Resource Hub

(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.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Helicopters Model AS350B, AS350BA, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350D, EC130B4, and EC130T2 helicopters. The AD, effective Sep. 10, 2026, requires inspecting the main gear box engine coupling for correct installation and, depending on the results, taking corrective action.

The aircraft will replace an AS350 B3 currently in service at the Baltimore (Maryland) County Police Department (BCPD).

Bell profiles customer Air Zermatt, illustrating how the Swiss operator employs a Bell 429 for rescue missions varying from performing a hoist at 16,000 ft. to saving a climber who’s fallen over 1,600 ft. down a steep ice wall.