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AeroTime • Stephen Pope

Mid-air collision near Zell am See: Cessna 172 shreds paraglider canopy; both pilots land safely

A paraglider pilot survived after a Cessna 172 flew through her canopy near Zell am See, Austria, shredding the glider and sending her into loss of control at altitude. Despite the rare mid-air collision, both pilots managed to land safely and no injuries were reported on May 23, 2026.

2026-05-24T13:13:04.509049-07:00

FlightGlobal

Air India A319 airprox: transcript indicates sharp descent to avoid Indian Navy Dhruv helicopter

2026-05-21T00:54:28.115665-07:00

FlightGlobal

AAIB flags AW139 tail rotor incident risk after duplex bearing failure—Leonardo urged to tighten pitch-control assembly risk ass

2026-05-22T06:40:55.936164-07:00

Vertical Mag

MD Helicopters locks in multi-year support for Saudi National Guard’s MD 530F training fleet

2026-05-22T05:54:06.785908-07:00

News Timeline

AeroTime

Mid-air collision near Zell am See: Cessna 172 shreds paraglider canopy; both pilots land safely A paraglider pilot survived after a Cessna 172 flew through her canopy near Zell am See, Austria, shredding the glider and sending her into loss of control at altitude. Despite the rare mid-air collision, both pilots managed to land safely and no injuries were reported on May 23, 2026.

2026-05-24T13:13:04.509049-07:00

Mid-air collision near Zell am See: Cessna 172 shreds paraglider canopy; both pilots land safely

DefenseNews.com

US Marine Corps trials Neros Archer FPV drone controlled from a helicopter used as a mobile command-and-control node In a recent test, the US Marine Corps launched a Neros Archer FPV drone from the ground and then transferred control to operators aboard a helicopter orbiting miles away. The exercise demonstrated a mobile drone command-center concept for extending control ranges beyond the launch point.

2026-05-22T12:10:37.661790-07:00

US Marine Corps trials Neros Archer FPV drone controlled from a helicopter used as a mobile command-and-control node

Breaking Defense

SOCOM presses H-60/T901 re-engine and MV-75 tiltrotor path—while keeping Chinook Block II Gaps in view U.S. Special Operations Command says the Bell MV-75 tiltrotor should complement rather than fully replace the Sikorsky MH-60 special-mission Black Hawk fleet. SOCOM is also urging the Army to keep re-engine work on the H-60 via the GE Aerospace T901, and is looking ahead to Chinook Block III options even as the Army remains uncommitted to Block II fielding.

2026-05-22T09:11:23.421639-07:00

SOCOM presses H-60/T901 re-engine and MV-75 tiltrotor path—while keeping Chinook Block II Gaps in view

FlightGlobal

AAIB flags AW139 tail rotor incident risk after duplex bearing failure—Leonardo urged to tighten pitch-control assembly risk ass The UK AAIB is recommending additional safety measures after a serious Leonardo AW139 tail-rotor incident tied to duplex bearing failure risk in the intermediate-twin pitch control assembly, based on probe findings. The action points operators and maintainers toward more robust risk assessment for pitch-control components.

2026-05-22T06:40:55.936164-07:00

AAIB flags AW139 tail rotor incident risk after duplex bearing failure—Leonardo urged to tighten pitch-control assembly risk ass

Vertical Mag

MD Helicopters locks in multi-year support for Saudi National Guard’s MD 530F training fleet MD Helicopters has renewed its OEM support commitment for the Saudi Arabia Ministry of National Guard’s MD 530F training helicopters under a multi-year contract. The agreement extends long-term support for the service’s rotary training capability centered on the MD 530F fleet.

2026-05-22T05:54:06.785908-07:00

MD Helicopters locks in multi-year support for Saudi National Guard’s MD 530F training fleet

The War Zone

Night Stalkers’ MH-47 Chinooks eyed for an organic midair refueling tanker role The U.S. Special Operations “Night Stalkers” are considering assigning an aerial-refueling role to their MH-47 Chinooks, giving the unit an organic tanker capability to refuel other aircraft midair. The concept would expand rotary-wing refueling options beyond externally sourced tanker aircraft.

2026-05-21T13:10:44.578712-07:00

Night Stalkers’ MH-47 Chinooks eyed for an organic midair refueling tanker role

The War Zone

US Army Improved Turbine Engine Program promises performance gains for Night Stalker MH-60M—upgrade path remains uncertain The Army’s Improved Turbine Engine Program is positioned as a major performance boost for the Night Stalker MH-60M Black Hawk upgrade effort, but the program’s near- and mid-term outlook is described as “murky.” The development raises questions about how quickly (and whether) turbine power improvements will translate into fleet fielding.

2026-05-21T10:15:22.719373-07:00

US Army Improved Turbine Engine Program promises performance gains for Night Stalker MH-60M—upgrade path remains uncertain

Vertical Mag

Entrol’s FTD Level 5 helicopter simulator certified in Brazil—first in-country approval for advanced rotorcraft training Entrol’s entrol FTD Level 5 simulator has received certification in Brazil, enabling higher-fidelity helicopter training in a key regional market. The approval positions the simulator for broader use with flight schools and operators seeking advanced instruction beyond basic procedural training.

2026-05-21T06:40:57.739086-07:00

Entrol’s FTD Level 5 helicopter simulator certified in Brazil—first in-country approval for advanced rotorcraft training

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Helicopter News

Mid-air collision near Zell am See: Cessna 172 shreds paraglider canopy; both pilots land safely

Air India A319 airprox: transcript indicates sharp descent to avoid Indian Navy Dhruv helicopter

AAIB flags AW139 tail rotor incident risk after duplex bearing failure—Leonardo urged to tighten pitch-control assembly risk ass

MD Helicopters locks in multi-year support for Saudi National Guard’s MD 530F training fleet

News Timeline