Hot Air Balloon Crash in Lockhart, Texas

Sixteen people were killed on July 30, 2016 in a hot air balloon crash in Lockhart, Texas.

The NTSB is currently investigating the cause of the accident. The balloon was owned by the Heart of Texas Balloon Rides. It appears that power lines just above the crash site may be implicated. All those on board were killed.

The Future of Helicopter Technology May Lie in the Czech Republic

The Czech Republic is ready to procure helicopters for its Armed Forces. The gentlemen above are some of the decision makers. Industry insiders have been invited to a special conference in Prague the better to learn of the requirements of the Czech Republic so as to pitch their product.

In an email directed to industry insiders, the conference is being touted in this way::

This event is perfectly positioned to help you find out about the upcoming Czech Armed Forces NEW Helicopter Procurement and the 12 multirole aircrafts they are imminently about to purchase. Of course this means a great deal on further system integration and through life support requirements are likely to be announced following the platform decision.

Hence, even if the helicpters themselves have already been purchased, many suppliers still hope to obtain contracts to refurbish the insides of the craft. An entire conference has been arranged around this motivation.

Key speakers representing the Czech Helicopter Modernisation Programme Include:

• Major General Jaromir Zuna, Director Support Division, Czech Armed Forces
• Mrs. Jitka Nalevajkova, Director, Air Forces Armaments Department, Czech MoD
• Colonel Jiri Vavra, Head of the Air Force Development Department, General Staff, CZE
• Colonel Miroslav Jencík, Director MATC, Czech Armed Forces
• Major Pavel Prochazka, Air Training Section Chief, 22 AFB, Czech Air Force

This conference is not so much a learning experience for rotary projects directors about the latest cutting edge developments in the field as a chance to start strategizing about how to sell these products to governments who want to use them.

At Future Helicopter Technology 2016 there are no attendees, only participants, all integrating ideas and sharing experiences so everyone can return to their rotary projects better equipped to enhance future strategies and procurement plans.

If you are interested in designing helicopters for procurement by the Czech Republic, you can learn more about the conference here:

Future of Technology 2016