Bellingham Aviation Services Announces Its Expansion
Source: Bellingham Aviation Services, 19-Mar-13
Bellingham Aviation Services (BAS), a leading FBO in the Pacific Northwest, announces the expansion of its aviation service offering with the addition of rotorcraft commercial photo and filming flights. “As our staff and training fleet have grown with increased demand, we feel it is an ideal time to further enhance our services and develop the [...]
Seattle Mayor orders Police to end UAV usage
Source: HeliHub.com, 12-Feb-13
Mayor Mike McGlinn issued the following brief statement “Today I spoke with Seattle Police Chief John Diaz and we agreed that it was time to end the unmanned aerial vehicle program, so that SPD can focus its resources on public safety and the community building work that is the department’s priority. The vehicles will be [...]
Seattle police UAV plan hits severe turbulence
Source: Reuters, 28-Nov-12
The two Draganflyer X6 remote-controlled miniature helicopters purchased by Seattle have so far been mostly grounded, restricted to training and demonstration flights. Each is equipped to carry video, still and night-vision cameras. (see full story)
National Park Service issues statement on R22 crash
Source: National Park Service, 19-Nov-12
The National Park Service released a statement this morning regarding the Oct. 3 helicopter crash in North Cascades National Park:- On October 4th, rangers received a report that a leased Robinson 22 helicopter had crashed the day before in a remote area of the park about six miles south of the international border with Canada. [...]
Canadian pilot gets 10 years for flying drugs into US
Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, 09-Nov-12
One of the Canadian masterminds behind a massive northern border drug smuggling operation was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison Wednesday for conspiracy to import marijuana. Henry Rosenau, 61, of Armstrong, British Columbia, was indicted in 2006 following a cross-border investigation dubbed “Operation Frozen Timber” led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland [...]
Probation for heli-ski operator that illegally cut trees
Source: Wenatchee World, 15-Oct-12
North Cascades Heli-Skiing’s operating permit is in a probationary status after owners of the Mazama-based company admitted to cutting down or topping a few dozen high elevation trees on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest last winter to make helicopter landing safer (see full story)
JR Helicopters expands
15-Oct-12
J.R. Helicopters, which provides a variety of services, including firefighting aid and agricultural spraying, will relocate from Buena to a new hangar at the Yakima airport. (see full story)
Heli-skiing company cited for cutting trees in National Forest
Source: Methow Valley News, 04-Sep-12
The U.S. Forest Service has issued a notice of non-compliance to North Cascade Heli-Skiing for cutting two dozen trees on a high ridge to create an unauthorized helicopter landing zone. (see full story)
MedEvac Foundation International introduces Mission San Juan Island
Source: MedEvac Foundation International, 10-Jul-12
Mission San Juan Island: Hero Retrieval brings together a group of eight Heroes, medevac industry leaders and volunteers from outside the industry, for a common cause… to raise money for vital medevac research and education programs. The event will be held Saturday, October 20 on San Juan Island, just prior to the start of the [...]
Bellingham Aviation Services adds rotorcraft instruction to Training Program
Source: Bellingham Aviation Services, 21-Jun-12
Bellingham Aviation Services, a leading aviation service organization in the Pacific Northwest, expands its instructional staff and rental fleet to meet increased demand for rotorcraft training, photo and scenic flights. “BAS is thrilled to offer our customers enhanced training opportunities with the addition of a Robinson R22 Beta II and an Instrument Rated CFI,” said [...]
Northwest MedStar expands, adds base
Source: Northwest MedStar, 06-Jun-12
Northwest MedStar, the region’s critical care transport service since 1994, is opening a base in the Pullman/Moscow area, providing additional coverage for patients in the region. This is another great opportunity for Northwest MedStar to work with local hospitals and EMS personnel to meet the needs of communities. “Northwest MedStar continually reviews the needs of [...]
Ownership change at Farm & Forest Helicopter Service
Source: Wilbur-Ellis, 01-Jun-12
Wilbur-Ellis Company, a recognized leader in the distribution and marketing of crop protection, seed and nutritional products, announced today that it acquired the assets of Farm & Forest Helicopter Service, Inc., based in Napavine, Wash. Farm & Forest has been servicing the forestry, nursery and Christmas tree businesses in Oregon and Washington since 1964. The [...]
UH-1 takes up place in the Great Gallery of Museum of Flight
Source: Museum of Flight, 28-May-12
Following a lengthy restoration, the Museum’s Vietnam veteran Bell UH-1H “Huey” helicopter takes a place of honor in the Great Gallery. This new, permanent exhibit was officially opened during a brief ceremony near the exhibit on Saturday 26th May at 11am. The ceremony was open to the public, and was attended by members of the [...]
LoJack Helps Law Enforcement Make Two Great Rescues In One Week
Source: LoJack, 28-May-12
Thanks to a pair of services from LoJack Corporation (NASDAQ: LOJN) and its subsidiary LoJack SafetyNet, law enforcement agencies on opposite coasts of the U.S. were able to make two great saves this week, rescuing two young kidnapped children who were inside a stolen Lexus in Burien, WA, and an elderly Marshfield, MA man with Alzheimer’s who wandered from [...]
Northwest MedStar Launches Alert App to Reduce Response Time
Source: Northwest MedStar, 25-May-12
There’s an app for that. Just launched, the new app places Northwest MedStar on alert when air transport may be needed. MedStar Alert, one of the first smartphone applications in the nation developed by a critical care transport provider for EMS providers, launched as part of EMS appreciation week celebrations. A free EMS application, MedStar [...]
Seattle Police evaluates UAV
Source: Seattle Police, 30-Apr-12
The Seattle Police Department is in the training and evaluation stages of deploying an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). Since first exploring the possibilities and advantages of an unmanned aerial program to the present day, nothing has changed substantively. The possible use of a UAV by SPD has been in the news for quite a while [...]
Settlement reached in fatal Kittitas County R44 crash
Source: Yakima Herald, 04-Mar-12
A confidential settlement has been reached in the case of a helicopter crash in Kittitas County that killed four people and ignited a 485-acre forest fire. The settlement comes just days before jury selection in the lawsuit had been scheduled to start Monday in a King County Superior Court. (see full story) File photo
![Dawson[Lee] v Robinson Helicopter Co crash trial begins March 5](http://www.helihub.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/r44-white3-150x150.jpg)
Dawson[Lee] v Robinson Helicopter Co crash trial begins March 5
Source: Baum, Hedlund, Aristei & Goldman, 27-Feb-12
The trial of Dawson [Lee] v. Robinson Helicopter Company begins March 5, 2012 in Seattle, Washington over the death of Si Young Lee arising from the August 2, 2007 Robinson R44 II helicopter crash near Easton, Washington. According to court documents the helicopter experienced a low energy impact with the ground, whereupon it erupted in [...]
Life Flight Network orders 15 AW119Ke Helicopters
Source: AgustaWestland, 13-Feb-12
AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce Life Flight Network has signed a contract for 15 AW119Ke helicopters to meet its future air medical helicopter transport requirements. The contract was signed today by Michael Griffiths, Life Flight Network’s CEO, and Bruno Spagnolini, AgustaWestland’s CEO during a ceremony held at Heli-Expo in Dallas, Texas. Aircraft [...]
Son of pilot in fatal 2008 R22 accident sues Robinson
Source: Kitsap Sun, 08-Aug-11
The son of a pilot involved in a fatal R22 accident is suing Robinson alleging the helicopter was out of compliance with certain government regulations and didn’t provide “adequate warnings or instructions” concerning them. (Full story, but see also the associated comments) The NTSB ruled in October 2009 that Aadland’s engine lost power due to [...]
Northwest MedStar expands to full-time base in Moses Lake
Source: Northwest MedStar, 27-Jul-11
Northwest MedStar, the region’s critical emergency care transport service, has expanded its Moses Lake day-base operations to a full-time helicopter base, providing additional coverage for critically-ill and injured patients in the north central Washington region. “The North Central region has been a long-time, loyal supporter of Northwest MedStar,” said Eveline Bisson, program director of Northwest [...]
Retired helicopter pilot christens Sequim’s new helipad
Source: Peninsula Daily News, 03-Jul-11
Susan Strand, one of the Army’s first women helicopter pilots, christened Sequim’s new emergency helipad near Olympic Medical Center’s Sequim Cancer Center on Thursday. [Full story]
Universal Avionics appoints Western Region Marketing Manager
Source: Universal Avionics, 21-Jun-11
Universal Avionics is pleased to announce the appointment of Greg Potter as Western Region Marketing Manager. Mr. Potter will be responsible for the overall growth and development of Universal Avionics product sales in the Western U.S. region, which includes California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Alaska. Mr. Carroll will be based in the Los Angeles vicinity. [...]
Sikorsky HH-52A Seaguard put on display in Museum of Flight
Source: HeliHub.com, 14-Jun-11
The Museum of Flight in Seattle displayed a new exhibit yesterday – a Sikorsky HH-52A Seaguard The HH-52A entered service in 1963, with the US Coast Guard taking delivery of 99 examples which were based on cutters, icebreakers and air stations. The fleet was credited with saving 15,000 lives and $1.5 billion in property loss [...]
Bellevue council OK’s downtown helicopter landings
Source: Seattle Times, 27-Apr-11
The Bellevue City Council voted to allow helicopters to land on top of a 19-story downtown building.
Joint Base Lewis-McChord to add 1,400 soldiers and 44 helicopters
Source: Congressman Adam Smith, 30-Mar-11
Congressman Adam Smith (WA-9), Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee, released the following statement regarding the U.S. Army’s plan to form a new Combat Aviation Brigade (CAB) at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, a decision that will bring 1,400 new soldiers and 44 new helicopters to JBLM: “The addition of 1,400 soldiers and 44 helicopters [...]
Washington State retires AH-1 fleet from firefighting duties, adds two UH-1s
Source: Washington State DNR, 14-Mar-11
The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is making improvements to its wildland firefighting helicopter program that are estimated to save taxpayers at least $300,000 annually, following the recommendations of a recently completed legislative audit. DNR will retire four AH-1 “Cobra” helicopters from duty and has secured federal funding to replace them with two [...]
Kittitas County prepares for Washington state DNR helicopter base
Source: Daily Record News, 04-Feb-11
Kittitas County officials are preparing for the possibility that a state agency will choose Bowers Field north of Ellensburg as the new site for its statewide helicopter maintenance facility.
Underwear-clad man accused of blinding border patrol pilot with spotlight
Source: MyNorthWest, 20-Dec-10
Wayne P. Groen was arrested by FBI agents, spotlight in hand, in his driveway, dressed only in underwear, said special agent Fred Guut.
Soloy opens doors of new Avionics division
Source: Soloy, 29-Oct-10
With the installation of cabinetry and technician benches complete, the Avionics Services division of Soloy Aviation is fully ramped up and operating. Headed by three of the Northwest region’s most experienced installation and repair technicians Soloy can now offer virtually any configuration or avionics package piston and turbine pilots can dream up. Soloy’s Quality Assurance [...]
Spokane County Sheriff adds callout log on its website
Source: HeliHub.com, 16-Oct-10
Spokane County Sheriff’s Office are now providing a log of their helicopter unit’s activities on its website – http://www.spokanecounty.org/Sheriff/ – Click on the “Air Support Unit” link, then on “Incident Reports.” “Area residents frequently contact media for information after hearing Air One circling their neighborhood at night or seeing it above during daytime searches,” the [...]
Bellevue council takes another look at helistop issue
Source: Seattle Times, 06-Jul-10
A proposal to put a helistop on top of Bellevue’s downtown Bank of America building will once again come before the Bellevue City Counci
Puget Sound Regional Aviation Group receives national recognition
Source: Puget Sound Regional Aviation Group, 19-May-10
The Puget Sound Regional Aviation Group, made up of aviation units from King, Pierce and Snohomish Counties along with Washington State Patrol has been recognized for the “Outstanding Regional Partnership” award for 2010. The Urban Area Security Initiative program is administered by the Department of Homeland Security. This is the first year for the national awards. The [...]
Commissioner and Sheriff face off over cost of Chelan County helicopters
Source: Wenatchee World, 06-Apr-10
Chelan County Sheriff Mike Harum and Commissioner Doug England are sparring over the value of the county-owned choppers used by the sheriff’s office after England said he may try to eliminate funding for the helicopters in next year’s budget.
Snohomish County Sheriff’s helicopter unit acquires new technology for locating avalanche victims
Source: Herald, 11-Mar-10
Now rescuers can scour avalanche debris fields from SnoHawk 10, the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office search-and-rescue helicopter. The new devices tap radio transmitters to quickly locate people buried by snow
Helicopter flight school begins operations at Bellingham airport
Source: Bellingham Herald, 11-Mar-10
Airwork LLC, an Auburn-based helicopter flight school, has begun operations at the Bellingham International Airport.
Police Could File Charges Against KING Television Over Helicopter
Source: KIRO, 30-Nov-09
The Pierce County prosecutor may file charges against KING-TV’s news director and helicopter pilot because the station’s chopper allegedly interfered with the investigation into the fatal shootings of four Lakewood police officers, said Ed Troyer of the sheriff’s office.
Relatives sue over Lake Tapps R44 accident
Source: News Tribune, 07-Oct-09
The relatives of a Lake Tapps-area man who died in a helicopter crash three years ago have filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against the aircraft’s manufacturer and some of its suppliers.
Family sues after R44 accident in October 2006
Source: Seattle Times, 05-Oct-09
The News Tribune of Tacoma reports the surviving children of Russell Lee Tom claim the helicopter he was piloting – a Robinson Helicopter Co. R44 – was poorly designed “defective and unsafe.” Their suit was filed in Pierce County Superior Court on Wednesday.
Video: Erickson Air-Crane Helitankers Dampen Wildfires in Southern California and the Pacific Northwest
Source: Erickson Air-Crane, 14-Sep-09
Four of Erickson’s Helitankers are flying long hours battling the large “Station Fire” consuming homes and forcing thousands of evacuations. In previous weeks, they have already helped put out wildfires in Washington State, Oregon, Utah, Greece, and British Columbia and will soon be to Australia for the bushfire season that is soon approaching.
Overlake Hospital Medical Center opens helipad in Bellevue
Source: Seattle Times, 03-Sep-09
Helicopters hovering over Bellevue will become a more common sight next week after Overlake Hospital Medical Center opens a new helicopter-landing pad at its main Bellevue campus. The hospital expects five to 10 patient transports per month. That’s “quite a big increase” from the current number, said Overlake spokeswoman Karen Johnson.
Erickson Air-Crane Helitankers Dampen Wildfires from Southern California and Canada to Europe and Down Under
Source: Vertical, 02-Sep-09
The summer of 2009 has been another season fighting inferno for Erickson Air-Crane, manufacturer of the world-renowned Helitanker and heavy-lift helicopters
Overlake Hospital Medical Center to open new helistop
Source: East Side Business Journal, 27-Aug-09
Overlake Hospital Medical Center is opening a new helistop at its main Bellevue campus to provide more efficient emergency treatment for patients who need to be airlifted. A private reception and ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new helistop will be held Monday, August 31
REACH Air Medical Services Turns to Bluewolf for Innovation on Force.com Sites
Source: Bluewolf, 13-Jul-09
Airlift Northwest bases helicopter in Friday Harbor for much of summer
Source: San Juan Journal, 03-Jul-09
Jorgensen Air Service opens training school at Olympia Regional Airport with R22
Source: Aero-News, 06-Mar-09
