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The University of North Dakota (UND) Aerospace now offers a bachelor of science degree in helicopter operations, establishing a dedicated academic program for helicopter flight training separate from the school’s commercial aviation (airplane) degree. This distinction recognizes the unique skills, training, and career pathways associated with professional helicopter operations.

“Delivering the 5,000th R44 Raven II reflects the enduring trust operators around the world place in Robinson,” said David Smith, president and CEO of Robinson Helicopter Co., in an announcement about the OEM’s milestone. “The R44 remains the most widely sold and flown light civil helicopter on the planet because it delivers unmatched reliability, low direct operating costs, and multimission versatility.”

Safety professionals know where the risks are. The Air Charter Safety Foundation (ACSF) Safety ROI Calculator makes them presentable.

(Helicopter Investor) – GD Helicopter Finance (GDHF) has ditched plans to buy rotary operator and maintenance and training business NHV Group following the Belgian government’s decision to block the proposed deal.

(Space.com) – The US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) SkyFall mission will send a trio of mini rotorcraft to Mars equipped with ground-penetrating radar technology that happens to look like little capes. NASA plans to launch the mission to the Red Planet in 2028.

(Vertical Plus) – As workforce shortages continue to pressure operators across the helicopter industry, maintenance leaders say attracting and retaining technicians will require more than simply filling vacancies. The challenge is developing maintainers who understand the pace, accountability, and technical demands of rotary-wing operations, and who are prepared to build long-term careers within them.

(YouTube) – Go behind the scenes of the successful first-ever run of the GT50, the engine that will power Hill Helicopters’ HX50 aircraft. Watch footage from this major milestone, hear from the team that made it happen, and discover what comes next for the development program.

The newest aircraft will be stationed at the critical-care transport service’s Lancaster, Pennsylvania, base, joining of two other Airbus H155 aircraft.

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2015-20-12 for certain Carson, Croman, Glacier, Robinson Air Crane, Sikorsky, and Siller helicopters regarding the aircraft’s main rotor shafts (MRS). The new AD, effective Sep. 10, 2026, retains some of the requirements of the original rule while reducing the retirement life for a certain MRS installed on certain helicopters, among other details.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bell Textron Canada Model 505 helicopters. The AD, which takes effect Sep. 10, 2026, requires a one-time visual inspection for proper installation of the washer on the pitch link assembly and, depending on the results, taking corrective action.