R66 lands at North Pole
Source: HeliHub.com, 22-May-13
Russian Robinson distributor Aviamarket has landed a Robinson R66 on the North Pole for the first time. In an expedition between 2nd and 14th April, the company’s chief pilot Dmitry Rakitsky flew with Michael Farih to make the record breaking flight for a number of reasons. While the key target was the geographical achievement, the [...]
Helmet saves Otago helicopter pilot’s life
Source: MSN, 16-May-13
A Central Otago pilot has escaped with his life and a lucky lid after his unattended helicopter took off, crashed and the tail rotor grazed his helmet. (See Full Story)
Two R44s committed to fight against rhino poaching
Source: IOL, 15-May-13
Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife has given the green light for a R4-million sponsorship of two anti-rhino poaching helicopters as well as securing two fixed-wing aircraft to bolster the fight against the onslaught of rhino poaching in KZN. (See Full Story)
Helifilte WA Celeberates Five Years Of Operation
Source: Helifilte, 15-May-13
Heliflite’s authorised Robinson helicopter sales and service centre at Jandakot Airport celebrates five years of operation. In 2008 Heliflite opened its Western Australian centre at Perth’s Jandakot Airport. Manager Tony Bates leads the experienced Heliflite WA team. Heliflite has long been involved in the Western Australian helicopter industry going back to the late 1970s with a charter organisation once based [...]
Mechanic takes blame for Honolulu R22 accident
Source: Khon 2, 13-May-13
New video has been released following Wednesday’s helicopter crash landing in downtown Honolulu. The Kukui Plaza condominium captured the crash landing on surveillance video. (See Full Story)
Tour operator expands in Orange Beach with second heliport
Source: Alabama Media Group, 13-May-13
A helicopter tour and charter business continues to expand in the city with the council’s approval of a second heliport this week. (See Full Story)
Colorado Heli-Ops expands with two more helicopters
Source: Colorado Heli-Ops, 07-May-13
After their move in November to a larger newly remodeled facility, the Broomfield, Colo.-based company has added new helicopters and services. Heli-Ops is now a full service helicopter flight center. Their award-winning training center is the first in the United States to offer full-curriculum Scenario Based Training programs. They also have a utility side of [...]
Australia grounds R44s without bladder tanks
Source: Sky News, 07-May-13
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority has issued an order grounding all Robinson R44 helicopters that have not undergone a recently ordered safety upgrade. (See Full Story)
EASA approves Aspen Avionics in Robinson R44
Source: Aspen Avionics, 30-Apr-13
Aspen Avionics, manufacturer of the innovative Evolution Flight Display System, announced today the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) approval for installation of Aspen Evolution H-series Primary Flight Displays (PFDs) and Multi-function Flight Displays (MFDs) into the Robinson R44 and R44 II model helicopters. Previously announced for N-registered aircraft, this expanded Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) from [...]
Appeal made for Montreal R44 axe vandal
Source: HeliHub.com, 29-Apr-13
Robinson specialist Rotorcorp has posted an online video to help the appeal to track down an axe-wielding vandal who seriously damaged a Robinson R44. The helicopter was parked outside overnight in Montreal Canada on Friday 19th April 2013, when someone. Damage to the tail boom and most windows is evident from the video, as well [...]
EASA approves 31 more Lycoming engines for UL91 fuel
Source: Lycoming, 24-Apr-13
Lycoming Engines, a division of Avco Corporation, released Service Instruction SI-1070R in April of 2012, which approved a wide variety of engines for use with ASTM D7547 UL 91 unleaded avgas. European Aviation Safety Administration (EASA) Safety Information Bulletin (SIB) 2011-01 provided aircraft-level approval on the basis of engine approval. Today Lycoming is pleased to [...]
Robinson introduces bladder fuel tanks for R22
Source: HeliHub.com, 17-Apr-13
Robinson Helicopter Co have this week advised all of their distributors that new R22 helicopters from serial number 4622 will be fitted with a bladder fuel tank and not an aluminium one as before. The new bladder’s useable capacity is decreased by 3.8 gallons or approximately 25 minutes of flight time – a significant amount. [...]
Canadian R66 certification nears
Source: HeliHub.com, 16-Apr-13
Transport Canada is closing in on the announcement that it has certified the Robinson R66. In a similar way to Russia, Canada has recently accepted the ELOS document issued by the FAA – and that is the last key piece in the jigsaw. ELOS (Equivalent Level Of Safety) is a technical reassurance on the hydraulic [...]
New helicopter license at the age of 76
Source: Nordic Rotors, 15-Apr-13
On March 11 Sweden got a new helicopter pilot, a pilot who passed his skill test at the age of 76. Mr Erik Öinert, a former fighter pilot, gained his private helicopter license (PPL-H) after training with flight instructor Svein Martinsen in Helicopter Assistance’s R44 SE-JOE. As implied, Erik is not new to flying. In [...]
New Zealand proposes AD to force R44 bladder tank issue
Source: NZ CAA, 11-Apr-13
The CAA proposes the following new Airworthiness Directive requiring the replacement of aluminium fuel tanks on Robinson R44 series aircraft with new bladder-type tanks of improved resistance to post-accident rupture. The AD is prompted by reports of three Robinson R44 accidents in Australia involving fuel tank ruptures and fires. These accidents resulted in the loss [...]
Frank Robinson to receive 2013 Guggenheim Medal
Source: AIAA, 10-Apr-13
Frank D. Robinson, founder, Robinson Helicopter Company, Torrance, Calif., has been selected to receive the 2013 Daniel Guggenheim Medal. He will receive the medal on Wednesday evening, May 22, at the Grand Awards Banquet of the American Helicopter Society International’s 69th Annual Forum and Technology Display, May 21–23, at the Phoenix Convention Center, Phoenix, Ariz. [...]
Tourist sues South African R44 pilot after crash
Source: IOL NEWS, 10-Apr-13
Argentine passenger in R44 accident sues the pilot – her boyfriend’s father (see full story).
Tour operator vows to fly helicopters quietly
Source: Florida Today, 08-Apr-13
This site is across the highway from Xtreme Fun at Jungle Village, and he plans to lease a Robinson R44 he calls the Honda of helicopters (see full story)
Australia may ground R44s without bladder tank upgrade
Source: ATSB, 05-Apr-13
Robinson R44 helicopters that have not been fitted with upgraded fuel tanks face being grounded from 30 April 2013. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority has issued a direction to all affected R44 helicopter operators about the installation of flexible fuel tanks to reduce the risk of post-accident fires. CASA has made it clear that R44 [...]
Bravo Helicopters owner dies in R44 accident
Source: HeliHub.com, 04-Apr-13
Miami-Dade Police have today issued a statement naming Mark Palmieri, aged 53, as the deceased pilot of the R44 which came down in a fatal crash close to Tamiami Airport yesterday. Palmieri was the owner of Bravo Helicopters, which was based at the airport. There is no indication at this time as to the cause [...]
First R66 delivered in Bangladesh
Source: Mornington Sanford Aviation, 27-Mar-13
Richard Mornington-Sanford of Mornington Sanford Aviation assist South Asian Airlines of Dhaka, Bangladesh to certify the first Robinson R66 Turbine in Country. The Robinson R66 Turbine, registration S2-AFC, serial number 0237, was shipped from RHC via sea freight to Chittagong where the helicopter was re-assembled and test flown. S2-AFC was then delivered to South Asian [...]
R44 in fatal NSW crash had not had bladder tank upgrade
Source: The Australian, 25-Mar-13
An R44 that burst into flames when it crashed south of Sydney, killing four people, was fitted with older-style fuel tanks known to pose a fire hazard (See Full Story).
ATSB report says R22 tail contacted rock in fatal Kimberley crash
Source: HeliHub.com, 22-Mar-13
The Australian investigation authority ATSB has issued their final report on the fatal R22 accident on 3rd October last year which occurred 130 km west of Halls Creek in Western Australia. The summary is a blunt reminder of issues with confined areas, light levels etc What happened On 3 October 2012 the pilots of two [...]
ATP releases five new Robinson libraries
Source: ATP, 22-Mar-13
ATP has released 5 new libraries in support of Robinson Helicopters. They include 1 new Maintenance Library and 4 new Operator Libraries. The Maintenance Library includes the Maintenance Manuals, Parts Catalogs, Service Bulletins, ADs and Flight Manuals needed to maintain the R66 airframe. The Operators Libraries include the POH, ADs, MMEL, and AIM and are [...]
Russia orders 47 Robinson R66s
Source: Robinson, 21-Mar-13
HeliHub.com broke the story of Russian R66 certification ahead of the official press release from Robinson. Now the latter is issued – see below – there are big order numbers being quoted and evidently Robinson have been happily taking orders and deposits ready for just this time. Quite a contrasting situation in Europe, though. Robinson [...]
Bellingham Aviation Services Announces Its Expansion
Source: Bellingham Aviation Services, 19-Mar-13
Bellingham Aviation Services (BAS), a leading FBO in the Pacific Northwest, announces the expansion of its aviation service offering with the addition of rotorcraft commercial photo and filming flights. “As our staff and training fleet have grown with increased demand, we feel it is an ideal time to further enhance our services and develop the [...]
Russia certifies the Robinson R66
Source: HeliHub.com, 19-Mar-13
Robinson distributor Aerosoyuz has announced that the Interstate Aviation Committee – Russia’s type certification authority – has approved the Robinson R66. The company says that the issue of type certificate ST337-R66 has been delayed by at least a year due to the hydraulic issues that has delayed approval by key authorities including Transport Canada and [...]
Helicopter prison escape in Canada succeeds
Source: The Daily Observer, 18-Mar-13
Four people are in custody including two inmates of a maximum-security jail who made a brazen daylight escape when a hijacked helicopter dropped a cable to the convicts and flew off (see full story). The successful escape was then curtailed when Quebec Provincial Police tracked down the escapee, who gave himself up peacefully.
Maintenance cloth caused R44 accident in Sweden
Source: Nordic Rotors, 18-Mar-13
The Swedish Accident Investigation Board (Statens Haverikommission, SHK) has published its final report after an accident that occurred on 6 September 2011 in Ånn, close to Åre, involving a Norwegian helicopter with the registration LN-OAB. The aircraft, a Robinson R44 Astro, was taking off for a private flight with three people onboard when the engine [...]
Sevier County Sheriff gets airborne with R44
Source: Seymour Herald, 15-Mar-13
Public Safety Aviation, a public private partnership, held a presentation conference to highlight the benefits of the Sevier County Sheriff’s Department new helicopter patrol Feb. 22 (see full story)
Is EASA R66 debacle really Robinson’s fault?
Source: HeliHub.com, 14-Mar-13
Robinson continues to work with the relevant authorities to get the turbine engined R66 certified in Russia, Canada and Europe – and a recent press release from Sloane Helicopters confirms that some progress is being made – indeed there is every indication that now the FAA has granted Robinson the ELOS (Equivalent Level of Safety) paperwork, certification [...]
UK allows uncertified R66 to fly commercially
Source: HeliHub.com, 11-Mar-13
Here in the UK we have had some recent high-profile general media stories about huge international organisations avoiding tax. Household names including Amazon, Google and Starbucks were splashed across the headlines - each of them using various legal tactics to minimise their UK tax payment. While these activities may be ethically dubious, they are all perfectly [...]
Sloane Helicopters encouraged with R66 development
Source: Sloane Helicopters, 07-Mar-13
Sloane Helicopters, the UK and Ireland Robinson Dealer since the mid 1970′s has, along with many other potential European buyers, been frustrated at the delays to EASA certification of the R66. During the original FAA certification of the R66, the FAA granted Robinson an exemption from the redundant control valve regulation. Several non US countries [...]
Aerobraze congratulates Robinson on R66 success
Source: Wall Colmonoy, 04-Mar-13
Aerobraze Engineered Technologies, a division of Wall Colmonoy, congratulates Robinson Helicopter on their introduction and success with the R66 Turbine Helicopters. Global demand for the R66 is a confirmation of the exceptional engineering for the powerful helicopter. AET Oklahoma City engineers were pleased to be asked to collaborate with Robinson in their design and manufacture of the [...]
Helidecks releases cockpit guide/checklist iPad apps for AW109 and R44
Source: Helidecks Software Solutions, 28-Feb-13
Helidecks Software Solutions has released a series of cockpit guide and checklist apps for the AW109 and R44 helicopters. A professional-grade pilots checklist, the app is designed to provide pilots and instructors with an easy-to-follow challenge and response style set of checklists. The app is available to purchase through the Apple iTunes store. for use [...]
Helitowcart launches dual wheels for R66 and R44
Source: Helitowcart, 27-Feb-13
Helitowcart, a specialist in helicopter handling devices and accessories is now adding a new product: Dual Wheels compatible with the R44 and R66. Helitowcart wheels for Robinsons are known for their heavy duty construction for long term reliability. The company already offers multiple wheel models and configurations for Robinsons. This latest addition will cater to [...]
Obituary – Helicopter leasing specialist Matthew L. Spitzer
Source: HAI, 20-Feb-13
Matthew L. Spitzer, musician, entrepreneur, and flying enthusiast, passed away in Hayward, Calif. on February 8, 2013. Matthew was born June 20, 1929, in Pittsburgh, Pa., and raised in Niagara Falls, N.Y. A talented professional pianist with perfect pitch, Matthew played in the Niagara Falls/Buffalo area both solo and with The Billy Howells Band. Matthew [...]
Rotorcorp solves crankshaft replacement problem for R44 owners
Source: Rotorcorp, 18-Feb-13
Airworthiness Directive 2012-19-01 has been issued by the FAA in September of 2012 for certain O540 and IO-540 engines installed in Robinson R44 helicopters. RotorCorp has arranged for priority pricing on Lycoming factory overhauled and rebuilt zero time engines that renders this new AD a non-issue for R44 helicopter owners around the world. The AD [...]
ASA releases new flashcards for R22 and TH-67
Source: ASA (Aviation Supplies & Academics), 15-Feb-13
Check out our new Helicopter Flashcards for the Robinson R22 and TH-67 training helicopters. Civilian and military students, instructors, and pilots of all levels will find these flashcards serve to greatly facilitate memorization and understanding of the systems and functions of each aircraft. The R22 Helicopter Flashcards Study Guide contains nearly 400 flashcards covering the [...]
PHPA, HAI, FAAST and Robinson join for Safety Workshop
Source: PHPA, 11-Feb-13
Topic: Jam Packed Helicopter SAFETY Workshop with National & Local Safety Items Addressed. (Held at Robinson Helo Facility) On Saturday, February 23, 2013 at 8:00 AM Location: Robinson Helicopter Company, 2901 Airport Dr., Torrance, CA 90505 Select Number: WP0548604 Description: HAI (Helicopter Association International), So Cal PHPA (Professional Helicopter Pilots Association), and FAAST (FAA Safety Team) invite you to a day [...]
NTSB sending investigators to assist with R44 accident in Paraguay
Source: NTSB, 05-Feb-13
The National Transportation Safety Board is sending investigators to assist in the investigation of a Robinson R44 II helicopter that crashed about 80 miles north of Asuncion, Paraguay. Initial reports indicate that the pilot and two passengers were fatally injured. The investigation is being led by the Paraguay Civil Aviation Authority (CIPAA). The NTSB has [...]
Wild hogs beat two helicopters in a week
Source: HeliHub.com, 04-Feb-13
Low-level helicopter flying, engaged in doors-off ammunition-ready feral hog hunting has been a major factor in two helicopter accidents in the last seven days. Estimates vary between two and four million hogs across the US. These wild animals are responsible for significant damage to pastures, leading to losses on behalf of the land owners. This [...]
Paraguayan presidential candidate killed in R44 crash
Source: HeliHub.com, 03-Feb-13
Presidential candidate Lino Oviedo, aged 69, died in an accident involving the Robinson R44 he was flying in on Saturday night. The accident also claimed the lives of his bodyguard Derlis Galeano, and the pilot, Ramón Aurelio Picco. Our safety data pages have more details at 02-Feb-13 ZP-HAH Robinson R44 Puerto Antequera, Paraguay (3F) Some [...]
Court orders refund of Topeka Police R44 down payment
Source: Topeka Capital-Journal, 03-Feb-13
Kansas Supreme Court upholds the decision of a lower court to invalidate a 2008 contract for Topeka Police to buy an R44 after the down payment of $74,000 had been paid. (see full story here – and the documentation from the court here)
Gemini Helicopters issues statement on fatal R44 crash
30-Jan-13
“In the evening of January 27, 2013 Gemini was alerted of an overdue helicopter with a last known location approximately 77 kilometers southwest of Fox Creek. ” (see full story) File photo
Australian fatal R44 accident caused by pilot incapacitation
Source: ATSB, 27-Jan-13
ATSB summary of the accident follows:- What happened On 3 September 2011, the pilot and one crewman of a Robinson Helicopter Company R44 helicopter, registered VH-HCA (HCA), departed an airstrip located near Kumarina roadhouse, approximately 150 km south of Newman, Western Australia. The crew were conducting low-level geophysical survey operations when the pilot was observed [...]
Jerry Trimble Helicopters opens in Texas
Source: Smithville Times, 18-Jan-13
From the company being founded in Oregon in 2007, and expanding into California, Jerry Trimble Helicopters has now opened at Smithville Crawford Municipal Airport in Texas (see full story)
Bolvian Police order two Robinson R44s
Source: HeliHub.com, 16-Jan-13
Bolivian Government Minister Carlos Romero is reported in local press as announcing that the the national law enforcement agency “Policía Boliviana” will receive two Robinson R44s later this month. Due to the altitudes involved in Bolivia, the pair will not be able to fly around the capital La Paz, which lies between 10,650 and 13,250 [...]
R66 Floats and cargo hook are Robinson’s top priority
Source: HeliHub.com, 15-Jan-13
With a total of 191 R66s shipped in 2012, it’s clear that the company’s turbine helicopter is a great success, even without certification in Canada, Russia and most significantly the EASA countries in Europe. When making their annual statement on production numbers, Robinson noted that their top priority – based on customer demand – is [...]
Robinson 2012 production 45% up on 2011
Source: Robinson, 14-Jan-13
Robinson Helicopter’s production for 2012 was 517 helicopters – 191 R66s, 286 R44s and 40 R22s, a 45% increase over 2011’s production of 356. As in previous years, the majority of those sales (70%) went to foreign customers. Based on the backlog of new orders, Robinson anticipates 2013’s production numbers to surpass 2012’s. The current [...]
First R22 blade recovered from Tampa Bay
Source: Tampa Bay Online, 13-Jan-13
Following Robinson’s offer of a reward for the recovery of the two blades of an R22 involved in a fatal accident, the first blade has now been brought up and the second one sighted (see full story) File photo
New Helicopter Service in Palau, Micronesia with R66
Source: Palau Helicopters, 10-Jan-13
The only one of its kind in Palau, pioneer dive shop Fish ‘n Fins just introduced a new helicopter service. Officially known as Palau Helicopters Inc., Fish ‘n Fins now owns and operates a brand new Robinson R66 turbine helicopter, which allows visitors to experience the beauty of Palau‘s Rock islands from the air. Scenic flight [...]
Search ends for R44 in Arizona lake
Source: Payson Roundup, 03-Jan-13
Gila County Sheriff’s Office dive teams scoured the bottom of the lake for more than a week, but found no sign of the helicopter, which splashed into the lake during a sightseeing flight out of Mesa (see full story). File photo see also the following from HeliHub.com safety data pages – 07-Dec-12 N557AC Robinson R44 [...]
Robinson offers reward for blades from fatal R22 accident
Source: Robinson, 02-Jan-13
On 30 November 2012, a Robinson R22 helicopter crashed into Tampa Bay near Apollo Beach. Most of the helicopter was recovered with the exception of the two main rotor blades. An extensive search of the properties in Apollo Beach was unsuccessful in locating the missing blades. Investigators are confident the blades are located offshore. Robinson [...]
Nigerian Air Force take delivery of first two R66s
Source: Mornington-Sanford Aviation, 21-Dec-12
The Nigerian Air Force Invites the World Famous “Pink Shirt” (Richard Mornington-Sanford) to their base in Enugu to conduct a Robinson R66 with RR300 engine Type training Course and assemble their first two R66 helicopters. 11 technicians (including two members of the Nigerian Aviation Authority) attended the theoretical element of the course, which was conducted [...]
New B206/R44 charter operator at Hawthorne, California
17-Dec-12
Star Helicopters, one of the leading helicopter tour operators in Los Angeles, is proud to begin operating charter and air taxi helicopter rides with an FAA Part 135 certification. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires that all aircraft operators carrying passengers for hire in point-to-point helicopter rides or charters and commuter flights must carry this [...]
Lawyer reminds R44 owners of bladder tank retrofit rebate cut-off date
Source: Baum, Hedlund, Aristei & Goldman, 17-Dec-12
Robinson helicopter crash lawyers, Baum, Hedlund, Aristei & Goldman, can report that Robinson Helicopter Company’s R44 fuel tank rebate offer is about to expire. After many low impact post-crash fires, the company announced that it was offering a $1,000 incentive to R44 owners who purchase and install their bladder fuel tank kit by December 31, [...]
Sloane Helicopters commits to Northern Ireland with Robinson overhauls
Source: HeliHub.com, 11-Dec-12
Britain’s Sloane Helicopters opened its base in Northern Ireland at Enniskillen Airport back in 2007 before the recession hit – and it’s no secret that helicopter operations in Northern Ireland have been hit nearly as badly as those in the country of Ireland to the south. Undaunted by this, Sloane are showing a continued commitment [...]
Kurt Robinson named to IHST Executive Committee
Source: IHST, 11-Dec-12
The International Helicopter Safety Team (IHST), a worldwide organization leading a multi-year effort to enhance safety and reduce the civil helicopter accident rate, has added Robinson Helicopter Company President Kurt Robinson to its Executive Committee. Kurt Robinson heads the Robinson Helicopter Company, which is the world’s leading manufacturer of civil helicopters. The company of nearly [...]
UTair Engineering starts its first R44 overhaul
Source: UTair, 05-Dec-12
The first Robinson R44 helicopter has been delivered to the UTair-Engineering MRO facility in Tyumen for capital repairs. The compete inspection and refitting is expected to take 3 months. In 2012 UTair-Engineering passed the Robinson Helicopter and Russian Aviation Authority MRO performance audits in 2012, qualifying for capital repair operations on R44 helicopters, making UTair-Engineering [...]
Robinson doubles R66 production rate
Source: HeliHub.com, 04-Dec-12
Robinson Helicopter Co have confirmed to HeliHub.com that they have doubled the R66 production rate from three a week at the start of 2012 to six a week at the back end of the year. The company target is that the lead time for delivery should never be more than six months, and they had [...]
Hong Kong approves Dart’s R44 emergency floats
Source: DART helicopter Services, 04-Dec-12
DART helicopter Services is pleased to announce Hong Kong Approval of their R44 Emergency Float Kits. FAA, EASA and Transport Canada approvals have already been granted. The Apical Emergency Float System provides a lightweight and easy to install solution for R44 Raven operators who need to fly over water, and are requesting the added increased [...]
Eccentric R44 owner has helicopter siezed
Source: Phoenix New Times, 29-Nov-12
The problem began on October 12, 2011, when a report about a suspicious pilot came into the Flagstaff office of the US Dept of Homeland Security Investigations. (see full story)
Mornington Sanford Aviation gain R66 Factory Maintenance Training Approval
Source: Mornington Sanford Aviation, 25-Nov-12
Mornington Sanford Aviation have recently been approved by Robinson Helicopter Co as a provider of R66 Factory Maintenance Training. This provides the company the ability to provide Worldwide maintenance training to either RHC factory or EASA Part 147 Type training standards. Richard Mornington-Sanford has forty years of experience in the aviation industry; 30 of these [...]
National Park Service issues statement on R22 crash
Source: National Park Service, 19-Nov-12
The National Park Service released a statement this morning regarding the Oct. 3 helicopter crash in North Cascades National Park:- On October 4th, rangers received a report that a leased Robinson 22 helicopter had crashed the day before in a remote area of the park about six miles south of the international border with Canada. [...]
Redlands and Fontana Police departments share aerial coverage
Source: San Bernardino Sun, 31-Oct-12
Two forces – one with a Robinson R44 (and expanding to R66) and one with a Cessna fixed-wing – to merge aviation operations (see full story)
DeSoto Parish Sheriff acquires R44 from DeSoto County Sheriff
22-Oct-12
The DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office has a new weapon to help fight crime. The Sheriff recently bought a Robinson R44 Helicopter from the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office in Mississippi. (see full story)
Cool City Avionics announces Authorized Dealers
Source: Cool City Avionics, 19-Oct-12
Cool City Avionics, a manufacturer of low cost, professional-grade automatic flight guidance control systems and helicopter stability augmentation systems, is pleased to announce that it has appointed thirteen new authorized dealers in the United States, three in Canada and one each in Denmark, Germany and Guatemala. Additional dealers will be appointed in the coming months. [...]
Students’ legal appeal goes ahead in Silver State Helicopters loan case
Source: Press-Enterprise, 13-Oct-12
A federal appeals court will re-hear the case against a Key Bank that gave out $70,000 loans to students of Silver State Helicopters. Other banks, including Citibank, have forgiven its student loans (see full story)
Okaloosa County approves new helicopter tour company in Destin
Source: Destin4Me, 12-Oct-12
Okaloosa recently approved a new tourism helicopter company in Destin that has some residents up in arms. Beach Helicopter can proceed with their plans to set-up a 6,000-square-foot helipad off U.S. Highway 98 (see full story). Beach Helicopter are understood to operate a Robinson R44
Robinson Helicopter Co donates to area middle schools
Source: EasyReader, 07-Oct-12
Torrance-based Robinson Helicopter Co. donated $15,000 each to Palos Verdes and Torrance school districts. In PV the funds went toward building fabrication labs at each of three area middle schools. (see full story)
Austin Helicopter Tours opens for business
Source: HeliHub.com, 30-Sep-12
Stacy and Randy Riggs, owners of Alamo Helicopter Tours of San Antonio are expanding to a second Texan city with the launch of Austin Helicopter Tours. They open for business on 1st October from Bud Dryden Airport, which is about four miles north east of the main Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. Initially focusing on the tour [...]
FAA certifies Robinson R66 Police variant
Source: Robinson, 23-Sep-12
On 7 September 2012, Robinson Helicopter Company received FAA certification for the R66 Turbine Police Helicopter. Robinson’s R66 Police model is specially configured for law enforcement and meets the latest FAA crashworthiness regulations. The four-place R66 Police helicopter combines R66 power, altitude performance, and capacity with the latest in surveillance systems. Turn-key ready, the R66 [...]
Los Angeles law firm set up website in R22 crash lawsuit
Source: Owen, Patterson & Owen, 17-Sep-12
Robinson Helicopter is the lone defendant in a trial which began in Brisbane, Australia on Thursday, September 13th (Supreme Court of Queensland, Number S 4573/07). The trial is expected to last 14 days. The justice presiding over the trial has ordered that the case be bifurcated. If successful on liability, the damage phase will begin sometime [...]
Engine ice caused fatal Waterloo Region R22 crash
Source: The Record, 13-Sep-12
Safety investigators who analysed the wreckage can’t explain why the carburetor heat control “which would have been required given the conditions” was in the cold position when the helicopter crashed. (see full story) File photo
