News

Azerbaijan to receive 64 new military helicopters this year

Azerbaijan to receive 64 new military helicopters this year

15-May-2012Source: HeliHub.com

From contracts signed in 2010, Azerbaijan will this year receive a total of 64 helicopters, consisting of 40 Mi-17V1 and 24 Mi-35M models, being built by the Kazan and Rostvertol plants.  This all adds up to the largest aviation contract signed between the two countries. Nikolai Vanesev – HeliHub.com Moscow correspondent... Read more

Bond AS332s and EC225s take to the air again

Bond AS332s and EC225s take to the air again

15-May-2012Source: Bond Aviation Group

Bond Offshore Helicopters Ltd., one of the UK’s leading providers of energy support services announced the resumption of flights following the release of important data from Eurocopter. The full fleet of helicopters will return to service over the next 24 hrs. Bill Munro, Managing Director of Bond Offshore Helicopters said, “Bond puts safety first, above... Read more

MD Helicopters hires Washington lobbyists

MD Helicopters hires Washington lobbyists

15-May-2012Source: HeliHub.com

Pulic-access disclosure records from the US Sentate show that MD Helicopters has been hiring two lobbyists recently.  One is named as Lawrence C Grossman (of “The Grossman Group LLC”), who set up on his own in 2003 after spending ten years with governmental relations firm Cassidy & Associates according to his LinkedIn profile.  Prior to... Read more

Ghana’s air force to take delivery of four Mi-171s soon

Ghana’s air force to take delivery of four Mi-171s soon

15-May-2012Source: HeliHub.com

The Ghanaian Vice President John Dramani Mahama was interviewed recently about the investment of new aircraft for the country’s military forces.  During this interview, he said that the country was expecting to take delivery of four Mi-171SH helicopters by July.  This corroborates with the story we filed in November 2011 when a budget request was... Read more

JetNet announces 2012 JetNet iQ Global Business Aviation Summit

JetNet announces 2012 JetNet iQ Global Business Aviation Summit

15-May-2012Source: JetNet

JETNET LLC, the world leader in aviation market intelligence, announced it is returning to New York City for its 2012 JETNET iQ Global Business Aviation Summit, to be held June 5-6, 2012. Following on the success of last year’s Summit, this year’s conference theme is “Igniting Ideas. Provoking Change.” JETNET is promoting Summit speakers and... Read more

Western Australia Police N3 Dauphin to go live in two weeks

Western Australia Police N3 Dauphin to go live in two weeks

15-May-2012Source: The West Australian

Western Australia Police are on the point of replacing their BK117 with a new AS365N3 Dauphin, subject to completion of paperwork with CASA regarding installed equipment. (see full story).  The Police Air Wing also operate three fixed wing aircraft – two Pilatus PC12 and a Cessna 182.... Read more

Russian Helicopters detail their participation in Heli-Russia 2012

Russian Helicopters detail their participation in Heli-Russia 2012

15-May-2012Source: Russian Helicopters

Russian helicopter holding “Russian Helicopters”, part of United Industrial Corporation “Oboronprom”, one of the world’s leading developers and manufacturers of helicopters, including some of the most iconic, innovative and well-operated models, today announced that in the V International Exhibition of helicopter HeliRussia industry in 2012 will provide a wide range of helicopters for civilian and military purposes. The... Read more

Bell employee syndicate scoop $28M lottery win

Bell employee syndicate scoop $28M lottery win

15-May-2012Source: WFAA

Ten Bell employees, mostly from the site at Roanoke, scooped a $28M syndicate win on the Texas Lottery on Sunday morning.  The group apparently all called in sick on Monday so they could go to Austin to pick up their prize.  (see full story)... Read more

NATF Announces New Scholarship

NATF Announces New Scholarship

15-May-2012Source: NATA

he National Air Transportation Foundation (NATF) of the National Air Transportation Association is pleased to announce the Navigate Your Future scholarship, the newest addition to the foundation’s scholarship program. This scholarship is offered to a graduating high school student continuing his or her education in the general aviation industry. The scholarship applicant must be a... Read more

Defense Company Profile & SWOT Report – Bell Helicopter

Defense Company Profile & SWOT Report – Bell Helicopter

15-May-2012Source: Research and Markets

Research and Markets has announced the addition of iCD Research’s new company profile “Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.: Defense Company Profile & SWOT Report” to their offering. “Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.: Defense Company Profile & SWOT Report” Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. (Bell Helicopter), based in the US, designs, manufactures and provides commercial and military helicopters, tiltrotor... Read more

HAI Seeks Leading Educators for Heli-Expo 2013

HAI Seeks Leading Educators for Heli-Expo 2013

15-May-2012Source: HAI

Do you want to be part of the team of educators who set the industry standard for rotorcraft professional education and teach at the world’s largest helicopter trade show? If so, don’t miss this opportunity. HAI is currently developing the program of HELI-EXPO 2013 Professional Education courses. We are looking for course proposals from highly... Read more

Opportunities abound in CEE countries

Opportunities abound in CEE countries

15-May-2012Source: CEPA

The newly appointed Board of the three-year old CEPA (Central Europe Private Aviation) will be in Geneva this week, meeting with their members and aiming to raise awareness internationally of viable investment opportunities available in business aviation in such countries as Poland and the Czech Republic. “The CEE region has not been so affected by... Read more

Microturbo e-APU60 completes first flight tests in AW189

Microturbo e-APU60 completes first flight tests in AW189

15-May-2012Source: Microturbo

The Microturbo (Safran group) e-APU60 has successfully completed its first flight tests as part of the AgustaWestland AW189 helicopter certification campaign. Initially designed for new-generation more-electric business jets, the e-APU60 is a new concept of auxiliary power unit characterized by an excellent power-to-weight ratio and its exceptional compactness. It also meets the high demands of... Read more

SkyTrac Systems to exhibit at HeliRussia 2012

SkyTrac Systems to exhibit at HeliRussia 2012

15-May-2012Source: SkyTrac Systems

SkyTrac Systems is pleased to announce that it will be exhibiting at the HeliRussia 5th Annual International Helicopter Industry Exhibition from May 17th – 19th, 2012 in Moscow, Russia. HeliRussia is the only exhibition in Russia where Russian and overseas companies present world achievements that cover all aspects of the helicopter industry – from design,... Read more

US Navy demonstrates Telephonics’ radar on MH-60S

US Navy demonstrates Telephonics’ radar on MH-60S

15-May-2012Source: Telephonics

Telephonics Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Griffon Corporation (NYSE:GFF), announced today that the U.S. Navy conducted an exercise to demonstrate several Anti Surface Warfare concepts of operation using an MH-60S (Sierra) helicopter in conjunction with a Fire Scout Unmanned Aerial Vehicle. The exercise included the use of Telephonics’ multi-mode, maritime surveillance radar on the... Read more

Helicopter Safety Steering Group meets over North Sea EC225 ditching

Helicopter Safety Steering Group meets over North Sea EC225 ditching

15-May-2012Source: Oil & Gas UK

The Helicopter Safety Steering Group (HSSG) met today, Monday 14 May, to share preliminary information on the recent helicopter ditching incident in the North Sea. Making up the HSSG are helicopter operators, oil and gas operators and contractors, offshore trade unions, the pilots’ union BALPA, the regulators HSE and CAA and Oil & Gas UK.... Read more

Concorde Battery announces AW139 STC in US, Canada and Brazil

Concorde Battery announces AW139 STC in US, Canada and Brazil

15-May-2012Source: Concorde Battery

Concorde Battery is pleased to announce AW139 FAA approved STC SR03072NY, Transport Canada approved STC SH11-47 and Brazil ANAC STC 2012S04-04 replacing the standard nickel cadmium batteries with Concorde’s Sealed Lead Acid Recombinant Gas (RG®), Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) batteries. SR03072NY, SH11-47 and 2012S04-04 replace the 27AH Nickel Cadmium auxiliary battery with a RG-407, 27AH... Read more

Calstar appoints new Director of Medical Operations

Calstar appoints new Director of Medical Operations

15-May-2012Source: CALSTAR

California Shock Trauma Air Rescue (CALSTAR) has named Cordelia Resident Scott Wallace, R.N., C.C.R.N., C.F.R.N., as its new Director of Medical Operations, CALSTAR COO Tad Henderson announced. In his new position, Wallace will have direct responsibility for all medical operations of CALSTAR, the largest non-profit air ambulance provider on the West Coast. “Scott is a... Read more

Bond EC225 ditching – AAIB report consistent with Bond analysis

Bond EC225 ditching – AAIB report consistent with Bond analysis

15-May-2012Source: Bond Aviation Group

Bond Offshore Helicopters Ltd., one of the UK’s leading providers of energy support services concur with the initial findings of the AAIB interim Service Bulletin S2/2012 issued which indicates component failure. The bulletin states that, “An initial visual inspection of the main gearbox has identified a 360° circumferential crack on the bevel gear vertical shaft,... Read more

New Head of Communications for Eurocopter Germany

New Head of Communications for Eurocopter Germany

15-May-2012Source: Eurocopter

Christoph Müller will become the Head of Communications for Eurocopter Germany as of June 1, 2012, and will report directly to Cécile Vion-Lanctuit, Vice President of Corporate Communications for the Eurocopter Group. This newly created position has been established to strengthen communications locally for Eurocopter Germany and the German market. Prior to this position, Christoph... Read more

PDG Helicopters adds Cinedeck RX solid state recorder

PDG Helicopters adds Cinedeck RX solid state recorder

15-May-2012Source: Oxygen DCT

Leading on-shore helicopter operator PDG Helicopters has become the first company in the UK to use a Cinedeck RX dual channel, solid-state recorder to deliver high quality digital aerial filming to clients in film, TV broadcast, commercials and corporate production. Based in Scotland, PDG Helicopters has over 40 years of knowledge in helicopter charter, a... Read more

AVIC Changhe delivers first AW109E fuselage

AVIC Changhe delivers first AW109E fuselage

15-May-2012Source: JEC Composites

AVIC Changhe has handed over the first AW109E fuselage from its factory in China to AgustaWestland.  (See full story)... Read more

HNZ Group – new name for Canadian Helicopters confirmed

HNZ Group – new name for Canadian Helicopters confirmed

15-May-2012Source: Canadian Helicopters

Canadian Helicopters Group Inc. (TSX: CHL.A, CHL.B) (“the Company”), an international provider of helicopter transportation and related support services, announced that the Company’s shareholders approved a special resolution to change the Company’s name from “Canadian Helicopters Group Inc.” to “HNZ Group Inc.” at the Company’s annual and special meeting of shareholders held today. The name... Read more

Ex-Im Bank approves $350M loan guarantee to support Bell/Cessna exports

Ex-Im Bank approves $350M loan guarantee to support Bell/Cessna exports

15-May-2012Source: Ex-Im Bank

The Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank) has approved a guarantee of a $350 million loan facility to provide the funds to assist Textron Inc. in financing the exports by two of its companies, Cessna Aircraft Company and Bell Helicopter Textron. The guaranteed lender is PNC Bank in Pittsburgh, Pa. The Ex-Im Bank-guaranteed... Read more

Ex-Im Bank to leverage industry expertise to expedite helicopter export financing

Ex-Im Bank to leverage industry expertise to expedite helicopter export financing

15-May-2012Source: Ex-Im Bank

U.S. manufacturers of business aircraft and helicopters will benefit from a new process to assess credit risks and expedite foreign-buyer financing from the Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank). Ex-Im Bank will work with qualified industry experts to perform due diligence and credit analysis to facilitate the Bank’s support for U.S. business-aircraft exports. The announcement was... Read more

Blue Hawaiian Continues Green Leadership with Solar Power Array

Blue Hawaiian Continues Green Leadership with Solar Power Array

15-May-2012Source: Blue Hawaiian Helicopters

Blue Hawaiian Helicopters, the largest and most successful aerial tour company in Hawaii, has installed a solar power system on the roofs of its two Operations Center buildings at the Maui Heliport. The Blue Hawaiian array consists of 432 panels providing 102 kw of power, which handles, on average, 90 percent of Blue Hawaiian’s electrical... Read more

First flight of AgustaWestland AW169

First flight of AgustaWestland AW169

14-May-2012Source: AgustaWestland

AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce that the first prototype of the AW169, a new generation 4.5 ton light intermediate helicopter, successfully completed its maiden flight yesterday. The AW169 programme is on schedule to achieve basic civil certification in 2014. The AW169 was flown by AgustaWestland’s Chief Test Pilot, Giuseppe Lo Coco, Test... Read more

Enterprise Ventures Corp awarded $12M contract for MH-60S equipment

Enterprise Ventures Corp awarded $12M contract for MH-60S equipment

14-May-2012Source: US DoD

Enterprise Ventures Corp., Johnstown, Pa., is being awarded a $12,529,511 firm-fixed-price contract for the production of 12 carriage, stream, tow, and recovery system kits in support of the Naval Air Systems Command, MH-60S Airborne Mine Countermeasures Program.  The overall objectives of the program are to design, fabricate, test, and integrate a system for the carriage,... Read more

3rd MAW showcases helicopter firefighting capabilities

3rd MAW showcases helicopter firefighting capabilities

14-May-2012Source: US Marine Corps

Third Marine Aircraft Wing Marines from Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., participated in a Wildland Firefighting Exercise at Camp Pendleton, Calif., May 10. The exercise was presented in the form of a demonstration to local military and fire departments as to what 3rd MAW, military assets, and local fire departments bring to the fight.... Read more

Irish Coast Guard record 10 years of SAR from Waterford

Irish Coast Guard record 10 years of SAR from Waterford

14-May-2012Source: Irish Government

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Leo Varadkar TD today congratulated the Irish Coast Guard as they mark the 10th anniversary of the Irish Coast Guard search and rescue helicopter base at Waterford Airport (Thursday, May 10). Speaking today, the Minister said: “For the past decade the helicopter team at the Waterford Coast Guard base... Read more

Irish Coast Guard to start S92 operations in June

Irish Coast Guard to start S92 operations in June

14-May-2012

Irish Coast Guard operations manager Declan Geoghegan said the first of the new S-92 Sikorsky helicopters would begin operations at Shannon next month, to be followed in the next year with similar new aircraft at Sligo, Waterford and Dublin. (see full story)... Read more

Essex & Herts Air Ambulance paramedic receives award

Essex & Herts Air Ambulance paramedic receives award

14-May-2012Source: Saffron Walden Reporter

ESSEX & Herts Air Ambulance Trust Critical Care Paramedic Laurie Phillipson was surprised this morning live on ITV’s Daybreak by Dr Hilary who presented him with a Health Heroes Award. (see full story)... Read more

Bristow LLC pilots ratify three year pay agreement

Bristow LLC pilots ratify three year pay agreement

14-May-2012Source: OPEIU

Oil service industry helicopter pilots in the Gulf of Mexico andAlaska, members of the Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) Local 107 employed by Bristow LLC, have voted to ratify a three-year agreement covering 235 pilots. The agreement comes after 18 months of negotiations and was ratified by 84.3 percent of the voting members.  The secret... Read more

EBACE continues to side-track helicopters

EBACE continues to side-track helicopters

14-May-2012Source: HeliHub.com

The EBACE show in Geneva has a total of just three helicopters on display.  Bell have taken their demonstrator 429, while AgustaWestland have brought a GrandNew from a French customer and Eurocopter have an EC135 from a Swiss customer.  EBACE, like NBAA in the US, is clearly focussed on the corporate fixed wing market, and... Read more

PHi reports Q1 numbers

PHi reports Q1 numbers

14-May-2012Source: PHi

PHI, Inc. (The Nasdaq Global Market: PHII (voting) PHIIK (non-voting)) today reported financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2012. Oil and Gas operating revenues increased $15.5 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2012, related primarily to increased medium and heavy aircraft flight hours and revenues resulting mainly from the continuing improvement in... Read more

Erickson Air-Crane reports Q1 results

Erickson Air-Crane reports Q1 results

14-May-2012Source: Erickson Air-Crane

Erickson Air-Crane Incorporated (NASDAQ: EAC) (“Erickson Air-Crane” or the “Company”), a leading operator and the manufacturer of the powerful heavy-lift helicopter, the Erickson S-64 Aircrane, today announced its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2012. The Company completed its initial public offering (“IPO”) in April, 2012. First Quarter 2012 Highlights and Recent... Read more

Eurocopter UK showcases EC120

Eurocopter UK showcases EC120

14-May-2012Source: Eurocopter

UK private operators and owners of light single-engine helicopters are to explore the advantages of Eurocopter’s EC120 during the company’s Discovery Weekend event, to be held at the Oxford Airport facilities of its Eurocopter UK affiliate on May 12. Attendees at the gathering will be given a first-hand look at the EC120 B Colibri in... Read more

Eurocopter details its presence at EBACE

Eurocopter details its presence at EBACE

14-May-2012Source: Eurocopter

At the annual EBACE meeting in Geneva, which will be held from May 14-16, Eurocopter will showcase its strength in the business aviation and private segments, highlighting the important role of helicopters as an ideal complement to business jets by being the “first mile, last mile” solution. Having registered the sale of more than 500... Read more

UK – CAA eases night flying restrictions

UK – CAA eases night flying restrictions

13-May-2012Source: CAA

The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has today announced a change to night flying regulations which will allow aircraft to operate under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) in the hours of darkness. Currently, all civil aircraft flying at night in the UK must comply with Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) but, from the 8 June 2012, this... Read more

Unique Public/Private Partnership for new Guernsey Aircraft Register

Unique Public/Private Partnership for new Guernsey Aircraft Register

13-May-2012Source: States of Guernsey

The Commerce and Employment Department, on behalf of the States of Guernsey, and SGI Aviation have concluded an agreement for the development and operation of an aircraft registry in the Bailiwick of Guernsey. The agreement establishes a unique public-private partnership, whereby the responsibility for the operational aspects of the public service of an aircraft registry... Read more

CAE opening locations in Australia, Brazil, China and Mexico in 2012

CAE opening locations in Australia, Brazil, China and Mexico in 2012

13-May-2012Source: CAE

CAE  announced today on the eve of the European Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition (EBACE) that it will begin training pilots and maintenance technicians this summer for Gulfstream G450 and G550 business aircraft operators in Asia at the Shanghai Eastern Flight Training Centre (SEFTC), located in Shanghai Pudong Waigaoqiao Free Trade Zone. Shanghai is CAE’s... Read more

Hensel Phelps awarded $43M contract for MH-47 hangar at Fort Campbell

Hensel Phelps awarded $43M contract for MH-47 hangar at Fort Campbell

11-May-2012Source: US DoD

Hensel Phelps Construction Co., Orlando, Fla., was awarded a $32,450,000 firm-fixed-price contract.  The award will provide for the design and construction of the MH-47 aviation maintenance hangar at Fort Campbell, Ky.  Work will be performed in Fort Campbell, Ky., with an estimated completion date of March 8, 2014.  The bid was solicited through the Internet,... Read more

Morganti HAC awarded $54M to build Apache base in Egypt

Morganti HAC awarded $54M to build Apache base in Egypt

11-May-2012Source: US DoD

Morganti HAC, J.V., Danbury, Conn., was awarded a $54,696,965 firm-fixed-price contract.  The award will provide for the construction of facilities and infrastructure to support the procurement of Apache AH-64D helicopters.  Work will be performed in Kattamia Air Base, Egypt, with an estimated completion date of Nov. 22, 2012.  There were 23 bids solicited, with six... Read more

50th Anniversary of CH-54 Skycrane’s Maiden Flight

50th Anniversary of CH-54 Skycrane’s Maiden Flight

11-May-2012Source: Erickson Air-Crane

May 9, 2012 marked the 50th anniversary of the maiden flight of the CH-54, the military version of the S-64 Aircrane (“Aircrane”). The basic concept of the heavy-lift, or “crane,” helicopters was an early dream of aviation pioneer Igor Sikorsky. The Aircrane was designed, developed, and produced as a multi-purpose, heavy-lift aircraft. Over the years, the... Read more

Bond issue statement on North Sea ditching

Bond issue statement on North Sea ditching

11-May-2012Source: Bond Aviation Group

Bond Offshore Helicopters Ltd, one of the UK’s leading providers of energy support services reports that at 12.13h today an Eurocopter EC225 helicopter (registration G-REDW) outbound from Aberdeen going to the Ensco102 Maersk Resilient platform made a controlled descent 24 nautical miles off-shore. The Captain and Co-pilot made the controlled descent and landed on the... Read more

Canadian Helicopters reports Q1 results

Canadian Helicopters reports Q1 results

11-May-2012Source: Canadian Helicopters

Canadian Helicopters Group Inc. (TSX: CHL.A, CHL.B) (“the Company”), an international provider of helicopter transportation and related support services, today announced its financial and operating results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2012. These results include those of Helicopters (N.Z.) Limited, (“HNZ”) acquired on July 7, 2011. Financial Highlights Quarters ended March 31, (in thousands of dollars,... Read more

Kazakhstan orders 20 Eurocopter EC725s

Kazakhstan orders 20 Eurocopter EC725s

11-May-2012Source: Eurocopter

Kazakhstan has signed a letter of intent to acquire 20 Eurocopter EC725 helicopters, marking a major new commitment for this medium-lift rotorcraft. These aircraft, which will be assembled in Kazakhstan, will be used by the country’s Ministry of Defense in a full range of mission applications. The agreement, formalized at this month’s KADEX-2012 military exposition... Read more

Canadian Helicopters declares monthly dividends

Canadian Helicopters declares monthly dividends

11-May-2012Source: Canadian Helicopters

Canadian Helicopters Group Inc. (“Canadian Helicopters”) (TSX: CHL.A, CHL.B) announced today that its Board of Directors has declared monthly dividends of $0.091875 per Common Share and Variable Voting Shares, payable on each of August 15, 2012, September 14, 2012 and October 15, 2012to holders of record at the close of business July 31, 2012, August 31, 2012 and September 28, 2012, respectively. The... Read more

US House of Representatives looks at whether to arm military evacuation helicopters

US House of Representatives looks at whether to arm military evacuation helicopters

11-May-2012Source: HAI

In a continuing battle between a key lawmaker and the U.S. Army over whether to use armed or unarmed medical evacuation helicopters in combat zones, the Armed Services Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives voted May 9 to require detailed comparisons of survival rates, speed, and costs of the two methods. A Defense Department... Read more

Rockwell Collins opens Berlin office

Rockwell Collins opens Berlin office

11-May-2012Source: Rockwell Collins

Rockwell Collins today announced the grand opening of its Berlin Ascendâ„¢ flight information solutions office, which will provide flight support services for European business aircraft operators. “Europe’s airspace is growing more complex with increasing congestion and regulations,” said Steve Timm, vice president and general manager, Flight Information Solutions for Rockwell Collins. “The expansion of our... Read more

FAA says 300 helicopter owners fail to re-register

FAA says 300 helicopter owners fail to re-register

11-May-2012Source: HAI

Last year, when the FAA announced that it was beginning a multi-year process to clean up the civil aircraft registry by requiring all aircraft to re-register on a rolling schedule, the agency warned it would cancel registrations for any aircraft whose owner did not respond. They weren’t kidding. HAI’s Finance and Leasing Committee checked recently... Read more

HAI Chairman takes Alexander amendment message to Congress

HAI Chairman takes Alexander amendment message to Congress

11-May-2012Source: HAI

HAI Chairman of the Board Mark Gibson, in Washington, D.C., recently for a series of meetings with members of Congress on a variety of issues, made sure they understand the dangers of the so-called Alexander amendment. The measure, attached to the Senate version of the highway transportation bill, would give the National Park Service nearly... Read more

Full details of PAvCon law enforcement conference announced

Full details of PAvCon law enforcement conference announced

11-May-2012Source: PAvCon

The Zeiss Opronics sponsored PAvCon 2012 event will take place at the German Federal Police air support and training facility at Sankt Augustin, Hangelar, near Bonn, Germany on 5-6 June 2012. The programme will include a potentially exciting programme of instructional presentations on the issues of today including CRM. This is a great networking event for police... Read more

AVX awarded US Army fuel efficiency study contract

AVX awarded US Army fuel efficiency study contract

11-May-2012Source: AVX Aircraft

AVX Aircraft Company today announced that it has been awarded a contract by the U.S. Army Contracting Command in New Jersey to study technology approaches to improve fuel efficiency in vertical lift aircraft.  AVX is a member of the Vertical Lift Consortium, Inc. (“VLC”) and responded to the Army request for proposal in 2011, administered... Read more

Two more countries certify Bell 429 up to 7,500 pounds

Two more countries certify Bell 429 up to 7,500 pounds

11-May-2012Source: Bell

Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT), announced today Ecuador’s Director General of Civil Aviation and the Department of Civil Aviation Malaysia have approved the increased maximum gross weight for the Bell 429 to 7,500 lbs. allowing for added safety and capability. The increase of 500 lbs. – to 7,500 lbs – is based... Read more

Bond Air Services issues notice regarding its EC135 grounding

Bond Air Services issues notice regarding its EC135 grounding

10-May-2012Source: Bond Air Services

Bond Air Services, the UK’s largest independent emergency and mission critical helicopter operator providing air ambulance helicopter services, police and marine support to offshore wind farms and lighthouses, will resume flight operations of the EC 135 fleet at 07:00 on 9th May. Bond Air Services took the decision to suspend all flight operations for the... Read more

Component Control wins ‘Best IT Software Provider’

Component Control wins ‘Best IT Software Provider’

10-May-2012Source: Component Control

The ATE&M Awards 2012 were celebrated at a sparkling ceremony in Covent Garden, London, on May 2. MRO and Logistics Software provider, Component Control, celebrated success winning the ‘Best IT Software Provider’ category, beating some of the software industry’s best known names to the title. The awards are entirely democratic, and with several thousand votes... Read more

FAA criticized over whistleblower safety concerns

FAA criticized over whistleblower safety concerns

10-May-2012Source: HAI

In an unusual public rebuke, the FAA’s Office of Special Counsel said in letters to the White House and Congress that it lagged in responding to urgent safety problems, with the administration not following through on promised corrections in five of seven whistleblower cases. Special Counsel Carolyn Lerner claims there is a pattern dating at... Read more

HAI – Not Too Late to Weigh in on Alexander Amendment!

HAI – Not Too Late to Weigh in on Alexander Amendment!

10-May-2012Source: HAI

The U.S. Congress has kicked off conference negotiations on the Highway Bill that contains the maligned Alexander Amendment. The amendment contains provisions that strip away control of national park airspace from the congressionally mandated FAA and gives the power to regulate airspace to the ill-equipped National Park Service. Conferees have precious little time – approx.... Read more

EASA approves Apical‘s AW139 cable cutters

EASA approves Apical‘s AW139 cable cutters

10-May-2012Source: DART Helicopter Services

DART Helicopter Services is pleased to announce that their subsidiary partner Apical Industries has received EASA approval for their AW139 Cable Cutters Kits.  FAA approval has been previously received and Transport Canada approval is pending. The APICAL AW139 Cable Cutters Kits provide a means of protecting the helicopter during a wire strike by providing the... Read more

Eurocopter delivers second EC225 to AirTelis

Eurocopter delivers second EC225 to AirTelis

10-May-2012Source: Eurocopter

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... Read more

Jharkhand Chief Minister out of danger after A109C accident

Jharkhand Chief Minister out of danger after A109C accident

9-May-2012Source: HeliHub.com

This news item is part of the accident data provided by HeliHub.com on this site.  Information provided in this update may potentially be incomplete or inaccurate as we frequently post these stories only a very short time after the accident has occurred.  Users of HeliHub.com are advised to carry out their own checks and searches,... Read more

Lockheed Martin’s DAGR Successfully Engages Moving Target in Apache Demonstration

Lockheed Martin’s DAGR Successfully Engages Moving Target in Apache Demonstration

9-May-2012Source: Lockheed Martin

Lockheed Martin’s Direct Attack Guided Rocket (DAGR)successfully tracked and engaged a moving target in a recent demonstration at Yuma Proving Ground, Ariz. “DAGR hit a moving target from 3.5 kilometers,” said Hady Mourad, DAGR program director in Lockheed Martin’s Missiles and Fire Control business. “Defeating high-value targets on the move is a critical capability, and demonstrating... Read more

Some UK and Spanish EC135s grounded temporarily

Some UK and Spanish EC135s grounded temporarily

9-May-2012Source: HeliHub.com

Four weeks ago, Eurocopter issued an AD regarding the main rotor hub of the EC135 after a crack was found.  This was an “ordinary AD” as far as those of us in the industry are concerned, and there was a schedule of actions which need to be taken by operators just like there normally is.... Read more

Police AW119 down in Brazil, 8 killed

Police AW119 down in Brazil, 8 killed

9-May-2012Source: HeliHub.com

This news item is part of the accident data provided by HeliHub.com on this site.  Information provided in this update may potentially be incomplete or inaccurate as we frequently post these stories only a very short time after the accident has occurred.  Users of HeliHub.com are advised to carry out their own checks and searches,... Read more

Mercy Air Care celebrates 25 years helping Sioux City

Mercy Air Care celebrates 25 years helping Sioux City

9-May-2012Source: Sioux City Journal

Launched in 1987 with a LongRanger, and progressing to a BK117, Mercy Air Care in Sioux City now flies an EC135 (see full story)... Read more

AeroVironment creates new COO role – and promotes from within

AeroVironment creates new COO role – and promotes from within

9-May-2012Source: AeroVironment

AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ:AVAV) today announced a realignment of its senior management team to support its growth plans. The company promoted Senior Vice President and UAS General Manager Tom Herring to the newly established position of chief operating officer. Herring will focus on the planning and execution of the company’s annual operating plan and on operational... Read more

Northrop Grumman awarded $25M contract for three Fire Scouts

Northrop Grumman awarded $25M contract for three Fire Scouts

9-May-2012Source: US DoD

Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Integrated Systems Sector, San Diego, Calif., is being awarded a $25,709,758 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-07-C-0041) to purchase three Fire Scout vertical takeoff and landing tactical unmanned aerial vehicles Lot 5 low rate initial production and one ground control station.  Work will be performed in Moss Point, Miss.... Read more

Keystone Turbine Services adds industry veteran to team

Keystone Turbine Services adds industry veteran to team

9-May-2012Source: Keystone Turbine Services

Keystone Turbine Services, LLC (KTS) is pleased to announce that industry veteran Tom Hall has now joined our team. “Tom is one of the most highly respected people in our industry and has over 40 years of engine experience and a loyal customer following,” stated Ken Essary, Vice President and Chief Services Officer for M... Read more

L-3 Wescam to open service center in Jordan

L-3 Wescam to open service center in Jordan

9-May-2012Source: L-3 Wescam

L-3 WESCAM announced today that it will sign a Service Center Agreement with King Abdullah II Design and Development Bureau (KADDB) to open a WESCAM Authorized Service Center (WASC) in Jordan. KADDB is an independent government entity in Jordan that designs and develops defence products and security solutions in the Middle East. The contract is... Read more

New Zealand – Heli Tours launches new service – Heli-Snowshoeing

New Zealand – Heli Tours launches new service – Heli-Snowshoeing

8-May-2012Source: Heli Tours

Heli Tours is proud to offer in conjunction with Guided Nature Walks New Zealand LTD -  Heli Snowshoeing! Once the adrenalin is rushing from your heli flight, don a pair of our high-tech snowshoes.  Gone are the old tennis racket style snowshoes and in are the new, slim line snowshoes which let you feel as... Read more

Leading helicopter experts form new consulting firm

Leading helicopter experts form new consulting firm

8-May-2012Source: HeliExperts

Raymond A. Syms & Associates and RJ Alexander Consulting have combined their 75 years of helicopter, aviation and heliport consulting and operational experience to form HeliExperts International LLC, the most qualified and experienced heliport firm in the U.S. For more than 40 years, Ray Syms and his aeronautical firm Raymond A Syms & Associates of... Read more

Cobham to supply critical helicopter components for Afghan pilot training

Cobham to supply critical helicopter components for Afghan pilot training

8-May-2012Source: Cobham

Cobham has announced that three of their business units will provide critical components for six MD530F training helicopters bound for Shindand Air Base in Afghanistan in 2012. Via their partner, EDMO Distributors, Cobham Aerospace Communications will supply four N301A audio controllers, Cobham Antenna Systems will provide VHF Communications, VOR/LOC/GS V-Dipole, DME, and Navigation Splitter Antennas, and Cobham... Read more

China – AC311 recommended for type certificate

China – AC311 recommended for type certificate

8-May-2012Source: HeliHub.com

Last Friday, 4th May, the Certification Department of Civil Aviation held the final meeting in Beijing to discuss the few outstanding issues on the type certification of the AC311 helicopter.  Chaired by Yan Shijun, Deputy Director of Airworthiness, the Type Certificate Examination Committee concluded the meeting with a recommendation that the AC311 be issued a... Read more

UK – First live fire tests of Hellfire from Apache

UK – First live fire tests of Hellfire from Apache

8-May-2012Source: Royal Navy

For the first time the tank-busting Hellfire missile has been fired in the UK as HMS Illustrious and the Army Air Corps let rip off the Scottish coast during the biggest military exercise of the year. Two Apache helicopters from 656 Squadron Army Air Corps fired one Hellfire missile each at a training target that... Read more

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