Today, more than ever, aviation is evolving into a global business. Our front-line sales and customer service representatives may often be the very first people that foreign visitors to our country interact with. Or we may be the first visitor from our company in the customer’s home land.

These days, it isn’t uncommon for a company with an air carrier certificate for conducting Part 135 operations to also hold a Part 145 repair station certificate.

The first time I picked up a standard aircraft handbook in 1989, I was instantly amazed at the standardized aircraft hardware markings and predetermined set of part numbers that were understood by almost everyone in the aviation maintenance community.

In the United States, we have a federal system based on the principle of checks and balances.  Each branch (legislative, executive and judicial) has separation of powers, ensuring none exceeds its constitutionally granted authority.

The D.O.M. and HeliMx magazine team was in Las Vegas last month for HAI’s Heli-Expo. To say it was a successful show would be an understatement. The show floor was packed with exhibitors and attendees wanting to learn about the latest products and services for the helicopter industry.

New orders and commitments for Eurocopter’s helicopter family, along with an unveiling of the latest evolution in its product line, marked the company’s highly successful participation at Heli-Expo 2013 — the rotorcraft industry’s largest international gathering.

Rolls-Royce, the global power systems company, has delivered the 31,000th M250 engine to Enstrom Helicopter Corporation for installation in a 480B training helicopter destined for the Japan Ground Self Defense Force.