Resource Hub

(Urban Air Mobility) – The FAA is forecasting that by the end of year one of advanced air mobility (AAM) aircraft entering into service, there will be a total of seven aircraft flying, operating 24,600 departures. The agency projects that each aircraft would conduct 28 trips a day, on average.

(DroneLife) – Archer First Response Systems is supporting a drone program designed to deliver whole blood directly to emergency scenes in Hillsborough County, Florida. The program aims to deliver whole blood to severe hemorrhagic trauma scenes in under three minutes on average.

(DroneLife) – Cleveland Clinic has launched a drone delivery program for prescription medications, becoming the first US health system to establish a long-term drone delivery service for patients. The program, operated in partnership with Zipline, is already making deliveries to eligible patients in the East Side suburbs of Cleveland, Ohio’s.

(Autonomy Global) – In the first hours after a natural disaster, drones are among the most valuable tools available to emergency responders. But as the hours turn into days and more actors enter the airspace, the very technology that accelerates response can begin to complicate it.

The Boeing Co. and Archer Aviation announced Aug. 10 that they have signed definitive agreements in which Archer will acquire Boeing’s Wisk Aero, SkyGrid, and Insitu subsidiaries. The deal will combine complementary capabilities in aviation autonomy, electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, and unmanned aircraft systems. In conjunction with the transaction, Boeing and Archer are entering into a collaboration and technology-sharing arrangement through which Boeing will retain access to the Wisk core autonomous flight technology for its current and next-generation commercial and defense aircraft.

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.