Thirty years after test flying the first Robinson R22 helicopter, company founder Frank Robinson handed over the keys to the 4000th R22 to John Skeen of Heliflite, Australia, recently. The R22 is the world’s top-selling helicopter, being used for training and as a personal helicopter the world over.Robinson recently received an award as one of Los Angeles’ fastest growing private companies, making 14 to 16 R22 and R44 helicopters per ... more

This whacking great beast is the Eurocopter EC 725, the latest member of the Cougar/ Super Puma family. It’s designed to perform tactical transport missions, Search and Rescue and medical transport. The helicopter can also be equipped for anti-surface and anti-submarine naval missions. Payload of the 2413shp twin turbine, five-blade rotor EC 725 is 5000kg. The French Air Force, the EC 725’s launch customer, has ordered 18.W: www.euroc ... more

More proof that General Aviation is booming worldwide – three new aircraft had first flights last month. Canada’s Bombardier had the first flight of its Challenger 605 widebody bizjet at Montreal-Trudeau Airport on 22 January.On 7 January, a relatively unknown company, Spectrum Aeronautical, had the first flight of its all-new Spectrum 33 twinjet. On 23 January, Socata coincided the first flight of its new TBM 850 with achieving FAA t ... more

London City Helicport will serve Eastenders A new heliport is about to open at Damyns Hall airfield, near Upminster, Essex. London City Heliport is just 20 minutes by car to Canary Wharf, the docklands business centre, and is just outside London City air traffic zone. Helicentre Aviation will operate the heliport and offer a full range of services including charter flights, and PPL(H) and commercial flight training. It’s also buildin ... more

SR22 tops best-seller lists as Cirrus and Cessna lead US manufacturer revival.Sales of single engine Piston aircraft look set to hit a new high when figures are released this month. The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) has confirmed deliveries during the first three quarters of 2005 were up more than 25% on the same period in 2004. Worldwide, 1685 piston powered aircraft were shipped, up from 1342 in 2004. Both Cessna and ... more

A huge order of 35 aircraft has been placed with Florida-based Liberty Aerospace for its all-new XL2 twoseat aircraft. The aircraft will be operated by Ormond Beach Aviation, one of the fast-track flight training schools based in the Sunshine State. The XL2s will replace ageing Cessna 152s. It’s the first major fleet order for the Liberty XL2, a British designed aircraft which grew out of the Europa kitplane. Both aircraft and companies ... more

Resurrected Brooklands club chose new Aero AT-3s from PolandBRAND new flying club, brand new aeroplanes... that’s the scene at Sywell Aerodrome near Northampton. The allgrass airfield recently opened Brooklands Flying Club with two Polish-built Aero AT-3 two-seat aircraft – the first of their kind at a club in the UK.Brooklands FC is based at the newly-built aviation village next to the Sywell Control Tower but the name has a long ass ... more

LOOP is proud to announce its headline sponsorship of the British Aerobatics Association for 2006. It’s the first ever deal of its kind for the BAeA and was the brainchild of new BAeA Chairman Alan Cassidy, BAeA Company Secretary David Cowden and LOOP Director, Sam Spurdens. ”It’s perfect for LOOP, ... more