UK Apache Hellfire missiles restocked in £15M deal
Source: UK MoD, 21-May-13
The 100-pound (45kg) Hellfire precision missile is Apache’s primary weapon. Used by crews in Afghanistan, it also proved itself repeatedly during the Libya campaign when Apaches flew from the deck of HMS Ocean against Colonel Gaddafi’s forces. Its successful use in Afghanistan and in training has reduced UK stocks of the missiles, which is why [...]
UK – Castle Air opens new base at Biggin Hill
Source: HeliHub.com, 20-May-13
British operator Castle Air is in the process of opening a second base at Biggin Hill Airport on the south-east outskirts of London. Given their current location at Liskeard in Cornwall is 250 miles away from the country’s capital, and very much in one corner of the island, the location would appear a logical one [...]
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 [...]
FirstGroup pledges £100K to London’s Air Ambulance
Source: London’s Air Ambulance, 15-May-13
FirstGroup, the leading transport operator in the UK and North America is providing our charity, with £100k worth of support over four years. Last month one of FirstGroup’s brand new hybrid buses, which is one of 23 which has just entered service in Essex, went head to head with our aircraft at RAF Northolt to [...]
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)
North Sea – Safety issues with Ekofisk Helipad
Source: Offshore Energy Today, 14-May-13
The Petroleum Safety Authority Norway (PSA), with assistance from the Civil Aviation Authority, carried out an audit of Ekofisk 2/4-L facility on 4 – 5 April 2013. (See Full Story)
UK – Patriot buys British International
Source: Patriot Aerospace, 13-May-13
Patriot Aerospace has acquired the interests of British International Helicopter Services (BIH), making the aviation group the UK’s largest domestically owned helicopter operator. The deal will see Sir Peter Rigby’s aviation company take over BIH’s military support contracts in the UK and overseas. Representing a significant move towards realising the group’s plan to create a [...]
Yorkshire Air Ambulance MD902 AOG for 7 months
Source: HeliHub.com, 10-May-13
Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) is in a state of flux at present with a combination of issues all happening at the same time. Their older MD Explorer G-SASH went in for its annual in mid March, and needs a new flexbeam in the rotor system to make it airworthy again. However, MD Helicopters have told [...]
Multiflight provides AS365N2 cover for Yorkshire Air Ambulance
Source: Multiflight, 10-May-13
A Dauphin AS365N2 helicopter air ambulance owned and operated by Multiflight is currently providing vital cover for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) service. The helicopter is being used as a replacement aircraft whilst one of the two YAA MD902 Explorers is having its planned mandatory annual service. “Multiflight is pleased to be able to offer [...]
Bond Offshore Helicopters signs new contract with ADTI
Source: Bond Offshore Helicopters, 09-May-13
Bond Offshore Helicopters Ltd (Bond), one of the UK’s leading providers of energy support services, is delighted to announce that it has been awarded a new contract with Applied Drilling Technology International (ADTI). The new contract, worth approximately £14m, is to provide crew-change flights for the well management specialist. Services are due to begin early [...]
UK AAIB Bulletin – May 2013
Source: AAIB, 09-May-13
The monthly bulletin from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been released. This month’s issue does not refer to any helicopters and this update is included in HeliHub.com for completeness.
CAA appoints new GA programme manager
Source: CAA, 09-May-13
The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) today announced that Mike Barnard has been appointed as General Aviation (GA) Programme Manager. Mike’s main role will be leading a programme to develop and implement policy on how the CAA regulates the GA sector in the future to ensure it is safe and the regulation is proportionate. Building [...]
Rescued pilot funds Midlands Air Ambulance education centre
Source: Shropshire Star, 07-May-13
A businessman who was left clinging to life in the wreckage of a horror helicopter crash in Shropshire has shown his gratitude to the air ambulance service that saved him. (See Full Story)
New Chairman at British Helicopter Association
Source: HeliHub.com, 03-May-13
The BHA have told us that their current Chairman Brian Humphries CBE, FRAeS is to retire on 1st June. He will be succeeded by Sir Christopher Coville KCB BA FCIPD FRAeS RAF. Sir Christopher served in the RAF as a fighter pilot, qualified on the Gazelle and Whirlwind and was a past Chairman of Westland [...]
Devon & Cornwall Police air unit joins Twitter
Source: HeliHub.com, 03-May-13
Devon & Cornwall Police’s air support unit have joined Twitter and can be found @DCP_Helicopter. However, this move may be short-lived as the gradual nationalisation of law enforcement aviation across England and Wales under the “NPAS” (National Police Air Service) banner has seen various units adopt new Twitter identities involving the NPAS name. Time will [...]
RAF confirms Chinook Display Team for 2013
Source: RAF, 03-May-13
The captain for 2013 will be Flight Lieutenant Paul Farmer. This will be his second year with the Display Team. This year’s Co-Pilot is Flight Lieutenant Gareth Allen, the Display Manager Flight Lieutenant Kyle Thomas and the Rear Crew are Sergeants Andy Caldwell and Steve Jones. The season this year will be made all the [...]
EAAA Passes CQC Inspection with Flying Colours
Source: East Anglian Air Ambulance, 03-May-13
The East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA) has passed its most recent inspection by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), which confirms that everyone helped by the Charity receives care of the highest quality. The EAAA, which provides the air ambulance service across Bedfordshire, Cambridge, Norfolk and Suffolk, operates from bases at Cambridge and Norwich. It has [...]
Step Change in Safety commended at international awards ceremony
Source: Step Change in Safety, 03-May-13
Step Change in Safety has received a prestigious commendation by the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work for its efforts to improve workforce engagement in the offshore oil and gas industry. Step Change in Safety’s Workforce Engagement Toolkit – which promises to positively transform the way oil and gas companies interact with staff [...]
Yorkshire Air Ambulance paramedics help design revolutionary kit bags
Source: Yorkshire Air Ambulance, 03-May-13
Paramedics and doctors at Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) have helped design their own medical kit bags that are now being used to treat patients both on the ground and inflight. The medical teams have worked with manufacturers to produce the revolutionary pouch design bags already attracting interest from other helicopter emergency services. The new bags, [...]
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 [...]
Royal Air Force VIP flight reduced to one AW109E
Source: HeliHub.com, 01-May-13
UK’s Royal Air Force has reduced its fleet of VVIP AgustaWestland 109E Powers from two to one from the end of March 2013, two years after taking another of the original three away. The remaining aircraft is expected to fly 500 hours a year The unexpected move of serial ZR323 back to the UK civil [...]
UK – First test flight for EMS helipad on Isle of Wight
Source: Isle of Wight radio, 01-May-13
The first test flight for St Mary’s Hospital’s new helipad has taken place (see full story)
Serco extend Sea King maintenance contract
Source: Serco, 30-Apr-13
Serco has been awarded a contract extension by AgustaWestland Ltd to assist them in maintaining the fleet of Sea King aircraft for the Ministry of Defence under their Integrated Operational Support Contract. The extension, which will run from April 2013 until December 2015, is worth over £7m for the two and a half year period [...]
London’s Air Ambulance – new offices are rent-free
Source: HeliHub.com, 29-Apr-13
It has come to our notice by scanning property websites that the new 4,000 sq.ft (371 m²) are rent-free, courtesy of landlords Land Securities. That fact was missed from the press release issued by London’s Air Ambulance, which merely said “the office move has been prompted by continuous growth”. Checking the report on the CoStar [...]
West Midlands Police helicopter catches more than 500 suspects in a year
Source: Birmingham Mail, 29-Apr-13
West Midlands Police’s eye-in-the sky helicopter helped cops snare more than 500 suspects last year. The aircraft spent 1,175 hours in the sky and was also responsible for finding 27 people who had been reported missing. (See Full Story)
Bond signs 10 year S92 contract with EnQuest
Source: Bond, 26-Apr-13
Bond Offshore Helicopters Ltd (Bond), one of the UK’s leading providers of energy support services, is delighted to announce that it has been awarded a new contract with EnQuest PLC, the largest UK independent oil producer in the UK North Sea. The contract is for up to ten years and it will provide crew change [...]
UK – AgustaWestland to contribute to new Scilly Isles link?
Source: This Is Cornwall, 26-Apr-13
Helicopters could return to the skies of west Cornwall by next summer after an international company backed plans for a new transport link. (See Full Story)
Eurocopter UK reinforces its British private/VIP market leadership
Source: Eurocopter, 25-Apr-13
With a series of deliveries, Eurocopter has further extended its lead in Britain’s private/VIP market and once more confirmed the company’s role as Britain’s civil helicopter hub. Two of the rotorcraft are the AS350 B3e evolved members of Eurocopter’s Ecureuil family, while the third is an EC120 B. [Editor note - Eurocopter has already issued [...]
London Air Ambulance founder Alastair Wilson retires
Source: BBC News, 25-Apr-13
They help save lives and can get to anywhere in Greater London within six minutes, but 25 years ago London’s Air Ambulance did not even exist except as an idea in the mind of A&E consultant Alastair Wilson. (See Full Story)
UK – Dyson adds second AW139 to corporate fleet
Source: HeliHub.com, 24-Apr-13
British manufacturer Dyson has added a second AgustaWestland AW139 to its corporate fleet. HeliHub.com understands this will replace their Dauphin G-DOLF and joins their first AW139 G-OAWL. The new aircraft carries registration G-DCOI which reflects the original vacuum cleaner which Dyson produced – the DC-01 – which launched the success of the company after James [...]
Yorkshire Air Ambulance paramedics get approval to use powerful painkiller
Source: Yorkshire Air Ambulance, 24-Apr-13
Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) paramedics treating trauma patients in severe pain can now administer the powerful analgesic drug ketamine. The helicopter medics, who provide a life-saving service to over five million people in Yorkshire and the Humber, have been given the green light to use the very strong painkiller. Until recently, only doctors were able [...]
London’s Air Ambulance to use 4G to enhance service
Source: London’s Air Ambulance, 24-Apr-13
London’s Air Ambulance, the charity that delivers an advanced trauma team to critically injured people in London, has formed a strategic partnership with mobile operator EE, to develop new systems that will use 4G technology to enhance its service and cut vital minutes off mission times to benefit its patients. London’s Air Ambulance has already [...]
RAF Cosford Air Show Confirm Eye-Opening Helicopter Displays
Source: RAF, 23-Apr-13
The RAF Cosford 75th Anniversary Air Show team is excited to announce that a Chinook and an Apache helicopter from the MOD Joint Helicopter Command (JHC) will be coming to the event on Sunday 9th June. The Chinook helicopter, operated by the Royal Air Force primarily to support troop movements, will be joined by an [...]
Helicopter Instructor Reaches Flying Milestone
Source: RAF, 23-Apr-13
A Qualified Helicopter Instructor with the Central Flying School (Helicopters) at RAF Shawbury has achieved a flying milestone in passing an incredible 6000 hours of flying. Flight Lieutenant Jim Hobkirk is a Qualified Helicopter Instructor with Central Flying School (Helicopters) at the unit. He spends his days training future Qualified Helicopter Instructor pilots on the [...]
London’s Air Ambulance moves charity office
Source: London’s Air Ambulance, 23-Apr-13
London’s Air Ambulance is delighted to announce that our charity office is moving to the City of London on 29th April 2013. After many years of residency at The Royal London Hospital, our charity team is to relocate to 7/8 Philpot Lane, EC3M 8AA. Telephone 020 7220 5470 The office move has been prompted by [...]
Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance shows off Bo105 colour scheme
Source: HeliHub.com, 22-Apr-13
Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance is making good progress and last week had their Eurocopter Bo105 at Perth’s Scone Airport to show off its colour scheme. It’s visit was only for a few days as it still needs some further equipment fitted before going live, but it did provide the charity the opportunity to announce that [...]
Helicentre Aviation Announces 2014 Scholarships
Source: Helicentre Aviation, 22-Apr-13
With just over a week to go until the application deadline for Helicentre Aviation’s 2013 Professional Helicopter Pilot Scholarships, the training academy has announced the launch of at least two further scholarship places to be awarded in 2014. The announcement comes as exciting news for this year’s scholarship hopefuls, who will get a second chance [...]
Bond wins inaugural Moral Courage Safety Award
Source: Bond Aviation, 19-Apr-13
Bond Aviation (Bond), the UK’s largest independent emergency and mission critical helicopter operator, is proud to announce that it has been awarded the inaugural Moral Courage Safety Award by the US Department of Transportation. The award was created to celebrate helicopter companies and crew who put safety first, even when that means taking the difficult [...]
UK – Lucy Air Ambulance for Children joins AAA
Source: Lucy Air Ambulance for Children, 18-Apr-13
Lucy Air Ambulance for Children has joined the Association of Air Ambulances (AAA), the representative body for Air Ambulance Services in the UK, as an Associate Member. The charity funds life-saving medical air transfers for critically ill children from local hospitals to the relevant centres of excellence with the co-operation and assistance of regional air [...]
London’s Air Ambulance partners with International SOS
Source: London’s Air Ambulance, 17-Apr-13
International SOS and London’s Air Ambulance today announced a strategic partnership for 2013. The partnership will focus on securing additional funding for London’s Air Ambulance to sustain the vital life-saving services it delivers across the capital and support a number of key enhancements being made by the charity. London’s Air Ambulance, the charity that delivers [...]
More UK CAA application forms go online
Source: CAA, 17-Apr-13
As part of a process to improve the way it handles official transactions with the aviation industry, the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) will from today accept more applications online, including secure online payments. UK based aircraft maintenance organisations, for example, can now apply for, or apply for variations to their ‘Part 145’ approval electronically, [...]
New local hope for restoration of Scilly Isles service
Source: Pirate FM, 12-Apr-13
Pirate FM has learnt an announcement on a new air link to the Isles of Scilly could be just weeks away (see full story).
UK AAIB Bulletin – April 2013
Source: AAIB, 11-Apr-13
The monthly bulletin from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been released. This month’s issue covers the accident(s) of:- Hiller UH-12 B (N38763), tail struck ground during landing, Elstree Aerodrome, Hertfordshire, 4 August 2012
UK – ExecuJet Europe adds first helicopter to managed fleet
Source: ExecuJet Europe, 10-Apr-13
ExecuJet Europe, the leading global business aviation organisation, is adding the first helicopter to its managed fleet, the Eurocopter EC155, based at Cambridge Airport. The EC155 helicopter has capacity for eight VIP passengers and two pilots. With a range of more than 500 miles, the aircraft will primarily be used for transfers to the City [...]
London’s Air Ambulance in TV series starting Thursday
Source: London's Air Ambulance, 10-Apr-13
Our team will be followed in Channel 5’s Trauma Doctors in four 60 minute programmes, beginning on Thursday 11th April 2013 at 9pm. Shadowing London’s Air Ambulance and the UK’s leading trauma centre, The Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel, Trauma Doctors allows the audience to witness this specialist group of clinicians making the split second [...]
UK – Air Harrods cannot fly commercially
Source: HeliHub.com, 09-Apr-13
British operator Air Harrods is currently unable to fly their helicopters commercially. The company has never been able to operate public transport flights in their own right – which we understand is due to the company being majority owned outside the UK/Europe. In the past, Air Harrods entered into commercial partnerships with a series of [...]
UK – Capital Air Services add two S76s on management
Source: HeliHub.com, 07-Apr-13
Capital Air Services of Oxford have taken on two Sikorsky S76 helicopters recently on a management contract. Previously under the control of Premiair Aviation Services at Blackbushe, HeliHub.com expects that the recent significant changes there have led the owner to move his S76A+ and S76C++ to Capital. Both have been re-listed on the CAA website [...]
Sloane Helicopters release app for iPhone and Android
Source: Sloane Helicopters, 05-Apr-13
The Sloane Helicopters app is now available to download on iPad/iPhone and Android mobile devices. Please click on the link below for your respective devices. You will find detailed information on Sloane together with helicopter news items, Sywell Airfield status and NOTAMS for this area. We hope you enjoy this new facility and welcome any comments. iPad/iPhone https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/sloane-helicopters/id623857718?mt=8 Android [...]
London’s Air Ambulance Turns To City For Funding
Source: Londonist, 05-Apr-13
London’s solitary air ambulance could gain a companion if plans to seek funding from the City are successful.Unlike our urban counterparts, Paris, New York and Sydney who have at least four air ambulances each, we rely on just one (see full story).
Unity4 brings fundraising capability to Wales Air Ambulance
Source: Unity4, 05-Apr-13
Not for profit organisations count on donations to further their cause and extend much needed help to the communities they serve. As a non-government funded charity, Wales Air Ambulance (WAA) needs the necessary financial support and selected Unity4, the global home agent contact centre outsourcer and technology provider, to carry out this key function noting [...]
No criminal proceedings for April 2009 Bond AS332L2 accident
Source: Scottish Crown Office, 05-Apr-13
On 1 April 2009 Super Puma helicopter AS332 L2 G-REDL crashed into the North Sea resulting in the deaths of all 16 men on board. Having carefully considered all the circumstances of this incident, Crown Counsel have decided that there is insufficient evidence for a prosecution and as result no criminal proceedings are instructed. The [...]
Bond extends contract with North West Air Ambulance by 7 years
Source: Bond Air Services, 05-Apr-13
Bond Air Services (Bond), the largest operator of air ambulance aviation units in the UK, has been awarded a new seven-year contract by North West Air Ambulance (NWAA). The contract, worth just over £10 million, is to provide air ambulance support across five counties in North West England. Under the new contract, Bond will continue [...]
Step Change in Safety report highlights offshore safety achievements
Source: Step Change, 04-Apr-13
Step Change in Safety has published its 2013 Annual Update report and has called on the UK oil and gas industry to continue its focus on improving safety performance. The report reviews the organisation’s achievements over the last year and identifies where it will focus its attention in future. Highlights include: The launch of the Workforce Engagement Toolkit – [...]
First AS350B3e delivered to UK market
Source: Eurocopter UK, 02-Apr-13
The AS350B3e, the newest version of Eurocopter’s successful Ecureuil family, is the latest addition to the UK’s important single engine helicopter fleet in Private/Business Aviation. After its entry into service in September 2011, the AS350B3e, the latest version of the powerful 7 seat, 2,3 ton AS350 single engine helicopter family was delivered for the first [...]
Bond Offshore Helicopters signs new contract with Premier Oil
Source: Bond Offshore Helicopters, 28-Mar-13
Bond Offshore Helicopters Ltd (Bond), one of the UK’s leading providers of energy support services, is delighted to announce that it has been awarded a new contract with Premier Oil plc. The contract is to provide crew change flights for the independent exploration and production company. Services started on the 4th of March and the [...]
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 [...]
GKN Aerospace to upgrade UK RAF Puma fuel tanks
Source: GKN Aerospace, 27-Mar-13
GKN Aerospace has been contracted by Eurocopter UK to develop upgraded fuel tanks as part of the UK RAF’s life extension programme (LEP) for its fleet of Puma helicopters. The new self-sealing fuel tanks will enhance the helicopter’s survivability in today’s theatres of operation, providing extended protection for the crew against weapons such as heavy [...]
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 [...]
RAF Chinook Pilot Honoured for Courage
Source: RAF, 26-Mar-13
He is among a total of 27 RAF personnel named in the latest Armed Forces Operational Awards and Joint Commanders Commendations for their service in Afghanistan, Britain and around the world. Flight Lieutenant Christopher Gordon used his helicopter to shield the troops as they boarded the aircraft, resulting in the loss of one of his [...]
Royal Navy pilot honoured for outstanding airmanship and courage
Source: Royal Navy, 25-Mar-13
The 3,074ft Beinn Sgulaird is approximately 10 miles north east of Oban and it turned out to be a formidable foe during the course of this rescue. Lieutenant Commander Sweeney brought years of Commando Helicopter Force experience in similar conditions in the Arctic and Afghanistan to bear, allowing him not only to reassure his crew, [...]
Super Puma AS332 L2 G-REDL Fatal Accident Inquiry announced
Source: Crown Office, 22-Mar-13
On 1 April 2009 Super Puma helicopter AS332 L2 G-REDL crashed into the North Sea resulting in the deaths of all 16 men on board. Having carefully considered all the circumstances of this incident, Crown Counsel have decided that there is insufficient evidence for a prosecution and as result no criminal proceedings are instructed. The [...]
Cornwall Air Ambulance switches operator away from Bond
Source: HeliHub.com, 20-Mar-13
Cornwall Air Ambulance, one of the early pioneers of EMS helicopters in the UK, will move away from Bond Air Services after working with them for 27 years. From December 2014, the charity will stop flying a red EC135 and move over to a pair of MD Explorers, operated for them by Medical Aviation Services. [...]
AgustaWestland welcomes UK Government’s new investment in aerospace industry
Source: AgustaWestland, 20-Mar-13
AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, welcomes the UK Government’s announcement of further significant investments in the aerospace industry. A joint Government and industry research and technology investment valued at over 2 billion pound in the next seven years has been announced through the Aerospace Growth Parthership (AGP) involving a number of aerospace companies. An official ceremony [...]
UK – Hayward & Green launch A109 component support programme
Source: HeliHub.com, 20-Mar-13
Hayward & Green made a very short announcement on their website – “We are pleased to announce the launch of our A109A/C and E model component support program. Please enquire for the level of support we can offer across a large range of A109 components. All stock is available with Full trace and EASAF1/8130-3 Release [...]
North Sea oil workers being put on slimming diets
Source: Decoded Science, 19-Mar-13
… reports about North Sea oil workers being put on slimming diets because their average weight over the last few years had increased so much (see full story)
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.
UK Hospital told new £4m helipad must be bigger
Source: St George's Healthcare, 18-Mar-13
St George’s Hospital has scrapped plans to reduce the size of a new helipad which was too small for Search and Rescue helicopters. The proposed £4m helipad, approved last year, was reduced by 5 sq m in another application withdrawn last week, making it too small for larger helicopters used by Search and Rescue teams. [...]
Police Service of Northern Ireland order second EC145
Source: Eurocopter, 15-Mar-13
The acquisition of an EC145 by the Police Service of Northern Ireland will add another helicopter to this agency’s all-Eurocopter fleet, and reinforces the company’s impressive presence with law enforcement agencies in the British Isles. This latest rotary-wing aircraft is to be delivered in the first half of 2013, joining the Police Service of Northern [...]
UK AAIB Bulletin – March 2013
Source: AAIB, 14-Mar-13
The monthly bulletin from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been released. This month’s issue does not refer to any helicopters and this update is included in HeliHub.com for completeness.
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 [...]
The organisers of AeroExpo UK launch Heli UK
Source: Heli UK, 12-Mar-13
Heli UK Expo will provide an event platform within a traditional airfield setting, where exhibitors and visitors can meet, mingle and do business in a flexible and relaxed environment. Both exhibitors and visitors will be able to fly-in and out of the event, and with demo flights simple and straightforward, visitors will be able to see [...]
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 [...]
Memories of jungle campaign re-lived through Borneo veteran
Source: Royal Navy, 11-Mar-13
Roger Bigden read about the trip to Borneo and made contact with the Squadron through the ‘Junglie Association’ on their website www.junglies.org.uk. He came to visit 845 NAS at RNAS Yeovilton to share his experiences of the 1960s Borneo campaign, and to present the Squadron with a map and photographs from his time there. Roger [...]
Unique Anglo-French link-up hailed a success,after hunting pirates.
Source: Royal Navy, 11-Mar-13
A dozen-strong team from 217 Flight – observer/flight commander Lt Mike Curd, pilot Lt Chris Southworth, senior maintenance rating CPO Matthew ‘Cakey’ Eccles and seven technicians, plus two Royal Marines snipers – return to base at RNAS Yeovilton just before mid-day on Friday (8 March). The highlight of the deployment – for the ship and [...]
