Sandel HeliTAWS™ selected for Sikorsky S-70i
Source: Sandel Avionics, 12-Feb-12
Sandel Avionics has announced it has been selected by the Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, Stratford, CT, to provide a new MIL-STD version of its Sandel HeliTAWS wire and terrain alerting system, the model ST3453H, for forward-fit installation aboard the new S-70i Black Hawk helicopter in mid-2012. The commercial model ST3400H Sandel HeliTAWS is the industry’s first [...]
Helicopter Flight Services joins Helicopter Tour Operators Program of Safety
Source: TOPS, 11-Feb-12
Helicopter Flight Services (HFS) of New York City will be welcomed into the helicopter Tour Operators Program of Safety(TOPS) (Booth #4105) at the TOPS meeting at HELI-EXPO in Dallas. “We’re thrilled to welcome HFS to TOPS and commend their commitment to helicopter tour operation safety,” said TOPS Chair Tim Cudney. “Choosing to become a member of [...]
Sandel’s Gerry Block receives HAI’s 2012 Safety Award
Source: Sandel Avionics, 11-Feb-12
Sandel Avionics Inc. has announced that its President and CEO, Gerry Block, has been awarded the Helicopter Association International (HAI) Salute to Excellence AgustaWestland Safety Award, honoring his work in advancing the state of terrain avoidance and warning systems (TAWS) and, in particular, developing the Sandel ST3400H HeliTAWS™ wire and terrain avoidance system. In announcing [...]
Tanis releases video on safety benefits of helicopter preheat
Source: Tanis Aircraft Products, 09-Feb-12
Tanis Aircraft Products announced today the successful release of its video “Just Plug It In” highlighting the safety benefits of helicopter preheat. Tanis is the technology and innovation leader in aircraft preheat systems, including state-of-the-art systems designed specifically for rotary wing aircraft. The video “Just Plug It In” describes the functionality and features of the [...]
NTSB Chairman to deliver keynote address at Heli-Expo
Source: HAI, 08-Feb-12
National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Chairman Deborah A.P. Hersman will deliver the keynote address during the HAI annual general membership meeting, Sunday, February 12, 2012, at HELI-EXPO® in Dallas, HAI President Matt Zuccaro has confirmed. “We’re looking forward to hearing Chairman Hersman’s thoughts on how we can continue to improve helicopter safety,” said Zuccaro. “While we’re [...]
Families of Columbian R66 victims hire Los Angeles attorneys
Source: Baum, Hedlund, Aristei & Goldman, 07-Feb-12
[ Editor: This press release refers to the faccident -12-Jul-11 N810AG Robinson R66 Girardot Airport, Colombia (2F) ] The aviation accident attorneys at Baum, Hedlund, Aristei & Goldman are representing the families of the two men killed in Robinson Helicopter Company’s first R66 crash which occurred on July 12, 2011 near Flandes, Colombia. Killed in [...]
Come and join the HAI Safety Committee Town Hall Meeting
Source: HAI, 07-Feb-12
Come join the discussion on what HAI can do to help you with safety in your organization. What safety resources are you looking for? Pilots, mechanics, instructors and operators, come share your concerns and ideas. We are listening! The HAI HELI-EXPO 2012 Safety Committee Town Hall Meeting will take place Sun., Feb 12, from 10:00 [...]
Paramedic canyon death report clears AW139 and winch
Source: ABC, 05-Feb-12
Mick Wilson, 41, was being winched to an injured canyoner at Carrington Falls on December 24 when the cable was cut and the paramedic fell to his death. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau says it has completed examinations into the helicopter and winch and found that neither could have contributed to the accident. (see full [...]
Q5 Systems releases new SMS software and attends Heli-Expo
Source: Q5 Systems, 04-Feb-12
With customers across the globe and an established name in the aviation industry, Q5 Systems is proud to release their latest version of SMS software which has further evolved to meet the needs of its users. John Lukins, partner and owner says “Version 7.0 boasts several significant enhancements to the way the software can be [...]
03-Feb-12 ZS-RUH Eurocopter SA330 Pristina, Serbia
03-Feb-12
Power loss during takeoff, ground impact
UK: Memorial unveiled for victims of Morecambe Bay crash
Source: BBC, 02-Feb-12
A memorial for seven men who died in a helicopter crash in Morecambe Bay more than five years ago has been unveiled. Five gas rig workers and two pilots were killed when the Eurocopter SA365N went down 25 miles off the coast after leaving Blackpool Airport. (see full story)
Meths user gets 46 months for shooting at police helicopter
Source: Tickle The Wire, 30-Jan-12
Originally indicted by a federal grand jury for firing at an in-flight police helicopter, Michael P. McMichael, of Oklahoma City, was slapped with 46 months in prison for being a habitual methamphetamine user unlawfully in possession of a firearm, the FBI announced on Wednesday. (see full story)
HE3 Helicopter off-airfield landing site operations published
Source: EHEST, 30-Jan-12
The helicopters ability to approach, manoeuvre, land and take-off from an off airfield Landing Site or unprepared Landing Site is one of the most important aspects of helicopters operations. The various landing sites such as hotels, golf courses, sporting venues, etc can vary in their dimensions, approaches, hazards, elevation, and location, the same basic principles [...]
South African military reveals cause of A109LUH crashes
Source: defenceWeb, 30-Jan-12
The three A109 Light Utility Helicopter crashes were caused by mechanical failure and pilot error, but all technical problems have been resolved, the chief of the South African Air Force has said. (see full story)
Helicopter awareness courses for safety reps to continue
Source: Step Change In Safety, 29-Jan-12
The popular Helicopter Safety Awareness Courses for Safety Representatives are to continue in 2012. Step Change’s Helicopter Safety Steering Group has given its support to continue these well received courses, which are open to offshore safety representatives and other personnel who would like to find out more about offshore flight operations and safety. The full-day events are run by [...]
Families of 2 killed in R44 crash settle with Robinson
Source: Daily Breeze, 27-Jan-12
“All I can say is justice was done,” said Los Angeles-based lawyer Kevin Boyle, who represented the widow and family of Leo Straatman, a passenger in the R44 that went down in May 2006 near Desert Center, Calif. (see full story)
Why Safety Management System in Maintenance?
Source: HAI, 27-Jan-12
To find out the “Why,” attend the free four-hour “SMS in Maintenance Workshop with IA Credit” at HELI-EXPO 2012 on Tues., Feb. 14 from 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at the Dallas Convention Center. Since the concept of SMS in aviation was introduced almost a decade ago, much effort has been put into supporting the [...]
NTSB completes data collection on experimental – amateur built aircraft accidents
Source: NTSB, 26-Jan-12
Throughout the 2011 calendar year, the National Transportation Safety Board has been conducting a study of Experimental Amateur-Built (E-AB) aircraft to evaluate the safety of this growing and innovative segment of general aviation. In addition to using the information gathered during its accident investigations, the NTSB has been working with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), [...]
LAPD warns California realtors against use of photography drones
Source: CAR, 25-Jan-12
Los Angeles authorities have asked C.A.R. to communicate this warning to REALTORS® who hire unmanned aircraft operators to take aerial photographs for marketing high-end properties. Using these devices (also known as drones) for flight in the air with no onboard pilot may violate, among other things, the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) policy on unmanned aircrafts, [...]
Bristow Captain selected for top helicopter safety association role
Source: Bristow Helicopters, 24-Jan-12
Captain Tim Glasspool, Head of Flight Operations for the European Business Unit at Bristow Helicopters Ltd, has been appointed co-chairman of the Step Change in Safety’s Helicopter Safety Steering Group (HSSG). Step Change in Safety is a UK based partnership with the goal of making the UK the safest oil and gas exploration and production [...]
Family of Florida B206 crash victim sues charter company
Source: News4Jax.com, 24-Jan-12
The family of one of the men killed when a helicopter chartered by Mayo Clinic crashed last month in Clay County is suing the operator of the aircraft. The children of 57-year-old David Hines are suing SK Logistics for wrongful death. They’re also suing Abraham Holdings, the company that owned the helicopter. (see full story)
US Army issues statement on Medevac issue
Source: US Army, 22-Jan-12
“Recent news items about the use of Army medical evacuation, or MEDEVAC, helicopters in Afghanistan contain troubling information. The reporting suggests that putting red crosses on MEDEVACs, and not arming them somehow, is putting injured Soldiers’ lives at risk. The facts do not support these assertions for several reasons. First, there is no evidence, implied [...]
FAA Announces Safety Ratings for Curacao, Sint Maarten
Source: FAA, 22-Jan-12
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) today announced that Curaçao and Sint Maarten do not comply with international safety standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), based on an assessment of each country’s civil aviation authority. As a result, the FAA has assigned both Curaçao and Sint Maarten an International [...]
Capt Chesley Sullenberger to deliver keynote at CHC Safety & Quality Summit
Source: CHC, 20-Jan-12
He once masterfully landed an Airbus A320 passenger plane on the Hudson River, saving the lives of all 155 people aboard the aircraft. In March, Capt. Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger III, an airline transport pilot, safety expert and accident investigator, will be the principal speaker at the eighth-annual CHC Safety & Quality Summit Gala Dinner. Captain [...]
Dave Huntzinger joins SMS instructors at Heli-Expo 2012
Source: HAI, 19-Jan-12
Dave Huntzinger, former vice president of Safety for Eurocopter, recently joined Professional Resources In System Management, LLC (PRISM) as senior vice president of Helicopter Aviation Services and the team of instructors for the Advanced Safety Management Systems (SMS) Course at HELI-EXPO 2012. Huntzinger teams with Guido Fuentes, PRISM’s safety program manager and HELI-EXPO veteran instructor, [...]
India – HAL trashes DGCA crash investigation findings
Source: IBN, 18-Jan-12
Hit by Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)’s findings into the 2010 August Chetak crash, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) launched a strong defence terming some of the comments as “incorrect”. (see full story)
AAR Airlift reports accident in Afghanistan
Source: AAR, 16-Jan-12
AAR Airlift, an operating unit of Chicago based AAR CORP. (NYSE: AIR) reports that a helicopter carrying a crew of three employees was involved in an accident in Helmand Province, Afghanistan at approximately 10:45 a.m., local time, January 16, while conducting operations for the U.S. Department of Defense. The Company has confirmed that there were [...]
PZL SW-4 crashes in Alaska on cold weather testing
Source: HeliHub.com, 16-Jan-12
A Polish-built SW-4 helicopter crashed Sunday afternoon at Fairbanks International Airport while on cold weather testing. The National Weather Service aftercast showed the temperature was -36, and while they failed to say whether that was Fahrenheit or Celsius, it actually makes very little difference as the two scales cross over at -40. On HeliHub.com every [...]
Free Two-Day Event – PHPA / HAI / FAASTeam
Source: PHPA, 13-Jan-12
The Helicopter Association International (HAI), FAASTeam & the PHPA invite you to a Landmark two day event: *The 3 THINGS you need to be COMPETITIVE in the ROTARY WING JOB MARKET. *What HAI can do for you – NOW *How the FAASTeam can make YOU MORE COMPETITIVE. *ACTIVE INDUSTRY PILOTS to help YOU STRATEGIZE YOUR WAY AHEAD. *LUNCH is Provided* TOPICS: Helicopter Employment, [...]
CHC EC225 makes controlled emergency landing on North Sea platform
Source: Statoil, 13-Jan-12
A scheduled helicopter en route from the Deepsea Bergen drilling rig to Kristiansund made a controlled emergency landing on Ã…sgard B at 16.45 on Thursday afternoon. The incident happened when the helicopter alarm system alerted the pilots of loss of pressure in the left hydraulic system. After the landing, the helicopter came into motion due [...]
UK AAIB Bulletin – January 2012
Source: AAIB, 12-Jan-12
The monthly bulletin from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been released. This month’s issue does not refer to any helicopters and this update is included in HeliHub.com for completeness.
North Australian Helicopters owner trying to block CASA safety investigation
Source: The Australian, 12-Jan-12
Milton Jones is going to the High Court to block air safety investigators from viewing uncut footage allegedly showing him piloting a helicopter after drinking alcohol, leaving children at an aircraft’s controls and unlawfully taking crocodile eggs from their nests. (see full story)
Helicopter makes emergency landing after patient tries to jump out
11-Jan-12
A 26-year-old man who jumped from an SUV on Interstate 95 near Walterboro later tried to leap from the helicopter transporting him to the hospital Saturday evening, forcing the aircraft to land. A LifeNet helicopter later started to transport Alveriz to Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston when he became combative with paramedics [...]
FAA to form Air Tour Accreditation Working Group
Source: HAI, 08-Jan-12
On Dec. 27, the FAA announced via the Federal Register the formation of a Commercial Air Tour Voluntary Accreditation Program Working Group under the Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee (ARAC). The FAA is currently soliciting those with an expertise in commercial air tours to be members of this new working group – which has been tasked [...]
Night-vision goggles causing neck problems in military pilots
Source: National Post, 06-Jan-12
Most air crew on Canadian Forces Griffon helicopters suffer from sore necks, and a new study largely pins the blame on the bulky, image-intensifying night-vision goggles used on after-dark missions. (see full story)
FAA poised to enable police to use UAVs domestically
Source: PRI, 06-Jan-12
In January, the FAA is expected to issue new air space regulations allowing for the civilian use of unmanned aerial vehicles. Police departments are expected to be early and widespread users of the drones, but some are raising concerns about privacy. (see full story)
NTSB Preliminary Report – 26-Nov-11 N5016M Bell 206B
Source: NTSB, 05-Jan-12
This is the text from the Preliminary Report. By its very nature, the details are subject to change and should not be relied upon. The Final Report for this incident will be issued in due course:- On December 26, 2011, at 0554 eastern daylight time, a Bell 206B, N5016M, operated by SK Logistics, d.b.a. SK [...]
2012 Olympics pilot briefing event announced
Source: CAA, 03-Jan-12
To help pilots prepare for flying in south east England during the 2012 London Olympics the Royal Institute of Navigation (RIN) and the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), through the Airspace and Safety Initiative (ASI), have joined forces to host a free briefing day in central London on Saturday 10 March 2012. The event will [...]
Second lawsuit filed in Las Vegas tour helicopter crash
Source: Las Vegas Review-Journal, 30-Dec-11
A second wrongful death lawsuit was filed Thursday in a Nevada court against the Las Vegas-based operator of a sightseeing tour helicopter that crashed and killed five people earlier this month (see full story)
Selex Elsag to equip Danish AW101s with Laser Obstacle Avoidance & Monitoring
Source: Selex Elsag, 27-Dec-11
SELEX Elsag, a Finmeccanica company, has been awarded an important contract to supply the Danish Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organization with 8 LOAM (Laser Obstacle Avoidance & Monitoring) systems to detect obstacles in the low altitude flights that will equip the Royal Danish Air Force EH-101 helicopter fleet in Tactical Transportation configuration. The job order [...]
Engineering students work with Bell to make safer cockpit
Source: Texas Christian University, 27-Dec-11
Engineering students are getting real life career experience in their senior project for Bell Helicopter Textron Inc, Tristan Tayag, professor of the engineering department, said. Bell propositioned half of the senior engineering class to create a heads-up display for a helicopter cockpit. Lauren Lueders, senior design project manager, said. The display would provide visual cues to [...]
NEMSPA President issues letter
Source: NEMSPA, 23-Dec-11
To: All NEMSPA Members, Corporate Partners, and All Others affiliated with Air Medical Transport. First, I want to say “Thank you” to our members and corporate partners for your involvement and commitment to safety in the HEMS industry and for your support of the National EMS Pilots Association. Second I want to express my sincere [...]
UTair suspends Mi-26 operations
Source: UTair, 23-Dec-11
The world’s largest operator of helicopter Mi-26 Airline “UTair” (UTair Aviation) has suspended flights of its fleet of Mi-26 in Russia and abroad as of today. Helicopters will be carried out in-depth inspection of the tail extraordinary beams. The admission of helicopters for further operation will be determined for each aircraft individually on the basis [...]
CHC Safety & Quality Summit 2012 – New Pre-Summit Course Announcement
Source: CHC, 23-Dec-11
We are pleased to announce the availability of a new pre-summit course: USC Helicopter Accident Investigation Course (This course is for credit and counts toward certificate/diploma with USC) When: March 22-25, 2012 (4 days) Course Description: The course examines helicopter rotor systems, controls, performance variables, flight hazards and material characteristics involved in helicopter operations and accidents. Although [...]
911 dispatcher errors delayed response to fatal R22 crash
Source: Guelph Mercury, 21-Dec-11
Emergency dispatchers were so confused by a fatal helicopter crash at the Region of Waterloo International Airport last month that they tried to send the wrong firefighters from 23 kilometres away. (see full story) This refers to the following accident – 28-Nov-11 C-GVAR Robinson R22 Waterloo, Canada (1F)
US Army accepts 1000 laser detecting sets from Goodrich
Source: US Army, 20-Dec-11
In a Connecticut industrial plant, far away from the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan, a system that has provided Soldiers with a great amount of protection reached a significant milestone on Dec. 7, which happened to coincide with the 70th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. The Army accepted the delivery of the 1,000 [...]
Eurosafety releases iPhone app for AS355N
Source: Eurosafety, 20-Dec-11
EuroSafetys iSafety App is ESI’s latest effort in their goal to improve airframe knowledge and safety in the helicopter community. The iSafety App is designed to provide a method to review caution panel emergency procedures from various aircraft. The first version of the app contains the caution panel procedures for the AS350B2, AS350B3, EC120B, EC130B4, [...]
Innovation Direct™ set to promote patented engine safety shield invention
Source: Innovation Direct, 19-Dec-11
An innovative new patented product designed to protect airplanes and helicopters from a potentially catastrophic situation, the Engine Safety Shield, has been developed by John Zunik of Brooklyn, New York. The invention’s unique design enables it to serve as a highly effective safety barrier for airplane and helicopter engines against birds and other airborne objects [...]
FAASTeam Maintenance Safety Tip December 2011
Source: FAASTeam, 17-Dec-11
Safety – Survival – Shivering – Yawning So what do these things have in common? Well, survivalists say that shivering is the first symptom you should look for if you suspect your buddy is falling victim to hypothermia. If that person doesn’t get to a warmer place soon, they are likely to be in danger [...]
Indian authorities ground two Pawan Hans pilots
Source: HeliHub.com, 15-Dec-11
India’s aviation safety regulator DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) has grounded two Pawan Hans pilots pending an inquiry into an alleged safety lapse. The pilots were ferrying three oil workers on 10th December and made an unscheduled landing after realising when already airborne that a door of the helicopter was not securely shut. Having [...]
Lawsuit filed in fatal Sundance crash by Kansas City attorney
Source: Kansas City Star, 15-Dec-11
The first wrongful death lawsuit was filed Tuesday in Nevada on behalf of the families of a honeymooning couple from India killed in a Las Vegas sightseeing helicopter crash that also took the lives of the pilot and a Kansas couple celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary. (see full story)
Air Force safety magazine gets new website
Source: US Air Force, 15-Dec-11
Wingman, the Air Force’s official quarterly safety magazine, has a new digital home. Readers can find the current and all future issues of Wingman atwww.wingmanmagazine.af.mil. Due to a Department of Defense initiative for organizations to find greater efficiencies, Air Force Safety Center officials transitioned to the online-only format. The Air Force Safety Center published its last hardcopy [...]
UK AAIB Bulletin – December 2011
Source: AAIB, 15-Dec-11
The monthly bulletin from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been released. This month’s issue does not refer to any helicopters and this update is included in HeliHub.com for completeness.
Unmanned underwater vehicle finds 2003 helicopter wreckage
Source: University Centre in Svalbard, 14-Dec-11
A helicopter crashed and sank in Adventfjorden in December 2003, never to be seen again – until last week. An underwater robot was cruising at 70 meters depth to take images of the ocean floor for a UNIS research project, when it hit upon the remains of the helicopter. The helicopter crashed and sunk in [...]
Judge: Sikorsky does not owe damages to PHi
14-Dec-11
A federal magistrate has refused to order Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. to pay damages to another company for allegedly hiding an internal report about a fatal accident in January 2009 (see full story) See also HeliHub.com page for this accident – 04-Jan-09 N748P Sikorsky S76C++ Gulf of Mexico, US-Gulf of Mexico (8F)
NTSB: Sundance AS350 was off-route in low-light conditions
Source: HeliHub.com, 14-Dec-11
The NTSB preliminary report cites the following factors which they evidently see as very important in this stage of their investigation (1) the impact location in a narrow ravine (2) the non-standard routing taken by the pilot (3) dusk light conditions Check out the details in the Preliminary report Jeremy Parkin – HeliHub.com
NTSB Preliminary Report – 07-Dec-11 N37SH Eurocopter AS350B2
Source: NTSB, 14-Dec-11
On December 7, 2011 at 1630 Pacific Standard Time, a Eurocopter AS350-B2, registration N37SH, operated by Sundance Helicopters as flight Landmark 57, crashed in mountainous terrain approximately 14 miles east of Las Vegas, Nevada. The 14 CFR Part 135 flight was a tourist sightseeing flight, which departed from Las Vegas McCarren International Airport (LAS), Las [...]
AW139 OGP Safety Advisors Training Programme deemed a success
Source: AgustaWestland, 13-Dec-11
AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce that the first two AW139 OGP Safety Advisors Training Programmes for the oil & gas safety advisors community in September and November 2011 have been hailed a success by those attending. This initiative, launched early this year, complements the oil & gas seminars that have been organised [...]
FAA responds to ARSA letter concerning multiple part identification
Source: ARSA, 12-Dec-11
In response to an ARSA request, the FAA will review agency policy and guidance regarding part identification when more than one number is applied to a part at production. In a Dec. 6, 2011 letter, FAA Aircraft Maintenance Division Manager Steven Douglas stated that the FAA, “[shares ARSA’s] concern that the presence of multiple part numbers may [...]
Report: Sundance tour helicopter had engine work before crash
Source: HeliHub.com, 11-Dec-11
The Sundance Helicopters AS350 that went down just west of Lake Mead had its engine and other parts replaced the day before it crashed, killing five people, investigators revealed Friday. Check out the NTSB press briefings:- early on Thursday 8th December 8pm on Thursday 8th December 5pm on Saturday 10th December William P Johnson – [...]
Fatal California powerline accident leads to $10M jury award
11-Dec-11
In November 2009, a Piasecki helicopter struck high tension wires shortly after departing from Adelanto airport as it headed for an airshow in Riverside, California. The helicopter crashed and burned, and all three aboard were killed. (see full story) See also HeliHub.com accident page – 07-Nov-09 N183YP Piasecki PV-18 Adelanto, US-California (3F)
NTSB to Hold Public Hearing on Air Race and Air Show Safety
Source: NTSB, 11-Dec-11
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is holding a hearing on air race and air show safety. The hearing will be chaired by NTSB Chairman Deborah A.P. Hersman, and all five Board members will participate. During the one-day meeting, the Board will gather information on the safety regulations and oversight in the planning and execution [...]
NTSB Preliminary Report – 24-Nov-11 N821JV Robinson R44
Source: NTSB, 11-Dec-11
This is the text from the Preliminary Report. By its very nature, the details are subject to change and should not be relied upon. The Final Report for this incident will be issued in due course:- On November 24, 2011, approximately 1900 central standard time, a Robinson R44 II helicopter, N821JV, sustained substantial damage when [...]
FAA boss suspended, then resigns
Source: HeliHub.com, 06-Dec-11
FAA boss Randy Babbitt, 65, was stopped by police in Fairfax County, Virginia, on Saturday after allegedly driving on the wrong side of the road. Hardly the behaviour of someone in charge of aviation safety, don’t you think? Mr Babbitt was charged with driving while intoxicated, and yesterday made a request for an immediate leave [...]
Zuccaro calls for working group on Public Use aircraft
Source: HAI, 06-Dec-11
The line between public use and civil aviation operations is currently so blurred, especially for contract operators, that the time has come to bring all the stakeholders together as a working group to provide clarity on the issue. That was the message HAI President Matt Zuccaro brought to the National Transportation Safety Board at its [...]
CHC opens registration for Safety & Quality Summit 2012
Source: CHC, 02-Dec-11
CHC Helicopter is pleased to announce that Registration for the 2012 CHC Safety & Quality Summit is now open! Our theme this year is: Improving Safety Culture Through Talent, Training and Trust. We have invited three world class speakers with expertise in each area: Mr. Tom Casey, Dr. Tony Kern, and Mr. Stephen M.R. Covey [...]
AAG retains industry’s highest safety rating
Source: AAG, 02-Dec-11
Associated Aircraft Group (AAG), the nation’s premier executive helicopter company, has again passed the industry’s most rigorous safety audit and retained its designation as a Wyvern Standard approved helicopter operator. The safety audit was completed in October. AAG is a subsidiary of Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., which is part of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX). Wyvern has [...]
Sandel ships first WireWatch™ wire alerting system
Source: Sandel, 30-Nov-11
Sandel Avionics has announced it has delivered its first production WireWatch wire alerting application to MSP Aero of Minneapolis, MN, for installation in a fleet of Agusta A109 helicopters operated by North Memorial Medical Center (NMMC) of Robbinsdale, MN. The industry’s first onboard wire-strike avoidance device, WireWatch, a proprietary feature of the Sandel HeliTAWS™ system, [...]
Oil & Gas UK responds to report into fatal Bond AS332 accident
Source: Oil & Gas UK, 29-Nov-11
Oil & Gas UK welcomes the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) report published on November 24 on the tragic crash of helicopter Flight 85N which took place off the Aberdeenshire coast on 1 April 2009. Robert Paterson, Oil & Gas UK’s health and safety director, said: “With today’s publication of the report, we remember, first [...]
FAA plan changes to electronic chart availability
Source: FAA, 29-Nov-11
The Federal Aviation Administration recently announced changes to the way it will distribute electronic aeronautical charting data. In an announcement posted on the agency website, the FAA said it will make the data available 24 hours before the charts’ effective date, instead of the 15 days’ advance release that had been standard. Plus, the agency [...]
Australia to review civilian UAV regulations
Source: CASA, 29-Nov-11
Extract from the CASA Director of Aviation Safety’s monthly briefing:- The unmanned aircraft systems sector is to get better regulatory support. CASA has set up a project to review the rules currently covering unmanned aircraft systems and to develop a package of new guidance material. Six advisory circulars will be published to guide both the [...]
Civilians using drone aircraft may soon fly with FAA
Source: LA Times, 29-Nov-11
To date, the FAA has issued 266 active testing permits for civilian drone applications but hasn’t permitted drones in national airspace on a wide scale out of concern that the pilotless craft don’t have an adequate “detect, sense and avoid” technology to prevent midair collisions. (see full story)
South Australian aerodrome flight safety checks
Source: CASA, 28-Nov-11
Special flight safety checks are being carried out at 15 aerodromes across South Australia in early December 2011. The checks are being conducted for the Civil Aviation Safety Authority to make sure flight paths at the aerodromes continue to be safe. Checks will be conducted at: Adelaide, Cleve, Edinburgh, Kimba, Kingscote, Olympic Dam, Leigh Creek, [...]
Cougar settles lawsuit against Sikorsky
Source: CBC, 28-Nov-11
Representatives for both companies wouldn’t give details of the settlement. Cougar’s statement of claim said it was looking for more than $20 million for negligence and fraudulent misrepresentation after the crash (see full story)
Gulf of Mexico operations claim 139 lives in 27 years
Source: Johns Hopkins University, 25-Nov-11
A new study by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Center for Injury Research and Policy finds that helicopters that service the drilling platforms and vessels in the Gulf of Mexico crash on average more than six times per year resulting in an average of 5 deaths per year. From 1983 to 2009, 178 crashes resulted [...]
