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Boeing and the Blimp?
Some of us who headed to Montreal in early May for the American Helicopter Society International's annual gathering were intrigued by hints that Boeing would break some news there. Specifically, a well-informed insider or two at the Army Aviation Assn of America yearly convention a month earlier had said Boeing was on the verge of unveiling a partnership aimed at fielding a lighter-than-air, heavy-lift concept. AHS's Technical Forum in Montreal was likely to be the venue for an announcement, given the forward-looking, technical nature of that event. There was some thought that the company envisioned pairing a version of a blimp with its Chinook helicopter--or dynamics components from it. Whatever the form of the aircraft, its objective would be to satisfy heavy-lift requirements of the U.S. Army and other military services that threaten to rapidly exceed the capabilities of traditional rotorcraft. Those requirements remain in a high state of flux. But the Technical Forum came and went with no announcement; word was the Boeing was still ironing out the details of the partnership. So the question lingers: Whence Boeing's blimp? For related news
Enstrom Helicopter reports it has completed training of pilots and mechanics from the Peruvian navy. They will be flying and supporting the six Enstrom F-28F piston trainers that service ordered this year. The Peruvians trained on the first two of the service's aircraft, which are to be shipped from the company's Menominee, Mich. factory shortly. The helicopters are to be used primarily for flight training, but also will fly search, surveillance and cargo missions.
Cover Story World Roundup: Around the World Airborne Police are Climbing High
Growing recognition of homeland security needs, the availability of funding to meet them, and new equipment to support those missions are lifting police air units from England to Indonesia. Law enforcement agencies across the globe are recognizing the value...
Ernie Stephens
Market Round-Up: Europe: Shifting From Hardware To Operator Services
With operators seeking lower operating costs and more efficient support, OEMs are moving toward managing life-cycle costs. PARIS — Europe’s helicopter industry is preparing for major changes in the way it does business. These are not all yet clearly visible, and depend to a large extent on how... More »
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