International

A Birtle-area crop-duster is getting into the firefighting business. Randy and Janet Sandstrom have expanded their crop-dusting business to now offer aerial firefighting assistance to local fire departments. They are the proud owners of a serial No. 1 from Thrush Aircraft, a single cockpit plane with a switchback fire gate, the first-of-its-kind,...

Embraer unveiled the company's first electric-powered demonstrator in São José dos Campos, Brazil on August 16th, 2019.  The company also provided several images of the demonstrator aircraft that Embraer states will feature 100% electric propulsion technology, scheduled for its first flight in 2020. The prototype, a small single-engine aircraft, based...

“In September 1949, a group of aerial work operators got together to form the NZ Aerial Work Operators Association ‘to advance the techniques of aerial work’ in the country,” said the New Zealand Agricultural Aviation Association (NZAAA) Chairman, Tony Michelle. Read more on this story from ScoopNZ

Brazil’s Ministry of Agriculture has begun the process of regulating control of drone use for aerial application of pesticides recently, drafting a set of regulations. Regulatory oversight will include provisions for allowing aerial application via drones to deliver agrochemicals in areas where aircraft cannot deploy chemicals safely, namely in areas...

In the midst of a very turbulent week for DJI, the Chinese drone maker is holding an event in Washington, DC that focusses on improving the safety in the skies. In the Ronald Reagan Building, about seventy industry people gathered to listen to DJI's latest developments and roadmap to safely...

A Robinson R44 helicopter striking a powerline while conducting aerial spraying provides another example of the dangers posed by powerlines during low-level operations, an ATSB investigation has highlighted. The pilot then started a spray run from the eastern end of the drainage channel, and flew west towards a weir bridge...

/* unvisited link */ a:link {color: blue !important;} /* visited link */ a:visited {color: purple !important;}/* mouse over link */ a:hover {color: blue !important;}/* selected link */ a:active {color: blue !important;} The Australian Aerial Applicators Association has been working closely with powerline safety designers Balmoral Engineering and electricity companies Ergon...

When operating PT6 turbines, scheduled maintenance is regarded as being the key to flawless operations. Sometimes the compressor wash procedure is postponed as some mechanics do not fully understand its importance. Ossie Fernandez, General Manager of United Turbine, explains why it’s a very bad idea! “When you have been in...

The Council of the Russian Federation has announced a round-table discussion with representatives of the Federal Executive, the states, the scientific community, agriculture aviation operators, farmers and other members to discuss agricultural aviation legislation in Russia. The goal is to remove inconsistencies in current activities to better develop the industry....

Two 2019 Air Tractors, an AT-402A and an AT-402B departed from Lane Airpark on Saturday, January 12 for Cuiaba, Brazil. The aircraft were sold by Lane Aviation’s Brazilian Air Tractor representative AeroGlobo based in Botucatu Brazil. The highly experienced ferry pilots are (L) Jack Mezzo and (R) Sean Gunter with...