ONE of the top rotary awards, the American Helicopter Society's Igor Sikorsky International Trophy, has gone to Eurocopter for the high-altitude world record  with an AS350 B3 landing on top of Mount Everest in 2005. Flown by Eurocopter Experimental Test Pilot Didier Delsalle, the AS350 B3 made two landings and  takeoffs at 8850 metres (29,035ft) altitude. ... more

A NEW fly-in for classic aircraft with basic aerobatic ability is to be staged at Leicester on 17 June. The Classic Aircraft Event will give pilots an opportunity to fly a basic aerobatic sequence overhead the airfield and then to receive feedback from fellow pilots and experienced aerobatic judges.  The aim of the event is simply to encourage people to enjoy flying aerobatics in these classic aircraft, learn more about how to fly indivi ... more

DELAYS in setting up a production plant have forced engine maker Wilksch Airmotive to put back certification of its 3-cylinder 120hp WAM-120. Development of a 4-cylinder 160hp version is unaffected. The Glos-based company said, "There have been challenges in optimising production. Because of this, we have decided to carry out an in-depth review of all aspects of the process."The main emphasis is on Design for Manufacture, cost and d ... more

AN interactive training DVD called 'Autorotations in the R22' has been produced by  American company, Helicopter Concepts. The 75-minute video provides an in-depth  look into Autorotation Aerodynamics, Coriolis Effect, Energy Management,  Straight-in Autorotations, 180 Degree Autorotations, Hover Autorotations, Hover  Taxi Autorotations, the Go Around, and loads of important safety information. It  features Timoth ... more

EIGHT new hangars, new control tower and hard surfacing are headline items among a package of significant developments at Tatenhill Airfield. The intent is to develop a top class GA operation with an opportunity to attract 'aviation related' businesses to the airfield, potentially bringing local employment," said Tatenhill Aviation. "In addition, it would permit the facility for local businesses to use the airfield for business ... more

FLYINGTV, the UK's first R44 TV helicopter, celebrated its second birthday last month with a party - Posh & Becks pre-World Cup bash full of celebs, footballers, pop stars and politicians. FlyingTV's G-PIXX covered the event live for BBC NEWS 24 and other BBC bulletins, flying over Beckingham  Palace in Sawbridgeworth, Herts. Boss Mike Smith, the former DJ, said, "We also  played our part by assisting in the airborne co-ord ... more

THIS is an artist's impression of the new Phenom 100 from Brazilian aircraft maker Embraer. A mock-up of the six-seat $2.85m aircraft was shown at the annual European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE), held at Geneva Airport in early May. Embraer, better known for its range of regional passenger jets, says the 100 will compete in the Very Light Jet market. First deliveries are expected to be mid-2008. It's powered by a Pra ... more

LUSCOMBE aircraft are to go back into production in California. Renaissance Aircraft will build two versions of the famous Luscombe 8 at a brand new factory on Flabob Airport, California. They are a Light Sport version powered by a Continental O-200, followed by a type certified model with a more powerful Lycoming O-320 engine. Renaissance had been tied down in litigation with the Don Luscombe Aviation History Foundation but that ... more

YET another Very Light Jet had its maiden flight during May. This time, it was the four-seat single-engine Sport-Jet, made by Colorado company, Excel-Jet.  The aircraft clocked up eight hours of test flying in its first two weeks, reaching 80% of its projected cruise speed. The company says Sport-Jet will sell for about $1 million, cruise at 340 knots at 25,000 feet, and be able to carry four persons for more than 900nm. As such, it's a ... more

FOLLOWING the official launch of the UK's newest full-time display team, The Blades, on 4 May, an A-list audience at the Beckham's World Cup party at the end of last month had their own display. The four Extra 300LPs, flown by The Blades, featured the St George's Cross on the underside of the right wing for the occasion. The four-ship team opened the celebrity bash, wowing guests with a series of formation flypasts, rolls and opposition b ... more

General Aviation mixes with jets and military at burgeoning Berlin Show BERLIN'S biannual air show, called ILA2006, is rapidly becoming Europe's most important major event for all sides of the aviation industry, from the airline business to military jets and helicopters down to all levels of General Aviation. There were 1014 exhibitors from 42 countries, displaying 300+ aircraft. Held in May at Berlin-Schšnefeld Airport, IL ... more