Carilion to start construction of helicopter hangar in Lexington
Source: Carilion, 13-Mar-13
As part of a move to better coordinate its air medical services, Carilion Clinic is building hangars and other facilities for emergency helicopters based at Lexington and Smith Mountain Lake. Construction will begin later this month on a hangar, crew quarters and offices on a half-acre site behind Carilion Stonewall Jackson Hospital in Lexington, the [...]
Virginia – AirCare 4 swaps out EC135 for a Bell 407
Source: HeliHub.com, 25-Nov-12
AirCare 4 in Virginia – based Front Royal-Warren County Airport – have recently changed helicopter type. Operator PHI Medical has swapped out the Eurocopter EC135 they had previously used and repplaced it with a Bell 407. PHI spokeman Glenn Deaton is quoted in local media saying it was “purely a business development decision to move [...]
PHI Air Medical and pilot face $120M lawsuit
Source: NewsLeader, 11-Oct-12
A fixed-wing flight instructor and his student were flying in the wrong traffic pattern before being hit by a PHI Air Medical EC135 near Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport. The certificated commercial pilot and passenger on board the airplane were fatally injured. The families of the two victims have filed a $120 million lawsuit against PHI [...]
FAA Qualifies Potomac Flight Training Simulator
Source: Potomac Flight Training, 12-Sep-12
On August 16, 2012, the FAA qualified and approved Potomac Flight Training, LLC’s Twin Turbine Helicopter (TTH-1) simulator as an Advanced Aviation Training Device (AATD). The full motion, visual simulator built by Fidelity Flight Simulation of Pittsburg, PA is designed as an EC-135 and is approved as a Helicopter Advanced ATD. It is authorized for [...]
NAA confirms Gamera II’s new US human-powered flight duration record
Source: James Clark School, 14-Aug-12
The National Aeronautic Association has certified the June 21, 2012, flight of Gamera II at 49.9 seconds, a new national record for human-powered helicopter flight duration, and submitted flight information to the Federation Aeronautique Internationale for approval as a world record. Gamera II was designed, built and piloted by students at the A. James Clark School of Engineering at the University of [...]
Bell delivers second 429 to Fairfax County Police
Source: Bell, 10-Jul-12
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT), announced today the delivery of a Bell 429 helicopter to the Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD). FCPD’s second multi-role Bell 429 is configured for both law enforcement and emergency medical service operations. “We rely on the power, speed, size and accessibility of the cabin, and the exceptional [...]
HAI to Exhibit at “Become a Pilot Day”
Source: HAI, 15-Jun-12
This Saturday, June 16, HAI Director of Membership Annette Duplinsky and membership assistant Jane Zaretskie will be representing HAI at the National Air and Space Museum “Become a Pilot Day” at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Va. Inside the center, you will be able to experience 50 visiting vintage, recreational, military, and homebuilt aircraft; test [...]
Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center adds third helicopter
Source: WFBMC, 13-Jun-12
Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center now has three helicopters transporting critically ill patients to the Medical Center. AirCare 3 is based at Blue Ridge Airport near Martinsville, VA and serves the communities northeast of Winston-Salem. “We can save as much as 15 minutes in response time in this area by having an air ambulance based [...]
Keystone Turbine Services adds industry veteran to team
Source: Keystone Turbine Services, 09-May-12
Keystone Turbine Services, LLC (KTS) is pleased to announce that industry veteran Tom Hall has now joined our team. “Tom is one of the most highly respected people in our industry and has over 40 years of engine experience and a loyal customer following,” stated Ken Essary, Vice President and Chief Services Officer for M [...]
Vineyard owner lends helicopter to Albemarle County Sheriff
Source: Newsplex.com, 07-May-12
A Hughes 500C is being used as a new rescue tool for the Albemarle County Sheriff Search and Rescue Team. The aircraft and its services are being provided by David King, co-owner of King Family Vineyard. (see full story)
HAI spends $17.1 Million on new offices
Source: GlobeSt.com, 21-Apr-12
HAI has acquired a four-story, office-and-retail building in the Carlyle District for $17.1 million. The group will use part of the building as its headquarters and lease out the rest (see full story)
Trial date not yet set for $60M suit against PHI Air Medical
Source: N V Daily, 22-Feb-12
Eight months after the parents of two men who died in an aircraft crash in December 2010 filed suit against the pilot and owner of the AirCare 5 medical helicopter that their plane collided a trial date has not been set. (see full story) See also the HeliHub.com page for this accident – 31-Dec-10 N385PH [...]
Carilion Clinic adds third helicopter – an EC135 with Med-Trans
Source: Carilion Clinic, 03-Feb-12
Carilion Clinic will add a third helicopter to its fleet of medical aircraft serving southwest and central Virginia and sections of West Virginia and North Carolina. The helicopter, called Carilion Life-Guard 12, will be based in the Rockbridge County area. Its presence will further extend Carilion’s ability to serve the region, which includes Allegheny County, [...]
Fairfax County B429 delivered with Becker DVCS6100 Airborne Digital Audio System
Source: Becker Avionics, 10-Jan-12
Fairfax County Police Department near Washington DC recently took delivery of the first of two new Bell 429 light-twin law enforcement/EMS helicopters equipped with Becker Avionics Digital Audio System, the DVCS6100. Fairfax’s new 429 was completed and delivered by Paradigm Aerospace Corporation / PAC International in Mount Pleasant, PA. Their second 429 is currently undergoing [...]
Liberty University to disband helicopter flight-training program
Source: News Advance, 05-Jan-12
Liberty University is disbanding its helicopter flight-training program this year due to low student interest and limited job opportunities for helicopter pilots, LU officials said. Liberty launched the helicopter program in 2008 as a concentration for students majoring in aeronautics. (see full story)
Bell delivers first 429 with multi-mission configuration
Source: Bell, 16-Dec-11
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT), announced today it has delivered the first Bell 429 with a multi-mission configuration to Fairfax County, Virginia. This is the first of two Bell 429s being delivered to Fairfax County. Their second Bell 429 is expected to deliver in the second quarter of 2012. This multi-role Bell [...]
HAI to Attend American Helicopters Annual Open House
Source: HAI, 13-Oct-11
On Sat., Oct. 15 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Annette Duplinsky, HAI’s Director of Membership, will be representing HAI at the American Helicopters Annual Open House in Manassas, Va. The Open House will include aircraft displays, discounted helicopter and airplane training/block time packages, food, and give-aways. Come along and meet Annette and learn about the [...]
Virginia State Police showcases new EMS EC145
23-Aug-11
The new EC145 boasts several new state-of-the-art features, including NVG capability, several global positioning units, terrain avoidance technology, onboard weather systems and a glass cockpit that Sgt. John Ratliff said was the “latest and best technology.” (Full story) The particular aircraft is registered N39VA, serial 9384. File photo
Sentara Nightingale EC145 campaign reaches fundraising goal
Source: Sentara Healthcare, 29-Jul-11
David Banty, 76, of Capron, Virginia in Southampton County has flown as a patient on the Nightingale Regional Air Ambulance, twice. The first time was in August of 1982, just seven months after the program’s inception, when he nearly drowned on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Last March, he suffered a heart attack at [...]
Nightingale EC145 arrives, with $500K still to be raised
Source: Sentara Healthcare, 14-Jun-11
Leslie Peterfeso, a Sentara employee, sees the Nightingale Regional Air Ambulance launch and land every day at its home base at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital. Last December, though, Peterfeso became a Nightingale patient in a freak accident at her Suffolk home when a heavy tree limb her husband was sawing fell the wrong way and [...]
Fairfax County PD selects Becker DVCS6100 Digital Audio System for Bell 429
Source: Becker Avionics, 06-Jun-11
Becker Avionics’ DVCS6100 Digital Audio System was recently selected by the Fairfax County Police Helicopter Division for integration into their new Bell 429 helicopter. Their new aircraft is currently undergoing completion at Paradigm Aerospace Corporation (PAC) in Mt. Pleasant, PA. The DVCS6100 was chosen by Fairfax County PD due to its unique ability to effectively [...]
Carilion Clinic Life-Guard celebrate 30 years on Saturday
Source: Carilion Clinic, 13-May-11
Come celebrate the 30th Anniversary of Carilion Clinic Life-Guard and the 25th anniversary of Carilion Clinic’s ground services on Saturday, May 14th @ 3p.m. at Down by the River. Life-Guard will be there, along with ambulances, flight and ground crews, Q99 and free food! For more information and for ticket prices to Down by the [...]
StandardAero designates HeloAir as an Authorized Support Center
Source: StandardAero, 08-Mar-11
StandardAero announced today that is has signed HeloAir Inc., of Richmond Va. as an Authorized Support Center. The agreement is for one year and includes optional one-year extensions at the end of each expiry date. “Today’s announcement reflects our growing footprint in the U.S. and establishes a three-fold strategic alliance between the end operator, StandardAero [...]
Arlington abuzz over low-flying helicopters
13-Jan-11
Helicopter noise in the region has been an ongoing issue for years. Arlington County Board member Mary Hynes says Arlington County registers three or four new calls a month about the noise. However, one man who lives in the Fairlington section of Arlington says he leaves the county two to three messages a day about [...]
New EC145 delivered to Nightingale Regional Air Ambulance
Source: American Eurocopter, 23-Dec-10
Grand Prairie, Texas – American Eurocopter is pleased to announce the delivery of a new, state-of-the-art EC145 to Nightingale Regional Air Ambulance, the air medical transport service for Sentara Healthcare, Norfolk, Virginia. The aircraft will be based at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital (Virginia), the only Level One Trauma Center in the area. The EC145’s combination [...]
HealthNet utilizes Eurocopter fleet to expand operations
Source: American Eurocopter, 11-Oct-10
Grand Prairie, TX – American Eurocopter today announced that HeatlhNet Aeromedical, long-time customer and program with aircraft operated by Air Methods, continues to expand its operations utilizing the company’s industry leading helicopters. HealthNet has already placed an EC135 and an EC145 into service this year and it has further expansion planned for the fourth quarter. [...]
Helicopter noise growing problem in Northern Virginia
Source: NBC Washington, 24-Sep-10
Military helicopters are a common sight in the D.C. area. But some local homeowners say helicopters and the ear-splitting noise they make are becoming far too common.
State-of-the-art helipad highlight of North Halifax
Source: Gazette Virginian, 09-Sep-10
The North Halifax Volunteer Fire Dept will kick off its annual marathon Saturday having on display its new state-of-the-art helipad. The lighted helipad was made possible through the joint support of Halifax Regional Hospital and Centra Health.
ASU to deliver 19 NVG units to Virginia State Police
Source: Aviation Specialties Unlimited, 03-Sep-10
Aviation Specialties Unlimited, (ASU) announced today that the Virginia Department of State Police Aviation Unit in Richmond, Va., would receive 19, F4949 Pinnacle Aviation Night Vision systems. ASU already had obtained a necessary GSA contract that covered a full line of ITT aviation systems, parts and accessories. “We are thrilled to fill the order for [...]
Centra Health launches new EMS operation after opting out of Virginia State Police system
Source: The News & Advance, 13-Aug-10
Centra’s new EC135 replaces the Virginia State Police’s MedFlight III service. Centra opted out of that arrangement following a change in Medicare policy that meant Centra needed an upgraded flight certificate from the FAA
Laser aimed at police helicopter in Virginia; Man charged
Source: Washington Post, 22-Jul-10
Michael E. Promisel, 18, was charged after officers on the ground were called to search for the source of the laser allegedly aimed at the helicopter as it passed over Mantua Elementary School on Horner Court shortly before midnight July 15, police said.
Fairfax man accused of shining son’s laser at police helicopter
Source: NBC Washington, 07-Jul-10
A grand jury is expected to decide whether Raymond Jeffrey Poli should stand trial.
Carilion Clinic welcomes visitors from Thailand
Source: Carilion Clinic Patient Transportation, 09-Apr-10
Carilion Clinic Patient Transportation Services (CCPT) was pleased to welcome 2 members of the Rotary International Group Study Exchange (GSE) Program today at our Roanoke base. The Rotary Foundation’s GSE Program is a unique cultural and vocational exchange opportunity for professionals between the ages of 25 and 40 who are in the early stages of [...]
New Unmanned Helicopter Design Would Investigate Nuclear Disasters
Source: Space Daily, 09-Mar-10
Students at Virginia Tech’s Unmanned Systems Laboratory are perfecting an autonomous helicopter they hope will never be used for its intended purpose.
Profile – Virginia Beach Police Aviation Unit
Source: Virginian Pilot, 24-Feb-10
The Virginia Beach Police operate a Bell 407 which has recently gone through a major equipment upgrade program
Virginia State Police pilot nominated in All-Star contest
Source: America's Most Wanted, 17-Feb-10
This follows an incident where Aviation Sergeant Don Childs safely landed his Bell 407 after being shot seven times (see HeliHub.com accident report)
Defense Holdings Demonstrates AfterGlo® Photoluminescent Aviation Safety Paint On a VA Police Helicopter
Source: Rotornews, 16-Dec-09
Defense Holdings is demonstrating its revolutionary, patented AfterGlo® Brand Photoluminescent (PL) Aviation Safety Paint on the main and tail rotor blades of a Bell Helicopter Textron Model 407 helicopter belonging to the Fairfax County, Virginia Police Aviation Division. Sections of the rotor blades were painted in October 2009.
North Halifax Volunteer Fire Dept Celebrates Helipad With Groundbreaking
Source: Gazette Virginian, 15-Dec-09
Members of the North Halifax Volunteer Fire Department were joined by representatives from Halifax Regional Health System and Centra Health of Lynchburg to celebrate the department’s new helipad with a groundbreaking ceremony Friday.
Sentara Healthcare starts saving for EC145 to replace its BK117
Source: WTKR, 28-Sep-09
The life-saving helicopter Nightingale is being retired and Sentara needs to buy a new multi-million dollar replacement.
US Navy Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron 15 moving from Texas to Virginia
Source: US Navy, 23-Sep-09
HM-15 was moved from Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, Texas to Naval Station Norfolk under BRAC 2005. It has 10 MH-53 Sea Dragon helicopters.
Fairfax Helicopter Crew Wins National Award
Source: WUSA, 04-Sep-09
The video from the Superbowl pursuit helped prosecute the two thieves and break up a construction theft ring. A catch that won the helicopter crew third place from the 2009 FLIR Vision Awards. FLIR is a company that makes infrared cameras.
University of Virginia Health System’s Pegasus celebrates 25 years
Source: Charlottesville Daily Progress, 01-Sep-09
On Aug. 31, 1984, Pegasus, the University of Virginia Health System’s chopper, carried an accident victim from Louisa County to the hospital. Today, that would hardly merit a batted eyelid. In 1984, it was revolutionary, as Pegasus, the medical chopper, made its first flight.
Virginia Helicopter Association Hosts Celebration of Record-Setting Helicopter Flight Around the World
Source: Vertical, 10-Mar-09
