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)
Vector Aerospace opens multi-million dollar expansion in Alabama
Source: Vector Aerospace, 08-May-13
Vector Aerospace today announced the grand opening of its new hangar and office complex which adds 45,000 square feet to its existing Helicopter Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility in Andalusia. This expansion provides Vector with over 90,000 square feet of operations and support area and will allow Vector to service more than 20 aircraft [...]
Huntsville Hospital’s AS350 now carrying blood
Source: AL.com, 01-May-13
MedFlight, the hospital’s air ambulance, is the first helicopter in the state of Alabama to carry blood on every flight (see full report)
Gulf Shores welcomes second helicopter tour operator
Source: AL.com, 01-Mar-13
Gulf Shores welcomes second tour operator Corporate Aircraft Solutions, doing business as Oasis Services. (see full story)
HUMS meeting draws crowd, despite weather
Source: HAI, 15-Feb-13
From February 11-13, the American Helicopter Society (AHS) Redstone Chapter, with sponsorship from HAI, hosted a Technical Specialists’ Meeting on Airworthiness, Condition Based Maintenance (CBM), and Health and Usage Monitoring (HUMS) at the University of Alabama in Huntsville. HAI staffers Ed DiCampli, Harold Summers, and others from the HAI HUMS research team were instrumental in [...]
Apache Project Office contest produces name for AH-64E
Source: AL.com, 11-Jan-13
Announced this week at the Team Apache annual government industry meeting at the Boeing facility in Arlington, Va., the AH-64E will be known as the “Guardian.” (see full story)
Helicopter tours coming to Gulf Shores?
Source: AL.com, 19-Dec-12
Jerri Thompson, manager of the Jack Edwards National Airport, informally broached the idea during Monday night’s City Council meeting telling leaders that the Airport Authority is in favor of the new business endeavor but is seeking input from the council before moving ahead. (see full story)
Textron Systems and Bell launch Integration and Collaboration Laboratories
Source: Textron, 04-Dec-12
Textron Systems and Bell Helicopter, Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) companies, announced today the opening of the Textron Systems Integration and Collaboration Lab and Bell Helicopter/AAI Unmanned Aircraft Systems Manned/Unmanned Operations (MUMO) Capability Development Lab. Based at Textron Systems’ Huntsville, Ala., location, these labs combine live data feeds, high-fidelity simulated environments and field equipment to enable rapid [...]
Eurocopter X3 tour reaches Alabama
Source: Eurocopter, 03-Jul-12
Eurocopter continues its U.S. tour of the X3 high-speed hybrid helicopter today in Huntsville, Ala., where the aircraft will perform the first of several flight demonstrations for military leaders and aviators in several locations across the country. The X3 will demonstrate its unique flight characteristics, which include a cruise speed of 200 knots, high rates [...]
Sikorsky is finalist for Alabama’s Manufacturer of the Year Award
Source: Business Council of Alabama, 19-Jun-12
The Business Council of Alabama and the Alabama Technology Network announced today that 14 Alabama companies have been named as finalists for the prestigious Manufacturer of the Year Awards. The winners will be announced at a luncheon on Wednesday, June 20, 2012, at the RSA Activity Center in Montgomery following a keynote presentation by Alabama [...]
Chilton County Sheriff acquires OH-6
Source: Clanton Advertiser, 28-May-12
Chilton County Sheriff Kevin Davis acquired a plane and helicopter for the department to use. Ken Gilliland of B&G Flying Service Inc (which operates out of the Chilton County Airport) was named a reserve deputy, and will pilot and maintain the aircraft (see full story)
Bell and AAI combine resources for manned/unmanned development
Source: Bell, 10-Apr-12
Bell Helicopter and Textron Systems operating unit AAI Unmanned Aircraft Systems, both Textron Inc. companies (NYSE: TXT), have teamed to develop a Manned Unmanned Operations (MUMO) Capability Development Laboratory in Huntsville, AL. to enable a software and hardware-in-the-loop (HWIL) development test capability using operationally relevant systems specific to manned unmanned teaming. This MUMO Capability Development [...]
OH-58F Kiowa Warriors being built in Huntsville
Source: US Army, 05-Mar-12
The top leadership from the Program Executive Office for Aviation, along with project officers for the Project Office for Armed Scout Helicopter’s Kiowa Warrior Product Office, announced Tuesday that three OH-58F Kiowa Warriors will be built at an Army facility in the Huntsville area. Maj. Gen. Tim Crosby, the program executive officer for aviation, and [...]
LifeSaver gets Bell 407 based in Rainbow City
Source: Gadsden Times, 06-Feb-12
LifeSaver’s parent Air Methods has upgraded the helicopter at their Rainbow City base to a Bell 407 (see full story). LifeSaver is part of the Omniflight division.
Sikorsky lays off 50+ workers from Troy plant in Alabama
Source: Troy Messenger, 30-Jan-12
The Troy Sikorsky facility wasn’t immune to economic setbacks as more than 50 employees were laid off from their jobs Thursday. Sikorsky said the cuts came as part of a restructuring plan announced in October and November of last year. (see full story)
Bell and Vector Aerospace take each other to court
Source: HeliHub.com, 24-Jan-12
It sounds a bit like a couple of children playing – “you take me to court and I’ll take you to court in return”, but we’re sure that these two organisations are taking their legal stance very seriously. The current situations are:- In December, Vector took Bell to Alabama Middle Court (case ref 2:11-cv-01071) alleging [...]
First Swedish Black Hawk pilots graduate
Source: Nordic Rotors, 28-Oct-11
A piece of military helicopter history was written this week as the first Swedish UH-60M Black Hawk pilots were graduated at the US Army Aviation Center in Fort Rucker, Alabama. The first four pilots passed their final check-rides on Wednesday, and thereby became the very first Black Hawk pilots in Sweden. A total of 15 [...]
Harris opens Alabama office to support US Army’s Redstone Arsenal
Source: Harris, 03-Oct-11
Harris Corporation has opened a new office at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Ala. to support the communications and information technology needs of a diverse range of U.S. Army programs. The Huntsville site is the fourth new Harris office opened in 2011 in direct support of U.S. Army requirements. The other offices are in Texas, Maryland andFlorida. In Huntsville, senior Harris management, employees and [...]
Police say teen tried to steal EMS helicopter
Source: Chronicle, 13-Sep-11
Police are accusing a teenager of trying to steal a medical helicopter shortly after it landed at Citizens Baptist Medical Center. (See full story)
Bell partners with ESCC to develop Maintenance Training Program
Source: ESCC, 13-Sep-11
“The Alabama Aviation Center in Ozark, a unit of Enterprise State Community College, has formed a partnership with Bell Helicopter-Ozark to develop the Aviation Maintenance Training Program,” says Dr. Nancy Chandler, ESCC president. “This program provides paid, part-time work experiences where AAC students can gain practical skills and knowledge while they complete their Associate in [...]
New US Coast-to-Coast speed record attempt
Source: World Record Helicopter Team, 12-Sep-11
From: The World Record Helicopter Team & USA Academy Of Aviation Inc. French Valley Airport ( F70) Murrieta, Ca. Tel 951-551 6592- 951-600 2883. when: In September 2011. From Where: From Brown Airport, San Diego- to Savannah Hilton Head, GA, and back. Departure Time will be 6 o’clock AM. What is the current record and [...]
Redstone Arsenal celebrates Rotary Wing Center opening
Source: WAFF 48 News, 12-Aug-11
Leaders at Redstone Arsenal celebrated the grand opening of the U.S. Army’s Rotary Wings Center. The 127,000 square foot facility is the Army’s primary facility for aircraft that are ready to test. The Aviation Flight Test Directorate is bringing nearly 400 Army and civilian personnel to Huntsville from Fort Rucker, Alabama. (Full story)
FlightSafety announces new manager for Daleville Learning Center
Source: FlightSafety, 10-Aug-11
FlightSafety International is pleased to announce that Mitch Alexander has been promoted to Manager of the company’s Learning Center in Daleville, Alabama. “Mitch’s proven leadership experience, in-depth knowledge of training center operations, and commitment to provide our Customers with high quality training programs and services, made him the ideal choice for this important role.” said [...]
Air Evac Lifeteam gives presentation to Randolph County Commission
Source: Randolph Leader, 18-Apr-11
Air Evac is not attached to a specific hospital and is subsidized by the community through membership, which is like a form of insurance. Flights cost approximately $19,000-$20,000 with insurance covering only about half. Patients are asked to set up a payment plan for the remainder of the bill.
Defense Technology Inc may protest Russian helicopter deal
Source: Reuters, 06-Feb-11
A small Alabama-based firm is gearing up to protest the Army’s plan to hand an exclusive helicopter contract to a Russian government agency, saying it can do the job quicker and cheaper if it is allowed to compete.
Wyle CAS Group awarded $80.6M contract to support US Army Utility Helicopter’s Project Manager’s Office
Source: Wyle CAS Group, 03-Feb-11
A contract with a potential value of $80.6 million has been awarded to CAS, Inc., a subsidiary of Wyle, to provide program support to the Army’s Utility Helicopter’s Project Manager’s Office. The new five-year task order is a follow-on contract to Wyle’s express task order from the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Life Cycle Management [...]
Donations of vintage helicopters secured for HEARTS museum
Source: Huntsville Item, 25-Nov-10
Ed Duke flew helicopters in the Vietnam War and now he’s helping the HEARTS Veterans Museum by bringing some of these historic aircraft to Huntsville.
Omniflight launches OmniAdvantage membership program, initially in 8 states
Source: Omniflight, 23-Nov-10
ADDISON, Texas, November 22, 2010 — Omniflight Helicopters, Inc., a leading national provider of air medical services, has launched its OmniAdvantage family membership program in eight of the 18 states in which it offers service. Omniflight is introducing OmniAdvantage as a supplemental insurance offering to give the millions of families in its service regions the [...]
Alabama Life Saver to open fifth base
Source: Dothan Eagle, 21-Nov-10
Omniflight Helicopter’s Alabama Life Saver program is to open its fifth site at Ozark’s Blackwell Field Airport.
Vector Aerospace to add 100 jobs at South Alabama Regional Airport
Source: Press-Register, 18-Oct-10
With work expected to begin before year’s end, Vector hope to move in mid-2011. The company has benefited from its proximity to military helicopter bases, as they act as a subcontractor for L-3 Communications to repair U.S. Navy TH-57 helicopters based at Whiting Field, near Milton, Fla.
Alabama State Trooper Pilot uses helicopter for personal business
Source: WHNT, 29-Sep-10
“This Alabama State Trooper pilot was flying a marijuana eradication mission and stopped to check on his son who just had surgery,” the Department of Public Safety said, continuing “…this is his daily patrol vehicle and it is within his discretion to land it where he sees fit.”
Omniflight clinical epecialist named 2010 Paramedic of the Year
Source: Omniflight, 20-Aug-10
Omniflight Helicopters, Inc., a leading national provider of air medical services, announced today that one of its flight paramedics, Don Wilson, was named Paramedic of the Year by East Alabama EMS Region II. Wilson has been employed as a base clinical specialist (flight paramedic) with Alabama LifeSaver, an Omniflight company, since May 2007. He works [...]
Alabama woman takes Bell to court claiming gender discrimination
Source: NBC 13, 21-Jun-10
A federal judge cleared the way this week for a trial, refusing to throw out a discrimination claim from Kim Ralston, a former production control foreman at the Ozark plant who was terminated in 2008 from Bell Aero/U.S. Helicopter
Morgan County Deputies try to get their K9s used to helicopters
Source: WAAY TV, 27-May-10
We’re getting the dogs used to the helicopter. We’re getting the helicopter pilot used to us. It’s kind of a training between all of us. We’ve never done this before. We want to see how the dogs are going to react
Monument at Maxwell honors Vietnam War helicopter crews
Source: Montgomery Advertiser, 24-Apr-10
A monument paid for by the Pedro Rescue Helicopter Association was dedicated in Enlisted Heritage Plaza, where it will stand with 15 other monuments in front of the museum
U.S. Helicopter terminates five, does not say why
Source: Dothan Eagle, 02-Mar-10
Five U.S. Helicopter workers were terminated this week, just days after the company delivered the first of three aircraft in a $14 million government contract, officials confirmed. US Helicopter is a subsidiary of Bell.
U.S. Helicopter completing $14 million government contract
Source: Dothan Eagle, 27-Feb-10
Company officials said workers spent about a year converting a former U.S. Army UH-1 Huey airframe into a Bell Huey II for the U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Vector Aerospace establishes new business office near Fort Rucker
Source: Vector Aerospace, 21-Feb-10
Vector Aerospace Helicopter Services-North America (Vector) www.vectoraerospace.com,one of the world’s leading independent providers of aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services has established a business office in Daleville, Alabama–adjacent to Fort Rucker Army Airfield in a strategic move to enhance support of existing and potential future maintenance, repair and overhaul support for the US Army [...]
Walton County Sheriff add FLIR camera
Source: http://www.wtvynews4.com/floridanews/headlines/83492142.html, 04-Feb-10
The Walton County Sheriff’s Office was able to secure the necessary Homeland Security grant monies to cover the 250-thousand dollar price tag
Boeing Awards AH-64D Apache Block III Work to Science Engineering Services in Huntsville
Source: Boeing, 14-Jan-10
The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] has selected Science Engineering Services Inc. (SES) to perform disassembly, inspection and repair on AH-64D Apache helicopters in preparation for their upgrade to the Block III configuration. The program will create approximately 70 new positions for aviation and avionics mechanics, structural installers, and aviation quality inspectors within SES. “Boeing is [...]
Alabama Army Guard to receive UH-72A early January for homeland security missions
Source: Alabama Live, 30-Dec-09
The new UH-72A Lakota will be unveiled at 10 a.m. on Jan. 9 at Army Aviation Support Facility No. 2 at Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport
Omniflight’s Southeast Regional Clinical Manager Named To State Of Alabama Board Of Nursing
Source: Omniflight, 03-Dec-09
Omniflight Helicopters, Inc., a leading national provider of air medical services, announced today that Lynda LaRue, ADN, R.N., CMTE, regional clinical manager for the company’s Southeast region was named to the State of Alabama Board of Nursing.
Aspen Avionics Announces First Helicopter Installation
Source: Aspen Avionics, 28-Oct-09
Aspen Avionics announced today that the Dale County Sheriff’s Office located in Ozark, Alabama, is the first installation of an EFD1000H Pro Primary Flight Display (PFD) and an EFD1000H Multi-Function Display (MFD) into an operational helicopter. The Bell OH-58 helicopter is used by the department in regular airborne law enforcement activities.
WestWind Technologies Celebrates Grand Opening of New Hangar Facility
Source: AMT, 07-Oct-09
In an unprecedented public/private partnership, WestWind Technologies, Inc. celebrated the grand opening of its new Huntsville Aircraft Modification & Integration Center on September 29, 2009.
Hawk Enterprises Completes Mentor-Protégé Program with Bell Helicopter
Source: Bell, 30-Sep-09
Hawk Enterprises, LLC, was recognized for completing its Department of Defense Mentor-Protégé Program with Bell Helicopter in a ceremony at Hawk’s company headquarters in Huntsville, Ala.
Vector Aerospace awarded Bell UH-1 maintenance fixture certification & dynamic component overhaul approval
Source: RotorNews, 24-Sep-09
Vector Aerospace Helicopter Services-North America has received Bell Helicopter approval for both its UH-1 airframe maintenance fixture as well as for the repair and overhaul for UH-1 dynamic components at its Andalusia, Alabama helicopter maintenance operation.
Vector Aerospace acquires certified OH58 airframe maintenance fixture
Source: Vector Aerospace, 27-Aug-09
Vector Aerospace now offers Bell Helicopter-certified airframe repair capability for the OH-58 (Kiowa) A and C models, via its new maintenance fixture located at the company’s Andalusia, Alabama helicopter repair and overhaul operation.
Battleship Park to display helicopter once used by presidents, arriving from Nevada base
Source: WHNT, 07-May-09
AirEvac Lifeteam crews at Muscle Shoals base training to use NVG
Source: Times Daily, 29-Apr-09
The training consisted of eight hours of classroom work and five hours of landing training with the goggles. FAA-approved instructors conducted the training, much of which took place in wooded areas in the western part of Lauderdale County.
Helicopter maker Sikorsky sued by family of Alabama pilot who dies in crash
Source: Birmingham News, 05-Feb-09
CSC Integrates U.S. Air Force Simulator Into Fleet at Warrior Hall, Flight School XXI
Source: CSC, 26-Jan-09
