, Air & Space painter Damien Charrit continues his meticulous work depicting aeronautics. With some success… When aesthetics meets aeronautics… Five years ago, Air and Space painter Damien Charrit promised a sequel to his highly acclaimed “Artbook”! With this second volume, he has done just that, with a genuine invitation to discover the best that aeronautics has to offer, in terms of aircraft and the techniques used to represent them. For this work, the artist has divided the aerial portrait into eight chapters, one of which, occupying more than a third of the pages,…

We are absolutely delighted to announce that Flightradar24 recently surpassed 50,000 connected ground stations globally. On average, that’s 30% higher than other flight trackers. We want to pass on a huge thank you to everyone who feeds data to Flightradar24 – we couldn’t do it without you. Of these 50,000 stations, approximately 7,000 are Flightradar24-supplied ADS-B receiver kits, with the remainder being ADS-B receivers independently built by users. This network forms the backbone of Flightradar24’s capabilities.ADS-B, or Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast, is pivotal in modern aviation, enabling precise tracking of aircraft positions, altitudes, and other critical flight data. Flightradar24 leverages this technology…

Updated Agenda published for PNT Resilience Workshop, sign up by May 7! The agenda is now published for the Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT) Resilience Workshop that will be jointly hosted by European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) in Cologne on May 22-23, 2025. Annalisa Farina Tue, 29/04/2025 – 13:02

Bombardier Q1 2025 Revenues, Earnings, Free Cash Flow, All Jump Double-Digits Year-Over-Year, Corporation Provides Strong 2025 Guidance May 01, 2025 Victoria Drolet Mon, 04/28/2025 – 18:18 Financial Results Listing text Bombardier Q1 2025 Revenues, Earnings, Free Cash Flow, All Jump Double-Digits Year-Over-Year, Corporation Provides Strong 2025 Guidance Page category News & Events

On 24 April, Pakistan closed its airspace to Indian aircraft, cutting off a key pathway for Indian airlines to reach destinations north and west of India. The inability to fly through Pakistan has impacted Air India’s long-haul flights to North America the most, requiring new routing and fuel stops for most flights. Refueling in Vienna and Copenhagen Without access to Pakistan’s airspace, the distance from Delhi to destinations in North America becomes too great for a single flight and a fuel stop becomes necessary. Air India has established Vienna (VIE | LOWW) and Copenhagen (CPH | EKCH) as primary refueling…

Aviation Technician Meet & Greet – South Windsor, CT Madeleina Breton Mon, 04/28/2025 – 14:43 South Windsor, CT Off May 19, 2025 May 19, 2025 May 19, 2025 May 19, 2025 Event Information Career events Bombardier

Saint-Cloud, France, April 28, 2025 – The Inter-Governmental Agreement between India and France has been signed today allowing the signature, in the presence of the Chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation, Éric Trappier, of the contract for India’s acquisition of 26 Rafale Marine to equip the Indian Navy. This contract follows the announcement in July 2023 of the selection of the Rafale Marine, for which the Indian Navy will be the first user outside France, after an international consultation. It confirms the Indian authorities’ satisfaction with the aircraft’s capabilities and their desire to broaden the spectrum of its operational use.…

Anyone who has stood near an airport fence watching aircraft take off and land will likely have noticed the difference in noise levels between certain types of aircraft. Today’s commercial airliners are significantly quieter than their predecessors, thanks to decades of technological advancements in engine design, aerodynamics, and noise mitigation strategies. But what exactly makes the latest generation of jet aircraft so much quieter? Let’s take a look. Engine design and the shift to High-Bypass Turbofan enginesOne of the biggest reasons for reduced noise in modern jets is the widespread use of high-bypass turbofan engines. Early jet airliners like the Boeing…

On April 27, 2005, the Airbus A380 lifted off the runway for the first time, soaring into the skies over Toulouse, France. The Superjumbo’s first first flight marked the culmination of more than a decade’s worth of development and the beginning of an 18 month flight test campaign.  What has the A380 done more recently? The story of the A380 has become the story of Emirates, with the airline taking delivery of 123 of the 251 total A380s produced. The chart below shows the number of weekly A380 flights by airline for the week of April 14, 2025. 20 years…

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, it’s hard numbers, euphemistic language, and a bit of planes on fire. If all of the first quarter earnings reports could be summed up in a single headline, it would be: “Seeking stability in a fluid age of dynamically uncertain softening.” We review Q1 financials from Boeing, Southwest, and others to see how the aerospace industry’s largest players fared at the beginning of the year and what they think the rest of the year has in store. The FAA announces a fast-tracking of the new NOTAM system, it is now supposed to be ready…

Pakistan has closed its airspace to Indian aircraft. The move comes amid rising tensions following an attack by gunmen in Kashmir and a series of like-for-like diplomatic and administrative measures between India and Pakistan. The ban went into effect at 12:30 UTC on 24 April. A0220/25 NOTAMN Q) OPXX/QRACD/IV/NBO/W/000/999/2945N06905E999 A) OPKR OPLR B) 2504241230 C) 2505232359EST E) PAKISTAN AIRSPACE NOT AVBL FOR INDIAN REGISTERED ACFT AND ACFT OPERATED/OWNED OR LEASED BY INDIAN AIRLINES/OPERATORS INCLUDING MILITARY FLIGHTS. F) GND G) UNL) -NOTAM Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority At the time the ban went into effect two Indian registered aircraft were within Pakistan…

Continuation and conclusion of this Hollywood diptych, in which Buck Danny and his two sidekicks are given a hard time by a spy willing to do anything, especially the worst, to get his hands on a fearsome atomic weapon… In “The Red Shadow”, set in 1947, Buck and his pals Tumbler and Tuckson, invited to play World War II pilots on a film set, were up against a spy. The spy’s objective: to steal the plans for a brand-new atomic weapon. In “Atomic City”, the three pilots have to deal with him again, except this time the spy in question…

Dassault Systèmes and Airbus Extend Strategic Partnership to Use Virtual Twins for Next-Generation Programs

Dassault Systèmes: Solid start to the year with strong subscription growth, EPS at the high end of guidance

Athens, 24 April 2025 – Airbus has committed to providing full flight H160/H175 simulators for training in Brazil in 2028. The simulators will support the training needs for the growing energy sector in Latin America, demonstrating Airbus’ commitment to customer proximity and aviation safety. The H160/H175 full-flight simulators will have Level D training capabilities and will be qualified by ANAC, the Brazilian civil aviation authority. The latest Helionix version will be included in the simulator cockpits in compliance with the avionics systems of both helicopters. The simulators will also include OEM data packages, which provide the most accurate reproduction of a helicopter’s behavior – enhancing pilot readiness and operational safety.“Our customers spoke and we listened. We are extremely proud to reinforce our commitment to the Latin America region with the planned introduction of these full flight H160/H175 simulators, providing our customers with enhanced training capabilities closer to home. By staying close to our customers, we are not only supporting their operational needs and helping boost their growth trajectories, but also strengthening aviation safety across the region. This investment underscores our dedication to delivering world-class training solutions that help pilots and crews operate at the highest standards of excellence and safety,” said Romain Trapp, Executive Vice President Customer Support & Services at Airbus Helicopters.Brazil is already home to an Airbus Helicopters Simulation Academy located in Rio de Janeiro since 2015. This simulation centre has so far offered nearly 7,500 hours of simulation to almost 600 students. The new addition of the H160/H175 simulators in Brazil will multiply capacity in the region, cementing it as a major training hub in Latin America. The demand for medium helicopters in the energy sector over the next decade is expected to exceed 40 units in the Latin America region alone, doubling the number of medium helicopters currently in the region. Meanwhile, the first North American H160 Full Flight Simulator is expected to enter into service in 2026 in Grand Prairie, Texas, boosting training availability in the region. Airbus is currently exploring options to locate future H160 FFS in other growth areas such as Asia and Australia. @AirbusHeli #MakingMissionsPossible 

IMRBPB Annual Meeting 2025 The IMRBPB aims at developing higher maintenance standards and improving safety in maintenance aspects. It allows harmonization between authorities and ensures a common approach. At the IMRBPB Annual Meeting 2025, various improvements are to be agreed, among others: the update of the International Maintenance Process Standard (IMPS) document; the Maintenance Programme Development tool MSG-3; and associated Maintenance Review Board / Maintenance Type Board processes. Annalisa Farina Thu, 24/04/2025 – 18:51

London City International Airport is located in the heart of London, enabling convenient access to the city for some 3.5 million passengers per year. Because of its location, the airport requires a steeper approach path of 5.5 degrees, compared to the standard 3 degree glide slope. This in turn requires airlines to operate specially certified aircraft with specially trained crews.  As of last month, the number of certified aircraft has grown by one, allowing operations by the Embraer E195-E2, the largest aircraft to now operate at London City. On March 26th at 12:01 local time, Helvetic Airways’ first scheduled flight…

On 21 April 2025, an aircraft using the call sign WELCOME was spotted in the skies above Lviv, Ukraine. Unidentified in the Flightradar24 database at the time and operating between 5,000 and 10,000 feet, speculation grew about the identity of the aircraft and the nature of the flight. What we know Based on visual evidence from planespotters in the area and statements by the Ukrainian Air Force, we now know that the aircraft is a Ukrainian Air Force Antonov AN-26, similar to the aircraft pictured below.  A Ukraine Air Force AN-26 similar to the one spotted near Lviv this week.…

Here’s a book that pays tribute to the courageous men and women who helped France’s aeronautics industry recover from the Second World War. A book that will delight nostalgic fans and others wishing to learn more about a pivotal period in aeronautics, which saw the rise of Dassault Aviation! At the end of the Second World War, French aviation was not at its best, but the “Trente Glorieuses” were to be the period of its brilliant recovery! The result was a host of innovations of all kinds. These included the turbojet, ramjet and fan wing, supersonic flight in both military…

Ryanair (FR/RYR) are the largest Boeing 737 operator in Europe, and one of the largest in the world. We took a look at how new Boeing jets are delivered from Seattle to Ireland, and often onwards to new bases.  Ryanair’s new aircraft are typically flown from Boeing Field (BFI) in Seattle to Dublin Airport (DUB), passing over Canada, Greenland and Iceland on what is known as a ‘Great Circle route’, or the shortest direct routing between two points on the globe. Despite being an aircraft typically used on short and medium haul routes, the Boeing 737 is capable of making…

15 years ago this week, Icelandic volcano Eyjafjallajökull erupted, spewing ash high into the atmosphere and wreaking havoc on commercial air traffic in Europe and over the North Atlantic Ocean. Aircraft were grounded and millions of passengers were left stranded, some for weeks. Visualizing nothing In April 2010, Flightradar24 was much smaller, but our coverage had grown throughout Europe and we were able to capture much of the closure and restart of air traffic as the ash threat subsided. You can see the near total closure of Northern Europe to air traffic on 16 April, with just a few flights…

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, we discuss what’s known so far about the crash of a Bell 206 in the Hudson River last week. We also break down the sequence of events after the crash that led to the FAA issuing an emergency grounding order for the helicopter operator. Also this week, more tariff impacts as China reportedly tells its airlines to stop taking delivery of Boeing aircraft, while airlines are getting creative with ways to get around the tariffs. Ian geeks out over Airbus’ performance improvement package for the A330neo that increases the aircraft’s efficiency at low speeds.…

Authorities and local media are reporting that a knife-wielding man attempted to hijack a Tropicair flight from Corozal to Belize City on 17 April. The Cessna Grand Caravan EX began squawking 7700 shortly after takeoff from Corozal, indicating an emergency onboard. The aircraft landed safely in Belize City and was met by a large emergency response. Authorities report that the hijacker demanded to be flown out of the country. Tropicair flight details The flight departed Corozal at 8:17 am local time (14:17 UTC). At 14:23 UTC at an altitude of 1,025 feet, the flight began squawking 7700, the internationally recognized…

Flightradar24’s new and powerful API continues to grow, and the Flight summary API endpoint is our latest addition. Flight summary is our most requested API feature and we’re excited to release this important tool for understanding what’s happening in the sky. This versatile tool offers a concise, structured view of an entire flight — a key feature for aviation analysts, operations professionals, and developers building aviation-focused applications.Flight summary results come in two formats: Flight summary light and Flight summary full. Flight summary light includes key flight times and locations, like take off and landing as well as aircraft and operator…

What happens when an aircraft ingests not a bird, but a rabbit into the engine? Passengers on a United Airlines found out this month. Flight UA2325 was operating a scheduled flight from Denver International Airport (DEN) to Edmonton (YEG) on April 13, 2025. The aircraft left Denver at around 07:20 p.m local time, but ingested a rabbit into the number 2 (right-hand) engine during the takeoff roll. Despite some over-sensationalized media reports, the backfiring and compressor stall experienced by the engine was normal under such circumstances, and the engine was shut down successfully by the crew.  The aircraft flew several…

Airbus Helicopters’ latest helicopter has been designed to be high performance and highly efficient. Dr. Dirk Petry, Vice President H135 and H140 Programmes, explains how the programme arrived at the ideal blend. What were the key drivers for launching the Airbus H140?Dr. Dirk Petry: The major motivation is the clear market demand for efficient, high performance helicopters with larger cabins, low operating cost and an attractive acquisition price. The H140 meets this demand, providing a spacious cabin that can seat up to six passengers comfortably, in a helicopter that is easy to maintain. It is essentially an efficient, compact helicopter with an optimised cabin that performs well at altitude and in hot conditions as well. There is also a large replacement market for helicopters that are performing medical missions worldwide. The H140 is designed to perfectly meet the needs of these operators. Other helicopters offer a large cabin, but they are not optimally positioned in terms of operating cost or performance. We are bringing a product to the market which will offer a perfect combination of low operating cost, larger cabin and a better performance than its rivals. 

What is being introduced to the design of this helicopter that will ensure such a high performance?D.P.: Naturally, as it is a new helicopter, the H140 will benefit from design solutions, proven throughout the rest of the Airbus Helicopters range —and from our demonstrators such as Bluecopter. The most obvious examples are the T-shaped horizontal stabiliser, the new Fenestron design and the five-bladed rotor. What it will deliver to operators is an attractive ratio of useful load versus maximum takeoff weight (MTOW). It will be fast but with a smooth flight which will really make an impact for medical operators. Indeed, for our operators’ helicopter emergency medical service missions, the H140 will offer excellent rear-loading capability and a cabin that is the perfect size for their patients and crew—meaning a new standard in terms of the care that they can deliver. This means it will be easier to load patients onto the helicopter as well as allowing more complex intensive care missions. 

Will the Airbus H140 also deliver missions other than HEMS?D.P.: Yes, definitely. In keeping with the versatility of Airbus Helicopters’ range, the H140 will be a fully multi-mission helicopter. While we have designed a cabin with HEMS operators, like every Airbus helicopter, the H140 will feature the modularity necessary to perform a complete range of missions. As such, it is a multi-purpose helicopter, which can cover law enforcement, firefighting and ultimately all mission segments. Its large cabin, for example, will prove very interesting to the private business aviation sector. It is also well worth mentioning how seamlessly the cabin can be modified for different missions. It is designed to allow quick cabin conversions, so public service operators that fulfill a range of missions will have effortless transitions. For instance, in countries where the paramedic and firefighting services are conducted by one operator, this could be very useful.

How many people are working on the H140 programme?D.P.: There are several hundred people working on this project—across many sites. All the company is contributing to the development, production and support of this helicopter. In this context Airbus Helicopters’ site specialisation is playing a huge role. The final assembly line and the programme are based in Donauwörth (Germany) where the airframe is assembled and the airframe major component assembly is integrated as well; the dynamic components are being done in Marignane (France), Paris Le Bourget is supplying the main rotor blades and Albacete (Spain) is assembling the tail boom. This shows you the sheer scope of the project to design and deliver this helicopter. Thankfully we can count on an incredible team of colleagues to work together to do it. 

The quarterly, sister magazine to “Fana de l’Aviation”, devotes its March-April-May 2025 issue to a must-have in French aviation, the Mirage 2000D. To mark the publication of its thirteenth issue, the editors of Planète Aéro (under the direction of Alexis Rocher, also editor-in-chief of “Fana de l’Aviation”) have decided to give the lion’s share of coverage to the Mirage 2000D, which has undergone major refurbishment to enable it to remain in operation alongside the Rafale – unlike the Mirage 2000-5F, which is due to retire. The editorial team recalls the history of this air-to-ground two-seater, launched in 1988 for day…

Estimated duration: 60 minutes

EASA publishes new call for Seconded National Experts The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has launched a new call for qualified candidates interested in a fixed-term employment as Seconded National Experts (SNEs) at its headquarters in Cologne, Germany. Charalampos Ka… Fri, 11/04/2025 – 17:30

Below is the link to the latest security information on Intel® products

Evolution of European Technical Standard Order Authorisation process The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has included in the European Plan for Aviation Safety (EPAS) 2025 rulemaking task RMT.0727 for the alignment of Part 21 with Regulation (EU) 2018/1139 (EASA Basic Regulation). Charalampos Ka… Fri, 11/04/2025 – 12:09

 German helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) operator DRF Luftrettung flies one of the largest H145 fleets in the world. Now the company has taken delivery of its 40th H145, from the Airbus Helicopters site in Donauwörth. It seems that since the very beginning, the H145 and DRF Luftrettung have been a match made in heaven. The German HEMS operator took delivery of the first ever four-bladed H145 in 2014 and the helicopter soon became the backbone of its operations. Impressed by its performance DRF Luftrettung then became the first customer to upgrade a four-bladed H145 to the five-bladed version. As a HEMS operator, how a helicopter’s performance positively impacts patient care is a key factor. As a user from the very onset, they have a wealth of examples of the difference the H145 can make. “I remember one mission where I was particularly impressed by the performance of the five-bladed H145,” recalls pilot Franz Ahollinger, who has accumulated more than 5,000 flight hours in his career. “It was a typical mission for us, flying from Zwiesel in the Bavarian Forest to Regensburg with a patient requiring treatment with a mobile heart-lung machine (ECMO). We had our usual crew on board, plus a cardiologist. Together with the patient, there were six people on this flight, plus all the specialist equipment. With the five-bladed H145 we were able to carry out this mission without any problems.”

The helicopter that has it all Ahollinger has been involved in H145 operations from the start. As project manager for the introduction of the H145 into the DRF fleet, as H145 flight instructor for the DRF Luftrettung and as HEMS pilot at the DRF base in Regensburg, he has significant experience with this helicopter type. “The five-bladed H145 is the ideal helicopter for our missions,” says Ahollinger, who’s been with the DRF Luftrettung for more than 20 years and began his flying career in the German Armed Forces 32 years ago. “The cabin is large, so we can carry all the equipment we need for interhospital transfer missions, but the helicopter itself is still compact enough to land close to accident sites,” he continues. “Helionix and the five-blade rotor make the helicopter the perfect tool for our missions. From my point of view, Helionix is the best avionics system on the market, it’s very intuitive and self-explanatory, it gives the pilot the right information at the right time. The five-blade rotor makes the helicopter as smooth as a fixed-wing aircraft, which is very important for the treatment of patients in the helicopter, but also for the crew as we sometimes fly non-stop during our 12-hour shifts, especially in the summer”.

Any time, any place – the H145 is ready to save livesThe DRF Luftrettung has been relying on the five-bladed H145 in Regensburg since 2021 and flew more than 1700 missions day and night in 2024 alone. The station in Regensburg is a dual-use station (primary and secondary missions), which operates 24 hours a day. Due to its proximity to the Danube and the Bavarian Forest, water and mountain rescue operations are also carried out in the area of emergency rescue.Since 2011, the base in Regensburg has been the second air rescue station in Germany to be authorised to use night vision goggles for night rescue operations. It also provides specialised transport for patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome or cardiovascular failure, while maintaining intensive care therapy. DRF Luftrettung is one of the largest HEMS operators in Europe. DRF Luftrettung operates more than 50 Airbus helicopters at 29 bases in Germany for emergency rescue and intensive care transport, including rescue winch operations and day and night missions. In 2024, the German HEMS operator flew a total of 35,850 missions.

New Delhi, India, April 09, 2025 – Pursuing its strategic commitments to ‘Make in India’ and to promote the helicopter ecosystem in the country, Airbus Helicopters has awarded a contract for the manufacturing of the main fuselage assembly of the H130 helicopter to Mahindra Aerostructures Pvt. Ltd. in India. The contract was signed in the presence of Shri. Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, Honourable Minister of Civil Aviation, Government of India, Shri. Vumlunmang Vualnam, Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Rémi Maillard, President and Managing Director of Airbus in India and South Asia, and Dr. Anish Shah, Group CEO and Managing Director of the Mahindra Group.Mahindra will produce the H130’s main fuselage assembly, which will then be shipped to Airbus Helicopters’ facilities in Europe. Industrialisation will commence immediately, with the first cabin assembly scheduled for delivery by March 2027.“We have a strategic plan for India and we are implementing it to develop a holistic aerospace ecosystem across all dimensions: assembly, manufacturing, engineering, innovation, digital and training,” said Rémi Maillard, President and Managing Director Airbus India and South Asia. “The H130 fuselage manufacturing contract underscores Airbus’ confidence in the growing industrial excellence of the Indian supply chain, which offers the right mix of competencies and competitiveness. We are glad to extend this bond with India through our latest association with our partner Mahindra Aerostructures,” Maillard added.Mahindra already supplies a variety of parts and sub-assemblies for Airbus’ commercial aircraft programmes. The latest contract marks a significant milestone for Mahindra as it continues to expand its portfolio of capabilities from parts and sub-assemblies to larger and more complex aerostructures.Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Anish Shah, Group CEO and Managing Director of the Mahindra Group, said, “We are delighted to deepen our longstanding partnership with Airbus through this pivotal aerostructures contract. As a global leader, Airbus has played a transformative role in nurturing India’s aerospace ecosystem and showcasing it on the world stage. It is an honour for us to build on our proven track record with Airbus, harness our industrial process excellence, and embark on this new initiative. This collaboration highlights our commitment to supporting the Government of India’s flagship ‘Make in India’ program.”For Airbus, India is both a major market and a strategic resource hub. Today, every Airbus commercial aircraft has components and technologies made in India. Currently, Airbus’ annual procurement of components and services from India stands at $1.4 billion. Airbus’ efforts to mature the wider Indian aerospace ecosystem also includes the building of two Final Assembly Lines: one for the C295 military aircraft and the other for the H125 helicopter. The H130 is an intermediate single-engine helicopter tailored for passenger transport, tourism and private and business aviation, as well as medical airlift and surveillance missions. It has a wide, unobstructed cabin, which accommodates the pilot and up to seven passengers, providing outstanding visibility through a large wrap-around windscreen and wide windows. Its state-of-the-art technologies, materials, systems and avionics make it a quiet and powerful helicopter. 

Below are the new workstations certified by Dassault Systemes this March 2025 

FSTD Expert Group (FEG) Meeting 2025-01 This is the first FSTD Expert Group (FEG) meeting in 2025, open for participation to FSTD experts representing Competent Authtorities.  Annalisa Farina Mon, 07/04/2025 – 12:51

ATM/ANS Equipment Conformity Attestation Workshop The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) organises this Workshop on the ATM/ANS Equipment Conformity Attestation framework, which was recently established by Regulations (EU) 2023/1768 and (EU) 2023/1769. The Workshop objectives are to present: Charalampos Ka… Thu, 03/04/2025 – 14:44

Since 1977, operator Custom Helicopters has offered a versatile fleet to cater for any mission their customers may require. Historically focused on single-engine utility work in Canada, they recently expanded operations to include larger multi-engine aircraft. CEO Jed Hansen explains the impact the Super Puma is having on their firefighting operations.What are the particularities of operating in Canada?Jed Hansen: Our operations span coast to coast to coast in Canada, covering from the Pacific to the Atlantic and as far north as possible. The operating environment presents challenges such as varying terrain and temperatures ranging from -40 to +40°C. Additionally, Canada experiences diverse and challenging weather conditions. Our fleet of Airbus aircraft has proven to be reliable and capable in all these environments. Reliability is crucial, especially in remote areas where our customers depend on the aircraft for daily transportation. Our Airbus fleet has enabled us to provide excellent service.

Historically, Custom Helicopters’ single-engine fleet focused on utility work.
How are your Super Pumas deployed on fire suppression missions?J.H.: Primarily, the Super Pumas are used for water bombing. However, their civilian certification allows them to perform additional tasks, such as transporting crews to and from the fire line and moving people in emergency situations. For instance, during a fire that threatened a remote community, the Super Puma was instrumental in evacuating hundreds of people to a nearby airport, providing a swift and effective means to get out when there were limited options and time was critical. Another time, we evacuated a community, we got the people out, but in an emergency only essentials can come, so the pets got left behind. We worked with the community and sent in the Puma. It was quite the scene when it showed up back at the airport loaded with pet crates from front to back, floor to ceiling. Seeing all those pets being saved, reunited and the smiles on the faces of the families and specifically the kids was amazing.What are the advantages of fighting fires with a Super Puma?J.H.: The Super Puma is a proven utility aircraft capable of operating in challenging, harsh, and remote environments. It boasts an increased external gross weight compared to other variants, allowing it to lift substantial loads. With its impressive speed and range, the Super Puma can carry more fuel than other heavy aircraft while lifting the same amount of water. This capability enables extended operations on the fire line, delivering more water to combat fires threatening homes and communities. Fire operations are often conducted at remote or temporary bases rather than returning to a hangar each day. The Puma L2 has proven effective in this environment, and its 10,000 lbs of lift with a close water source means it is the leader on the amount of water it can drop on a fire in an hour. If the water is close enough, which is often the case in Canada, we can do really quick turns. If we get 10 or 12 drops an hour on a fire, we’re looking at 40,000+ litres of water, which really makes a difference. If we look at increasing capability with the addition of a tank on a Puma and we can drop water both day and night, that volume of water on a fire in a 24-hour period is material. It’s going to make a difference. Looking at the dollar cost per litre of water dropped, the Puma does start to set itself apart.

One of Custom Helicopters’ H215 helicopters, ready for action.

What is next on the horizon?J.H.: We are collaborating with United Rotorcraft and DART Aerospace as a launch customer supporting their development of a 1,000-gallon firefighting tank for the Puma family. We anticipate the tank will be available later this year. They have a proven system that is utilised on many other aircraft types, and we have no doubt this new innovative tank system will be a great new option for the Puma. The water bucket is effective, but we expect the new tank to improve our operations, particularly with night vision goggles (NVG). We anticipate that significant forest fire incidents will continue to occur, like California recently experienced, and this superior tank will significantly enhance our effectiveness.*This article was originally published in issue 137 of Rotor magazine. Discover more about the vital missions thousands of Airbus helicopter operators perform across around the world.

Design & Certification Newsletter — 2025/01 Charalampos Ka… Tue, 01/04/2025 – 13:13

BIOVIA distributes monthly updates to licensees of the Available Chemicals Directory (BIOVIA ACD) database. This Technical Note is to inform you about the release of BIOVIA Available Chemicals Directory (BIOVIA ACD) 2025.03.

BIOVIA distributes quarterly updates to licensees of the Screening Compounds Directory (BIOVIA SCD) database. This Technical Note is to inform you about the release of BIOVIA Screening Compounds Directory (BIOVIA SCD) 2025.1. 

BIOVIA distributes quarterly updates to licensees of the Toxicity database. This Technical Note is to inform you about the release of BIOVIA Toxicity 2025.1

In their latest adventures, Buck Danny and his sidekicks head down under on a mission for which the sky is no longer the limit and where the world’s air forces are henceforth grappling with the realities of the space sector. Deep space lies beyond the blue! While in the middle of performing military exercises with marines from all over the world, Buck Danny and his lifelong partners, Sonny and Tumbler, are summoned by the US Chief of Staff. Why? Because of the unexplained disappearance of a satellite from the sky above the Pacific, more specifically off the coast of Australia,…

EASA further extends consultation for proposed Means of Compliance to SC E-19 The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has further extended the consultation period for the proposed Level 2 Means of Compliance (MoC): Charalampos Ka… Fri, 28/03/2025 – 11:16

EU-Aviation Partnership Projects (APPs) Steering Committees’ Meeting 2025 The EU-funded Aviation Partnership Projects (APPs), with Latin American & the Caribbean, South-East Asia, South Asia and North Asia, are technical cooperation partnership programmes supporting EU interests linked to cooperation, safety, sustainability and resilience. Annalisa Farina Mon, 24/03/2025 – 18:15

Medidata Launches the Site Insights Program to Elevate the Site Voice for Trials

The 2025 edition of the Course du cœur is another success for the cause of organ donation and the Dassault Group team. On Sunday, March 23, 2025, our 16 runners came in first place for the fifth time among the fourteen participating companies. The Course du cœur is a sporting challenge, but above all a powerful human experience. This adventure was marked by remarkable solidarity and team spirit, which enabled the team to overcome the various challenges and difficult conditions of the race. In all, the team covered 750 km over 4 days and 4 nights between Paris and Bourg…

Dassault Systèmes announces support of his 3DEXPERIENCE and V5 Offers on Microsoft Windows 11 64-bit, Version 24H2 operating system. 

OUTSCALE Kubernetes as a Service: The first managed and dedicated platform, available within minutes on the SecNumCloud-certified public cloud

Here’s a book that tells the story of an Air and Space unit that became a legend when it was created at the very start of the Second World War. 1940. France may have been defeated on home soil, but Charles de Gaulle’s beloved (and loyal) Free France was still present in the air. One of these units, which refused to accept defeat, was called “Groupe réservé de bombardement n°1” (GRB1). In 1941, this unit was renamed “Groupe Lorraine” (now comprising two squadrons, “Metz” and “Nancy”), and began operations in Africa: Chad, Nigeria, Libya, etc. By the end of 1941,…

Summer Safety Launch Webinar – Top Safety Issues About this event  The busy summer season is approaching and for the whole month of May EASA will be hosting a summer safety campaign. The theme will be Aviate, Navigate, Communicate – Master the Basics, Manage the Risks, Make the Right Choices. This Webinar is the opening session of the summer campaign where EASA experts will outline some of the top safety challenges anticipated over the summer period.  Annalisa Farina Mon, 24/03/2025 – 13:14

The 38th edition of the Course du cœur takes place from March 19 to 23, 2025. For the 24th year running, the Dassault Group is once again supporting the Trans-Forme association. Over the course of 4 days and 4 nights, the teams (and the caravan) will cover the 750 km between Paris and Bourg-Saint-Maurice Les Arcs, via various running and cycling stages. This year’s team comprises 16 runners. They are supported by an external sponsor, Elodie Brunot, aeronautical engineer and creator of aeronautical, space and military content, and an internal sponsor, Laurent Bendavid, General Manager of Information Systems at Dassault…

This is the French adaptation of a biography written by an American about a French aviation pioneer who was once forgotten. Long before Hélène Boucher, Adrienne Bolland or Maryse Bastié, there was Marie Marvingt! While her name may resonate less today than that of the three pioneers mentioned above, her aeronautical and sporting exploits are enough to leave you breathless. Alas for the posterity of this exceptional aviatrix, they took place some fifteen years before the First World War, at the dawn of the 20th century. Born in 1875, she obtained her driver’s license in 1899, before obtaining her free…

EASA enters new era of cooperation with the German Military Aviation Authority On 20 March 2025, the Executive Director of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), Florian Guillermet, and the Director of the German Military Aviation Authority (Luftahrtamt der Bundeswehr ‘LufABw’), Major General Jan Kuebart, co-signed in Cologne a bilateral agreement and a bilateral arrangement to enhance the European aviation system’s safety through strengthened and pragmatic civil-military cooperation. Charalampos Ka… Fri, 21/03/2025 – 13:37

ICON Becomes the First Large Clinical Research Organization to Fully Integrate Medidata Clinical Data Studio, Streamlining Data Management and Review

Dassault Systèmes Intensifies the MEDIDATA Commitment to Patient Experience with Investment in Click Therapeutics for Digital Therapeutics beyond Clinical Trials

This comic book, straddling two eras, tells the story of a family and an airplane that was hit hard by the harsh realities of the Second World War. 1960s. Buenos Aires. In the streets of the Argentine capital, a Frenchman named Fabrice goes in search of a mysterious man named Alvarez, in connection with a photo story… 1939, France. The Avions Nowak company operates from a small airfield on the outskirts of Paris, developing a new aircraft, the N2. During testing, the father, Maurice, is surprised by the way the test pilot pushes the aircraft… However, it’s not the usual…

New AR Experience from Dassault Systèmes Transforms Parisian Monuments with Sustainable Energy Innovations

A comic book that tells the story of the first African American pilots and technicians who valiantly went up against the Messerschmitt and Junker planes. For those that would become the Tuskegee Airmen, it all began on September 16, 1940, even before the United States entered the war, when President Roosevelt authorized African-American technicians and pilots to join the Army Air Corps. Barely a year later, his wife, Eleanor Roosevelt, moved to the base in Tuskegee, a small town in Alabama with barely 4,000 inhabitants at the time, and home to these new units. “Time” magazine would soon devote an…

Dassault Systèmes and RWTH Aachen University Partner to Shape the Systems Engineering Skills of the Future Workforce

Dassault Systèmes announces support of his 3DEXPERIENCE on Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 operating system

BCA Special Edition Newsletter kylee.adams@in… Fri, 03/07/2025 – 23:30 Business aviation is soaring, and industry events are where game-changing decisions happen. Stay ahead with the BCA Special Edition newsletter—your exclusive source for daily event recaps, executive insights, and in-depth interviews—directly from the show floor. Gain insider access to emerging opportunities, market trends, and the key partnerships shaping the future of business aviation. Frequency Daily During Shows Email Group ID 211

This Technical Note is to inform you about the release of BIOVIA Available Chemicals Directory (BIOVIA ACD) 2025.02

BIOVIA distributes quarterly updates to licensees of the RTECS database. This Technical Note is to inform you about the release of BIOVIA RTECS 2025.1

During a press conference, Éric Trappier, Chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation, presented 2024 annual results on March 5, 2025. Find all the documents of the press conference for download. Stéphane Fort +33 (0)1 47 11 86 90 stephane.fort@dassault-aviation.com Mathieu Durand +33 (0)1 47 11 85 88 mathieu.durand@dassault-aviation.com Louis Proisy +33 (0)1 47 11 59 51 louis.proisy@dassault-aviation.com

We are providing this Technical Note to inform you about the controlled availability (CA) release of BIOVIA Chemical Registration 2025 HF1 which includes the following enhancements and fixed defects:

When calculating interfacial tension (IFT) over a temperature range in BIOVIA COSMOtherm, configuring an IFT job using the “Interfacial Properties” menu for a temperature range, the LLE is performed at the first temperature, but the equilibrium composition at this temperature is erroneously used for all subsequent temperatures. This can result in misleading interfacial tension predictions. 

A minimal shift of coordinates might be observed after transferring a molecule or reaction from BIOVIA Workbook Reaction Scheme to ChemDraw and return. 

Below are the new workstations certified by Dassault Systemes this February 2025 

This is the reissue of the autobiography of Jacqueline Auriol, considered the first French test pilot, and whose story is inseparable from that of Dassault Aviation. Long out of print, since it was first published in the 1960s, this autobiography was well worth a reappearance in bookshops. Indeed, Jacqueline Auriol’s career as an exceptional pilot is one that will never be forgotten! It all began with a first part of her life that was already unusual for the time: baptism in the air at the age of 16, marriage in 1938 to Paul, son of future French President Vincent Auriol,…

Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) matt.jouppi@av… Thu, 02/27/2025 – 18:14 img { display: block; margin: 0 auto; } The USAF’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) aims to field at least 1,000 unmanned platforms to complement the F-35 and the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) platform. Between two to eight CCAs would accompany each fighter, improving their survivability and situational awareness by acting as decoys as well as sensor and weapon platforms. Increment 1 is expected to carry Raytheon AIM-120s in the air-to-air role. More broadly, the CCA program has been marketed as a means to achieve “affordable mass”, cultivate the industrial base,…

We are pleased to announce you that two major enhancements of the 3DEXPERIENCE platform SaaS Availability console have been delivered on 02/27/2025. 

Dassault Systèmes Enters the Next Phase of Its Living Heart Project with AI-Powered Virtual Twins

In the second volume dedicated to the “Lorraine” unit, the author examines the period from their entry into the 30th Hunter Escadre, from the 1950s to the present day. Hailed as heroes of World War II with countless operations to their name, the “Groupe Lorraine” was disbanded before joining the 30th Hunter Escadre of the French Air Force in Tours in 1953, as described in the first volume. Focusing on the period following World War II, author Mathieu Mounicq tells the story of this legendary group, whose achievements from 1939 to 1945 pale in comparison to the successes that would…

Dassault Systèmes Launches SOLIDWORKS SkillForce, Its Global Initiative to Empower Students in Work-Based Learning

Dassault Systèmes Reveals the Next Dimension of Product Design and Manufacturing with Apple Vision Pro

 Estimated duration: 60 minutes

Dassault Systèmes Introduces SOLIDWORKS CPQ, Its AI-Powered Business Solution for Fast and Accurate Configure, Price and Quote Capabilities

Dassault Systèmes Announces Centric Software’s Acquisition of AI-Powered PXM Solution, Contentserv

Dassault Systèmes and KUKA Partner to Boost Robotics and Automation Efficiency for Manufacturers

When multiple licenses are present on a single Pipeline Pilot server, such as after a new license has been installed to extend the expiration date, the list of licenses displayed on the Maintenance->License page in the Pipeline Pilot Admin Portal can be incomplete. This is only a display issue; all license files anywhere in the “licensing” folder tree of the server install directory are still used for determining expiration.

This is a book by a true veteran of the French Air and Space Force, General Vincent Lanata. Born in 1935, a year after the official formation of the French Air Force (which would later become the French Air and Space Force), Vincent Lanata (also the author of “Passions, pour l’honneur de la France” (Passion, for the honor of France), published in 2024) enjoyed a rapid rise through the ranks, and has closely followed developments in military aviation since the 1950s. He obtained his pilot’s license in 1958 and was assigned to the 1/8 fighter squadron before being appointed patrol…

Dassault Systèmes’ 3DEXPERIENCE World 2025 to Explore the AI-Powered Generative Economy

Dassault Aviation takes part in the IDEX show at Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) from February 17 to 21, 2025. DASSAULT AVIATION BOOTH: 2 models (scale 1/5): Rafale C and UCAV

Whether you’re young or old, don’t miss the “Flight” exhibition at the Musée de l’Air et de l’Espace, just outside Paris, until July 27, 2025. From December 17, 2024 to July 27, 2025, the Musée de l’Air et de l’Espace at Le Bourget is hosting the “Flight” exhibition, which, as its name suggests, focuses on all flying entities: planes, of course, helicopters, drones, but also animals such as birds, bats and so on. The event draws parallels between animal species and flying machines, exploring the principles that govern the ability to fly. All these similarities are presented via a trail…

Bengaluru, India, 11 February 2025 – Himalayan Heli Services Ltd., India’s leading helicopter company in the pilgrimage and aerial work sectors, has ordered two Airbus H125 helicopters to expand its fleet. This latest order will expand Himalayan Heli’s fleet to eight H125 helicopters, making it the largest H125 multi mission operator in the country. The helicopters will be deployed for commercial air transport and aerial work missions in northern India. “Himalayan Heli Services is proud of using Airbus H125 helicopters for more than 15 years. The H125 has proven to be a safe, very versatile and most suitable helicopter for high altitude passenger flying as well as airborne geophysical survey across varied terrains. A prompt technical support by Airbus gives us much required confidence while serving in remote regions,” said T. Wangchuk Shamshu, Managing Director, Himalayan Heli Services Limited. “We are honoured that Himalayan Heli has once again chosen Airbus Helicopters’ H125 for their expanding services. This order underscores the trust that Himalayan Heli places in Airbus and highlights the expansion of our partnership,” said Sunny Guglani, Head of Airbus Helicopters in India and South Asia. “The H125 is known for its versatility and performance in high-altitude terrains. We are certain that these helicopters will be valuable assets that will enable Himalayan Heli to expand their growing network of services in the country,” he added. 

According to the Epoka 2025 ranking, Dassault Aviation remains one of the TOP 3 preferred companies in the Industry segment among students and recent graduates. Also according to the 12th edition of this benchmark ranking in France, our company is ranked in the TOP 10 of the general barometer on a panel of nearly 300 employers from all sectors. The data from the Epoka 2025 study, carried out in collaboration with the Ifop Group’s Occurrence agency, VL Media and France Travail, covers almost 13,000 young people aged between 20 and 30, students or recent graduates from engineering and management schools…

Dassault Aviation joins the top 100 IT companies in 2025. With a score of 7.79/10, Dassault Aviation has climbed to 2nd place on the podium in the Aerospace & Defense category, earning the awards for “Excellent Employer”, “Attractive Employer” and “Employer of Trust” in the IT professions in its sector. In terms of overall ranking, Dassault Aviation becomes the 3rd Top Employer in the digital sector, all business sectors included. In terms of methodology, the 2025 survey by the independent consultancy Pro-Conso France is based on in-depth analysis of a panel of 686 companies selected from a base of 8,000…

Dassault Aviation takes part in the Aero India show at Bengaluru from February 10 to 14, 2025. Dassault Aviation booth: 2 models (scale 1/5): Rafale C Indian Air Force and Rafale M

In the latest adventures of “Les Chevaliers du ciel”, the risk of a fratricidal confrontation between Tanguy and Laverdure has never seemed so imminent. In previous volumes, Tanguy and Laverdure found themselves at odds with the opposing army, the CIA and a corrupt industrialist from an imaginary country called “Khuranie”, and had to avoid conflict at all costs… In the wake of this explosive situation, Tanguy finds himself imprisoned in enemy territory in this new volume. Against his will, Tanguy is forced to train Chinese pilots, whose main air activity consists in violating the airspace of Jinian Island, a highly…

BIOVIA distributes quarterly updates to licensees of the Toxicity database. This Technical Note is to inform you about the release of BIOVIA Toxicity 2024.2

BIOVIA distributes monthly updates to licensees of the Available Chemicals Directory (BIOVIA ACD) database. This Technical Note is to inform you about the release of BIOVIA Available Chemicals Directory (BIOVIA ACD) 2025.01

Founded in 1957, the quarterly aviation magazine honors the Mirage III, one of Dassault Aviation’s most emblematic aircraft. “Icare”, the benchmark magazine for French aviation, has chosen the Mirage III to kick off 2025 by featuring this legendary aircraft on its front page. The editorial team takes a look back at the first flight of the Mirage III prototype in 1956, and the aircraft’s added value: navigation at very low altitude with little visibility, but at high speed! To this end, the magazine team asked Colonel Antoine, who flew many hours on the Mirage III, to detail the history and…