8-Feb-2011Source: Royal Air Force
On the 6th February 2011, the RAF Search and Rescue Force (SARF) commemorate seventy years of saving lives. Born out of the Battle of Britain, its predecessor, the Directorate of Air Sea Rescue (ASR) was formed at the HQ of RAF Coastal Command in 1941, with a mandate to form a combined and effective rescue service... Read more
8-Feb-2011Source: Royal Navy
A Royal Navy helicopter squadron is taking part in NATO’s largest Mediterranean anti-submarine exercise, Proud Manta, for the first time. Merlin Mk1 maritime patrol helicopters from 814 Naval Air Squadron (also known as ‘The Flying Tigers’) have flown 1,400 miles (2,250km) across Europe from Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose in Helston, Cornwall, to Sicily in... Read more
8-Feb-2011
Blades struck building on take-off. One passenger was Housing and Urban Development Minister Ali Nikzad... Read more
8-Feb-2011
Ditched into reservoir after loss of power; 2 occupants safe... Read more
7-Feb-2011Source: HeliHub.com
FB Heliservices are well known in the UK as the lead supplier of MRCOA (Military Registered Civil Owned Aircraft), specifically including the Squirrel and Griffon fleets. They also operate some of these aircraft on contract to other overseas governments, and readers may recall one of their AW139s resplendent in black/yellow colours on the AgustaWestland exhibitor... Read more
7-Feb-2011Source: CPI Aero
CPI Aerostructures, Inc. (CPI Aero) announced that it has entered into a long term contract for a period of five years covering $17.7 million in structural assemblies and kits to be supplied to Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp., for its S-92 civil helicopter program. The contract includes seventeen different deliverable items... Read more
7-Feb-2011Source: CAA
Ex-military Permit to Fly aircraft will now be able to carry up to four occupants, the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has announced. The CAA said that the previous ambiguity as to the maximum number of occupants permitted for carriage in ex-military aircraft necessitated a review of CAA policy. Previously, the only permitted occupants of... Read more
7-Feb-2011Source: HeliHub.com
During the handover ceremony for the second Spanish-built coastal surveillance ship for the Venezuelan Navy, President Hugo Chavez said that his government intended odering eight helicopters to work with the new ships. The ceremony was held at the Puerto Cabello naval base on the acceptance of the ship AB Yavir, pennant number GC-22. On Thursday,... Read more
7-Feb-2011Source: HeliHub.com
During Aero India in Bangalore this week, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) will hold handover ceremonies for a total of six helicopters. One Chetak helicopter will be going to the Namibian Air Force. On Wednesday 9th February, five Dhruv helicopters will be handed over to the Indian Army as the first batch of their recent order.... Read more
7-Feb-2011Source: HeliHub.com
David Laws, the Liberal-Democrat Member for Parliament has called on the British Government to re-run the SAR privatisation competition following the recent debacle when the previous tender fell apart after “irregularities” were found some 11 months after the Soteria consortium were named “preferred bidder”. Royal Bank of Scotland, one of the consortium members, pulled out. ... Read more
7-Feb-2011
Emergency landing made in school field after warning light illuminated. No damage. Crew turned situation into educational opportunity for the school children.... Read more
6-Feb-2011Source: CJTF-HOA Public Affairs
A two soldier traveling contact team from the 402nd Civil Affairs Battalion Functional Specialty Team (FxSp), assigned to Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa, traveled to Kigali, Rwanda, January 2011, to facilitate a flight medic operations seminar to Rwanda Defense Force battalion medical officers (BMO) and exchange ideas on medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) procedures... Read more
6-Feb-2011Source: AEG Publishing Group
An armored truck with three million in cash is traveling through Oregon and a pair of Vietnam War combat chopper pilots plan to hijack it in George Dorsey and Ronald D. Moore’s The Chopper Caper. Pete Placker, a hell-raising Fresno State football player who dropped out to become one of the best helicopter pilots in... Read more
6-Feb-2011Source: Goodrich
Goodrich Corporation (NYSE: GR) at next week’s Aero India will showcase mission critical defense technology that brings real-time information to air crews and war fighters along with leading field proven safety systems. Aero India 2011 takes place at Air Force Station Yelahanka, Bangalore on February 9-13. Goodrich (booth B19c) will display its F-16 ACES II(R) advanced concept ejection... Read more
6-Feb-2011Source: Reuters
A small Alabama-based firm is gearing up to protest the Army’s plan to hand an exclusive helicopter contract to a Russian government agency, saying it can do the job quicker and cheaper if it is allowed to compete.... Read more
6-Feb-2011Source: Boeing
The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] will showcase a broad range of aerospace capabilities at the upcoming Aero India 2011 show, held February 9 -13 in Bangalore. “We are excited by India’s growing engagement as one of our key aerospace customers and supplier partners,†said Dinesh Keskar, president Boeing India and vice president Boeing International. “The... Read more
6-Feb-2011
The UH-1 Huey has been a recognized symbol of the American military for half a century... Read more
6-Feb-2011Source: Eurocopter
The AS550 C3 Fennec recently completed field trials with full mission equipment for the Indian Armed Forces’ reconnaissance and surveillance applications, demonstrating its capabilities as the successor to the country’s existing fleet of Indian-produced Cheetah and Chetak helicopters – both which are based on Eurocopter rotary-wing aircraft. “We are very happy with the Fennec’s performance... Read more
6-Feb-2011Source: Ventura County Star
The US Army announced Friday that Fort Carson is the preferred location for the 120-helicopter brigade and a final decision was expected within 30 days. This would add another 2,800 soldiers to the base, bringing its population to the highest level since World War II.... Read more
6-Feb-2011Source: Stars & Stripes
A buoy typically used for underwater surveillance fell from a Navy SH-60F Seahawk helicopter and crashed into a farm field... Read more
6-Feb-2011Source: DSCA
The Yemen Air Force (YAF) took delivery of four utility helicopters from the United States under the 1206 program, on 16 January. Yemen received spares and associated tools for the Bell UH-1Hs, or Huey IIs, on 3 January. The delivery of this package comes exactly one hundred and ten days after the U.S. Government signed... Read more
5-Feb-2011
An ISAF helicopter has crashed in Afghanistan’s eastern district of Lateh Band, 30 miles east of Kabul. Two pilots were slightly injured... Read more
4-Feb-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Canada’s National Defence has put their fleet of five CH-47D Chinooks – known locally as the CH-147 – up for sale. The helicopters are currently serving in Afghanistan, and allied countries serving in the war-torn country have been sounded out as potential customers, thus far without apparent success. The five aircraft are committed in-theatre until... Read more
4-Feb-2011Source: Meggitt
AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, has selected Meggitt Avionics’ latest secondary flight display for its AW101 medium lift, AW139 medium-sized, multi-role twin-engined, and AB212 utility helicopters.  This builds on an existing, long-standing supply relationship between the two companies for Meggitt Avionics’ helicopter air data system (HADS). iSFD is Meggitt’s third generation solid-state secondary flight display. Showing... Read more
4-Feb-2011
HAL promises that the LCH will fly manoeuvres that will eclipse the Indian Air Force’s globally-acclaimed Sarang aerobatics team, which flies the Dhruv helicopter.... Read more
4-Feb-2011
Warning light led to emergency landing in snowy field. No indication of any damage or injuries... Read more
3-Feb-2011Source: US DoD
The Bell Boeing Joint Project Office, Amarillo, Texas, is being awarded a $6,593,506 to a cost-plus-fixed-fee delivery order against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-07-G-0008) to provide engineering and technical services for the Comprehensive Automated Maintenance Environment-Optimized (CAMEO) and technical data systems in support of the MV-22 and CV-22 aircrafts, and procure a CAMEO... Read more
3-Feb-2011Source: Wyle CAS Group
A contract with a potential value of $80.6 million has been awarded to CAS, Inc., a subsidiary of Wyle, to provide program support to the Army’s Utility Helicopter’s Project Manager’s Office. The new five-year task order is a follow-on contract to Wyle’s express task order from the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Life Cycle Management... Read more
3-Feb-2011Source: Australian MoD
Minister for Defence Stephen Smith and Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare today announced that HMAS Manoora would be decommissioned and that Defence would develop a new comprehensive plan to transition to the new Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) Ships. HMAS Manoora: HMAS Manoora will be decommissioned on the advice of Chief of Navy. The Manoora... Read more
3-Feb-2011Source: DSCA
Past suggestions that the MH-60R is more likely to win the Australian Navy tender were given a boost by the publication of this possible Foreign Military Sale notification by DSCA:- The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress Feb. 1 of a possible Foreign Military Sale to Australia of a 10-year Through-Life-Support (TLS) for 24 MH-60R... Read more
3-Feb-2011Source: SELEX Galileo
SELEX Galileo, a Finmeccanica Company, is delighted to announce the appointment of Allan Cook to the post of company Chairman. Allan Cook’s wealth of experience and expertise in the defence and security industry will represent a distinctive asset for SELEX Galileo’s transnational business. “I am delighted with Allan joining our teamâ€, declared Fabrizio Giulianini, CEO... Read more
3-Feb-2011Source: Sikorsky
BEEVILLE, Texas – Sikorsky Aerospace Services (SAS) today delivered the second UH-60 aircraft that has undergone “A-A†to “L†recapitalization for use by the U.S. Customs & Border Protection Agency (CBP). Distinguished as the fifth helicopter off the original BLACK HAWK helicopter production line, this fully upgraded UH-60L model will execute national security missions mandated... Read more
3-Feb-2011Source: Canadian Forces
The new CH-148 Cyclone, which arrived at Shearwater January 6, will be undergoing further testing on board HMCSMontréal. The tests will last several weeks, under the direction of Sikorsky International Operations Inc., prime contractor on the Maritime Helicopter Project. The CH-148 Cyclone will provide anti-submarine surveillance, and will have enhanced search and rescue and tactical... Read more
3-Feb-2011Source: CPI Aero
CPI Aerostructures announced today that it has entered into a long term contract for a period of five years covering $17.7 million in structural assemblies and kits to be supplied to Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. for its S-92 civil helicopter program. Sikorsky is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX). The contract includes seventeen different... Read more
3-Feb-2011
Sonar buoy fell from helicopter and landed in farm field... Read more
2-Feb-2011Source: US DoD
Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc., Hurst, Texas, is being awarded a maximum $95,946,830 firm-fixed-price, sole-source contract for various assembly parts. There are no other locations of performance. Using service is Army. There was originally one proposal solicited with one response. The date of performance completion is Jan. 31, 2014. The Defense Logistics Agency Aviation, Redstone Arsenal,... Read more
2-Feb-2011Source: CAE
The Helicopter Academy to Train by Simulation of Flying (HATSOFF), the joint venture owned equally by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and CAE, today announced that its simulator cockpit for the civil/conventional variant of the Dhruv has arrived at the HATSOFF training centre in Bangalore following design and manufacture at CAE’s facility in Montreal, Canada. The... Read more
2-Feb-2011Source: US Army
WHEELER ARMY AIRFIELD, Hawaii – The U.S. Army‟s 25th Infantry Division Combat Aviation Brigade (CAB) and U.S. Army Garrison Hawaii are reviewing the aviation training plan in response to comments, received from the Big Island community, on the proposed use of several landing zones on the slopes of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa. Issues arose... Read more
2-Feb-2011Source: US DoD
PKL Services, Inc.*, Poway, Calif., is being awarded a $15,918,581 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00421-09-C-0023) to exercise an option for organizational level maintenance on the following Marine Corps aircraft platforms: AH-1W, UH-1N, CH-53D/E, and CH-46E. Work will be performed in Camp Pendleton, Calif. (30 percent); New River, N.C. (25 percent); Iraq/Afghanistan (22... Read more
2-Feb-2011Source: US DoD
SPX Precision Components, Newington, Conn., is being awarded a maximum $20,338,620 firm-fixed-price, sole-source contract for main rotor swash plate assembly. There are no other locations of performance. Using service is Army. There was originally one proposal solicited with one response. The date of performance completion is Jan. 31, 2016. The Defense Logistics Agency Aviation, Redstone... Read more
2-Feb-2011
Salisbury Plain will be buzzing with activity for the next few weeks as Joint Helicopter Command plays its part supporting 3 Commando (Cdo) Brigade’s preparations for Afghanistan ahead of their deployment on Operation HERRICK 14 in April 2011. Using terrain around Netheravon Camp, Exercise Pashtun Jaguar has been mutually beneficial as Joint Helicopter Command (JHC)... Read more
2-Feb-2011Source: FT
Asked on Monday whether the MoD had placed a firm order for the dozen additional helicopters, Peter Luff, the minister for defence procurement, said that the order was now “subject to negotiation as part of PR 11†– shorthand for the MoD’s planning round for 2011.... Read more
2-Feb-2011Source: Sydney Morning Herald
New army and navy helicopters are running up to 18 months late and could end up on the government’s shame file of dud projects. Defence will now conduct a review of the $4 billion program to buy 46 European MRH-90 helicopters.... Read more
2-Feb-2011Source: CAE
CAE USA today announced that the first full-motion MH-60R tactical operational flight trainer (TOFT) built by the company for the United States Navy has been declared ready-for-training and entered service at Naval Station Mayport near Jacksonville, Florida. The MH-60R TOFT includes both an operational flight trainer (OFT) used to train pilots and co-pilots as well... Read more
2-Feb-2011
Helicopter crashed into unoccupied building close to an air base used for training by the Indian Army. Two killed were Major Atul Garje and Captain Bhanu Pratap Gupta... Read more
1-Feb-2011Source: Kaman
Kaman Corporation (NASDAQ-GS:KAMN) released the following statement today from Neal J. Keating, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. “It is with great sadness that we announce today the passing of our founder and Chairman Emeritus, Charles H. Kaman. Mr. Kaman passed away peacefully this morning. “Charlie Kaman, as he was affectionately known by so many, was... Read more
1-Feb-2011Source: Sikorsky
Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX), has delivered two S-92® helicopters to airlift services provider AAR Corp., for operations in Afghanistan. AAR will perform passenger and cargo lift missions on behalf of the United States Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM), a government agency that provides transportation for the Department of Defense. Both... Read more
31-Jan-2011Source: The Helicopter Museum
A new Exhibition is set to open next month at The Helicopter Museum in Weston-super-Mare. ‘Developing An Archive’ will tell the story of how the famous aviation attraction has managed to gather a plethora of rotor craft documentation over the past 50 years and subsequently been able to build one of the largest archives on... Read more
31-Jan-2011Source: Independent
AgustaWestland has disputed claims made by the Irish Coast Guard that the Air Corps does not have the equipment to carry out SAR missions after the Government signed a controversial €500m contract with CHC. [file photo]... Read more
30-Jan-2011Source: HeliHub.com
HeliHub.com maintains what we believe to be the most comprehensive record of helicopter accidents and incidents on the internet. Here is our report for December 2010 Useful Links * Civil Accidents * Military Accidents * Fatal Accidents – both civil and military * 2009 Annual Review of Fatal Accidents * Safety News December 2010 was... Read more
30-Jan-2011Source: US Forces
BAGHDAD – The Iraqi Army Aviation Command celebrated the construction of a 15-meter tall and 76-meter long Mi-17 helicopter hangar and maintenance facility Jan. 17 with a dedication ceremony at Camp Taji. The Mi-17 hangar, the largest free-span building in the Middle East, will provide all the space that the Iraqi Army Aviation Command needs... Read more
29-Jan-2011Source: ARMSCOR
Reference No:   ELGS/2010/28 Requirements:   On demand support for the SAAF Aircraft 109 light utility helicopter ARGOS-410 A4 observation system Awarded Date:   27 Jan 2011 Contract Value:   R3 000 000,00 Classification:   Restricted Contracts Awarded To: Carl Zeiss Optronics (Pty) Ltd   P O Box 8859 Centurion 0046... Read more
28-Jan-2011Source: Merkur Online
Russian national accused of passing secrets with the help of a former engineer of Eurocopter in Ottobrunn [click on Merkur Online link]... Read more
28-Jan-2011Source: US DoD
Science and Engineering Services, Inc., Huntsville, Ala., was awarded a $7,663,563 firm-fixed-price contract Jan. 21, 2011. The award will provide for 141Sponson-Mounted Forward Looking Infrared A-kits, 35 Sponson-Mounted Forward Looking Infrared B-kits and 10 Imaging System Support/Purge Kits for the UH-60. Work will be performed in Huntsville, Ala., with an estimated completion date of March... Read more
28-Jan-2011Source: US DoD
Rolls Royce Corp., Indianapolis, Ind., is being awarded a $22,204,421 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-10-C-0020) to exercise an option to procure CV-22 engine support in the form of 17,800 engine flight hour and 17 low power repairs. Work will be performed in Oakland, Calif. (70 percent) and Indianapolis, Ind. (30 percent), and... Read more
28-Jan-2011Source: Flightglobal
Exercise involving Army Air Corps Lynx, RAF Merlin and Chinooks as well as Royal Navy Sea Kings – in view of operations starting in Afghanistan in April. This major pre-deployment exercise is being held on Salisbury Plain, Wiltshire... Read more
28-Jan-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Two different news sources in the UK have tonight gone public with their investigations into the suspended British SAR privatisation deal. In Spring 2010, the UK Government announced that the Soteria consortium were the preferred bidders, and it was assumed that this just meant that the contractual aspects had to be sorted and some months... Read more
28-Jan-2011
A Lebanese army helicopter made an emergency landing on the outskirts of the Akkar town of Jdeidet al-Qaitaa due to a technical malfunction... Read more
27-Jan-2011Source: Heliworks
Heliworks, Inc., a Part 145 Repair Station based in Pensacola, Fla., and specializing in structural repair and rebuilds of Bell helicopters, recently completed rebuilds of two TH-67 (Bell 206B3) helicopters for the U.S. Army. According to Heliworks president Stephen Simpson, the implementation of Quantum Control aviation enterprise resource planning (ERP) software mid-way through the rebuild... Read more
27-Jan-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Casanave Industrial Development, in association with the 1st Army Aviation Brigade of Peru, has developed a missle pod system for the MI-17-1B The system, called Hurricane-I is operational on Mi-17 helicopters assigned to counter-insurgency operations in the valley of the Ene and Apurimac rivers. It includes the HMP-250 Helicopter Machine-gun Pods made by Herstal in... Read more
27-Jan-2011Source: HeliHub.com
HeliHub.com maintains what we believe to be the most comprehensive record of helicopter accidents and incidents on the internet. Here is our report for November 2010 Useful Links * Civil Accidents * Military Accidents * Fatal Accidents – both civil and military * 2009 Annual Review of Fatal Accidents * Safety News November 2010 was... Read more
27-Jan-2011Source: FLIR Systems
FLIR Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: FLIR) announced today that it has been awarded a delivery order totaling $15.8 million for its Star SAFIRE® II stabilized multi-sensor systems to support the U.S. Army MEDEVAC program. The units delivered under this order will be employed on the Army MEDEVAC UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Work under... Read more
27-Jan-2011Source: HeliHub.com
In a recent ceremony, the Russian Ambassador in Quito, Yan Burliay, handed over two Mi-171E transport helicopters to the Ecuadorian Army. This follows a contract between the Ministry of Defense of Ecuador and Rosoboronexport, reported as the first such contract in the history of Russian-Ecuadorian relations. The value of the deal was around $22 million.... Read more
27-Jan-2011Source: HeliHub.com
The Bulgarian Air Force, already well known to be short of cash, is to sell 12 helicopters – six Mi-17s and six Mi-24 gunships. The funds raised will then be used to refurbish and upgrade a further six of each type. In the last couple of years, Bulgaria has taken delivery of twelve AS532 Cougar... Read more
27-Jan-2011Source: INROADS
As INROADS celebrates its 40th year of developing and placing over 125,000 high performing minority students in salaried corporate internships with some of America’s leading companies, it is pleased to announce United Technologies Corporation (NYSE:Â UTX) once again tops its list as the largest provider of corporate internships for the fourth year in a row. INROADS... Read more
27-Jan-2011
Eurocopter will not, at the customer’s request, reveal the identity of the country nor the number of helicopters being acquired. The programme involves the supply of Eurocopter EC635 light attack helicopters, fitted with weapons systems equipped with 20 mm cannons, unguided rockets and guided missiles.... Read more
27-Jan-2011Source: Janes
AVIC is preparing proposals, in partnership with existing partner US Aerospace, to bid for the US Navy’s VXX helicopter programme as well as a current fixed-wing requirement... Read more
27-Jan-2011Source: http://in.reuters.com/article/idINLDE70P05020110126
The French Government is reported to have already offered Eurocopter €400M in aid for the X4 program, but the manufacturer is holding out for €550M. The X4 is seen as the successor to the EC155/AS365 range.... Read more
27-Jan-2011Source: MetroNews
A spokeswoman for Public Works Minister Rona Ambrose says Sikorsky’s request for Ottawa to excuse the latest delay for delivery of the Cyclones has been formally refused. The company has appealed the refusal and a senior civil servant will make the final call on whether it must pay $45,000 per day for up to 120... Read more
27-Jan-2011Source: NTM-A
The first two Afghan Air Force helicopter pilots to complete basic pilot training in the U.S. recently began the “Initial Mi-17 Qualification Course†meant to convert them into Mi-17 helicopter pilots at the Afghan Air Force Base in Kabul. A hybrid of Croatian and U.S. helicopter training syllabi, the course is a six-month evolution that... Read more
27-Jan-2011Source: Dalje
Russia and France have agreed to build four helicopter carriers for the Russian Navy, European media reports say... Read more
27-Jan-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Next week one AW101 Merlin and five AS550 Fennec helicopters will travel from Denmark to Norway to practice landings in the snow Crews from 722 and 724 Squadrons are off to practice landings in the snow during the exercise appropriately called Exercise White Out. Rescue helicopter Squadron 722, had a need arise to be able... Read more
27-Jan-2011Source: Boeing
Representatives of Boeing [NYSE: BA], its suppliers and the Netherlands Ministry of Defence marked the first flight of the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) CH-47F (NL) Chinook heavy-lift helicopter in a ceremony Jan. 25 at Summit Aviation in Middletown, Del. The aircraft made its first flight on Dec. 8 and is scheduled to complete its... Read more
26-Jan-2011Source: Textron
Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) today reported 2010 fourth quarter income of $0.19 per share, compared to a loss of $0.23 per share in the fourth quarter of 2009. Excluding special charges, the company reported income from continuing operations of $0.33 per share, up from $0.15 per share in the fourth quarter of 2009. Revenues were... Read more
26-Jan-2011Source: CAE
CAE USA has been awarded a contract valued at approximately US$44 million to design and manufacture two MH-60R tactical operational flight trainers (TOFTs) for the United States Navy. The first simulator will be a fixed-based MH-60R TOFT delivered to Naval Station (NS) Mayport near Jacksonville, Florida in mid-2013. The other MH-60R TOFT, which will also... Read more
