Yamaha aims to unlock US and EU markets with agricultural drone

Until Amazon secures regulatory approval to deliver parcels to our homes using drones, one of the hottest battlegrounds in the fast-evolving market for unmanned aerial vehicles is where you might least expect a technology revolution — agriculture. And that is where Japanese drone technology, dating back to the late 1980s, comes in.

Iraq Wants to Purchase Helicopters From UK

BAGHDAD – The Iraqi Federal Government is asking the UK to continue its support in the fight against terrorism. Baghdad is looking to purchase helicopters and military equipment from the UK. The Media and Communication office of the Iraqi Ministry of Interior has released a statement revealing that Iraqi Minister of Interior Mohammed al-Ghabban met with the British Ambassador to Iraq Frank Baker to discuss the current security situation in the country and the latest developments regarding Islamic State (IS).

Iran-made helicopters to line in armed fleet

TEHRAN, Jul. 05 (MNA) – Iranian commander recounted the timeline for implementing Iranian helicopters in Islamic Republic of Iran Army Aviation (IRIAA).Brigadier General Ahmad Reza Pourdastan, the Commander of the Iranian Army’s Ground Forces, told reporters about the Iranian helicopters under manufacturing in PANHA Company sponsored by the IRIAA.The commander speculated that the new choppers would get lined in IRIAA fleet before March 2016 in a ceremony to mark the event.Earlier in February the Managing Director of PANHA Company General Mohammad Ahmadabadi had told media that the domestically designed helicopter of Iran dubbed as Homa had passed the flight tests.General Ahmadabadi had also said that Homa is a two-cylinder-engine helicopter with 14 seats, fit for all weather conditions of Iran.

Philippine military plans upgrades of Central Command’s air, naval assets

More hangars will be put up for fighter aircraft, transport aircraft, and helicopters, Philippine Air Force chief Lt. Gen. Jeffrey F. Delgado said. “We will hopefully increase the number of aircraft here when the new aircraft arrives. Because of its (CENTCOM) strategic location, it can support both northern Luzon and the southern part of the Philippines,” said in an interview. Upgrades for CENTCOM will increase the country’s additional capacity to conduct increased maritime patrol and surveillance over its western and southern territories, a region that is also claimed by China.

Long Island National Guard aviation support company gets new commander on Saturday

RONKONKOMA, N.Y. (06/26/2015)(readMedia)– New York Army National Guard Major Eric Fritz, a Webster, N.Y. resident, a veteran of the War in Afghanistan, and a CH-47 Chinook helicopter pilot, takes command of Company B of the 642nd Aviation Support Battalion Saturday morning, June 27, at the Army Aviation Support Facility here at Islip MacArthur Airport.The unit provides logistics and maintenance support to the 42nd Combat Aviation Brigade, and last returned from deployment to Kuwait in August 2014.Fritz takes command from Major Shawn Hatch, from Highland, N.Y., who has led the company since March 2012. Hatch is a veteranof the Iraq War.

Rochester National Guard Chinook helicopter company gets new commander…

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (06/26/2015)(readMedia)– New York Army National Guard Capt. Kenneth Hilkert, a Seneca Falls resident, takes command of Detachment 1, Company B of the 3rd Battalion, 126th Aviation Regiment Sunday morning, June 28 at the Army Aviation Support Facility here. The unit operates CH-47 Chinook helicopters, providing heavy lift support to Army and joint forces. Hilkert takes command from Capt. Brendan Flansburg from Clay, New York, who led the unit since August 2013.Both the incoming and outgoing commanders of the unit flew as pilots with the detachment during deployments to Afghanistan.

The Sikorsky BLACK HAWK helicopter cockpit program involves the manufacture of cockpits…

Kaman Corporation (NYSE:KAMN) stated gains of 113,537 shares or 6% in the short interest. The short interest registered from 1,888,777 on May 29,2015 to 2,002,314 on June 15,2015. In terms of floated shares, the shorted positions stood at 7.5%. The stock has been averaging 66,482 shares daily in trading and would need 30 days to cover the shorts. The information was released by Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc (FINRA) on June 24th.

Airbus’ H160 is promised to be its quietest, most energy-efficient…

These projects are part of the company´s mid- and long-term research and development strategy to provide innovative solutions to reduce operating and maintenance costs while improving environmental protection, safety, quality and performance.The H160 is displayed on Airbus Group’s Eco Way as the rotorcraft that will be 15% to 20% more energy efficient thanks to Turbomeca’s new generation Arrano engines. It will also have reduced fuel consumption combined with a use of innovative and lighter materials including composites. The CO2 emissions will be 20% less per passenger compared to the current range. Sound levels will be reduced by up to 50% compared to the current range and 70% below the regulation. This is mainly thanks to sound reduction technologies such as the Blue Edge® rotor blades and Fenestron®.

Eurocopter (EC) 135 twin-engine helicopter, is the same aircraft that is currently providing about 25 percent of the world’s total emergency…

North Platte, NE – Great Plains Health says the LifeNet of the Heartland base location received accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems on June 2. CAMTS is designed to improve the quality of patient care and safety during transport for services providing rotor-wing, fixed-wing and ground transport systems. The commission, consisting of 21 nonprofit organizations, is a peer review organization dedicated to improving the quality and safety of medical transport services.

Will Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) Keep up with Analyst Expectations?

Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) reported an earnings surprise of -6.12% when the company last reported earnings for the period ending on 2015-03-31. The reported EPS of $0.46 was $-0.03 away from what Wall Street analysts had expected. A significant surprise factor often results in stock volatility and sharp price movements following the earnings announcement. In terms of sales expectations, the surprise factor in per share dollar terms was $-102.15 away from what analysts had projected for the quarter, or a difference of -3.217%.

California wildfire rages as firefighters scramble for water amid record drought

A week-old wildfire in southern California picked up steam late on Thursday and early Friday as firefighters in the drought-stricken state struggled to find enough water to contain the blaze. The fire has so far consumed about 40 square miles of the San Bernardino mountains, about 90 miles east of Los Angeles. It is one of several fires spreading along the west coast this week, and one of 2,500 fires to break out this year alone in California. The wildfires have been exacerbated by the historic drought in western states. Almost 70% of California is considered to be in “extreme to exceptional drought”, according to the National Drought Mitigation Center.

HAL Selects Airborne Navigation System For Light Utility Helicopter Program

India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has chosen L-3 Aviation’s L-3AP Tactical Airborne Navigation System (TACAN+) for its new Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) program. The TACAN+ transceiver is a small tactical airborne navigation system used for tracking up to four ground stations simultaneously within its range. The system can be installed on rotary- and fixed-wing platforms for use in air-to-air and air-to-ground applications. HAL developed the new LUH to accommodate the reconnaissance and utility rotorcraft needs of the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Indian Army.

Era Group Inc. opens Super Base, adopts Sikorsky S-92 helicopter

STRATFORD, Conn., 26 June 2015. Era Group Inc. (NYSE:ERA), a helicopter transport operator, opened its Super Base, a 35-acre passenger terminal and climate-controlled hangar in Houma, La., and took delivery of a S-92 helicopter from Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX).The new Houma base is equipped with state-of-the-art technology and safety systems, increased security screening, and value-added conveniences and processes for passengers and employees. It also features enhanced storm protection, reduced flyaway limitations, and an infrastructure equipped to provide increased reliability of flight operations in all weather conditions.

Sci-fi personal jetpack available to consumers in 2016 for £95,000

A New Zealand firm has announced that a personal jetpack similar to those seen in a multitude of sci-fi movies will be available for the public to purchase in mid-2016 for the princely sum of $150,000 (£95,300). Martin Aircraft Company, based in Christchurch, has been developing the Martin Jetpack since 1980, and after being featured for years on tech journalists’ wish lists and top inventions of the 21st century, the finished product is finally almost ready for consumers. The Martin Jetpack is powered by a V4 200 horsepower petrol engine controlling two ducted fans. Using vertical take-off and landing (VTOL), it can fly at a speed of 74km/h, gaining altitudes of up to 1,000m, for just over 30 minutes at a time.

Atlantic Airways orders two AW139s

Atlantic Airways has signed a contract with AgustaWestland for two AW139 intermediate twin helicopters, the company announced on 22 June.The helicopters will be used for passenger transport and search and rescue operations within the Faroe Islands. The first helicopter will be delivered in late 2015, followed by the second in spring 2016. They will replace Atlantic Airways’ two B412 helicopters currently in operation.The contract marks the first sale of the AW139 for AgustaWestland in Faroe Islands.Jørgen Holme, CEO, Atlantic Airways, said: ‘This is a significant improvement of our helicopter service as the old helicopters are downgraded as new and stricter regulations are introduced in the field. With AW139 helicopters, we are acquiring a modern fleet ready for the future, and which meets all relevant standards.’

UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter in process of landing, another damaged during strong winds at Fort Rucker

Two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters were damaged due to high winds at Lowe Army Airfield in Enterprise on Tuesday evening, Fort Rucker officials released.One of the helicopters was in the process of landing with three personnel on board at the time of the incident. No one was injured.The second helicopter was unoccupied and tied down.Fort Rucker officials are still assessing the extent of the damage.The airfield also experienced multiple downed trees, power outages and localized flooding, which has subsided.Power outages have also been repaired.

U.S. military may adopt hoverbikes, Star Wars-style

Hoverbike engineers at U.K.-based Malloy Aeronautics say they’ve reached a deal with the Maryland-based manufacturer (and longtime government contractor) Survice and the U.S. Department of Defense to develop the technology for military purposes.ADVERTISING”I am pleased to join with SURVICE Engineering and Malloy Aeronautics to announce their partnership on the Hoverbike, which represents a new frontier in aviation,” Maryland Lt. Governor Boyd Rutherford said at the Paris Air Show earlier this month. “We are also very excited to welcome Malloy and look forward to working with them to grow their operations in Maryland.”

France, Saudi Arabia, sign $12 bln worth of contracts

PARIS – France and Saudi Arabia are set to sign several contracts worth a total of $12 billion, announced French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius on Wednesday.The contracts are in the fields of defense, civil aviation, solar and nuclear energy and military training, said Fabius.Speaking at a press conference with his Saudi counterpart Adel bin Ahmed al-Jubeir following the first “Franco-Saudi Joint Commission” meeting in Paris, Fabius said: ” We will sell military, commercial airplanes to Saudi Arabia.”The announcement comes as Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Second Deputy Premier and Minister of Defense, is visiting Paris.

Aspen Avionics Acquires GPS Manufacturer Accord Technology

Aspen Avionics has purchased Accord Technology, which manufactures the NexNav GPS sensors and was the first GPS manufacturer to receive FAA authorization for meeting Technical Standard Order C145c.Accord Technology manufactures a line of three GPS receivers: the NexNav Mini, NexNav Max and NexNav Micro. The company is a joint venture of Accord Software & Systems of Bangalore, India, and AvValues of Phoenix and is a supplier to many avionics manufacturers. Aspen Avionics will retain the Accord offices and production facility in Phoenix, and the combined companies will be named Aspen Avionics, while retaining the NexNav brand name. AvValues founder Hal Adams will be executive vice president of business development for the new company.

Jackson assumes control of Utility Helicopters

It’s the season for change within the Program Executive Office for Aviation.Thursday marked one of the organization’s key leadership changes, one of several this summer, when Col. Thomas Todd relinquished responsibility of the project office for Utility Helicopters to Col. Billy Jackson during a change of charter ceremony at Bob Jones Auditorium.Jackson is returning to PEO Aviation after recently having served as the Army acquisition executive’s chief of staff. Jackson also previously served as the product manager for the UH-60M Black Hawk in the Utility Helicopters Project Office, as well as the assistant product manager for Air Warrior.

AgustaWestland chopper scam: No corruption by ex-IAF chief SP Tyagi, says Italian court

In a major twist in the UPA government’s biggest defence kickback scam, an Italian court has said that it has found no evidence of corruption by former Indian Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal SP Tyagi. The scandal had rocked the then Manmohan Singh government to its very core. Now, with the Italian court giving a clean chit to SP Tyagi, certain questions would certainly be asked and most shattering of them is: Was there really a scam at all?

Washington Fire Burning Near Nevada State Line Prompts Dense Smoke Advisory

Wildfires are tearing through some drought-stricken areas of California. They include a massive blaze in a remote area and some smaller but dangerous fires. Here’s a look at the latest hotspots and what crews are doing to control them.Air tankers and helicopters helped hundreds of firefighters battle the Washington Fire south of Lake Tahoe that has burned nearly 15 square miles of timber and grass. No structures have been damaged but the California mountain town of Markleeville remained on standby for possible evacuations.About 500 personnel were expected to be on the fire lines about 20 miles west of the Nevada border by Tuesday.

British company to build ‘hoverbikes’ for US Army

British company Malloy Aeronautics has struck a deal with the US Department of Defense to develop and build the first truly functional “hoverbike” in the United States.The hoverbike began its life as a Kickstarter project. Malloy, which had already built and tested a one-third scale prototype drone, raised £64,089 in August 2014 to develop a full-size flying motobike that could be ridden by a human.The hoverbike is built to do many of the same jobs as a helicopter, but without the problems inherent with helicopter design. It is cheaper, more rugged and easier to use, according to Malloy, and can be flown safely at low altitudes.

Llandudno RNLI trains with Sikorsky helicopter

Lifeboat crews have been out getting to know a new addition to the search and rescue armoury.

Llandudno RNLI held a joint exercise with incoming search and rescue operators Bristow off Llandudno yesterday, and lifeboatman Luke Heritage was on hand to send us these close-up shots of the new helicopter in action.

Class Action Has Been Filed On Behalf Of CHC Group Ltd

BENSALEM, Pa.–(Business Wire)–Law Offices of Howard G. Smith announces that a class action has been filed on behalf of investors of CHC Group Ltd. (HELI) (“CHC” or the, “Company”), who purchased securities offered pursuant to the Company’s January 16, 2014 Initial Public Offering (“IPO”) and/or in the public market between January 16, 2014 and July 10, 2014, inclusive (the “Class Period”). If you purchased shares of CHC during the Class Period you are encouraged to contact Howard G. Smith, Esq. to discuss your legal rights in connection with this pending class action. Note that CHC investors have until July 14, 2015 to seek appointment as a class representative in the pending class action.
Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/2592835#ixzz3dtodvkSR