Editor's Notebook

Straight from the Editor-in-Chief's notebook.

Most everybody who is focused on the North America segment of this industry has a routine of preparations for Heli-Expo, I would think.

The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board is an exemplar, perhaps holding a premier position over counterparts in the U.K., France, Canada and Australia by virtue of its range of responsibilities.

R&WI’s 50th anniversary commemoration in this issue has been a humbling process

At AHS International’s annual Technical Forum in Fort Worth, Texas, last month, I encountered a longtime reader of R&WI.

As we went to press, the Northern Hemisphere again was in the midst of severe natural calamities.

Thoughts and developments from the editor's desk.

Editor in Chief James T. McKenna examines problems in today's UAS integration into U.S. airspace.

Editor in Chief James T. McKenna shares insight into helicopter safety efforts amid the oil and gas industry downturn.

In last month’s article on airborne use of force by police agencies, R&WI contributor Frank Lombardi explained that the mere presence of a helicopter could deter criminal activity and change the situation on the ground for the better (“Police Face Much to Consider in Airborne Use of Force,” R&WI, July 2016, page 28).

Welcome to your new Rotor & Wing International.

About 20 yr ago, I worked in Cocoa Beach, Florida, writing mainly about U.S. space missions.

In late September, the month seemed to be ending well. Our Rotorcraft Technology Summit, held Sept. 19 to 20 in Fort Worth, Texas, was a success, thanks in large part to a great marketing and logistics team at R&WI and the many accomplished executives who joined us as speakers and attendees.

From the editor-in-chief's desk.

Research and development programs, industry conferences, and white papers regarding air taxis and futuristic-looking vertical-takeoff-and-landing (VTOL) aircraft for urban air mobility seem to be everywhere these days.

Despite the many criticisms surrounding the possibility of electric vertical-takeoff-and-landing (eVTOL) air taxis flying in the future, the industry is bracing for the inevitable.

With a new executive editor at the helm, R&WI looks to increased news reporting.

During and after wildfires, floods, hurricanes and, this year, a particularly beautiful but destructive volcanic eruption, helicopters are often people’s best hope of survival.

From the editor's desk.

Another year, another HeliExpo looms as the helicopter market is both on a cautious upswing and realizing some major changes from within.

The old adage, “timing is everything,” held sway as we went to press with the new edition of Rotor & Wing International.

Most aircraft are essentially very complex connectors. Increasingly, the aircraft themselves are also becoming more connected.

In this issue, we focus on some of the technologies that are advancing vertical flight capabilities, making complex missions more common by improving safety and efficiency.