GE awarded $13M contract modification to engine repair contract for UH-1Y and AH-1Z
Source: US DoD, 16-Feb-11
General Electric Engine Services, Inc., Cincinnati, Ohio, is being awarded a $13,783,020 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N00421-09-D-0008) for the repair of 15 T700-GE-401 engines and 36 T700-GE-401C engines for the AH-1Z and UH-1Y H-1 helicopters. Work will be performed in Winfield, Kan., and is expected to be completed in February 2012. [...]
Helipark receives Bell’s top “Platinum Seal” award
Source: HeliHub.com, 15-Feb-11
Helipark has been awarded the Platinum Seal, awarded by Bell to companies that achieve the highest standard of quality, the first time a South American company has achieved that accolade. Founded in 2002, Helipark has this year gone one better, after receiving a Gold Seal in last year’s assessment of Bell’s maintenance organisations. The Platinum [...]
Van Horn Aviation expands to accommodate main rotor blade manufacture
Source: Van Horn Aviation, 12-Feb-11
Composite rotor blade manufacturer Van Horn Aviation (VHA) recently signed an offer to purchase on a 23,000+ sq. ft. facility in Tempe, Ariz., significantly expanding the company’s available manufacturing space compared to its current location. According to VHA president James R. Van Horn, the expansion is required to accommodate current and future rotor blade programs. [...]
New OEM Scott’s Bell 47 announces plans for the future
Source: Scott’s – Bell 47 Inc, 12-Feb-11
Scott’s – Bell 47 Inc. (SB47) has provided an update to the marketplace on their progress as OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) of the Model 47 helicopter and also announced their plans for HELI-EXPO 2011, March 5-8, in Orlando, Fla. “Ensuring good supply of quality, affordable spare parts to the existing Model 47 fleet has to [...]
Mercy Flight selects Becker Avionics’ DVCS6100 Digital Audio System for B429 and BK117
Source: Becker Avionics, 11-Feb-11
Becker Avionics’ DVCS6100 Digital Audio System was recently selected by Mercy Flight Inc. of Buffalo, NY, for integration into their newly purchased Bell 429 light-twin helicopter and one of their existing BK117 EMS helicopters. The new aircraft will be delivered by Bell Helicopter Tennessee (formally Edwards and Associates) to Edwards and Associates during the first [...]
Bell’s Engineering Boot Camps challenge students
Source: Bell, 11-Feb-11
For the fourth consecutive year Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT), hosted college students from universities around the United States. at its company-sponsored Engineering boot camps. This year, a total of 20 engineering students representing 11 different universities from across the country attended the boot camps. “Bell Helicopter has received an excellent response [...]
Dart wins TC and EASA approval for LED pulse lights for Bell 412/etc
Source: DART Helicopter Services, 09-Feb-11
DART Helicopter Services is pleased to announce that their affiliated partner, DART Aerospace Ltd., has received Transport Canada and EASA approvals for their Cargo Mirror mounted LED Pulse Lights Bell 204/205/210/212/214/412 model of aircraft. FAA approval is still pending. DART LED Pulse Lights install easily on any DART Dual Cargo Mirror and provide excellent forward [...]
Bell launches new assembly and delivery center for Kiowa Warrior
Source: Bell, 09-Feb-11
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT) officially dedicated their newest flight hangar at the Military Aircraft Assembly and Delivery Center in Amarillo, TX for work specifically supporting the U.S. Army’s OH-58 Kiowa Warrior program. “We, at Bell Helicopter, are honored by the confidence and trust the U.S. Army, the Program Executive Officer of Army Aviation, [...]
Bell delivers first 429 into India
Source: Bell, 09-Feb-11
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, has announced the first delivery of a Bell 429 helicopter to a customer in India. The announcement took place at the biennial Aero India air show where the company has the aircraft on display. The customer, Span Air, is headquartered in New Delhi and is one of [...]
Malaysian state of Sabah becomes first with air ambulance
08-Feb-11
The new medical airlift service, using two helicopters to ferry patients during emergencies to be implemented by the Health Ministry in Sabah later this year, will be the first of its kind in Malaysia.
Bell appoints new Commercial Sales Director for North America
Source: Bell, 07-Feb-11
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, today announced the appointment of Jeffrey L. Angelos as Director, Commercial Sales for North America. Angelos will be responsible for planning and direction of sales, marketing and after sales support for the North American region. He will report directly to Larry D. Roberts, Senior Vice President, Commercial [...]
“Huey” says goodbye to the Yakima Training Center
06-Feb-11
The UH-1 Huey has been a recognized symbol of the American military for half a century
Yemen takes delivery of four Huey IIs
Source: DSCA, 06-Feb-11
The Yemen Air Force (YAF) took delivery of four utility helicopters from the United States under the 1206 program, on 16 January. Yemen received spares and associated tools for the Bell UH-1Hs, or Huey IIs, on 3 January. The delivery of this package comes exactly one hundred and ten days after the U.S. Government signed [...]
Donaldson inlet barrier filters on Super Bowl patrol
Source: Donaldson, 04-Feb-11
While thousands enjoy one of the sports world’s most popular annual events, air crews with the Dallas Police Department’s (DPD) Helicopter Unit will be patrolling the skies over this year’s Super Bowl. On every flight, while these airborne law enforcers carry out their vital public safety missions, Inlet Barrier Filters (IBFs) from Donaldson Aerospace & [...]
Bell “Magellan” project is an upgraded 412
Source: HeliHub.com, 03-Feb-11
In announcing the award to Rogerson Kratos of a contract to supply a cockpit display system, Bell have effectively released details on their Magellan project (see HeliHub.com report on this “secret program”, which cited an upgraded 412 as one of three possibilities). Bell’s press release stated that Rogerson would be supplying “the cockpit display system [...]
Bell awards Rogerson Kratos 412EP Magellan Cockpit Display System
Source: Bell, 03-Feb-11
Bell Helicopter, A Textron Company, today awarded to Rogerson Kratos, A Rogerson Company, the cockpit display system for the Magellan 412 EP, a new commercial helicopter designed to meet operator’s current requirements, as well as future possible needs for foreign or U.S. military programs. Rogerson Kratos new cockpit display system is the most advanced available [...]
First Bell 429 now flying in New Zealand
Source: HeliHub.com, 02-Feb-11
HeliHub.com’s correspondant in New Zealand has advised us that a recently registered Bell 429, the first of its type in the country, was noted test flying at Ardmore Airfield yesterday. The all black craft was completing compass swing tests prior to delivery to the customer. It has been registered to Advanced Flight Ltd at an [...]
Bell awarded $95M sole-source parts contract by US Army
Source: US DoD, 02-Feb-11
Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc., Hurst, Texas, is being awarded a maximum $95,946,830 firm-fixed-price, sole-source contract for various assembly parts. There are no other locations of performance. Using service is Army. There was originally one proposal solicited with one response. The date of performance completion is Jan. 31, 2014. The Defense Logistics Agency Aviation, Redstone Arsenal, [...]
Photos show GPS missing from Turkish B206 post-crash
Source: Today's Zaman, 02-Feb-11
see also HeliHub.com page for this accident – 25-Mar-09 TC-HEK Bell B206L4 Haci Omerli, Turkey (6F) File Photo
PKL Services awarded $16M contract modification for USMC maintenance
Source: US DoD, 02-Feb-11
PKL Services, Inc.*, Poway, Calif., is being awarded a $15,918,581 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00421-09-C-0023) to exercise an option for organizational level maintenance on the following Marine Corps aircraft platforms: AH-1W, UH-1N, CH-53D/E, and CH-46E. Work will be performed in Camp Pendleton, Calif. (30 percent); New River, N.C. (25 percent); Iraq/Afghanistan (22 [...]
Dart completes STC and dealer agreement with Flightcell for satphone installation kit
Source: DART Helicopter Services, 31-Jan-11
DART Helicopter Services and its subsidiary Geneva Aviation have completed an agreement with Flightcell® International, Ltd., that will enable commercial helicopter operators to install satellite telephone capabilities quickly and easily in rotorcraft. DART and Geneva Aviation have pending Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for a Flightcell “Iridium” Satellite Phone [...]
“Hawaii Five-0″ contracts Aerial Filmworks for new Cineflex HD aerial sequences
Source: Aerial Filmworks, 31-Jan-11
The hit show “Hawaii Five-0” contracted Aerial Filmworks to provide the Cineflex V14HD and camera operators for the latest aerial scenes. The crew filmed on the Big Island, Maui and Oahu. “The Cineflex allowed us to quickly film a number of sequences at a wide variety of locations,” states Mark Gerasimenko, one of Hawaii Five-O’s [...]
Sonoma County Sheriff adds Donaldson Inlet Barrier Filter
Source: Donaldson, 31-Jan-11
Donaldson Aerospace & Defense, a division of Donaldson Company (NYSE:DCI), is helping a sheriff’s office safeguard thousands of citizens by protecting the department’s law enforcement helicopter from damaging debris and contaminants with a Donaldson Inlet Barrier Filter. Few rotorcraft cover a more beautiful and challenging territory than “Henry-1,” the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Bell 407. With [...]
Brazil certifies the Bell 429
Source: Bell, 28-Jan-11
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, has announced that the National Civil Aviation Agency of Brazil (ANAC) has awarded the Bell 429 helicopter Brazilian certification. This approval follows certification by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Canada (TC) and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). “This certification clears the way for the [...]
Heliworks completes TH-67 rebuild, helped by Quantum Control Aviation software
Source: Heliworks, 27-Jan-11
Heliworks, Inc., a Part 145 Repair Station based in Pensacola, Fla., and specializing in structural repair and rebuilds of Bell helicopters, recently completed rebuilds of two TH-67 (Bell 206B3) helicopters for the U.S. Army. According to Heliworks president Stephen Simpson, the implementation of Quantum Control aviation enterprise resource planning (ERP) software mid-way through the rebuild [...]
Turkish investigators finds politician’s death in helicopter accident “suspicious”
Source: World Bulletin, 26-Jan-11
A recent report prepared by the State Audit Institution (DDK) on a 2009 helicopter accident that killed six people, including Grand Unity Party (BBP) leader Muhsin YazıcıoÄŸlu, has found the deaths “suspicious.” HeliHub.com page for this accident is here. File photo
Strong Q4 performance by Bell helps puts Textron back in the black
Source: Textron, 26-Jan-11
Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) today reported 2010 fourth quarter income of $0.19 per share, compared to a loss of $0.23 per share in the fourth quarter of 2009. Excluding special charges, the company reported income from continuing operations of $0.33 per share, up from $0.15 per share in the fourth quarter of 2009. Revenues were [...]
Amarillo College wins $160K state grant to support Bell training program
Source: HeliHub.com, 25-Jan-11
Amarillo College officials are to be presented with a state grant from the Texas Workforce Commission of more than $160,000 to support a Bell training program. The ceremony is scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday on the second floor of the College Union Building on their Washington Street Campus. Texas Workforce Commission’s Chairman Tom Pauken is [...]
SK Logistics awarded contract supporting Eglin and Tyndall AFBs
Source: SK Logistics, 25-Jan-11
SK Logistics was recently awarded an exclusive use helicopter contract supporting DOD agencies at Eglin and Tyndall Air Force Bases. The contract was awarded in December 2010 and will be active for six months. Department of Defense agencies under this contract will be utilizing SK Logistics’ helicopter for prescribed burning, fire suppression and numerous other [...]
Bell makes GKN Aerospace a Premier Supplier
Source: GKN Aerospace, 25-Jan-11
Following a recent and detailed assessment of the business, Bell Helicopter has awarded GKN Aerospace in Cowes on the Isle of Wight, UK, the coveted ‘Premier Supplier’ rating. Bell Helicopter has only awarded this to approximately 10% of its suppliers and GKN Aerospace is the first ever UK-based supplier to receive the award. This accolade [...]
Taiwanese operator suspends UH-1 upgrades due to cost
Source: Taipei Times, 23-Jan-11
National Airborne Service Corps has abandoned its UH-1 upgrade project and will instead take on charge 15 of the 60 UH-60 Black Hawks currently being procured (see HeliHub.com story on that order)
Bell launches new civilian program under Magellan codename
Source: Helihub.com, 21-Jan-11
Bell has issued an internal memo officially telling employees of the Magellan program, “formerly known as Project X”. Evidently still mostly under wraps, nothing is given away as to the size of the helicopter or its capabilities, and we expect Bell to expand on this at the upcoming Heli-Expo in Orlando in early March. A [...]
Maritime Helicopters buys Bell 407
Source: HeliHub.com, 19-Jan-11
Maritime Helicopters has purchased a new 407 that will be available for charter in 2011. This aircraft is a 2007 model with just 119 hours total time on the airframe It is uniquely configured with the Chelton 3D Synthetic Vision EFIS glass cockpit, including “Highway in the Sky”, Radar Altimeter/TCAS/Terrain Monitoring/Map Overlays and multiple other [...]
Coalition Forces complete Operation Aero Hunter with AH-1W and UH-1Y
Source: ISAF, 18-Jan-11
KABUL, Afghanistan (Jan. 18, 2011) — Coalition forces in western Kandahar province completed Operation Aero Hunter Jan. 13. The operation consisted of two phases. The first part was a patrol to flush insurgents out of a village. The second, to implement a series of snap vehicle checkpoints along Route 1 near Forward Operating Base Ramrod. [...]
Cause of New Hampton B206 crash given
Source: WCF Courier, 18-Jan-11
see also HeliHub.com page for this accident – 23-Jul-10 N40TA Bell B206 New Hampton, US-Mississippi [file photo]
Investigators: July 2010 Iowa crash caused by pilot error
Source: KCRG, 16-Jan-11
see also HeliHub.com report – 28-Jul-10 N275RA Bell B206 St.Olaf, US-Iowa
Bell awarded $640M contract to support Canadian military 412s
Source: Bell, 16-Jan-11
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, has been awarded a 10-year, $640M (CAN) support services contract for the Canadian Forces CH146 Griffon fleet. This contract, known as the CH146 Optimized Weapon System Support (OWSS) contract includes aspects of management services, engineering and technical publications, aircraft maintenance services and spare and consumable parts. The [...]
US Marines to deploy AH-1Z late 2011
Source: Aviation Week, 16-Jan-11
A decade after first flight, the U.S. Marine Corps’ AH-1Z attack helicopter finally graduated from a turbulent operational evaluation and is being readied for its first shipboard deployment.
Bell adds new OH-58D hangar to their assembly and delivery centre
Source: News Channel 10, 16-Jan-11
Bell Helicopter has added another hangar to their assembly and delivery center. A ribbon cutting was held Wednesday afternoon.
Bell rep probes 427 crash in Dominican village
Source: Dominican Today, 13-Jan-11
see also HeliHub.com page for this accident at – 09-Jan-11 N926MF Bell 427 Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic (File photo)
Dart has FAA approval of Apical‘s cable cutters kits for B407
Source: DART Helicopter Services, 11-Jan-11
DART Helicopter Services’ announces that their subsidiary partner Apical Industries has received FAA approval or their new Cable Cutters Kits for Bell 407 model helicopters. Transport Canada and EASA approvals are pending. The Apical Cable Cutters Kits provide a means of protecting the helicopter during a wire strike by providing the capability to cut a [...]
Two more Bell 407s for PHi
Source: Bell, 11-Jan-11
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, today announced the recent sale of two Bell 407 helicopters to PHI, one of the world’s leading helicopter services companies, for use in the transportation of oil and gas workers in the Gulf of Mexico. PHI, known industry wide for the relentless pursuit of safe and reliable [...]
Bell awarded $13M for system engineering and program management of H-1 upgrade program
Source: US DoD, 07-Jan-11
Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded a $13,548,330 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee contract (N00019-10-C-0035) to exercise an option for system engineering and program management for the oversight of production efforts in support of H-1 helicopters upgrade program. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas, and is expected [...]
Rolls-Royce awarded $49M contract modification for 24 engines for V-22
Source: US DoD, 07-Jan-11
Rolls-Royce Corp., Indianapolis, Ind., is being awarded a $48,981,414 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-07-C-0060) for the procurement of 24 AE1107C engines for the Air Force CV-22 aircraft (14 spares and 10 Lot 15 installs). Work will be performed in Oakland, Calif. (70 percent), and Indianapolis, Ind. (30 percent), and is expected to [...]
Washington County OH Sheriff to transfer two OH-58Cs to Marion County
Source: News and Sentinel, 06-Jan-11
Federal Law Enforcement Support Office prevented Washington County Sheriff selling the helicopters and instructed them to hand them to Marion County, who should pick them up January 13. They are belived to be N381WC (ex US Army 70-15208) and N575WC (ex 70-15387)
Drugs a factor in fatal B206 accident
06-Jan-11
NTSB report noted that an autopsy revealed traces of an antihistamine and an opiate on the body of pilot Dennis Donovan, aged 70. See also HeliHub.com accident report page – 05-Jan-10 N5016U Bell B206 nr Redinger Lake, US-California (4F)
Lee County Medstar selects Becker Avionics for Bell 430
Source: Becker Avionics, 06-Jan-11
Becker Avionics’ DVCS6100 Digital Audio System has been selected by Lee County MEDSTAR for integration into their recently acquired Bell 430 twin-engine helicopter. The aircraft is currently undergoing completion at Sarasota Avionics and will be specifically tailored to their needs. The DVCS6100 was chosen due to its unique ability to effectively manage and control all [...]
Bell Boeing awarded $9M contract for V-22 support equipment
Source: US DoD, 06-Jan-11
Bell Boeing Joint Project Office, Amarillo, Texas, is being awarded a $9,077,929 fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the procurement of 14 support equipment workarounds for organizational- and intermediate-level maintenance in support of the MV-22 and CV-22 aircraft. Work will be performed in Amarillo, Texas, and is expected to be completed in December 2014. Contract funds in [...]
BWB and CAE select Barco displays to upgrade German Army helicopter simulators
Source: Barco, 05-Jan-11
Visualization pioneer Barco is proud to announce that it has been selected by flight simulation leader CAE to supply projection technology for the helicopter simulators at the Army Aviation School based in Bückeburg Germany. Under the terms of the contract, Barco will upgrade eleven helicopter simulators with a total of 88 Barco SIM 7 high-resolution [...]
Bell Helicopter completes integration of six subsidiaries
Source: Bell, 05-Jan-11
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, today announced that it has completed the integration of six of its support and service subsidiaries, officially merging them into Bell Helicopter Textron Inc. By combining its service organizations Bell Helicopter has restructured operations to provide customers with a comprehensive support solution– making it easier for them [...]
Bell awarded $22M for H-1 upgrade program logistics
Source: US DoD, 05-Jan-11
Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded a $22,021,303 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee contract (N00019-10-C-0035) to exercise an option for logistics products and services in support of H-1 helicopter upgrade program. Services to be provided include logistics management support, technical material for maintenance planning, design interface, supply/material support, technical [...]
Robertson Aviation awarded $16M contract modification for V-22 aux fuel tanks
Source: US DoD, 05-Jan-11
Robertson Aviation, LLC, Tempe, Ariz., is being awarded a $16,830,672 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N00019-08-D-0009) to exercise an option for the procurement of V-22 mission auxiliary fuel tanks, refueling kits, and accessories. Work will be performed in Tempe, Ariz., and is expected to be completed in December 2011. Contract funds [...]
Bell awarded $10M contract for MV-22 prop rotor gearboxes
Source: US DoD, 04-Jan-11
Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc., Hurst, Texas, is being awarded a maximum $10,010,693 firm-fixed-price, sole-source contract for prop rotor gearboxes used in support of MV-22 helicopter. There are no other locations of performance. Using service is Marine Corps. There was originally one proposal solicited with one response. The date of performance completion is Oct. 31, 2013. [...]
Rolls-Royce awarded $9M contract to overhaul 40 OH-58 engines
Source: US DoD, 23-Dec-10
Rolls-Royce Corp., Indianapolis, Ind., was awarded on Dec. 17 a $9,312,910 firm-fixed-price contract. This award will provide for the analysis, testing, repair and overhaul of 40 gas turbine engines to the OH-58 Kiowa helicopters. Work will be performed in Neosho, Mo., and Oakland, Calif., with an estimated completion date of Sep. 30, 2011. One bid [...]
L-3 awarded $8M contract for OH-58D Kiowa Warrior avionics
Source: US DoD, 22-Dec-10
L-3 Communications Corp., Salt Lake City, Utah, was awarded on Dec. 16 an $8,114,626 firm-fixed-price contract. The award will provide for radio frequency B-kit communications hardware to support the Kiowa Warrior OH-58D program. Work will be performed in Salt Lake City, Utah, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2011. One bid was solicited [...]
Iraqi Army takes delivery of three Bell 407s
Source: US Army, 21-Dec-10
BAGHDAD – The Iraqi Army Aviation Command showcased the arrival of three new Bell T-407 training helicopters with a ceremony and aerial display at Camp Taji Dec. 15. “This is a landmark occasion for the Government of Iraq,” said U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Scott Hanson, director of Iraq Training and Advisory Mission-Air Force, and [...]
Sikorsky Helitech consolidates support of Australian OH-58s
Source: Sikorsky, 21-Dec-10
SHELTON, Conn., – Sikorsky Helitech, a Sikorsky Aerospace Services company based in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, today announced the merger of several support agreements that will provide deeper component and accessories maintenance for the Australian Defence Force (ADF) Kiowa aircraft fleet. The $7.5 million contract represents a consolidation of services that were previously administered as separate [...]
Senior USAF generals over-rule fatal V-22 investigation findings
20-Dec-10
But the general who led the crash investigation said Thursday that there was strong evidence to indicate that the $87 million-plus aircraft, which has a history of technical problems, experienced engine trouble in the final seconds leading to the crash. HeliHub.com accident reports here
Cutaway and review – Bell OH-58 Kiowa
Source: Flightglobal, 20-Dec-10
Since winning the Light Observation Helicopter competition in 1967, the OH-58 has been adapted multiple times and survived. Flightglobal reviews it as it approaches its fifth decade in service.
Cutaway and review – Bell AH-1Z Viper
Source: Flightglobal, 20-Dec-10
Initially envisioned as an effort to modernise the drive train of the US Marine Corps’ AH-1W fleet, the AH-1Z Viper has essentially evolved into a new aircraft
Carabinieri in Italy’s Catania Region mark 25 years service
Source: HeliHub.com, 20-Dec-10
The 12th Police helicopter unit (Italian – 12° Nucleo Elicotteri Carabinieri) which serves the region of Catania on the Italian island of Sicily has just completed 25 years of flight. The unit currently operates five helicopters (two 206s, one 412, one A109A and a 109 Nexus) from its base at Fontanarossa Airport. Since 1985 it [...]
Bell working on 412EP engine and cockpit upgrades
Source: Bell, 17-Dec-10
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, today announced its plan to extend the capability and performance of the widely respected Bell 412EP helicopter, which will be available to customers in 2012. A Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) project that will extend the wide range of missions that can be performed by the 412EP is [...]
Unmanned Bell 407 “Fire-X” demonstrator first flight
Source: Bell, 15-Dec-10
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT) and Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) announce the successful test of Fire-X, a new vertical unmanned system. Development and demonstration of Fire-X is funded by Northrop Grumman and Bell Helicopter. Both companies began work on this program in early 2010 and completed its first fully autonomous flight [...]
US seizes three helicopters linked to Guatemalan drug lord
Source: Brownsville Herald, 13-Dec-10
Two 407s and a Eurocopter were seized, having been exported from the U.S. to Guatemala and Canada were seized in Washington and Idaho states as federal investigators continue to locate assets of drug lord Osiel Cárdenas Guillén, a Matamoros native currently imprisoned in the US.
New commander for RNZAF’s No.3 Squadron
Source: Southland Times, 12-Dec-10
A former Central Southland man today takes command of a Royal New Zealand Air Force squadron poised to retire the UH-1 and introduce the NH90
Bell to add 100+ workers in Amarillo for AH-1Z
Source: Amarillo Globe News, 12-Dec-10
Bell Helicopter’s Amarillo work force will grow by more than 100 workers next year as the company expands production of the Marine Corps’ newest attack helicopters, officials have confirmed
AH-1Z earns US Navy approval for full rate production
Source: Bell, 10-Dec-10
[This is Bell's formal press release. Here on HeliHub.com we ran this story on 1st December] FORT WORTH, TEXAS (December 8, 2010) Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, announced today that the U.S. Marine Corps’ newest attack helicopter, the AH-1Z Cobra, was approved for full rate production Nov. 28. The H-1 program office [...]
Cat-A approved for Bell 429
Source: Bell, 10-Dec-10
FORT WORTH, TEXAS (December 8, 2010) – Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, today announced that the FAA has completed its review and approval of the Bell 429 Category A Helipad Flight Manual Supplement, following earlier approvals by EASA and Transport Canada. The finalization of the Category A Helipad Flight Manual Supplement validates [...]
Van Horn Aviation expands dealer network into Canada
Source: Van Horn Aviation, 09-Dec-10
TEMPE, Ariz., December 8, 2010 – Composite tail rotor blade manufacturer Van Horn Aviation (VHA) recently added two Canadian companies as authorized dealers for its composite tail rotor blades. AOG Heli Services (www.aogheliservices.com) based at Norman Rogers Airport in Kingston, Ontario, and Avialta Helicopter Maintenance Ltd. (www.avialta.com) based at Villeneuve Airport in Edmonton, Alberta, have [...]
Three helicopters crash in same US county within hours
Source: HeliHub.com, 09-Dec-10
As the temperatures in Florida plummet, so helicopters are called in to fly low level over fields to minimise the chance of frost ruining the crop. Sadly, these operations brought no fewer than three casualties in one County earlier today. Robinson R44 N666SL clipped a post at Palm Beach Glades County Airport, Pahokee around 2am [...]
Yemen buys four Huey IIs with training and support package
Source: Bell, 07-Dec-10
FORT WORTH, TEXAS (December 6, 2010) – Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, was awarded a $27M contract to provide the Yemen government with a comprehensive mission package to support military requirements. The package includes: four commercially designated Huey II aircraft, pilot and maintenance training, spares, special tooling and dedicated service representatives. “This [...]
SkyBOOKS releases 4.4.2 and streamlines maintenance functionality
Source: Skybooks, 07-Dec-10
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (December 6, 2010) – SkyBOOKS, Inc., a Textron, Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, and affiliate of Bell Helicopter, has issued Release 4.4.2 of its Electronic Record Keeping Program. Release 4.4.2 streamlines maintenance functionality to the web-based solution. Streamlined features include: Streamlined Flight Time Functionality * Flight Log Records and Aircraft Usage are automatically posted [...]
Vector Aerospace receives TC approval for B205 series glass cockpit
Source: Vector Aerospace, 02-Dec-10
Langley, BC – Vector Aerospace Helicopter Services-North America (Vector – www.vectoraerospace.com), a subsidiary of Vector Aerospace Corporation; one of the world’s leading independent providers of helicopter maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services has recently been granted a Transport Canada Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for an Integrated Cockpit Display System (ICDS, or “glass cockpit installation”) for [...]
AH-1Z approved for full rate production
Source: US Navy, 01-Dec-10
NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, PATUXENT RIVER, Md. — The U.S. Marine Corps’ AH-1Z Cobra was approved for full rate production Nov. 28. The H-1 program office received official word on the milestone III approval decision from Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology & Logistics, Dr. Ashton B. Carter through an acquisition decision memorandum. “This [...]
