Author: Admin
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Jul
21
2025
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Posted by Admin
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Adam Richardson was chatting with his neighbor Randy Sharkey one day in 2022 and let Sharkey know he was moving south for a new job. Richardson’s kids grew up playing with Sharkey’s grandkids, but they never really talked shop. So when Sharkey asked about Richardson’s new job, the men were surprised to find they both were in the aerospace industry. A week later, Sharkey and Richardson were boarding the private jet of Sharkey’s boss, visionary businessman Chuck Surack.
Instead of moving south to work for GE, Richardson ended up staying in the Midwest (albeit 7 hours north) to become COO for Enstrom Helicopter Corporation in 2023. Surack had just saved Enstrom from bankruptcy and wanted to build the storied company back to prominence. When Richardson saw Surack’s passion towards revitalizing Enstrom, he quickly realized this wasn’t a private equity short-term flip.
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Tags:
Enstom Helicopter
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Jul
14
2025
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Posted by Admin
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Remember back when Apple introduced its iPhone with iOS. The new operating system transformed Apple’s cell phone into a powerful handheld computer. Worthy competitors soon followed with their own smartphone operating systems, such as Android. Now, imagine if an operating system had been introduced that transformed any old cell phone into a smart phone. Suddenly, Blackberry phones and non-smart Nokias would have been upgraded into smartphones! This analogy is basically what Skyryse (pronounced sky-rise) is attempting with their proprietary SkyOS, which they say is “the first universal operating system for flight” that upgrades “any helicopter or airplane” with pilot-assisting autonomous flight capability that far exceeds today’s standard autopilot. Does that sound too lofty—too pie-in-the-sky? (One can almost hear tennis personality John McEnroe exclaiming in a commercial, “Choose any aircraft?? You cannot be serious!!”) Well, welcome to the serious challenge that faces Warren Curry, VP of sales for Skyryse. He explains, “In aviation, there’s a lot of ‘vaporware.’ What I mean is that there are a lot of companies over-promising technology as being almost available, but it’s actually years away…. People see (our SkyOS operating system and coming Skyryse One helicopter) as being half a decade away, but our FAA certification is imminent. We’re shipping Skyryse One in 2026.”
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Tags:
SkyOS operating system
Skyryse One helicopter
Categories:
Career Development
Human Interest
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Jul
07
2025
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Posted by Admin
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In the verdant expanse of Flagler County, Florida, where wildlands interface with burgeoning communities, a unique and vital aerial asset stands ready to protect lives and property: the Flagler County Fire Rescue FireFlight Helicopter Program. More than just a worthy air ambulance or needed fire suppression tool, FireFlight is a multi-mission platform, a testament to proactive public safety, and a symbol of the county's commitment to its residents. Born from the ashes of devastating wildfires, this program has evolved into one of the most comprehensive and aggressive airborne emergency response units in the Southeast United States.
During our visit, Rotor Pro had the opportunity to meet and fly with Todd Whaley, FireFlight’s Director of Operations and Director of Maintenance, to learn more about the Flagler County program. It is a program that is definitely punching above its weight utilizing two pilots, six flight medics, and the Airbus H125 to perform a wide variety of missions in an effort to protect and service the citizens and visitors of Flagler County, Florida. Whaley, who has accumulated over 5,000 flight hours of flying experience, has been pivotal in shaping the program.
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Categories:
Company Profiles
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Jun
29
2025
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Posted by Admin
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As editor of Rotor Pro, I'm excited to share our insights into the dynamic landscape of vertical lift in public safety. The sector is undergoing a profound transformation, driven by technological advancements and evolving operational demands.
Traditionally, helicopters have been the workhorses of airborne law enforcement by providing unparalleled situational awareness, rapid response capabilities and a crucial eye in the sky for pursuits, search and rescue, and disaster response. Our cover feature on Flagler County FireFlight highlights one small operator that has adapted to multiple-missions in order to meet the operational demands of protecting its citizens and property.
Innovations in camera technology, mission-management systems, and real-time data downlink capabilities have significantly enhanced the effectiveness of aviation units, transforming them into airborne command and intelligence-gathering platforms. Agencies are increasingly investing in aircraft with extended endurance and all-weather capabilities, ensuring longer on-station times and operational reliability.
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Tags:
Flagler County FireFlight
Law Enforcement Aviation
Vertical Lift
vertical lift law enforcement
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Jun
23
2025
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Posted by Admin
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VR, AR, and MR: These are the trends dominating and driving simulation-based rotorcraft training today.
Definition time: VR stands for virtual reality, which fully immerses the user inside a digital environment. AR is short for augmented reality, where the user’s real-world field of view is overlaid with digital imagery. And MR stands for mixed reality, where users can physically interact with actual items in either a VR or AR environment.
Here’s how the rotorcraft industry is using VR, AR and MR for simulation-based training, at six cutting-edge companies.
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Tags:
Augmented Reality Training
Mixed Reality Training
Virtual Reality Training
Categories:
Training
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Jun
16
2025
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Posted by Admin
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Having responded last year to 263 wildfires that burned over 134,000 acres, the Nevada Division of Forestry relies heavily on its fleet of helicopters. Martin Scharenborg & Ramon Wenink visited and flew with the Nevada Division of Forestry Air Operations to learn about their mission and the challenges they are facing.
With thousands of wildfires nationwide occurring annually, the use of airborne assets prove to be of great value in fighting these fires. Therefore the Nevada Division of Forestry (NDF), founded in 1957, started its own aviation program in 1959 by converting a Beechcraft C-45 Torpedo bomber into an air tanker for firefighting. It took another 15 years when the first helicopters were acquired with assistance of the U.S. Forest Service. Three Bell TH-13Ts from surplus U.S. Army stocks entered service in 1974 primarily for aerial fire reconnaissance. Although there was a strong need for a strong and capable firefighting helicopter , the three Sioux helicopters soldiered on and remained in service until 1991. In 1993 the U.S. Forest Service assisted again in acquiring surplus Army helicopters for the NDF. The Bell UH-1H Huey was selected because of its powerful engine and the ability to transport a considerable number of firefighters in the back of the aircraft. Eventually three UH-1Hs entered service from 1994 and that year is seen as the birth of the current NDF’s ‘Battle Born Helitack Program.’ From 2006, the fleet of UH-1H helicopters received several upgrades to meet present and future requirements. In 2019 one UH-1H was retired and replaced by an Eagle Copters ‘Eagle Single,’ a Bell 212 conversion.
[Read More...]
Tags:
Helitack
Nevada Division of Forestry Air Operations
Categories:
Company Profiles
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Jun
09
2025
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Posted by Admin
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The vertical-lift industry has experienced a profound transformation over the past several decades, particularly in the areas of pilot and mechanic training and hiring. From a system once dominated by military influence, to one now driven by civilian training pipelines, the evolution has been shaped by shifts in global defense structures, advancements in aircraft technology, and changes in economic incentives within industry.
In the 1970s and 1980s, the U.S. military was the primary source of trained vertical-lift pilots and mechanics. With Vietnam War-era flight programs and post-war military infrastructure still robust, thousands of well-trained pilots and maintainers exited the service with not only skill, but also experience. These individuals fed the civil vertical-lift market, populating every sector from EMS to law enforcement, utility to offshore, and corporate to tourism.
Military-trained pilots were well-versed in flight under pressure, decision-making in critical situations, and operating a wide variety of platforms. Mechanics came with rigorous maintenance discipline, strong work ethics, and experience on military-grade aircraft, many of which shared similarities with their civil counterparts. Employers benefited from this steady stream of talent—already trained, experienced, and ready for work.
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Tags:
helicopter careers
Helicopter Industry
Helicopter Jobs
Helicopter Salaries
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Jun
02
2025
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Posted by Admin
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Just prior to Verticon 2025, Rotor Pro visited Donauwörth, Germany, to learn what the vertical lift industry can expect to see in 2025 from Airbus Helicopters. With nearly 8,000 employees, the facility is home to Airbus Helicopters’ second largest manufacturing facility in the world. Donauwörth is home to not only the development center of the CityAirbus NextGen eVTOL prototype, but also the production lines of the H135, H145, and the military NH90 helicopters.
Looking into the rear-view mirror, Airbus Helicopters had a strong 2024. 455 gross orders (net: 450) showed a steady market growth with a strong performance last year for its light, light twin-engined, and heavy helicopters. Orders came from 182 customers in 42 countries. The Company delivered 361 helicopters in 2024, resulting in a preliminary 57% share of the civil and parapublic market.
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Tags:
Airbus Helicopters
Airbus Helicopters Pioneer Lab
CityAirbus NextGen
H140
H160
Categories:
Company Profiles
Helicopter Sectors
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May
27
2025
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Posted by Admin
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RPMN: What is your current position?
I work as a utility helicopter pilot in Alaska, where a helicopter is often the only way to transport passengers and supplies to remote areas. Conducting aerial surveys, pipeline, and power-line inspections, slinging equipment to mountain tops or conducting crew changes for offshore platforms and container ships in the Bell 206 and 407 are just a few examples of my various tasks. The ever-changing weather can be a challenge: Besides extreme temperatures, we often deal with complex weather patterns that can shift rapidly and unpredictably.
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Tags:
Jani Hartung
Utility Helicopter
Categories:
Human Interest
Career Development
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May
19
2025
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Posted by Admin
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Around the corner from Helsinki International Airport, Coptersafety stands as a center of excellence in the helicopter pilot training world. This innovative company has carved a niche for itself by focusing exclusively on simulator-based training, pushing the boundaries of safety and proficiency within the demanding world of helicopter operations. “Our mission at Coptersafety has always been to increase safety in the rotorcraft industry, with bespoke [custom tailored] training services for helicopter pilots around the world,” said Hannu Marjoniemi, CEO and co-founder of Coptersafety.
[Read More...]
Tags:
Coptersafety
helicopter pilot training
rotorcraft safety
simulator-based training
Categories:
Company Profiles