Sikorsky Aircraft and China Aviation Industry Corp (AVIC) on Monday marked the completion of the first S-76++ airframe made in China. The helicopter is being built under an agreement between Sikorsky and Change Aircraft, a subsidiary of AVIC. The companies will transfer the airframe to Sikorsky Global in Coatesville, Penn., for modifications. More airframes will follow in 2010. For related news
Cobham HeliSAS Obtains STC
Mineral Wells, Texas-based Cobham Avionics has received an FAA supplemental type certificate to install its HeliSAS on the Robinson R44. The company is also pursuing STCs on the Bell 206/407, Eurocopter AS350 and Bell-built TH-57s in use with the U.S. Navy. HeliSAS is a two-function autopilot for flight control with a stability augmentation system (SAS). For related news
Cover Story Heroes: Defined
Cool composure in the midst of chaos. Presenting the winners of the 2009 Rotor & Wing Helicopter Herosim Awards, who personify the meaning of the word heros. PUBLIC SERVICE/SAR U.S. Coast Guard 2008 Alaska Ranger One of the Largest Coldwater Rescues in...
The Different Faces of SAR Training
Priority 1 considers cross training, crew interoperability and teamwork as fundamental to its Class D basic hoist rescue course. TRAINING/SEARCH & RESCUE Search and rescue (SAR) is a crowded arena with many players—from the U.S. military and Coast Guard (USCG) to local police and fire... More »
Rotor & Wing honored the winners of the 2009 Helicopter Heroism Awards during a luncheon at the Search & Rescue Summit in September. From left to right are Maryland State Police Sgt. Nate Wheelock and Pilot Jim MacKay; U.S. Park Police Sgt. Jeffrey Hertel; Diane Ramage, wife of U.S. Forest Service Inspector Pilot James Ramage, who accepted the award on his behalf; U.S. Park Police Sgt. Kevin Chittick; Ginger Ramage, daughter of James Ramage; and U.S. Coast Guard Lt. Steve Bonn, Lt. Brian McLaughlin and AMT2 Robert DeBolt. Not shown is Coast Guard AST2 O’Brien Hollow, who also took part in the 2008 USCG rescue operation involving the Alaska Ranger. Photo by Mark Cavich.
