StandardAero New Regional Manager for Russia, India and Asia-Pacific
Source: StandardAero, 20-May-13
StandardAero has appointed Keow Keong (“KK”) Low as the new Asia Regional Sales Manager for StandardAero’s Helicopter Programs. Low will be responsible for providing marketing and service support on the Rolls-Royce M250 and the Rolls-Royce RR300 product lines for operators in the Asia-Pacific region. His territory will span from Russia & India to Japan and [...]
Finmeccanica CFO says not expecting India to blacklist group
Source: Reuters, 16-May-13
Finmeccanica(SIFI.MI) is not expecting India to blacklist either the group or its helicopter unit AgustaWestland for the time being as a consequence of a corruption probe, Chief Financial Officer Gian Piero Cutillo said on Wednesday. (See Full Story)
13-May-13 HAL Dhruv Siachen, India
13-May-13
1 serious, 1 minor injury to the 2 POB. Damage level to helicopter not known
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)
Pawan Hans to fly for Indian Institute of Technology
Source: Times of India, 01-May-13
Helicopter company Pawan Hans May soon be providing Helicopter Services to two IIT campuses (see full story)
Uniflight appoints New Sales Representative for India
Source: Uniflight, 29-Apr-13
Uniflight, LLC (Grand Prairie, Texas) is pleased to announce that it has reached agreement with Sahil Aerospace to provide sales representation in India and select Middle Eastern/GCC Region accounts. Joe Hawke, Chairman and CEO of Uniflight said, “We have been exploring multiple opportunities to expand our presence in international and developing markets. We are very [...]
Airports Authority of India unveils Juhu heliport plan
Source: Times of India, 22-Apr-13
The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has floated yet another controversial proposal (see full story)
Indian Air Force may have no VVIP helicopters after 2014
Source: Daily Mail India, 22-Apr-13
After February 2014, VVIPs may not be able to fly in an Indian Air Force helicopter, as there may not be a single one left in the IAF’s elite squadron, which ferries the Prime Minister, the President, senior ministers and other top dignitaries. (See full story)
India – Border force helicopter idle for 6 months looking for a pilot
Source: Hindustan Times, 15-Apr-13
A battle-ready BSF ‘Dhruv’ helicopter, deployed for undertaking sorties to aid anti-Naxal operations, is lying idle for close to six months in Chhattisgarh’s capital Raipur as authorities are not able to find a pilot to fly the machine (see full story). File photo
AgustaWestland bids for two more Indian military tenders
Source: Indian Express, 10-Apr-13
Notwithstanding the prospect of being blacklisted over the VVIP helicopter contract, AgustaWestland has submitted its bid for two military tenders to supply helicopters to the Navy and the Coast Guard (see full story)
Mahalaxmi helipad to get 24×7 services, night landing system
Source: Mumbai Mirror, 10-Apr-13
In a first, a night landing facility will be installed at a prominent helipad in the city to ensure 24×7 services for politicians and bureaucrats, who use choppers on a regular basis (see full story).
Former British govt employee to head AgustaWestland India
Source: Business Standard, 03-Apr-13
AgustaWestland, which is surrounded by controversies over the VVIP chopper deal, is appointing a former British Government employee Jackie Callicut as its India head, a post which was vacant for over a year (see full story)
India delays procurement of 197 helicopters after AgustaWestland situation
Source: NDTV, 03-Apr-13
The government today deferred a decision on a deal to buy 197 light-utility helicopters pending completion of an investigation into kickback allegations (see full story).
AgustaWestland hands over contract with alleged middleman to Indian military
Source: The Pioneer, 25-Mar-13
AgustaWestland has handed over its contract with alleged middleman Christian Michel regarding the VVIP helicopter deal to the Defence Ministry and maintained that it had not committed any wrongdoing (see full story).
Pawan Hans to start helicopter services in West Bengal
Source: Business Standard, 19-Mar-13
Pawan Hans Ltd (PHL) on Monday entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with West Bengal government to provide helicopter services in the state (see full story).
India wrestles with dilemma of blacklisting AgustaWestland
Source: Reuters, 18-Mar-13
Indian Defense Minister A.K. Antony is leaning toward barring Anglo-Italian helicopter firm AgustaWestland from doing business in the country because of a corruption scandal, but he could be outvoted by cabinet colleagues, several government sources said. Some cabinet ministers and even officials within the defense ministry fear such a move could set back India’s efforts [...]
India AW101 – CBI registers case against 6 companies and 13 individuals
Source: CBI, India, 15-Mar-13
The Central Bureau of Investigation has registered a case U/s 120-B r/w 420 IPC and Section 7, 8, 9, 12 & 13 (2) r/w 13 (1) (d) of PC Act, 1988 against the then Chief of Air Staff; four private persons; a Chandigarh-based private company & its then CEO; a aw101-india1 -based private company, its [...]
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 [...]
India asks AgustaWestland to explain linkages with 2 firms
Source: The Hindu, 08-Mar-13
The Defence Ministry has asked AgustaWestland to explain within one week its linkages with software companies allegedly used as a cover for paying kickbacks in the VVIP AW101 deal. (see full story)
05-Mar-13 IN445 Eurocopter SA316B Visakhapatanam, India (2F)
05-Mar-13
Crashed off the Vishakhapatnam harbour Two crew members were immediately rescued while two others were missing and a search was underway for them.
HAL signs contract for 20 Cheetal helicopters
Source: HAL, 25-Feb-13
HAL has signed contract worth Rs. 418 crore with the Ministry of Defence for supply of 20 Cheetal helicopters and associated equipments to the Indian Army over the next four years. HAL will also provide training to the pilots and technical crew. This is the first contract for supply of Cheetal helicopters to the Indian [...]
India’s AW101s – AgustaWestland has 7 days to respond
Source: HeliHub.com, 18-Feb-13
The Indian military have commenced legal proceedings which they hope will lead to the cancellation of their order for twelve VVIP AW101 helicopters. Through the formality of issuing a “show cause notice”, AgustaWestland now have to respond to the court within seven days on specific points to determine whether the contract remains valid or not. [...]
India’s AW101s – Focus on the middlemen
18-Feb-13
“Haschke [the middleman] sold AgustaWestland a story based on my relationship with (cousin) SP Tyagi. We have strained ties. He (Haschke) used my name to siphon off money. The CBI probe will bring out the truth. I welcome the CBI probe,” said the former Indian Air Force chief. (see full story) A new angle has [...]
AgustaWestland JV Indian Rotorcraft distances itself from AW101 story
Source: Tata, 18-Feb-13
Indian Rotorcraft (IRL), the proposed joint venture with AgustaWestland is for assembling AW119Ke helicopters. The assembly activity is slated to start in April 2014. The facility is being established in Hyderabad for assembling only AW119Ke helicopters. IRL will export the assembled helicopters to AgustaWestland for it to sell to its customers. IRL business remit does [...]
Dynamatic Technologies to make CH-47 aft pylon and cargo ramp
Source: HeliHub.com, 18-Feb-13
Indian company Dynamatic Technologies Limited has signed a Memorandum of Understanding and a Model Purchase Contract with Boeing for the manufacture of Aft Pylon and Cargo Ramp Assemblies for Boeing’s CH-47F Chinook Helicopter. The potential work is slated to commence by the end of 2014. This follows a contract which they signed with Bell for [...]
Eurocopter seals order from India for seven EMS EC135s
Source: Eurocopter, 15-Feb-13
Marking a key milestone in India’s development of modern heliborne resources to support lifesaving missions, AVIATORS Pvt Ltd signed today, in the presence of French President François Hollande, a firm order for an initial batch of seven Eurocopter EC135 aircraft for helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) operations. A second order is expected to be carried [...]
India to scrap AW101 order if any wrongdoing found
Source: DD India, 14-Feb-13
A day after ordering the CBI probe, Defence Minister A K Antony told reporters that strong action will be taken against those found guilty. “Nobody will be spared whatever may be the consequences,” he told reporters on the alleged Italian chopper scam. (see full story) So far three of the twelve VVIP AW101s ordered have [...]
India AW101 – Alleged middleman met Air Force chief 6 or 7 times
14-Feb-13
The middleman, Guido Haschke, has also said that he received 20 million euros as commission and of this, 12 million euros were passed on to S P Tyagi’s Delhi-based businessmen cousins Julie Tyagi, Docsa Tyagi and Sandeep Tyagi. (see full story)
AgustaWestland – Orsi and Spagnolini arrested
Source: HeliHub.com, 12-Feb-13
Finmeccanica have issued a short statement confirming that Italian Police have arrested former AgustaWestland CEO Guiseppi Orsi, and his successor (and current CEO) Bruno Spagnolini. Orsi is now Chairman and CEO of parent company Finmeccanica. “With reference to the precautionary measures issued today towards the Chairman and CEO of Finmeccanica and the CEO of the [...]
Eurocopter sells an EC135 to India as it delivers another
Source: Eurocopter, 11-Feb-13
A record nine units of Eurocopter’s EC135 was sold in 2012, making it the most soughtafter light twin-engine helicopter in India. The growing popularity of the EC135 in India was further demonstrated by a new order from one Indian customer and the delivery of an EC135 to another, at the Aero India 2013 exhibition. Eurocopter [...]
Eurocopter claims 70% of Indian market
Source: Eurocopter, 11-Feb-13
Paced by the sales of light helicopters in 2012, Eurocopter India continued its leadership role in the Indian market last year – capturing a 70 percent share of the new civilian helicopter bookings and 43 percent of registered deliveries in this key geographical region. Eurocopter India recorded an impressive 2012 bookings of 12 helicopters, driven [...]
Eurocopter brings military and civil helicopters to Aero India 2013
Source: Eurocopter, 05-Feb-13
The capabilities of Eurocopter’s expanded helicopter product line in meeting a full range of India military, governmental and civilian missions will be at the forefront during this month’s Aero India 2013 exhibition, to be held at Air Force Station Yelahanka, near Bangalore. A cornerstone of Eurocopter’s static display is the AS565 MBe Panther naval helicopter, [...]
Russian Helicopters details Aero India participation
Source: Russian Helicopters, 04-Feb-13
Russian Helicopters, part of state defence holding Oboronprom and a leading global designer and manufacturer of helicopters, will exhibit some of its latest models at Aero India 2013, taking place from February 6-10 2013 in Bangalore. The company can be found in Hall A at stand 3.3. The company plans to showcase new light and [...]
HAL to Fly Dhruv, Rudra and LCH at Aero India 2013
Source: HAL, 28-Jan-13
HAL’s strength in design, development and production will be showcased through its products during the up-coming Aero-India 2013. The major attractions of the HAL’s pavilion include in-house designs such as Light Combat Helicopter (LCH), “Rudra” the weaponised Advance Light Helicopter (ALH) and Intermediate Jet Trainer (IJT). “For the first time, we will present to the [...]
Telephonics wins follow-up contract with Kazan Helicopters
Source: Telephonics, 25-Jan-13
Telephonics Corporation (Telephonics), a wholly owned subsidiary of Griffon Corporation (NYSE:GFF), today announced a second contract from the Russian manufacturer of the world-renowned Mi-8/17 family of helicopters, Kazan Helicopters, part of the Russian Helicopters company. Telephonics will supply eighty-five (85) RDR-1600 weather avoidance search and rescue radars to Kazan for installation on the Mi-17V-5 helicopters [...]
18-Jan-13 Mil Mi-17 Timberwara, India
18-Jan-13
Force landing after being shot at by militants – photos here. The hydraulic system and genrators were damaged. 1 of the 7 POB was injured
India inducts armed Mi-17 squadron in Rajasthan
Source: Zee News, 08-Jan-13
Air Chief Marshal NAK Browne inducting an armed Mi-17V5 helicopter squadron at Phalodi air base in Rajasthan on Monday (see full story)
Pawan Hans pilot reported by company’s own Pilots Guild
Source: Mumbai Mirror, 08-Jan-13
The Director General of Civil Aviation has instituted an inquiry into a night flight undertaken by a Pawan Hans helicopter on December 27 last year to Bhopal and Indore from Delhi despite the pilot-in-command not being qualified to fly after sunset. (see full story). File photo
Pawan Hans ops launched in Himachal Pradesh
Source: Jagran Post, 07-Jan-13
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh on Sunday launched Pawan Hans chopper services for the tribal areas in the state. (see full story)
HAL to release weaponized ALH
Source: Army Technology, 07-Jan-13
HAL is set to release the weaponized version of ALH at Aero India 2013, to be held in the second week of February in Bangalore. (see full story)
04-Jan-13 VT-EGK HAL SA316B Chetak Delhi, India
04-Jan-13
While carrying out taxi after the main rotor blade change, main rotor blades hit the tail boom damaging main and tail rotor blades including tail boom.
Russian Helicopters to open Ka226 plant in India
Source: Russian Helicopters, 01-Jan-13
During the visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to India, Russian Helicopters, a subsidiary of Oboronprom, part of Russian Technologies State Corporation, and Elcom Systems Private Limited, part of the Indian investment conglomerate SUN Group, signed in New Delhi an agreement to set up in India a modern industrial facility for manufacturing of Russian helicopter [...]
Russian Helicopters to build more Mi-17V-5 for Indian Air Force
Source: Russian Helicopters, 01-Jan-13
Rosoboronexport and the Indian Ministry of Defence have signed an agreement on the delivery another consignment of Russia-made military transport Mi-17V-5 helicopters by 2015. The agreement was signed during the visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to India on December 24, 2012. The new consignment of Mi-17V-5 helicopters falls under a contract signed by the [...]
30-Dec-12 VT-PHH Bell 407 Vaishno Devi, India
30-Dec-12
Damaged in emergency landing near Vaishno Devi shrine – remaining mostly undamaged and relatively upright into the trees/shrubs into which it fell. Minor injuries to 7 POB, named as pilot A S Parmar and passengers Anita Puri, Meenakshi, Arun Kumar, Arti Devi, Raj Rani and Chetan Kumar. Sources vary, but most report a technical issue [...]
Bell signs $243M deal for 407 cabin manufacture in India
Source: Dynamatic Technologies, 21-Dec-12
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. Company (NYSE: TXT), has signed a Memo of Understanding (MoU) with Dynamatic Technologies to explore establishing Dynamatic® as a sub-contractor for its Bell 407 Air Frame Cabin Assembly, Air Frame Component and Details. The estimated business volume of the work proposed is approximately $243 million USD over a ten year [...]
RusHelo delivers latest consignment of Mi-17V-5s to India
Source: Russian Helicopters, 19-Dec-12
Russian Helicopters, part of state defence holding Oboronprom and a leading global designer and manufacturer of helicopters, has delivered another consignment of Mi-17V-5 helicopters to India as part of a contract signed by Rosoboronexport and India’s Ministry of Defence in 2008. The helicopters were built by Kazan Helicopter Plant, a Russian Helicopters company. The final [...]
Pawan Hans plans expansion in Uttar Pradesh
Source: HeliHub.com, 19-Dec-12
Pawan Hans has revealed plans to expand its helicopter services in Uttar Pradesh, with continued focus on passengers with pilgrimage and religious interests. The Indian operator has already launched a daily helicopter service between New Delhi and Vrindavan in Mathura district and is planning to serve the Buddhist Circuit spread over Eastern Uttar Pradesh and [...]
17-Dec-12 VT-APC AgustaWestland AW139 Hyderabad, India
17-Dec-12
Destroyed in hangar fire – which also affected five trainer aircraft operated by Andhra Pradesh Aviation Academy. The helicopter had a total of 970 hours on the airframe according to this report.
Pawan Hans launches service between Vrindavan and Delhi
Source: NetIndian, 28-Nov-12
Pawan Hans Helicopters today launches a daily helicopter service from Vrindavan to Delhi . The first flight departs at 13.30 local time, 0800 GMT. (see full story)
India chooses CH-47D to replace Mi-26
01-Nov-12
India reportedly will enter into negotiations with Boeing of the United States for acquisition of 15 CH-47D Chinook helicopters. (see full story)
Indian military approves Pawan Hans Helicopter Training Institute
Source: Indian Express, 29-Oct-12
Along with training, Pawan Hans Helicopters Limited (PHHL) reportedly has plans to provide helicopter connectivity to nearby destinations. (see full story)
Lockheed Martin may offer India both MH-60R and MH-60S as package
24-Oct-12
Lockheed Martin said it may offer India a mixed helicopter offering as it competes for an order for more than $2 billion worth of maritime aircraft. (see full story)
Swiss arrest linked to alleged Indian AW101 kickback payments
Source: Reuters, 22-Oct-12
In an emailed statement, Swiss authorities said they had asked magistrates to arrest an Italian-U.S. citizen on allegations of money laundering and corruption in connection with the supply of helicopters to India by an Italian state-owned company. (see full story)
Indian military drags feet in fast-tracking helicopter procurement
Source: Times of India, 22-Oct-12
Indian government seems to be dragging its feet in fast-tracking helicopter acquisition projects, several of which are stuck in the long-winded defence procurement process or in the debilitating cycle of complaints and counter-complaints. (see full story)
Finmeccanica boss has no intention to step down, says lawyer
18-Oct-12
Finmeccanica Chairman and CEO Giuseppe Orsi has no intention of resigning, his lawyer said on Monday after media reports at the weekend over allegations concerning the Indian AgustaWestland VIP AW101 contract (see full story)
15-Oct-12 HAL Chetak Dabolim, India (3F)
15-Oct-12
Crashed on take off from INS Hansa (nr Dabolim) after refuelling en route Mumbai to Bangalore. Post crash fire. Another report says landing accident, not take-off
05-Oct-12 Bell 407 Rathora, India
05-Oct-12
Safe emergency landing in field due to technical issue. No damage to helicopter or POB
Non-compliant Eurocopter scuppers Indian Coast Guard tender
Source: HeliHub.com, 03-Oct-12
The Times of India is reporting that the tender for 16 helicopters for the Indian Coast Guard has been stopped. With just two manufacturers bidding – local HAL with the Dhruv and Eurocopter with the AS565MB Panther – the defence ministry has reportedly found the Panther to be non-compliant in some aspects of the tender [...]
Indian operators lobby Government to reduce tax on fuel and spares
Source: ZeeNews, 23-Sep-12
Indian helicopter operators have asked the government to take urgent steps to rationalise taxes on import of spares and jet fuel, and lower airport charges to enable the sector to grow. (see full story)
30-Aug-12 Mil Mi-17 Sarmat, India (5F) – 2 of 2
30-Aug-12
Two Mi-17 helicopters hit each other on take off on a training mission from an air base near the village of Sarmat in Jamnagar district of Gujarat state. 9 killed, assumed currently as 4 in one helicopter and 5 in the other. One helicopter caught fire and completely burned out, the other did not – [...]
30-Aug-12 Mil Mi-17 Sarmat, India (4F) – 1 of 2
30-Aug-12
Two Mi-17 helicopters hit each other on take off on a training mission from an air base near the village of Sarmat in Jamnagar district of Gujarat state. 9 killed, assumed currently as 4 in one helicopter and 5 in the other. One helicopter caught fire and completely burned out, the other did not – [...]
29-Aug-12 VT-TBA Bell 206B Godrha, India
29-Aug-12
Helicopter landed with considerable forward speed and cartwheeled over its nose on landing – indicating skids possible dug into ground. Helicopter destroyed but all 5 POB (including spiritual leader Asaram Bapu) safely exited with only minor injuries
Pawan Hans resumes services in Meghalaya
Source: HeliHub.com, 31-Jul-12
State-owned Pawan Hans Helicopters has recently resumed its services in the mountainous Meghalaya state after a gap of 15 months, it has been announced. The move follows its selection in a bid process to run the air service in the state, according to state Transport Minister Abu Taher Mondal, who later admitted that the other [...]
HAL seeks to improve the supplier relationship
Source: HAL, 24-Jul-12
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) organized a Global Business Partners’ Meet of its vendors here on Saturday to apprise them of recent changes within HAL to speed up the process of procurement and make suppliers aware of various procedures, statutory requirements and adherence to Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) guidelines. Eighty three vendors, 26 foreign and 57 [...]
Global Vectra resumes flying
Source: Global Vectra, 23-Jul-12
Global Vectra Helicorp Limited (GVHL) is India’s largest private helicopter company, providing offshore transportation services to the oil and gas sector and, through its onshore division, charter and airport shuttle services throughout the country. On 7 May 2012, following a decision of the Ministry of Home Affairs, the aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil [...]
Panel cancels appointment of Pawan Hans Chairman/MD
Source: Deccan Chronicle, 29-Jun-12
Anil Srivastava, currently the joint director-general of civil aviation, was also appointed the Chairman and Managing Director of Pawan Hans as an additional charge a few weeks ago by the civil aviation ministry. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has now ordered the civil aviation ministry to hand over the role to someone else due [...]
Restructuring consultants visit HAL
Source: HAL, 11-Jun-12
Bangalore, June 11, 2012: The Expert Group on “Restructuring and Strengthening of HAL” under the leadership of Mr. B. K. Chaturvedi, former Cabinet Secretary and Member, Planning Commission visited various facilities of HAL. The Group held discussions with Mr. R.K. Tyagi, Chairman, Directors and senior executives of HAL. The Expert Group will look into issues such [...]
Indian pilots call for helipad audit
Source: HeliHub.com, 07-Jun-12
Helicopter pilots in India have appealed to the local aviation authority (DGCA) with a call for them to undertake auditing of helipads, particularly those on offshore rigs. Such audits are currently rare in India. Earlier this week, DGCA chief E.K. Bharat Bhushan met members of the Rotary Wing Society of India, the Oil and Natural [...]
Pawans Hans adds two tourist routes; Pondering four more
Source: New Kerala, 01-Jun-12
Pawan Hans plans to connect Vrindavan and Mathura with New Delhi considering the high potential of religious tourism of the two cities. It is also mulling linking Muzaffarnagar, Meerut, Mathura and Agra to Delhi. (see full story)
India – Jharkhand to buy helicopter, rather than charter
Source: Times of India, 31-May-12
Funds will not be a constraint to buy a new helicopter. “The department has to make budgetary provision for it. I don’t think that fund will be a constraint,” state finance secretary Sukhdev Singh said. (See full story) The accident referred to in the story can be viewed in more detail at 09-May-12 VT-VKS Agusta [...]
Himalayan Heli Services bags Global Vectra contract
Source: Greater Kashmir, 30-May-12
First report we have seen of a Global Vectra contract being reassigned to another operator since their grounding by Indian authorities (see full story)
India becomes 10th country to approve increased weight for Bell 429
Source: Bell, 30-May-12
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT), announced today India’s Director General of Civil Aviation has joined the growing number of countries who have approved the increased maximum gross weight for the Bell 429 based on Transport Canada’s certification. India is the tenth country to approve the 500 lb. increase to 7,500 lbs. Transport [...]
Global Vectra director launches second court case to get company flying again
Source: News Track India, 25-May-12
A director and a shareholder of Global Vectra Helicorp, the aviation arm of the Ravi Rishi-led Vectra Group, Thursday moved the Delhi High Court against the suspension of its permit to fly choppers. The court is already hearing the plea of Global Vectra Helicorp against the DGCA’s order. (see full story)
23-May-12 HAL Chetak Siachen Glacier, India (1F)
23-May-12
Crashed, killing pilot Major Chandrashekhar Singh, shortly after dropping off supplies at a helipad in the Himalayas at an altitude of 19,685ft
