Sikorsky to convert Brunei Shell S-92 for SAR work
Source: Sikorsky, 16-May-13
Sikorsky Aerospace Services (SAS) announced plans today to perform the first post-delivery Search and Rescue (SAR) modifications to Brunei Shell’s Sikorsky S-92® helicopter. Originally configured for offshore oil missions, the aircraft will undergo a comprehensive conversion to a SAR configuration to serve customers in Borneo and the surrounding Southeast Asia region. SAS is the aftermarket [...]
Bristow bring S92s to Sumburgh for start of “Gap SAR”
Source: HeliHub.com, 16-May-13
Bristow Helicopters have now completed their three month training period with their new SAR Sikorsky S92s. Accordingly the three newly delivered helicopters have now been moved from Inverness to Sumburgh ready for the start of operations on 1st June 2013. The “Gap SAR” contract, an interim period until Bristow’s nationwide SAR contract comes into force [...]
Bristow holds PR exercise at Humberside for new SAR base
Source: Scunthorpe Telegraph, 15-May-13
Residents interested in the proposed development of a new Search And Rescue (SAR) helicopter base at Humberside Airport are being invited to find out more about the plans at a drop-in community exhibition. (See Full Story)
FAA approves Rig Approach system for S92
Source: Sikorsky, 07-May-13
Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. today announced the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has approved a new functionality on the S-92® helicopter to provide offshore oil operators with an automated approach that reduces cockpit workload by 60 percent and allows safer operations under challenging weather and operating conditions. Sikorsky, a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX), developed [...]
Portuguese AW101 sets new SAR distance record
Source: AgustaWestland, 10-Apr-13
[Electronic Translation from Norwegian] A Portuguese AW101 helicopter has set a new record. It saved a man at a distance of 360 nautical mil, which is 670 km. In February this year capsized the Portuguese sailor Javier Sanso when he participated in the Vendee Globe solo race. This happened about the middle of the Atlantic Ocean and [...]
Bristow to operate SAR AW189s from 2015
Source: AgustaWestland, 28-Mar-13
Editor note – you can’t blame AW for putting this press release out to promote their products, but it’s worth noting that BOTH of the final two bidders included the AW189 in their portfolio AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce that its AW189 Search & Rescue (SAR) helicopter will play a pivotal role [...]
Avincis responds to losing UK SAR contract
Source: Avincis Group, 27-Mar-13
Avincis CEO James Drummond said: “We are pleased that Secretary of State has noted the very high quality and credibility of our bid, which drew on our global and UK expertise in providing helicopter emergency services. Of course we are disappointed, but Bond has had fantastic success in winning new business this year. I’m very [...]
Official – Bristow win UK SAR with ten S92s and ten AW189s
Source: UK Dept for Transport, 26-Mar-13
A new £1.6 billion contract for search and rescue helicopter services will see the UK benefit from improved flying times and better coverage of high-risk areas. The Department for Transport has today signed a contract with Bristow Helicopters Ltd to provide search and rescue helicopter services in the UK. Helicopters will be able to reach [...]
Reports…. Bristow win UK SAR contract worth £3 Billion
Source: Sunday Times, 18-Mar-13
Ahead of any official announcement, the Sunday Times are reporting that Bristow have won the UK SAR contract worth approximately £3 billion (see full story). HeliHub.com will run the official announcements as and when they are released in the near future. Bristow were bidding with Sikorsky S92 and AgustaWestland AW189 helicopters.
Bond SAR crew win award for courage
Source: Bond Aviation Group, 13-Mar-13
Two Bond Offshore Helicopters (Bond) Search and Rescue (SAR) crewmen have been awarded the Billy Deacon SAR Memorial Trophy 2012, in recognition of their key role in a dramatic North Sea rescue last December. The award honours SAR winchmen and operators who have shown great skill and courage in carrying out rescues over land or [...]
Losses widen at CHC Ireland
11-Mar-13
Losses at the private helicopter company that has a €500m state contract for offshore SAR have increased to €2.78m. (see full story)
China’s Ministry of Transport orders four S76D for SAR work
Source: Sikorsky, 05-Mar-13
China’s Ministry of Transport’s (MOT) Rescue and Salvage Bureau has signed a contract for the supply of four Sikorsky S-76D™ search and rescue helicopters, with an option for another four next year, to further enhance MOT’s maritime search and rescue capabilities, Sikorsky Aircraft announced today from the Heli-Expo industry show. Sikorsky, a subsidiary of United [...]
Second S92 arrives UK for Bristow “Gap SAR” contract
25-Feb-13
The “GAP SAR” contract requires Bristow Helicopters to supply four Sikorsky S92s for UK Search and Rescue. The first arrival (which we reported here) is now stationed at Inverness on a training programme. Meanwhile the second example G-MCGB was air freighted into Prestwick last week and ferried through to Aberdeen on Saturday. This is serial [...]
AW189 beats EC175 in UK SAR contest
Source: FlightGlobal, 22-Feb-13
FlightGlobal are quoting Eurocopter’s EC175 marketing manager admitting that both remaining bidders in the UK SAR contest have the UK-built AW189 in their tenders. (see full story)
Scottish Ambulance Service trains volunteers to light helipads
Source: Scottish Ambulance Service, 18-Feb-13
The Scottish Ambulance Service has completed an initiative to create new lit helicopter landing sites on Shetland’s outer isles that will enhance access for medical evacuations. While the Coastguard helicopter has always had 24 hour access to these islands, the new sites will allow access at night by the Jigsaw helicopter, which requires a lit [...]
RAF appoints new Search And Rescue Force Commander
Source: Royal Air Force, 15-Feb-13
Group Captain Sara Mackmin has taken over as the RAF Search and Rescue Force Commander from Group Captain Frazer Nicholson The RAF SAR Force is now being commanded by the most senior female aviator within the UK’s Armed Forces. Group Captain Sara Mackmin’s recent appointment as the RAF SAR Force Commander marks the first time [...]
Bristow unveils first S92 for UK “Gap SAR”
Source: Bristow Helicopters, 04-Feb-13
Over ten days after HeliHub.com reported the arrival of this aircraft, Bristow issued the following press release which provides more details, including equipment fit. The first of four Sikorsky S-92 helicopters that will service the U.K. GAP SAR contract starting later this year is nearly finished and on track to begin training flights in February. [...]
Bristow moves S92 to Inverness for SAR training
Source: HeliHub.com, 04-Feb-13
Last week HeliHub.com announced that the first Sikorsky S92 had arrived in the UK for Bristow to operate in the SAR role. Today the aircraft moves from Aberdeen to Inverness to begin training ready for going live on 1st June – this is G-MCGA, serial The first of the four Sikorsky S92s arrived at Aberdeen [...]
Bristow takes delivery of first S92 for UK Interim SAR
Source: HeliHub.com, 22-Jan-13
In early February 2012, HeliHub.com broke the news that the “Gap SAR” contract had been split between Bristow running the two northerly bases at Sumburgh and Stornoway, while CHC would continue with the two southerly bases at Portland and Lee-on-Solent. Not only were we first to announce this, but it took a further five days [...]
US Coast Guard deploys two MH-60s to St. Paul, Alaska
Source: US Coast Guard, 16-Jan-13
Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak temporarily deployed two MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crews to St. Paul, Alaska, Sunday to safeguard the crab fleet and other fishing vessels engaged in winter fisheries in Southwestern Alaska. With an increased number of vessels operating in the region, the Coast Guard deployed the crews to provide a more rapid response [...]
UK SAR – CHC were planning new base to avoid using Valley
Source: HeliHub.com, 14-Jan-13
Last week it emerged that the UK Government has reduced the number of bidding groups for the UK Search And Rescue contract from three to two – and the loser was CHC. The Canadian based company, who have an established operation on the UK North Sea, are the current contractor operating four Sikorsky S92 and [...]
Royal Navy launches “60 years of SAR” at London Boat Show
Source: Royal Navy, 14-Jan-13
There is also the opportunity to get up close and personal with an Offshore Raiding Craft (ORC), as used by the Royal Marines. Measuring in at nine metres long and able to travel in excess of 35 knots, these craft were part of the Royal Navy’s commitment to keeping the public safe during the London [...]
New free online tool for night flight planning
Source: www.flyatnight.info, 07-Jan-13
Night flights are challenging. Visual information about the flight environment is greatly reduced as compared to daytime flying and is largely dependent on the amount of celestial illumination encountered throughout the flight. It is therefore of significant importance for the night pilot to know exactly when darkness falls, and if some level of illumination in [...]
Svalbard selects Lufttransport for SAR
Source: Nordic Rotors, 03-Jan-13
The Norwegian company Lufttransport has been awarded the new Search and Rescue (SAR) / Transport contract for Sysselmannen on Svalbard Island in the northernmost part of Norway. The contract will be effective from 1 April 2014, and the new operator will be replacing Airlift that has been on the island since 1 April 1996 (with [...]
Helicopter Rescue Summit in planning for March 2013
Source: HRRA, 21-Dec-12
The Helicopter Rescue and Response Association (HRRA) is in the planning phase for the upcoming 2013 Helicopter Rescue Summit. The summit will be held in conjunction with the Helicopter Association International, HELI EXPO, in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Helicopter Rescue Summit is scheduled for March 4, 2013 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, 0800-1700 hrs. [...]
Finland to add two more AS332L1 for SAR missions
Source: Eurocopter, 21-Dec-12
The Finnish Border Guard is to expand its Eurocopter fleet with the acquisition of two additional AS332 L1 Super Puma helicopters fully equipped for maritime search and rescue missions in the country’s challenging conditions. With deliveries scheduled for 2015, the rotorcraft will be configured as the AS332 L1e version, incorporating the integrated advanced cockpit and [...]
USCG selects Honeywell’s vibration monitoring system for MH-60T fleet
Source: Honeywell, 17-Dec-12
Honeywell (NYSE: HON) has been awarded a $4.8 million contract to install health and usage monitoring systems (HUMS) onboard the entire fleet of U.S. Coast Guard MH-60T helicopters. For the U.S. Coast Guard, the installation and use of HUMS is critically important and paramount to the success of its missions. Unscheduled maintenance events can cause mission aborts that [...]
Place of birth:- 1000ft over Lunna Holm in an S92
Source: MCA, 12-Dec-12
At 4.30am, a doctor on Unst called Shetland Coastguard to ascertain the times of the ferries to the main Island. This was because he was dealing with a woman in labour. After the doctor had spoken with the Scottish ambulance service, ARCC Kinloss tasked the Coastguard Search and Rescue Helicopter Rescue 102. The helicopter was [...]
AgustaWestland confirms five-week-old HeliHub.com story
Source: AgustaWestland, 21-Nov-12
The text of a new press release from AgustaWestland is given below, merely for completeness. HeliHub.com first ran this story on 16th October – see Seven AW139s for the Swedish SAR AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce that it has signed a contract with the Swedish Maritime Administration for seven AW139 intermediate twin [...]
Government Flying Service celebrates 10 years of SBH® contract with Turbomeca
Source: Turbomeca, 15-Nov-12
During the Air Show China, Turbomeca China (Safran group) and Hong Kong Government Flying Service (GFS), celebrate 10 years of SBH® (Support By the Hour) contract. 100% of GFS helicopter, powered by Turbomeca engines, is under SBH® contract. The main mission accomplished by GFS is Search & Rescue (SAR), GFS providing a 24 hours air [...]
Turbomeca and Chinese SAR celebrate 10 years of cooperation
Source: Turbomeca, 15-Nov-12
During the Air Show China, Turbomeca is proud to celebrate 10 years of successful cooperation with the China Rescue & Salvage, Ministry of Transport (CRS-MOT). 100% powered by Turbomeca, the helicopter fleet of MOT is dedicated to salvage and rescue missions for the coastline of China. The eight Makila 2 and 16 Arriel 2S Turbomeca [...]
Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter prepares for 7,000th mission
Source: Coffs Coast Advocate, 02-Nov-12
“Please don’t take us for granted” is the plea from Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter as it prepares to fly its 7000th mission. (see full story)
Canadian Forces members receive International Award for Gallantry
Source: GAPAN, 02-Nov-12
At a ceremony in London, U.K., Canadian Forces Search and Rescue personnel received the Award of Gallantry from the Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators for their heroic actions in saving the lives of two Inuit hunters stranded in icy waters near Igloolik, Nunavut, on October 27, 2011. “This award highlights the exemplary skill, [...]
Terma to upgrade EW suite on Danish AW101 fleet
Source: Terma, 30-Oct-12
Terma and the Danish Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organization (DALO) recently signed a contract for upgrading the Electronic Warfare (EW) suite on the Air Force’ TTT Westland 101 Merlin helicopters (EH-101). The EW upgrade program will be carried out during 2013 with delivery from Terma to DALO at the end of 2013. The comprehensive system [...]
US Air Force releases RFP for next SAR helicopter
Source: US Air Force, 24-Oct-12
The Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition announced today the posting of the Combat Rescue Helicopter (CRH) Request for Proposal (RFP) to the Federal Business Opportunities website, signaling the official launch of this high priority Air Force acquisition program. The RFP defines an integrated, capability-based, best-value approach. It also includes [...]
Seven AW139s for the Swedish SAR
Source: Nordic Rotors, 16-Oct-12
The Swedish Maritime Administration has signed an agreement with the Anglo-Italian helicopter manufacturer AgustaWestland SpA to acquire seven new AW139 helicopters for its nation-wide search and rescue (SAR) service. The first delivey is expected in May 2013. The agency states that “[the] AW139 is a proven rescue helicopter that is optimal for Swedish conditions and [...]
Bond/INAER parent company renames as Avincis; based in UK
Source: Avincis Group, 16-Oct-12
Avincis Mission Critical Services (Avincis Group) has established itself in the UK today as the world’s leading provider of mission critical aviation services. The Group’s mission is to save lives, protect the environment and provide safe transport for mission critical people and assets for public services and blue chip corporations. Avincis’ operating companies deliver across [...]
Awardees for 32nd annual Salute to the Coast Guard announced
Source: Coast Guard Foundation, 10-Oct-12
The Coast Guard Foundation is proud to announce that the 2012 Coast Guard Foundation Award for Heroism will be presented to Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak, for its rescue of the crews of the fishing vessels Heritage and Kimberly. The award will be presented at the 32nd Annual Salute to the Coast Guard in New [...]
AgustaWestland marks 10 years of AW101 with Royal Canadian Air Force
Source: AgustaWestland, 10-Oct-12
AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce that its fleet of AW101 (formerly EH101) “Cormorant” search and rescue helicopters has achieved dual milestones of 10 years active service with the Royal Canadian Air Force and 50,000 operating hours. “Canada’s Cormorants are the benchmark for AW101s around the world,” said Jeremy Tracy, AgustaWestland’s Head of [...]
Treacherous Arctic Rescue Earns “Rescue 915” the 2012 Cormorant Trophy
Source: AgustaWestland, 04-Oct-12
AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce that a treacherous nighttime icy Arctic sea rescue of two hunters by a Canadian Forces Search and Rescue team has been selected as the winner of the 2012 Cormorant Trophy for Helicopter Rescue. This year’s awarding of the Cormorant Trophy for the October 27, 2011 rescue serves [...]
Eurocopter to supply four SAR EC725 to Royal Thai Air Force
Source: Eurocopter, 19-Sep-12
[HeliHub.com had already run a story over two weeks ago to say the Thai Government had approved this sale - this is Eurocopter's press release following the contract signature] A contract was signed today between Eurocopter and the Royal Thai Air Force for the supply of four EC725 helicopters, configured for search and rescue missions. [...]
Lerwick Harbour pilot boats are key in Bond’s Jigsaw operations
Source: Bond Aviation Group, 14-Sep-12
Crews of Lerwick Harbour pilot boats and Bond Offshore Helicopters’ aircraft are working together to ensure the high level of skill required in Bond’s search-&-rescue operations in Scottish waters. The combination has now reached its 100th exercise since the pilot boats began supporting Bond’s training programme in early 2011. Bond’s offshore search and rescue operation [...]
Bond’s SAR clinical lead gives insight to medicine in extreme offshore conditions
Source: Bond Aviation Group, 10-Sep-12
Bond Offshore Helicopters’ clinical lead, Dr. Mark Bloch, today gave insight into the critical work of paramedics on search and rescue (SAR) helicopters, and the challenges they face working in extreme conditions offshore. Bond has been operating the Jigsaw SAR service for BP in the North Sea since 2006. In that time, Bond’s on-board paramedic [...]
Thailand orders four EC725s for SAR
Source: HeliHub.com, 02-Sep-12
The Thai Government has in the last week approved the purchase of four Eurocopter EC725 helicopters for SAR work by the Royal Thai Air Force. These are thought to be the first four of a potential order for ten, with a further batch to be confirmed in later years. They will certainly modernise the SAR [...]
Change of Command for Canada’s 442 Squadron
Source: Royal Canadian Air Force, 31-Aug-12
Flanked by yellow and red search and rescue (SAR) aircraft and before the formed ranks of blue-uniformed members of 442 Transport and Rescue Squadron, Lieutenant-Colonel Todd Sharp took command from LCol Jonathan Bouchard in a ceremony held today at 19 Wing, Comox. “Operations are not always easy on our families and I truly appreciated the [...]
‘Meat stop’ SAR helicopter pilots flying again
Source: HeliHub.com, 31-Aug-12
The BBC has reported that the two CHC Coastguard pilots suspended for stopping off to pick up meat from a butchers during a training exercise are back flying again. Paul Bentley was demoted to co-pilot after the SAR Sikorsky S92 landed in an Orkney field in April, but has now been restored as captain. They [...]
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)
Canadian Coast Guard helicopter fleet to be modernized
Source: Canadian Government, 23-Aug-12
The Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, and the Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Public Works and Government Services, today announced that the Government of Canada is setting the stage for the purchase of new helicopters for the Canadian Coast Guard. A Letter of Interest to invite aerospace representatives to an Industry Day has been [...]
UK Government reduces SAR bidders to three
Source: HeliHub.com, 01-Aug-12
After the huge debacle of the previous round of bids (see £6bn UK SAR privatisation deal on hold – police investigate), the UK Government has announced the short-list of bidders going forward to provide SAR services around the British coastline for a 25 year period. The successful bidder(s) will take over roles currently provided by [...]
Mustang Surival welcomes new Military Business Development Rep
Source: Mustang Surival, 10-Jul-12
Mustang Survival is pleased to announce that David Hoover has joined Mustang Survival’s military business development team as a Business Development Representative. Working with the Director of Military Business Development, Hoover will manage relationships and develop opportunities with the Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security with a specific focus on providing aviation related [...]
AgustaWestland exhibits AW189 SAR at Farnborough
Source: AgustaWestland, 10-Jul-12
AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is exhibiting the new generation AW189 8-tonne class helicopter in a search and rescue configuration for the first time ever at the Farnborough International Airshow. Launched in June 2011, the AW189 is designed to meet future demanding requirements for long range, long endurance SAR operations in all weather conditions and operating [...]
CHC demotes Coastguard pilot over butcher shop stop
Source: HeliHub.com, 27-Jun-12
UK Coastguard S92 captain Paul Bentley has been demoted after landing in a field on the Island of Orkney in April to pick up meat from a butchers. Mr Bentley had been suspended by operators CHC after the incident came to light after a video was posted on YouTube. Mobile phone footage – which has [...]
UK – Royal Marines Aircrewman Receives The Billy Deacon Memorial Trophy
Source: Royal Navy, 19-Jun-12
Sponsored by Bristow Helicopters and Breitling UK, the Trophy has been established to further the memory of Mr Billy Deacon who was tragically lost while carrying out his duty as winchman with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency Search and Rescue helicopter based at Sumburgh in the Shetland Isles in 1997. The Billy Deacon SAR Memorial [...]
Taiwan to put SAR EC225s into service in July
Source: Taipei Times, 19-Jun-12
The air force will put three SAR helicopters purchased from Europe into service next month, in a move to beef up its disaster relief capabilities, the Ministry of National Defense said yesterday. (see full story). The three were delivered in-country in November 2011
Prince William qualifies as an operational Royal Air Force SAR captain
Source: Prince of Wales website, 07-Jun-12
The Duke of Cambridge has qualified as an operational captain within the Royal Air Force Search and Rescue Force. Flight Lieutenant Wales, as he is known in the military, will now command Search and Rescue operations in RAF Sea King helicopters. Until now, Flight Lieutenant Wales has only co-piloted the aircraft. The operational captaincy check [...]
Raytheon wins $12M contract for MH-60 sonar maintenance
Source: US DoD, 01-Jun-12
Raytheon Co., Integrated Defense Systems, Portsmouth, R.I., is being awarded a $12,218,916 firm-fixed-price delivery order against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-08-G-0013) for specialized test equipment and “golden units” necessary to perform depot level repairs to identified airborne low frequency sonar components in support of the MH-60 aircraft. This effort is targeted to augment [...]
Spain – New helipad for Ayamonte
Source: Info Ayamonte, 31-May-12
With EC funding, this is part of a network of helipads – with six new locations added this year. New helipads will be built in Almonte, Cumbres Mayores, Puebla de Guzmán, Aroche, Ayamonte and the Hospital Juan Ramón Jiménez in Huelva city. (see full story)
Team NORDSAR – Eurocopter and Heli-One join forces to bid for Norwegian SAR
Source: Eurocopter, 31-May-12
A capable, mission-tailored solution for Norway’s new search and rescue helicopter acquisition is now available with Team NORDSAR. It brings together the extensive resources of Eurocopter and its EC225 NORDSAR helicopter with the in-country aircraft maintenance and logistic support capabilities of Heli-One Norway AS. The Team NORDSAR (Nordic Search And Rescue) agreement, announced today, responds [...]
Thailand – new helipads for Phuket Islands
Source: Phuket Wan, 30-May-12
The Royal Thai Navy hopes to have a rescue helicopter landing pad ready to operate on Racha island, in June. Paitoon Panchaiyabhum, of the Phuket Marine Biological Centre, said that the Navy plans to have helipads approved for other islands off Phuket.
Hawke’s Bay SAR crew recognised for dangerous rescue
Source: Hawkes Bay Today, 25-May-12
A Lowe Corporation rescue helicopter crew from Hawke’s Bay has won the NZSAR Gold Award for the most significant contribution to search and rescue in 2011 following a harrowing rescue off Cape Kidnappers. (see full story)
Portugal’s 751 Squadron passes landmark 2,751 rescues
Source: HeliHub.com, 24-May-12
Portugal’s 751 Squadron, responsible for the country’s SAR helicopters, had achieved a milestone 2,751 rescues. The key rescue was made in the Azores chain of islands in the Atlantic on 20th May when they transported a pregnant woman from the island of Graciosa to a hospital at Angra do HeroÃsmo on the island of Terceira. [...]
Thermal imager for Westpac Life Saver Rescue
Source: Thales, 23-May-12
Sydney’s Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter Service has received a boost with the supply of an advanced thermal imaging camera from Thales Australia. The camera, from the company’s Sophie range of world-leading thermal imagers, will be used to help rescue crews detect and identify people in need of assistance. The camera works by identifying body [...]
North Slope Borough SAR selects Night Flight Concepts for NVG Maintenance
Source: Night Flight Concepts, 21-May-12
North Slope Borough’s Search and Rescue Aviation Unit has chosen Night Flight Concepts® (NFC) to provide a Night Vision Goggle (NVG) repair and maintenance solution to augment their existing night vision program. The addition of NFC FAA-certified repair and maintenance services, including NVG inspections, will streamline NSB’s NVG sustainment to deliver greater value, performance and [...]
Irish Coast Guard record 10 years of SAR from Waterford
Source: Irish Government, 14-May-12
Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Leo Varadkar TD today congratulated the Irish Coast Guard as they mark the 10th anniversary of the Irish Coast Guard search and rescue helicopter base at Waterford Airport (Thursday, May 10). Speaking today, the Minister said: “For the past decade the helicopter team at the Waterford Coast Guard base [...]
Irish Coast Guard to start S92 operations in June
14-May-12
Irish Coast Guard operations manager Declan Geoghegan said the first of the new S-92 Sikorsky helicopters would begin operations at Shannon next month, to be followed in the next year with similar new aircraft at Sligo, Waterford and Dublin. (see full story)
China – Shandong Province plans 14 SAR helipads along coast
Source: HeliHub.com, 08-May-12
The coast of Shandong Province should soon see a total of 14 helistops built to provide SAR helicopters with suitably located landing points to bring casualties from maritime emergencies to hospitals. The will be located at Binzhou, Dongying, Weifang, Weihai, Rizhao, Yantai, and Qingdao, with some of these cities having multiple pads. According to reports, [...]
Kazakhstan Ministry of Emergency Situations takes delivery of Ka32
Source: Russian Helicopters, 07-May-12
Russian Helicopters, a leading global designer and manufacturer of helicopters and part of the Russian state defense industry holding Oboronprom, has delivered to the Emergency Situations Ministry (EMERCOM) of the Republic of Kazakhstan two modified coaxial Ka-32A11BC rescue helicopters. The delivery of the Ka-32A11BC helicopters marks the quick and successful execution of a contract signed [...]
UK – SAR Training Unit celebrates 50 years
Source: Royal Air Force, 06-May-12
For the past half century Royal Air Force search and rescue helicopter crews trained by an RAF Valley based unit have saved countless lives. On station to rescue downed arcrew military helicopter crews have been there to pluck to safety all in peril. With search and rescue being, by it’s very nature, often extremely dangerous [...]
Norway – SAR tender bidding process delayed
Source: AgustaWestland, 24-Apr-12
The tender announcement in connection with the purchase of new rescue helicopters will go out in the market over the next few weeks, says Justice Minister. Member of Parliament Jan Arild Ellingsen (Progress Party) asked the Minister of Justice a written question before Easter in which he asked the minister confirm or deny that she [...]
CHC SAR pilot suspended for landing to buy steak
Source: Daily Telegraph, 21-Apr-12
Mobile phone footage on YouTube, since removed from the site, showed two crewmen collecting a bag of beef from several butchers who were there to see the landing. CHC has launched an inquiry and confirmed that the pilot had been suspended. (see video and story)
INAER pilot awarded Gold Medal for Civil Protection
Source: INAER, 16-Apr-12
José Luis GarcÃa MartÃn, an INAER helicopter captain, has been awarded the Gold Medal for Civil Protection by the “Generalitat Valenciana” (Valencia Regional government) at the 11th Conference on Public Safety and Emergencies, for his complete dedication for more than 20 years to the emergency and civil protection services. SerafÃn Castellano, the Valencia Regional Government [...]
Government of Cantabria contracts a 412 from INAER
Source: HeliHub.com, 13-Apr-12
Not previously reported here on HeliHub.com, INAER picked up a two year contract with the State Government of Cantabria. Covering the two calendar years of 2012 and 2013, INAER will provide a Bell 412 based at Santander for EMS and SAR work. Jeremy Parkin – HeliHub.com
Canada adds third Griffon at 5 Wing Goose Bay
Source: Canadian National Defence, 12-Apr-12
The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence, today announced that another CH-146 Griffon helicopter will be established at 5 Wing Goose Bay. With this addition, three Griffon helicopters will now provide utility helicopter capability at 5 Wing. “A third Griffon aircraft at 5 Wing Goose Bay will have an immediate positive impact on the [...]
Egypt takes delivery of two SAR AW139s
Source: HeliHub.com, 11-Apr-12
Following the announcement in April 2011 of $37M in funding, and AgustaWestland’s press release the next month, we can now report that two AW139s have been delivered from the AgustaWestland North American (AWNA) factory in Pennsylvania to the Egyptian Air Force. Painted in a white and red scheme, the two were last week cancelled from [...]
VX-31 SAR crew recognized for rescue
Source: US Navy, 11-Apr-12
The Naval Test Wing Pacific commander presented Air Medals to members of Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 31 for a recent search and rescue (SAR) mission in the Eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains during a ceremony April 2 at Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division China Lake. The rescue mission was significant because at 11,300 [...]
