OCCAR: Tiger Programme Contract Notice
Source: EDA, 07-May-13
OCCAR, EDA’s partner in developing European defence capabilities, manages the Tiger Helicopter programme on behalf of Germany, France and Spain. In a common approach towards personnel training, the German-French Tiger Helicopter Technical School (Deutsch-Französisches Ausbildungseinrichtung TIGER – DFAT) opened in 2003 in Fassberg, Germany. The mission of the School is to provide training to French [...]
Eurocopter delivers first Tiger HAD variant to the French military
Source: Eurocopter, 22-Apr-13
Eurocopter’s first production Tiger helicopter in the HAD attack configuration was delivered to France’s DGA armament procurement agency today for operation by French Army Aviation units, providing a highly capable combat weapon system that is tailored to the world’s evolving battlefield conditions. This milestone followed DGA qualification of the Tiger HAD version on April 10, [...]
Feadship prepare to deliver 99m yacht with enclosed helicopter hangar
Source: HeliHub.com, 05-Apr-13
Dutch shipyard Feadship is currently conducting pre-delivery trials on their largest superyacht to date – the 99m long ship known as “Project Dream”. In their press release they indicate that “Experience of a different kind underpinned some of the other special requests for this latest member of the Feadship fleet. Leveraging on the expertise accrued [...]
French maintenance company Mat Aviation liquidated
Source: HeliHub.com, 03-Apr-13
Le Parisien newspaper is reporting that Mat Aviation, based at Toussus-le-Noble airfield on the outskirts of Paris, has been forced to close by the liquidator after many months of difficult trading. The move means that twenty employees have lost their jobs at the JAR145 maintenance company. The move is particularly disappointing move when the company [...]
Seven fatal helicopter accidents in first nine days of March 2013
Source: HeliHub.com, 11-Mar-13
March 2013 has not started off well from the point of view of accident statistics, with seven fatal accidents in the first nine days. HeliHub.com carries extensive coverage of helicopter safety data and has included the following in recent reports 09-Mar-13 ZK-IHU Robinson R66 Oamaru Valley, New Zealand (1F) 07-Mar-13 Eurocopter/IAR SA330L Bacau, Romania (2F) 05-Mar-13 [...]
Unique Anglo-French link-up hailed a success,after hunting pirates.
Source: Royal Navy, 11-Mar-13
A dozen-strong team from 217 Flight – observer/flight commander Lt Mike Curd, pilot Lt Chris Southworth, senior maintenance rating CPO Matthew ‘Cakey’ Eccles and seven technicians, plus two Royal Marines snipers – return to base at RNAS Yeovilton just before mid-day on Friday (8 March). The highlight of the deployment – for the ship and [...]
Heli-Union selects Cabri G2 for its flight training centre
Source: Guimbal, 04-Mar-13
Following a careful evaluation of the helicopter, Heli-Union has selected the Cabri G2, produced by the French manufacturer Helicopteres Guimbal to equip its flight academy HUTC (Héli-Union Training Center), located in Angouleme, France. The first French Offshore operator acquiers two copies of the two-seat helicopter, destined to professional pilots training, starting as soon as April. [...]
01-Mar-13 F-GPGM Eurocopter SA316B Chattonay, France (1F)
01-Mar-13
Collided with trees and crashed into a lake killing the pilot
French Army formally adopt NH90 Caiman
Source: ALAT, 26-Feb-13
[electronic translation] On 14th February, the Army formally adopted the Cayman NH 90, this helicopter class 11 tons, in its earthly TTH (Tactical Transport Helicopter) allowing instructors training center joint (CFIA) of Cannet des Maures (Var) to begin pilot training operational from April 2013. For the fleet renewal for tactical transport helicopter, this device has [...]
05-Feb-13 F-GYBH Eurocopter AS350B3 Cormet-de-Roselend, France
05-Feb-13
Pilot chose to make precautionary landing due to deteriorating weather. Helicopter rolled over when landing on snowy surface
French military gives green light to Tiger HAD version
Source: DGA, 25-Jan-13
(electronic translation) On 14 January 2013, the Directorate General of Armaments (DGA) gave the type certification of the Tiger combat helicopter version “support destruction” (HAD). DGA and certify the airworthiness of this version of Tiger. The establishment of the type certificate of the aircraft is an important milestone in the development of the new version [...]
17-Jan-13 F-GZFJ Eurocopter AS350B2 St Julien-Molhesabate, France
17-Jan-13
Pilot lost visual reference when landing on a snowy surface. Heavy landing, damaged skids and tail boom
Eurocopter hands over NH90s to Belgium and France
Source: Eurocopter, 01-Jan-13
Eurocopter achieved a new milestone on 21st December in its NH90 program with two ceremonies held at its Marignane facility near Marseille in the south of France, during which the manufacturer delivered Belgium’s first NH90 Tactical Transport Helicopter (TTH) in the presence of the Belgian Defense Minister Pieter de Crem; along with the French DGA [...]
French EC725 unit trains in air-to-air refuelling with Italian Air Force
Source: Armée de l'air, 28-Nov-12
[Electronic translation] From November 12 to November 21, 2012, the squadron of helicopters (EH) 1/67 “Pyrenees” in Cazaux Air Base 120 has led his second campaign refueling HAAR ( Helicopter Air to Air Refuelling ) in closely with the 46 th Brigade transport of the Italian Air Force based in Pisa (Italy). During this period, [...]
Kazakhstan asks French satellite experts to help find missing Mi-8
Source: TengriNews, 28-Nov-12
Kazakhstan has applied to French experts asking them to help in the search for the missing helicopter with 8 crew members on board – which was patrolling an oil pipeline (see full story) HeliHub.com has a safety data page at 24-Nov-12 Mil Mi-8 Kazakhstan where we will add other details as they emerge
Azur Helicoptere fined €80,000 over fatal June 2009 crash
25-Nov-12
Azur Helicopter and its Chairman were found guilty on 10th October of “manslaughter by breach of an obligation of safety or prudence.”. This week they have been given a fine of €80,000 (see full story). The accident is in the HeliHub.com accident database at 20-Jun-09 F-GTRF Eurocopter AS350B2 Mount Cordon, France (7F)
Royal Navy’s 815 Sqn nurtures French links
Source: Royal Navy, 13-Nov-12
THE first Royal Navy Lynx helicopter to join a French frigate on a full counter-piracy deployment has arrived on board the ship in Toulon. As part of the initiative for the UK and French armed forces to work more closely together, the Lynx Mark 8 aircraft from Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton will deploy with [...]
10th CAB Kiowa pilots receive awards from France
Source: US Army, 07-Nov-12
Two U.S. Army OH-58 Kiowa Warrior helicopter pilots from 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, Fort Drum, received the Cross of Military Valor with Silver Star, one of the highest French military awards, during a ceremony Oct. 23, 2012, in Washington, D.C. Capt. Benjamin H. March and Chief Warrant Officer 3 Keenan A. Bachmeyer each earned the [...]
03-Nov-12 F-RAUU Eurocopter AS555AN Toussus-le-Noble, France
03-Nov-12
Loss of control in the hover during post-maintenance test flight, and hit hangar. 3 injured, aircraft total loss.
French Navy awards support contract for NH90 FLASH sonars
Source: Thales, 30-Oct-12
The NATO Helicopter Management Agency (NAHEMA), in the name of the French Defence Procurement Agency (DGA), has awarded Thales a two-year contract, with a three-year extension close, to support 14 FLASH dipping sonars on the French Navy’s 27 NH90 NFH helicopters. Thales has extensive experience in the delivery of through-life support services for underwater warfare [...]
Royal Navy helicopter deploys on French warship
Source: Royal Navy, 22-Oct-12
The helicopter from 217 Flight (a flight from 815 Naval Air Squadron), headed up by Flight Commander Lieutenant Mike Curd, will join FLF Surcouf at her base in Toulon on Monday for a four-week training period. In November they will then deploy on Op Atalanta for four months as part of an initiative for the [...]
Bond/INAER parent company renames as Avincis; based in UK
Source: Avincis Group, 16-Oct-12
Avincis Mission Critical Services (Avincis Group) has established itself in the UK today as the world’s leading provider of mission critical aviation services. The Group’s mission is to save lives, protect the environment and provide safe transport for mission critical people and assets for public services and blue chip corporations. Avincis’ operating companies deliver across [...]
Turbomeca renews Global Support Package with French Government
Source: Turbomeca, 21-Sep-12
Turbomeca (Safran group) has renewed the “MCO” (Global Support Package) contract, entitled MCO 2*, with the French Government. Turbomeca undertakes, under the terms of this contract, to ensure availability of the 1,408 turbo-shaft engines equipping French Government helicopters for a 10-year period. These helicopters are used for military and paragovernmental missions of the French Air [...]
03-Sep-12 EC-IVT Robinson R44 Valouse, France (2F)
03-Sep-12
R44 routing from Switzerland through France to Spain. Had taken off from Clermont-Ferrand, destination Le Luc in the Var region. Father and son killed in the accident. Controlled flight into terrain. Aircraft destroyed
31-Aug-12 F-GPHE Eurocopter AS350B3 Argeles-Gazost, France
31-Aug-12
Four injured when helicopter came down after hitting cables. The helicopter was involved in maintenance work on the cables. Two were “ejected”, from an underslung cradle, and two were in the helicopter. Pilot Joel Prisse has dislocated shoulder and crew Philippe Pournin has multiple lower limb fractures. Aircraft destroyed
25-Aug-12 F-GTEJ Robinson R44 Brison-Saint-Innocent, France
25-Aug-12
Struck low-level power cables on final approach due to the pilot having the sun in his eyes. Helicopter ended on starboard side. 60- year old pilot suffered concussion, head injury and scratches
22-Aug-12 F-GHLF MD Helicopters 500E Lancon-de-Provence, France
22-Aug-12
High level of vibrations during landing phase. Helicopter landed hard and rolled over.
Eurocopter delivers second NH90 to French Army and seventh to French Navy
Source: Eurocopter, 31-Jul-12
The French DGA armament procurement agency has taken delivery today of its second NH90 Tactical Transport Helicopter (TTH) and seventh NH90 NATO Frigate Helicopter (NFH), marking an important step forward in the largest European helicopter program launched to date. The ceremony celebrating this dual delivery was held at the Marignane, France headquarters of Eurocopter, and [...]
25-Jul-12 Eurocopter AS532AL Verdon Gorge, France (6F)
25-Jul-12
AS532AL on a pre-delivery test flight out of Marignane crashed killing all six occupants. Some reports are suggesting it struck wires but that is not confirmed
20-Jul-12 F-GIZR Enstrom F28A St Croix Vallee, France
20-Jul-12
Tail rotor struck ground taking off from sloping ground
Eurocopter sets up new Development Centers
Source: Eurocopter, 17-Jul-12
Eurocopter, the world leader in the civil and parapublic helicopter market, is providing its development personnel with the most modern high-performance infrastructures and resources, all in support of its innovation program, a core feature of the Group’s Vision 2020. Following on from the launch of the Systemhaus project at Donauwörth in Germany, which will reach [...]
Airbus Military A400M demonstrates loading of NH90 and EC725
Source: Airbus Military, 19-Jun-12
Airbus Military has successfully demonstrated the loading of NH Industries NH90 and Eurocopter EC725 helicopters onto the A400M new generation airlifter. In a series of tests at Holzdorf air base in Germany and at Toulouse, France respectively, the NH90 and EC725 were loaded onto, and unloaded from, the Grizzly 4 development aircraft as required for [...]
EADS outlines group presence at Eurosatory 2012
Source: EADS, 07-Jun-12
EADS and its divisions – Airbus/Airbus Military, Astrium, Cassidian and Eurocopter – will have a major presence at the Eurosatory 2012 defence and security exhibition near Paris, with a diverse portfolio of products, services and technologies on display. Eurocopter will display some of its key helicopters for military, security and patrol missions. These include the [...]
French suppliers about to take off with Sikorsky
Source: UbiFrance, 07-Jun-12
Following several successful B to B meeting in the airplane industry, UBIFRANCE – The French Trade Commission – will bring a delegation of French suppliers to a major player in the helicopter industry, SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT. Founded in 1925 by Igor Sikorsky, this American aircraft manufacturer currently produces military and commercial aircrafts. SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT is regrouped [...]
Neonate learns to fly
Source: AH Ink, 24-May-12
Heli-Air Design’s Helineo ultralight helicopter completed its first flight at Metz Nancy Lorraine airport, in north-east France, on 26 April. Under the control of test-pilot Stéphane Lignier, the three-blade turbine-engined two-seater made fifteen take-offs and a series of hover-taxy manoeuvres inside ground effect. According to HAD’s Jean Fiaud, the flight demonstrated that the helicopter complies [...]
Eurocopter delivers second EC225 to AirTelis
Source: Eurocopter, 10-May-12
Eurocopter, the world’s leading helicopter manufacturer in civil and parapublic markets, has delivered the second EC225 to AIRTELIS – a wholly-owned subsidiary of France’s RTE public utility company. Created in 2011, AIRTELIS performs heliborne operations for customers in France and abroad, benefitting from the competence of RTE to carry out such missions. With this second [...]
French Navy returns second Dauphin to NHV
Source: HeliHub.com, 01-May-12
The French Navy has completed its lease of a AS365N2 Dauphin – and returned it to Belgian operator NHV. The helicopter was noted outside NHV’s base at Ostend on Saturday, covered over and with its main rotor blades removed. It is expected to be repainted back from the grey/red French Navy scheme to the standard [...]
Mont Blanc Helicopteres chooses Telvent for weather monitoring and forecasting
Source: Telvent, 10-Apr-12
Telvent GIT, S.A., a leading real-time IT solutions and information provider for a sustainable world, announced today that it has been selected to provide its weather monitoring service, MxVision AviationSentry Online®, to Mont Blanc Helicopteres SAMU (MBH SAMU), a leading commercial helicopter operator based in Annemasse, France. Founded in 1980, MBH SAMU operates a fleet [...]
New obstructions near Paris Heliport
Source: HeliHub.com, 10-Apr-12
New obstructions at a shipyard on the River Seine near Paris Heliport have led to new instructions being issued by an AIP supplement. The new instructions for Pilots can be found at https://www.sia.aviation-civile.gouv.fr/dossier/supaipmetro/SUP_2012_045_FR.pdf Jeremy Parkin – HeliHub.com
Thales to provide GPS SAASM receivers for French Navy Lynx
Source: Thales, 09-Apr-12
Thales has been awarded a contract by the Service Industriel de l’Aéronautique (SIAé), France’s military aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul service, to supply stand-alone GPS receivers for the French Navy’s Lynx helicopters, which are currently being upgraded by the French defence procurement agency (DGA). Thales’s GNSS 1000-S receiver relies on SAASM (Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing Module) [...]
Thales’s first Reality H simulator achieves dual qualification
Source: Thales, 28-Mar-12
On 29 February 2012, the first example of Thales’s new Reality H Dauphin N3/N3+ helicopter simulator was granted FTD Level 3 and FFS Level B qualification by the French civil aviation authority (DGAC). The Reality H simulator is based on the new generation of Thales products, designed to maximise training capacity and availability while offering [...]
Eurocopter named again France’s most attractive employer
Source: Eurocopter, 19-Mar-12
Eurocopter has again come out on top in the Randstad Award survey, after being voted France’s most attractive employer across all sectors for the second year running. A leader in its domain for more than 10 years, Eurocopter was also at the top of the list for the third time in the capital goods industrial [...]
SAF Helicopters buys EC135 from Germany’s ADAC
Source: HeliHub.com, 08-Mar-12
French operator SAF have bought an early Eurocopter Ec135T1 from the German EMS operator ADAC. The particular example is serial number 0042, previously registered D-HEUR in Germany and now in France as F-GMTU As they are replaced in Germany by new EC135s, ADAC is selling off all its T1 and P1 models. British operator WPD [...]
European Commission authorises state aid for Eurocopter and AgustaWestland
Source: European Commission, 07-Mar-12
The European Commission has authorised France and Italy to grant aid for research and development (R&D) to two European helicopter manufacturers (Eurocopter in France and Agusta Westland in Italy) for the development of new, innovative, medium-weight aircraft. The Commission has decided that these measures are compatible with the EU rules on state aid, particularly as [...]
Helidax exceeds 30,000 flight hours on EC120
Source: Groiupe DCI, 02-Mar-12
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 [...]
DCNS conducts first helicopter deck landing trials on FREMM Aquitaine
Source: DCNS, 22-Feb-12
DCNS has achieved formal qualification of the FREMM frigate Aquitaine‘s flight deck for operations with the Lynx helicopter. This milestone was reached several months ahead of schedule after a successful deck landing campaign at sea, organised by the French defence procurement agency (DGA) in early February. Trials were conducted with a Lynx helicopter operated by [...]
Thales appoints Chief Financial Officer
Source: Thales, 17-Feb-12
As of April 2012, Pascal Bouchiat will be joining Thales as Chief Financial Officer. He will be a member of the Group’s Executive Committee, in charge of financial control and accounting, corporate finance and treasury, investor relations, tax and insurance. Previously, Pascal Bouchiat had been Chief Financial Officer at Rhodia, in charge of finance, information [...]
Corail Hélicoptères orders two Eurocopter EC130s
Source: Eurocopter, 15-Feb-12
Corail Hélicoptères – which operates an all-Eurocopter rotary-wing aircraft fleet – has ordered two new EC130 B4s, bringing this helicopter of reference for worldwide tourism operations into service with the Réunion island operator during 2012. Factors in Corail Hélicoptères’ selection of the EC130 B4 include its low operational sound levels, which is within the regulations [...]
Eurocopter plant move granted the label “Grand Paris”
Source: Eurocopter, 11-Feb-12
The project under which the activities at Eurocopter’s La Courneuve site are to be transfered to Dugny – called Project “Joséphine” and officially known as Paris-le Bourget – was granted the label “Grand Paris” at a ceremony attended by Maurice Leroy, the Minister for Cities who is in charge of Grand Paris, Daniel Canépa, Prefect [...]
Heli Asset launches – global helicopter sales & acquisition service provider
Source: Heli Asset, 01-Feb-12
(Alarmingly, some aviation media outlets overlooked the February embargo date on this story – shame on you, guys!) February 2012, Paris, France – Emmanuel Dupuy, managing director and partner Alain Regourd, announce the public launch of Heli Asset at HAI’s Heli Expo® Convention in Dallas, where the company is exhibiting (booth # 4605). Heli Asset’s [...]
Eurocopter delivers first NH90 TTH qualified in its Final Operational Config
Source: Eurocopter, 30-Jan-12
During a visit by the French Defense Minister Gérard Longuet to its facilities in Marignane, Eurocopter officially delivered the first NH90 Tactical Transport Helicopter (TTH) qualified in its final operational configuration to the French armament procurement agency today. This initial on-time delivery comes on the heels of the qualification issued by the NAHEMA countries last [...]
Switzerland – Swift Copters add AS350BA and S76B
Source: HeliHub.com, 23-Jan-12
Swiss operator Swift Copters have added two helicopters to their fleet in the last week. HB-ZPM is a Eurocopter AS350BA leased in from French operator Mont Blanc Helicopteres – serial number 1833 and previously F-GFPM. HB-ZMS is a Sikorsky S76B owned by Sikornir SA – and was featured at Helitech in the UK in September [...]
French operator adds fourth AW109SP GrandNew
Source: HeliHub.com, 03-Jan-12
French company Sky Group has added a fourth AgustaWestland AW109SP Grand New to their fleet – something unheard of in France where patriotism to the local Eurocopter brand is usually very high indeed. While subsidiary Skycam Helicopters does also fly Eurocopter aircraft, their AW109 fleet does set them apart in France. Serial number 22242, registered [...]
SAF Helicopters buys AS355N from Greece
Source: HeliHub.com, 03-Jan-12
French operator SAF Helicopters has bought a Eurocopter AS355N Twin Squirrel from Greek operator Interjet. Serial number 5586, and previously flown in Greece as SX-HIG, the helicopter is now registered in France as F-HJFD. Jeremy Parkin – HeliHub.com
Eurocopter delivers two EC225s to Héli-Union
Source: Eurocopter, 23-Dec-11
Eurocopter delivered today two EC225s to Héli-Union, a leading provider of commercial air transportation services worldwide. The new helicopters are the first EC225s to join the company’s fleet of some 30 rotary-wing aircraft. The two new EC225s are configured for offshore operations and will be deployed for transportation services for oil and gas companies. “With [...]
France’s NH90 Caiman Marine completes first SAR mission – 19 rescued
Source: HeliHub.com, 17-Dec-11
At 2am on Friday morning, 16th September 2011, the cargo ship TK Bremen ran aground 2km south of the mouth of the Etel river on the Brittany coast of France. The ship had left the port of Lorient in the afternoon, intending to anchor north of the island of Groix to await better weather and [...]
Camcopter makes first flights from French patrol vessel
Source: Schiebel, 29-Nov-11
Schiebel s CAMCOPTER® S-100 Unmanned Air System (UAS) has once again successfully proven its highly efficient maritime capability, this time onboard the new Gowind class OPV (Offshore Patrol Vessel), L ADROIT built by DCNS and handed over to the French Navy in October 2011. Operating at the cutting edge of technology, the S-100 successfully completed [...]
Eurocopter goes live with re-engineered supply chain
Source: Eurocopter, 24-Nov-11
Eurocopter has inaugurated its new logistics platform at its industrial site in Marignane, marking the end to an innovative program to re-engineer the Group’s entire logistics chain and implement a flexible, high-performance tool. The investments made over the past two years to develop modern means will enable Eurocopter to reduce both logistics costs and delivery [...]
RTE creates AirTelis operator and orders a Eurocopter EC225
Source: Eurocopter, 17-Nov-11
AIRTELIS, a wholly-owned subsidiary of RTE specializing in heliborne operations, received its first EC225 helicopter today from Eurocopter – the world’s leading helicopter manufacturer in the civil market. The delivery ceremony was held in Marignane in France’s Bouches du Rhône department, home to Eurocopter’s headquarters. Founded in 2011, AIRTELIS performs heliborne operations for customers in [...]
American Eurocopter selects Helisim in France
Source: American Eurocopter, 09-Nov-11
American Eurocopter announced today that HELISIM has been selected as a satellite flight training facility for the American Eurocopter Training Center. “HELISIM provides state-of-the-art simulators, top-notch training and world-class service, which complements our existing capabilities by providing training programs for our customers who perform missions that require larger helicopters,” said Marc Paganini, President and CEO [...]
France to conduct sea trials with unmanned Little Bird
Source: Flightglobal, 04-Nov-11
France will perform at-sea trials with an unmanned Boeing H-6U Little Bird helicopter next year using a developmental automatic landing system. (see full story)
Turbomeca opens new site at Mantes-Buchelay
Source: Turbomeca, 21-Oct-11
Marc Ventre, Deputy Chief Operating Officer of Safran group and Dominique Braye, President of the Camy urban community (urban community of Mantes en Yvelines), today Opened the new Turbomeca Buchelay Mantes-site (near Paris) in the presence of Olivier Andriès Turbomeca and Chief Executive Officer Paul Martinez, Mayor of Buchelay and Vice-President of Camy. This site [...]
Société FCL takes delivery of a GrandNew
Source: AgustaWestland, 28-Sep-11
AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce that Société FCL of France has taken delivery of a GrandNew light twin engine helicopter. The helicopter was handed over at a ceremony held at AgustaWestland’s Vergiate facility in Italy on 23rd September. The helicopter will be used for private and charter services from its base in [...]
French union against Eurocopter’s Irish plans
Source: HeliHub.com, 21-Sep-11
French union CFDT has raised at complaint with the French Government over Eurocopter’s move to open a centralised service centre in Ireland – as we reported on 15th August. Previously, each Eurocopter entity throughout the world had its own technical assistance structure. EIS (“Eurocopter International Services “) will centralize the management of this – from [...]
14-Sep-11 F-HFBI Eurocopter AS350B3 Vallorcine, France (4F)
14-Sep-11
Tail rotor struck a cable while on a reconaissance flight. Two occupants thrown clear of the helicopter and two trapped inside. Piloting the helicopter was Jacques Fouque, an experienced pilot and mountain guide, the engineering director of the Emosson dam Regis Desmus, Jean-Marc Mermillod, from IG3M a company specialising in lifts and cable work and [...]
Vinacopter to start operations wth AS350
Source: HeliHub.com, 09-Sep-11
New Vietnamese operator Vinacopter will start operations by the end of October in what is believed to be the country’s first private helicopter service. Despite the claims of other companies to be the first in the air, it appears that others have been non-starters. Vinacopter is working with Vietnam Air Service Company (VASCO) under Vietnam [...]
Helidax’s success attracts Qatar, Kuwait, Chad, Malaysia and Brazil
Source: DCI, 31-Aug-11
Hélidax, the first public-private partnership (PPP) launched by the French Ministry of Defense in 2008, exceeded last June 20 000 flight hours on EC120 Colibri aircraft. A subsidiary of DCI and INAER, Helidax achieved this performance in less of 13 months of operation and trained two batches of trainees for the armed forces. Helidax’s example brought [...]
Third largest port in France upgrades marine pilots from AS355N to EC135T2+
Source: Eurocopter, 28-Jul-11
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 [...]
Hélidax passes 20,000 hour milestone with Eurocopter EC120 fleet
Source: Eurocopter, 12-Jul-11
Hélidax, owned by DCI and INAER, has announced that it has passed the 20,000 flight hour mark with its fleet of Eurocopter EC120 Colibri aircraft—in under 13 months of operations. Hélidax was the first public-private partnership (PPP) to be launched by the French Ministry of Defense. Since May 2010, Hélidax has trained two graduated students, [...]
11-Jul-11 EI-MUL Robinson R44 Meribel, France
11-Jul-11
Pilot Kevin Mullarkey, age 67, an Irishman now resident in Kuwait. Passenger was Gerard David, age 70, a member of the Meribel Flying Club, were involved in a crash which resulted in the helicopter catching on fire and severely burning both men.
09-Jul-11 OO-HNE Robinson R44 Luzoir, France (2F)
09-Jul-11
52 year old pilot from Belgium, and 37 year old passenger was Italian but lived in Belgium for many years. Both killed
R66 arrives in France
Source: HeliHub.com, 06-Jul-11
The first Robinson R66 Turbine has arrived in France with dealer Rectimo Aviation at Chambery. In the same way as the initial deliveries with British dealers Sloane Helicopters and Heliair, Rectimo are operating their R66 on the FAA register as EASA certification is not currently expected before Septber 2011. Rectimo has taken delivery of serial [...]
First “Standard 2″ Panther delivered to French Navy
Source: DGA, 29-Jun-11
The Directorate General for Armaments (DGA) has delivered the first helicopter Panther “standard 2″ to the Navy May 31, 2011. The entire fleet of the Navy Panther, 16 helicopters, will be the standards of this new standard by 2016. This new version improves the interoperability of NATO helicopter through the integration of data link L11. [...]
11 Qatar Gazelles complete overhaul in France with DCI-COFRAS
Source: DCI, 27-Jun-11
Since the signature of the contract with the Qatar Ministry of Defense two years ago, DCI was in charge of executing major overhaul on 11 Gazelle helicopters. Generally speaking, a major overhaul operation is carried out every 12 years or after 4,000 flight hours and consists of complex and demanding preventive maintenance that guarantees flight [...]
RTE’s fleet reach 250,000 hours on Turbomeca engines
Source: Turbomeca, 27-Jun-11
At the International Paris Air Show, Olivier Andries, Chairman and CEO of Turbomeca (Safran group) and Régis Magnac, Director of RTE, company in charge of the Electricity Transmission Network (TEN), are celebrating 250.000 flight hours for Turbomeca engines Used in aerial work helicopter for surveillance and maintenance of the French Electricity transmission network (high and [...]
