As 2022 draws to a close, we carry on our annual countdown of the biggest Vertical stories from the last 12 months. In line with previous years, aircraft upgrades, technological innovations, and safety are a few of the major stories that made the list this year. Here, in descending order, are the top 10 most popular stories of the year, measured by pageviews. (Click on the story titles to read the original articles.)
10. Bell’s Invictus nearly 90% complete, waiting on engine
During a press conference at HAI Heli-Expo 2022 in March, Bell announced that its 360 Invictus advanced helicopter was nearing the finish line. Invictus is Bell’s offering for the U.S. Army’s Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA) program.
9. U.S. Army picks Bell V-280 Valor for FLRAA
This month, Vertical’s Oliver Johnson reported on the U.S. Army naming the Bell V-280 Valor as the winner of its Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) contract, designed to provide a replacement for the venerable Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk in the U.S. Army fleet.
8. Unpacking the myth of loss of tail rotor effectiveness
Every year, a certain number of single main rotor helicopters crash after entering a state of rotation not desired by the pilot. Vertical’s Elan Head dives into the mysterious phenomenon of loss of tail rotor effectiveness (LTE).
7. Enstrom Helicopter files for bankruptcy
Enstrom Helicopter Corp. announced in January that it had declared bankruptcy and would be closing its doors later that month. At the time, it was announced that all existing contracts and agreements with the company would become null and void. Enstrom has since been purchased by Chuck Surack, founder of Surack Enterprises, in May.
6. Four escape Air Methods helicopter wreckage after ‘miracle landing’
In January, Vertical reported on an accident involving an Airbus H135 air ambulance, operated by LifeNet 8-1, an Air Methods affiliate. Four people escaped the wreckage with only minor injuries after the helicopter crashed into a busy street west of Philadelphia in what officials called a “miracle” landing.
5. The Helicopter Company orders 43 aircraft; will establish HEMS in Saudi Arabia
During HAI Heli-Expo 2022 in March, Saudi Arabian operator The Helicopter Company announced deals with Airbus and Leonardo for at least 43 helicopters, with options for 20 more. The aircraft would be used to build a comprehensive nationwide helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) sector from scratch within the space of three years.
4. AS332 L2 Super Puma certified in Canada
Vertical contributor Lisa Gordon reports on the efforts behind certifying the Airbus AS332 L2 Super Puma in Canada. Following about eight hours of successful flight testing in Winnipeg, Transport Canada granted its approval, and the L2 type certificate was issued on Dec. 22, 2021.
3. The Army Guard’s New Workhorse: The Airbus UH-72B
Reporting from the cockpit of the U.S. Army’s new UH-72B Lakota training and utility helicopter, Michael Tosi gives us a first-person account of the flight experience and his initial impressions of the aircraft.
2. Subaru Bell’s new pickup: the 412EPX
The 412EPX is the latest iteration of the storied 412 product line, created through a collaboration between Bell and Subaru. Vertical contributor Michael Maya Charles got behind the controls to find out what’s new with the aircraft.
1. Bell’s Invictus gets new tail, is 75 percent complete
Interest in Bell’s Invictus advanced helicopter was strong in 2022. The biggest story of the year is Vertical’s status report of the helicopter in February, when the aircraft had its new open tail rotor system attached. Originally designed with a canted, ducted tail rotor, Invictus’ entire tail boom structure was reconfigured to simplify the design and speed, building Bell’s pitch for the U.S. Army’s Future Attack Recon Aircraft.
