Dart wins FAA Certification for UH-1 Complete Landing Gear
23-Jul-10
Dart Helicopter Services’ affiliated partner, DART Aerospace Ltd., has received FAA approval to add certain UH-1 model aircraft to their existing STC’s covering landing gear components. The UH-1 models included are those that have been FAA certified per FAR21.25(a)(2) for civil use. The STC currently lists the following models as approved: UH-1A UH-1B UH-1E UH-1F [...]
Sales of Bell 429 slow, but company keeps faith
Source: Star-Telegram, 23-Jul-10
Bell has landed only 22 confirmed “money-in-the-bank” orders since the Bell 429 light twin-engine helicopter was certified by U.S. and Canadian regulators a year ago
Bell introduces low-cost ground velocity sensor for Hover-Hold and SAR missions
Source: Bell, 21-Jul-10
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, working in cooperation with Esterline CMC Electronics, has developed and flight tested a new generation global positioning system (GPS) sensor to replace existing high-cost Doppler or inertial velocity sensors used in automated approach-to-hover and hover-hold systems. This new product is anticipated to be available for installation on [...]
Bell to install after-market BLR FastFin on new 412s
Source: BLR Aerospace, 21-Jul-10
Bell Helicopter today announced its intent to install BLR’s FastFin™ Tail Rotor Enhancement and Stability System as standard equipment on new Bell 412 helicopters. This announcement coupled with the Federal Aviation Administration’s recent certification of its Bell 412 FastFin System, has officials at BLR Aerospace flying high. “We are proud to partner with Bell Helicopter [...]
Bell pledges $25K for Gallagher’s Army: Fallen Officer Fund
Source: Bell, 20-Jul-10
National radio talk show host Mike Gallagher is pleased to announce the generous support from Bell Helicopter for his non-profit, Gallagher’s Army: Fallen Officer Fund. This donation reinforces the two entities’ dual commitment to supporting the nation’s law enforcement officers. Bell Helicopter’s $25,000 donation will help support the families of police officers killed in the [...]
SkyBooks release 4.4 adds management functionality
Source: SkyBooks, 20-Jul-10
SkyBOOKS, Inc., a Textron, Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company and affiliate of Bell Helicopter, Release 4.4 adds management functionality to its Electronic Record Keeping Program. New management features include: Pilot Currency Functionality Enhancement Custom pilot currencies designed to fit unique flight operations New functionality to track precision and non-precision approaches Capability to add a currency for [...]
Donated EMS LongRanger put up for sale
Source: The Age, 20-Jul-10
Taxpayer funds were used to buy the helicopter for the Southern Peninsula Rescue Squad in 1994. But the group claims the chopper is theirs, not the government’s, and they can do what they want with it.
Bell Training Academy adds new 429
Source: Bell, 19-Jul-10
The Bell Helicopter Training Academy (BTA), announced that it has placed into service its new Bell 429 training helicopter. This 429 training helicopter was the first to be delivered to Bell Training Academy in support of its customers. The addition of 429 to its existing fleet of aircraft provides the training academy with a comprehensive [...]
Bell Training Academy reduces training costs for US Airborne Law Enforcement Officers
Source: Bell, 19-Jul-10
The Bell Training Academy, the training academy for Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc (NYSE: TXT) company, has been added to the Government Service Administration’s (GSA) Acquisition schedule, thereby reducing the cost of training for law enforcement officers and simplifying the contracting process. Airborne law enforcement and other government customers can access the entire Bell Training [...]
Bell boosts LongRanger performance, reducing upgrade kit price
Source: Bell, 19-Jul-10
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, announced the expansion of performance capabilities to its line of 206L single-engine helicopters with performance upgrade offerings to customers at a reduced price. Bell has spent the past year listening to customer feedback and evaluating the performance of this product line and as a result reduced the [...]
Bell and National Research Council Canada sign Research Framework Agreement
Source: Bell, 19-Jul-10
The National Research Council Canada (NRC) and Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company, announced today that they have signed a 10-year research framework agreement to identify and undertake work of mutual interest in the research and development of technology solutions for the aerospace industry. This agreement will streamline the process of setting up fee-for-service and [...]
Bell continues to increase H-1 production
Source: Bell, 19-Jul-10
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, continues to ramp up its production of H-1 helicopters after receiving a $546 million contract in June for the manufacture and delivery of Lot 7 of the U.S. Marine Corps H-1 Upgrade program. The contract includes 18 UH-1Y utility helicopters and 11 AH-1Z attack helicopters. Final assembly [...]
Bell begins Kiowa Warrior cabin conversion
Source: Bell, 19-Jul-10
Work is underway at Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, on an Army contract for the conversion of an OH-58A cabin into a D-model cabin. In April 2009, the Army exercised a contract option to have Bell Helicopter convert one OH-58A cabin into a new OH-58D cabin and also complete the non-recurring engineering [...]
Bell CEO/President John Garrison launches Farnborough coverage
Source: Bell, 19-Jul-10
Bell Helicopter is ready to take a stand on the global stage at the Farnborough International Airshow (FIA) July 19-25 in Hampshire, England, and we can’t wait to show the world what we have to offer in rotorcraft technology. The FIA is an ideal venue to showcase Bell’s innovative products and services. We will be [...]
Australian Army Iroquois choppers become national treasures
Source: Australian Military, 16-Jul-10
Greg Combet, Minister for Defence Materiel and Science announced today in Townsville that a squadron of Army helicopters will soon be dispatched to towns across the nation. Mr Combet said a squadron of 11 Iroquois helicopters, which graced our skies for more than four decades, would be made local tourist attractions in Townsville and eight [...]
Huey Helicopter Pilots Reunite In San Diego
Source: 10 News, 07-Jul-10
Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association’s reunion included a 4th July parade
Restored AB47G put on display in Italy
06-Jul-10
Agusta-Bell AB-47G registered I-ASFD, which has been completely restored by some voluntary members, was put on display on Sunday July 4 at Samarate (file photo)
Heliwest Signs six year JetRanger contract with Network Ten
06-Jul-10
The next time you watch a news bulletin on Perth’s Channel Ten, odds are some of the video footage will have been shot from a Heliwest aircraft. Western Australia’s largest onshore helicopter company has signed an agreement with Channel Ten to provide a Bell Jetranger 206 lll to the station’s news division for the next [...]
Philippines airforce to spend $150 mln on upgrades
Source: Reuters AlertNet, 06-Jul-10
Lieutenant-General Oscar Rabena said the airforce would get 15 combat utility and night-capable helicopters, 10 refurbished UH-1H helicopters, a long-range maritime patrol plane, a refurbished C-130 transport, basic trainer jets and long-range radar systems.
06-Jul-10 D-HAFL Bell B205 Paranho Besteiros, Portugal
06-Jul-10
Main blades hit tree during firefighting ops
Contra Costa County Sheriff completes Initial NVG Qualification Course
05-Jul-10
Night Flight Concepts traveled to Contra Costa County California this month to provide night vision goggle (NVG) training to the Sheriff’s Aviation Unit. The Air Support Unit of the Contra Costa (CoCo) County Sheriff’s Office has two helicopters that provide law enforcement reconnaissance, rescue, and support to all public safety agencies within the County. The Sheriff’s Office uses “Star [...]
Bell details activities at Farnborough International Airshow
Source: Bell, 01-Jul-10
Bell Helicopter will display its latest commercial helicopter, the 429, at the Farnborough International Airshow from July 19-23, 2010, at Farnborough Airport, United Kingdom. Media activities during the show regarding Bell Helicopter products will include: H-1 HelicopterPress Conference Monday, July 19 10.00hrs local time Cody Room, Farnborough Media Centre V-22 Tilt Rotor Press Conference Monday, [...]
La Salle County Board to decide whether OH-58 will fly
Source: My Web Times, 30-Jun-10
Whether to sponsor a helicopter on behalf of the Law Enforcement Coalition is now set to be decided by the La Salle County Board at its meeting on Thursday, July 8. The county’s role would be to sponsor, not pay for, a military surplus OH-58 [file photo]
Zip Aviation takes delivery of new Bell 407 with Garmin G500H glass cockpit
Source: Bell, 30-Jun-10
Edwards & Associates, an affiliate of Bell Helicopter, has delivered to New York City charter and air tour operator Zip Aviation, the latest Bell Helicopter 407 with an advanced “glass cockpit” system, a luxurious leather-and-bird’s-eye-maple interior and provisions for an in-flight entertainment system based on the latest state-of-the-art touch-screen technology. “This is not just a [...]
Turkish minister reveals purchase of 27 attack helicopters
Source: Today's Zaman, 30-Jun-10
Defense Minister Vecdi Gönül has said that, in addition to an earlier decision to buy nine Italian AgustaWestland-made A129 attack helicopters, Turkey has also decided to lease nine A129s to meet the urgent needs of the Turkish military.
Chile holds ceremony to present three new Bell 412EPs
Source: Chilean Air Force, 30-Jun-10
(Automated translation) In a ceremony held on Tuesday 15 June, Aviation Group No. 8 presented the three new Bell 412 EP helicopters recently incorporated into its endowment to support the fight. The event took place inside the hangar of the unit and was chaired by the Commander in Chief of the V th Air Brigade, [...]
Ocean helicopter crash caused by cracked engine case
Source: WA Today, 30-Jun-10
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau examined the Bell 407 chopper that was carrying seven people when it left luxury cruise ship True North and crashed into Talbot Bay in September 2008
Bell 429 arrives in UK on demo tour
Source: HeliHub.com, 29-Jun-10
After some demo flights last week in the Swiss towns of Samedan and Sion, Bell’s 429 demonstrator flew via Baden-Baden in Germany en route to the UK. Registered C-FTNB, the helicopter is now based at Blackbushe for a few weeks at Premiair Aviation’s hangar. Today it visits Oxford, although we are not yet aware of [...]
Dart wins EASA Approval of Full Vertical Reference Door Modification Kit
Source: DART Helicopter Services, 29-Jun-10
DART Helicopter Services LLC has announced that their affiliated partner, DART Aerospace Ltd., has received EASA approval of the Full Vertical Reference Door Modification Kit for the Bell 204/205/212/214/412 helicopters. Transport Canada approval has been previously received and FAA approval is currently pending. The Full Vertical Reference Door Modification Kits provide improved visibility of slung [...]
Marine Light Attack Squadron 773 arrives at Robins AFB
Source: Macon, 25-Jun-10
The first two helicopters of the Marine Light Attack Squadron 773 — an AH-1W Super Cobra and a UH-1N Huey — arrived at Robins recently. Seven additional helicopters will be following in the coming days and weeks.
Probation for Bell employee who injured two picketing colleagues
Source: Dallas Morning News, 25-Jun-10
A nonunion Bell Helicopter employee must serve two years of probation over his car hitting and injuring two picketing union members at a plant.
McTurbine named Authorized Maintenance Center for RR250 engines
Source: Bell, 23-Jun-10
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) company and their affiliate company McTurbine, Inc. are pleased to announce that McTurbine has received authorization from Rolls-Royce to perform maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services for the Rolls-Royce Model 250 Series II and Series IV turbine engines. McTurbine received Federal Aviation Administration approval earlier this year. “We are [...]
Bell’s Chief Engineer of military programs transfers to sister golf-cart company
Source: Golf Course Industry, 22-Jun-10
Chris Spencer has joined E-Z-GO as vice president, engineering. Spencer comes to E-Z-GO from its sister Textron company Bell Helicopter, where he served as chief engineer for military programs
Dart Announces FAA/TC/EASA Certification of Ultrapaw™ for Bell 206, 407
Source: DART Helicopter Services, 22-Jun-10
DART Helicopter Services is pleased to announce that their affiliated partner, DART Aerospace Ltd., has received Transport Canada, FAA and EASA approval for their patent pending new design of Bearpaw, called the Ultrapaw™, for the Bell 206L/L1/L3/L4/407 series of aircraft. The original DART Bearpaw, constructed of a UHMW polymer, addressed operator concerns about durability and [...]
Lockheed Martin Receives $44M USMC AH-1Z Targeting System Production Contract
Source: Lockheed Martin, 22-Jun-10
ORLANDO, FL, June 21st, 2010 — The Naval Surface Warfare Center has awarded Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] a $44 million follow-on production contract for the Target Sight System (TSS), the fire control system for the U.S. Marine Corps’ AH-1Z Cobra. The agreement authorizes production of 18 additional units. “I am confident that TSS is exactly [...]
Alabama woman takes Bell to court claiming gender discrimination
Source: NBC 13, 21-Jun-10
A federal judge cleared the way this week for a trial, refusing to throw out a discrimination claim from Kim Ralston, a former production control foreman at the Ozark plant who was terminated in 2008 from Bell Aero/U.S. Helicopter
Hillsboro Aviation completing LongRanger 4 for Astrum Helicopters
Source: Astrum Helicopters, 21-Jun-10
Astrum Helicopters announced today the delivery of its new Bell 206 Long Ranger L4 helicopter. The helicopter was delivered from Bell Helicopter and is undergoing an 8 week completion at Hillsboro Aviation located in Hillsboro, Oregon. The new Bell 206 Long Ranger L4 will have a corporate 6 passenger configuration, sliding door, cargo hook, litter [...]
Dart GPS Receiver Gimbal Mount now compatible with Garmin GPSMAP on Medium Bell aircraft
Source: DART Helicopter Services, 18-Jun-10
DART Helicopter Services is pleased to announce that their affiliated partner, DART Aerospace Ltd., has received Transport Canada, FAA and EASA approval for the redesign of their Top Mounted GPS Gimbal Mount for Garmin GPSMAP 296/396/496 for installation on Bell 204/205/212/214/412 aircraft models. DART Aerospace has undertaken to update the design of their centre post [...]
Bell delivers 1000th 407
Source: Bell, 17-Jun-10
Bell Helicopter’s 407 reached a historic milestone on 15th June when the company delivered the 1,000th production aircraft to longtime customer Shin-Nihon Helicopter Corporation Ltd. at its manufacturing facility in Fort Worth. “Bell customers count on our helicopters to go to work for them every day and we work hard to meet their high expectations,” [...]
CareFlite 222 crash evidence points to mechanical failure
Source: Star Telegram, 17-Jun-10
The rotor mast was fractured in two places — up high, several inches below the rotor hub, and farther down, just above the transmission. Investigator Tom Latson declined to offer possible explanations for the mast to have fractured in such a way, but noted that the tailboom, which was also found intact and 400 feet [...]
Forest Service helicopter stationed in Auburn for now
Source: The Union, 17-Jun-10
The Forest Service’s Bell 212 helicopter will fly out of Auburn, Station 10, for a month during the early part of fire season, said Fire Chief Jeanne Pincha-Tulley.
Rolls-Royce receives US Army Kiowa Warrior Supplier Excellence Award
Source: Rolls-Royce, 17-Jun-10
Rolls-Royce, the global power systems company, has received the U.S. Army Kiowa Warrior Supplier Excellence Award for 2009. The award, selected by the Kiowa Warrior Program Manager, is presented annually to the supplier demonstrating superior field support over the prior 12 months. Bert Brown, Rolls-Royce, Vice President, U.S. Army Helicopter Programs, accepted the award from [...]
10-Jun-10 N38110 Bell B47 Los Banos, US-California
10-Jun-10
This is a Texas Helicopters M74 conversion of a Bell 47
FAA extend Van Horn B206 composite tail blade STC to OH-58s
Source: Van Horn Aviation, 09-Jun-10
OH-58 helicopter operators now have an aftermarket choice for tail rotor blades. The FAA recently issued an amended Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for the Van Horn Aviation (VHA) 206B/L series composite tail rotor blade to include OH-58A+ and OH-58C models after reviewing flight and engineering data submitted by the company. “The City of Pasadena (California) [...]
Helicopter Crash Surviver Can Sue Manufacturer
Source: Courthouse News Service, 09-Jun-10
A woman who survived a helicopter crash can seek damages from its manufacturer based on defects in the maintenance manual (last updated 1975), a California appeals court ruled.
08-Jun-10 N….. Bell OH-58 Reno, US-Nevada
08-Jun-10
Washoe County have two OH-58As – N1032F (Bell MSN 70-15595) and N1911 (71-20729)
Traffic reporter wins undisclosed damages following B206 crash in November 2008
Source: Palm Beach Post, 03-Jun-10
Paul Cavenaugh, a popular broadcaster who spent decades warning motorists of impeding traffic snarls, has won an undisclosed amount of money from the firm that owned a helicopter that crashed in 2008, leaving him in constant back pain. (NTSB report for N281CB)
Municipal Government of Nezahualcoyotl stops flying B206 over safety issues
Source: ToDoTeotihuacan, 03-Jun-10
The president, Edgar Sánchez Navarro, announced that the Bell 260 type helicopter owned by the Municipal Government of Nezahualcoyotl no longer fly over the streets of the town as its technical conditions do not guarantee safety for the crew of the ship to the locals. [file photo]
Dutch SAR B412 targeted by laser pen
Source: HeliHub.com, 03-Jun-10
A Dutch Bell 412 rescue helicopter was targeted on Tuesday evening by a laser pen. This follows a smiilar incident a week earlier. The Royal Military Police is investigating into both incidents. The crew of the Search and Rescue helicopter conducted a training flight over Leeuwarden when the helicopter shone a laser pen.
Meeker Aviation and AirFilm Camera Systems announces new B212/B412 STC
Source: Meeker Aviation, 03-Jun-10
Meeker Aviation and Air Film Camera Systems are pleased to announce we have received: FAA / STC: SR02297LA, for our Bell212 / 412 /AB412 series helicopters, nose mount for camera / sensor /searchlights. The mount will also fit some SuperHuey, Huey II, 210, UH-1N models. The nose mount offers these distinct features: maxpayload weight135lbs will [...]
Helicopter pilot survived crash, only to drown later: report
Source: Vancouver Sun, 03-Jun-10
Company responds to 2009 death by requiring life-jackets for helicopter pilots on firefighting bucket duty
Air Evac opens base in Hardinsburg, Kentucky
Source: Business First of Louisville, 02-Jun-10
Air Evac Lifeteam has opened a base in Hardinsburg, in Breckinridge County, at Breckinridge County Memorial Hospital on Old Highway 60
