Bell Helicopter has selected the GE CT7-2F1 2,000 shp class engine to power its new Bell 525 “Relentless” Super Medium Transport helicopter, unveiled at the annual Heli Expo showcase in Dallas, Texas. Delivery of engines is scheduled to begin in 2013 to meet an aggressive flight-test, certification and production schedule.

Boeing announced that the final phase of wind tunnel testing, a major milestone in airplane development, will begin on the 737 MAX program next week. Testing will begin at QinetiQ’s test facility in Farnborough, England, where engineers will substantiate the forecasted low-speed performance of the 737 MAX on takeoff and landing. A FTSE250 company, QinetiQ uses its

Pratt & Whitney Canada’s (P&WC) PW210S is moving into the production phase of the program. The engine received Transport Canada certification this past October, manufacturing approval and FAA validation this past December – and has since delivered six production engines to launch customer Sikorsky. The PW210S was selected by Sikorsky for the S-76D medium-sized helicopter

Lease Corporation International (LCI), the aviation division of global conglomerate the Libra Group, and AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, have signed an agreement covering the purchase of a fleet of AW139, AW169 and AW189 helicopters for a new division being set up by the lessor. The related contract, which also includes options, is valued in excess of $400m. Building