HAI Heli-Expo 2016, the annual convention runs from March 1st to 3rd in Louisville Kentucky, is the world’s largest trade show that is exclusively dedicated to the international helicopter community. Luminaries from all major companies in the helicopter industry will be present to debut the latest and greatest in avionics. Among those in attendance will be the industry giant Garmin. Founded in 1989 by Gary Burrell and Min H. Kao, the company specializes in innovative GPS (Global Positioning System) technology that has wide-spread applications in aviation, marine, fitness, outdoor recreation, tracking and even mobile apps. Read more >>

The U.S. Army has extended a contract worth over 2 million dollars to GE Aviation today in anticipation of GE’s plans to develop and produce silicon carbide-based power electronics in support of the next generation of high-voltage, electrical power, ground vehicle architecture. President of Electrical Power Systems for GE Aviation, Vic Bonneau believes that the implementation of silicon carbide technology for high-voltage electric ground vehicles will facilitate vast improvements size, weight and power for all types of high temperature applications. With multiple silicon carbide based power conversion products in development and continuing investment into this field, the U.S. Army will be able to better manage on-board power and significantly simplify the vehicle cooling architecture with the ultimate goal of increasing mission capabilities for warfighters. Read more >>

Airbus Helicopters, the helicopter manufacturing division of Airbus Group, has recently announced a new “generic” weapon system for use on the H125M light single, the H145M light twin, as well as the H225M medium twin helicopters. This new weapon system, named the “HForce,” will adhere to an incremental approach in order to arm the manufacturer’s military commercial rotorcrafts. This newly structured offer will include a variety of guided and ballistic weapons as well as accompanying targeting systems. Read more >>

This past week, the Boeing test team conducted the inaugural test flight of their second KC-46A tanker prototype.   During this test flight, pilots successfully checked a number of different systems within the aircraft including its engine stability, overall maneuverability and environmental conditions. Read more >>

As the embargo days come to an end, the U.S and Cuba go underway with the beginning of regular scheduled flights from and to both countries. On the 16^th of Feb. 2016 Cuba’s foreign trade minister spoke at the U.S chamber of Commerce over the anatomy of flight traveling. Being the first time that a Cuban minister was in Washington while a U.S Secretary was in the Havana. Read more >>