Textron rotorcraft-manufacturing subsidiary Bell posted significant revenue growth in the first quarter, with revenues reaching $983 million, a 35% increase from the same period last year, driven by strong performance in both military and commercial sectors.

“We had a very big increase, obviously, on a Q1-to-Q1 basis,” Textron chairman and CEO Scott Donnelly said yesterday during an earnings call. “We did have very strong performance in terms of deliveries on the commercial helicopter side, but we also had a very large increase on the FLRAA [Future Long Range Assault Aircraft] program.”

Bell delivered 29 commercial helicopters in the quarter, up significantly from 18 in the same period last year. This included twelve 505s, eleven 407s, three 429s, and three 412s, showing growth across most models compared with the first quarter of 2024, when twelve 505s, four 407s, one 429, and one 412 were delivered.

Military shipments included two V-22 Ospreys and no H-1s in the first three months. In last year’s first quarter, no V-22s were delivered but two H-1s were handed over.

The revenue jump was driven by higher military income of $154 million, primarily due to increased volume from the U.S. Army’s FLRAA program and military sustainment programs. Commercial revenues rose by $102 million.

Over the past few weeks, there has been a lot of focus on the rudder and its contribution to loss of control in-flight (LOC-I) accidents.

The month began with an article entitled “Use of Rudder” in Safety First, the Airbus Safety magazine, that issues a stern warning to pilots: “The use of rudder by the flight crew on Airbus aircraft is limited to the takeoff and landing roll, crosswind landings, or to counteract the yaw effect caused by an engine failure until the rudder is trimmed. Several events have been reported where the flight crew used rudder inputs after encountering turbulence, causing unnecessary trajectory deviations and loads on the aircraft structure.”

Next, aircraft upset prevention and recovery training (UPRT) specialist Aviation Performance Solutions released “The Rudder—Critical, Powerful, and Often Misunderstood” on YouTube. In this video, APS CEO Paul “B.J.” Ransbury reviews several case studies where the rudder contributed to loss of control or near-loss-of-control events. “These events, mechanical, uncommanded, and pilot-induced,” according to Ransbury, “all reinforce one thing: the rudder is powerful and must be treated with respect.”

He also explains the foundational role of effective UPRT in building manual flight skills, flight envelope awareness, and resilience. Specifically, ICAO and FAA guidance on rudder use during upset prevention and recovery is discussed.

The FAA will not move forward with a proposed change to its airman medical certification policy that would have replaced deferrals with immediate denials for incomplete medical applications. The announcement was made on Wednesday during a stakeholder listening session, where acting FAA Administrator Chris Rocheleau confirmed that the agency would instead collaborate with industry groups on education and reform.

“There was a lot of [stakeholder] feedback, and we took it seriously and we are not going to do that,” Rocheleau said, referring to the now-withdrawn plan. The proposed policy, originally scheduled for implementation in January and later postponed to March, had drawn criticism from aviation groups over potential negative impacts on pilots’ careers.

Under the now-canceled proposal, pilots who submitted incomplete exams or supporting documents would have received a general denial rather than a deferral and a request for additional materials. Industry groups warned the change could create unnecessary confusion, raise reporting burdens, and disqualify some pilots from programs such as BasicMed.

FAA federal air surgeon Susan Northrup acknowledged that rising application volumes and an increase in special issuance cases had strained the certification process. According to the FAA, it handled about 450,000 medical applications in 2024, with 50,000 falling under the special-issuance category. To help streamline the process, the FAA is developing improvements to its MedXPress online portal.

FreeFlight Systems has integrated its dual-band ADS-B solution into Collins Aerospace’s Pro Line 21 avionics suite, providing pilots with real-time weather and traffic data. The added functionality enables in-flight display of flight information services-broadcast data through Collins’ IFIS-5000 integrated flight information system.

The integration supports both onboard display and transmission to electronic flight bag (EFB) applications, allowing pilots to access weather information during all phases of flight. According to FreeFlight Systems president Anthony Rios, “Our collaboration with Collins Aerospace reflects our commitment to providing pilots with the most advanced tools for informed decision-making.”

To facilitate aircraft upgrades, FreeFlight is collaborating with Collins and BHE & Associates on two approved model list (AML) STCs. The Part 23 AML STC has already been completed and covers several Textron Aviation models equipped with Pro Line 21 avionics. The Part 25 AML STC, covering midsize jets such as the Cessna Citation Excel/XLS and Hawker 800XP/900XP, is expected to be finalized by next month.

The upgraded ADS-B In capability provides traffic and weather information from both 978-MHz and 1090-MHz frequencies. With direct display and EFB connectivity, pilots can overlay current conditions on their navigation map, aiding en route planning, weather avoidance, and traffic awareness. FreeFlight noted that the data-sharing capabilities of the dual-band receiver will improve cockpit resource management and enhance in-flight coordination.

Aircraft management and charter group Phenix Jet has achieved what it says is the first-ever temporary registration for a business aircraft in the Asia-Pacific region. The registration of a Bombardier Challenger through the Civil Aviation Authority of the Cayman Islands (CAACI) was processed while the jet was at Singapore Seletar Airport (WSSL) and took five business days.

A transition registration allows an aircraft to legally operate globally during the course of the transaction and before it is relocated to its new operating base. Phenix Jet—which has operations in Japan, Guam, Hong Kong, and Singapore, as well as a division in the Cayman Islands—said this approach reduces delays in deals getting closed. It also gives greater flexibility about where the aircraft is delivered and ensures that an adequate export certificate of airworthiness is in place for regulators.

The company, which works closely with CAACI, expects to arrange other transition registrations in the Asia-Pacific region. CAACI director general Richard Smith said the process is evidence of its commitment to expanding its presence in this part of the world.

“This is a first for Asia-Pacific and a big step in improving global flexibility for aircraft owners and operators,” said Phenix Jet Cayman (Hong Kong) CEO Andrew Svoboda.

OK3 Air, the lone FBO at Utah’s Heber Valley Airport (KHCR), has broken ground on a $10 million expansion project. Situated on a more-than-11-acre site, the new development—contracted to Span Construction & Engineering—will consist of a 31,500-sq-ft pre-engineered metal hangar with a 28-foot-high door, which will allow it to accommodate the latest ultra-long-range business jets. It will feature 30,960 sq ft of aircraft storage space and 540 sq ft of offices. With an anticipated completion in January 2026, it will bring the facility to more than 65,000 sq ft of hangar space.

In addition, Span will oversee the construction of 20,000 sq ft of new ramp, with FAA-compliant drainage and pavement markings. With the airport’s upgrading to handling larger Group C-II aircraft as part of its revised master plan, Span will also design taxiway parameters for that class of aircraft under the FAA’s TDG 2 designations.

“This new hangar and supporting infrastructure reflect our commitment to aviation excellence and strategic airport growth,” said Nadim AbuHaidar, OK3’s owner. “We are excited to offer expanded capabilities to accommodate the increase in demand by private aircraft, especially in the [Bombardier] Global 7500 and [Gulfstream] G650 category.”

Aerocor’s helicopter division has surpassed initial targets just nine months into its launch, the company said this week. Originally aiming for five transactions in its first year, it has completed nine to date, including four acquisitions and five sales. Eight of the aircraft were turbine-powered helicopters, and one was imported from Europe, expanding the company’s inventory and international footprint.

According to Aerocor, this growth reflects its ability to apply a data-driven sales model to the rotorcraft market. Early response has been strong, particularly among turbine helicopter buyers seeking specialized sales and acquisition support, it said.

“Many of our aircraft sales clients also own helicopters, and it’s been incredibly rewarding to extend our signature service to them,” said Devon Lyons, helicopter sales director at Aerocor. “With our expertise in international sales, acquisitions, and concierge brokerage, we provide a seamless, tailored experience for every client, no matter where they’re located.”

Co-founder Gavin Woodman added, “We are always looking for opportunities to provide value to our clients, particularly in underserved markets. Adding a data-driven sales program for owner-flown helicopters was an obvious next step, and we are very excited by the response.”

With continued interest in rotorcraft sales and acquisitions, Aerocor said its helicopter division is positioned to support a broader range of client needs as the company builds out capabilities in this segment.

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