1-Aug-2011Source: Air Methods
Air Methods Corporation (Nasdaq:AIRM), the largest air medical transportation company in the world, announced today that the Federal Trade Commission has granted early termination of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 (HSR) for its proposed transaction to acquire OF Air Holdings Corporation and its subsidiaries, including Omniflight Helicopters, Inc. (together,... Read more
1-Aug-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Illinois legislators have passed state-level law which will make it illegal to target a laser at the cockpit of an aircraft. The law was recently signed onto the statute books by Illinois Governor, Pat Quinn, as one of a package of new laws to fight crime and protect residents across the state, and will become... Read more
1-Aug-2011
Wire strike during agricultural ops. 25 year old pilot Joseph Sailer of Shakopee Minnesota never saw the power line across the corn field. Press reported operated by Northland Helicopters but helicopter is registered to Scotts Helicopter Service... Read more
1-Aug-2011
Contacted wires on take off with patient from road accident site... Read more
31-Jul-2011Source: L-3 Avionics Systems
L-3 Avionics Systems announced this week that it has produced its 60,000th Stormscope®Weather Mapping System, a product continuously manufactured since its 1976 introduction to general aviation. First released as the Stormscope WX-7, the instrument has become an industry standard for severe weather detection in light aircraft. L-3 donated the milestone system to the EAA for... Read more
31-Jul-2011
Fatal crash while on geological mission on Nelson Glacier. Aircraft remains found at 5,100ft altitude. Victims later named by RCMP as 35 year old pilot Randy Lambert from Abbotsford, 40 year old Colin Dionne from Powell River and 32 year old Mathieu Lefebvre-Masse from Lund BC... Read more
31-Jul-2011
Main blade struck tail boom in practice autorotation. See first link for summary from manufacturer... Read more
30-Jul-2011
Tail rotor struck trailer on landing... Read more
29-Jul-2011Source: Congressman Berman
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Howard L. Berman introduced legislation to provide Los Angeles County residents relief from the ear-shattering noise and safety concerns caused by low-flying helicopters above residential neighborhoods. The Los Angeles Residential Helicopter Noise Relief Act of 2011, H.R. 2677, would force the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to restrict helicopter flight paths and set... Read more
29-Jul-2011Source: Global Aerospace
Global Aerospace, Inc. is pleased to announce a partnership with the Kansas City Business Aviation Association (KCBAA) to offer a Human Factors and Leadership in Corporate Aviation Seminar. Learn how to control human factors hazards and measure risk with renowned Safety Expert, Dr. Tony Kern. Dr. Kern (CEO and Senior Partner of Convergent Performance) will... Read more
29-Jul-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Heli USA Airways are reportedly looking to buy seven AgustaWestland AW119Ke helicopters. While no official announcement has been made by the manufacturer, it’s a case of “there’s no smoke without fire” with the following evidence What purports to be an AgustaWestland press release appearing on a US-based website Job positions being advertised clearly confirming the... Read more
29-Jul-2011Source: HFI
Helicopter Foundation International has made it all the way to the finals of the Pilot’s Choice Awards! To win, HFI will need as many people to vote as possible. The Foundation will be featured in videos posted on AOPA Live, the Lightspeed Aviation Foundation Web site; and on the Lightspeed Aviation Foundation Facebook page. As the demand... Read more
29-Jul-2011Source: Oceania Aviation
Gordon Luke CEO of OCEANIA AVIATION LIMITED (OAL) Australasia’s premier full service MRO under NZCAA Part 145; is pleased to announce the full time appointment of Stephen Boyce to the role of Helicopter Sales Manager. “Stephen is now based out of Auckland after an active career across the globe. Based in Canada for 11 years... Read more
29-Jul-2011Source: Sentara Healthcare
David Banty, 76, of Capron, Virginia in Southampton County has flown as a patient on the Nightingale Regional Air Ambulance, twice. The first time was in August of 1982, just seven months after the program’s inception, when he nearly drowned on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Last March, he suffered a heart attack at... Read more
29-Jul-2011Source: Precision Heliparts
Precision Aviation Group (PAG), exclusive provider of ISMRO® (Inventory Supported Maintenance Repair & Overhaul), announces that aerospace industry veteran Bobby Risbourg has joined PAG subsidiary Precision Heliparts (PHP) as the company’s new Regional Sales Manager – Gulf Region. Bobby is now based in Lafayette, LA. Prior to joining PHP, Risbourg, spent 30 years with Chevron’s... Read more
29-Jul-2011Source: Air Methods
Air Methods Corporation (Nasdaq:AIRM) will report financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2011 after the close of the market on Thursday, August 4, 2011. The Company has scheduled a conference call for Thursday, August 4, 2011 at 4:15 p.m. Eastern to discuss these results. Interested parties can access the call by dialing... Read more
29-Jul-2011
The chairman/chief executive of Bacita Sugar Company Josephine Oluwadamilola Kuteyi, her personal assistant Adedoyin Ogunbanjo and their Filipino pilot were killed after impacting terrain.... Read more
29-Jul-2011
Dual Automatic Flight Control System failure.... Read more
29-Jul-2011
Heavy landing which damaged the helicopter after pilot Steven Rindone experienced severe in-flight vibration and put the helicopter down as soon as he could.... Read more
28-Jul-2011Source: Eurocopter
The sea pilots of Dunkirk’s Grand Port Maritime will benefit from the reliability and safety of Eurocopter’s EC135 when the twin-engine helicopter enters service at one of France’s busiest port facilities. With the EC135’s selection, Eurocopter’s extensive experience in maritime support services has been recognized by the sea pilots of Dunkirk, who guide some 5,800... Read more
28-Jul-2011Source: Avidyne
Avidyne Corporation, a leading provider of integrated avionics and safety systems for general aviation aircraft, today introduced a full line of panel-mounted, plug-and-play avionics for general aviation aircraft. Avidyne’s new avionics stack includes the IFD540 FMS/GPS/ Navigation/ Communication system with touch screen user interface, the AMX240 stereo Audio Panel with Marker Beacon, the AXP340 Mode... Read more
28-Jul-2011Source: Rega
(electronic translation from local language) Rega, the Berne hospital now supported in poor visibility, flying on navigation by satellite. The Federal Office of Civil Aviation has approved the Switzerland’s first civilian GPS approach procedures for helicopters. Patients benefit from increased security of supply in case of bad weather and haze layers. Just autumn or winter... Read more
28-Jul-2011Source: L-3 Avionics Systems
L-3 Avionics Systems announced today that sales of their collision avoidance systems have surpassed 15,000 units. The SkyWatch® collision avoidance system was the first active traffic detection system certified for general aviation and is widely used in light aircraft, helicopters and business jets. Midland Instruments, an L-3 Avionics Systems dealer since September 2008, purchased the... Read more
28-Jul-2011Source: Honeywell
MORRIS TOWNSHIP, N.J. – July 26, 2011 – Honeywell (NYSE: HON) today announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Egret Acquisition Corp., is extending until 5:30 p.m., New York City time, on August 19, 2011, its previously-announced cash tender offer for all of the outstanding shares of common stock of EMS Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: ELMG), including the associated... Read more
28-Jul-2011Source: Erlanger Health System
Erlanger Health System’s air medical program, LIFE FORCE, has received a three-year accreditation for achieving high priority in patient care and safety from the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems (CAMTS). As of July 15, 148 accredited medical services are through CAMTS. LIFE FORCE is one of three air medical services in Tennessee that... Read more
28-Jul-2011Source: Naples News
A Collier County Medflight pilot accused of standing outside his running helicopter last week was placed on administrative leave Friday, a month after he won $70,000 in a whistleblower and retaliation lawsuit against the county. (Full story)... Read more
28-Jul-2011Source: US Forest Service
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest ServiceInformation Collection; Airplane Pilot Qualifications and Approval Record, Helicopter Pilot Qualifications and Approval Record, Airplane Data Record, and Helicopter Data Record AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice; request for comment. SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Forest Service is seeking comments from all interested individuals and... Read more
28-Jul-2011Source: Clark School of Engineering
On July 13, the students on the Gamera human-powered helicopter team from the University of Maryland’s A. James Clark School of Engineering completed their scheduled summer flight session with a new unofficial flight duration of 12.4 seconds. If verified by the National Aeronautic Association, this new time will shatter the team’s previous 4.2-second U.S. national record set... Read more
28-Jul-2011
The current Group Captain, ‘Jock’ Brown is leaving RAF Shawbury after 2 years to take up a vital and exciting role in Afghanistan. His replacement is Captain Paul Shawcross from the Royal Navy who arrives from the same role. (full story)... Read more
28-Jul-2011
Three new helicopters are due to make their UK debuts at Helitech this year. Europe’s largest dedicated helicopter exhibition takes place at the Imperial War Museum at Duxford, near Cambridge in the United Kingdom, from 27-29 September. Launched earlier this year Eurocopter’s EC145 T2 has yet to be seen on display at an event in... Read more
28-Jul-2011Source: DART Helicopter Services
DART is pleased to announce FAA, Transport Canada and EASA approval of their Quick Release Heli-Utility-Basketâ„¢ for the Bell 206L/L1/L3/L4 and 407 series of aircraft. The new PATENT PENDING DART Quick Release Heli-Utility-Basketsâ„¢ for light Bell aircraft feature an innovative mounting system that allows one person to quickly install or remove the basket in less... Read more
28-Jul-2011Source: Business Standard
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has suspended all helicopter operations at the Mahalaxmi Racecourse here, after a safety audit revealed it lacked fire-fighting facilities and was functioning without required regulatory approvals. (Full story)... Read more
28-Jul-2011Source: Integrated Microwave Technologies
Integrated Microwave Technologies announced that it received orders from the Pennsylvania State Police to outfit up to seven of its law enforcement helicopters with tactical video downlink systems, including IMT’s ChannelMaster Lite, NVG Access Remote and Omni Antenna technologies. These new orders comes on the heels of last year’s $1.6 million contract between IMT and... Read more
28-Jul-2011Source: Night Flight Concepts
Night Flight Concepts, a worldwide provider of night vision solutions, is pleased to announce it has just completed formal agreement with the Airborne Law Enforcement Association to provide to its membership NVIOâ„¢ Night Vision Goggle Computer-Based Training at a special ALEA rate. NVIOâ„¢ NVG CBT is an FAA approved Night Vision Goggle set of courses... Read more
28-Jul-2011
Members of the Regional Disaster Risk Management Committee are divided over the proposed acquisition of a helicopter to mitigate future floods and emergencies in the Oshana Region. (Full story)... Read more
28-Jul-2011Source: HeliHub.com
State-owned Pawan Hans Helicopters Ltd, which suspended services in six northeastern states after Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Dorjee Khandu and four others were killed in a crash, has resumed operations in all six states in the region. All services previously operated by single-engined helicopters will now be flown by twins, and a thorough check has... Read more
28-Jul-2011Source: HAI
As an aerospace manufacturer or service provider, your company may play a vital role in helping to reduce helicopter accidents. The International Helicopter Safety Team (IHST) is seeking industry solutions that will help address many accident related causes, and has organized an exhibit to showcase technologies designed to make helicopter flight safer. If your company... Read more
28-Jul-2011Source: Sikorsky
United States Patent no. 7,983,809, issued on July 19, was assigned to Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. (Stratford, Conn.). “Aircraft Integrated Support System (Iss)” was invented by Edward T. Kell (Wallingford, Conn.), Anthony J. Lowe (Stratford, Conn.) and Sebastian H. Colbert (Hartford, Conn.). According to the abstract released by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office: “An aircraft... Read more
28-Jul-2011
During the cruise the helicopter experienced vibration, followed by a loud bang. The pilot conducted an autorotation and contacted the ground heavily. The helicopter was substantially damaged. There were no reported injuries.... Read more
28-Jul-2011
Crop dusting accident. Pilot Matt Aubuchon was not hurt.... Read more
27-Jul-2011Source: HeliHub.com
British International have recently sold a third Sikorsky S61 this year to Vector Aerospace, this being serial 61721 and registered G-BCEA, Managing Director Tony Jones has confirmed to HeliHub.com. Previously operating on a military contract in the Falkland Islands, ‘EA had reached time for a major inspection and has thus been swapped with another example. ... Read more
27-Jul-2011Source: JSfirm
Jeff Richards, JSfirm.com Sales Manager, has announced that their aviation jobs board has created the industry’s largest Job Distribution Network (JDN). “This is great news for hiring companies,†said Richards. “We have partnered with select aviation websites, social and professional media, aviation organizations and aviation schools/alumni groups to attract active and passive job seekers.†PAMA.org... Read more
27-Jul-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Russia’s Interstate Aviation Committee has this week announced the completion of the certification process for Bell’s light twin model 429. This will open the way for sales Jet Transfer, Bell’s distributor for in Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan. Shortly after this achievement, and the handover of certificate number PT325 to the manufacturer, Jet Transfer announced the... Read more
27-Jul-2011Source: HeliHub.com
The second of three Eurocopter EC225s being leased by Bristow to MHS in Malaysia left the UK on delivery. After landing mid-morning today at Redhill Aerdrome from Aberdeen, the helicopter departed lunchtime on a long leg to Dijon in France. All three aircraft involved have been delivered from the Eurocopter factory at Marignane to Bristow’s... Read more
27-Jul-2011Source: HeliHub.com
The Philippine National Police “PNP” have a total of three Robinson R44 helicopters, acquired in 2009. These consist of two Raven Is and one Raven II, and the PNP believed at the time that they were all being acquired factory-new. A big national controversy has been raised in recent weeks after it turned out that... Read more
27-Jul-2011Source: Night Flight Concepts
Night Flight Concepts, a leading provider of night vision solutions, announces that it has been selected to provide Night Vision Goggles (NVG) and training to the Pasco County, Florida Sheriff’s Aviation Unit. “Pasco County has a lot of difficult terrain to protect 24/7 and has been looking to acquire NVGs for some time now,†explained... Read more
27-Jul-2011Source: HAI
Hundreds of attendees at EAA AirVenture, in Oshkosh Wis. visited the HAI HELI-CENTERâ„¢ on opening day AirVenture Monday. HAI President Matt Zuccaro welcomed the crowd and shared the vision for an expanded helicopter presence through the HELI-CENTERâ„¢ here at AirVenture as well as at other major shows in the U.S. and internationally. Along with more... Read more
27-Jul-2011Source: Aspen Avionics
Aspen Avionics announced today its patent-pending line of Connected Panel™ products that seamlessly integrate aviation application data from personal handheld devices with certified avionics installed in an aircraft’s panel. These revolutionary new products are being demonstrated at AirVenture 2011, in the Aspen Avionics booth #2145, Hangar B. Connected Panel™ includes hardware, software, and application components... Read more
27-Jul-2011Source: Northwest MedStar
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... Read more
27-Jul-2011Source: Mid-Continent Instruments
Mid-Continent Instruments announced today the appointment of Dr. John W. Gallman to the position of Division Director for the company’s True Blue Power® division. A veteran of more than 20 Âyears in business aviation, Gallman began his career at the NASA Ames Research Center after earning his undergraduate and masters degrees in Aeronautics and Astronautics from... Read more
27-Jul-2011Source: ATP
Aircraft Technical Publishers (ATP®) has obtained a license agreement with Sikorsky Aerospace Service (SAS) to provide single-source, digital, technical publications services for operators of the Sikorsky S-92® helicopter. Sikorsky Aerospace Services is the worldwide aftermarket division of Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. This license will allow S-92 helicopter operators to benefit from... Read more
27-Jul-2011Source: FAA
The Federal Aviation Administration issued additional “stop work orders†over the last twenty-four hours to construction and technology contractors for critical modernization projects around the country after Congress failed to pass an FAA bill. The FAA halted dozens of major projects ranging from long-term runway safety initiatives to NextGen air traffic control research and testing.... Read more
27-Jul-2011Source: Mahindra
Mahindra Aerospace and Mahindra Satyam – representing the aerospace manufacturing and engineering capabilities of leading Indian industrial house, the Mahindra Group – today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for a trade partnership with the Eurocopter Group and its Indian subsidiary, Eurocopter India. The partnership will be focused on manufacturing of sub assemblies, engineering and customization of... Read more
27-Jul-2011
48-year-old Jill Jenyns was believed to be returning from mustering cattle when she crashed fatally into a sand hill on a trip from Big Rock Dam to her homestead at Brooking Springs Station near Fitzroy Crossing.... Read more
27-Jul-2011
Near miss with C17 military transport plane. Helicopter pilot took evasive action... Read more
27-Jul-2011
Tail rotor drive shaft cover separated from the aircraft during post-maintenance positioning flight... Read more
27-Jul-2011
Precautionary landing revealed missing drive shaft cover... Read more
27-Jul-2011
The pilot was landing the helicopter on a helicopter cart. He said that the helicopter’s skid got caught on the cart and the helicopter subsequently rolled over. There were no mechanical malfunctions with the helicopter during the flight. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to its tailboom when it rolled.... Read more
26-Jul-2011Source: HeliHub.com
HeliHub.com has expanded its coverage of helicopter industry News with an index by helicopter type. The link to this page follows, and can be found in the News menu option. https://www.helihub.com/news-by-helicopter-type/ This allows quick access of all News items for a given make/model for the website user. HeliHub.com files more News stories than any other... Read more
26-Jul-2011Source: CAA
The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has set out its key safety objectives for the next two years at an industry launch event at its Gatwick headquarters. The CAA’s Safety Plan 2011 to 2013, which has been published in draft form, invites comment from all industry groups. A final version will be published in August.... Read more
26-Jul-2011Source: HeliHub.com
A 21-year old electrician working at Goodwood Airfield has opened a legal process seeking damages after being struck by flying debris from a crashing Robinson R44. As a result, Sebastian Ward had his leg amputated below the knee. Mr ward was installing wiring on a new hangar at Goodwood aerodrome when R44 Clipper G-CLPR crashed... Read more
26-Jul-2011
The Gold Coast City Council voted unanimously to commit $500,000 to a six-month police helicopter trial. The State Government and Queensland Police Service also announced 50 uniformed officers would be brought in from other police regions for a one-month blitz on criminal and anti-social behaviour.... Read more
25-Jul-2011Source: FAA
The FAA announced it has levied civil penalties against ERA Helicopters of Lake Charles, LA, for violations of the FAA’s drug and alcohol testing program regulations. In proposing a $194,249 civil penalty, the FAA alleges ERA failed to conduct required pre-employment drug tests and receive verified negative test results in 2010 before hiring eight employees... Read more
25-Jul-2011Source: HeliHub.com
At the Air Medical Transport Conference in Ft. Lauderdale last October, Bell announced that Air Evac Lifeteam had placed an order for sixteen Bell LongRanger IV helicopters. HeliHub.com has heard that one of these has been allocated to their base at Woodward in Oklahoma, whch opened in May 2007, and went live on 1st July. ... Read more
25-Jul-2011Source: Aeronautical Accessories
Bell Helicopter has announced that it has formed a distributor partnership to sell products from TrueView Enhanced Vision Systems (EVS), LLC under its Aeronautical Accessories brand. TrueView EVS’ infrared thermal imaging system improves flight safety in compromised flight conditions such as darkness or low light/low visibility conditionsand virtually eliminates the chance of controlled flight into terrain... Read more
25-Jul-2011Source: Katz, Marshall & Banks
On June 28, 2011, David Simmons, a former Quality Assurance Supervisor for Sikorsky Global Helicopters (“SGHâ€), filed a whistleblower-retaliation charge against SGH, alleging that the company terminated him for complaining about extensive flight-safety issues and noncompliance with Federal Aviation Regulations at SGH’s Keystone Engine Services (“KESâ€) facility in Coatesville, PA. Simmons filed his complaint with... Read more
25-Jul-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Specialist Aviation Services “SAS”, the British operator better known for its subsidiaries Police Aviation Services and Medical Aviation Services, has two new directors. Following our report on 7th July of a change in ownership (see here), we can now advise that they have added two directors as well. Previously we noted that we had an... Read more
25-Jul-2011Source: ATSB
You can now get the latest ATSB news and updates via our Twitter account:Â @ATSBinfo. We will use Twitter to tell you about a range of activities and initiatives, including: new and updated investigations investigation and research report releases new safety awareness products. Some things to keep in mind The ATSB will not guarantee responding to... Read more
25-Jul-2011Source: ATSB
Robinson R22 helicopter pilots are being cautioned of a drive belt risk following a fatal accident in north-west Queensland. On 9 May 2011, a Robinson R22 Beta II helicopter crashed after its drive belts failed during mustering operations near Julia Creek (the drive belts transmit engine power to the helicopter’s main and tail rotor blades).... Read more
25-Jul-2011Source: FAA
Contractors have been told to stop work on critical airport modernization projects around the country after Congress failed to pass legislation on Friday giving the FAA the authority necessary for work to continue. Dozens of “stop work orders†have been issued for major projects designed to build and modernize control towers and other aviation infrastructure... Read more
25-Jul-2011Source: Air Evac Lifeteam
Air Evac Lifeteam announced they will be opening an air ambulance base in McAllen, Texas, this fall. The base, scheduled to begin operations in October, will be located on the campus of McAllen Medical Center, but will serve all hospitals and communities within a 70-mile radius. Air Evac Lifeteam, the largest independently owned air medical... Read more
25-Jul-2011Source: HeliHub.com
At EAA AirVenture 2011 at Oshkosh, Wisconsin this year, CHR International Inc., the producer of the Safari helicopter, will introduce the first ever new model Safari helicopter, the Safari 400. A more robust rotor head design results in smoother operation, reduced maintenance, and increased useful load. Additional standard features include electric cyclic trim and rotor... Read more
25-Jul-2011Source: US DoD
Columbia Helicopters, Inc. ofAurora, Ore., is being awarded a $17,065,000.00 task order for rotary wing aircraft, personnel, equipment, tools, material, maintenance and supervision necessary to perform passenger and cargo air transportation services. Work will be performed in Afghanistan and will start July 1, 2011 to be completed by Oct. 31, 2011. This contract was a... Read more