Safety News

US Dept of Transportation and FAA Finalize drone rules

US Dept of Transportation and FAA Finalize drone rules

21-Jun-2016Source: FAA

Today, the Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration has finalized the first operational rules for routine commercial use of small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS or “drones”), opening pathways towards fully integrating UAS into the nation’s airspace. These new regulations work to harness new innovations safely, to spur job growth, advance critical scientific research and save... Read more

EASA Safety Conference focuses on technologies and business models

EASA Safety Conference focuses on technologies and business models

17-Jun-2016Source: EASA

The 2016 European Aviation Safety Agency’s Annual Conference takes place 25 & 26 October 2016in Bratislava, Slovakia, coinciding with the country’s Presidency of the Council of the EU. The conference focuses on the topics of future technologies and innovative business models, covering all aviation domains, including aircraft manufacturing, aircraft operations and Air Traffic Management. Among... Read more

FAA and unions target pilot mental health issues

FAA and unions target pilot mental health issues

9-Jun-2016Source: FAA

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is working with commercial airlines and pilots’ unions to improve mental health evaluations, and encourage voluntary reporting of pilot mental health issues. An Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC) comprised of aviation and medical experts has made several recommendations about pilot medical fitness. “Safety is always our first... Read more

UK AAIB Bulletin – June 2016

UK AAIB Bulletin – June 2016

9-Jun-2016Source: AAIB

The monthly bulletin from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been released. This month’s issue covers the accident(s) of:- Sikorsky SK92A (G-VINL), landed on the incorrect oil rig, Golden Eagle Complex, North Sea, 22 August 2014 Bell 206B (G-RAMY), loss of control in flight and rotor/fuselage contact, near Creg-Ny-Baa public house, Isle of Man, 6... Read more

FAA incentivises GA owners to equip with ADS-B

FAA incentivises GA owners to equip with ADS-B

7-Jun-2016Source: FAA

Today on a national press call, U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx and Deputy Administrator Michael G. Whitaker announced a $500 rebate incentive for General Aviation (GA) aircraft owners who equip their aircraft with required avionics technology.  Accelerating compliance is critical to ensuring that pilots, manufacturers, and retail facilities have adequate time and capacity to equip... Read more

EASA grounds Airbus AS332L2 and EC225

EASA grounds Airbus AS332L2 and EC225

3-Jun-2016Source: HeliHub.com

EASA has issued an Emergency Airworthiness Directive 2016-0104-E which prohibits any flights of Airbus AS332L2 and EC225 helicopters with the exception of a single flight without passengers to ferry such a helicopter to a maintenance base.  This follows earlier groundings from the national Civil Aviation Authorities of Norway and the UK, with the exception of... Read more

USHST Supports FAA Revisions to Autorotation Testing

USHST Supports FAA Revisions to Autorotation Testing

2-Jun-2016Source: USHST

The United States Helicopter Safety Team (www.ushst.org) is offering a supportive voice to recent changes made by the Federal Aviation Administration in its Practical Test Standards (PTS) for helicopter instructors.  (https://www.faa.gov/training_testing/testing/test_standards/media/FAA-S-8081-7B.pdf) “The revision provides examiners a path to mitigate some risks associated with the Flight Instructor PTS requirements to demonstrate proficiency in the touchdown portion... Read more

Statoil launches internal investigation into CHC EC225 accident

Statoil launches internal investigation into CHC EC225 accident

19-May-2016Source: Statoil

The mandate for Statoil’s in-house investigation of the helicopter accident on 29 April is ready. The purpose of the investigation is to identify measures to improve Statoil’s work on helicopter safety on the Norwegian continental shelf. The Accident Investigation Board Norway is responsible for identifying the chain of events and the cause of the accident.... Read more

British pilot union welcomes promise of new drone laws

British pilot union welcomes promise of new drone laws

19-May-2016Source: BALPA

The British Airline Pilots’ Association (BALPA) has welcomed the announcement in the Queen’s Speech that the Government will introduce new regulations on drones in a forthcoming Modern Transport Bill.  Jim McAuslan, BALPA General Secretary, said: “We are pleased that the Government is planning to bring forward drone legislation in a new bill. The number of... Read more

FAA Releases Drone Registration Location Data

FAA Releases Drone Registration Location Data

19-May-2016Source: FAA

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) today posted a large database showing the city, state and zip code of each registered drone owner. Release of the database responds to a number of Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests submitted since the new unmanned aircraft registration system began operating on December 21, 2015. The FAA is not... Read more

FBI Drone Detection System being tested at New York JFK Airport

FBI Drone Detection System being tested at New York JFK Airport

17-May-2016Source: FAA

The FAA and its government partners are expanding research on ways to detect “rogue” drones around airports. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and its government, industry and academia partners have joined forces to evaluate drone detection technology at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York. Over the last two years, the FAA has... Read more

HeliOffshore calls for root-and-branch review of offshore safety

HeliOffshore calls for root-and-branch review of offshore safety

16-May-2016Source: HeliOffshore

HeliOffshore Chief Executive Officer Gretchen Haskins, in closing remarks yesterday, described how recent helicopter tragedies had strengthened the industry’s resolve to enhance the safety of offshore helicopter operations. “We owe it to those who lost loved ones in Norway – and in other accidents – to do everything to continue our collaboration and deliver safety breakthroughs,”... Read more

UK AAIB Bulletin – May 2016

UK AAIB Bulletin – May 2016

12-May-2016Source: AAIB

The monthly bulletin from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been released. This month’s issue covers the accident(s) of:- Robinson R22 Beta (G-EFON), tail rotor struck ground during lift off at Retford Gamston Airport, 25 February 2016... Read more

UK and Norway extend EC225 grounding to include AS332L2

UK and Norway extend EC225 grounding to include AS332L2

11-May-2016Source: CAA

Following the tragic Norwegian Super Puma helicopter accident on Friday 29 April, the UK and Norwegian Civil Aviation Authorities have been collaborating very closely and are united in their approach. Shortly after the accident, both organisations introduced restrictions to the Airbus EC225LP helicopter to prevent operators using it for commercial flights. Both organisations have now... Read more

HAI President’s Message – I Had No Idea

HAI President’s Message – I Had No Idea

11-May-2016Source: HAI

In my travels, I hear one comment a lot: “I had no idea HAI did all that!” So I want to tell you about some — but certainly not all — of the ways HAI works for our members. HAI advocates for: The safe integration of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) into the airspace and developing... Read more

FAA forms bird strike working group – HAI applies to serve on it

FAA forms bird strike working group – HAI applies to serve on it

10-May-2016Source: HAI

HAI has submitted its application to serve on a newly formed FAA working group to enhance helicopter bird strike protection. The FAA recently announced the formation of the working group, which will provide advice and recommendations to the aviation rulemaking advisory committee (ARAC). According to the FAA’s announcement in the Federal Register, data shows that... Read more

EASA creates task force to assess the risk of aircraft colliding with drones

EASA creates task force to assess the risk of aircraft colliding with drones

5-May-2016Source: EASA

The European Aviation Safety Agency announces today the creation of a task force to assess the risk of collision between drones and aircraft. The task force will: Review all relevant occurrences including the occurrences collected by the European Member States, Analyse the existing studies on the subject of impact between drones and aircraft, Study the... Read more

Full analysis of the impact on CHC of the Norwegian EC225 accident

Full analysis of the impact on CHC of the Norwegian EC225 accident

4-May-2016Source: HeliHub.com

Two and a half weeks ago, on April 15th, CHC chose to delay the payment of $46 Million in interest due on its 9.25% senior secured notes maturing October 15, 2020 (the “2020 Notes”).  At the time, our analysis of the company’s unaudited balance sheet at 31 January 2016 showed that its liabilities exceeded its... Read more

AS332 Super Puma is NOT implicated by Bergen EC225 accident

AS332 Super Puma is NOT implicated by Bergen EC225 accident

4-May-2016Source: HeliHub.com

Given the volume of emails and phone calls that HeliHub.com has received in recent days, mainly from outside the helicopter industry, we are taking this opportunity to put one key point down in writing. They key area of investigation is the main rotor gearbox and the suspension bars which sit at an angle to hold... Read more

Shell puts pause on using CHC Norway

Shell puts pause on using CHC Norway

4-May-2016Source: Shell

Shell has issued the following statement, in which they confirm they are suspending using CHC Norway as an operator.  The oil company’s decision does not extend to CHC in any other country. “Shell has with sadness followed the reports of the tragic event outside Bergen in Norway. Our thoughts and condolences go out to the... Read more

Latest statement (May 3) from Airbus Helicopters on EC225 situation

Latest statement (May 3) from Airbus Helicopters on EC225 situation

4-May-2016

3 May – Airbus Helicopters welcomes the announcement made by the Accident Investigation Board Norway (AIBN) today. The investigation will now solely be focused on potential root causes of a technical failure, such as design, production, and/or maintenance. Airbus Helicopters continues to provide its full support to the AIBN investigation. At this stage and based... Read more

EASA issue Emergency AD for EC225

EASA issue Emergency AD for EC225

3-May-2016Source: EASA

EASA issued an Emergency Airworthiness Directive (AD), following the tragic accident which occurred in Norway on 29 April 2016 to an Airbus Helicopters EC 225 helicopter. The partial information available so far indicate an in-flight separation of the main rotor from the main gearbox (MGB); an investigation is on-going to identify the root cause of... Read more

Norwegian Investigator’s statement on EC225

Norwegian Investigator’s statement on EC225

3-May-2016Source: AIBN

The Accident Investigation Board Norway arrived at the accident site on Turøy in Hordaland Friday evening. Helicopter wreckage was retrieved from land and the sea bottom Saturday and was then transferred to Haakonsvern naval base (Bergen) by ship. The combined Flight Data and Cockpit Voice Recorder was retrieved from the wreckage Friday night. The unit... Read more

OIl & Gas UK statement on EC225

OIl & Gas UK statement on EC225

3-May-2016Source: OIl & Gas UK

Mick Borwell, Health, Safety and Environment Policy Director with Oil & Gas UK, said: “This is tragic news from Norway and our immediate thoughts go to the family, friends and colleagues of those involved in this incident. “The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has followed the Norwegian CAA in issuing a Safety Directive effective from... Read more

CHC statement on EC225 accident

CHC statement on EC225 accident

3-May-2016Source: CHC

CHC Helicopter Service earlier today confirmed that flight HKS 241 from the Gullfaks B platform was involved in an accident near the Flesland Airport in Bergen, Norway on April 29, 2016. The helicopter, an Airbus EC 225, carried 11 passengers and two crewmembers. The flight was operated on behalf of Statoil. “We are greatly saddened... Read more

UK AAIB statement on EC225

UK AAIB statement on EC225

3-May-2016Source: AAIB

The AAIB is deploying a small team to assist the Norwegian AIBN in their investigation of a helicopter accident near Bergen. Air Accidents Investigation Branch Chief Inspector Keith Conradi said: “We were sad to hear of the loss of a helicopter west of Bergen, Norway. The Air Accidents Investigation Branch has offered to assist the... Read more

Bristow statement on EC225

Bristow statement on EC225

3-May-2016Source: Bristow

On Friday, April 29, 2016, an accident occurred with an Airbus Helicopters EC225LP (also known as a H225) model helicopter operated by another helicopter company, which resulted in a crash near Turøy outside of Bergen, Norway. The aircraft was carrying eleven passengers and two crew members at the time of the accident. Thirteen fatalities were... Read more

CHC EC225 – Text of Norwegian Safety Directive

CHC EC225 – Text of Norwegian Safety Directive

3-May-2016Source: Luftfartstilsynet

SAFETY DIRECTIVE – Airbus Helicopters EC225LP – Limitation of operations in the Kingdom of Norway due to fatal accident on the 29th of April 2016 This Safety Directive contains mandatory action that is required to establish an acceptable level of safety. It is issued in accordance with the Aviation Act (Luftfartsloven) §4-1 and regulation (EC)... Read more

Airbus Helicopters believe EC225 is safe to fly

Airbus Helicopters believe EC225 is safe to fly

3-May-2016Source: Airbus Helicopters

Below is the wording of two separate statements from manufacturer Airbus Helicopters following the accident of an EC225 operated by CHC on 29th April   May 1, 2016 – Considering the additional information gathered during the last 48 hours, Airbus Helicopters’ decision, at this stage, is to not suspend flights of any nature for the... Read more

CHC EC225 – UK CAA statement

CHC EC225 – UK CAA statement

3-May-2016Source: CAA

“Our thoughts are with those affected by the tragic accident in Norway. “Following the accident the UK CAA has issued an instruction to stop any commercial passenger flights by UK operators flying the Airbus EC225LP helicopter. This mirrors action taken by the Norwegian CAA. The restriction does not apply to search and rescue flights. “The... Read more

Fly Safe: Prevention of Loss of Control Accidents

Fly Safe: Prevention of Loss of Control Accidents

25-Apr-2016Source: FAA

The FAA and general aviation (GA) group’s #FlySafe national safety campaign aims to educate the GA community on best practices in calculating and predicting aircraft performance, and on operating within established aircraft limitations. What is Loss of Control? A Loss of Control (LOC) accident involves an unintended departure of an aircraft from controlled flight. LOC... Read more

Airspace alert after UK airliner hit by drone on approach to Heathrow

Airspace alert after UK airliner hit by drone on approach to Heathrow

18-Apr-2016Source: HeliHub.com

Police in London were last night investigating after an object – reported to be a drone – struck the nose of a British Airways jet over Heathrow in what is believed to be the first case of its kind.  The pilot of flight BA727 from Geneva, carrying 132 passengers and five crew members, reported the... Read more

UK AAIB Bulletin – April 2016

UK AAIB Bulletin – April 2016

15-Apr-2016Source: AAIB

The monthly bulletin from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been released. This month’s issue covers the accident(s) of:- AAR 1/2016 AS332 L2 Super Puma, G-WNSB struck the sea on approach to Sumburgh Airport in the Shetland Islands, 23 August 2013 Agusta Bell 206B Jet Ranger III (G-OMDR), loss of control in flight, near Gamston... Read more

FAA Deputy Administrator Talks Safety at Sun n Fun

FAA Deputy Administrator Talks Safety at Sun n Fun

12-Apr-2016Source: FAA

FAA Deputy Administrator Mike Whitaker visited the Sun ‘n Fun International Fly In and Expo in Lakeland, Fla. this week as part of the agency’s ongoing partnership with the general aviation community to improve safety. Whitaker announced the FAA’s Got Data? initiative to give the private sector better access the FAA’s aeronautical data. Speaking at... Read more

ICAO rethinks global sleep standards for helicopter pilots

ICAO rethinks global sleep standards for helicopter pilots

11-Apr-2016Source: ICAO

ICAO is working to bring sleep standards for helicopter pilots in line with existing recommended practices for commercial airline crew, said Michelle Millar, ICAO’s technical specialist, human performance  See full story... Read more

FAA Reviewing Micro UAS Report

FAA Reviewing Micro UAS Report

8-Apr-2016Source: FAA

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is currently reviewing the report and recommendations of the Micro Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Aviation Rulemaking Committee. The agency had tasked the group to develop recommendations for performance-based regulations that would let certain unmanned aircraft operate over people not directly involved in the flight of the aircraft. The rulemaking committee,... Read more

USHST targets 20% reduction in fatal accidents within 5 years

USHST targets 20% reduction in fatal accidents within 5 years

7-Apr-2016Source: USHST

The United States Helicopter Safety Team (www.ushst.org) will focus major attention during the next four years on reducing fatal accidents within the U.S. civil helicopter community. The industry-government partnership is targeting a reduction to 0.61 fatal accidents per 100,000 flight hours, which is 20 percent less than the average since 2009.  For a baseline comparison,... Read more

Australian Defence Force sued by family of pilot killed in 2011

Australian Defence Force sued by family of pilot killed in 2011

4-Apr-2016Source: Herald Sun

Lieutenant Marcus Case, 27, was killed and five other service personnel injured when a Chinook helicopter they were in crashed near the Aussie base at Tarin Kowt in May 2011  See full story See also HeliHub.com page for this accident – 30-May-11 Boeing CH-47D Tarin Kot, Afghanistan (1F)... Read more

FAA Releases Updated UAS Sighting Reports

FAA Releases Updated UAS Sighting Reports

28-Mar-2016Source: FAA

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) today released an updated list of pilot, air traffic controller and citizen reports of possible encounters with unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). The latest report covers August 22, 2015 through January 31, 2016. Reports of unmanned aircraft have increased dramatically since 2014. Safely integrating unmanned aircraft into the national airspace system is one... Read more

New co-chairman of US Helicopter Safety Team appointed

New co-chairman of US Helicopter Safety Team appointed

27-Mar-2016Source: USHST

Raj Helweg, chief pilot of Air Methods, has been named the new industry co-chairman of the United States Helicopter Safety Team (www.ushst.org). The USHST was formed in 2013 as a regional partner within the International Helicopter Safety Team (www.IHST.org) to lead a government and industry cooperative effort to promote safety and work to reduce civil... Read more

FAA Acts to Reduce Bird Fatalities

FAA Acts to Reduce Bird Fatalities

23-Mar-2016Source: FAA

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) expects thousands of birds may be saved each year because of changes the agency has made to its communication tower lighting standards. The FAA has developed a number of tower lighting configurations for tall structures to warn pilots they are approaching an obstruction, particularly during nighttime hours and in bad... Read more

Seattle news helicopter crash survivor files lawsuit

Seattle news helicopter crash survivor files lawsuit

23-Mar-2016Source: KREM

Guillermo Sanchez was driving to work in Seattle on the morning of March 18, 2014 when the news helicopter fell from the sky and hit his car while he was stopped at a red light.  See full story... Read more

Oil & Gas UK responds to Sumburgh AS332L2 AAIB report

Oil & Gas UK responds to Sumburgh AS332L2 AAIB report

23-Mar-2016Source: Oil & Gas UK

Mick Borwell, Health & Safety Director, Oil & Gas UK, said: “Following publication of the Air Accidents Investigation Branch report into the Sumburgh tragedy we will take time to carefully examine its findings. Our thoughts are with the families, friends and colleagues of those not with us today. “There are many recommendations in this report... Read more

UK Helicopter Industry gets Together to Improve Safety

UK Helicopter Industry gets Together to Improve Safety

20-Mar-2016Source: Starspeed

Over 40 members of the UK onshore helicopter industry got together at the buildings of the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB), Farnborough on 10th March. Senior members of many of the Air Operators Certificate (AOC) operators and maintenance organisations, along with Airbus Helicopters UK, Finmeccanica UK, and Turbomeca UK all contributed to a busy schedule... Read more

Airbus Helicopters detail effectiveness of Safety Roadshows

Airbus Helicopters detail effectiveness of Safety Roadshows

18-Mar-2016Source: Airbus

Analyses of helicopter accidents point to operational factors as prime contributors to rotorcraft accidents. Airbus Helicopters’ Aviation Safety Roadshows aim to change the safety culture by mobilizing our network of customer centers and promoting helicopter safety through seminars around the world. Aligned with our ‘Safety First’ culture, Airbus Helicopters launched the Aviation Safety Roadshows as... Read more

US Federal Government Expands Unmanned Systems Partnerships

US Federal Government Expands Unmanned Systems Partnerships

17-Mar-2016Source: FAA

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and key government agencies involved in unmanned aircraft operations are expanding participation in the Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Executive Committee (EXCOM). The committee provides federal agencies with a forum to share information and reduce redundancies on UAS research and development, and resolve policy and procedural issues on safe UAS integration... Read more

FAA Administrator Talks Drones at SXSW

FAA Administrator Talks Drones at SXSW

15-Mar-2016Source: FAA

FAA Administrator Michael Huerta and Sally French, “The Drone Girl,” today led a lively panel discussion about the future of small unmanned aircraft at South by Southwest (SXSW) in Austin on Monday. The panel included a diverse group of innovative thinkers from industry and government. In his opening remarks, Administrator Huerta outlined recent progress on... Read more

FAA Administrator Huerta to lead drone discussion at SXSW

FAA Administrator Huerta to lead drone discussion at SXSW

13-Mar-2016Source: FAA

FAA Administrator Michael Huerta will make opening remarks and moderate a panel discussion with several industry and government partners about the future of small unmanned aircraft – at the SXSW “South By South West” event. Discussion topics are expected to include UAS registration, the MicroUAS aviation rulemaking committee, steps to speed integration, new uses for... Read more

UK AAIB Bulletin – March 2016

UK AAIB Bulletin – March 2016

10-Mar-2016Source: AAIB

The monthly bulletin from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been released. This month’s issue covers the accident(s) of:- Correction: Agusta Bell 206B (G-SUEX), loss of engine power in a position from which it was not possible to conduct a safe landing, Flamborough Head, Yorkshire, 16 September 2014... Read more

NBAA Calls FAA UAS Detection Work Good First Step

NBAA Calls FAA UAS Detection Work Good First Step

9-Mar-2016Source: NBAA

The FAA-led effort to develop and test a detection system that identifies unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) operating on and near airports is a good first step, said Sarah Wolf, NBAA’s senior manager of security and facilitation. As this technology matures, it will contribute to the safety of NBAA members that operate both manned and unmanned... Read more

Memorial Hermann Life Flight picks Armor SMS

Memorial Hermann Life Flight picks Armor SMS

2-Mar-2016

Professional Resources in System Management, LLC (PRISM) is pleased to announce that Memorial Hermann Life Flight® has selected Aviation Risk Management Online Resource (ARMOR) as its aviation Safety Management System software. Life Flight is a critical care air medical transport service based in Houston, Texas. They serve the community within a 150-mile radius of the... Read more

FAA Unveils Effort to Expand the Safe Integration of Unmanned Aircraft

FAA Unveils Effort to Expand the Safe Integration of Unmanned Aircraft

29-Feb-2016Source: FAA

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is establishing an aviation rulemaking committee  (PDF)with industry stakeholders to develop recommendations for a regulatory framework that would allow certain UAS to be operated over people who are not directly involved in the operation of the aircraft. The FAA is taking this action to provide a more flexible,... Read more

NATA announces new FAA Medical program for Part 135 and Part 91 operators

NATA announces new FAA Medical program for Part 135 and Part 91 operators

29-Feb-2016Source: NATA

On Friday 26th February, the National Air Transportation Association (NATA) announced a new “FAA Medical Certification Services” benefit program for Part 135 and 91 operators and their pilots. Administered by Harvey Watt & Co., this program was previously available only when combined with insurance products or through airlines for their pilots. The NATA FAA Medical... Read more

CHC Safety & Quality Summit keynote speaker named

CHC Safety & Quality Summit keynote speaker named

29-Feb-2016Source: CHC

Dr. Joe MacInnes, a medical doctor, undersea explorer, author and leadership expert, has been confirmed as the keynote speaker for the gala dinner at the 12th-annual CHC Safety & Quality Summit. The Tuesday, April 5, dinner at the Westin Bayshore hotel is expected to attract up to 600 people – most of whom will also... Read more

Workshops train police on responding to illegal drone activity

Workshops train police on responding to illegal drone activity

23-Feb-2016Source: USI

The Unmanned Safety Institute, a professional organization dedicated to the safe and responsible integration of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) into the U.S. National Airspace System, today announced a joint partnership with the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) to provide educational workshops to the law enforcement community throughout the United States.  The purpose of the... Read more

Nigerian CAA orders S76C inspections

Nigerian CAA orders S76C inspections

23-Feb-2016Source: Leadership

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has ordered all airlines operating the Sikorsky S76C series to carry out safety inspections on the helicopter  type with immediate effect. See Full Story... Read more

FAA, DHS, CACI, UMD Perform UAS Detection Work

FAA, DHS, CACI, UMD Perform UAS Detection Work

19-Feb-2016Source: FAA

Each month, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) receives more than 100 reports from pilots and others who spot what appears to be an unmanned aircraft (UAS) flying close to an airport or a manned airplane. It’s become a serious safety concern for the agency, and a potential security issue for the Department of Homeland Security... Read more

Researchers size up helicopter escape potential of North Sea workers

Researchers size up helicopter escape potential of North Sea workers

16-Feb-2016Source: RGU

Charting their body dimensions has also cast valuable light on their ability to escape through a helicopter window. Bigger individuals are less likely to be able to do so than smaller individuals, but the study has shown that size isn’t everything. The new findings from a joint research project into the size and shape of... Read more

Enstrom TH-180 prototype has test flight accident

Enstrom TH-180 prototype has test flight accident

15-Feb-2016Source: HeliHub.com

The sole Enstrom TH-180 development aircraft N180TH [pictured] had an accident on Friday, coming down in a residential area close to Marinette Twin County Airport in Menominee, Michigan where the manufacturer is based.  The helicopter hit a power pole and some tree branches on 14th Avenue and crashed right-side up at 18th Street and 15th... Read more

HAI President seeks help from membership

HAI President seeks help from membership

15-Feb-2016Source: HAI

As most of you know, HAI exists to serve the needs of you, our members, and to advocate on your behalf. We want to ensure you do not have to operate in an environment of over burdensome regulations and legislation that restrict your ability to conduct your activities and remain economically viable. This philosophy applies... Read more

HAI campaigns against taking ATC outside FAA control

HAI campaigns against taking ATC outside FAA control

12-Feb-2016Source: HAI

The timing is critical for the helicopter industry to help stave off major changes to the FAA that will impact your operations and bring additional costs for your operation. The House Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) Committee will vote on Thursday on a bill that could fundamentally change how U.S. airspace is governed and what kind... Read more

UK AAIB Bulletin – February 2016

UK AAIB Bulletin – February 2016

12-Feb-2016Source: AAIB

The monthly bulletin from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been released. This month’s issue covers the accident(s) of:- Robinson R22 Beta (G-DEFY), dynamic rollover, Elstree Aerodrome, Hertfordshire, 25 September 2015 Robinson R22 Beta (G-TIMH), heavy landing, Nottingham Heliport, 13 September 2015 Robinson R66 (G-LROK), dynamic rollover during takeoff, Denham Airfield, Buckinghamshire, 12 September 2015... Read more

IHST gathers safety experts from around the globe at Heli-Expo

IHST gathers safety experts from around the globe at Heli-Expo

11-Feb-2016Source: IHST

Global members of the International Helicopter Safety Team (www.IHST.org) will gather at Heli-Expo next month for a worldwide summit focused on civil helicopter safety and to share knowledge and advice about reducing accidents. Safety experts will participate in the summit from countries with substantial civil helicopter operations, including the United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, the... Read more

Carilion Life-Guard launches ‘Land The Drone’ safety campaign

Carilion Life-Guard launches ‘Land The Drone’ safety campaign

10-Feb-2016Source: WDBJ7

On Friday, Carilion Clinic Life-Guard pilots and drone operators met at the hangar on McClanahan Street in Roanoke to talk about safe ways to share the airspace. See Full Story... Read more

Maverick Helicopters wins FAA Diamond award for fifth straight year

Maverick Helicopters wins FAA Diamond award for fifth straight year

5-Feb-2016Source: Maverick

Maverick Helicopters, an award-winning division of Maverick Aviation Group, recently received the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) 2015 Award of Excellence “Diamond Award.” The prestigious honor, which the company has now received five years in a row, is a result of Maverick Helicopters’ ongoing dedication to maintenance training and aircraft safety. The FAA’s Award of Excellence... Read more

New technology to clear 1cm thick ice on rotor blades

New technology to clear 1cm thick ice on rotor blades

27-Jan-2016Source: Rice University

A new nanotech coating can melt ice on helicopter blades and might offer a new way to de-ice aircraft, wind turbines, and power lines. In tests, the material melted centimeter-thick ice from a static helicopter rotor blade in a minus-4-degree Fahrenheit environment. When a small voltage was applied, the coating delivered electrothermal heat—called Joule heating—to... Read more

HAI Rotor Safety Challenge returns at Heli-Expo 2016

HAI Rotor Safety Challenge returns at Heli-Expo 2016

27-Jan-2016Source: HAI

At HAI HELI-EXPO 2016, HAI will bring back the HAI Rotor Safety Challenge: an easy and economical way to learn industry best practices, including safety tools and techniques you can apply back on the job. Free to all registered HAI HELI-EXPO attendees and exhibitors, the 2016 HAI Rotor Safety Challenge features 63 safety education events. Most... Read more

HAI joins Gulf of Mexico operators for safety meeting

HAI joins Gulf of Mexico operators for safety meeting

25-Jan-2016Source: HAI

The Helicopter Safety Advisory Committee (HSAC) is an opportunity for the stakeholders in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) to come together and work on safety issues that affect the Oil and Gas industry. HAI Director of Safety Outreach Stan Rose joined helicopter operators, the energy companies, the regulators and other who operate in and around... Read more

Two drone pilots face criminal charges in Los Angeles

Two drone pilots face criminal charges in Los Angeles

22-Jan-2016Source: PC World

The Los Angeles County District Attorney filed criminal cases against two drone pilots on Wednesday for allegedly flying their drones in controlled airspace. See Full story... Read more

IHST Safety Experts to contribute to 14 Heli-Expo 2016 Workshops

IHST Safety Experts to contribute to 14 Heli-Expo 2016 Workshops

21-Jan-2016Source: IHST

Members of the International Helicopter Safety Team (www.IHST.org) will be providing their safety advice for Heli-Expo participants in Louisville at 14 different workshops and at a special safety symposium. The IHST promotes safety and works to reduce accidents through a government and industry cooperative effort that has resulted in a worldwide decrease in civil helicopter... Read more

UK AAIB Bulletin – January 2016

UK AAIB Bulletin – January 2016

17-Jan-2016Source: AAIB

The monthly bulletin from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been released. This month’s issue covers the accident(s) of:- Agusta Bell 206B (G-SUEX), loss of engine power in a position from which it was not possible to conduct a safe landing, Flamborough Head, Yorkshire, 16 September 2014 Enstrom 480 (G-IGHH), wire strike, Aldbury, Hertfordshire, 9... Read more

Charlotte Metroplex project leads FAA NextGen ATC upgrades

Charlotte Metroplex project leads FAA NextGen ATC upgrades

11-Jan-2016Source: FAA

North Carolina was “first in flight” when the Wright Brothers took to the skies at Kitty Hawk, and now it’s leading the way to the next generation of air traffic control. NextGen procedures are helping flights operate more efficiently at Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT), improving on-time performance and decreasing emissions. The Charlotte Metroplex project includes new arrival and departure procedures for CLT and surrounding airports in North Carolina, South Carolina and southern Virginia. Procedural changes in... Read more

FAA launches B4U Fly app at CES show

FAA launches B4U Fly app at CES show

7-Jan-2016Source: FAA

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Michael Huerta today announced the public release of the B4UFLY mobile application following an initial beta testing period. B4UFLY tells users about current or upcoming requirements and restrictions in areas of the National Airspace System (NAS) where they may want to operate their unmanned aircraft system (UAS). The app is... Read more

USHST to host safety symposium at  ​ Heli-Expo 2016

USHST to host safety symposium at ​ Heli-Expo 2016

6-Jan-2016Source: USHT

The United States Helicopter Safety Team (http://www.ushst.org/) will help the Helicopter Association International (HAI) kick off​​ Heli-Expo 2016 by hosting a Symposium for helicopter safety professionals on Feb. 29th in Louisville. The theme of the Safety Symposium will be “Safety and the Bottom Line” and will include presentations focused on showing how safety initiatives and the... Read more

FAA increases awareness to reduce Loss Of Control accidents

FAA increases awareness to reduce Loss Of Control accidents

6-Jan-2016Source: FAA

The FAA and general aviation (GA) group’s #FlySafe national safety campaign aims to educate the GA community on how to prevent Loss of Control (LOC) accidents. What is Loss of Control (LOC)? A Loss of Control (LOC) accident involves an unintended departure from controlled flight. LOC can happen when an aircraft operates outside its normal flight... Read more

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