Some observers speculate that a bad episode of ground resonance may be to blame for the violent self-destruction of a medevac helicopter as it landed in a field in Para, Brazil. Few details are available about the incident, which reportedly took place Wednesday — the same day video of the accident began spreading, online. The helicopter appears to be a Eurocopter A-Star AS350BA. Some reports state that there were four aboard — two pilots, a doctor, and a nurse — and all escaped serious injury in spite of the helicopter engaging full-flail mode. Several accounts repeat that the aircraft suffered excessive vibration while airborne and that vibration developed into destructive ground resonance after the aircraft landed. Generally, ground resonance will resolve itself if the pilot is able to respond quickly by returning the aircraft to hover. Click through to watch.
Archive for February, 2012
Video: Helicopter Shakes Self Apart
Wednesday, February 29th, 2012Honoring 50 safe years in the air
Wednesday, February 29th, 2012Since its inception in 2007, more than 2,000 pilots have received the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award from the FAA. The award, which recognizes 50 years of accident-free flying, consolidated several similar pilot awards, such as the Golden Eagle Award, that had been presented by various Flight Standards District Offices over the years. The award includes a certificate and pin. In addition, the recipient’s name is added to the Roll of Honor at
One of the newest names on that Roll of Honor is Dick Hitt, well-known in South Carolina aviation circles as he is the retired FAA Safety Program Manager from the FSDO in Columbia, S.C. Here’s his story in his own words:
Dick Hitt and his plane at his airpark home at Whiteplains Plantation in South Carolina.
===> Posted on February 29th, 2012 by Janice Wood.
Making progress at PAMA
Wednesday, February 29th, 2012Our third edition of the PAMA Newsletter in General Aviation News reminds me of how fast our life goes by nowadays. When getting an A&P I never thought that writing articles for magazines and websites would be part of my daily routine.
I recall less than a year ago when I started as president of the Professional Aviation Maintenance Association, I was barraged with ideas and actions that needed attention. I am still sorting through some of them by priority. I am happy to report a couple of them are completed.
===> Posted on February 29th, 2012 by Dale Forton.
FAA proposes 1,500 flight hr. requirement for pilots – Atwonline.com
Wednesday, February 29th, 2012of flight time. “Our pilots need to have the right training and the right qualifications so they can be prepared to handle any situation they encounter in the cockpit,” FAA acting administrator Michael Huerta said. “I believe this proposed rule …
GA to the rescue of stranded cruise ship
Wednesday, February 29th, 2012Pilot flies mountain lion cubs to new home
Wednesday, February 29th, 2012On Monday, Feb. 27, Joy Covey, a LightHawk volunteer pilot from Woodside, Calif., had some very special guests aboard her Pilatus PC-12: Two orphaned, injured mountain lion cubs, who needed to be taken to the Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center in Scottsdale, Ariz.
===> Posted on February 29th, 2012 by Janice Wood.
Microsoft Flight launches with Icon A5 as featured aircraft
Wednesday, February 29th, 2012The new Microsoft Flight PC game featuring the Icon Aircraft A5 has officially launched. The starter pack is now available to download for free and includes the Big Island of Hawaii as well as the A5 as the default aircraft. Microsoft has also announced pricing for additional downloadable content, including the rest of the Hawaiian Islands and four other aircraft besides the A5.
===> Posted on February 29th, 2012 by Janice Wood.
DRE 8001 headset debuts
Wednesday, February 29th, 2012Headsets Inc. now has available the new model DRE 8001 active noise reduction headset with Bluetooth.
===> Posted on February 29th, 2012 by Janice Wood.
New PMAs for Lamar Technologies
Wednesday, February 29th, 2012Lamar Technologies has new PMAs for pre-1996 Cessna single engine aircraft. Due to high demand for Original Equipment 14 and 28 volt regulators, the company PMA’d both the DGR3 and DGR6 regulators it supplies Cessna.
===> Posted on February 29th, 2012 by Janice Wood.
