Latest News
Airbus reports 544 gross helicopter orders in 2025
The figure includes orders for 100 rotorcraft by the Spanish government, including 50 more H145Ms
2 Feb 2026
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Oliver Cuenca
Tech giants unite to tackle escalating US wildfire risk
A cross-industry coalition is betting that shared data, AI, and defense-grade technology can close critical gaps in how the US prepares for and fights increasingly destructive wildfires
30 Jan 2026
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Chloe Fox
QAI Aviation receives FAA approval for H135 IFR upgrade
The upgrade allows the Airbus helicopter type to be operated in instrument flight rules conditions by a single pilot
30 Jan 2026
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Oliver Cuenca
New US Wildland Fire Service established
The agency will have overall responsibility for wildfire management across the USA, streamlining operations that previously required interagency coordination
29 Jan 2026
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Oliver Cuenca
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Latest Issue
January 2026
Issue
A new year and a new edition, and with it comes articles relating to special missions from all across the globe. We have features that look into the special missions in the Middle East and Africa; the benefits and differences associated with leasing helicopters; and the way that aerial firefighting is conducted at night.
Fighting through the cloak of darkness
Barry D Smith speaks to aerial firefighters in California about their nighttime operations, the risks and challenges of fighting fire at night, and how they train to overcome these
28 Jan 2026
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Barry Smith
Special missions in the Middle East and Africa
Chris Croot asks operators working across the Middle East and Africa about the various mission types they undertake, their mixed fleets, what challenges are unique to the region, and whether...
28 Jan 2026
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Chris Croot
Elevated expectations
Leasing helicopters is a savvy financial move, lifting the burden and cost of building a fleet. Wet and dry leasing not only provide increased service options but also offer significant...
28 Jan 2026
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Jennifer Ferrero
Provider profile: Gama Aviation
Gama Aviation is accelerating its role as a major force in the UK’s air ambulance and special missions landscape, pairing fleet investment with an expanding clinical capability. Oliver Cuenca reports
28 Jan 2026
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Oliver Cuenca
Industry voice: How success in medical aviation carries beyond the mission
One child’s journey across the ocean reveals what truly defines private air medical transport. Adam Mikulski, Managing Director of Medical Air Service, describes the mission
28 Jan 2026
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Adam Mikulski
Interview: The spearhead of emergency medicine in Norway
Halvard Stave, Head of the Helicopter Section at Oslo University Hospital – the largest HEMS department in Norway – discusses with Mandy Langfield his route into air medicine, what makes...
28 Jan 2026
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Mandy Langfield
Interview: Safety culture and operational excellence
Steve McLeod, Training and Check Pilot with the Royal Flying Doctor Service (Western Operations), tells Mandy Langfield how he keeps training standards current and robust through a continual improvement cycle...
28 Jan 2026
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Mandy Langfield
Gallery: 80th SAR Center: ready and speedy
Based on the island of Sardinia, the 80th SAR Center of the Italian Air Force’s 15th Wing is mainly focused on search and rescue, but has other tasks including aerial...
28 Jan 2026
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Dino Marcellino
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HEMS/SAR
Valo eVTOL arrives in New York with plans for electric air taxi routes
New York’s first Valo eVTOL showcase highlights plans to make electric air taxis a practical urban transport option
3 Feb 2026
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Chloe Fox
Special missions in the Middle East and Africa
Chris Croot asks operators working across the Middle East and Africa about the various mission types they undertake, their mixed fleets, what challenges are unique to the region, and whether...
28 Jan 2026
|
Chris Croot
Elevated expectations
Leasing helicopters is a savvy financial move, lifting the burden and cost of building a fleet. Wet and dry leasing not only provide increased service options but also offer significant...
28 Jan 2026
|
Jennifer Ferrero
Provider profile: Gama Aviation
Gama Aviation is accelerating its role as a major force in the UK’s air ambulance and special missions landscape, pairing fleet investment with an expanding clinical capability. Oliver Cuenca reports
28 Jan 2026
|
Oliver Cuenca
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Emergency Services
Airbus reports 544 gross helicopter orders in 2025
The figure includes orders for 100 rotorcraft by the Spanish government, including 50 more H145Ms
2 Feb 2026
|
Oliver Cuenca
Tech giants unite to tackle escalating US wildfire risk
A cross-industry coalition is betting that shared data, AI, and defense-grade technology can close critical gaps in how the US prepares for and fights increasingly destructive wildfires
30 Jan 2026
|
Chloe Fox
New US Wildland Fire Service established
The agency will have overall responsibility for wildfire management across the USA, streamlining operations that previously required interagency coordination
29 Jan 2026
|
Oliver Cuenca
Fighting through the cloak of darkness
Barry D Smith speaks to aerial firefighters in California about their nighttime operations, the risks and challenges of fighting fire at night, and how they train to overcome these
28 Jan 2026
|
Barry Smith
Avionics and Technology
QAI Aviation receives FAA approval for H135 IFR upgrade
The upgrade allows the Airbus helicopter type to be operated in instrument flight rules conditions by a single pilot
30 Jan 2026
|
Oliver Cuenca
French Gendarmerie adds TrakkaBeam A800 to new H160 helicopters
New H160 helicopters in France’s fleet gain advanced searchlight technology to boost visibility and mission capability across law enforcement and rescue operations
28 Jan 2026
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Chloe Fox
Tabula partners with Arauco to supply aerial firefighting software
The solution will allow Arauco to track its aerial firefighting assets when tackling wildfire situations in Chile
26 Jan 2026
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Oliver Cuenca
New cellular geolocation sensor for Do228 NXT
The sensor enhances the Do228 NXT’s use in fields such as search and rescue, disaster response, and maritime patrol
22 Jan 2026
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Oliver Cuenca
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Simulation and Training
Open letter: Survivability is not safety
An open letter to the air medical community: Michael Benton, Aviation Safety and Operations Professional, presents a personal reflection on how survivable helicopter accidents are discussed within the air medical...
28 Jan 2026
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Mr Michael Benton,
Coptersafety acquired by MML Keystone to support future expansion
The Helsinki-based helicopter simulator training provider will continue operations as normal while planning a phased expansion of Level D training capacity under new majority ownership
14 Jan 2026
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Chloe Fox
Bluedrop USA partners with Simutech Solutions
The deal will see Simutech sell Bluedrop’s full product range across the Asia-Pacific and Middle East regions
12 Jan 2026
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Oliver Cuenca
AFormX unveils advanced aerial firefighting simulator
The new Air Tractor-specific system enhances realistic pilot training for high-risk wildfire missions while underscoring Slovenia’s growing role in advanced aerial firefighting technology
8 Jan 2026
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Chloe Fox
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Drones
Skylift UAV achieves UK first with BVLOS drone trials over Solent
A government-backed trial shows how long-range drones could soon move urgent medical supplies through some of Britain’s most complex shared airspace
29 Jan 2026
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Chloe Fox
Tennessee police department to acquire 12 DFR drones
The drones will be acquired as part of a larger $9.4 million equipment contract
27 Jan 2026
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Oliver Cuenca
France orders six Airbus VSR700 uncrewed aerial systems
The order represents a major milestone in the development of the remotely piloted helicopter, which will be sold in both military and civilian configurations
22 Jan 2026
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Oliver Cuenca
Louisiana police department acquires long-range drone
Police in Baton Rouge, in the US state of Louisiana, plan to eventually operate the drone at a range of up to 100 miles
19 Jan 2026
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Oliver Cuenca
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Industry Moves
Babcock names new Group CEO
Harry Holt will step into the role at the end of this year, replacing David Lockwood
2 Feb 2026
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Oliver Cuenca
Airbus Helicopters appoints Matthieu Louvot as new CEO
Matthieu Louvot has been appointed CEO of Airbus Helicopters, ushering in a new leadership era as the division focuses on strategic growth and innovation
16 Jan 2026
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Chloe Fox
Air Ambulances UK appoints Mike McGrath as new CEO
The national air ambulance umbrella body has named an experienced charity leader to guide the organization as it continues to support and represent lifesaving services across the UK
2 Jan 2026
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Chloe Fox
Spectrum Aeromed appoints new President
Shannon Schell joins the company from his previous role as President and CEO of REVA
5 Dec 2025
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Oliver Cuenca
