25-Apr-2011Source: UK MoD
From 3Â May 2011, four Chiefs of Materiel will be responsible for delivery of outputs and the Chief of Defence Materiel will head the commercial function within the Department. Since being appointed Chief of Defence Materiel in January, Bernard Gray has been examining the way forward for DE&S and seeking to understand the freedom of manoeuvre... Read more
23-Apr-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Two banks – Lloyds and Barclays – have called in administrators Ernst & Young on Von Essen Hotels Ltd after the company failed to make interest payments on its £250m debt. The company owns 26 luxury hotels in UK and France, including some of the finest stately homes and castles in the country including Thornbury... Read more
20-Apr-2011Source: Royal Household
Prince Harry has been promoted to Captain within the Army Air Corps in recognition of time service in the Armed Forces. The Prince – now known as Captain Harry Wales in the military – was also awarded his Apache Badge from the Officer in Command of his Squadron on Thursday 14th April, marking the completion... Read more
18-Apr-2011Source: HeliHub.com
In a recent filing in the London Gazette, one of the official journals of record of the British government, British helicopter operator Sterling Helicopters is facing complete closure. Published on Friday 15th April, a document dated Wednesday 13th April indicated that Toby Blackwell Ltd was seeking a petition to wind up (close) the company, claiming... Read more
16-Apr-2011Source: East Anglian Air Ambulance
People living and working in the East of England will soon benefit from an extended daylight hour Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) thanks to the operational partnership of two air ambulance charities based in the East. The move to cover the extended daylight hours during the summer months will see the East of England Ambulance... Read more
16-Apr-2011Source: HeliHub.com
In the last two weeks, two more police helicopter units in the UK have joined Twitter and started to spread news of their work via the successful social media site. The two are West Midlands – @WMP_Helicopter South Yorkshire – @SYP_AirOps Suoth Yorkshire currently appears to be just an automated feed of the jobs their... Read more
16-Apr-2011Source: Kent Police
A 21-year-old Maidstone man has been sentenced to eight months in prison for endangering the Kent and Essex Police helicopter while it was on a task in Maidstone last year. On the evening of 24 June 2010 the police helicopter was carrying out a search in the town centre when someone shining a laser pen in the... Read more
15-Apr-2011Source: AAIB
The monthly bulletin from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been released. This month’s issue covers the accidents of:- Robinson R44 Raven II, G-ODHB – 5 December 2010 at Staverton Airfield, Gloucestershire Robinson R22 Beta, G-HRBS Correction – 28 September 2010 at Goodwood Schweizer 269C-1, G-LINX Addendum – 22 September 2009 near Stalmine, Lancashire... Read more
14-Apr-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Following suggestions in an online forum, HeliHub.com checked with Yorkshire Air Ambulance on the current situation regarding the maintenance contract for their two MD Explorers, registered G-CEMS and G-SASH. The suggestion has been floated that YAA are to move from their current provider Medical Aviation Services (part of the Specialist Aviation Group) to Multiflight, based... Read more
14-Apr-2011Source: HeliHub.com
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... Read more
13-Apr-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Russian Helicopters is in line to become the first global Russian defence company to list on the London Stock Exchange, following announcement of plans to raise $500m (£307m). The company reports about 8,500 machines in operation and accounts for 13% of the global helicopter fleet. With revenues last year of $2.7bn, the company has yet... Read more
13-Apr-2011Source: Cleveland Police
‘Helicopter Watch’ will be updated daily to give details of what operations the helicopter has been involved in and whereabouts in the Force area it has been. The new helicopter was delivered three months ago and since then has: Attended 550 incidents Airlifted 2 casualties to hospital Assisted in the arrest of 109 people Attended... Read more
13-Apr-2011Source: Royal Navy
Pilots and aircrew from the Commando Helicopter Force (CHF) recently got to see their helicopters from an enemy perspective when they were allowed to target aircraft with Taliban weaponry. During two days arranged by the CHF’s Intelligence Cell, the naval airmen were instructed in the use of Man-Portable Air Defence Systems, similar to those faced... Read more
13-Apr-2011Source: BBC
Newly discovered Ministry of Defence documents have cast further doubt on the cause of the Chinook helicopter crash on the Mull of Kintyre in 1994.... Read more
12-Apr-2011Source: Cambridge Airport
Cambridge Airport will be bolstering the full time presence of the East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA) service when a new, dedicated operations centre is officially opened on 19 April 2011. The “Archie Morson Centre†has been equipped and decorated courtesy of The Marshall Group, and will be at the heart of all EAAA operations in... Read more
12-Apr-2011Source: RAF
The Defence Helicopter Flying School at RAF Shawbury recently hosted the 13th Annual Raoul Hafner memorial lecture. The lectures are held each year at the north Shropshire airbase on aviation subjects with presentations by specialists across the genre. The lectures are held in memory of the Austrian inventor responsible for developing the modern helicopter, Raoul... Read more
7-Apr-2011Source: Royal Air Force
RAF Linton-on-Ouse hosted the Yorkshire Air Ambulance recently when they dropped by to thank the station for their on-going support to the life-saving charity. Group Captain Terry Jones, station commander, welcomed the 160 mph MD902 Explorer helicopter and it’s crew, which was flanked in a unique photograph by a Grob Tutor trainer aircraft of 85... Read more
7-Apr-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Britain’s Longmint Aviation, a group of 5 operators, appears to be very close to ceasing trading. Longmint includes the following operators Sterling Helicopters – at Norwich Alan Mann Helicopters – at Fairoaks Fast Helicopters – at Shoreham and Thruxton Total Air Management Services – previously at Sheffield and staff redeployed to Sterling/Fast Skydrift – a... Read more
6-Apr-2011Source: London’s Air Ambulance
This agreement formalises the existing strong links between two long established providers of physician-led pre-hospital care. Both organisations are committed leaders in the field of quality improvement in pre-hospital care and place research and development high on their agendas. London’s Air Ambulance has an international reputation for clinical excellence and has trained the majority of... Read more
5-Apr-2011Source: MD902
Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Trust is delighted to confirm that the Essex Air Ambulance has relocated from Boreham airfield to Earls Colne airfield with a brand new visitor area due to be launched in July 2011. Over the last 12 months, having secured planning consent and an affordable building design, TJ Evers the appointed... Read more
4-Apr-2011Source: Sussex Police
A collaboration to share air support across the counties of Sussex, Surrey and Hampshire was officially launched Friday at Shoreham Airport. Although the South East Air Support Unit (SEASU) has been operational since October, today marked the start of operations under a single Police Air Operator’s Certificate issued by the Civil Aviation Authority. Under the... Read more
31-Mar-2011Source: Jara Aviation
The HELIMOVER MAX is a natural development of the existing HELIMOVER for Robinson R22, R44 and R66 helicopters. It offers the same robustness, build quality, design features and operation as the original Helimover, but will move at up to double the speed – approx 7 kph which is a fast walking pace. This increased speed,... Read more
30-Mar-2011Source: Lockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin UK – Ampthill has won a three year contract worth just over £1 million to retrofit and repair complex cable assemblies on the U.K. WAH-64 Apache LONGBOW Fire Control Radar (FCR). Previously, the cable assemblies were refurbished at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, Orlando, Florida, having been shipped from the Special Repair... Read more
30-Mar-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Work has officially started on the new base for the Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust. Lord Lieutenant for Cornwall Lady Mary Holborow, as guest of honour, cut the first piece of turf at the site on Trevithick Downs on the south side of Newquay Cornwall Airport on Monday March 28th. Lady Mary was joined by charity... Read more
29-Mar-2011Source: Sloane Helicopters
Sloane Helicopters, one of the oldest distributors of Robinson helicopters in the world, has successfully completed a first round of promotional events to launch the Robinson R66 Turbine in the UK and Ireland. More than one hundred people have so far had the opportunity to see and test fly the aircraft, which bears registration N66UK. With the passionate... Read more
29-Mar-2011Source: Midlands Air Ambulance
Midlands Air Ambulance has awarded dedicated fundraiser Pat Stokes a very special life-time achievement award. Charity Director Hanna Sebright personally delivered the award last week to say thank you to Pat for dedicating almost two decades of her life to raising more than £1 million for the Charity. Mrs Stokes, of Bridgeford Avenue in Branston,... Read more
29-Mar-2011Source: Specialist Aviation Services
UK based operator and support organisation Specialist Aviation Services has assisted South Georgia Heritage Trust in successfully completing the first phase of a 5 year project to eradicate rats which have decimated the island’s unique population of seabirds over recent decades. The project involves dropping special bait across areas of the island by helicopter for... Read more
28-Mar-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Bond Aviation Group, the UK company encompassing the onshore operator Bond Air Service and its sister company Bond Offshore Helicopters, is set to be sold by Stephen and Peter Bond for a figure thought to be around £300 million (approx $480M). The buyers are the two private equity groups that own Spanish operator INAER, which... Read more
25-Mar-2011Source: EDP24
CHC announced this week that “under current market conditions†the plan to move was not viable at the current time, and would be put on hold.... Read more
23-Mar-2011Source: PremiAir
As Long Run raced towards the finish line to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup, PremiAir, the award-winning UK-based executive helicopter and corporate jet charter operator, was preparing to wrap up an extremely busy flying schedule last week. Each aircraft in the company’s executive charter fleet flew every day from locations in the UK and throughout Europe. ... Read more
22-Mar-2011Source: London’s Air Ambulance
London’s Air Ambulance, the Charity which runs London’s only air ambulance has today attended its 25,000th mission. The service, which has been in operation for 23 years, also celebrates a year of being a 24hr operation next month, in April 2011, thanks to the continued support of its sponsors and the London community. London’s Air... Read more
22-Mar-2011Source: Royal Navy
The Royal Navy helicopter display team, the Black Cats, have announced their 2011 season. Following on from a very successful 2010 season, the 2011 programme for RNAS Yeovilton-based team, is shaping up to be just as exciting. Lt Chris Chambers, last year’s No 2 Black Cat Pilot, has assumed the role as the Lead Pilot... Read more
20-Mar-2011Source: Royal Air Force
The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), in conjunction with industry partners, today showcased the development of world leading technology designed to help helicopter pilots land more safely and efficiently in Afghanistan. Scientists from Dstl, part of the Ministry of Defence (MOD), have led the technical development of a pioneering approach to the problem of... Read more
18-Mar-2011Source: Cornwall Air Ambulance
Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust has been awarded almost £1 million of ERDF (European Regional Development Fund) Convergence investment to build a new base for the charity and its helicopter at Newquay Cornwall Airport. The investment amounts to £949,760 from ERDF Convergence with further costs for the capital project to be matched by reserved charitable funds... Read more
16-Mar-2011Source: PremiAir
PremiAir, the award winning UK-based aviation services company, has appointed Mike Preston as Director of Engineering & Maintenance. The appointment is effective immediately, with Mike taking responsibility for fixed-wing and rotary maintenance at the Group’s Oxford, Biggin Hill and Blackbushe facilities. Mike has more than 35 years’ professional experience in the aircraft maintenance and engineering... Read more
15-Mar-2011Source: MD Helicopters
[Editor note – This is one in a long series MD Helicopters puts out every time this airframe passes the next 1000 figure – see here] Aircraft Number 078 Surpasses All Other MD Explorers in the Fleet MESA, AZ, March 6, 2011 – MD Helicopters, Inc (MDHI), a leading manufacturer of commercial and military helicopters,... Read more
14-Mar-2011Source: HeliHub.com
The second Robinson R66 is flying in Europe, serial 0017, arrived last week with Sloane Helicopters and is now flying after the usual uncrating and airtesting. It is appropriately registered N66UK and is painted dark blue in common with their corporate colours and their past landmark aircraft – both the 1000th R22 as G-OSHL and... Read more
14-Mar-2011Source: AC&S
AC&S Ltd, an aerospace consulting and services company based in the north west of England have received an order from the Metropolitan Police for a number of mission computer and symbol generators for use in their EC145 helicopters. The Mission Computer and Symbol Generator (MCSG) is an extensible mini PC for use in non-essential airborne... Read more
14-Mar-2011Source: NatWest
Wiltshire Air Ambulance paramedic, Bruce Jarvis, paid a flying visit to NatWest’s Chippenham branch today to collect £3000, after the charity was announced as the winner of a NatWest Community Fund award In August NatWest launched a new fund, as part of its customer charter, to support local charities and projects, and invited customers and... Read more
12-Mar-2011Source: CAA
The Civil Avaition Authority in the UK issued their latest update on charges for registering aircraft, valid from 1 April 2011 until at least 31 March 2012. Charge for the registration of a balloon, unpowered glider, microlight, small light aircraft, or any other aircraft having a maximum weight not exceeding 15,000kg. £62 Charge for the... Read more
11-Mar-2011Source: HeliHub.com
The UK CAA this week visited Shobdon airfield and were so alarmed by what they found that they issued a NOTAM there and then, closing the airfield. However, exactly why such this action was taken is not yet known, although it has been the subject of plenty of speculation on the Flyer forum frequented by... Read more
11-Mar-2011Source: HeliHub.com
This news item is part of the HeliHub.com “Register Updates†series, listing helicopters which have been added to a particular national register, removed from it or the listed owner has changed. Our coverage represents the majority of registration and owner changes within the global civilian helicopter fleet. Most updates are weekly or monthly, although some... Read more
10-Mar-2011Source: AAIB
The monthly bulletin from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been released. This month’s issue covers the accidents of:- Schweizer 269C-1, G-CEAW on 22 May 2010 at Liverpool Airport, Merseyside Schweizer 269C-1, G-LINX Correction on 22 September 2009 at East bank of River Wyre, near Stalmine, Lancashire... Read more
10-Mar-2011Source: Army Air Corps
Prince Harry, Lt Wales, has been awarded his Flying Wings following completion of the eight-month Army Pilot Course with the Army Aviation centre (AACen) at Middle Wallop. His wings were presented to him by his father HRH the Prince of Wales, Colonel in Chief of the Army Air Corps, at the Museum of Army Flying... Read more
10-Mar-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Britain’s Bond Air Services has placed orders for eight Eurocopter EC135 T2e enhanced versions. This new model take the maximum takeoff weight of up to 2,950 kg and offers a 40-kg. gain in payload and allowing an extra passenger to be carried with a load margin extension from its previous weight rating. Currently, Bond Air... Read more
9-Mar-2011Source: Turbomeca
British oil & gas helicopter support operator Bond Offshore Helicopters signed a new Support-by-the-Hour® contract with Turbomeca UK for their four new AS365N3 Dauphins, powered by the Arriel engine. The helicopters’ Arriel 2C turbines will be maintained by Turbomeca UK which supports nearly 700 engines powering British and Irish-owned customers’ helicopters. Two of the new... Read more
8-Mar-2011Source: AgustaWestland
AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce that it has signed a contract with the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) to design and develop an integrated training solution which includes the building and equipping of a new modern training centre for the AW159 Lynx Wildcat helicopter. The state-of-the-art training centre will be located at... Read more
7-Mar-2011Source: CAA
Planned airspace security restrictions covering the London Olympic and Paralympic Games for 2012 were announced today by the UK Government, as part of its commitment to deliver a safe and secure Games. The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), air traffic control provider, NATS, and the Ministry of Defence (MoD), will now work with the aviation... Read more
7-Mar-2011Source: BBA Aviation
H+S Aviation, a BBA Aviation Engine Repair and Overhaul (ERO) group company, received EASA certification for its PT6T test cell in January, 2011. H+S Aviation is authorized by Pratt & Whitney Canada as a Distributor and Designated Overhaul Facility (DDOF) for the PT6T Twin-Pac®. The addition of EASA test cell approval means H+S Aviation is... Read more
6-Mar-2011Source: HeliHub.com
The biannual Helitech show in the UK now has competition rather closer to home than they would like. Having sold out the Helitech show to Reed Exhibitions, most of the original team are behind “The Helicopter Show 2012” which will be hosted at Farnborough in September 2012. With the UK version of Helitech in September... Read more
6-Mar-2011Source: HeliHub.com
In a somewhat bizarre accident, Westland Wasp G-BZPP was written off Saturday at Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton in the UK. The helicopter was hovering at low level when it was hit from behind by a taxying fixed wing Starduster aircraft. It was one of the very last airworthy Wasps remaining in the world HeliHub.com... Read more
6-Mar-2011
Escalating oil prices are putting South West air ambulances under increasing pressure and could cost lives as aviation fuel costs hit the half-million pound mark for the first time. Both operators fly the EC135, with Cornwall having one and Devon two.... Read more
4-Mar-2011Source: CAE
CAE and CHC Helicopter, a global leader in helicopter services, announced today, at the eve of Heli-Expo 2011, the closing of the acquisition by CAE of CHC Helicopter’s helicopter flight training operations. They also announced the execution of the agreement that will see CAE become CHC’s long-term training partner, responsible for training more than 2,000... Read more
4-Mar-2011Source: HeliHub.com
On 7th July 2005, the city of London was rocked by a series of terrorist blasts during the morning rush hour, targetting three underground trains and one iconic red London bus. A total of 56 people died, including four suicide bombers. There is currently an inquest in London into the tragic events of that day. ... Read more
3-Mar-2011Source: East Anglian Air Ambulance
Supporters of one of the region’s largest charities now have a new way to help save lives across Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Suffolk. The East Anglian Air Ambulance has launched a text-to-donate number making it simple for people to donate just a small amount of money to the charity wherever they are. Supporters can now... Read more
2-Mar-2011Source: Bond Air Services
Bond Air Services and the Wales Air Ambulance today celebrated 10 years of working together at the Charity’s birthday celebrations at Magram Park near Neath. The Wales Air Ambulance flew its first mission on the 1st March 2001 following the introduction of the charities first Bo105DBS twin engine helicopter. However, since that date the services... Read more
1-Mar-2011Source: BBC
Kent Air Ambulance has received a cheque thanks to a style of fundraising widely used in New Zealand.... Read more
22-Feb-2011Source: HeilHub.com
HeliHub.com can confirm that the CAA have today (Tuesday 22nd February) taken the step to suspend the Air Operations Certificate of Sterling Aviation. Richard Taylor of the CAA has confirmed this fact to HeliHub.com in the last hour. Various issues have led to this move, which can be reviewed in the following recent stories on... Read more
21-Feb-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Alan Mann Helicopters had their AOC (Air Operations Certificate) reinstated on 2nd February 2011 according to CAA spokesman Richard Taylor today. The company had its AOC revoked by the CAA on 14 July 2010 after some key personnel left the company and they were unable to meet the CAA’s requirements – in terms of named... Read more
21-Feb-2011Source: HeliHub.com
HeliHub.com has been looking at the public-accessable company records of UK operator Heliair, in particular the shareholdings in the company. The Financial Accounts for the year to 31 March 2010 stated that the only directors holding shares in the company at the end of that period were Mr C E W Peel – 2,233,700 shares... Read more
21-Feb-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Following the press release put out by East Anglian Air Ambulance, HeliHub.com made further enquiries into the wider implications of what this EMS operator has publically stated, in particular their statement that “the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) temporarily suspended the Air Operators Certificate (AOC) of Norwich-based firm Sterling Aviation”. On speaking with Richard Taylor of... Read more
21-Feb-2011Source: East Anglian Air Ambulance
The NHS Ambulance Trust has praised the ‘remarkable speed’ in which the East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA) solved a potentially difficult air operations issue this weekend. Late on Friday afternoon the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) temporarily suspended the Air Operators Certificate (AOC) of Norwich-based firm Sterling Aviation due to procedural issues. This meant the two... Read more
20-Feb-2011Source: East Anglian Air Ambulance
The East Anglian Air Ambulance has activated a contingency plan due to operational issues with the current supplier of its aircraft, Sterling Aviation. Sterling is temporarily unable to provide the EAAA with an air ambulance service, so, as an interim measure the charity will continue to operate using alternative aircraft from a different supplier, Bond... Read more
19-Feb-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Heliair today held a launch party for the first R66 in Europe, although the weather was certainly not favourable and the small number of demo flights were kept within the airfield boundary due to the cloudbase. Flights were also limited to those people who had already placed orders for the RR300 turbine-powered five seater from... Read more
17-Feb-2011Source: Corporate Jet Investor
In London almost 200 delegates hear speakers on various topics at the International Corporate Jet and Helicopter Finance Conference. The first day of the conference had a keynote speech by Luis Pinto CFO of NetJets Europe followed by Eddy Pieniazek, global head of consultancy at Ascend who talked about where we are in the business... Read more
17-Feb-2011Source: HeliHub.com
The BBC is tonight reporting that Norfolk Police will stop using their leased Eurocopter AS355F2 Twin Squirrel at the end of the current fiscal year – 31st March 2011 – and that it is trying to buy a block of 220 hours a year from neighbouring force Suffolk Police. The vicarious benefit in doing this... Read more
16-Feb-2011Source: HeliHub.com
UK opposition leader Ed Miliband visited AgustaWestland’s Yeovil factory last Friday and reportedly used the visit to try rubbishing the country’s third party – the Liberal Democrats – who have historically had significantly strong support in the area. He used the visit to mount a campaign to “win back the trust” of voters in the... Read more
16-Feb-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Czech manufacturer Aero Vodochody has announced that it will close its UK subsidiary Rotortech Aero in April 2011, after it completes its last orders for its contracted partners. All production, except that involving UK military restricted work, is being transferred to the Czech Republic. While citing high wage costs in the UK, president Ladislav Šimek... Read more
14-Feb-2011Source: HeliHub.com
UK Robinson dealer Heliair has taken delivery of its first R66. Still on the FAA register as N66NN pending EASA certification, serial number 0016 was noted ground running today at the company’s base at Wycombe Air Park. Britain’s second R66 for Sloane Helicopters is due very soon. HeliHub.com will report further on this aircraft soon... Read more
14-Feb-2011Source: Third Sector
The commission opened an investigation into the charity in June 2010 after receiving what it described as “a significant number of complaints over a number of months from members of the public”. [Click on “Third Sector” link for full story]... Read more
13-Feb-2011Source: AAIB
The monthly bulletin from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been released. This month’s issue covers the accidents of:- AS355F1 Ecureuil II, G-BPRI atAbridge, Essex on 23 October 2010 Sikorsky S-92A, G-SARC at Isle of Harris on 9 July 2010 Robinson R22 Beta, G-HRBS at Goodwood on 28 September 2010... Read more
11-Feb-2011Source: Magpas
Cambridgeshire-based emergency medical charity Magpas has agreed an historic partnership with Careflight – an air ambulance and international retrieval charity based in New South Wales, Australia. Although only 25 years old, Careflight is now a 50 million dollar-a-year service which operates 3 helicopters, 4 fixed wing King Air turbo prop aircraft and 4 medical jets... Read more
11-Feb-2011Source: HeliHub.com
BBC News is today reporting that the Irish division of Bank of Scotland had repossessed an A109A Mk.II belonging to Jermon Ltd – registered G-JMON. The company, run by Dungannon resident Peter Dolan, was placed into administration on 27 January. Jermon was formed in 1997, and purchased the 109 in 2006. Both the UK province... Read more
10-Feb-2011Source: HeliHub.com
As part of the rejuvenation of the charity, London’s Air Ambulance has appointed Siobhra Murphy as their Public Relations Manager to boost the charity’s profile to the 10 million people who live and work in London. The LAA press release indicated that Siobhra is experienced in Financial and Corporate PR and also has a keen... Read more
10-Feb-2011Source: CHC
CHC Helicopter wishes to express its disappointment at the government’s decision to cancel the SAR-H programme. CHC wishes to make it a matter of public record that in November of last year CHC became aware that a small number of its employees acting without its knowledge or authorization of the company’s senior management may have... Read more