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Flying Magazine • Meg Godlewski

LA County seeks safety review of Whiteman Airport after April 20 crash

A Los Angeles County supervisor has called for a safety review of Whiteman Airport in Southern California following an April 20 crash. The request focuses attention on airport operations and oversight, with officials seeking to determine what contributed to the incident and whether corrective actions are needed.

2026-05-05T14:11:35.077475-07:00

Vertical Mag

DART Aerospace extends FAA approval for Cable Cutter kit on Airbus H145/BK117D3

2026-05-05T12:11:51.801301-07:00

AINonline

MD Helicopters gets FAA STC for MD 530N “C20B-to-C30” engine upgrade swap

2026-05-05T11:41:54.060093-07:00

AINonline

Coalition urges FAA action to reduce low-altitude helicopter/aircraft strike risk from slacklines in navigable airspace

2026-05-05T08:47:39.436853-07:00

News Timeline

Flying Magazine

LA County seeks safety review of Whiteman Airport after April 20 crash A Los Angeles County supervisor has called for a safety review of Whiteman Airport in Southern California following an April 20 crash. The request focuses attention on airport operations and oversight, with officials seeking to determine what contributed to the incident and whether corrective actions are needed.

2026-05-05T14:11:35.077475-07:00

LA County seeks safety review of Whiteman Airport after April 20 crash

Vertical Mag

DART Aerospace extends FAA approval for Cable Cutter kit on Airbus H145/BK117D3 DART Aerospace has received an extended FAA STC for its DART Cable Cutter Kit on Airbus Helicopters H145 and BK117D3 configurations. The certification broadens the approved installation envelope for the system intended to improve helicopter safety during wire strike events and supports additional certified upgrade pathways.

2026-05-05T12:11:51.801301-07:00

DART Aerospace extends FAA approval for Cable Cutter kit on Airbus H145/BK117D3

AINonline

MD Helicopters gets FAA STC for MD 530N “C20B-to-C30” engine upgrade swap MD Helicopters has received an FAA supplemental type certificate for an MD 530N engine upgrade package that replaces the C20B engine with a more powerful C30 setup. The approval creates a formal, regulator-recognized pathway for operators pursuing performance gains via certified engine swap installations.

2026-05-05T11:41:54.060093-07:00

MD Helicopters gets FAA STC for MD 530N “C20B-to-C30” engine upgrade swap

AINonline

Coalition urges FAA action to reduce low-altitude helicopter/aircraft strike risk from slacklines in navigable airspace Aviation industry coalition led by VAI is asking the FAA to review and address slackline hazards in navigable airspace. The request targets the risk of low-altitude aircraft striking slackline obstructions, underscoring how wire-and-obstacle threats remain a central concern for rotorcraft operations.

2026-05-05T08:47:39.436853-07:00

Coalition urges FAA action to reduce low-altitude helicopter/aircraft strike risk from slacklines in navigable airspace

ch-aviation

EnComm Aviation files $160M UK High Court suit against BAE Systems over BAe ATP support withdrawal EnComm Aviation has filed a $160 million lawsuit in the UK High Court against BAE Systems, alleging the company breached a duty of care by abruptly withdrawing support for the BAe Advanced Turbo-Prop (BAe ATP) aircraft type. Encomm claims the action led to the grounding of its fleet and the destruction of its business.

2026-05-05T06:55:54.865492-07:00

EnComm Aviation files $160M UK High Court suit against BAE Systems over BAe ATP support withdrawal

Vertical Mag

ATSB flags situational awareness and misunderstanding in helicopter–firebombing close encounter over Victoria The ATSB report examines a loss-of-separation incident over Victoria involving a helicopter and a firebombing aircraft, attributing the event to misunderstanding and inadequate situational awareness. The findings point to breakdowns in how crews perceived and managed the fireground airspace during the encounter.

2026-05-05T06:34:44.723584-07:00

ATSB flags situational awareness and misunderstanding in helicopter–firebombing close encounter over Victoria

ch-aviation

Isle of Man SPV sues Air Zimbabwe over unpaid leasing dues for two A320-200s An Isle of Man-based special purpose vehicle has taken Air Zimbabwe (Harare International) to court in Zimbabwe, alleging non-payment of leasing dues tied to two Airbus A320-200s. The dispute also hinges on competing claims over ownership of the aircraft.

2026-05-05T04:54:20.467684-07:00

Isle of Man SPV sues Air Zimbabwe over unpaid leasing dues for two A320-200s

DefenseNews.com

F-35 readiness push under scrutiny as USAF targets year-end operational declaration As the US Air Force races to declare its F-35 fleet operational by year-end, pilots and maintainers are weighing progress against reported risks: schedule delays, a faulty logistics system, and software glitches. The debate echoes prior warnings about software delivery timelines and fielding gaps.

2026-05-05T04:24:00.438799-07:00

F-35 readiness push under scrutiny as USAF targets year-end operational declaration

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Aviation Safety & Regulation News

LA County seeks safety review of Whiteman Airport after April 20 crash

DART Aerospace extends FAA approval for Cable Cutter kit on Airbus H145/BK117D3

MD Helicopters gets FAA STC for MD 530N “C20B-to-C30” engine upgrade swap

Coalition urges FAA action to reduce low-altitude helicopter/aircraft strike risk from slacklines in navigable airspace

News Timeline