7-Mar-2012Source: ARSA
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) have issued a revision to Maintenance Annex Guidance (MAG) provisions. The MAG, originally released on May 3, 2011, contains implementation procedures for the U.S./EU Aviation Safety Agreement; it contains three sections relevant to 1) regulatory authorities 2) U.S.-based repair stations and 3) EU-based approved... Read more
7-Mar-2012Source: Abu Dhabi Airports
Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) concluded a long term land lease agreement with Falcon Aviation Services (FAS) at Al Bateen Executive Airport. The lease covers an area to the west of the airport where FAS has just commissioned a new 10,000 square metre hangar to support its corporate helicopter and private jet charter and MRO... Read more
7-Mar-2012Source: AgustaWestland
AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce that the GrandNew light twin helicopter has entered the Chilean helicopter market with the purchase of one aircraft by Naviera Mistral SA [a shipping company, Ed] based in Santiago del Chile. This helicopter will be used to perform VIP/corporate transport missions. The aircraft is scheduled to be... Read more
7-Mar-2012Source: Spidertracks
Spidertracks is the preferred aircraft tracking system for three major helicopter tour operators in Las Vegas. Spidertracks has announced that Sundance, Papillon and HeliUSA, are now tracking their helicopters with spidertracks – portable, and simple, Iridium tracking units – when flying around Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon. Sundance Helicopters have been a customer of... Read more
7-Mar-2012Source: HAI
Having failed to get helicopter noise legislation into the compromise FAA authorization bill, Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) has broadened the scope of his proposal and is now trying to attach it to the highway trust fund authorization bill currently being debated on Capitol Hill. The proposed Schumer amendment now includes language affecting the south shore of Long... Read more
7-Mar-2012Source: HAI
HAI has learned that Tom Marlow, who served as Chairman of the HAI Board of Directors in 1996, passed away just prior to HELI-EXPO 2012. His wife, Deanne, shared the news with HAI President Matt Zuccaro. “This is indeed sad news and a loss to our industry. It was my good fortune to have served with... Read more
7-Mar-2012Source: HFI
Helicopter Foundation International wishes to congratulate the recipients of the 2012 Commercial Helicopter Rating, Maintenance Technician, Michelle North, and Bill Sanderson Scholarships. Our field of applicants this year was both very extensive and extremely well qualified, and HFI expects all of them to go on to great things within our industry. Below is the list... Read more
7-Mar-2012
“impacted the side of a hill”... Read more
6-Mar-2012Source: DLR
Helicopter flights and landings in poor visibility conditions always present pilots with special challenges. The German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR) has now completed a series of tests with a new helmet mounted display and has brought it into use a flight simulator. In future, this display will assist helicopter pilots... Read more
6-Mar-2012Source: FB Heliservices
Cobham Aviation Services is delighted to confirm that FB Heliservices has announced it has been awarded a four (4) year contract plus two (2) possible one year extensions by the UK Ministry of Defence to continue to provide helicopter flying training at RAF Shawbury, RAF Valley and AAC Middle Wallop, together with support services at... Read more
6-Mar-2012Source: Examiner
Vanguard CEO Michael Buscher said his company’s prototype drone was flying about 18-feet off the ground when it started having trouble.  It’s designed to go into an auto shutdown mode, according to Buscher, but when it was coming down the drone crashed into the SWAT team’s armored vehicle. (see full story)... Read more
6-Mar-2012Source: BCAS
The British Columbia Ambulance Service (BCAS) has identified Kamloops-based CC Helicopters (2011) Ltd. as the successful proponent to provide dedicated helicopter service in the Central Interior following a rigorous request for proposals (RFP) and evaluation process. “Our government is committed to providing the best emergency care for families in rural communities across British Columbia, including... Read more
6-Mar-2012Source: HeliHub.com
Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in Northwest China has announced its intention to buy its first medical helicopter, a local health official was reported as saying on Monday. Xinjiang plans to allocate one medical helicopter in the regional capital of Urumqi later this year, according to Yang Bo, director of the emergency management office with the... Read more
6-Mar-2012Source: HeliHub.com
The Civil Aviation Authority in the UK has produced a very useful guide to EASA pilot licensing regulations. In summary, they tell us this: “From 1 July 2012, EU rules for licence validations will apply to pilots with licences issued outside of the EASA Member States who are engaged in commercial flights in UK-registered EASA... Read more
6-Mar-2012Source: NTSB
For decades, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has investigated accidents and incidents, across all modes of transportation where fatigue was a causal or contributory factor. National Sleep Awareness Week (March 5-9) and the start of daylight savings time on Sunday, reminds transportation operators and the public to focus on fatigue. “While alcohol is often... Read more
6-Mar-2012Source: HeliHub.com
Michael J McCann, the Chief Financial Officer of PHi, has advised the company that “he intends to retire in 2012 from all positions with the Company and its subsidiaries, including as Chief Financial Officer and Secretary of the Company, upon the Company’s retention of his replacement in 2012.” to use the wording of the SEC... Read more
6-Mar-2012Source: AAMS
The Association of Air Medical Services (AAMS) is thrilled to announce the appointment of new CEO Richard J. Sherlock to lead the AAMS organization. Sherlock will assume the leadership position on March 10, 2012, and will serve in a dual role as the CEO of MedEvac Foundation International as well. Sherlock will be in attendance... Read more
6-Mar-2012Source: London’s Air Ambulance
Today, London’s Air Ambulance, will make history as the first air ambulance in the UK to carry blood on board its aircraft and cars. Every day in London, victims of major trauma are attended by London’s Air Ambulance. Many of these patients are suffering from catastrophic bleeding. Some die at the scene from blood loss... Read more
6-Mar-2012Source: Abu Dhabi Airports
Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) is hosting Tuesday 6th March Abu Dhabi Air Expo, the region’s first general aviation exhibition to be held at Al Bateen Executive Airport, the dedicated business aviation airport of Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC). Open daily until 8 March visitors and exhibitors will enjoy a daily Airshow performed by Al Fursan... Read more
6-Mar-2012
JetRanger working with Bristow Academy crashed and turned over. Main rotors ripped off, tail boom damage but skids appear to in one piece? No injuries... Read more
5-Mar-2012Source: HAI
Eurocopter is well-positioned to cater to an expected growth in demand for helicopters, which is a vital complement to business jets for corporate and VIP air transport. Not only does Eurocopter offer the widest range of products available in business aviation and VIP configuration, it also has “designer helicopters†specially produced in collaboration with top... Read more
5-Mar-2012Source: Eurocopter
Eurocopter is well-positioned to cater to an expected growth in demand for helicopters, which is a vital complement to business jets for corporate and VIP air transport. Not only does Eurocopter offer the widest range of products available in business aviation and VIP configuration, it also has “designer helicopters†specially produced in collaboration with top... Read more
5-Mar-2012Source: HeliHub.com
Bond Offshore Helicopters have now registered their third AgustaWestland AW139 with the UK Civil Aviation Authority. G-PERD will join the first pair G-PERA and G-PERB which were acquired in March and May of 2011. The alphabetic sequence was broken due to G-PERC being currently allocated to a Cameron hot air balloon, and the UK CAA... Read more
5-Mar-2012Source: HeliHub.com
Sloane Helicopters are on the point of delivering another R66 to a UK customer, with last test flights being carried out last Friday, 2nd March. The helicopter will be based at Gloucestershire Airport in the west of England. This delivery marks the seventh R66 in the UK, with an eighth due soon via the Robinson... Read more
5-Mar-2012Source: HeliHub.com
British operator Starspeed is moving its base from Blackbushe to Fairoaks, nearly 15 miles closer to central London. The company only offers twin-engined helicopters, and apart from a single Sikorsky S76C++ flies a fleet of around ten Eurocopters which it manages on behalf of their owners. Some of these allow the company to charter them... Read more
5-Mar-2012Source: Press Telegram
The EC130s were bought in 2001 for $5.76 million and went into service the following December. Police purchased two replacement AS350B-2 in February 2011 for $3.52 million from the Los Angeles County Sheriff. The acquisition was intended to reduce operating costs by 42 percent – from $768 per hour to $448, according to a staff... Read more
5-Mar-2012Source: Maverick Helicopters
Typically, Las Vegas attractions include megaresorts, shows, and fine dining. Once a year, Las Vegas features another attraction, NASCAR Weekend. This year, NASCAR Weekendtakes place on March 9th – 11th, 2012, at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway and is expected to draw large crowds once again. Maverick Helicopters’ and Las Vegas Motor Speedway’s staff are busily... Read more
5-Mar-2012Source: HAL
Shri R.K. Tyagi has taken over as Chairman of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited(HAL), today. Previously, he was Chairman and Managing Director of Pawan Hans Helicopter Ltd.(since May 2007). He is an Engineering Graduate in Electronics and Telecommunication (1975) from IIT Roorkee and also possesses a Degree of Master in Business Administration. Subsequently, he has also attended... Read more
5-Mar-2012Source: HeliHub.com
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... Read more
5-Mar-2012Source: HeliHub.com
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... Read more
5-Mar-2012
landed in a field with the tail boom chopped in half. Remained upright on skids and two occupants not injured... Read more
4-Mar-2012Source: Yakima Herald
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)Â File photo... Read more
4-Mar-2012
Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. today announced its Platinum-level sponsorship of one of the industry’s largest and most important safety conferences, the annual CHC Safety & Quality Summit. The three-day, internationally recognized event focuses on the human side of aviation safety, with last year’s summit attracting more than 700 delegates from throughout the world. Sikorsky is a... Read more
4-Mar-2012Source: HeliHub.com
On Saturday morning, a brand new AW139 landed at Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport – presumably on a delivery flight from the factory in Italy. We understand it was en route to be based at Den Helder for Southern North Sea work. Registered PH-EUG and in full CHC colours, the helicopter is serial number 31407, the most... Read more
3-Mar-2012
Tail sustained damage on take-off... Read more
2-Mar-2012Source: Groiupe DCI
Helidax, a subsidiary of DCI and INAER, announces that it has exceeded 30,000 flight hours on EC120 Colibri aircraft, in less than 2 years of operation. Helidax is the first public-private partnership (PPP) launched by the French Ministry of Defense in 2008. This partnership concerns the supply of helicopter flight hours, for 22 years, to... Read more
2-Mar-2012
“Approximately five pieces of wood cribbing came loose from a helicopter load and fell to the ground in an unoccupied open space along the Sunrise Powerlink about four miles south of Interstate 8 and four miles east of Loveland Reservoir,†the company said. “No one was injured.â€... Read more
2-Mar-2012
precautionary landing after a transmission light came on... Read more
1-Mar-2012Source: Eagle Eye Solutions
A new book for helicopter pilots, “The Little Book of Autorotations,†is now in production and should be available at the end of March 2012. Written by test pilot Shawn Coyle (pictured), the author of “Cyclic and Collectiveâ€, “The Little Book of Autorotations†covers the practical aspects of autorotation — “no theory, and no vector... Read more
1-Mar-2012Source: IHST
The International Helicopter Safety Team (IHST), a worldwide organization leading a multi-year effort to reduce the civil helicopter accident rate, has added two new members to its Executive Committee – Bill Chiles, president and chief executive officer of Bristow Group, and Capt. John Steel of the Irish Aviation Authority. Chiles heads Bristow Group Inc. (NYSE:... Read more
1-Mar-2012Source: Eurocopter
Eurocopter’s Mexican subsidiary, Eurocopter de México (EMSA), has delivered a single-engine AS350 B3 helicopter to EMSEGURIDAD-Q, Quito’s Metropolitan Public Security and Civic Engagement Logistics Agency. The aircraft will be used in law enforcement missions. The handover ceremony took place in the Parque Lineal, in the Ecuadorian capital’s Solanda district, and was attended by EMSA representatives... Read more
1-Mar-2012Source: Aero Products
Despite the continued economic downturn, Aero Products Component Services, Inc. decided to meet the challenge head on by combining capital investments and customer journey mapping to enrich their customer’s experience. “It makes sense to acknowledge the current economic situationâ€, said Ted Johnson, President of Aero Products. “We understand that times are tough and people are... Read more
1-Mar-2012Source: JetNet
JETNET LLC, the leading provider of corporate aviation information, has released January 2012 results for the pre-owned business jet, business turboprop, and helicopter markets. Market Summary Percentage of Fleet For Sale numbers in all market sectors were down in the January 2011 to January 2012 comparisons. Business turboprops came in well below the 10% mark,... Read more
1-Mar-2012Source: Air Methods
Air Methods Corporation (Nasdaq:AIRM), the global leader in air medical transportation, reported revenue and net income for the year and fourth quarter ended December 31, 2011. For the year, revenue increased 18% to $660.5 million compared to $562.0 million in the prior year. Net income increased 9% to $46.6 million, or $3.63 per diluted share,... Read more
1-Mar-2012Source: Night Flight Concepts
Night Flight Concepts (NFC) is pleased to announce that Tampa PD Aviation Unit, a long-time user of NFC NVG Maintenance Services, has procured new Laser Armorâ„¢ Light Interference Filters (LIF) to protect their NVGs from malicious laser strikes encountered by their pilots and aircrew members. The aviation unit is one of the first law enforcement... Read more
1-Mar-2012
Hard landing on training flight... Read more
1-Mar-2012
the helicopter was taking part in the filming of an episode of “Top Gear-Korea†when it crashed. Initial reports indicate the crash was caused by a mechanical malfunction at a low altitude. 2 POB were reported safe soon after the accident. A video was posted on LiveLeak.com from inside the cockpit of the whole sequence... Read more
1-Mar-2012
Contacted cables, but landed normally with all three main rotor blades damaged. Pilot listed as Francisco Esquivel Sierra... Read more
29-Feb-2012Source: Southland Times
A well-known Queenstown pilot and company director has complained to the Serious Fraud Office regarding receivership of a group of helicopter firms. Alpine Choppers and Alpine Choppers NZ, run by Brendan Thow, went into receivership last year (see full story)... Read more
29-Feb-2012Source: HAI
Having failed to get helicopter noise legislation into the compromise FAA authorization bill, Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) has broadened the scope of his proposal and is now trying to attach it to the highway trust fund authorization bill currently being debated on Capitol Hill. The proposed Schumer amendment now includes language affecting the south shore of Long... Read more
29-Feb-2012Source: CCS
The essential, life-saving services STARS (Shock Trauma Air Rescue Society) provides will now be further supported in western Canada thanks to a $100,000 donation from CCS Corporation. “Many of our employees live and work in rural communities, so there is a natural link to support an organization such as STARS,” said John Gibson, president and... Read more
29-Feb-2012Source: Buffalo General Medical Center
The newly renamed Buffalo General Medical Center has officially opened its helipad atop its roof on High Street. Two patients have been transported to the facility via Mercy Flight helicopter, one from Lockport Memorial Hospital and the other from Lakeshore Health Care Center in Irving. “Having a helipad is vital to our mission of providing... Read more
29-Feb-2012Source: Nexcelle
 Pierre Hurpin has become the Technical Director of Nexcelle, the nacelle systems joint venture of GE’s Middle River Aircraft Systems and the Safran group’s Aircelle. In this role, he oversees Nexcelle’s full range of technical aspects in developing and producing nacelle systems for a new generation of integrated propulsion systems that equip commercial airliners and... Read more
29-Feb-2012Source: CBC
A leaked document indicates paperwork has been put before the FAA, but currently the ORNGE helicopters have not been cleared to enter the U.S. Period. (see full story)... Read more
29-Feb-2012Source: HAI
To recognize the safe operation of helicopters by its Regular members, HAI provides the “Operator Safety Award” to operators who have not had an accident for the just-concluded year of 2011. Information provided in the Helicopter Operating Statistics (Part 2) will be used to determine eligibility for the Operator Safety Award. Plaques will be engraved... Read more
29-Feb-2012
Tailboom damaged during autorotation landing... Read more
28-Feb-2012Source: Yamhill Valley News-Register
County sold the three nonflying OH-58A+ units on eBay in December and has now disposed of the fourth and last aircraft to Sacramento Police Dept (see full story)Â File photo... Read more
28-Feb-2012Source: Professional Aircraft Accessories
Professional Aircraft Accessories, a Greenwich AeroGroup company, announces that Wayne Trzeciak has joined the company as Vice President of Supply Chain. “Wayne brings with him years of experience and industry knowledge unrivaled in the aftermarket,†said Professional Aircraft Accessories President Robert Bial. “He will add another dimension in our effort to improve efficiencies in the face... Read more
28-Feb-2012Source: Marenco
For the second participation of the SKYe SH09 at the Heli-Expo, Marenco Swisshelicopter Ltd. confirms the booking of 23x helicopters by various customers. The first year of introduction and presentation to the worldwide markets now brings the total orders to 34x units. With these orders, the SKYe SH09 helicopter will join the fleets of commercial... Read more
28-Feb-2012Source: Blue Sky Network
Blue Sky Network, a leading global provider in satellite tracking, fleet management, and automated flight monitoring solutions, today announced that its HawkEye PT – a handheld, Iridium tracking and messaging solution – will be used across Bell Helicopter’s support and services division, tracking all aircraft en route from Bell’s service center in Piney Flats, TN,... Read more
28-Feb-2012
Crrashed in bad weather, injuring the three occupants – Carlos Larios Aguilar, 48 years, the pilot Juan Pablo Moran, 52, and mechanic Jose Gomez, 28.. A military helicopter sent to help rescue this helicopter had a fatal crash itself (see here)... Read more
27-Feb-2012Source: HeliHub.com
The Guimbal Cabri G2 first arrived in the UK just before Helitech, and generated a lot of attention. Designer Bruno Guimbal flew in from France for the event, and the aircraft was presented by exclusive UK distributor Cotswold Helicopter Centre. The Cabri is receiving increased interest from various countries, and the manufacturer has in recent... Read more
![Dawson[Lee] v Robinson Helicopter Co crash trial begins March 5](https://helihub-wp.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/r44-white3-300x300.jpg "Dawson[Lee] v Robinson Helicopter Co crash trial begins March 5")
27-Feb-2012Source: Baum, Hedlund, Aristei & Goldman
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... Read more
27-Feb-2012Source: Queensland Labor
A new Labor Government will invest $7.5 million over the next three years to provide a permanent police helicopter for the Gold Coast. Premier Anna Bligh said the trial of a police helicopter currently underway on the coast had proven the use of the aircraft was beneficial to fighting crime in the area. “In July... Read more
27-Feb-2012Source: CayCompass
What started as an attempt to put more cruise ship passengers on a helicopter tour of Grand Cayman and drum up some business on the north side of George Town harbour has ended up in a court fight between the helicopter company, Cayman’s CAA and some downtown property owners. (see full story)... Read more
27-Feb-2012Source: Kent and Sussex Courier
Just steps away from the hospital’s Accident and Emergency department, it will knock vital minutes off the journey time for ill or injured patients being flown in for treatment. (see full story)... Read more
27-Feb-2012Source: The Record
Roughly $25 million dollars raised by Ornge with Ontario taxpayers’ help cannot be accounted for. Investigators, financial and criminal, are digging into the case to see if the money was blown on a spending spree, bad business decisions or if some of it lined executives’ pockets. (see full story)... Read more
27-Feb-2012Source: DFS
DFS Deutsche Flugsicherung has signed an agreement with Spider Tracks Limited to distribute, sell and market spidertracks, the satellite-based tracking system, in Europe,. The associated application allows authorised persons to view flight tracks anywhere in the world in real time on the internet. Aircraft that encounter trouble can be found quickly and helped by search... Read more
27-Feb-2012Source: Helicentre Aviation
Congratulations to Captain Geoff Day who cracked open the bubbly on reaching his 10,000th hour in the R22 today! 10,000 hours is an incredible number of flight hours to achieve, but we’re not talking total time, his grand total is now around 23,000 hours on helicopters! The flight took place this afternoon – an instructional... Read more
27-Feb-2012
Sudanese minister of agriculture, Abdel Halim al-Mutafi, has escaped death in a crash which killed three people. He emerged almost unscathed from the mishap which took place in Sudan’s eastern state of Al-Qadarif, where an Mi-17 helicopter carrying him along with six of his aides and two Iranian investors caught fire during take-off.... Read more
27-Feb-2012
During post-maintenance run-up, helicopter fell on its side, caught fire and was destroyed... Read more
