New local hope for restoration of Scilly Isles service
Source: Pirate FM, 12-Apr-13
Pirate FM has learnt an announcement on a new air link to the Isles of Scilly could be just weeks away (see full story).
Malaysia to re-life S61s for another 12 years
Source: HeliHub.com, 28-Mar-13
Word from the LIMA 2013 exhibition in Malaysia this week is that the Royal Malaysian Air Force are planning to upgrade 30 of their S61A-4 fleet. The upgrade program, estimated at RM 500 million ($161M) would include the installation of digital avionic displays, a new gearbox and rotor blades. Jeremy Parkin – HeliHub.com [file photo]
Sea King detachment support to successful counter-terrorism mission
Source: RCAF, 26-Mar-13
Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Regina returned to Esquimalt, B.C., on March 14, following a successful eight-month deployment. During the deployment, the ship’s crew conducted maritime security and counter-terrorism operations in the Arabian Sea region. HMCS Regina deployed with a crew of 225 personnel, a shipboard unmanned aerial vehicle detachment, and a CH-124 Sea King [...]
Royal Navy pilot honoured for outstanding airmanship and courage
Source: Royal Navy, 25-Mar-13
The 3,074ft Beinn Sgulaird is approximately 10 miles north east of Oban and it turned out to be a formidable foe during the course of this rescue. Lieutenant Commander Sweeney brought years of Commando Helicopter Force experience in similar conditions in the Arctic and Afghanistan to bear, allowing him not only to reassure his crew, [...]
Memories of jungle campaign re-lived through Borneo veteran
Source: Royal Navy, 11-Mar-13
Roger Bigden read about the trip to Borneo and made contact with the Squadron through the ‘Junglie Association’ on their website www.junglies.org.uk. He came to visit 845 NAS at RNAS Yeovilton to share his experiences of the 1960s Borneo campaign, and to present the Squadron with a map and photographs from his time there. Roger [...]
Losses widen at CHC Ireland
11-Mar-13
Losses at the private helicopter company that has a €500m state contract for offshore SAR have increased to €2.78m. (see full story)
Clayton International awarded $7M for maintenance of Egyptian Sea Kings
14-Feb-13
Clayton International Inc.*, Peachtree City, Ga., is being awarded a $6,962,766 cost-plus-fixed-fee delivery order against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-11-G-0008) for depot-level maintenance in support of the Egyptian Air Force H-3 Variant Helicopter Program under the Foreign Military Sales Program. Services to be provided include reconfiguration of one MK-2E helicopter to the MK-2 [...]
Former Carson employees indicted over fatal “Iron 44″ S61 crash
Source: Wildfire Today, 05-Feb-13
Two former employees of Carson Helicopters are facing 20+ years in prison for charges related to a 2008 S61 crash that killed seven firefighters and two crew members (see full story)
Australia sells remaining Sea Kings
Source: Royal Australian Navy, 31-Jan-13
Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare today announced that the Navy’s remaining Sea King helicopters will be sold to Aerospace Logistics (ASL). The final flight of 817 Squadrons Sea King helicopters occurred on 15 December 2011. “Aerospace Logistics have over 30 years experience as an international specialist in the supply, refurbishment, exchange, maintenance, repair and [...]
Royal Navy launches “60 years of SAR” at London Boat Show
Source: Royal Navy, 14-Jan-13
There is also the opportunity to get up close and personal with an Offshore Raiding Craft (ORC), as used by the Royal Marines. Measuring in at nine metres long and able to travel in excess of 35 knots, these craft were part of the Royal Navy’s commitment to keeping the public safe during the London [...]
Australia to scrap last five Sea Kings
Source: HeliHub.com, 04-Jan-13
Local press today reports that the Royal Australian Navy has confirmed it will sell the last five Sea Kings for scrap. The five were officially retired in December 2011 and have been stored at HMAS Albatross in Nowra, south of Sydney, pending a decision on their future. Now it has been confirmed the five aircraft, [...]
AgustaWestland Signs £260M Sea King Integrated Operational Support Contract
Source: AgustaWestland, 21-Dec-12
AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce that it has signed a contract with the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence, valued at approximately £260 million, for the provision of Sea King Integrated Operational Support (SKIOS) from 1st April 2013 to the type’s out of service date in March 2016. This contract will follow on [...]
11-Dec-12 Westland Sea King Mk.43B Lakselv, Norway
11-Dec-12
Hard landing in remote location on training flight – port side undercarriage collapsed and fuselage resting on the ground. Crew of 6 rescued by another helicopter – local temperature was -10C. Helicopter recovered by Mi-26 from Russia two weeks later (photo)
22-Nov-12 Sikorsky CH-124 Sea King Halifax, Canada
22-Nov-12
Emergency landing after hydraulic failure. 5 POB, no injuries
World’s longest running scheduled helicopter service closes
Source: HeliHub.com, 01-Nov-12
It is with sadness we record the closure yesterday of the helicopter link between the UK mainland and the Scilly Isles, following the sale of Penzance Heliport to a retail supermarket as the site of a future store. Scheduled services began on 1st May 1964 and have continued for forty eight and a half years, [...]
L J Walch Co. to distribute S61 Motor Generator for Ontic Engineering
Source: L J Walch Co, 23-Oct-12
L.J. Walch Co., Inc. announced today its exclusive distribution agreement with Ontic Engineering and Manufacturing, Inc. of Chatsworth, California. L.J. Walch has been selected by Ontic as the exclusive distributor for the Sikorsky S61 Motor Generator (Part Number: 30E20-97A). L.J. Walch Co. was chosen for its reputation for quality, as well as knowledge of the [...]
Italy retires VIP SH-3D
Source: HeliHub.com, 22-Oct-12
Last Wednesday, the Italian Air Force flew one of its VIP SH-3D helicopters to the Air Forc Museum at at Vigna di Valle. Serialled MM80973, the helicopter has been operated by the 31° Stormo unit since it was acquired in 1976. The helicopter amassed 13,000 hours, and has flown many Italian VIPs as well as [...]
Pall partners with Carson Helicopters on Sea King engine upgrade
Source: Pall Corporation, 10-Oct-12
Pall Corporation (NYSE: PLL), a global leader in filtration, separation and purification, has entered into a new partnership agreement with Carson Helicopters, Inc. to provide an upgrade of its legacy Centrisep® engine advanced protection system (EAPS) for Sikorsky Sea King/S-61 helicopters. Carson, an FAA-approved helicopter innovator specializing in the overhaul, repair, and remanufacture of the [...]
British International to stop Scilly Isles route after 48 years
03-Aug-12
British International Helicopters is to end its service from Penzance, which has run since 1964, in November. The company blamed the decision on uncertainty created by legal challenges to its sale of land to supermarket giant Sainsbury’s (see full story)
Croman awarded $25M contract in Hawaiian military ranges
Source: US DoD, 01-Aug-12
Croman Corp.*, White City, Ore., is being awarded a $25,862,717 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for airlift and recovery functions in support of all Hawaiian military ranges. In addition, this contract provides utility/transport missions to carry passengers/cargo and range clearing operations in the Hawaiian operating area. Work will be performed in Barking Sands, Kauai, Hawaii, and is [...]
Sikorsky in engine talks with Motor Sich
Source: Helihub.com, 31-Jul-12
The Ukraine branch of Russian news agency Kommersant is reporting that Sikorsky are in talks with local engine manufacturer Motor Sich. A feasible possibility is discussions for re-engining S61 models with the VK-2500 engine that powers the Mi-17 – given the political storm now brewing in the US over the purchase of ten further Mi-17s [...]
854 Sqn bases Sea Kings at Northolt for Olympics
Source: Royal Navy, 16-Jul-12
Navy Sea Kings today flew into London as the military ring of steel for the Olympics tightened a fortnight before the Games begin. The helicopters from 854 Naval Air Squadron, normally based at Culdrose in Cornwall, will spend the next seven weeks flying from RAF Northolt in West London as part of the aerial shield [...]
Sikorsky and INAER sign MOU for Spanish Government S61/S76 support
Source: Sikorsky, 10-Jul-12
Sikorsky Aerospace Services today announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with INAER Maintenance SAU of Spain to explore aircraft maintenance and support opportunities for the Spanish Ministry of Defense. INAER engages in comprehensive fleet Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) services for commercial and military aircraft worldwide. Sikorsky Aerospace Services (SAS) is the [...]
“Falklands 30 – the Conflict, the People” – Exhibition Opens 30th June
Source: Fleet Air Arm Museum, 27-Jun-12
The new exhibition will display the largest collection of Falklands aircraft. It will include two Sea Harriers, the Westland Sea King which was piloted by HRH The Prince Andrew and a captured Argentinean Agusta109 helicopter which was later used by British Special Forces. Attending the exhibition opening will be Rear Admiral Chris Parry who, as [...]
US Forest Service adds four heavy helicopters to support wildfire suppression
Source: US Forest Service, 25-Jun-12
U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell today announced the agency is adding four heavy helicopters to the aviation firefighting fleet. “The addition of these helicopters to our aviation fleet will increase our ability to respond quickly and aggressively to fight wildfires and protect lives and property,” said Tidwell. “We will continue to mobilize our firefighting [...]
25-Jun-12 Sikorsky S61 St Mary’s, UK
25-Jun-12
Emergency landing at St Mary’s, Scilly Isles, on a flight out of Tresco after a warning light came on. Apparently a ‘spurious fire warning’
UK – Royal Marines Aircrewman Receives The Billy Deacon Memorial Trophy
Source: Royal Navy, 19-Jun-12
Sponsored by Bristow Helicopters and Breitling UK, the Trophy has been established to further the memory of Mr Billy Deacon who was tragically lost while carrying out his duty as winchman with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency Search and Rescue helicopter based at Sumburgh in the Shetland Isles in 1997. The Billy Deacon SAR Memorial [...]
Prince William qualifies as an operational Royal Air Force SAR captain
Source: Prince of Wales website, 07-Jun-12
The Duke of Cambridge has qualified as an operational captain within the Royal Air Force Search and Rescue Force. Flight Lieutenant Wales, as he is known in the military, will now command Search and Rescue operations in RAF Sea King helicopters. Until now, Flight Lieutenant Wales has only co-piloted the aircraft. The operational captaincy check [...]
Irish Coast Guard record 10 years of SAR from Waterford
Source: Irish Government, 14-May-12
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 [...]
Shark 07 arrives at Australia’s Fleet Air Arm Museum
Source: Royal Australian Navy, 11-Apr-12
Chief Petty Officer Simon Hustwit’s years of experience manoeuvring a 22.15 metre helicopter were obvious when he reverse-parked Sea King Shark 07 at the Fleet Air Arm Museum yesterday. The Sea King is the latest addition to the Museum’s collection and has been installed in time for Easter and school holiday visitors to take enjoy [...]
UK helicopter fleet trains in “Pashtun Jaguar” exercise
Source: Flightglobal, 14-Mar-12
Seventeen aircraft from the UK’s Joint Helicopter Command (JHC) are taking part in a major pre-deployment exercise on Salisbury Plain, Wiltshire, providing support for British land forces due to begin operations in Afghanistan during April. (see full story)
UK – National Maritime Museum Cornwall takes delivery of Sea King
Source: National Maritime Museum, 28-Feb-12
National Maritime Museum Cornwall has just installed its biggest object to date as part of the forthcoming blockbuster Search & Rescue exhibition – a 70ft long, 16ft high, 6 tonne Sea King helicopter which had just 1½ inches of clearance through the Museum’s doors. National Maritime Museum Cornwall’s new Search & Rescue exhibition is just [...]
Donaldson unveils universal filter module for S61
Source: Donaldson, 12-Feb-12
Donaldson Aerospace & Defense, a division of Donaldson Company, Inc. (NYSE: DCI), will display an innovative self-contained universal filtration system at Heli-Expo 2012, Exhibit 8451. The Universal Filter Module (UFM) has been launched with its first application on the Sikorsky S-61; this is the first ever available IBF for the aircraft. The UFM features a [...]
British Sea King engineers catch Black Widow spider
Source: UK MoD, 06-Feb-12
Royal Navy aircraft engineers got a shock recently when they started maintenance on a Sea King helicopter and came across a Black Widow spider inside. Petty Officer (PO) Alex ‘Scotty’ Scott and Chief Petty Officer (CPO) Daryl ‘Daz’ Prichard, from 845 Naval Air Squadron based at Royal Naval Air Station (RNAS) Yeovilton, were about to [...]
AgustaWestland give assistance to new SAR Exhibition
Source: National Maritime Museum, 04-Jan-12
Search and Rescue, the new blockbuster exhibition from National Maritime Museum Cornwall invites you to enter the world of the rescue services where ordinary people lead extraordinary lives, risking their life to save yours. Opening on 16 March 2012, the exhibition takes you on an interactive, stimulating and emotive journey into the role of the [...]
AgustaWestland takes work back from Vector Aerospace
Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-16186665, 15-Dec-11
AgustaWestland said it was withdrawing the Lynx and Sea King work from Vector Aerospace’s Almondbank site so it could bring the work in-house at their Yeovil plant by April 2012. (see full story)
Australian Sea Kings make their final flight
Source: Royal Australian Navy, 15-Dec-11
Residents of Sydney, Canberra and the Shoalhaven had their last chance to see the Royal Australian Navy’s Sea King helicopters in the air today as they said farewell to the nation with a formation flypast. The formation launched from the Naval Air Station at HMAS Albatross in Nowra at 10:00am, proceeded north up the NSW [...]
12-Dec-11 IN556 Westland Sea King Mk.42C Mangalore, India
12-Dec-11
Helicopter caught fire shortly after landing. 13 POB all safe
Sikorsky, AIROD and ADC sign MOU for support of upgraded S-61
Source: Sikorsky, 06-Dec-11
Sikorsky Aerospace Services today announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with AIROD Sdn. Bhd. (AIROD) of Malaysiaand Aviation Design Centre Sdn. Bhd. (ADC) to explore aircraft maintenance and support opportunities for Sikorsky’s S-61/H-3 platforms including the most recent variant, the S-61T™ helicopter. AIROD performs maintenance, repair and overhaul services for various commercial and military [...]
AAR selected to extend airlift support for US military
Source: AAR, 29-Nov-11
AAR (NYSE: AIR) announced today that the United States Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) has exercised two renewal options for AAR to provide airlift support in Afghanistan through October of 2012. The first option has a value of $99 million and is part of a task order awarded to AAR in October, 2010. The second option has [...]
British International targets Newquay after withdrawing St Erth plans
Source: Cornish Guardian, 17-Nov-11
BIH managing director, Tony Jones, said flights would continue from Penzance until June next year and the firm would continue to look for a site in West Cornwall. If necessary, flights would continue after that date from Newquay Cornwall airport to ensure the service was not disrupted.
UK: RNAS Culdrose trainer upgraded to Christie Matrix StIM projectors
Source: Christie Digital Systems, 17-Nov-11
The full flight simulation system at Royal Naval Air Station (RNAS) Culdrose in the UK, where training facilities for the RN Sea King helicopters are based, has upgraded its visual system technology with the new Christie Matrix StIM™ WUXGA DLP® LED projectors. The upgrade dramatically advances the capabilities of their training and simulation facilities, allowing [...]
US State Dept orders three more S61T taking total to 29
Source: Sikorsky, 09-Nov-11
Sikorsky Aerospace Services today announced that the U.S. Department of State (DoS) has ordered three additional upgraded S-61 utility helicopters, bringing the total number purchased by DoS to 29 aircraft to date. Sikorsky Aerospace Services (SAS) is the aftermarket division of Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. “The S-61 helicopter is known [...]
Cobham partners with Carson Helicopters on Sikorsky retrofits
Source: Cobham, 02-Nov-11
Cobham and Carson Helicopters have announced a partnership to provide an advanced suite of avionics for Sikorsky S-61, S-76, and UH-60 derivative helicopter retrofits. The Integrated Systems business unit of Cobham Commercial Systems will supply a highly integrated flight deck that features large-format synthetic vision flight displays, advanced flight management capability, integrated hazard alerting (terrain, [...]
Sikorsky and ATP collaborate on Tech Pubs
Source: Sikorsky, 11-Oct-11
Sikorsky Aerospace Services (SAS) today announced that it signed an agreement with Aircraft Technical Publishers (ATP®) to collaborate on an advanced technical documentation distribution solution supporting operators of Sikorsky civil helicopters worldwide. SAS is the aftermarket business of Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. Sikorsky Aircraft is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX). The technical documentation distribution [...]
Royal Navy Sea King crews home from Libya
Source: Royal Navy, 26-Sep-11
Royal Navy personnel, who by using Sea King Airborne Surveillance and Control helicopters helped Army Air Corps (AAC) Apache helicopter launch strikes against Gaddafi’s forces in Libya, have returned home from operations. Nearly 50 members of 857 Naval Air Squadron touched down at Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose in Cornwall on Friday, 23 September 2011, [...]
Navy museum unveils Nixon’s ‘Marine One’
Source: Pensacola News-Journal, 23-Sep-11
Visitors now have plenty of reason to flash some peace signs for a photo op at the National Naval Aviation Museum. The “Marine One” helicopter that once transported Presidents Nixon and Ford made its formal debut at the Hangar Bay One at the museum Thursday morning. The interior of the aircraft is open for viewing [...]
Berkshire Hathaway to settle over 2005 Australian Sea King accident
14-Sep-11
Berkshire Hathaway Inc. agreed to settle Australian insurance claims stemming from a 2005 crash by a Royal Australian Navy helicopter in Indonesia in which nine people were killed. (see full story)
Australia sells last five Sea Kings
Source: Australian MoD, 01-Sep-11
Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare today released the Request for Tender for the sale of the Navy’s remaining Sea King Helicopters. The Request for Tender includes: Five complete helicopters; Three airframes; A simulator; and Associated unique equipment and parts. “The Sea Kings will be withdrawn from service in December 2011,” Mr Clare said. “They’ve [...]
UK SAR pilot achieves 7,000 hours
Source: Royal Navy, 01-Sep-11
A helicopter pilot based at HMS Gannet in Prestwick – the UK’s busiest helicopter search and rescue unit – has become one of the Royal Navy’s most experienced flyers. For Lieutenant Commander Roger Stringer (49), who lives in Mauchline near Ayr in Scotland, completed his 7000th flying hour at the controls of a Sea King [...]
UK: British International to put St Erth Heliport plans on display
Source: Scilly Today, 08-Aug-11
British International Helicopters intends moving their helicopter base from Penzance to a site within walking distance of the St Erth railway station. The plans will be put on public display 18-19th August and are expected to go before planners in September (Full story)
British International sell third S61 to Vector Aerospace
Source: HeliHub.com, 27-Jul-11
British International have recently sold a third Sikorsky S61 this year to Vector Aerospace, this being serial 61721 and registered G-BCEA, Managing Director Tony Jones has confirmed to HeliHub.com. Previously operating on a military contract in the Falkland Islands, ‘EA had reached time for a major inspection and has thus been swapped with another example. [...]
Royal Navy Sea Kings complete 1,000th Afghanistan mission
Source: UK MoD, 24-Jul-11
The Royal Navy’s Sea King Mk7 Force completed their 1,000th operational mission in Afghanistan this week Sea King helicopter squadrons from Royal Naval Air Station (RNAS) Culdrose have been operating from Camp Bastion since 2009 and have contributed to the confiscation of significant amounts of IED-making equipment, arms and drugs, and the detainment of suspected [...]
Australian Sea King allocated to Fleet Air Arm Museum in Nowra
Source: Australian DoD, 13-Jun-11
Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare was at the Fleet Air Arm Museum in Nowra to announce that Sea King Shark 07 would be preserved at the Museum given the significant role the Sea King has played in Naval Aviation over the last 36 years. “The Sea King has served our nation well over the [...]
12-Jun-11 Westland Sea King Mk.50 Garden Island, Australia
12-Jun-11
Precautionary landing. Aircraft shut down without further incident in accordance with standard emergency procedures. No personnel were injured during the incident. Being investigated by maintenance personnel from 817 Squadron.
Sikorsky buys Danish Sea King fleet for S61T Iraq contract
Source: HeliHub.com, 07-Jun-11
It is a comprehensive process to sell military helicopters, but the Danish Defence Logistics Organization has now successfully sold its Sea King fleet, having already replaced them operationally by AgustaWestland AW101 Merlins in the last few years. In total, seven S-61 helicopters and accompanying spare parts and accessory packs have been sold, realising approx 40 [...]
Local press reveal BIH preferred site after Penzance HP closure
Source: Cornishman, 06-Jun-11
The company confirmed that it had reached an agreement with a landowner for a new heliport adjacent to the St Erth industrial estate off the A30, subject to planning permission and the successful sale of the current heliport in Penzance to Sainsburys. If successful, it will create a transport hub enabling passengers easy access to [...]
Three Sea King pilots reach flying milestones in Afghanistan
Source: Royal Navy, 09-May-11
Camp Bastion in the heart of the Afghanistan desert is home to thousands of coalition service men and women. Three of them have been serving with Joint Helicopter Force (Afghanistan), flying Sea King Mk4 helicopters from 845 and 846 Naval Air Squadrons. Lieutenants Nick Plenty and Ally Macleod and Petty Officer Aircrewman Richard Symonds have [...]
CHC Ireland wins safety accreditation
Source: CHC, 04-May-11
CHC (Ireland) Ltd is proud to announce that it has become an ISO 9001: 2008, 14001 and OHSAS 18001:2007 certified company after passing a rigorous quality, environment, health and safety management system audit. The company has built an unparallel reputation for excellence in Search and Rescue (SAR) aviation over the last decade of operations for [...]
Carson set for expansion with 60+ new jobs
Source: HeliHub.com, 26-Apr-11
Carson Helicopters is in the process of planning applications to increase its warehouse and manufacturing buildings in the Philadelphia suburb of Hilltown by about 60%, Estelle Eberhardt has confirmed. This follows 40,000 sq.ft of warehousing built in 2008 on the site which they have made their headquarters for almost fifty years. Hilltown supervisors gave preliminary [...]
British International sell two Sikorsky S61s
Source: HeliHub.com, 14-Apr-11
British International have sold two of their Sikorsky S61N helicopters to Vector Aerospace. The pair are currently at Southampton Docks awaiting shipment across the Atlantic, destination British Columbia for work at Vector’s Vancouver International Airport base. Both airframes need extensive work to get them airworthy, one having not flown for 10 years. The particular airframes [...]
Vector receives FAA approval for S-61 glass cockpit installations
Source: Vector Aerospace, 28-Mar-11
Vector Aerospace Helicopter Services-North America (Vector Helicopter Services – www.vectoraerospace.com), a subsidiary of Vector Aerospace Corporation and one of the world’s leading independent providers of helicopter maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services has been granted a Federal Aviation Administration Amended Supplemental Type Certificate (STC), #SA1230AK-R STC; for an Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) Integrated Cockpit Display [...]
16-Mar-11 89+57 Westland-Sikorsky WS61 Kalefeld, Germany
16-Mar-11
Precautionary landing due to weather and a technical defect. Stayed overnight, departed next day.
UK’s Sea King Helicopter Force wins award for engineering excellence
Source: Royal Navy, 12-Mar-11
Against particularly strong competition, the 2009/10 winner of the Rolls Royce engineering efficiency trophy has been given to the Navy Command Sea King Helicopter Force based at Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose. Unusually this year, the highly coveted Trophy has been awarded to the whole Force rather than to an individual unit, in acknowledgement of [...]
Rockwell Collins extends Pro Line 21™ IDS with S-61 installation
Source: Rockwell Collins, 08-Mar-11
Rockwell Collins today announced the successful installation of its proven Pro Line 21™ Integrated Display System (IDS) into a Sikorsky S-61 long-range helicopter. This retrofit, which was a collaborative effort with Toronto, Canada-based Vector Aerospace, is the first installation of a Pro Line 21 avionics system on a rotary wing aircraft. Helicopter pilots using Pro [...]
Vector Aerospace re-targets SeaKing / S-61 market
Source: Vector Aerospace, 05-Mar-11
Richmond, BC – Vector Aerospace Helicopter Services-North America (Vector – www.vectoraerospace.com) a subsidiary of Vector Aerospace Corporation and one of the world’s leading independent providers of helicopter maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services is working hard to ensure it remains ahead of the curve in relation to its ability to offer comprehensive engine; dynamic component; [...]
Irish Coast Guard crews gain paramedic status 14 months ahead of schedule
Source: Irish Times, 08-Feb-11
Paramedic status is several stages up from first aid, allowing trained ambulance or air ambulance crews to give injections, administer cardiac and advanced airway management, and treat asthmatics, diabetics and people in anaphylactic shock.
UK helicopter fleet trains in “Pashtun Jaguar” exercise
Source: Flightglobal, 28-Jan-11
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
Heli-One signs new MRO contracts in Brazil
Source: Heli-One, 27-Jan-11
Heli-One continues to cement its reputation as a major maintenance support company in the Brazilian helicopter market after agreeing to provide new tip-to-tail power-by-the-hour (PBH) and upgrade services to a number of Brazilian offshore operators. Heli-One was chosen to provide tip-to-tail PBH services to Omni Taxi Aereo Brazil’s S76C++ fleet and to Omni’s additional S61 [...]
Indian Navy Sea King crew to get gallantry award
Source: MSN, 26-Jan-11
Two navy helicopter crew members were Tuesday named to receive Naosena Medal for gallantry for carrying out a daring rescue of sailors of a naval submarine who were washed overboard in a freak mishap 100 km off Mumbai in August last year.
Updated helicopter simulator helps aircrew prepare better for Afghanistan
Source: Royal Navy, 24-Jan-11
Two of the Airborne Surveillance and Control (ASaC) Squadrons based at Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose are currently tasked for operations in Afghanistan. Between deployments the crews undergo a thorough training programme, building on their maritime experience and adapting to new procedures and skills necessary for the hostile environment of Afghanistan. A vital part of [...]
CAE renews Royal Navy Lynx and Sea King training contract
Source: CAE, 20-Jan-11
CAE today announced it has been awarded a series of military contracts for the defence forces of more than 12 countries valued at more than C$140 million. Among the contracts are: the design and manufacture of a C-130J weapon systems trainer and other training devices for Lockheed Martin; a contract from Boeing Training Systems and [...]
UK: Stornoway Coastguard S92 reaches 200th mission of 2010
Source: Maritime & Coastguard Agency, 14-Dec-10
At 18.44 pm on Saturday 11th December, Stornoway Coastguard rescue helicopter “Rescue 100″ was scrambled by Stornoway Coastguard after they had received a request for assistance from the NHS. The helicopter was sent to evacuate a fifty seven year old lady who was being seen by a doctor, who requested that she be evacuated to [...]
The spat continues – Carson speaks out against NTSB
Source: Carson Helicopters, 12-Dec-10
Carson Helicopters has been an active participant in the NTSB investigation of the Weaverville crash of N612AZ and as such has not commented publicly during the investigation due to regulatory prohibitions. We have a strong commitment to all the people affected by this tragic accident and to current flight operators of the S61 helicopter to [...]
UK: New Sea King squadron takes over in Afghanistan
Source: Royal Navy, 12-Dec-10
857 Naval Air Squadron has handed over responsibility for Sea King airborne surveillance and control duties in Helmand province, Afghanistan, to 854 Naval Air Squadron. Both squadrons are based at Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose and take it in turns to deploy to Camp Bastion in southern Afghanistan. Commander Pat Douglas, the Sea King Force [...]
