SHG receives its 70th Eurocopter
Source: Nordic Rotors, 21-May-13
The Swedish helicopter service provider Scandinavian Helicopter Group AB (SHG) has taken delivery of its 70th Eurocopter aircraft. The helicopter, a brand new AS 350 B3e, was handed over in a ceremony at the Marignane production plant in Marseilles, southern France, last week. Eurocopter celebrated the momentous occasion together with three generations of the Pihl [...]
New Helicopter Base in Valdosta Aimed at Saving Lives
Source: WCTV.TV, 21-May-13
The view from a helicopter in the air can be breathtaking, but it can also help breathe life into those riding inside. Because when lives are on the line, time can be the greatest enemy. (See Full Story)
Sky Tech joins Turbomeca Certified Maintenance Center Network
Source: Turbomeca, 16-May-13
Turbomeca (Safran) announces the qualification of Sky Tech LLP, as Certified Maintenance Center (Level 1&2) in Kazakhstan for Turbomeca Arriel 2B/2B1/2D and Arriel 1E2 engines, respectively powering EC130, AS350 and EC145 helicopters. The company’s facilities are located at Airport Boraldai – Almaty Region. “The company had been carefully selected to support Turbomeca customers in the [...]
RSG delivers newly completed AS350B3e to Guatemala
Source: RSG Aviation, 16-May-13
RSG Aviation, Inc., an industry leader in helicopter and aircraft completions and MRO services recently finalized an extensive completion on a new Eurocopter AS350B3e helicopter. The project was completed for a loyal and long term customer, who for many generations operates the largest coffee plantation in Guatemala. The customer requested and received the following: New state-of-the- art [...]
ANAC approves Dart’s full emergency litter kit for AS350/355
Source: Dart Aerospace, 09-May-13
DART Aerospace announces that the Full Emergency Litter Kit is now ANAC approved for AS350/355 aircraft. DART’s emergency litter kit transforms any AS350/355 aircraft for emergency evacuation in less than five minutes and 4 easy steps. This kit can easily be stored in the cargo compartment so it doesn’t interfere with normal operations. Learn more [...]
Regular sightseeing tours start in London
Source: The London Helicopter, 01-May-13
The UK’s first public helicopter service to sell individual seats online launches on 1st May when The London Helicopter introduces regular sightseeing flights from The Barclays London Heliport in Battersea. This innovative offering at www.thelondonhelicopter.com allows passengers to pre-book seats for helicopter sightseeing trips over the Capital taking off from London’s only commercially licensed Heliport. The new [...]
Huntsville Hospital’s AS350 now carrying blood
Source: AL.com, 01-May-13
MedFlight, the hospital’s air ambulance, is the first helicopter in the state of Alabama to carry blood on every flight (see full report)
Helibras selects Safran Engineering Services as system integrator
Source: Safran Engineering Services, 29-Apr-13
Brazilian helicopter manufacturer Helibras, a subsidiary of Eurocopter, has selected Safran Engineering Services as the design authority to supply the installation design and full integration of multiple avionics communication and navigation systems, including a sophisticated new Glass Cockpit System from Sagem (Safran), as well as the integration of the auto-pilot system, for the modernization of [...]
Metro Aviation delivers AS350 to EagleMed
Source: Metro Aviation, 25-Apr-13
Metro Aviation recently delivered a new Eurocopter AS350 to EagleMed as the result of a base expansion in Cody, Wyoming. The aircraft was completed at Metro’s headquarters in Shreveport, Louisiana. The AS350 is equipped with Metro’s EMS kit that includes the transfill oxygen system with two outlets, medical inverter system, flip up seats, and LEMS [...]
Nepal’s Fishtail Air adds an AS350B3+
Source: Fishtail Air, 19-Apr-13
Fishtail Air’s newest helicopter commenced its first commercial flight on 11th April, 2013! The AS 350 B3+ single-engine light helicopter had arrived in Nepal on 29th March after having left Italy on 18th March 2013. Registered I-VIEW, the helicopter is fitted with 5+1 passenger seat version and is constantly ready to undertake real challenges and [...]
Brazil’s State of Pará orders two AS350B2
Source: Helibras, 18-Apr-13
[electronic translation] Helibras signed in its booth at LAAD – Defence & Security 2013, a contract for delivery of two new helicopters AS350 B2 Squirrel model for the Secretary of State for Public Security and Social Defense of Pará These aircraft were acquired to form the security planning of the State Government due to the [...]
Coast to Coast Helicopters adds two AS350B3e to Mustang fleet
Source: Eurocopter Canada, 17-Apr-13
Coast to Coast Helicopters took delivery of two enhanced AS350 B3e’s to increase support for the groups utility helicopters operations. Both aircraft will be operated by one of the group’s subsidiary operations; Mustang Helicopters. “The purchase of the AS350 B3e’s was an easy decision as the AStar family has continued to demonstrate its reliability and [...]
New AS350 for Castleview Hospital
Source: ETV-10 News, 15-Apr-13
Price residents may have noticed a helicopter flying over the city on Friday. The new chopper caught the eye of many residents and will soon be a permanent fixture to the area (see full story)
More STC Approvals for Latitude’s SkyNode Satcom and IONode FDM Systems
Source: Latitude, 27-Mar-13
Latitude Technologies (Latitude) announced that the company has received a FAA STC for the SkyNode S100 flight following and flight date transceiver for installation in more than 800 Part 23 category aircraft. Latitude has also recently received FAA approval of the SkyNode S100 including the IONode Flight Data Monitoring system for light helicopters including Bell [...]
Soloy SD2 Kit Approved for Installation in China
Source: Soloy, 06-Mar-13
The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) issued a Validation STC (VSTC0601) of the Supplemental Type Certificate approving Soloy Aviation Solutions’ Honeywell engine conversion in Chinese registered AS350B2 helicopters, replacing the factory Turbomeca powerplant. The validation of Soloy’s successful STC, which approves the installation of the Honeywell LTS101-700D-2 engine in the Eurocopter AS350B2, will allow [...]
American Eurocopter is leader in law enforcement sales
Source: American Eurocopter, 06-Mar-13
American Eurocopter continues to lead the U.S. airborne law enforcement market, maintaining a 55 percent market share over the last decade with a product line that has become the industry standard. With 280 Eurocopter aircraft operating in federal, state and local law enforcement units, operators cite reliability, versatility and cost effectiveness as key factors in [...]
American Eurocopter leads in helicopter sales for EMS missions
Source: American Eurocopter, 06-Mar-13
Many times each day, a call goes out somewhere in the United States for a helicopter to provide emergency airlift for a critically injured or ill patient. More often than not, a Eurocopter helicopter sold and supported by American Eurocopter answers the call. As Heli-Expo 2013 begins, American Eurocopter can proudly say that in 2012 [...]
Eurocopter Canada adds new STC items for AS350, EC130 and EC120
Source: Eurocopter Canada, 05-Mar-13
With the recent certification of the 2nd Battery Installation for the EC130 B4 and the Cable Cutter installation for the AS350, Eurocopter Canada Limited (ECL) has increased the range of kitted Supplemental Type Certificates (STC’s) for Eurocopter’s AS350, EC130 and EC120 product range. With the 2nd battery installation on the EC130, operators can benefit from [...]
Dart working with Pall on AS350/EC130 Arriel air filtration system
Source: DART Aerospace, 05-Mar-13
DART Aerospace today announced that in collaboration with PallCorporation (NYSE:PLL) it will shortly initiate flight testing of a next-gen advanced engine air filtration system for AS350 and EC130 helicopter models equipped with Arriel engines. The new AS350/EC130 Advanced Engine Air Filtration System will provide the highest level of helicopter air inlet protection to enhance engine [...]
EASA approves Simplex AS350/AS355 aerial cleaning and de-icing System
Source: Simplex, 18-Feb-13
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has completed the validation of the Model 510 FAA STC. On February 8th, the Simplex Model 510 powerline insulator and windmill cleaning and de-icing system was granted EASA certification (EASA # 10043539) for installation and operation on AS 350 and AS 355 series aircraft. Simplex received an FAA STC [...]
EASA certifies Cobham HeliSAS™ on AS350/EC130
Source: Cobham, 18-Jan-13
Cobham has been granted Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) approval for its HeliSAS™ Stability Augmentation System and Autopilot by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). STC #10049171 allows installation of HeliSAS on a significant new range of Eurocopter helicopters, including: AS350B, B1, B2, B3, BA, D, and EC130B4 models across the European Union. With more than [...]
Riverside County Sheriff selects Becker digital system for AS350 fleet upgrade
Source: Becker Avionics, 07-Jan-13
Becker Avionics announced today that Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in California, selected the Becker DVCS6100 digital airborne audio control panel system to upgrade their four Eurocopter AS350 multi-mission helicopters and single Cessna 182P surveillance fixed wing platform. During the next few months the Riverside Air Unit aircraft will undergo avionics upgrades, to include Becker’s Digital [...]
Air Methods acquires Sundance Helicopters for $44M
Source: Air Methods, 01-Jan-13
Air Methods Corporation (NASDAQ: AIRM), the global leader in air medical transportation, announced today that it has entered into a definitive stock purchase agreement to acquire all of the outstanding shares of capital stock of Sundance Helicopters, Inc. (Sundance), a helicopter tour operator based in Las Vegas, Nevada. Sundance is a leader in helicopter tour [...]
Brazilian Army approves Helibras workshop in São Paulo
Source: Helibras, 13-Dec-12
[electronic translation] The workshop Helibras located on the Champ de Mars, in São Paulo, received a certification from the Directorate of Army Aviation Material (DMAvEx), sectoral support body responsible for managing the helicopters Avex, to perform repairs and inspections on airframe AS350 and AS550 L1 military A2, and maintenance and repair of aircraft equipment supplied [...]
Mexico approves Dart’s AS350/355 Vertical Reference Floor Window Kits
Source: DART Helicopter Services, 05-Dec-12
DART Helicopter Services is pleased to announce their receipt Mexican approval (DGAC) for Vertical Reference Floor Window Kits fitted for AS350 and AS355 series of helicopters. The DART Vertical Reference Floor Window Kits are available in three sizes to fit various operational requirements. You can now look through the floor window with ease for vertical [...]
Azur Helicoptere fined €80,000 over fatal June 2009 crash
25-Nov-12
Azur Helicopter and its Chairman were found guilty on 10th October of “manslaughter by breach of an obligation of safety or prudence.”. This week they have been given a fine of €80,000 (see full story). The accident is in the HeliHub.com accident database at 20-Jun-09 F-GTRF Eurocopter AS350B2 Mount Cordon, France (7F)
Wysong completes 5th EMS Bell 407 in 2012; Signs for 5 more completions
Source: Wysong Enterprises, 23-Oct-12
Wysong Enterprises (Wysong) announced today from the Air Medical Transport Conference in Seattle that they have completed their 5th EMS Equipped Bell 407 this year and signed contracts for four more 407 aircraft completions this week. In addition to the 407s, Wysong also will begin work on another EMS Eurocopter AS-350 in January. “We are [...]
Citizen TV acquires first news helicopter in Kenya
Source: Kenya Daily News, 20-Oct-12
Royal Media Services has become the first Kenyan media house to acquire a news helicopter – although the AS350 shows no signs of any externally mounted cameras! (see full story)
NZ – Taupo’s rescue helicopter has new sponsor
Source: Philips Search & Rescue Trust, 12-Oct-12
Taupo’s rescue helicopter is a well-known sight in the sky. Libby O’Brien found out more about the helicopter’s facelift and the company playing a new role in helping the service take flight They say pigs may fly, but no-one has ever expected a cow to become airborne, let alone play a major part in search [...]
American Eurocopter showcases AStar leadership at IACP 2012
Source: American Eurocopter, 28-Sep-12
American Eurocopter, whose wide product line has become the standard for U.S. Airborne Law Enforcement, will feature its AS350 B2 from the Ontario (CA) Police Department Air Support Unit at this year’s International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Conference Sept. 29-Oct. 3 in San Diego. “The AS350 series has become the helicopter of choice [...]
Freedom Aero Service launches new repair process for AS350 Series
Source: Freedom Aero Service, 24-Sep-12
Freedom Aero Service, Inc. is proud to announce their new repair process FRS-11 for repair of ignition exciter boxes HE900 and HE901, Turbomeca PN’s 9550176020 for model HE901 and 9550164470 for model HE900.Freedom received FAA approval and is pleased to add this service to the HE402F, Turbomeca PN 9560119620 repair process FRS-5 already in place. [...]
$6.8M mosquito-control AS350 purchase hits political turbulence
Source: Florida Today, 06-Sep-12
Brevard County Commission two weeks ago authorized the $6.8 million deal by a 3-2 vote, after hearing arguments that the county would save money through the purchase because of reduced maintenance costs and greater efficiency in the use of chemicals and fuel. The county expects to sign the contract with American Eurocopter within a few [...]
Heliworks Queenstown and Southern Lakes Helicopters win rescue contract
Source: Otago Daily Times, 30-Aug-12
Sister companies Heliworks and Southern Lakes Helicopters will provide “semi-dedicated” Squirrel helicopters equipped with NVG, searchlights, beacon search, extended range capability and winch and long-line retrieval systems. (see full story)
UTair finances helicopter purchases outside Russia for first time
Source: UTair, 30-Jul-12
UTair Aviation has attracted financing from British bank HSBC on a security of French insurance agency COFACE. The deal presupposes delivery of 19 new Eurocopter AS 350/355 helicopters. The airline already operates five helicopters of this type. By the end of 2012 UTair will operate another four helicopters, while in 2013 the airline will take [...]
Erie County Sherriff takes delivery of HeliWagon
Source: HeliWagon, 27-Jul-12
HeliWagonTM has delivered a new HeliWagon to the Erie County Sherriff’s department. “I saw one of the HeliWagon’s demonstrated at ALEA and I knew we needed one,” said Erie County Sherriff’s Department Captain Kevin Caffery. “Our tug needed replacing, our trailer needed refurbishing and I did the math. When I saw the HeliWagon it was a [...]
American Eurocopter’s AS350 Level B FTD Offers Unique IIMC Training
Source: American Eurocopter, 13-Jul-12
Introduced at last year’s ALEA convention, American Eurocopter’s Inadvertent Instrument Meteorological Condition (IIMC) training course is an advanced safety innovation for helicopter operators of all models and missions. The course utilizes American Eurocopter’s AS350 Level B Full-Motion Flight & Mission Training Simulator to introduce pilots to the intense challenges of an IIMC encounter and the [...]
Transport Canada approves AKV’s Exceedence Trend Monitoring System for AS350
Source: Dart Helicopter Services, 11-Jul-12
AKV Inc an affiliated partner of DART Helicopter Services is pleased to announce receipt of Transport Canada approval for their new ETM1000 Exceedence and Trend Monitoring System. AKV Inc.’s Exceedence Trend Monitoring System is designed to continuously monitor and record all engine and drive train parameters for values in excess of the airframe and engine operating [...]
Chile – Ecocopter implements iPad across its fleet
Source: Ecocopter, 04-Jul-12
[Electronic translation] Among its applications is a navigation system with aeronautical maps, airport information, radio aids, weight balance, video security briefings, and others. Ecocopter again make a difference in service, through the incorporation of iPad2s in their helicopters with the latest technology that allow these tablets. The tool offers a great application platform utility that allows [...]
Hawaii’s first helicopter operator celebrates 50 years
26-Jun-12
A blessing and dedication was held Thursday at the Lihu‘e Airport Heliport, officiated by Lady Ipo Kahaunaele-Ferreira of Ke Akua Mana Church. (see full story) The company’s website has a great page on its history – from which the following early photo comes – Jack Harter on the left in this shot standing next to [...]
Soloy approved for SD engine conversion kit for AS350B
Source: Soloy, 18-Jun-12
Soloy Aviation Solutions has been approved for a SD engine conversion kit for the AS350B helicopter. The SD kit includes the same Honeywell LTS101-600A-3A engine used on Soloy’s SD1 installation. While the Honeywell powered versions of the AS350B model helicopter have been available for many years, all previous conversions required the conversion of the complete [...]
New Zealand – Heli Tours launches new service – Heli-Snowshoeing
Source: Heli Tours, 08-May-12
Heli Tours is proud to offer in conjunction with Guided Nature Walks New Zealand LTD - Heli Snowshoeing! Once the adrenalin is rushing from your heli flight, don a pair of our high-tech snowshoes. Gone are the old tennis racket style snowshoes and in are the new, slim line snowshoes which let you feel as [...]
Paravion develops compact ground handling wheels for AS350 and AS355
Source: Paravion Technology, 06-May-12
Paravion® Technology, Inc. announces that their highly successful compact ground handling wheel product line has been expanded for use with the Eurocopter AS350/355 rotorcraft, in addition to the Bell 206L/407 rotorcraft already available. The CGHW-100 kit is a pair of compact hydraulic ground handling wheels which easily stow in a small area of the baggage compartment [...]
FAA approves Dart Auxiliary Fuel Tank for AS350/EC130
Source: DART Helicopter Services, 25-Apr-12
DART Helicopter Services is pleased to announce FAA approval of DART Aerospace Ltd.’s (DAS) newly improved Auxiliary Fuel Tank for the AS350 series of aircraft and the EC 130 B4. The newly improved Auxiliary Fuel Tank provides additional fuel capacity that can be transferred to the main fuel tank as desired in order to extend [...]
FlightSafety names new Assistant Manager at Tucson centre
Source: FlightSafety, 24-Apr-12
FlightSafety International announces that Jeremy Pisell has been promoted to Assistant Manager of the company’s Learning Center in Tucson, Arizona. “Our Customers and Teammates who train and work at the Tucson Learning Center will appreciate and benefit from Jeremy’s aviation experience, thorough understanding of FlightSafety’s training programs, focus on service, and ability to manage and [...]
Canada approves STC for Aspen Avionics Evolution Pro-H in AS350
Source: Aspen Avionics, 27-Mar-12
Aspen Avionics announced today that Aeronav Avionics Inc, a full-service avionics system repair and maintenance company, has received Transport Canada STC approval for installation of Aspen’s single Evolution Pro H Primary Flight Display, and the 1500H and 2000H dual flight display systems in the AS350 series helicopter. The installation approval allows for night VFR configuration, [...]
Cayman Islands court fight over downtown helipad
Source: CayCompass, 27-Feb-12
What started as an attempt to put more cruise ship passengers on a helicopter tour of Grand Cayman and drum up some business on the north side of George Town harbour has ended up in a court fight between the helicopter company, Cayman’s CAA and some downtown property owners. (see full story)
Russian military snubs Mi-34 to order 100 Eurocopters
Source: HeliHub.com, 22-Feb-12
Moscow-based newspaper Vedomosti is today saying that Russia is preparing to order over 100 Eurocopter AS350 and AS355 helicopters to train military pilots. The initial phase is a public procurement notice filed on Friday 17th February for 15 single- and 30 twin-engined helicopters, but with pricing to be based on an eventual order for over [...]
American Eurocopter’s AS350 simulator added to Metro Aviation’s training program
Source: American Eurocopter, 15-Feb-12
Metro Aviation has signed an agreement with American Eurocopter to use the AS350 Flight Simulator as part of the operator’s pilot training program. American Eurocopter owns the only AS350 Level B full motion flight simulator in the world. “We are strong advocates of simulator training for EMS pilots,” said Mike Stanberry, President of Metro Aviation. [...]
Air Methods and American Eurocopter enter pilot training agreement
Source: American Eurocopter, 14-Feb-12
Air Methods has entered into a lease agreement with American Eurocopter to use its AS350 Level B full motion flight simulator for the operator’s pilot training program. Pending final FAA approval of the training course, the program is anticipated to begin simulator training in the second quarter of this year. “Full motion simulation has not [...]
Summit Aviation appointed Eurocopter Service Center
Source: American Eurocopter, 12-Feb-12
Summit Aviation added as service center in key northeast region From Eurocopter booth #1917 at the 2012 Heli-Expo, American Eurocopter announced today that it has reached an agreement that will add Summit Aviation, based in Middletown, Delaware, to its extensive network of independent service centers across North America. “Providing our customers with the service and [...]
Coastal Helicopters converts AS350 fleet to Turbomeca
Source: Turbomeca, 12-Feb-12
Coastal Helicopters Inc.. HAS Entered Into Year Purchase Agreement with Turbomeca Engine USA (Safran group) for five Arriel 1D1 turboshaft engines. Coastal Helicopters, Inc. Currently Operates five AS350B2′s that Were her assets to Soloy AS 350 B2/SD2 ‘s in 2005. Turbomeca USA Coastal views Helicopter’s decision to reverse the retrofit back to the Turbomeca Arriel [...]
EASA certifies Dart law enforcement components for AS350, B206 and B407
Source: DART Helicopter Service, 09-Feb-12
DART Helicopter Services (DHS) is pleased to announce EASA approval of Geneva’s ENG and Law Enforcement completion components for Eurocopter AS350, 355, and Bell 206A/B, 206L and 407 series aircraft. Geneva’s receipt of the EASA approvals will allow European operators to take advantage of Geneva’s many ENG and law enforcement equipment solutions. All components are [...]
Dart announces certification of the AS350/AS355 deluxe skidtube
Source: DART Helicopter Services, 24-Jan-12
DART Helicopter Services (DHS) is pleased to announce Transport Canada, FAA, EASA and Brazilian approval of DART Aerospace Ltd.’s (DAS) Deluxe Skidtube for Eurocopter AS350/AS355 aircraft. DART’s Deluxe Round-I-Beam™ Skidtubes come straight from the factory with the most popular options pre-installed to save installation time and increase customer convenience. The Deluxe Skidtube feature DAS’s patented [...]
Switzerland – Swift Copters add AS350BA and S76B
Source: HeliHub.com, 23-Jan-12
Swiss operator Swift Copters have added two helicopters to their fleet in the last week. HB-ZPM is a Eurocopter AS350BA leased in from French operator Mont Blanc Helicopteres – serial number 1833 and previously F-GFPM. HB-ZMS is a Sikorsky S76B owned by Sikornir SA – and was featured at Helitech in the UK in September [...]
PVHS introduces air ambulance service to northern Colorado
Source: Poudre Valley Health System, 22-Jan-12
Poudre Valley Health System announced today that it plans to offer an air ambulance program from Medical Center of the Rockies in Loveland beginning mid-March. The program would feature a B3 helicopter designed to safely transfer patients in high-altitude areas. “We are proud to bring to the community an air ambulance service built around three [...]
Colorado – CareFlight bring AS350 to Vail
Source: CBS Denver, 17-Jan-12
The helicopter is based in Gypsum, quite a few miles down the road. But because of a partnership with the hospital in Vail, it’s stationed there, right along Interstate 70 every day, drastically reducing response times. (see full story)
Orange County sergeant and deputy investigated over helicopter use
12-Jan-12
An Orange County Sheriff’s probe into allegations that a department helicopter was used for a joy-ride is focusing on a Nov. 10 trip taken by supervising Sgt. Han O and a female deputy assigned to the Central Court. (see full story)
National Airways introduces first charter helicopter in Ethiopia
03-Jan-12
Captain Abera told the weekly Capital Ethiopia newspaper that his company has imported an AS350 model helicopter and they plan to increase their numbers in the future (see full story)
Second lawsuit filed in Las Vegas tour helicopter crash
Source: Las Vegas Review-Journal, 30-Dec-11
A second wrongful death lawsuit was filed Thursday in a Nevada court against the Las Vegas-based operator of a sightseeing tour helicopter that crashed and killed five people earlier this month (see full story)
Alaska State Troopers budget for AS350
Source: Alaska Dispatch, 19-Dec-11
Alaska State Troopers want a bigger, better, faster, tougher helicopter for their Fairbanks-based operations. They’ve already convinced Gov. Sean Parnell that the $3 million aircraft is necessary. He included money for it in his proposed 2013 budget — a spending plan he described Thursday as focused on true needs over mere wants. (see full story)
Simplex receives STC for AS350/355 aerial cleaning system
Source: Simplex, 17-Dec-11
The Federal Aviation Administration has granted an STC for Simplex Aerospace’s new power line insulator and windmill cleaning system for the Eurocopter AS350 and 355 series. The STC, number SR02207SE issued on 12-15-2011, is the newest product in the company’s 65 year history of innovation. The Aerial Cleaning system represents the third generation of aerial cleaning [...]
Lawsuit filed in fatal Sundance crash by Kansas City attorney
Source: Kansas City Star, 15-Dec-11
The first wrongful death lawsuit was filed Tuesday in Nevada on behalf of the families of a honeymooning couple from India killed in a Las Vegas sightseeing helicopter crash that also took the lives of the pilot and a Kansas couple celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary. (see full story)
NTSB: Sundance AS350 was off-route in low-light conditions
Source: HeliHub.com, 14-Dec-11
The NTSB preliminary report cites the following factors which they evidently see as very important in this stage of their investigation (1) the impact location in a narrow ravine (2) the non-standard routing taken by the pilot (3) dusk light conditions Check out the details in the Preliminary report Jeremy Parkin – HeliHub.com
NTSB Preliminary Report – 07-Dec-11 N37SH Eurocopter AS350B2
Source: NTSB, 14-Dec-11
On December 7, 2011 at 1630 Pacific Standard Time, a Eurocopter AS350-B2, registration N37SH, operated by Sundance Helicopters as flight Landmark 57, crashed in mountainous terrain approximately 14 miles east of Las Vegas, Nevada. The 14 CFR Part 135 flight was a tourist sightseeing flight, which departed from Las Vegas McCarren International Airport (LAS), Las [...]
Report: Sundance tour helicopter had engine work before crash
Source: HeliHub.com, 11-Dec-11
The Sundance Helicopters AS350 that went down just west of Lake Mead had its engine and other parts replaced the day before it crashed, killing five people, investigators revealed Friday. Check out the NTSB press briefings:- early on Thursday 8th December 8pm on Thursday 8th December 5pm on Saturday 10th December William P Johnson – [...]
Cayman Islands Helicopters opens new waterfront helipad
Source: HeliHub.com, 17-Nov-11
Cayman Islands Helicopters have opened their new helipad on the waterfront of capital city Georgetown, aiming specifically at the cruise ship market. Previously operating from Owen Robert International Airport, the transfer to and from the port (even though only 10 minutes each way!) did not encourage as many cruise passengers as expected. With the new [...]
NTSB Preliminary Report – 29-Oct-11 N165EH Eurocopter AS350B2
Source: NTSB, 07-Nov-11
This is the text from the Preliminary Report. By its very nature, the details are subject to change and should not be relied upon. The Final Report for this incident will be issued in due course:- On October 29, 2011, about 2009 Alaska daylight time (ADT), a Eurocopter AS350-B2 helicopter, N165EH, sustained substantial damage during [...]
RAF helicopter instructor gains World Record
Source: Royal Air Force, 04-Nov-11
A helicopter Instructor with No 660 Squadron on the Defence Helicopter Flying School at RAF Shawbury has gained an entry into the Guinness Book of World Records. On 27 March 2011, at the Yeovil Half Marathon, Lieutenant Jim Fraser RN broke a Guinness World Record™ by running a half marathon whilst wearing a respirator. He [...]
Brazil approves Cobham EFIS for AS350/355
Source: Cobham, 03-Nov-11
In a significant development for hundreds of South American aircraft owners, Cobham’s 3D Synthetic Vision EFIS (Electronic Flight Instrument System) has received Brazilian validation for AS350/355 model series helicopters, allowing for aftermarket installation in that country. The EFIS had previously received validation for Bell 206 and 407 aircraft. The fully-digital EFIS from Integrated Systems, a [...]
Valley Air Care – last flight
Source: HeliHub.com, 01-Nov-11
The Rio Grande Valley’s longest-running helicopter ambulance flew its last flight yesterday, 31st October, thanks to Texas state budget cuts. The South Texas Emergency Care Foundation has operated Valley AirCare since 1995, but operating their AS350B2 in recent years has been an increasing challenge as cost reimbursements continued a downward slide and fuel prices soared. [...]
Reno-based Care Flight celebrates 30 years
Source: Colorado Flight for Life, 31-Oct-11
The first civilian hospital based helicopter air ambulance; “Flight For Life” started at St. Anthony’s Hospital in Denver, Colorado in 1972. Flight nurses Jane Miller and Margaret Tole began flying with Flight for Life in 1975. Care Flight was born in 1981 when Miller accepted the position of Chief Flight Nurse, and along with Tole, [...]
American Eurocopter showcases EC120 and AS350 at IACP 2011
Source: American Eurocopter, 23-Oct-11
At this year’s International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) convention in Chicago, American Eurocopter will be prominently displaying an EC120 from Lake County Sheriff’s Department (Indiana). The aircraft will be featured on American Eurocopter’s booth #871. Lake County purchased the EC120 to rejuvenate its fleet of aging military surplus helicopters with the most modern [...]
Mexico approves four FlightSafety simulators/FTDs
Source: FlightSafety, 11-Oct-11
FlightSafety International is pleased to announce that it has received approval from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGAC) in Mexico for two Level D simulators and three Level 7 qualified flight training devices. FlightSafety has now received approval for 274 of its simulators and flight training devices from the DGAC in Mexico. “The approval [...]
Donaldson adds AS350B3e to FAA barrier filter approval
Source: Donaldson, 09-Oct-11
Donaldson Aerospace & Defense, a division of Donaldson Company, Inc. (NYSE: DCI), has obtained Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approval for the first Inlet Barrier Filter (IBF) system available for the Eurocopter AS350B3e model helicopter with the Turbomeca Arriel 2D engine. The Donaldson IBF approval adds the AS350B3e to the existing Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for [...]
World’s first dual-motor hybrid helicopter flies
Source: Eurocopter, 04-Oct-11
Eurocopter has successfully tested a hybrid helicopter that combines a turboshaft internal combustion engine with an electric motor for a world premiere, marking a new milestone in its innovation roadmap that opens the way for further enhancements in rotary-wing aircraft safety. For this initial breakthrough in exploring the hybrid concept, Eurocopter is using the supplemental [...]
