Robinson unveils larger aircraft with a highly configurable cabin and most standard safety equipment in the segment, allowing operators to accomplish more.
ALTI Unmanned takes flight into fully electric future.
FAA certifies Airbus H125 IFR capability.
Piaggio Aerospace delivers a new Avanti EVO to a North American customer.
New emirati company sama aviation invests in diamond da40.
Airbus announced 16,000 aircraft deliveries in latest performance update.
Piper aircraft announces fleet agreement with air india.
Tecnam aircraft announces fleet agreement for 90 planes with us aviation academy.
Centennials for Fairchild, Travel Air aircraft to be celebrated at AirVenture 2025.
This week in history -
Worldwide Incidents and Accidents
Bonus video - Westland Gazelle Low Level Flying
Robinson Unveils Larger Aircraft With A Highly Configurable Cabin And Most Standard Safety Equipment In The Segment, Allowing Operators To Accomplish More
Robinson Helicopter Company (RHC) announced its first all-new aircraft in nearly 15 years, the R88, a larger, and increasingly capable helicopter designed to meet a wider range of mission requirements while maintaining the company’s hallmark reliability, affordability, and safety.
The R88 represents a significant expansion of Robinson Helicopter’s product portfolio, addressing the increasing demand for versatile and cost-effective single-engine utility helicopters.
The highly configurable R88 is designed for a variety of missions, including aerial firefighting, air medical transport, utility work, passenger transport and more. Its adaptable interior design allows for quick reconfiguration, supporting various mission needs.
"With the unveiling of the R88, we expect to disrupt the single-engine helicopter market, offering superior performance and capabilities at a competitive price," said David Smith, president and CEO of Robinson Helicopter Company. “As the most vertically Integrated manufacturer of helicopters in the world, we have a unique opportunity to provide solutions that no other manufacturer can – a highly-capable and affordable helicopter with readily available parts and predictable maintenance. This is exactly what our 10,000+ existing customers have come to expect from Robinson.”
Robinson Helicopter Company selected the Safran Helicopter Engines’ Arriel 2W engine for the R88 and is providing market-leading engine service and support as part of every aircraft purchase in the new Arriel 2W Serenity package, a first of its kind offering for any commercial helicopter. The Serenity package will be included with the purchase of each new R88 helicopter. Serenity includes services, such as unscheduled removals coverage for five years or 2,000 flying hours (whichever comes first), premium health monitoring, and advanced digital services. This package from Robinson Helicopter Company and Safran Helicopter Engines offers additional confidence in the maintenance and ongoing support of every Robinson R88 helicopter. The Arriel engine family has accumulated over 66 million flight hours and is used in various demanding missions globally.
Key Features and Capabilities:
Size and Capacity: The R88 is the largest and most capable aircraft Robinson Helicopter has designed, with capacity for eight main cabin seats, two cockpit seats and a payload capacity of up to 1,800 pounds with full fuel. It has approximately 275 cubic feet of cabin volume.
Performance: The R88 offers a range of over 350 nautical miles and endurance exceeding 3.5 hours. The aircraft is expected to have an internal payload of more than 2,800 pounds and will be powered by a 1,000-shaft horse-power single engine in the Safran Arriel 2W.
Highly Configurable Interior: The highly configurable cabin features a flat floor, allowing for multiple forward and club seating configurations, effective air medical and public safety mission configurations, and multiple future seating options. A fold-down, truck-bed style rear door simplifies cargo loading and accommodates a HEMS stretcher.
Exterior Adaptability: The aircraft is available with standard skids or optional high skids for increased ground clearance and compatibility with a firefighting water tank. Optional equipment includes a 3,000-pound HEC-rated cargo hook, utility basket, wire strike protection kit, and pop-out floats.
Advanced Avionics: The R88 features a Garmin avionics suite, including large G500H TXi displays and GTN navigators with touchscreen controls. The G500H TXi includes a crew alerting system. A standard 4-axis autopilot with features such as level mode, hover assist, limit cueing, and low/high speed protection. Standard data recording with datalink and a health usage monitoring system (HUMS) simplifies operation and maintenance.
Enhanced Safety: The R88 incorporates dual hydraulics for pitch and roll for critical flight controls. Other standard safety features include an inlet barrier filter and impact-resistant windshields certified to Part 29 transport helicopter requirements. New LED exterior lighting, including pulse landing and taxi lights, tail rotor lighting, scene lighting, and entry lights, further enhance safety.
Innovative Design: The R88 introduces dual cyclic controls with removable controls on both sides, allowing the pilot in command to be in either the left or right seat with a passenger in the other seat. The aircraft will be type-certified for optional single-pilot IFR operations. The all-new interior design features comfortable, functional seating, easy-to-maintain materials, and a versatile layout.
Affordability: The R88 is priced starting at $3.3 million USD in current dollars for the highly equipped standard configuration.
The R88 is an all-new type certificate, undergoing rigorous testing and engineering for every aspect of the aircraft. The company will be taking deposits from Authorized Robinson Helicopter Dealers starting on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at Verticon.
Alti Unmanned Takes Flight Into Fully Electric Future
Knysna, South Africa-based unmanned aerial systems (UAS) designer and manufacturer, ALTI has officially announced its transition to a fully electric fleet, starting with the launch of its Transition e-VTOL UAS.
The company said this aircraft represents a significant leap forward in sustainable aerial technology, catering to military, security, and conservation missions.
The Transition is ALTI’s first fully electric vertical take-off and landing (e-VTOL) aircraft, designed to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and minimise environmental impact. Its all-electric propulsion system eliminates emissions while significantly lowering operational and maintenance expenses, it said. The aircraft has a three-hour flight endurance, a 100-kilometer range, and a cruise speed of 40 kilometres per hour.
Duran De Villiers, Founder and Director of ALTI Unmanned, noted the importance of this shift, stating that the “stems from the need to meet our clients’ evolving demands. We’ve focused on delivering an aircraft that’s as close to 100% reliable as possible, safe, cost-effective, and virtually undetectable. Our clients, whether in surveillance, reconnaissance, or conservation, require an aircraft that’s not only efficient but also silent and stealthy.
FAA Certifies Airbus H125 IFR Capability
The H125‘s single pilot instrument flight rules (IFR) capability has been certified by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), paving the way for first deliveries in 2025 from Airbus Helicopters’ assembly line in Columbus, Mississippi. This new feature, developed in collaboration with Moog´s Genesys Aerosystems, consists of an upgraded cockpit and a new autopilot along with redundant hydraulic and electrical systems.
IFR capabilities will allow pilots to operate the aircraft more safely in low visibility and challenging weather conditions, thanks to advanced avionics and autopilot. The system offers advanced situational awareness and reduces pilots’ workload for operations, all while maintaining the flight capabilities that have made the H125 the undisputed leader in the light single-engine segment for its unrivalled power, safety, versatility and manoeuvrability.
“By adding this functionality to a light single-engine helicopter, Airbus Helicopters enables operators to carry out complex operations at a reduced operating cost. This new IFR feature will expand the helicopter's mission capabilities in all weather conditions, especially for critical missions such as public services, including law enforcement, emergency medical services, and pilot training - missions that are in high demand worldwide, and particularly in North America,” said Jérome Ronssin, Head of Light Helicopters Programme at Airbus Helicopters.
Today, more than 4,300 H125 family helicopters are flying across the globe in the most demanding conditions. The H125 is the absolute market leader in the intermediate single-engine helicopter category, achieving a market share of around 80% in 2024. In 2024, the Ecureuil family celebrated 40 million flight hours and 50 years since its maiden flight.
Piaggio Aerospace delivers a new Avanti EVO to a North American Customer
Piaggio Aerospace has just delivered a new P.180 Avanti EVO, the iconic turboprop produced by the Italian firm in Villanova d’Albenga and Genoa, to a young businessman from Missouri (USA).
The aircraft has an 8-passenger VIP configuration and sports a custom grey and blue livery co-designed with the customer. It also features a significant technological innovation: it is the first Avanti EVO equipped with an Enhanced Vision System (EVS), designed to improve pilots’ vision at night and in low-visibility conditions. This system comprises a high-resolution digital camera integrated with infrared technology, providing real-time information to the pilot and co-pilot’s multifunction display.
Eleven other Avanti EVOs are currently in production at Piaggio Aerospace’s factory in Villanova d’Albenga.
New Emirati Company Sama Aviation Invests in Diamond DA40
Diamond Aircraft this week celebrated the handover of the first DA40 aircraft to Sama Aviation, based in the UAE’s Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah. Sales Manager Christian Schmid handed over the four-seater, single-engine piston aircraft to Sama Aviation’s team at Diamond’s Austrian Headquarters on Monday.
Sama Aviation, an offshoot of the popular and long-established Jazirah Aviation Club, will use the aircraft to train ab-initio pilots as part of its newly established PPL program. The Jazirah Aviation Club school already offers complete training programs for Light Sport Aircraft in the UAE approved by the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA).
“Sama Aviation is thrilled to add the DA40 to our fleet. This aircraft represents a significant step in our commitment to providing top-tier training and a modern flying experience for our students,” said Dania Alaker, Marketing Manager at Jazirah Aviation Club. “We appreciate the professionalism and support of Diamond Aircraft throughout the acquisition process and look forward to a successful partnership.”
The Diamond DA40 series is a leading choice for flight schools worldwide. The air conditioned DA40 NG handed over to Sama Aviation features a 168hp Austro Engine AE300 turbocharged diesel engine and an ECU single lever control system for ease of operation. The aircraft runs on Jet A-1, making it cost-efficient and sustainable.
“We are proud to welcome Sama Aviation to the Diamond Aircraft family and are sure their students and instructors will love the easy handling, versatility, and performance that comes with the DA40,” said Christian Schmid. “We are also delighted to celebrate yet another new Diamond in the Middle East region, where demand for our aircraft is growing rapidly.”
The purchase of the DA40 by Sama Aviation was made possible by Diamond Aircraft’s regional sales partner, Aviation Home Qatar. The aircraft is scheduled to be in operation at the school by end of the year.
Global Air Travel Released Most On Time Worldwide Air Travel Airlines
Global air travel data provider OAG has unveiled the airlines and airports with the best on-time performance (OTP) in February, with Hawaiian Airlines leading the pack in North America.
According to OAG’s February rankings, FlySafair, Aeromexico, and Copa Airlines had the best global OTP performance during the month. The South African, Mexican, and Panamanian carriers had an OTP of 95.82% (4,471 total flights), 92.94% (14,701 total flights), and 92.63% (9,796 total flights), respectively.
In total, six airlines had an OTP of more than 90%, which includes three Western European carriers: Iberia (92.24%, 16,864 total flights), Austrian Airlines (90.73%, 7,417 total flights), and Air Europa (90.04%, 5,054 total flights).
Just below the 90% threshold was Royal Jordanian, with an OTP of 89.81% (2,533 total flights), and Fuji Dream Airlines, a Japan-based regional airline, with an OTP of 88.93% (1,944 total flights).
The latter airline is one of two Japanese all-Embraer E-jets family aircraft operators, with the other being J-Air, a subsidiary of Japan Airlines . All Nippon Airways ordered 20 (five options) E190-E2 aircraft in February, with deliveries starting in FY2028.
Ireland-based Aer Lingus and Qatar Airways closed out the top ten, with OTPs of 88.87% and 88%, respectively.
Airbus Surpasses 16,000 Aircraft Deliveries In Latest Performance Update
Airbus confirmed on 7 March 2025, that since its inception it has now delivered 16,028 aircraft. Details surrounding the landmark event were included in Airbus’ February 2025 orders and delivery update which saw 25 customers receive brand new aircraft.
According to Airbus, 40 aircraft were delivered in February 2025, and 14 new orders were made, including six A321neos from Korean Air and eight A321neos from an undisclosed customer. In February 2024, Airbus delivered 49 aircraft to 28 customers, revealing a slight drop in its output this year.
And in January 2025, the company delivered 25 aircraft to 17 customers, compared to 30 deliveries to 18 customers in January 2024. Earlier this month Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Airbus, Guillaume Faury, said the company was targeting “around 820” commercial jet deliveries in 2025.
This represents an increase of just over 7% over the number delivered in 2024 which itself fell just short of Airbus’ initial forecast of 770 for the year.
Piper Aircraft Announces Fleet Agreement with Air India
Piper Aircraft is proud to announce a new fleet agreement with Air India. The airline has placed an order for 31 Archer DX aircraft for delivery in 2025, with an option for 62 additional aircraft for 2026 and 2027. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2025.
Air India’s decision to acquire the Archer DX aircraft is in line with their strategic vision to support their new Flight Training Organization (FTO) coming up at the Maharashtra Airport Development Company’s airfield in Amravati, Maharashtra, India. This flight training school is set to become the largest aviation training facility in South Asia. This agreement also marks a significant step in Piper Aircraft’s ongoing global fleet expansion, particularly into the Asian market.
“We are excited to partner with Piper Aircraft as we set up India’s first airline-owned and operated cadet pilot school. We see this as the beginning of a partnership with Piper to support Air India’s vision to strengthen the aviation training ecosystem in India and become self-reliant,” said Sunil Bhaskaran, Director, Aviation Academy, Air India.
“We are pleased to welcome Air India to the Piper Flight School Alliance,” stated John Calcagno, President and CEO of Piper Aircraft. “We take pride in supporting institutions like Air India by providing aircraft that are renowned for their reliability and ease of use, ensuring the success of the next generation of airline pilots.”
Tecnam Aircraft Announces Fleet Agreement For 90 Planes With Us Aviation Academy
Tecnam and US Aviation Academy, a leading professional flight training institution, are pleased to announce the expansion of its training fleet with the acquisition of 38 aircraft, consisting of the P2010 powered by the Lycoming IO-360 and the P2006T MKII powered by the Rotax 912S3, to be delivered from now until Q1/2026, with an option for 52 additional aircraft for 2026 and 2027.
This strategic investment underscores the Academy’s commitment to providing on-time and on-budget training for its students and supporting both various training contracts.
Established in 2006, US Aviation Academy has grown into a world-class aviation training center, offering professional pilot, aircraft technician, and aircraft dispatcher training. With pathways to major airlines such as Delta, United, and Southwest Airlines, the academy operates a fleet of approximately 175 aircraft across multiple bases, with 1500 students (A&P and flight).
The addition of Tecnam aircraft, known for their modern design and advanced performance, will enhance the academy’s training programs and strengthen its ability to support airline and government pilot training contracts:
P2010 (Lycoming IO-360): This modern, single-engine aircraft combines advanced avionics and exceptional handling, making it ideal for IFR pilot training.
P2006T MKII (Rotax 912S3): A twin-engine aircraft known for its versatility and reliability, providing students with multi-engine operating experience essential for comprehensive flight training.
Centennials For Fairchild, Travel Air Aircraft To Be Celebrated At Airventure 2025
Two iconic aircraft types from the golden age of aviation, Fairchild and Travel Air, will celebrate their centennial years during activities at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2025, held July 21-27.
The 100th anniversary year for each aircraft will welcome those airplanes to the AirVenture flightline, with additional programs and activities held in conjunction with the Fairchild and Travel Air type clubs. All owners of Fairchild and Travel Air aircraft are invited to be part of the centennial activities.
“Each of these aircraft companies were founded in 1925, but took very different paths through their histories,” said Rick Larsen, EAA’s vice president of communities and member programs, who coordinates AirVenture features and attractions. “Each of these aircraft types made unique contributions to the world of flight, especially the momentous era from 1920 until 1940.” Fairchild Aircraft was founded in 1925 as a builder of aircraft stable enough for aerial photography and mapping. While the company created a significant number of civilian passenger airplanes in its first 15 years, it was during World War II that the company turned to military aircraft production, especially trainers and transports. It continued that focus through acquisitions of Hiller Aircraft and Republic Aircraft in the 1960s. Its final major production aircraft was the legendary A-10 Thunderbolt II, also known as the Warthog, from 1972 through 1984.
The EAA Aviation Museum currently has the oldest Fairchild aircraft in existence, a 1927 FC-2W model. It is in early American Airlines markings as it served as an early carrier after flying for Interstate Airlines.
The Travel Air Manufacturing Company’s short history was a partnership of three famous names in aviation history: Walter Beech, Clyde Cessna, and Lloyd Stearman of Wichita, Kansas. The three men were part of the Swallow Aircraft Company but in 1925, struck out on their own to create versatile biplanes in a 30-by-30-foot space in downtown Wichita. After some early success, the partnership separated with Stearman and then Cessna moving to their own businesses. The company was eventually absorbed into the Curtiss-Wright Corporation in 1929 and ended production in 1931 during the Great Depression.
EAA continues the legacy of the company with its Travel Air 4000, which is one of the oldest aircraft in the world offering passenger flights with its seasonal operations at the EAA Aviation Museum’s Pioneer Airport.
5 March 5
Voyager 1 makes its closest approach to Jupiter at a distance of 172,000 miles.
Voyager 1 launched by NASA on 5 September 1977 was part of the Voyager program to study the outer Solar System and the interstellar space beyond the Sun's heliosphere. It was launched 16 days after its twin, Voyager 2. It communicates through the NASA Deep Space Network (DSN) to receive routine commands and to transmit data to Earth.
Real-time distance and velocity data are provided by NASA and JPL. At a distance of 167.34 AU (25.0 billion km; 15.6 billion mi) from Earth as of February 2025, it is the most distant human-made object from Earth.
The probe made flybys of Jupiter, Saturn, and Saturn's largest moon, Titan. NASA had a choice of either doing a Pluto or Titan flyby; exploration of the moon took priority because it was known to have a substantial atmosphere.
In 2017, the Voyager team successfully fired the spacecraft's trajectory correction maneuver (TCM) thrusters for the first time since 1980, enabling the mission to be extended by two to three years.[12] Voyager 1's extended mission is expected to continue to return scientific data until at least 2025, with a maximum lifespan of until 2030.[ Its radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs) may supply enough electric power to return engineering data until 2036.
Kenya, near Voi Airfield (HKVO), Voi, Taita Taveta: A Cessna 152 crashed about 500m from the runway when aproachig Voi Airfield (HKGO), Voi, Taita Taveta. The sole student pilot (20) perished and the aircraft was partly consumed by fire and destroyed.
Germany, Plettenberg, Märkischer Kreis, North Rhine-Westphalia: A Dallach D.4B Fascination crashed under unknown circumstances into trees near a residence in the Ohle district, Plettenberg, Märkischer Kreis, North Rhine-Westphalia. The pilot perished and the ultralight was destroyed. A video of the accident shows that the airframe parachute was activated in flight but failed to deploy properly.
USA, Lancaster Airport (LNS/KLNS), Lancaster, Pennsylvania: A Beechcraft A36TC Bonanza (Soloy/Tradewind Turbines propjet conversion), N347M, was destroyed when it impacted terrain shortly after takeoff from runway 26 at Lancaster Airport (LNS/KLNS), Lancaster, Pennsylvania. There were five occupants onboard who sustained varying degrees of injuries. ADS-B data shows the aircraft on a climbing left turn before it descended into a parking lot. A post crash fire ensued. According to the air traffic control (ATC) recording, the pilot reported that "we have an open door and we need to return for a landing", the controller responded "Bonanza 347M, roger you want to make it 31 or 26?", the pilot answered "Tower I cannot... with the wind, so we are going to return to 26 we are going to need a downwind". The controller cleared the pilot to land on 26, then the pilot readback correctly, but this was the last transmission from him. The controller then said "Bonanza 347M pull up!". The aircraft crashed shortly after.
Winds were from 260° at 17 knots, gusting 30 knots. Temperature 12°C, dewpoint -4°C, and an altimeter setting of 29.88 inches of mercury.
India, Chennai Airport (MAA/VOMM: IndiGo Airlines flight 6E5325, an Airbus A321-251NX, suffered a tailstrike during landing on runway 25 at Chennai Airport (MAA). The aircraft, VT-IBI, had suffered a similar tailstike incident on 9 September 2024. It was repaired and resumed service on 6 February 2025.
USA, IndiGo Airlines flight 6E5325, an Airbus A321-251NX, suffered a tailstrike during landing on runway 25 at Chennai Airport (MAA). The aircraft, VT-IBI, had suffered a similar tailstike incident on 9 September 2024. It was repaired and resumed service on 6 February 2025.
USA, near Rochester International Airport (RST/KRST), Rochester, MN: A Beechcraft A23-19 Musketeer Sport III, N4784J, was substantially damaged when it impacted trees and terrain shortly after takeoff from Rochester International Airport (RST/KRST), Rochester, Minnesota.The sole pilot onboard sustained minor injuries. ADS-B data suggests the aircraft was conducting pattern work at KRST. The FAA reported that the aircraft crashed into a golf course after experiencing engine issues, which was consistent with the ADS-B data that showed the aircraft on a climbing right turn from runway 31 when it descended into the Oak Summit Golf Course.
Slovenia, Velika Planina: A US-registered Mooney M20R Ovation 2 GX, N595RJ, was destroyed when it crashed in the area of Velika Planina, Slovenia. The pilot died in the accident. ADS-B data indicates the aircraft was cruising at 9675 ft baro when it approached an area with several mountain tops and began a descending right hand turn which progressed into a spiral. The last ADS-B return showed an average rate of -17250 fpm. At 0930 LT, about 10 minutes after the accident, the nearby Ljubljana Airport automated surface observing system reported winds from 320 degrees at 7 knots, ~4.5 miles surface visibility, light rain, 2000 ft above ground level (agl) broken layer and 3200 ft above ground level (agl) overcast ceiling, temperature 9°C, dew point 8°C, and an altimeter setting of 29.74 inches of mercury.
