Author: kent

Hartzell Propeller (“Hartzell”), a portfolio company of Arcline Investment Management, today announced the acquisition of substantially all the assets of WhirlWind Propellers Corporation (“WhirlWind Propellers” or the “Company”), expanding Hartzell’s product portfolio into light-sport aircraft. Founded in 1995, WhirlWind Propellers manufactures composite constant-speed and ground-adjustable propellers for the light-sport, experimental and unmanned aircraft markets. The Company also designs proof of concept propellers for emerging applications. Hartzell Propeller plans to retain the WhirlWind brand and product offerings. JJ Frigge, President of Hartzell Propeller, commented, “The acquisition allows Hartzell to further expand WhirlWind’s rapid propeller development capabilities for the design, tooling and manufacturing of…

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– Air Plains Services, a world leader in general aviation engine and avionics upgrades, has followed its recent announcement and gained a second PMA for new-build Cessna 172 airboxes, this time for a short airbox designed to fit Cessna 172 N and P models with the original O-320 Lycoming engine. In December, the company announced approval of a new PMA long airbox for Cessna 172 I, K, L, and M models with the factory original O-320 engine. Air Plains has produced improved PMA airboxes for its popular 172XP engine upgrades for more than a decade and added new airboxes for…

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Auto Mode-capable GWX 8000 soon to be certified using GTN Xi navigators or TXi flight displays as the primary indicator Garmin (NYSE: GRMN) today announced GWX™ 8000 StormOptix™ Weather Radar with Auto Mode will soon be approved for display and control via GTN Xi navigators and TXi flight displays1, expanding its interface potential beyond previously approved Garmin integrated flight decks. The GWX 8000 eliminates the requirement for pilots to manually adjust the radar, resulting in a comprehensive weather depiction with simplified operation. Using 3D volumetric scanning capability, GWX 8000 reduces pilot workload and depicts the weather with four times the…

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Piper Aircraft, Inc. announced today the type certification of its new flagship aircraft, the Piper M700 FURY, by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, achieved on February 29, 2024. This certification is a significant milestone for Piper Aircraft, coming quickly after the new aircraft’s announcement on February 6, 2024. Customer deliveries will begin immediately. With a maximum cruise speed of 301 knots and a maximum range of 1,424 nm, the M700 FURY is the fastest single engine aircraft in Piper’s 87+ year history. This cabin-class turboprop aircraft is equipped with Pratt & Whitney’s PT6A-52 engine generating 700 shaft horsepower and the…

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Vertical aviation trade show will rebrand as VERTICON for 2025. Anaheim, Calif. – The world’s largest vertical aviation trade show and conference concluded with great news for the industry. Record attendance, business deals, and a new brand for the show’s producer marked this year’s HAI HELI-EXPO®, the 35th year the show has been held under that name. HAI HELI-EXPO 2024 brought 15,000 professionals from 87 countries to the four-day show. They visited 625 exhibitors and got up close with 63 aircraft and the latest technology, products, and services for vertical aviation businesses. The event also saw the announcement that the…

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Enstrom Collaborating with Genesys to Certify Latest Helicopter Autopilot February 27, 2024 – Mineral Wells, TX – Genesys Aerosystems, a Moog company, announced today that it is working with Enstrom Helicopter Corporation to install and certify the latest generation Genesys Helicopter Autopilot in the Enstrom 480B. The 3-axis VFR autopilot is scheduled for completion and availability for OEM factory fit and aftermarket retrofit by the end of 2024. Interested customers can have the autopilot installed by Enstrom or at select Genesys dealers. “We pride ourselves in being customer-focused, so we are excited to work with Enstrom to offer the industry…

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Today Cirrus unveiled its newly evolved brand identity to reflect its unending quest for innovation. Cirrus created the Personal Aviation™ category of the general aviation industry with its best-selling aircraft – the SR Series and Vision Jet® – which make aviation more approachable, accessible and personal. As the category leader, Cirrus continues to combine its passion for innovation with its expanding customer ecosystem, bringing Everything in Reach™. The updated brand identity signifies Cirrus’ continued commitment to growing the aviation industry by reimagining its future and evolving the brand into the next era of Personal Aviation. “Since 1984, Cirrus’ legacy of…

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Increases Product Exchange Inventory PIQUA, Ohio, Feb. 26, 2024 – The Hartzell Propeller Service Center is expanding its warranty coverage to two years or 2,000 flight hours, whichever occurs first. Additionally, the service center increased its propeller exchange inventory to cover a wider range of aircraft. “These improvements at the Hartzell Service Center give our customers extended warranty protection and additional inventory, leading to less flight downtime,” said Director of Hartzell Service Center Scott Foster. “We continually look for ways to add convenience and value for aircraft owners and operators.” Increased Warranty Coverage The Hartzell Service Center’s warranty on work performed at…

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Show organizer Helicopter Association International will provide sustainable fuel for participating aircraft. Alexandria, Virginia (February 20, 2024) – To reduce the event’s carbon footprint, Helicopter Association International (HAI) is providing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to all aircraft flying into HAI HELI-EXPO 2024. The annual conference and trade show, the largest in the world for the vertical aviation industry, will take place Feb. 26–29 at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, Calif., with exhibits open Feb. 27–29. “SAF helps the entire aviation industry meet and exceed our sustainability goals while addressing climate change and energy security,” says James Viola, president and…

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Enstrom Helicopter Corporation is celebrating the opening of its brand-new, FAA-approved repair station, number EHCR228E. The state-of-the-art repair station operates within Enstrom’s Menominee, MI factory. It will provide helicopter maintenance, damage repairs, upgrades, and component overhauls, all at the hands of Enstrom’s premier repair experts. “This is a significant upgrade to what customers might have experienced before,” said Doug Smith, Enstrom Vice President of Product Support. “We’ve completely refurbished the facility with new equipment, new tooling, new storage, and countless other quality-of-life improvements. It was a huge investment of time and resources, but the results speak for themselves.” All Enstrom…

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