New Zealand heli-hunters to fight ban
Source: TVNZ News, 09-May-13
Heli-hunters are vowing to fight moves from Associate Conservation Minister Peter Dunne to ban their sport, saying any legislation to outlaw it “defies logic and common sense”. (See Full Story)
CAA appoints new GA programme manager
Source: CAA, 09-May-13
The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) today announced that Mike Barnard has been appointed as General Aviation (GA) Programme Manager. Mike’s main role will be leading a programme to develop and implement policy on how the CAA regulates the GA sector in the future to ensure it is safe and the regulation is proportionate. Building [...]
Germany – Hanseatic Helicopter Service adds a Cabri
Source: HeliHub.com, 09-May-13
Hanseatic Helicopter Service, based in the northern German city of Hamburg, has recently added a Guimbal G2 Cabri to their fleet. Purchased via HeliTransair, Guimbal’s 47th Cabri now flies as D-HTAM with Hanseatic. The aircraft is seen here at the handover ceremony with Bruno Guimbal on the left handing the keys over along with Dr. Gerd [...]
09-May-13 Robinson R22 Sao Paulo, Brazil
09-May-13
Training accident, helicopter ended up on its starboard side in local park
CHC wins 5 year AS332L2 contract for Shell in Africa
Source: CHC Helicopter, 08-May-13
Shell International Exploration and Production B.V. has selected CHC Helicopter, the world’s leading offshore helicopter services provider, for a five-year, multi-million dollar contract to support Shell‘s deep-water exploration activities off the coast of Sub-Saharan Africa. The agreement, which comes with five, one-year options, will dedicate two Eurocopter Super Puma L2 aircraft to helicopter transportation services [...]
RMC purchases helicopter pad
Source: The TandD, 08-May-13
Regional Medical Center trustees voted Tuesday to purchase a manufactured home for the hospital’s helicopter staff. (See Full Story)
Turkey’s Aselsan secures Sikorsky helicopter subcontract
Source: Reuters, 08-May-13
Turkish defence and electronics company Aselsan will supply parts and software for Sikorsky BlackHawk military helicopters in a deal that will guarantee the company around $100 million in orders annually for the next five to six years.(See Full Story)
Obituary – STARS founder John Panton
Source: STARS, 08-May-13
He was an engaging storyteller, a master at delivering puns and always good for a funny joke or two. John Panton’s dedication, devotion and admiration for STARS, however, were no laughing matter. “Without John’s support, and that of others from the Lions Club and community, STARS wouldn’t be here,” said Dr. Greg Powell, STARS founder. [...]
BLR Aerospace expands Rotorcraft sales team
Source: BLR Aerospace, 08-May-13
Keith Ray and Mike Sela have joined the growing rotorcraft sales and support team at BLR Aerospace, the company announced today. Ray, a 30-year aviation industry veteran, has been named commercial helicopter segment champion. Ray is responsible for sales of the company’s rotorcraft products, most notably the FastFin® Tail Rotor Enhancement and Stability System, to [...]
Guardian Flight Begins Emergency Helicopter Service in Williston
Source: Mercy Medical Center, 08-May-13
Travelers on the Dakota Parkway will notice a brand new and beautifully painted helicopter proudly positioned on the helipad at Mercy Medical Center. The helicopter is operated by Guardian Flight and began emergency helicopter services in Williston on Monday morning. The helicopter will provide the city of Williston and the surrounding areas with an added [...]
Becker avionics selected for corporate AS365N2
Source: Becker Avionics, 08-May-13
Becker Avionics’ DVCS6100 digital airborne audio control system was recently installed in a Eurocopter AS365N2 Dauphine corporate helicopter, operating in the Northeast U.S. The Becker DVCS replaces the aircraft’s legacy audio system which has become difficult to support since it is no longer in production and replacement parts and service have been significantly diminished. The [...]
Sikorsky Aerospace and WIKING Kale Air Launch New Customer Service Center
Source: Sikorsky, 08-May-13
International Defence Industry Fair (IDEF), May 7, 2013 – Sikorsky Aerospace Services today announced the signing of a teaming agreement with WIKING Kale Air to establish a Sikorsky-authorized Customer Service Center (CSC) in Turkey. Supporting the country’s S-76® helicopter platform, the CSC will be centrally located in the city of Istanbul, and will offer maintenance [...]
AAR to name new Chief Financial Officer
Source: AAR CORP., 08-May-13
AAR CORP. (NYSE: AIR), a leading provider of value-added products and services to the worldwide aerospace, government and defense industries, today announced that John Fortson will join the Company on July 1, 2013, as Vice President of Finance. Fortson will then become Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer on July 19, 2013, or as [...]
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 [...]
AAR Retains Strategic Business Development Consulting Services of Grant Park Global
Source: Grant Park Global, 08-May-13
Grant Park Global announced today that AAR, a global aerospace and defense contractor that employs more than 6,000 people in 17 countries, has retained the strategic business development consulting services of Mike Axelrod to assist the firm in Latin America, with an emphasis on Mexico and Colombia. Grant Park Global’s engagement focus will support AAR’s [...]
HAI President’s Message: Safety First, Sound Second
Source: HAI, 08-May-13
We talk a lot in our industry about the importance of a “Safety First” culture, but I think a conversation about our No. 2 priority also needs to occur: minimizing the impact of a helicopter’s sound on the environment. Why, you ask, did I call it sound, instead of noise? Noise just sounds bad, like [...]
New Zealand heads for helicopter hunting ban on conservation land
Source: TYNZ News, 08-May-13
Associate Conservation Minister Peter Dunne has won a decisive court battle in his quest to ban helicopter hunting on conservation land. (See Full Story)
New facilities opened at Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant
Source: Helihub.com, 08-May-13
Russian manufacturer Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant – part of Russian Helicopters – has recently held the opening ceremony on a new building. The 1,400 sq.m two-storey facility is the administrative and production building for the final assembly shop The new building facilitates the expansion of production space for a second assembly line, as well as to [...]
Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust announces new CEO
Source: ARHT, 08-May-13
Auckland’s Westpac Recue Helicopter service has today named Greg Barrow as its next CEO. Announcing the appointment, Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust Chairman Murray Bolton says Mr Barrow comes into the role with a lifetime of aviation experience behind him. “In recent months we have undertaken a thorough and robust recruitment process and Greg has come [...]
08-May-13 N5ZK Robinson R22 Honolulu, US-Hawaii
08-May-13
Force landed in street and badly damaged in collision with parked vehicle
08-May-13 Eurocopter AS350 Morro da Urca HP, Brazil
08-May-13
Landing accident – ended up in trees adjacent to the heliport. Helicopter believed to be on sightseeing tour. Five people injured Cláudio Cobo Fernandes, Marcos Estaca da Silva Nunes, Disney da Silva Ribeiro Lopes Júnior, along with pilot Ricardo de Resende Herter and co-pilot Murilo Cesar da Silva Saibro.
NZ – Six-seat Composite prototype ditches into Auckland harbour
Source: HeliHub.com, 07-May-13
The only flying prototype of the all-composite six-seat helicopter dubbed “Adventourer” has ditched into Auckland Harbour in the channel between North Head and Rangitoto and sunk, bringing the development program to a halt. The salt water will no doubt mean a complete re-build and a significant pause in the development program of the KC518 helicopter being [...]
Italian distributor expects first Cabri in June
Source: HeliHub.com, 07-May-13
The Italian distributor for Helicoptères Guimbal is expecting their first G2 Cabri in June 2013. Eurotech – based in Caiolo in Lombardy (Sondrio province) – announced their appointment back in February. The manufacturer took a slight detour on their flight from their base in France to the recent Aero exhibition in Germany to go via [...]
Colorado Heli-Ops expands with two more helicopters
Source: Colorado Heli-Ops, 07-May-13
After their move in November to a larger newly remodeled facility, the Broomfield, Colo.-based company has added new helicopters and services. Heli-Ops is now a full service helicopter flight center. Their award-winning training center is the first in the United States to offer full-curriculum Scenario Based Training programs. They also have a utility side of [...]
Visit European Helicopter Show 2013 this week
Source: EHS, 07-May-13
Whatever your involvement in the helicopter industry you won’t want to miss the European Helicopter Show 2013. Meet experts from across the helicopter industry at Hradec Králové, 9th – 11th May 2013. 100+ Exhibitors See more than 100+ from across the helicopter industry, including manufacturers, distributors and service suppliers, showcasing the latest products & services. [...]
Sky Shuttle Helicopters’ First All-Female Crew
Source: Sky Shuttle Hc, 07-May-13
Sky Shuttle Helicopters Limited is pleased to announce that today, on 6 May 2013, Captain Meg Lam and First Officer Kirsty Holtkamp became the company’s first ever all-female helicopter crew to operate flights between Hong Kong and Macau. Captain Meg Lam, who was born and raised in Hong Kong, fell in love with the helicopter when she [...]
Industry CEOs to headline AHS Forum
Source: AHS, 07-May-13
The vertical flight world is wrestling with rapidly evolving challenges. From military struggles to sustain capabilities in the face of urgent budget cuts to civil campaigns for efficiency gains that bolster success in tepid markets, the vertical flight industry faces new challenges almost daily to meet its customers’ current demands while ensuring its ability to [...]
Los Angeles Helicopters Expands Pilot Training to Rwanda Air
Source: Los Angeles Helicopters, 07-May-13
Los Angeles Helicopters, LLC (LAH), a leading helicopter flight training operator, is pleased to announce that after completing FAA commercial license and Instrument rating training for 6 pilots from Rwanda in 2012, LAH was invited to travel to Rwanda and provide additional Mountain training as well as Emergency Procedures training and a refresher course for [...]
FAA approves Rig Approach system for S92
Source: Sikorsky, 07-May-13
Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. today announced the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has approved a new functionality on the S-92® helicopter to provide offshore oil operators with an automated approach that reduces cockpit workload by 60 percent and allows safer operations under challenging weather and operating conditions. Sikorsky, a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX), developed [...]
Seventeen EC135s for Turkish EMS contract
Source: Eurocopter, 07-May-13
Eurocopter’s EC135 will perform medical airlift duties throughout Turkey with a fleet of 17 helicopters to be flown by the Turkish Aeronautical Association’s THK Gökçen Aviation commercial arm, marking the latest major contract win for this twin-engine rotorcraft in the international emergency medical services (EMS) marketplace. Operations are to begin this August with an initial [...]
Christie Continues To Lead The Way In Visual Display System
Source: Christie Digital Systems, 07-May-13
Christie®, a leader in simulation projection display solutions, today announced that it is hosting the fourth SIM University training forum, a free educational event taking place May 7-8 dedicated to the world of visual display requirements for the simulation industry at the Institute for Simulation and Training at the University of Central Florida. Zoran Veselic, [...]
Australia grounds R44s without bladder tanks
Source: Sky News, 07-May-13
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority has issued an order grounding all Robinson R44 helicopters that have not undergone a recently ordered safety upgrade. (See Full Story)
All Metal MS Tests Russian Market
Source: All Metal MS, Inc., 07-May-13
All Metal, a global leader in the design and manufacturing of solution driven custom “safety first” maintenance stands, hangar equipment and specialty tooling, announced today that it has reached an agreement with AVIABASE, a Moscow-based product distribution company, to begin testing distribution of All Metal maintenance stands, hanger equipment and specialty tools. All Metal began [...]
Erickson Air-Crane Announces Date for First Quarter Fiscal Year 2013 Results
Source: Erickson Air-Crane, Inc., 07-May-13
Erickson Air-Crane, Inc. (NASDAQ:EAC), a leading global provider of aviation services to a diverse mix of commercial and government customers and the vertical manufacturer and operator of the powerful, heavy-lift helicopter, the Erickson S-64 Aircrane, today announced that it will release its earnings results for the first quarter fiscal year 2013 ended March 31, 2013 [...]
Sikorsky bullish on S92 for Presidential VXX program
Source: Sikorsky, 07-May-13
Following the U.S. Navy’s release of the final Request for Proposals for The Presidential Helicopter Replacement Program (VXX), Sikorsky Aircraft issued the following statement: The men and women of Sikorsky and Lockheed Martin are ready to offer Sikorsky’s proven S-92® helicopter in response to the U.S. Navy’s formal Request for Proposals to build the next [...]
Fresh blood for Victoria’s air ambulances
Source: Latrobe Valley Express, 07-May-13
Flight paramedics based in the Latrobe Valley will be able to source vital blood stores quicker following a partnership with Gippsland Pathology. (See Full Story)
Applications for 2014 HFI Scholarship Program Accepted Soon
Source: HFI, 07-May-13
Helicopter Foundation International (HFI) will soon be accepting applications for the 19 scholarships the organization awards to students of the helicopter industry. Beginning June 1, students can go to www.helicopterfoundation.org and download an application for the scholarship of their choice. Don’t miss the chance to ease the burden of your education costs! HFI offers four [...]
Report Critical of FAA Repair Station Oversight
Source: HAI, 07-May-13
A DOT Inspector General’s (IG) report requested by the U.S. House of Representatives Transportation Committee’s Aviation panel was released May 6 saying he FAA has “room for improvement” on oversight of aircraft repair stations. In the third audit in 10 years of FAA’s oversight of more than 4,000 aircraft repair stations worldwide that maintain U.S. [...]
Rescued pilot funds Midlands Air Ambulance education centre
Source: Shropshire Star, 07-May-13
A businessman who was left clinging to life in the wreckage of a horror helicopter crash in Shropshire has shown his gratitude to the air ambulance service that saved him. (See Full Story)
07-May-13 ZK-ICM Composite Helicopters KC518 Auckland, New Zealand
07-May-13
Technical issue forced pilot to ditch prototype 5-place turbine helicopter into Auckland Harbour
07-May-13 RP-C7788 Eurocopter SE313B Barangay Rawis, Philippines
07-May-13
EMergency landing on shoreline shortly after take-off. Pilot Capt. Dino Garcia and passengers Decoroso Asinas, and Efipanio Pinca suffered minor injuries while the last passenger Andre Abalon suffered serious head injuries after being struck by the rotor blades
07-May-13 N20Z Bell 206L La Junta, US-Colorado
07-May-13
Crashed in open land and fell onto its side. Reported as on photo mission. Three occupants had minor injuries
07-May-13 I-ONYX MD Helicopters MD500E L’Aquila, Italy
07-May-13
Contacted powerlines on approach to airport
Soros and Dell back Waypoint helicopter leasing group
Source: Waypoint Leasing, 06-May-13
The funds of two of the world’s highest-profile individual investors – Michael Dell and George Soros – are betting on future high levels of offshore oil production by investing dog reds of millions of dollars in a helicopter leasing company. Read the whole article here: Financial Times
Pawan Hans may enter commercial airline business
Source: The Times Of India, 06-May-13
State-run helicopter operator Pawan Hans is planning to enter the commercial airline business offering regional connectivity and has already received a go-ahead from its board, a top official has said.(See Full Story)
INAER Spain attends International Congress on Intensive Care
Source: INAER, 06-May-13
INAER Spain (INAER), one of the world leaders in emergency air services, recently participated in the 6th International Congress on Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine (URGRAV) in Havana, one of the most important events on emergency medicine in Latin America. INAER led the conference on time-dependent pathology care for conditions whose evolution depends primarily on [...]
Former AgustaWestland chief freed
Source: The Wall Street Journal, 06-May-13
The former CEO of the Italian defense giant Finmeccanica, and former CEO of AgustaWestland, was freed Saturday from jail pending his trial on corruption charges next month. (See Full Story)
STAT MedEvac Aims to Reduce Trauma Deaths
Source: UPMC, 06-May-13
Trauma experts at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and UPMC will launch a multi-center trial this summer to see if they can improve survival of patients who have suffered traumatic injuries with uncontrolled bleeding. Paramedics will administer plasma to these patients while they are still being transported by helicopter to the hospital. Uncontrolled [...]
Germany – Aeroheli International adds a Cabri
Source: HeliHub.com, 06-May-13
From handover on 2nd April, German operator Aeroheli International completed the first 50 flying hours on their new Cabri in less than three weeks! Guimbal’s 45th Cabri is registered D-HAIG and is in a white colour scheme with distinctive “Cabri” titles. It is based with Aeroheli at Cottbus. The photo shown is the handover ceremony [...]
FAMA Helicopters – Sending a Kiss to EHS
Source: EHS, 06-May-13
European Helicopter Show welcomes latest addition FAMA Helicopters to the Show’s growing Exhibitor List at Hradec Králové Airport, during 9 – 11 May 2013. FAMA HELICOPTERS was established in 2009 with the realization of the new project KISS 209M, designed and built by Nino Famà. KISS that means “Keep Is Stupidly Simple”, a name that [...]
Oneida County Puts Off Helipad Decision
Source: WJJQ, 06-May-13
The Oneida County Zoning Committee has decided to put off a decision on a new helicopter hanger in Woodruff. (See Full Story)
EHS 2013 details seminar program
Source: EHS, 06-May-13
The European Helicopter Show is much more than an exhibition and trade show. It includes a two day seminar programme featuring speakers from across the helicopter industry. Experienced speakers will present a range of interesting and highly relevant topics covering everything from practical advice to insights into the latest industry development. Seminars are free and [...]
PHI announces results for Q1 to March 31, 2013
Source: PHi, 06-May-13
Consolidated operating revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2013 increased $40.9 million compared to the three months ended March 31, 2012. Our Oil and Gas medium and heavy aircraft flight hours and revenues increased primarily due to increased deepwater drilling activity. Operating revenues in the Air Medical segment increased $21.2 million primarily due [...]
06-May-13 RA-24410 Mil Mi-8 Preobrazhenka, Russia (9F)
06-May-13
Helicopter with 9 persons and 2 tons of explosive
06-May-13 Mosquito XE Waterloo, US-Iowa
06-May-13
Ultralight helicopter, believed to be a Mosquito Xe, crashed – injuring the pilot
06-May-13 N911SV Eurocopter EC135 Billings, US-Montana
06-May-13
Bird strike broke windshield. Immediate – and uneventful – landing. No injuries.
Register Update – Canada – April 2013
Source: Rotorspot.nl, 05-May-13
This news item is part of the HeliHub.com “Register Updates” series, listing helicopters which have been added to a particular national register, removed from it or the listed owner has changed. Our coverage represents the majority of registration and owner changes within the global civilian helicopter fleet. Most updates are weekly or monthly, although some [...]
Register Update – Austria – April 2013
Source: HeliHub.com, 05-May-13
This news item is part of the HeliHub.com “Register Updates” series, listing helicopters which have been added to a particular national register, removed from it or the listed owner has changed. Our coverage represents the majority of registration and owner changes within the global civilian helicopter fleet. Most updates are weekly or monthly, although some [...]
Register Update – Ireland – April 2013
Source: HeliHub.com, 05-May-13
This news item is part of the HeliHub.com “Register Updates” series, listing helicopters which have been added to a particular national register, removed from it or the listed owner has changed. Our coverage represents the majority of registration and owner changes within the global civilian helicopter fleet. Most updates are weekly or monthly, although some [...]
05-May-13 9M-DBH Eurocopter AS365N2 Sungai Besi, Malaysia
05-May-13
Caught by sudden gust of wind in poor weather while hovering to turn for taxi to parking spot. Helicopter ended up on its port side. Passengers were Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein and his wife Tengku Datin Seri Marsilla Tengku Abdullah, and their daughter and son-in-law – none were injured in the accident
04-May-13 Burdett, Australia
04-May-13
EMS helicopter grounded with patient on board after electrical issue. Patient to hospital by ground ambulance – took 1 hour extra. Medstar operates EC130, BK117 and B412 helicopters
Bell laying off 140 employees
Source: Star-Telegram, 03-May-13
Bell is laying off 140 employees at its Fort Worth plant in anticipation of reduced production of its V-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft over the next several years. (See Full Story)
New Chairman at British Helicopter Association
Source: HeliHub.com, 03-May-13
The BHA have told us that their current Chairman Brian Humphries CBE, FRAeS is to retire on 1st June. He will be succeeded by Sir Christopher Coville KCB BA FCIPD FRAeS RAF. Sir Christopher served in the RAF as a fighter pilot, qualified on the Gazelle and Whirlwind and was a past Chairman of Westland [...]
Erickson Air-Crane Announces New $100M Revolving Credit Facility
Source: Erickson Air-Crane, 03-May-13
Erickson Air-Crane Incorporated (NASDAQ:EAC), (“Erickson” or “the Company”), a leading global provider of aviation services to a diverse mix of commercial and government customers and the vertical manufacturer and operator of the powerful, heavy-lift helicopter, the Erickson S-64 Aircrane, announced today that it had entered into a new $100 million, five-year revolving credit facility with [...]
HAI Adds Value to Membership
Source: HAI, 03-May-13
The Helicopter Association International (HAI) on May 1 announced its new HAI Partner Services Program — a business-to-business tool that allows HAI members to offer discounts and value-added opportunities exclusively to their fellow HAI members. “After safety, our number one priority is helping our members do business in a smart, cost-effective way,” said HAI President [...]
Erickson Air-Crane completes acquisition of Evergreen
Source: Erickson Air-Crane, 03-May-13
Erickson Air-Crane Incorporated (NASDAQ:EAC) (“Erickson” or “the Company”), a leading global provider of aviation services to a diverse mix of commercial and government customers and the vertically integrated manufacturer and operator of the powerful, heavy-lift helicopter, the Erickson S-64 Aircrane, announced today that it had closed its acquisition of Evergreen Helicopters, Inc. (“EHI”) from Evergreen [...]
Devon & Cornwall Police air unit joins Twitter
Source: HeliHub.com, 03-May-13
Devon & Cornwall Police’s air support unit have joined Twitter and can be found @DCP_Helicopter. However, this move may be short-lived as the gradual nationalisation of law enforcement aviation across England and Wales under the “NPAS” (National Police Air Service) banner has seen various units adopt new Twitter identities involving the NPAS name. Time will [...]
JetNet to exhibit at EBACE 2013
Source: JETNET, 03-May-13
Aviation market intelligence world leader JETNET will be attending EBACE 2013 in Geneva, Switzerland and celebrating 25 years of delivering professional aircraft research services. JETNET will present their full range of software products and services at Geneva’s Palexpo, and celebrate their anniversary with a cocktail reception for all show attendees. They will also be holding [...]
Conklin & de Decker releases Aircraft Cost Evaluator 2013
Source: Conklin & de Decker, 03-May-13
Conklin & de Decker has released the Aircraft Cost Evaluator 2013Volume I, deliveringthe most up-to-date benchmarking, operating, and ownership cost data available to the aviation industry.Aircraft Cost Evaluator is a flagship product from Conklin & de Decker’s family of aircraft operating and acquisition data products that address more than 550jets, turboprops, helicopters and piston aircraft. [...]
Air Methods to report Q1 results on May 9
Source: Air Methods, 03-May-13
Air Methods Corporation (Nasdaq:AIRM) will report financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2013 after the close of the market on Thursday, May 9, 2013. The Company has scheduled a conference call for Thursday, May 9, 2013 at 4:15 p.m. Eastern to discuss these results. Interested parties can access the call by dialing [...]
Private helipad OK’d for Chico industrial park
Source: ChicoER, 03-May-13
A new helipad will be constructed in the industrial park adjacent to the Chico Municipal Airport. The project was approved Tuesday night by the Chico Airport Commission, at the request of DigitalPath, which already operates the helicopter at the airport for service purposes.(See Full Story)
Emergency medical helicopter plan put on hold
Source: U~T San Diego, 03-May-13
A proposal to station an emergency air ambulance helicopter in Oceanside was put on hold by the City Council Wednesday pending further negotiations. (See Full Story)
