22-Jul-2011
Crashed and burned in bushland. Rescuers had to abseil 10m cliff to reach crash site. Pilot named as Colin Greenwood, age 35, and passenger was the helicopter’s owner Bruce Campbell, aged 65... Read more
21-Jul-2011Source: Wysong Enterprises
Wysong Enterprises, Inc., (Wysong) announced today that they delivered the second of four Bell 407 EMS Helicopters to Med-Trans Corporation. The completion work included a custom paint scheme, complete avionics system, airframe kits, and numerous safety systems as well as a complete emergency medical interior. “We have completed numerous aircraft for Med-Trans Corporation and the... Read more
21-Jul-2011Source: Bell
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, announced today, its Bell Helicopter Training Academy (BTA) has launched a new Tactical Flight Officer course. Designed as a two-part training program including an on-line academic session and resident hands-on training, the Bell Helicopter Tactical Flight Officer course presents officers with the practical skills and active engagement... Read more
20-Jul-2011Source: CAE
CAE today announced that it has sold four CAE 7000 Series Level D full-flight simulators (FFS) and associated training devices with a total list price of approximately C$60 million: an Airbus A320 FFS to Aeroflot, the largest airline of the Russian Federation; an A320 and a B737 to the Zhuhai Flight Training Centre (ZFTC), a... Read more
20-Jul-2011Source: Connect Amarillo
The union representing the 100+ employees whose jobs Bell wants to move to Amarillo has already taken steps to try and block the company’s action. (full story)... Read more
20-Jul-2011
Helicopter owner Frank Gomes said he had finished spraying the field and had turned the crop duster over to his apprentice for a practice run. “The practice didn’t go all that well today,” Gomes said, declining to comment further.... Read more
19-Jul-2011Source: Bell
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT), will display its newest 407 – the 407GX – during the Airborne Law Enforcement Association (ALEA) 41st Annual Conference & Exposition in New Orleans this week. “The Bell 407GX is one of Bell Helicopter’s newest versions of the very successful Bell 407 platform, and we are delighted... Read more
19-Jul-2011Source: Star-Telegram
When Bell Helicopter officials announced last month that they were selling the company’s interest in the BA609 civil tilt-rotor aircraft program, it meant giving up on a $600 to $700 million investment. (Full story)... Read more
19-Jul-2011Source: KXAN
The workers who are affected are buyers of parts and materials for military aircraft such as the V-22 Osprey and H-1 model helicopters, produced in Amarillo. (full story)... Read more
19-Jul-2011
Emergency landing made in field. No apprarent external damage. Likely on training operations out of NAS Pensacola... Read more
18-Jul-2011Source: United Rotorcraft Solutions
United Rotorcraft Solutions (URS), ALEA Expo Booth #340, will display Tulsa Police Department’s Bell 206L4 at the ALEA Conference and Exposition to be held in New Orleans, LA. URS originally customized the 206 helicopter with the FLIR Ultra 8500, Two Paravion Diamond Back Monitors, Avalex Digital Recorder, Meta-Map System, GMS Microwave Broadcast System and Onboard... Read more
16-Jul-2011
The helicopter, from Thap Phraya Sua Camp in Ratchaburi’s Suan Phung district, crashed into a mountain in a bad weather while on a mission to remove civilians who had been trapped in Kaeng Krachan National Park. Deceased named as Pilots Maj Kitisak Chin-iam, and Lt Pratya Nualsri plus passengers Maj Kitiphum Ekkaphan, SM1 Rangsan Polsaibua... Read more
11-Jul-2011Source: HeliHub.com
In a recent ceremony, the Taiwanese ambassador to Paraguay Lien-sheng Huang handed over the keys of a Bell 427 to President Fernando Lugo as a gift from the far eastern country. The President is seen on the right in the photo. The particular aircraft, carrying US registration N367ND was the 11th 427 off the line. ... Read more
9-Jul-2011
Fatalities named as Army 1st Lt. Thomas Joseph Williams Jr. and Army Chief Warrant Officer 4 Daniel Cole... Read more
6-Jul-2011Source: Italian Defence Dept
[automated translation from local language] Tuesday 28 and Wednesday, June 29, 2011 the Air Force conducted air rescue exercise ‘SATER 02/2011’ Triveneto Alps. The activity is part of a cycle of operations annually organized in order to train Air Force personnel involved in SAR (Search And Rescue – Search and Rescue) by the Air Force... Read more
6-Jul-2011Source: Able Aerospace Services
Able Aerospace Services, on a mission to help helicopter operators reduce costs, has introduced two new Federal Aviation Administration-approved components for Bell 206 helicopters. The Oil Cooler Blower and Pillow Block Assemblies and related Wear Disks are in stock and available now at a fraction of what the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) charges and provide... Read more
6-Jul-2011
The helicopter, belonging to the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, crashed on a training flight shortly before noon Wednesday in the San Mateo Area of Camp Pendleton killing one of the seven on board. The deceased serviceman was later named as Sgt. Trevor Cook, 25, of Orleans, N.Y.... Read more
4-Jul-2011Source: HeliHub.com
From Friday 1st July, full responsibility for SAR work in the Netherlands passed from 860 Sqn in the Navy to 303 Sqn in the Air Force. 860 Squadron has operated Westland Lynx helicopters in this role since the late 1970s, when they superceded Wasps. The Lynx helicopters will continue with 860 Squadron in other roles,... Read more
4-Jul-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Jet Transfer – official representative in Russia, Kazakhstan and Ukraine, is pleased to report the delivery of the first Bell 429 to Russia. The helicopter will be be based at Chelyabinsk.  [File photo] Jeremy Parkin – HeliHub.com... Read more
3-Jul-2011Source: HeliHub.com
On Friday 1st July, the Spanish Government approved the contract to modernise the country’s fleet of Agusta-Bell AB212 ASW helicopters. The value of the deal is 21 million euros (approx $30.5M), and will tie the Spanish Navy over until they fully introduce their NH90s. This upgrade program is one of just two approved for the... Read more
3-Jul-2011
Crop spraying helicopter crashed from low level during turn... Read more
2-Jul-2011Source: DART Helicopter Services
DART announces that their subsidiary partner Apical Industries has received EASA approval of their new Cable Cutters Kit for Bell 407 model helicopters. Transport Canada approval is pending. The Apical Cable Cutters Kits provide a means of protecting the helicopter during a wire strike by providing the capability to cut a cable or wire before... Read more
30-Jun-2011Source: Bell
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT), announced today that it received 18 signed contracts for new helicopter sales during the week of the Paris Air Show. “The Paris Air Show is an outstanding event for all things aviation,†said John L. Garrison, president & CEO, Bell Helicopter. “Having the opportunity to spend time... Read more
30-Jun-2011Source: Bell
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT) and the U.S. Army Armed Scout Helicopter program office announced today the delivery of the first OH-58 “A2D†wartime replacement cabin for OH-58 “Kiowa Warrior†platform to the Army. The cabin is being delivered 30 days ahead of the contract schedule. “The Kiowa Warrior continues to be... Read more
29-Jun-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Last month we ran an article on seven helicopters changing their address on the British CAA’s G- register to that of a finance company. Two of the affected LongRangers have now been sold to Canada. The two aircraft are Bell 206L (serial 45077), previously G-OLDN – last airworthiness certificate expired 30th July 2009 Bell 206L-1... Read more
29-Jun-2011Source: Doug Doty Vertical Flight Foundation
Hillsboro Aviation and the Doug Doty Vertical Flight Foundation are teaming up to offer the non-profit foundation’s first Bell 206B3 JetRanger Scholarship. The purpose of this scholarship is to help helicopter pilots advance to the next level in their training and make positive contributions to the aviation industry. The scholarship includes enrollment in Hillsboro Aviation’s... Read more
29-Jun-2011Source: Pratt & Whitney Canada
PARIS AIR SHOW – Pratt & Whitney Canada Customer Service Centre Europe GmbH (P&WC CSC Europe), a joint venture of Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) and MTU Maintenance Berlin-Brandenburg GmbH, significantly expanded a Fleet Management Program (FMP®)contract with INAER. Pratt & Whitney Canada is a United Technologies Corp. company (NYSE:UTX). INAER has further broadened their FMP®... Read more
28-Jun-2011Source: Sandel
Sandel Avionics has announced it has received an FAA Supplemental Type Certification (STC) for its ST3400H HeliTAWS wire and terrain safety system on a Bell 412EP helicopter. This announcement supplements an agreement Sandel has with the FAA designating Part 27 and Part 29 helicopters operating under Part 91 or Part 135 rules as candidates for... Read more
27-Jun-2011Source: US DoD
Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc., Fort Worth, Texas, was awarded a firm-fixed-price, basic ordering agreement contract with a maximum $8,183,667 for blade assemblies. There are no other locations of performance. Using service is Navy. The date of performance completion is Jan. 31, 2015. The Defense Logistics Agency Aviation, Philadelphia, Pa., is the contracting activity (SPRPA1-09-G-004Y-5786).... Read more
27-Jun-2011Source: Bell
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT) announced today its OH-58 Block II demonstrator successfully proved hover out of ground effect performance that exceeds the maximum gross aircraft weight of 5,500 lbs at 6k95 during test flights conducted in Colorado. “We completed several test flights at several different altitudes and temperatures, each to prove... Read more
27-Jun-2011Source: Merced Sun-Star
Keeping the two planes and two helicopters in the air is an annual expenditure of $0 for Merced County, according to records from the sheriff’s department. They operate Bell UH-1 N911SS and Robinson R44 II N7527G... Read more
27-Jun-2011Source: HelicopterBuyer
HelicopterBuyer, Inc. has sourced two new 2011 Bell 412 EP helicopters for an Australian client. The sale was a result of their exclusive helicopter brokerage services for Toll Remote Logistics, Pty. Ltd. based in Essendon. Mark V. Clancy, president and CEO of HelicopterBuyer, stated “We have been working with Toll Remote Logistics for an extended... Read more
26-Jun-2011
Although the formal dedication of the HUEY will be on July 4th, many are excited about its arrival and installation on Sunday, June 26th, and plan to be present to watch. See more... Read more
24-Jun-2011Source: US Air Force
KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. — Forty years after it came into the Air Force inventory, the 58th Special Operations Wing celebrated a rare mark of longevity when UH-1H 69-6650 passed 15,000 hours in the air May 25. “As only the second UH-1 to surpass that number of flying hours, we wanted to mark the... Read more
23-Jun-2011Source: Lee County MedStar
Lee County, FL (June 22, 2011) – Lee County Emergency Medical Services (LCEMS) implemented a “stand down†of its MEDSTAR flight operations for a safety review at 7 a.m. Wednesday, June 22. MEDSTAR will resume operations at 7 a.m. Monday, Aug. 1 with its recently acquired Bell 430 helicopter. Bayflite has agreed to relocate one... Read more
23-Jun-2011Source: Euravia
Euravia a world leader in P&WC PT6 Engine Series MRO, has launched the “PT6T Fleet Refresh Program” (PT6T-FRP(C)) for the Bell 212, Agusta Bell 212 and Sikorsky S-58T Helicopter series operating the P&WC PT6T-3 TwinPac. Euravia are offering customers the opportunity to exchange their current PT6T-3 units for Zero TSO units with less than 4,000... Read more
22-Jun-2011Source: DART Helicopter Services
DART is pleased to announce Transport Canada, FAA, EASA and Brazilian ANAC approval of their New Mid Height Crosstubes for the Bell 206L model of aircraft. Mid Height Crosstubes are ideal for EMS operations. The lowered height and absence of the full-length step allows medics to safely and easily unload and load patients, reducing incidence... Read more
22-Jun-2011Source: United Rotorcraft Solutions
United Rotorcraft Solutions (URS) delivered a completed Bell 407 to Aero Tech recently. During a 56 day completion, URS customized Aero Tech’s 407 with avionics and communications equipment, specialized airframe options and exterior paint. The avionics and communications equipment installed consisted of the Garmin G500H cockpit display system, GNC-420W Comm, the GDL6A satellite weather and... Read more
22-Jun-2011
Low Transmission Pressure light illuminated and pilot Dominic Noon made emergency landing at Crabbs Rifle Range... Read more
21-Jun-2011Source: Bell
Paris, France (June 21, 2011) – Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT) announced today at the Paris International Air Show, that AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, has agreed to purchase Bell’s ownership interest in the BA609 tiltrotor program, a Bell-AgustaWestland joint venture. Bell Helicopter will remain the key supplier of engineering services and key... Read more
21-Jun-2011Source: FlightSafety
FlightSafety International is pleased to announce that it has recently designed, manufactured, and delivered four new flight simulators including one rotary wing example. The United States Army’s Flight School XXI Warrior Hall training facility in Daleville, Alabama, has taken delivery of two new Bell TH-67 flight training devices manufactured by FlightSafety. These latest devices are... Read more
21-Jun-2011Source: FlightSafety
FlightSafety International is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a contract from Bell Helicopter for two CV-22 flight training devices. These new advanced technology flight training devices will be used by the United States Air Force during training of Special Command Forces personnel. “This contract is another example of the cooperative effort between... Read more
21-Jun-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Lansing Community College’s aviation mechanics program is the centre of an investigation involving a Bell OH-58A Kiowa. Harry Whitehead, the lead faculty member who ran the aviation program before he was fired last month, allegedly tried to sell the helicopter to a long-time acquaintance two years ago. He was expecting a running OH-58 in exchange... Read more
21-Jun-2011
Landed hard during practice autorotations, fell onto its side, then causing a grass fire which consumed the helicopter and 15-20 acres of grassland. Pilot not injured... Read more
21-Jun-2011
The Bell 212 was part of a three-aircraft test flight for Boeing. Two support aircraft were chasing an Apache Longbow on test flight when one of the support aircraft went down.... Read more
20-Jun-2011Source: Bell
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT), will display its newest helicopters, the 407GX and 407AH, at the Paris International Air Show, June 20-26, 2011, at Le Bourget, Paris, France, making it the first international appearance since their introduction at the 2011 Heli-Expo in Orlando, Fla., in March. “We’ve received tremendous customer acceptance of... Read more
20-Jun-2011Source: Bell
Huey II fleet Surpasses 300,000 hours Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, announced its Huey II fleet recently surpassed the 300,000 flight hour milestone. “This significant accomplishment is testament to the supportability and multi-mission capability of the Huey II,” said R. Danny Maldonado, senior vice president customer support and chief services officer. “At... Read more
20-Jun-2011
Helicopter involved in agricultural work. Wire strike took out electricity in East Palmerston. Initial reports sketch as to whether wires were cause or effect... Read more
19-Jun-2011
Helicopter ended up on its side in a jungle area. No initial indication as to cause... Read more
18-Jun-2011
Main rotor blades severed tail boom during take-off... Read more
17-Jun-2011
A Bell 412 previously operated by New York Police Department has completed the trip from New York via Korea to Australia – See article... Read more
16-Jun-2011
Two UH-1s, serialled A-11 and A-12, have been added to the helicopter fleet of the Paraguayan Police, who previously operated only Robinson R44s. This fleet expansion provides them with significantly more capability than they have previously had. The UH-1Hs are fitted with mountings for snipers as well as being suitable for all emergencies, with kit... Read more
15-Jun-2011Source: State of Colorado
DENVER — Monday, June 13, 2011 — Gov. John Hickenlooper today ordered flags be lowered to half-staff on all public buildings statewide on Wednesday, June 15, in honor of Chief Warrant Officer Kenneth White, who was killed in Afghanistan earlier this month. Flags should be lowered from sunrise to sunset. White, 35, died on June... Read more
14-Jun-2011
The Navy’s only maritime helicopter testbed successfully prototyped and demonstrated technology offering significant improvements in tactical battlefield situational awareness recently at the Army’s Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona. Exercising technology developed and provided by Northrop Grumman’s Rotorcraft Avionics Innovation Laboratory, “T-Rex†(Testbed for Rapid Warfighter Response and Experimentation), the Navy’s UH-1N testbed aircraft, provided an... Read more
13-Jun-2011Source: Aviation Specialties Unlimited
Aviation Specialties Unlimited, (ASU) announced today that they received a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for the Bell 205A-1 from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The new STC was completed for the San Diego Sherriff’s Department. This aircraft will be used for aerial firefighting, search and rescue, airborne law enforcement and hoist equipment. “This is the... Read more
13-Jun-2011Source: US Marine Corps
CAMP DWYER, Afghansitan – The commanding officer of Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 269 received a phone call from his higher headquarters in May. More attack helicopters were needed to support Marines and their coalition partners in southwestern Afghanistan in preparation of the fighting season. Within a few weeks of receiving that phone call, the... Read more
12-Jun-2011Source: US DoD
Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded a $7,245,020 modification to a previously awarded advance acquisition contract (N00019-11-C-0023) for the purchase of Lot 9 long-lead items in support of the H-1 Upgrades Program for the Marine Corps. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas (60 percent), and Amarillo, Texas (40 percent),... Read more
12-Jun-2011Source: US DoD
Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc., Hurst, Texas, was awarded a firm-fixed-price contract with a maximum $6,592,982 for helicopter parts. There are no other locations of performance. Using service is Air Force. The date of performance completion is Nov. 5, 2015. The Defense Logistics Agency Aviation, Philadelphia, Pa., is the contracting activity (SPRPA1-09-G-004Y-0034).... Read more
12-Jun-2011Source: US DoD
L-3 Communications EO/IR, Inc., Santa Rosa, Calif., was awarded on May 27 a $21,211,282 firm-fixed-price contract. The award will provide for the procurement of 22 MX-15Di forward looking infrared radar sensors with laser designator for installation on Iraqi Armed 407 helicopters. Work will be performed in Santa Rosa, Calif., and Burlington, Ontario, Canada, with an... Read more
11-Jun-2011
Struck high voltage powerline. 8 fatalities named as pilot Néstor Manuel Niño Acosta, Copilot Fabián Fuentes Meneses, technician Leandro Sánchez Sánchez and passengers Gutiérrez Mendoza Eimer, John Contreras Lobo, John Joya Delgado, Germán Medina Delgado and Wilson Correa Castillo... Read more
11-Jun-2011
Tourist flight. Pilot claimed to have been caught in a wind vortex. Helicopter Destroyed... Read more
9-Jun-2011Source: Bell
Bell Helicopter and Cessna Aircraft Company, both Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) companies, broke ground today on a new facility dedicated to service and support for customers in the Asia-Pacific region. The facility is expected to be complete in the second quarter of 2012 and when fully operational, the facility will employ approximately 90 technicians and... Read more
9-Jun-2011Source: Zend Technologies
Zend Technologies and its partner Infobright today announced that Bell Helicopter, the world’s leading provider of vertical lift aircraft, chose Zend® Server and the Infobright® Enterprise Edition (IEE) analytic database to improve its large-scale enterprise reporting application for better business intelligence. The success of this effort also helped Bell Helicopter regain a critical U.S. government... Read more
7-Jun-2011Source: HeliFlite
Founded in 1998, HeliFlite is a full service helicopter operator offering on demand charter, a 25-hour HeliCard, fractional ownership and aircraft management services. HeliFlite’s outstanding safety record has been recognized by ARGUS International who has awarded HeliFlite “Platinum†status as well as Wyvern who has audited the company seven times and recommends HeliFlite as a... Read more
7-Jun-2011Source: Post-Standard
The legislature only funded Air-1 through June 30, placing the second half of the year’s funding in a contingency account to be released if the Sheriff’s Office made substantial progress toward setting up a not-for-profit foundation to raise private income and obtaining a commercial license allowing it to charge fees for patient transport.... Read more
7-Jun-2011
Helicopter was on electricity line survey when it went down at the crest of the mountain of Puerto Angulo, in a rocky and inaccessible by land vehicle. Locals reported a fire and the authorities later confirmed two fatalities. Foggy weather conditions may have contributed... Read more
6-Jun-2011Source: Becker Avionics
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... Read more
6-Jun-2011Source: BLR Aerospace
BLR Aerospace, the well-known developer of innovative performance modifications for helicopters and business aircraft, recently delivered its 200th FastFin® Tail Rotor Enhancement and Stability System for a Bell UH-1H helicopter. More than one-third of the certificated UH-1 fleet has been modified with FastFin, making it one of the company’s top-selling products, according to Dave Marone,... Read more
6-Jun-2011Source: KDFW Fox 4
Early Friday morning, Dallas police found out about a chopper parked at the Century Inn in the 2100 block of Northwest Highway, near Loop 12. [File photo]... Read more
5-Jun-2011
A NATO spokesman in eastern Afghanistan said the helicopter in Sunday’s crash went down in the Sabari District of Khost Province, a mountainous area near the Pakistan border, where insurgent activity has been among the heaviest this spring. Deceased later named as Chief Warrant Officer Kenneth R. White, 35, of Fort Collins, Colo., and Chief... Read more
1-Jun-2011
Boustead Projects has clinched a S$23 million contract to design and build a hangar facility for the maintenance, repair and over haul of helicopters and aircrafts for Bell Helicopter Asia. 23 Million Singapore Dollars currently translates at US$18.64M... Read more
1-Jun-2011
Crashed into Indus or Sindh River en route to Peshawar, and poor weather reported. Five people on board including Major-General Mohammad Nawaz, director general of the Punjab Rangers along with two Captains and one Colonel.... Read more
31-May-2011
Engine cowling opened in flight and struck main rotor blades. Helicopter landed without further incident.... Read more
30-May-2011Source: HeliHub.com
St. Luke’s Health System’s bases at Twin Falls and Meridian are expected to upgrade their helicopters to Bell 429s in the near future. Like their current 430s, these will be leased from Boise-based Idaho Helicopters, and will half the lift-off time offered by the current machines to just four minutes. An exact date is not... Read more
30-May-2011
A military helicopter belonging to Iran’s Air Force has crashed near the central city of Isfahan, killing the pilot and co-pilot, a senior Iranian official says. Deputy Governor of Isfahan Mohammad Mehdi Esmaili said that the crash was caused by technical problems in the helicopter.... Read more