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)
Hawaii Medal of Honor ceremony salutes fallen heroes
Source: US Marine Corps, 02-Apr-13
Families, fellow service members, state senators and representatives gathered at the state Capitol to remember fallen Marines and soldiers by awarding them the Hawaii Medal of Honor, March 27. Family members came from across the U.S. to accept the award for their loved ones who made the ultimate sacrifice. “My daughter and I came all [...]
Blue Hawaiian Voted “Best Helicopter Tour Company”
Source: Blue Hawaiian Helicopter, 19-Mar-13
In Fall 2012, HAWAII Magazine asked their 200,000 print-edition readers and their website readers to share their “Hawaii’s Best” selections in more than 60 categories. The 50,000 votes were compiled into the inaugural HAWAII Magazine Readers’ Choice Awards that appear in the March/April issue of the magazine. The categories cover favorites among hotels and resorts; Hawaiian islands and towns; ways to [...]
Kona Community Hospital Activates Rotor Program
Source: Kona Community Hospital, 21-Feb-13
Kona Community Hospital (KCH) welcomed a new emergency medical rotor coptor as it made its maiden landing on the hospital’s helipad on Thursday, February 14. The Hawaii Life Flight (HLF) crew manning the rotor copter was greeted by KCH administration as well as members of the KCH trauma team, emergency and security departments. The rotor [...]
Maui pilot sentenced to 500 flight hours in deer case
Source: The Republic, 14-Sep-12
A Maui pilot must make amends for illegally flying axis deer to the Big Island by providing a group trying to eradicate the invasive species there with 500 hours of helicopter flight time (see full story)
New CH-53E simulator stands ready for crew chief training
Source: US Marine Corps, 03-Sep-12
Gunnery Sgt. John Militello of the Marine Aviation Training System Site tests the state-of-the-art CH-53E enhanced aircrew externals trainer located at Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay. Naval Aviation Training Systems program office (PMA-205) announced the simulator “ready for training” Aug. 24. The device was designed, developed and employed by PMA-205, along with Manned Flight [...]
Royal Gardens lava helicopter tour moves forward on permit
Source: Big Island News, 30-Jul-12
A helicopter tour company is continuing with the environmental approval process in order to land in the Royal Gardens subdivision - or what’s left of it – when conducting lava tours. (see full story)
Hawaii’s first helicopter operator celebrates 50 years
26-Jun-12
A blessing and dedication was held Thursday at the Lihu‘e Airport Heliport, officiated by Lady Ipo Kahaunaele-Ferreira of Ke Akua Mana Church. (see full story) The company’s website has a great page on its history – from which the following early photo comes – Jack Harter on the left in this shot standing next to [...]
Evergreen Helicopters wins $8.1M US million Army contract
Source: US DoD, 14-Jun-12
Evergreen Helicopter, Inc., McMinnville, Ore., was awarded an $8,062,582 firm-fixed-price contract. The award will provide for the helicopter services and support to perform air medical evacuations, fire suppression services, and other missions for the U.S. Army Garrison, Hawaii Department of Defense Property, and operational training areas on the islands of Oahu and Hawaii. Work will [...]
HMH-363 completes time in Hawaii, transitions to VMM-363 in California
Source: US Marine Corps, 20-May-12
The color guard and headquarters staff of Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 363 render honor while the national anthem plays during a change of command and re-designation ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, May 10, 2012. The commanding officer of HMH-363, Lt. Col. Mark Revor, flew his squadron’s battle colors before casing them for [...]
Blue Hawaiian Continues Green Leadership with Solar Power Array
Source: Blue Hawaiian Helicopters, 15-May-12
Blue Hawaiian Helicopters, the largest and most successful aerial tour company in Hawaii, has installed a solar power system on the roofs of its two Operations Center buildings at the Maui Heliport. The Blue Hawaiian array consists of 432 panels providing 102 kw of power, which handles, on average, 90 percent of Blue Hawaiian’s electrical [...]
Hawaii Army National Guard dedicates new Lakotas
Source: US Army, 07-May-12
The Hawaii Army National Guard today dedicated its two new UH-72A Lakota helicopters at the Guard’s Aviation Support Facility No. 2 in Hilo. The Lakota helicopters have replaced the older model OH-58 Kiowa helicopters. The Lakota is the Army’s most modern Light Utility Helicopter. Hawaii is one of the first states to receive the new [...]
Kauai helicopter pilot indicted on drug charges
16-Apr-12
A pilot who flies Kauai County’s helicopter for rescue and training missions has been indicted on drug charges. See full story
Blue Hawaiian orders 20 EC130T2 Aircraft
Source: American Eurocopter, 12-Feb-12
At the Heli-Expo launch of Eurocopter’s new EC130 T2 helicopter, American Eurocopter announced today that Blue Hawaiian Helicopters has ordered 20 of the updated EC130 model that has made a name for itself in the United States in a variety of industries, particularly the aerial tour industry. The agreement with Blue Hawaiian includes 10 firm [...]
NTSB Preliminary Report – 10-Nov-11 N11QV Eurocopter EC130
Source: NTSB, 18-Nov-11
This is the text from the Preliminary Report. By its very nature, the details are subject to change and should not be relied upon. The Final Report for this incident will be issued in due course:- On November 10, 2011, about 1214 Hawaiian standard time, a Eurocopter EC 130 B4, N11QV, collided with mountainous terrain [...]
Super Stallion hits the air in Hawaii
Source: US Marine Corps, 13-Nov-11
As the sun began to set behind the Ko’olau Mountains, pilots and crewmembers of Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 463 witnessed its future — a CH-53E Super Stallion flying at Landing Zone Westfield, Nov. 7. The Super Stallions were sent to Marine Corps Base Hawaii from Marine Heavy Helicopter Training Squadron, Marine Corps Air Station, New [...]
Blue Hawaiian Helicopters EC130 crashes killing five
Source: HeliHub.com, 11-Nov-11
Successful sightseeing operator Blue Hawaiian Helicopters suffered a fatal accident on the island of Molokai on Thursday. Having taken off from Kahului on Maui island, the 45 minute tour. Molokai is a mostly rural island with about 7,000 resident population. The tourists, two male and two female, were from Pennsylvania and Ontario according to local [...]
Hawaii-based helicopter school looking at NZ
Source: Stuff, 14-Oct-11
One of the largest helicopter training schools in the United States is eyeing locations in New Zealand as it looks to expand overseas. The business development manager for the Hawaii-based company said New Zealand was one of several overseas locations the company was investigating. (full story)
Maui Memorial Medical Center adds helipad
Source: Maui News, 10-Oct-11
Formerly, patients were flown to a War Memorial Complex field on Kanaloa Avenue where they were transferred from the helicopter to an awaiting ambulance. Now, patients will be flown directly to the helipad, where they’ll be transferred to a motorized patient cart for transport to the hospital’s emergency room. (full story)
New Super Stallions for HMH-463 Pegasus
Source: US Marine Corps, 08-Sep-11
MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, Kaneohe Bay – Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 463 “Pegasus” welcomed the new arrival of two CH-53E Super Stallions at Hanger 102 at Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay Sept. 7. Two more Super Stallions will join the other arrivals Sept. 10 marking the first four of 12 Super Stallions replacing the [...]
Metal fatigue blamed for 2009 helicopter accident at Turtle Bay
Source: Star Advertiser, 24-May-11
Metal fatigue probably caused a left rear landing skid strut to collapse on a helicopter operated by K&S Helicopters Inc. at the Turtle Bay Resort Heliport in 2009, according to a National Transportation Safety Board investigation. HeliHub.com accident report page at 20-Nov-09 N551CR MD Helicopters MD369E Oahu, US-Hawaii
Helicop Aviation and Mauna Loa Helicopters join to train Indian pilots
09-May-11
Helicop Aviation, in association with Mauna Loa Helicopters of Hawaii, USA, has launched a fast track five-month course on Helicopter Pilot.
Mauna Loa Helicopters gains DOE approval for Federal Student Financial Aid
Source: Mauna Loa Helicopters, 06-May-11
Mauna Loa Helicopters, one of the country’s oldest and largest helicopter pilot training schools, has received authorization from the U.S. Department of Education to offer Federal Financial Aid to its students. Now a high school graduate can pay for their flight training at MLH with a federal loan just like they would pay for a [...]
Sunshine Helicopters of Maui picked for landmark aviation safety program
Source: Hawaii News Now, 15-Apr-11
Sunshine helicopters fly around Maui up to 20 times a day. It’s one of Hawaii’s busiest helicopter tour companies. Recently, the FAA picked Sunshine to take part in a landmark program called “safety management system” or SMS.
CGAS Barbers Point receive second of four MH-65s
Source: US Coast Guard, 12-Apr-11
HONOLULU – Coast Guard aircrews at Air Station Barbers Point received the second of four new multi-mission helicopters Saturday. The MH-65 Dolphin helicopter, closely resembling an HH-65 Dolphin, includes a multitude of new equipment to further enhance mission capabilities. The new aircraft are replacing the four Dolphins currently in service at the air station. The [...]
MD Helicopters delivers new MD530F to Kauai Fire Dept
Source: MD Helicopters, 15-Mar-11
MD Helicopters, Inc. (MDHI), a leading manufacturer of commercial and military helicopters, has completed the delivery of a new MD 530F to the Kauai Fire Department. The delivery of the MD 530F marks an important milestone in the history of the Kauai Fire Department, as it is the first aircraft they have owned. Prior to [...]
Vanderbilt LifeFlight offers new service to EMS
Source: Vanderbilt LifeFlight, 05-Mar-11
Ambulance services that come to Nashville hospitals from outlying counties often have to return home leaving valuable equipment behind that is still being used to stabilize patients. Spine boards, straps and head immobilization devices are just some of the thousands of pieces of equipment left at Nashville area emergency departments. Getting this equipment back is [...]
US Army responds to Big Island residents concerns
Source: US Army, 02-Feb-11
WHEELER ARMY AIRFIELD, Hawaii – The U.S. Army‟s 25th Infantry Division Combat Aviation Brigade (CAB) and U.S. Army Garrison Hawaii are reviewing the aviation training plan in response to comments, received from the Big Island community, on the proposed use of several landing zones on the slopes of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa. Issues arose [...]
Maui Memorial Medical Center helipad behind schedule
Source: Maui Weekly, 27-Jan-11
Maui Memorial Medical Center’s $3 million helipad is behind schedule for completion. The new estimated completion date is sometime in March, according to hospital officials
Mauna Loa Helicopters Approved for F-1 Visas
Source: Mauna Loa Helicopters, 21-Jan-11
Mauna Loa Helicopters, one of the country’s oldest and largest helicopter training programs, has received authorization from the Department of Homeland Security to issue I-20 applications for F-1 visas to international students enrolling in the Professional Pilot Program. “The ability to sponsor students on the F-1 visa program is a huge advantage for our international [...]
SH-60B Seahawk retired to Pacific Aviation Museum at Pearl Harbor
Source: Pacific Aviation Museum, 17-Nov-10
Marine Corps Base Hawaii pilots CDR Brian Gebo and Lt. Brian Roberts brought a Sikorsky SH-60B Seahawk helicopter in for its final landing at its new home at Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor, this morning, Tuesday, November 16, at 11am. “This fly-in was very exciting for us. It’s an acquisition for the Museum through a [...]
Blue Hawaiian Helicopters thrives despite weakened economy
Source: KHON, 07-Oct-10
Despite low tourism numbers and the weakened economy Blue Hawaiian Helicopters opted to invest $10 million in the company by upgrading their fleet
AFS barrier filters improve Paradise Helicopters
Source: AFS, 08-Sep-10
Aerospace Filtration Systems, Inc. (AFS), a wholly owned subsidiary of Donaldson Company, Inc. (NYSE:DCI) and a division of the Aerospace & Defense group, makes Paradise Helicopters, a leading provider of island tours, excursion flights, interisland travel and charter services in Kailua Kona, Hawaii, more efficient with Inlet Barrier Filters (IBF). “We installed our first Donaldson [...]
USMC prepare residents for V-22, AH-1 and UH-1s in Hawaii
Source: US Marine Corps, 11-Aug-10
The Department of the Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, is preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the basing and operation of MV-22 tiltrotor Osprey aircraft and H-1 Cobra and Huey attack helicopters in support of III Marine Expeditionary Force elements stationed in Hawai’i. Because the squadrons would train on land owned or controlled by the [...]
Hawaii County Fire Dept replaces 500D with new 500E
Source: MD Helicopters, 29-Jul-10
Mesa, Arizona, July 28, 2010… On June 29, MD Helicopters delivered a brand new MD 500E to the Hawaii County Fire Department. The Department covers 4000 square miles and operates approximately 300 missions a year, with half fire and half rescue. The unit flies 1000 hours a year. The new MD 500E will replace an [...]
Mauna Loa Helicopters launches NVG training programme
Source: NightFlight Concepts, 09-Jun-10
Night Flight Concepts (NFC) traveled to Hawaii earlier this month to provide night vision goggle training to Mauna Loa Helicopters (MLH). With locations on three of the Hawaiian Islands, Mauna Loa Helicopters is an FAA-Approved Part 141 helicopter flight school. In addition, the school boasts ACCSC (Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges) being one [...]
Helicopter budget cut worries Maui fire chief
Source: Maui News, 01-May-10
Maui County Council’s Budget and Finance Committee agreed to a budget of about $735,000 for the helicopter, about $90,000 less than the Maui Fire Department had requested
Maui’s Mayor proposes to eliminate island’s only helicopter ambulance
Source: Maui News, 14-Apr-10
Forced to make difficult budget decisions due to a dramatic drop in tax revenue collections, Mayor Charmaine Tavares has proposed to eliminate Maui County’s only helicopter ambulance service
Paradise Helicopters Selects SkyBOOKS to Track Maintenance
Source: Skybooks, 23-Feb-10
SkyBOOKS, Inc., a Textron, Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, and an affiliate of Bell Helicopter, has been selected as the online electronic record-keeping program by Paradise Helicopters. Paradise Helicopters, a Hawaiian air tour and utility services provider with a record of over 10 years of industry excellence, recently completed a SkyBOOKS 90-day free trial offering for [...]
Mauiscape Helicopters files for Chapter 7 bankruptcy
Source: Honolulu Advertiser, 24-Dec-09
A Kahului-based tour helicopter company has filed for bankruptcy weeks after a lender repossessed one of its aircraft and got a court order to take back another.
Hilo Airport starts $15M project to include heliport move
Source: Star Bulletin, 12-Nov-09
The airport’s existing cargo facility is destined to be used as a heliport.
Helicopter rescues up in the air in Kauai
Source: Kauai World, 11-Oct-09
It may be a more dangerous time to be injured or lost in the woods on Kaua‘i, and brush fires may burn longer and stronger than they otherwise might. A helicopter pilot ready, willing, able and certified to do certain types of rescues and fire suppression may be over 90 miles and several hours away [...]
Blue Hawaiian Helicopters voted Maui’s best air tour for third year running
Source: RotorNews, 18-Sep-09
Blue Hawaiian Helicopters, the largest and most successful aerial tour company in Hawaii, has been voted “Best Air Tour” for the third straight year by the readers of The Maui News. The award-winning newspaper’s “Best of Maui” poll recognizes its readers’ choices for the island’s top restaurants, activites, resorts, golf courses, and clubs.
Safari Helicopters tour funds Hawaii environmental work
Source: Kauai World, 10-Sep-09
The plan allows Safari Helicopters to land on a ridge above Olokele Canyon, allow visitors to stroll through an endangered-plant reserve, and use a portion of the proceeds to fund soil-erosion and the endangered-species work.
Blue Hawaiian Helicopters Awarded FAA Diamond Award for the 10th Year Running
Source: Vertical, 01-Jul-09
Hawaii tour helicopter crashes decrease but proportion of fatal crashes increases
Source: Science Daily, 30-Jun-09
Island Helicopters wins exclusive rights to land at Hawaii’s “Jurassic Falls”
Source: San Francisco Chronicle, 22-May-09
Blue Hawaiian Helicopters Commissions Acutrack For Its First Blu-ray Release
Source: Acutrack, 07-Apr-09
