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flightlineweekly.com • Garth Calitz

Bell 505 sets Latin America sales record, cements Southern Cone leadership

At FIDAE 2026 in Santiago, Bell Textron said the Bell 505 recorded its highest number of orders in Latin America during 2025, becoming the product of choice across the Southern Cone. The milestone highlights rising regional demand for a low‑operating‑cost, single‑engine light helicopter across utility, tourism and private missions.

2026-04-08T06:01:54.197075-07:00

Vertical Mag

Eve Air Mobility hopes Verticon debut will provide springboard into helicopter market

2026-04-08T06:11:35.542940-07:00

AINonline

Piedmont Propulsion expands propeller and rotor MRO capacity at KINT

2026-04-08T07:22:57.762244-07:00

AINonline

Airbus RACER prototype widens flight‑test envelope; 'eco‑mode' trials next

2026-04-07T14:12:36.877566-07:00

News Timeline

AINonline

Leonardo fits AW139 with airborne radiation sensors for urban nuclear threat detection Leonardo has equipped its AW139 helicopter with airborne radiation sensors to detect and track nuclear and radiological threats in urban environments. The platform's low‑altitude, between‑buildings flight profile enables rapid wide‑area surveying and source localization over cities, supporting civil‑security and counter‑CBRN operations.

2026-04-08T13:36:49.879565-07:00

Leonardo fits AW139 with airborne radiation sensors for urban nuclear threat detection

AINonline

Piedmont Propulsion expands propeller and rotor MRO capacity at KINT Piedmont Propulsion Systems will expand propeller and rotor MRO capacity by adding to its 66,000‑sq‑ft facility at KINT. The enlargement increases the site's footprint to provide greater repair and overhaul throughput for propeller‑driven aircraft and rotorcraft operators, supporting regional operator demand.

2026-04-08T07:22:57.762244-07:00

Piedmont Propulsion expands propeller and rotor MRO capacity at KINT

Vertical Mag

Eve Air Mobility hopes Verticon debut will provide springboard into helicopter market Eve Air Mobility made its exhibitor debut at Verticon last month and is courting helicopter operators as a near‑term customer base for its eVTOLs. The company says rotorcraft operators represent a promising market and hopes its Verticon presence will accelerate sales and partnerships.

2026-04-08T06:11:35.542940-07:00

Eve Air Mobility hopes Verticon debut will provide springboard into helicopter market

flightlineweekly.com

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Bell 505 sets Latin America sales record, cements Southern Cone leadership At FIDAE 2026 in Santiago, Bell Textron said the Bell 505 recorded its highest number of orders in Latin America during 2025, becoming the product of choice across the Southern Cone. The milestone highlights rising regional demand for a low‑operating‑cost, single‑engine light helicopter across utility, tourism and private missions.

2026-04-08T06:01:54.197075-07:00

Bell 505 sets Latin America sales record, cements Southern Cone leadership

FlightGlobal

British Army H145 Jupiter HC2s begin Brunei training mission The British Army has deployed the first pair of Airbus H145 Jupiter HC2 light twins to Brunei for a training mission, operated by 667 Squadron as part of a £148 million 2024 order for six aircraft. The H145s replace Puma HC2s retired from service in March.

2026-04-08T04:06:57.778631-07:00

British Army H145 Jupiter HC2s begin Brunei training mission

Wall Street Journal

Tiny folding helicopter stowed in C-130 enabled rescue of downed F-15 pilot in Iran A compact folding helicopter stowed aboard a C-130 enabled the recovery of a U.S. aviator trapped in Iran after his F-15 was shot down, according to footage. The inside-the-airlifter deployment demonstrates a portable, low-signature recovery option for operations in denied environments.

2026-04-07T16:57:59.526716-07:00

Tiny folding helicopter stowed in C-130 enabled rescue of downed F-15 pilot in Iran

FlightGlobal

Bell and M1 advance to final phase of US Army Flight School Next as Lockheed falls out The U.S. Army has advanced M1 Support Services and Bell to the demonstration/final phase of its Flight School Next competition, joining a third finalist as the service narrows bids to replace the Airbus UH-72A Lakota and overhaul basic rotary‑wing training with a new single‑engine turbine trainer fleet.

2026-04-07T15:07:12.535522-07:00

Bell and M1 advance to final phase of US Army Flight School Next as Lockheed falls out

AINonline

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Airbus RACER prototype widens flight‑test envelope; 'eco‑mode' trials next Airbus's RACER prototype has widened its flight‑test envelope as the initial test‑campaign phase wraps up, with 'eco‑mode' operational trials scheduled next. The expanded envelope will inform planning for the eco‑mode trials and marks a clear step forward in the demonstrator programme.

2026-04-07T14:12:36.877566-07:00

Airbus RACER prototype widens flight‑test envelope; 'eco‑mode' trials next

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Helicopter News

Bell 505 sets Latin America sales record, cements Southern Cone leadership

Eve Air Mobility hopes Verticon debut will provide springboard into helicopter market

Piedmont Propulsion expands propeller and rotor MRO capacity at KINT

Airbus RACER prototype widens flight‑test envelope; 'eco‑mode' trials next

News Timeline