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United Rotorcraft Solutions Delivers Completed 407 to Rolling V Ranch

United Rotorcraft Solutions (URS) delivered Rolling V's completed new Bell 407 on August 8, 2007. Rolling V Ranch, of Ft. Worth, TX, will utilize the aircraft for corporate operations. URS customized the 407 with a full avionics suite incorporating the Chelton synthetic EFIS, Garmin VHF/GPS/Comm GNS530AW, VHF-2/Comm SL-40, XM Weather Radio, KRA405B Radar Altimeter and Avidyne TCAD.

The entertainment system integration consists of a DVD Player with Monitor and MP3 audio input. Added corporate amenities include a deluxe full leather interior, passenger briefing system, tinted windows and air conditioning. The exterior was painted pearl white with red and gold accents per Rolling V's design to include the ranch's brand.

Donn Purcell, who pilots the aircraft for Rolling V states, "URS completed the customization in a timely fashion and slightly under their price quote with the end result being nothing short of EXCELLENT.

S-92 Makes First Flight in Denmark

The Sikorsky S-92 helicopter has entered into service on the west coast of Denmark. The introduction of the S-92 helicopter in Denmark occurred on July 3 when the S-92 helicopter made its first revenue flight for CHC Denmark. From their base in Esbjerg, CHC Denmark will operate three S-92 helicopters for Maersk Oil and Gas in Denmark. Maersk recently renewed its contract with CHC Denmark for five years, incorporating the S-92 helicopter into its plan as a replacement for a fleet of Super Pumas.

Two more S-92 helicopters are scheduled to enter service during the second half of 2007. "The S-92 has become an extremely popular aircraft in the Sikorsky product line, experiencing unprecedented demand with several offshore operators and recently expanding into dedicated search and rescue missions in the U.K. This new beginning for the S-92 helicopter in Denmark is further validation of this aircraft's capabilities," said Stephen B. Estill, Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer.

RTM322 Achieves Certification

The most powerful version of the RTM322 turboshaft engine to date has received its Civil Type Certificate from EASA. It has been tailored specifically to operate in the NH90 in arduous 'hot and high' conditions.

The 'Step 0' engine has a 30-minute take-off rating of 2.580shp and has a seven per cent power increase over the RTM322-01/9 variant. It has been selected by the Royal Air Force of Oman to power its fleet of 20 twin-engined NH90 helicopters and engine deliveries to the helicopter's final assembly line at Eurocopter are already underway.

In addition, an RTM322-01/9A powered helicopter is undergoing trials in Oman, operating successfully in ambient temperatures of up to 48° Celsius.

U.K. Still Facing Defense Spending Questions Despite Increase

Faced with tackling two overseas conflicts while financing expensive long-term equipment projects, the United Kingdom confronts tough choices concerning its future defense spending. According to a recent Forecast International U.K. Military Markets report, an array of factors have combined to form the British military's current funding dilemma in spite of the British Ministry of Defense's recent announcement of a three-year, GBP7.7 billion ($15.87 billion) defense budget increase.

A high operational tempo, costly defense programs that soak funds from immediate battlefield material needs, and past government refusals to recognize that an armed force undergoing combat operations cannot operate on a peacetime spending platform all have combined to serve as elements of a larger problem.

Air Methods Delivers EC145 EMS Helicopter to Stanford Life Flight

Air Methods Products Division announced that they have delivered a new EMS equipped EC145 helicopter to Stanford Life Flight in Palo Alto, CA. The first patient transport in the new aircraft was completed on July 12, 2007. The aircraft is capable of transporting one patient with up to four medical attendants or two patients with two attendants. The aircraft can also accommodate special medical mission teams such as neonatal, LVAD or IABP patient transportation.

The aircraft cockpit is night vision imaging system (NVIS) compatible and is configured for single pilot IFR operations. The integrated avionics suite features dual GNS-430W GPS/Communication units and a GMX-200 MFD that can display navigation information from the GPS receivers, weather information from the on-board GDL-69A satellite data link and RDR-2000 weather radar, terrain data from a Honeywell Mark XXI EGPWS and traffic data from the dual GTX-330 Mode-S transponders.

VNE Increase for Hummingbird

Vertical Aviation Technologies, Inc., Orlando, Florida announces an increase in maximum airspeed (Vne) for the Hummingbird helicopter. With the new upper fairing installed Vne has been increased to 115 knots (132 mph) indicated airspeed at sea level. For those with the need for speed this modification also reduces fuel consumption, engine oil temperature and vibration at the tail rotor.

The new fairing is made from composite materials, quiets the cabin and is standard on all Hummingbird kits. While previously FAA certified as a commercial helicopter, the Hummingbird is sold in kit form making it the only helicopter kit that went thru stringent engineering and flight testing.

"It is important to note that the Hummingbird was designed to be a certified helicopter, so this is a real advantage over conventional experimental kits" explains Brad Clark President of Vertical Aviation Technologies. The Hummingbird 260L already represents a very strong value offering the highest level of standard equipment and best performance.

United Rotorcraft Solutions Awarded Completions Bid from Hillsborough County, Flordia

United Rotorcraft Solutions (URS) has been awarded the completions contract for a Eurocopter AS350B2 for the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office (HCSO).

URS will complete the helicopter per the bid specifications which include a Garmin Comm/Nav/GPS; Honeywell Comm and a Technisonic FM transceiver. All cockpit lighting and instrumentation will be NVG certified. Some of the specific mission equipment to be installed is the FLIR 8500, the Nightsun XP searchlight, the BMS Microwave system and an external rescue hoist. URS will also paint the exterior to the HSCO scheme.

David Brigham, President/Owner, says "We at URS are very excited and proud to have been selected by Hillsborough County for this project. We are committed to providing the best support possible to the Airborne Law Enforcement and Air Medical Community."

Canada Certifies AFS High-Performance Engine Filter for AgustaWestland A119s

St. Louis, Missouri, July 17, 2007 – Aerospace Filtration Systems, Inc. (AFS) has received a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) from Transport Canada (TC) for an Inlet Barrier Filter (IBF) system for the AgustaWestland A119 Koala helicopter. The approval clears the way for Canadian Koala operators to maximize engine protection while reaping performance and maintenance benefits from proven technology.

AFS representatives said paperwork has also been submitted for European EASA approval of the A119 barrier filter, allowing the use of the new inlet option for all operators.

The IBF system for A119 Koalas features flat filter assemblies with an integral bypass design. A filter maintenance aid allows for on-condition status checks between established cleaning intervals, eliminating unnecessary service. No restrictions are imposed for flight in falling or blowing snow or with visible moisture in non-icing conditions. The system is already in use by Koala operators performing law enforcement, firefighting, utility and maritime surveillance missions across the globe.

Italian Navy Successfully Concludes Aspide / Albatros System Firing Campaign

The Italian Navy has successfully concluded its live firing campaign of the ASPIDE missile launched from the naval surface-to-air ALBATROS system. Comprising five live firings carried out at sea at the Joint Firing Test Range of Salto di Quirra (PISQ) in Sardinia, Italy, the firing campaign was conducted as an ongoing training exercise for the crews on board ships of the Italian Navy .

All five missiles were fired from the updated version of the ALBATROS system onboard five different ships: the frigates FFG Grecale, Espero and Aviere, the destroyer DDG Durand de La Penne and the aircraft carrier CG Garibaldi. In each case the target was a MIRACH 100/5 drone flying at altitudes ranging from between 50 and 3500 meters and at a speed of 180 m/sec. Engagement distances were between 12 and 20 km with intercept ranges between 8,5 and 12,5 km. Each one of the missiles launched registered the required miss distance from the target.

All onboard firing activities were carried out by the Italian Navy. PISQ tele-recorded the activities and collected all the relevant flight information, such as radar/optical trajectography, according to its standard procedures.

ARH Program Surpasses 750 Flight Test Hours

Bell Helicopter, a subsidiary of Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT), announced that the Army's Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter program, continuing to progress at an unprecedented pace for a major program, has surpassed the 750 test flight hours mark in less than two years from contract award.

The Bell ARH Program Manager, Bob Ellithorpe, commented, "The aircraft continues to perform well. The joint Bell/Army team close working relationship has allowed us to keep the rapid pace of development and I expect it to continue right through delivery to the soldiers in the field."

Much of the ARH increased performance is a result of a new engine integrated into the proven Bell 407 airframe. The Honeywell HTS900-2 engine has successfully completed over 175 hours of flight testing and continues to demonstrate exceptional performance. Other recent accomplishments include expanding the ceiling envelope to 14,000 feet, flight testing with external weapon stores.