Uk News

UK MOD receives final AW101 Mk4/4a Merlin

UK MOD receives final AW101 Mk4/4a Merlin

12-Jan-2023Source: Leonardo

The UK Ministry of Defence (MOD), on behalf of the Royal Navy, has received its final AW101 Mk4/4a Merlin helicopter. This aircraft was part of the Merlin Life Sustainment Programme, which entailed the upgrade of 25 AW101 Merlin Mk3/3a aircraft. The aircraft modifications include new cockpit avionics, ship optimization including a folding main rotor head and folding tail to enable the... Read more

Leonardo awarded €690M contract for the AW101/CH149 Upgrade

Leonardo awarded €690M contract for the AW101/CH149 Upgrade

3-Jan-2023Source: Leonardo

The Canadian Department of National Defence has awarded Leonardo (through Leonardo U.K. Ltd of Yeovil) a $1 billion CAN (€690 million) contract for the AW101/CH-149 “Cormorant” Mid-Life Upgrade (CMLU) Project for 16 aircraft in total, comprising 13 existing Cormorant Search and Rescue Helicopter (CSH) currently in-service and the augmentation of a further three aircraft. This... Read more

UK AAIB Bulletin – December 2022

UK AAIB Bulletin – December 2022

16-Dec-2022Source: AAIB

The monthly bulletin from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been released. This month’s issue does not refer to any helicopters and this update is included in HeliHub.com for completeness.... Read more

UK Certification “Special Arrangement” to End in January

UK Certification “Special Arrangement” to End in January

16-Dec-2022Source: ARSA

On Dec. 8, the FAA and UK CAA issued a joint statement confirming the January 2023 termination of the Special Arrangement for Continuity in Aircraft Certification Projects. “The two-year transition period and this associated Special Arrangement will end on 01 January 2023,” the agencies said. “From that date, the provisions of the Special Arrangement will... Read more

UK military spends £129M on drones

UK military spends £129M on drones

16-Dec-2022Source: UK Military

Replacing existing Mini Uncrewed Aerial Systems (MUAS) such as Desert Hawk 3, the 159 rotary-wing Indago 4 devices and 105 fixed-wing Stalker VXE30 drones, which are both capable of locating and identifying targets far from the operator, are due to be operational by the end of 2024. Weighing a little over 20 kilograms and with... Read more

10 UK Air Ambulance operators begin blood transfusion trial

10 UK Air Ambulance operators begin blood transfusion trial

16-Dec-2022Source: NHS

A clinical trial began on 15 December with Air Ambulance crews carrying ‘whole blood’ instead of separate red blood cells and plasma for the treatment of severely injured patients at risk of bleeding to death. The SWIFT (1) trial is led by NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) and will involve 10 air ambulance charities across the country... Read more

Bristow to purchase 6 AW139s for UKSAR2G SAR programme

Bristow to purchase 6 AW139s for UKSAR2G SAR programme

7-Dec-2022Source: Leonardo

Leonardo announced that Bristow Group Inc. (NYSE: VTOL) has signed a contract to procure six AW139 intermediate twin engine helicopters to support the Second-Generation Search and Rescue Aviation (“UKSAR2G”) programme by the U.K. Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA). Aircraft’s deliveries are expected to start in 2023 and to be completed in 2024, joining an existing... Read more

Royal Navy medics test air ambulance concept at sea for first time

Royal Navy medics test air ambulance concept at sea for first time

6-Dec-2022Source: Royal Navy

Medics on Britain’s flagship tested a ‘military air ambulance’ at sea for the first time to speed up life-saving the next time a Royal Navy carrier group goes into action. HMS Queen Elizabeth used her autumn deployment to the North Sea and Scandinavia – the northern ‘arm’ of the Royal Navy’s Operation Achillean, which has... Read more

Merlin upgrade extends life of Royal Navy helicopter to 2030

Merlin upgrade extends life of Royal Navy helicopter to 2030

6-Dec-2022Source: UK Ministry of Defense

In total,19 Mk3 aircraft and 6 Mk3a have been upgraded to the Mk4/4a standard to ensure the Commando Helicopter Force (CHF) have the capability to provide air support to 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines and other UK forces. CHF, the wings of the UK Commando Force, also support the Carrier Strike Group, carry out Search... Read more

UK – Volare commits to ten Lilium Pioneer Edition VTOL Jets

UK – Volare commits to ten Lilium Pioneer Edition VTOL Jets

5-Dec-2022

Lilium N.V. (NASDAQ: LILM), developer of the first all-electric vertical take-off and landing (“eVTOL”) jet, announced a contract with eVolare, a subsidiary of Volare Aviation, one of the United Kingdom’s largest helicopter and private jet operators. This partnership includes a firm commitment for ten Lilium Pioneer Edition Jets, with an option to reserve an additional... Read more

EEAST and Magpas Air Ambulance crews win Who Cares Wins awards

EEAST and Magpas Air Ambulance crews win Who Cares Wins awards

5-Dec-2022Source: East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust

Crews from the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST) and Magpas Air Ambulance received a national award for their efforts in bringing a 13-year-old in cardiac arrest back to life. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak presented the team with the 999 Hero award at the Sun’s Who Cares Win awards at a star-studded ceremony... Read more

UK announces £12M in grants for 24 drone delivery projects

UK announces £12M in grants for 24 drone delivery projects

5-Dec-2022Source: UK Government

Science Minister George Freeman has today (30 November) awarded up to £12 million to UK regulators to help drive forward innovation, remove red tape and establish the UK as world leader in technologies of the future – from AI to help treat rare diseases, to drones monitoring safety on construction sites. The Regulators’ Pioneer Fund is funding... Read more

UK – Management Buyout at Ice Helicopters

UK – Management Buyout at Ice Helicopters

2-Dec-2022

ICE Helicopters announces a management buyout by Head of Training, Capt. Neil Day. Established by Martin Varley in the autumn of 2019 with just a single R44, ICE Helicopters has become the fastest growing flight school in Europe. An extraordinary achievement as a relative newcomer within the industry, and with a global pandemic to ‘navigate’.... Read more

Leonardo hosts Destination Net Zero workshop

Leonardo hosts Destination Net Zero workshop

2-Dec-2022Source: Leonardo

Small- and medium-sized enterprises from across the UK and Leonardo’s supply chain gathered to share knowledge and best practice, and have open discussions about the real hurdles we all face when trying to find innovative solutions to tackle one of the key challenges on the UK Government’s agenda: How to reach Net Zero by 2050.... Read more

Schiebel demonstrates ASW capability at NATO exercise

Schiebel demonstrates ASW capability at NATO exercise

1-Dec-2022Source: Schiebel

Schiebel, together with Thales and sponsored by the UK Royal Navy participated in REPMUS (Robotic Experimentation and Prototyping using Maritime Uncrewed Systems) and Dynamic Messenger 2022 in Portugal. Together, we successfully demonstrated the CAMCOPTER® S-100 and its Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) and cargo delivery capabilities, which all received wide acclaim. The... Read more

UK Government estimates 70 Russian helicopters lost in Ukraine

UK Government estimates 70 Russian helicopters lost in Ukraine

30-Nov-2022Source: HeliHub.com

Under Freedom of Information rules in the UK, the following question was raised by John Healey – the Shadow Secretary of State for Defence. To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 19 November to Question 63111 on Ukraine: Armed Conflict, what recent estimate he has made of the number... Read more

UK donates Sea King helicopters and artillery rounds to Ukraine

UK donates Sea King helicopters and artillery rounds to Ukraine

24-Nov-2022Source: UK Government

An additional 10,000 artillery rounds will be provided by the UK to help Ukraine defend itself against Russia’s illegal invasion, the Defence Secretary has announced on a visit to Norway. The rounds will enhance Ukraine’s defensive capability and come as the first delivery of Sea King helicopters arrives in Ukraine to provide key search and... Read more

Uni-Fly to launch UK AW169 maintenance org

Uni-Fly to launch UK AW169 maintenance org

23-Nov-2022Source: HeliHub.com

Danish operator Uni-Fly has this week launched recruitment advertising for a UK Part 145 Maintenance Manager. The candidate will be based at their Humberside Airport operations centre, from there they fly two UK-registered Leonardo AW169 helicopters in support of the renewable energy sector. Uni-Fly also has a locally-registered AW169 based in Denmark alongside a pair... Read more

Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance win 2 awards at Air Ambulance Awards

Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance win 2 awards at Air Ambulance Awards

22-Nov-2022Source: Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance

The team at Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance were recognised nationally at this year’s Air Ambulance Awards of Excellence, coming out winners in two categories and highly commended in one. Organised by Air Ambulances UK and sponsored by Airbus, these annual awards took place on Monday 14th November to celebrate and recognise the specialist life-saving skills and commitments... Read more

Essex & Herts Air Ambulance wins ‘Innovation of the Year’ award

Essex & Herts Air Ambulance wins ‘Innovation of the Year’ award

22-Nov-2022Source: Essex and Herts Air Ambulance

Essex & Herts Air Ambulance (EHAAT) has been announced as the winner of the ‘Innovation of the Year Award’ in Air Ambulance UK’s Awards of Excellence 2022. For the first time since the pandemic, representatives from air ambulance communities all around the UK gathered together at a gala dinner where the winners were announced. The... Read more

Cornwall Air Ambulance Pleas for night time landing sites

Cornwall Air Ambulance Pleas for night time landing sites

22-Nov-2022Source: Cornwall Air Ambulance

Cornwall Air Ambulance is appealing to sports clubs across Cornwall who could provide night time landing sites for its helicopter on emergency missions. The charity aims to find at least 30 new night landing sites that will save crucial minutes of time – and is looking for sports pitches. There are already 30 ‘pre-surveyed’ locations... Read more

Devon Air Ambulance awarded 4 industry Awards

Devon Air Ambulance awarded 4 industry Awards

21-Nov-2022

Devon Air Ambulance (DAA) is proud to have received 4 accolades at the recent Awards of Excellence hosted by Air Ambulances UK Sponsored by Airbus, the annual awards celebrates and recognises the specialist lifesaving skills and commitment of those working tirelessly within and in support of the air ambulance community. The event held in Birmingham on... Read more

Starspeed commences Isles of Scilly scheduled service

Starspeed commences Isles of Scilly scheduled service

15-Nov-2022Source: HeliHub.com

As one of the longest run scheduled services in the world, the route from Penzance Heliport on the the south-west tip of England across open water to the Isles of Scilly has always attracted interest within the industry.  The 36 mile route has been flown by helicopters – with a couple of notable breaks –... Read more

Leonardo welcomes Yeovil College to Team AW149 UK

Leonardo welcomes Yeovil College to Team AW149 UK

15-Nov-2022Source: Leonardo

Leonardo has expanded Team AW149 UK, the national alliance of onshore supply chain members supporting the company’s bid to provide its latest-generation military AW149 helicopter to the UK Armed Forces. Going beyond the core supply chain for the AW149, Leonardo is widening the team to include members from across its communities who will also benefit... Read more

UK AAIB Bulletin – November 2022

UK AAIB Bulletin – November 2022

10-Nov-2022Source: AAIB

The monthly bulletin from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been released. This month’s issue covers the accident(s) of:- Agusta AW169 (G-KSST), helicopter downwash caused flying debris injury to one person, Epsom, Surrey, 2 July 2022 AW189 (G-MCGT), unexpected pitch oscillations following selection of Transition Down AFCS SAR mode, near Heads of Ayr, South Ayrshire,... Read more

Leonardo introduces Weapons Loading System Trainer RNAS in Yeovilton

Leonardo introduces Weapons Loading System Trainer RNAS in Yeovilton

8-Nov-2022Source: Leonardo

Leonardo has enhanced the delivery of weapons loading training for the British Armed Forces through the introduction of a Weapons Loading SystemTrainer (WLST) based at the Wildcat Training Centre at the Royal Naval Air Station (RNAS) in Yeovilton, Somerset. This bespoke trainer, manufactured by Pennant International, is a key capability for the UK Ministry of... Read more

iAero Centre announces manufacturing collaboration

iAero Centre announces manufacturing collaboration

7-Nov-2022Source: Yeovil

Offering a unique environment in which talent, creativity, entrepreneurship and innovation within SMEs can flourish, the iAero Centre in Yeovil has proven to be the perfect setting for a new five-way collaboration between industry, education and local government. The announcement of a 5 year joint funded agreement sees the team behind the £10m iAero project,... Read more

Gama Aviation selected as preferred bidder by Wales Air Ambulance

Gama Aviation selected as preferred bidder by Wales Air Ambulance

2-Nov-2022Source: Gama Aviation

Gama Aviation Plc, the global aviation services provider, is pleased to announce it has been selected as the preferred bidder for the Wales Air Ambulance Charity contract (“Charity”) for the operation and maintenance of four Medium Size Helicopters. The selection was made by the Charity’s Trustees after an extensive 16-month procurement process. The Group is... Read more

Bond Helicopters provides update on North Sea return

Bond Helicopters provides update on North Sea return

31-Oct-2022Source: Bond Helicopters

Bond Helicopters Limited is delighted to be returning to the helicopter market having signed a prestigious 5-year contract with Perenco, for five AW139 helicopters (including two 7.0 tonne variants) to operate in support of their southern North Sea operations from Norwich Airport. Operations are due to start in January 2024 for one of the largest... Read more

UK – National Grid and WPD fleets merge into one

UK – National Grid and WPD fleets merge into one

31-Oct-2022

As part of the acquisition by National Grid of Western Power Distribution (WPD), two helicopter fleets are being merged into one.  National Grid have three helicopters – two Bell 429s and an older Airbus AS355NP – in blue/white colour schemes.  The WPD fleet comprised of five Airbus EC135s, four 1999-build EC135P1 aircraft acquired from German... Read more

UK Royal Air Force Benson Award For Engineering Excellence

UK Royal Air Force Benson Award For Engineering Excellence

28-Oct-2022Source: Heli-One

  Heli-One, a leading provider of helicopter maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services, is happy to announce the presentation of the Award for Engineering Excellence, donated by Heli-One, from the UK Royal Air Force to Sergeant Burns during the annual Station Awards Reception at RAF Benson. The award was won by Sgt Burns for his... Read more

Babcock extends Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance contract

Babcock extends Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance contract

20-Oct-2022

Babcock and Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance (HIOWAA) have announced a three-year contract extension to keep the helicopter emergency medical service up in the sky saving lives. The new contract starts this month and will allow Babcock, a leading UK provider of specialist air ambulance operations, to continue to provide a high standard... Read more

Bond Helicopters name to return to Southern North Sea with 5 year contract

Bond Helicopters name to return to Southern North Sea with 5 year contract

20-Oct-2022Source: Gama Aviation

Gama Aviation Plc, the global aviation services provider, is pleased to announce that it has entered into a joint venture with Peter Bond to pursue rotary opportunities as part of the Group’s Special Mission SBU (the “Joint Venture” or “Bond Helicopters Limited”). The Joint Venture has won its first contract to support the offshore operations... Read more

Honwywell awarded T55 Engine contract for UK CH-47s

Honwywell awarded T55 Engine contract for UK CH-47s

17-Oct-2022Source: Honeywell

  Honeywell (NASDAQ: HON) announced that it signed a contract to supply 34 T55-GA-714A engines to the United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defence (MOD) for its new H-47 Extended Range Chinook helicopter fleet. The order and supply of the T55 engines is managed through the office of U.S. Army Foreign Military Sales. Honeywell’s T55 engine is the... Read more

UK AAIB Bulletin – October 2022

UK AAIB Bulletin – October 2022

14-Oct-2022Source: AAIB

The monthly bulletin from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been released. This month’s issue does not refer to any helicopters and this update is included in HeliHub.com for completeness.... Read more

London’s Air Ambulance launches biggest appeal yet – for two H135s

London’s Air Ambulance launches biggest appeal yet – for two H135s

10-Oct-2022Source: London's Air Ambulance

  Our medics perform life-saving treatment at the scene for patients who are critically injured. It’s thanks to our supporters that we can run this service 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. But now we are facing a new challenge. Our helicopters are becoming increasingly difficult to maintain and by 2024 it will... Read more

Vertical Aerospace makes first flight of VX4 eVTOL

Vertical Aerospace makes first flight of VX4 eVTOL

27-Sep-2022

Vertical Aerospace (Vertical) [NYSE: EVTL], a global aerospace and technology company that is pioneering zero-emissions aviation, saw its VX4 eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) aircraft take off from the ground for the very first time over the weekend. It becomes the first British company to start flight tests with a new aircraft in over... Read more

Eastern Atlantic Helicopters enters Administration

Eastern Atlantic Helicopters enters Administration

26-Sep-2022

The notice below in italics was published (here) in The Gazette, an official UK website.  In the UK, “Administration” is a phase in a company enters a legal process with the aim of achieving one of the statutory objectives of an administration. This may be to rescue a viable business that is insolvent due to... Read more

Babcock extends Great Western Air Ambulance contract

Babcock extends Great Western Air Ambulance contract

22-Sep-2022Source: Babcock

Babcock and Great Western Air Ambulance Charity (GWAAC) have announced a five-year contract extension to keep the helicopter emergency medical service up in the sky saving lives. The contract will see Babcock, a leading UK provider of specialist air ambulance operations, continue to provide exclusive aviation support to the charity, including helicopters fitted with the... Read more

Queen Elizabeth II

Queen Elizabeth II

19-Sep-2022Source: HeliHub.com

Today is the funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. In honour of her dedication to duty over an amazing 70 years and the public holiday here in the UK where HeliHub.com is based, we are not posting any news today. Long live the King... Read more

Sloane Helicopters wins Air Ambulance NI contract

Sloane Helicopters wins Air Ambulance NI contract

13-Sep-2022Source: AANI

Following a competitive tender exercise which commenced in October 2021, Air Ambulance NI is delighted to announce a 10-year partnership agreement with Sloane Helicopters Limited to provide two HEMS AW109 helicopters, pilots and aircraft maintenance for Northern Ireland’s Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS). The new agreement will commence on the 17th of September 2022. The... Read more

East Anglian Air Ambulance Celebrates support from Norwich Airport

East Anglian Air Ambulance Celebrates support from Norwich Airport

12-Sep-2022Source: East Anglian Air Ambulance

  East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA) has recognised Norwich Airport for its long-standing support with a special plaque celebrating their partnership over the years.   The Airport has been named on the charity’s ‘thank you wall’ at EAAA’s state-of-the-art base at Helimed House, Hangar 14 as a token of appreciation for the services it provides.... Read more

Magpas Air Ambulance breaks ground on airbase

Magpas Air Ambulance breaks ground on airbase

12-Sep-2022Source: Magpas Air Ambulance

  Monday, 18th July, Magpas Air Ambulance and developers Lindum marked the start of construction of the long-awaited new home for the Cambridgeshire-based emergency medical charity, after the site of its current operations base at RAF Wyton was sold for development. The new building will be equipped to better support the charity’s growing 24/7 operations... Read more

PAL-V International opens at London Oxford Airport

PAL-V International opens at London Oxford Airport

8-Sep-2022Source: PAL-V International

PAL-V International B.V. of the Netherlands, creator of the PAL-V Liberty car which flies as a gyrocopter with rotors which unfold from its roof, has taken up tenancy at London Oxford Airport.  Headed by Sales Director Andy Wall, the Oxford office is also home to the UK’s first ‘fly drive’ simulator, bookable via appointment.  Here,... Read more

Sloane Helicopters sues over award of Irish EMS contract

Sloane Helicopters sues over award of Irish EMS contract

8-Sep-2022Source: Irish Times

The action has been brought by UK-based Sloane Helicopters Limited against the Irish Health Service Executive decision to award a 24 month EMS helicopter contract to Malta-based Gulf Med Aviation Ltd.  According to the Irish Times, Sloane claims the decision is inter alia flawed and unlawful, and in breach of EU directives and regulations. see full... Read more

UK AAIB Bulletin – September 2022

UK AAIB Bulletin – September 2022

8-Sep-2022Source: AAIB

The monthly bulletin from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been released. This month’s issue does not refer to any helicopters and this update is included in HeliHub.com for completeness.... Read more

Essex & Herts Air Ambulance honours Air Ambulance Week

Essex & Herts Air Ambulance honours Air Ambulance Week

7-Sep-2022Source: Essex and Herts Air Ambulance

  Organised by Air Ambulances UK, Air Ambulance Week 2022 takes off on 5 – 11 September, and Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Trust (EHAAT) will be joining other air ambulance charities across the UK to raise awareness of its lifesaving work. What will be particularly great timing for EHAAT, is that Air Ambulance Week... Read more

Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance acknowledges Air Ambulance Week 2022

Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance acknowledges Air Ambulance Week 2022

7-Sep-2022Source: Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance

  The Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance (LNAA) staff and volunteers will mark National Air Ambulance Week by visiting Lincoln and Nottingham city centres. The team will be in Lincoln’s Cornhill and St Benedict’s Square on Wednesday 7 September to raise awareness of the service. On Saturday 10 September, the teams will pitch up in... Read more

Kent Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance Commemorates Air Ambulance Week 2022

Kent Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance Commemorates Air Ambulance Week 2022

7-Sep-2022Source: Kent Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance

  Air Ambulance Week 2022 is taking off from 5th to 11th September 2022 to raise awareness of the life-saving work of Air Ambulance charities across the UK. During the national awareness week, organised by Air Ambulances UK – the national charity that champions, supports and represents the life-saving work of 21 Air Ambulance charities – Air... Read more

Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance Fundraises during Air Ambulance Week

Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance Fundraises during Air Ambulance Week

7-Sep-2022Source: Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance

  The national awareness week, organised by Air Ambulances UK, will see Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance join other air ambulance charities around the country in a campaign called ‘Critical Moments – Life-Saving Difference’. The campaign highlights how air ambulance charities make a life-saving difference in critical moments, by rapidly delivering advanced pre-hospital care directly to... Read more

Midlands Air Ambulance Charity Honors Air Ambulance Week 2022

Midlands Air Ambulance Charity Honors Air Ambulance Week 2022

7-Sep-2022

  Midlands Air Ambulance Charity is helping a national campaign take flight by raising awareness of the lifesaving work it does across the Midlands and Gloucestershire. The Charity is set to take part in Air Ambulance Week 2022, organised by Air Ambulances UK, which runs from Monday 5th to Sunday 11th September., Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, which... Read more

Great North Air Ambulance adds 10 critical care doctors in move to 24×7 ops

Great North Air Ambulance adds 10 critical care doctors in move to 24×7 ops

5-Sep-2022

  Last year, the charity not only developed its service in Cumbria to cover 24 hours a day across the two busiest nights of the week but also began a long-term trial to transfer seriously injured or unwell patients by helicopter from the Isle of Man directly to the UK for emergency medical treatment. GNAAS’s... Read more

Where now for helicopter support of offshore wind farms in Europe?

Where now for helicopter support of offshore wind farms in Europe?

2-Sep-2022Source: HeliHub.com

The use of helicopters to support offshore wind farms in Europe is in a state of flux. In years past, Babcock flew EC135s from both Lowestoft on the east coast of the UK and from Sandscale Heliport on the west cost – but both locations are now quiet.  The Sandscale operation in Cumbria was terminated... Read more

UK Government launches review to strengthen CAA for future

UK Government launches review to strengthen CAA for future

31-Aug-2022Source: UK Government

  The government has today (30 August 2022) launched an independent review of the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to ensure the provision of world-leading regulation and public services for decades to come. With a remit that includes everything from ensuring the highest standards of aviation safety and security, to the efficient use of airspace,... Read more

Sloane Helicopters to supply AW169s to Children’s Air Ambulance

Sloane Helicopters to supply AW169s to Children’s Air Ambulance

30-Aug-2022Source: Sloane Helicopters

Sloane Helicopters, the UK’s longest established and privately owned helicopter company, is expanding its HEMS operations through the recent takeover of the Children’s Air Ambulance (TCAA) operation. Sloane will be supplying the Charity with two EMS AW169 helicopters later this year, together with pilots and aircraft maintenance. Having commenced operations in March 2022, the service... Read more

Wales Air Ambulance strategic review considers operational base changes

Wales Air Ambulance strategic review considers operational base changes

22-Aug-2022Source: Wales Air Ambulance

  The Wales Air Ambulance Charity is currently working on a world-leading, in-depth analysis which is revealing that it could attend over 500 more lifesaving missions across Wales every year. The analysis is one of the most comprehensive conducted by any air ambulance in the world and is looking at the most efficient use of... Read more

UK AAIB Bulletin – August 2022

UK AAIB Bulletin – August 2022

14-Aug-2022

The monthly bulletin from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been released. This month’s issue covers the accident(s) of:- Rotorway Executive 162F (G-JDHN), autorotation landing following an exhaust after fire, Near Ledbury, Herefordshire, 2 April 2021 Agusta A109C (G-HBEK), loss of control during approach to land, private landing site, Organford, Dorset, 15 July 2021... Read more

Schiebel Camcopter delivers UAS capability to Bristow SAR UK contract

Schiebel Camcopter delivers UAS capability to Bristow SAR UK contract

12-Aug-2022Source: Schiebel

  Bristow, the global leader in vertical flight, has been awarded a 10-year contract by the UK Maritime Coastguard Agency (MCA) to deliver the Second-Generation Search and Rescue (UKSAR2G) programme. The contract includes the operational deployment of Schiebel’s CAMCOPTER® S-100 Unmanned Air System (UAS). The new contract expands and builds on the existing capabilities Bristow... Read more

RAF Chinook support to exercise Vigilant Fox in Finland

RAF Chinook support to exercise Vigilant Fox in Finland

10-Aug-2022

  Alongside CH-47F Chinooks and UH-60 Blackhawks from the United States and NH90s from Finland, the helicopters conducted mixed formation training to enable multi-aircraft aviation support to the Heli-borne Assault Force. VIGILANT FOX was a four-day validation exercise for C Company, 2 RIFLES, Finnish Karelian Brigade and the Jaeger Guard Regiment. For UK Chinooks, the... Read more

Boots completes first drone delivery in UK

Boots completes first drone delivery in UK

8-Aug-2022Source: Boots

Boots has become the first community pharmacy in the UK to transport prescription-only medicines by uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) – commonly known as drones.  The leading health and beauty retailer has already completed a test flight transporting prescription-only medicines by drone from Portsmouth to the Isle of Wight earlier this month.   The flight departed from the British Army’s Baker Barracks on Thorney Island near Portsmouth and arrived at St. Mary’s Hospital on the Isle of Wight. The... Read more

Bell marks milestone 400th Bell 505 delivery

Bell marks milestone 400th Bell 505 delivery

4-Aug-2022Source: Bell

Bell Textron Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) company, announced today the 400th Bell 505 delivery to European customer Al Barratt, co-founder of Grenade and owner of Cotswold Aviation, both based in the United Kingdom. Joined by the Bell leadership team, Mr. Barratt received the customized Bell 505 at a delivery ceremony at Bell’s Mirabel, Canada facility. “The Bell 505 is an... Read more

Bristow Completes Acquisition of British International Helicopter Services

Bristow Completes Acquisition of British International Helicopter Services

4-Aug-2022

  Bristow Group Inc. (NYSE: VTOL) (“Bristow”), the global leader in innovative and sustainable vertical flight solutions, announced today that it has completed its acquisition of British International Helicopter Services Limited (“BIH”) effective August 2, 2022, further enhancing its leading global Government Services offering. Bristow will integrate BIH into its U.K. operations, where BIH will... Read more

StandardAero opens two facilities dedicated to servicing RR300 engines

StandardAero opens two facilities dedicated to servicing RR300 engines

2-Aug-2022Source: StandardAero

  StandardAero has announced the addition of two new approved facilities for Rolls-Royce RR300 helicopter engine MRO. With this new expanded capability, the company is now able to service this engine type for Robinson R66 helicopter operators in Westminster, British Columbia and Concord, North Carolina in addition to its existing facilities in Winnipeg, Manitoba ,... Read more

Air Ambulances UK wants to reassure public

Air Ambulances UK wants to reassure public

27-Jul-2022Source: Air Ambulances UK

  In light of the recently launched Charity Commission inquiry into the Air Ambulance Foundation UK (1155345). Air Ambulances UK wants to reassure supporters, members, and partners that they are in no way affiliated with the Air Ambulance Foundation UK. Air Ambulances UK (AAUK) is the national charity supporting the lifesaving work of the UK’s... Read more

Midlands Air Ambulance predicts demand rise

Midlands Air Ambulance predicts demand rise

27-Jul-2022Source: Midlands Air Ambulance

  A West Midlands charity is predicting a rise in demand for its vitally important pre-hospital emergency service with more than one million people[1] expected to descend on the region for a summer of sport. Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, which rapidly reaches and treats up to 12 patients every day in the region, believes the increase... Read more

Milestone delivers two AW169s to Sloane Helicopters

Milestone delivers two AW169s to Sloane Helicopters

25-Jul-2022Source: Milestone Aviation

The Milestone Aviation Group Limited (“Milestone”), the global leader in helicopter leasing, has announced that it has delivered a second AW169 helicopter to UK-based operator, Sloane Helicopters (“Sloane”). The first helicopter, a new AW169, was delivered in December 2021. Sloane will operate the helicopters on behalf of the Children’s Air Ambulance UK, an inter-hospital transfer... Read more

Urban-Air Port and Skyroads to collaborate on UATM for AAM

Urban-Air Port and Skyroads to collaborate on UATM for AAM

22-Jul-2022Source: Urban-Air Port

  Urban-Air Port (UAP), the British start-up leading the charge in the design and manufacture of vertiports for Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) have announced the latest addition to their world-class partner ecosystem: Skyroads, a Germany based technology company who are developing automated airspace management and guidance systems. With UAP building the essential infrastructure and OEMs... Read more

UK MoD green lights Leonardo for Proteus demonstration flight

UK MoD green lights Leonardo for Proteus demonstration flight

22-Jul-2022Source: Leonardo

The UK Ministry of Defence’s Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) Future Capability Group (FCG) has awarded a four-year contract valued at 71 million Eur (£60 million) to Leonardo to deliver the Rotary Wing Uncrewed Air System (RWUAS) Technology Demonstration Programme (TDP), “RWUAS CCD Phase 3 TDP”. This programme funded through Defence Innovation, will include the... Read more

Bristow wins ten year UKSAR 2G contract with S92, AW189 and AW139 fleet

Bristow wins ten year UKSAR 2G contract with S92, AW189 and AW139 fleet

21-Jul-2022

Bristow Helicopters Ltd (NYSE: VTOL) (“Bristow”), the global leader in innovative and sustainable vertical flight solutions, has been awarded a £1.6 billion 10-year contract for the Second-Generation Search and Rescue Aviation (“UKSAR2G”) program by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), an executive agency of the Department for Transport. Bristow will work in partnership with 2Excel... Read more

Sloane Helicopters renews Leonardo distributor agreement

Sloane Helicopters renews Leonardo distributor agreement

21-Jul-2022

  Leonardo’s continued success in the UK and Ireland helicopter market expands as its regional distributor, Sloane confirmed renewal of its Distributor Agreement for the 2022-2024 timeframe with the company at the Farnborough International Airshow on 19 July. The agreement covers the AW109 GrandNew, AW109 Trekker and AW169 types, and foresees a minimum of seven... Read more

London’s Air Ambulance orders 2 H135s for fleet renewal

London’s Air Ambulance orders 2 H135s for fleet renewal

21-Jul-2022Source: Airbus Helicopters

  London’s Air Ambulance Charity (LAAC) – the helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS) for the UK’s capital – has ordered two Airbus H135 helicopters for the renewal of its fleet under a contract signed at the Farnborough International Airshow. “We are extremely honoured to have received this order from one of the world’s most prestigious... Read more

Essex & Herts Air Ambulance to add second AW169

Essex & Herts Air Ambulance to add second AW169

19-Jul-2022Source: Leonardo

  Leonardo is pleased to announce that the UK charity Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Trust (EHAAT) will be introducing its second AW169 helicopter for its Emergency Medical Services (EMS) operations. The agreement between Specialist Aviation Services and EHAAT, which was signed at the Farnborough International Airshow, includes a bespoke medical interior, in addition to... Read more

Joby Applies for UK Aircraft Certification

Joby Applies for UK Aircraft Certification

18-Jul-2022Source: Joby

  Joby Aviation, Inc. (NYSE:JOBY), a California-based company developing all-electric aircraft for commercial passenger service, today announced it has formally applied for its revolutionary aircraft design to be certified for use in the United Kingdom. While Joby is currently pursuing the “type certification” for its aircraft with the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (“FAA”) and expects... Read more

Airbus announces H175M Task Force

Airbus announces H175M Task Force

18-Jul-2022Source: Airbus Helicopters

  Airbus Helicopters has announced the first members of H175M Task  Force – the UK-based industry team created to offer, supply and support the British-produced  H175M helicopter for the UK’s New Medium Helicopter (NMH) requirement. On the opening day of the Royal International Air Tattoo in Fairford, Gloucestershire, leading  aerospace companies Babcock International, Martin-Baker, Pratt &... Read more

British consortium to build world first AAM flight ecosystem

British consortium to build world first AAM flight ecosystem

18-Jul-2022Source: Atkins

Vertical Aerospace, Virgin Atlantic, Atkins, Skyports and NATS, along with Connected Places Catapult and leading academic institutions Cranfield University and WMG, University of Warwick, today announced the creation of the Advanced Mobility Ecosystem Consortium. Together, the organisations will develop key technology and infrastructure in a project that will significantly accelerate the introduction of AAM in... Read more

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