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This airworthiness directive (AD), which covers select Airbus AS350 helicopters, was prompted by a report of a gap between the bolted assemblies under the attachment fittings of the main gearbox (MGB) suspension bars. The AD, effective Apr. 29, requires replacing any affected front and rear attachment fittings, screws, nuts, and washers of the MGB suspension bars, and prohibits installing any affected parts unless they are new (never previously installed).

The US Army has awarded Boeing a $324 million contract for six CH-47F Block II Chinook helicopters, increasing the total on order to 24 and accelerating delivery of critical capability to troops.

(ANTARA) – The Indonesian National Search and Rescue (SAR) Agency, Basarnas, has located the debris suspected to be part of an Airbus H130 PK-CFX helicopter that reportedly lost contact and crashed Apr. 16 in a forest area in Sekadau District, West Kalimantan.

The US Senate Commerce Committee’s advancement of the Mental Health in Aviation Act Apr. 14 is an important step toward modernizing aviation mental health policy. This bipartisan bill moves the conversation in the right direction by helping address outdated barriers, reduce stigma, and support a safer system for pilots, air traffic controllers, and the broader aviation community. VAI appreciates the committee’s leadership on this issue and applauds the Pilot Mental Health Campaign for its advocacy efforts to move this bill forward.

The FAA has proposed an airworthiness directive (AD) for select Airbus Helicopters models that requires additional safety labels to improve emergency sliding-door exit instructions and address a safety concern.

The House of Representatives on Apr. 14 overwhelmingly approved the Airspace Location and Enhanced Risk Transparency (ALERT) Act of 2026. The bipartisan legislation was introduced in February following the conclusion of the full investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) of the January 2025 midair collision between American Airlines Flight 5342 and a US Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (KDCA). VAI applauds the passage of the ALERT Act and appreciates the bipartisan leadership behind this effort. The bill represents a broad effort to address the aviation safety issues identified through the NTSB’s investigation and to strengthen safety across the US National Airspace System.

NHV is adding Airbus H160 helicopters to its offshore fleet to boost efficiency, safety, and sustainability across European and African energy operations, with the first commercial flights expected in May 2026.

Aviation Specialties Unlimited (ASU) has modified a Wildhorse Helicopters Bell 47 for night-vision goggle flights supporting tests for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) deliveries. The aim is to capture nighttime imagery during realistic night-flight operations, with obstacles, to aid the development of drones’ ability to receive, interpret, and make sense of that data.

This airworthiness directive (AD), which supersedes AD 2025-05-09, requires revising the airworthiness limitations section of the existing maintenance manual or instructions for continued airworthiness and the existing approved maintenance or inspection program, as applicable. The AD is effective May 19, 2026.

The OEM has received FAA approval for an MD 530N upgrade designed to improve performance with a more powerful engine while preserving NOTAR (“no tail rotor”) advantages.