Rogerson Aircraft Corp. v. Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.

Case Background

On December 12, 2017, Plaintiff Rogerson Aircraft Corp. filed a Trade Secret lawsuit in the Texas District Court, Tarrant County (Case number: 348-296827-17). Judge Megan Fahey presided over the case.

Cause

Rogerson Aircraft Corporation has established itself as a pioneering force in helicopter avionics systems since 1978, specializing in integrated cockpit displays and advanced aviation technology. The company invested millions of dollars over two decades in developing state-of-the-art digital glass cockpit technology specifically for helicopter applications. In the early 1990s, Rogerson initiated a transformative partnership with Bell Helicopter, introducing them to the industry’s first flat-panel Electronic Flight Information System (EFIS). This revolutionary helicopter avionics system marked the beginning of their 25-year collaboration. The partnership yielded significant technological breakthroughs in integrated cockpit displays. Rogerson developed the first certified all-digital cockpit for the Bell 430 helicopter in 1994, creating the foundational architecture that became standard in Bell’s digital helicopter cockpits. The company further advanced its proprietary avionics designs by introducing enhanced Integrated Instrument Display Systems (IIDS) for the Bell 427 helicopter in 1996, incorporating sophisticated maintenance and monitoring features. Between 1999 and 2013, Rogerson continued innovating helicopter avionics systems. The company developed larger-format displays for Bell 412 helicopters with advanced capabilities, including radar integration, FLIR video, and comprehensive diagnostic systems. Their collaboration peaked with the joint development of glass cockpit Integrated Avionics Systems (IAS) for the Bell 429 and 412EPI helicopters. This achievement represented the pinnacle of modern aviation technology integration.

Injuries

Bell’s actions caused substantial harm to Rogerson’s market position in the aviation industry when it allegedly disclosed confidential helicopter avionics technology to a new supplier. Th