5-Jan-2015Source: Helicopter Museum
A new Exhibition opens at The Helicopter Museum this Saturday. ‘The Helicopter Museum At The Movies’ tells of the part Rotorcraft have played in Hollywood films from the latest modern blockbusters all the way back to the black and white flicks of the 1950’s. On display will be a section of The Beatles Helicopter featured... Read more
4-Jan-2015
Precautionary landing due to fog and ended up parked overnight. No damage... Read more
27-Dec-2014
Suspected lightning strike, returned to base. Reg to be confirmed... Read more
22-Dec-2014Source: HeliHub.com
Wiltshire Air Ambulance should start operating their new Bell 429 on 1st January, and their recent press release which stated “a delay of a week or so while we enhance our safety training on the Bell 429 and satisfy the Civil Aviation Authority of our mission readiness” was indeed very carefully worded. For some non-aviation... Read more
22-Dec-2014Source: GNAAS
Roadside blood transfusions will be available in the region for the first time after the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) revealed plans to carry blood from January. GNAAS will become one of only a few air ambulances in the world to perform the life-saving procedure after forging links with another charity and one of... Read more
18-Dec-2014Source: HeliHub.com
Following Bell’s announcement that they have delivered the 50th Bell 429 into “their definition of” Europe, HeliHub.com can reveal that the purchaser is Homeserve – a company that provides 24×7 “man in a van” repair for plumbing, drainage and heating problems to households that pay an annual fee for membership. The company also carries out... Read more
17-Dec-2014Source: HeliHub.com
While there is no longer any operational flying on the Station, RAF Wyton is home to a number of flying training units. These include: University of London Air Squadron (ULAS), Cambridge University Air Squadron (CUAS) and No 5 Air Experience Flight (No 5 AEF). They are part of No 3 Elementary Flying Training School who... Read more
15-Dec-2014Source: BBC
The future of Great Yarmouth’s heliport has been put in jeopardy with the news that a major contract is ending next year. See Full Story... Read more
10-Dec-2014Source: HeliHub.com
British operator Starspeed has contracted with Breeze-Studio to manage its digital media and PR – and it’s the very first account for the start-up agency. The Breeze-Studio is responsible for brand awareness for the VVIP helicopter management and charter company, and has previously relied on word-of-mouth for new business. Starspeed manages fifteen helicopters, six of... Read more
10-Dec-2014Source: General Dynamics UK
General Dynamics UK has been awarded a contract by AgustaWestland to provide mission system equipment for UK AW101 Merlin Mk4/4a helicopters. This contract is part of the Merlin Life Sustainment Programme (MLSP), which was awarded to AgustaWestland by the UK Ministry of Defence in January 2014 to convert 25 AW101 Merlin helicopters for maritime operations.... Read more
9-Dec-2014Source: Bristow
A ceremony was held yesterday (December 2, 2014) to mark construction of a new Search and Rescue (SAR) helicopter base at St Athan Aerospace Business Park within the Enterprise Zone. The base will house two state-of-the-art SAR helicopters, operated by Bristow Helicopters Ltd, their crews and support team. It is due to become fully operational... Read more
9-Dec-2014Source: AAIB
The monthly bulletin from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been released. This month’s issue covers the accident(s) of:- Sikorsky S-76C (G-WIWI), unintentional descent towards trees, Peasmarsh, East Sussex, 3 May 2012 ... Read more
8-Dec-2014Source: Biggin Hill
London Biggin Hill Airport (BHAL), the only dedicated international business aviation airport in Greater London, today announced the launch of the quickest and most effective transfer service to The London Heliport in Battersea for business, corporate and private aviation customers, the London Heli Shuttle. The London Heli Shuttle service team are focused on ensuring customers... Read more
8-Dec-2014Source: Western Gazette
The man who broke the world speed record for flying a helicopter has died aged 81. See Full Story... Read more
5-Dec-2014Source: CHC
A major investment by CHC Helicopter in its longtime base in Dyce, Aberdeen, will benefit offshore workers, the oil-and-gas companies for which they work, and CHC’s own people. The multimillion-pound investment will transform CHC’s facilities and further raise its capabilities in Dyce by significantly expanding hangar capacity, creating a larger and more streamlined passenger terminal,... Read more
5-Dec-2014Source: AAA
The Association of Air Ambulances (AAA), which represents the majority of Air Ambulance operations in the UK has welcomed today’s announcement from UK Chancellor, George Osbornewhich sees the relief of VAT to all charities who work as part of the Emergency Response Service and a further allocation of £7.5 million extra support for air ambulance... Read more
4-Dec-2014Source: HeliHub.com
Cardiff Heliport is one of the UK’s best dedicated heliports, built two miles out of the centre of the city of Cardiff on a 13.5 acre purpose built facility that includes Passenger Handling, Customs, Engineering, Fuel and a 400m FATO Runway. However, it closed on 30th November 2014. The Heliport has been run for many... Read more
2-Dec-2014Source: HeliHub.com
In the latest issue of Police Aviation News, editor Bryn Elliott floats the idea that the MD Explorer may have a limited time span in service with the UK’s National Police Air Service. In an article focusing on NPAS’ plan to acquire 3 to 6 fixed wing aircraft, Elliott notes that NPAS have six active... Read more
30-Nov-2014Source: CAA
Following a wide consultation the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has today published its finalised Policy Framework for General Aviation (GA) regulation. The framework balances the CAA’s public commitment to regulate the UK GA sector in a more proportionate and evidence-based way with its duties to protect third parties, including the general public. The new... Read more
28-Nov-2014Source: HeliHub.com
Cornwall Air Ambulance are on the point of taking delivery of two MD Explorers as part of the next stage of the organisation’s evolution. The delivery brings a whole raft of changes with a new operator, new helicopter type, dual aircraft working, and (later) a night flying capability. The Explorers – operated by Specialist Aviation... Read more
26-Nov-2014Source: Ascent
In April Ascent successfully achieved Review Note approval for the Rotary Wing business case and proceeded to the assessment phase. Ascent released the Request For Proposal to Industry and is currently engaged with 3 bidders and working towards a preferred solution next year. Ascent received three responses from industry regarding the RFP issued for the... Read more
26-Nov-2014Source: Helideck Analytics
Helideck Analytics Ltd. is pleased to announce the acquisition of the Helideck Certification Agency (HCA), the world’s recognised leading provider of inspection and certification services for offshore helidecks. HCA is based in Aberdeen, Scotland and has satellite offices in Norwich, England and Bergen, Norway. HCA is responsible for the inspection and certification of all helidecks... Read more
26-Nov-2014Source: Bell
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT), announced today the delivery of the 50th Bell 429 in Europe to an operator in the United Kingdom. The aircraft will be used to accomplish corporate/VIP transport across the region. [Ed:- see our analysis below by country] “The Bell 429 offers customers exceptional performance and a smooth, comfortable ride, and... Read more
26-Nov-2014Source: Stroud
THE team at Midlands Air Ambulance Charity has launched a new marketing campaign to encourage further volunteers to join the charity by demonstrating just how important volunteers are to supporting the great work of the vitally important emergency service. See Full Story... Read more
24-Nov-2014Source: EHAAT
Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Trust (EHAAT) is delighted to announce that their Pre-hospital Care Doctor Rik Thomas, won Air Ambulance Doctor of the Year at the national Air Ambulance Awards of Excellence 2014 on Monday night. Rik’s award is in recognition of his actions following an incident that required quick thinking and careful consideration... Read more
21-Nov-2014Source: AAA
Almost 250 guests celebrated the best and brightest from the air ambulance world last night at the national Air Ambulance Awards of Excellence 2014. Awards host, BBC Breakfast presenter Louise Minchin handed over 10 Awards to some outstanding individuals and teams, whose stories were inspirational, astonishing and humbling. The awards, which are independently judged, went... Read more
21-Nov-2014Source: BBC
A police helicopter was used to herd a pod of 40 whales away from shallow waters off the Essex coast. See Full Story... Read more
21-Nov-2014Source: HeliHub.com
HeliHub.com is hearing that Cardinal Helicopter Services, based at City Heliport Manchester with their own S76C++, are the front runners to provide pilots and full management of the aircraft to the Trump organisation for their UK-based Sikorsky S76B. As we noted earlier this week, Trump has struck a deal with Prestwick Airport and the helicopter... Read more
19-Nov-2014Source: HeliHub.com
The development of the AgustaWestland AW189 has been somewhat slower than expected, which means that operators will not receive their aircraft on the expected timescale. In some cases the aircraft will be at least a year behind schedule, and when a fleet of AW189s are involved, alternatives need to be sought. And so it is... Read more
19-Nov-2014Source: Vector Aerospace
Vector Aerospace UK, a leading provider of aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services, has announced the agreement of a long term contract to provide structural maintenance and technical support for the French Navy’s Lynx Mk.4 helicopter fleet. The company’s Fleetlands facility in Gosport, Hampshire, has the only main build/repair jig for this aircraft type in the... Read more
18-Nov-2014Source: HeliHub.com
Late last week, Bond Air Services took delivery of the first EC145T2 in the UK – serial 20012 – arriving by air on a German test registration D-HADM. This helicopter has since been registered with the UK CAA as G-HEMC and would be ordinarily expected to go through various certification and paperwork exercises before commencing... Read more
17-Nov-2014Source: Britannia 2000
We are pleased to announce that B2K has been selected and contracted by Bond Helicopters Europe for the supply of the Compact Airborne Mission Computer (CAMC) for the National Police Air Service (NPAS) mission system upgrade programme. The CAMC is designed for civil and military applications on rotary and fixed-wing platforms, providing a variety of... Read more
17-Nov-2014Source: HeliHub.com
Hong Kong operator HeliServices have reportedly committed to buying their third MD Explorer via Specialist Aviation Services in the UK. The aircraft will be delivered in the spring of 2015, and is currently on contract to the Wiltshire Police until the end of December. At that point Wiltshire Police become part of NPAS – the... Read more
17-Nov-2014Source: 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
6-Nov-2014Source: NHS
The Sheffield Helipad Appeal: ‘Saving Time, Saving Lives’, is being launched by Sheffield Hospitals Charity to raise funds to build a new helipad very close to the Accident and Emergency (A&E) department at the Northern General. The new helipad will mean that patients requiring life-saving treatment can be transferred to the Major Trauma Centre (MTC)... Read more
31-Oct-2014Source: Airbus
Western Power Distribution (WPD) has signed a purchase agreement for a new EC135 P2e from Airbus Helicopters UK. The aircraft, selected against a demanding requirement, will join WPD’s four current EC135 P1s, making it one of the largest, independent fleets in the UK. Robin Tutcher, WPD’s Helicopter Unit Manager said: “Augmenting the existing fleet has... Read more
30-Oct-2014Source: HeliHub.com
All air ambulance helicopters in England and Wales are funded by charitable contribution, and the launch of Britain’s first Bell 429 featured no shortage of important people from the county of Wiltshire. Dignitaries included no fewer than ten mayors from various towns and Sarah Troughton, Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire, the Queen’s official representative in the... Read more
30-Oct-2014
Two POB to hospital. Information suggests that the skid toes stuck into the ground during a run-on landing, causing the helicopter to cartwheel. No vertical force in the accident as skids have not splayed out. Skid toes missing forward of front skid legs, and nose “turned up” where helicopter cartwheeled onto its nose... Read more
29-Oct-2014Source: HeliHub.com
In March 2013 it was announced that Bristow Helicopters will take over as the single operator for SAR helicopters around the UK, with an operational fleet of 10 Sikorsky S92 and 10 AgustaWestland AW189 helicopters. In fact, their business model requires 11 of each type to help cover for maintenance. Bristow already have four S92s... Read more
28-Oct-2014Source: CHC Helicopter
Total E&P UK is extending a decades-long relationship with CHC Helicopter in the North Sea, awarding CHC a long-term helicopter transportation contract to support Total’s offshore operations across the United Kingdom Continental Shelf (UKCS). The contract calls for CHC to operate two Sikorsky S-92 and two Airbus EC225 helicopters on behalf of Total. The helicopters... Read more
28-Oct-2014Source: Wales-air-Ambulance
Wales Air Ambulance has carried out its 20,000th mission since the service was launched in 2001, responding to a head-on collision near Treorchy. The landmark mission came on Tuesday 7th October, when the Swansea-based crew were called to the scene of a two-car road traffic collision on the A4107. WAA paramedic Jason Hughes, who on... Read more
28-Oct-2014Source: Helicentre Aviation
Helicentre Aviation have awarded helicopter pilot training scholarships with a combined value of over £80,000 to five of their student pilots following a two month intensive interview process. A total of 24 scholarship applications were received. James Geary from Kent was awarded the commercial pilot scholarship which will fund all his hour building up to... Read more
23-Oct-2014Source: Havelock Europa
Balfour Beatty appointed Havelock Europa to provide a complete Furniture Fittings and Equipment (FF&E) solution for Bristow Helicopters’ new bases in Inverness, Humberside, Caernarfon and St Athan. Bristow Helicopters is the leading provider of Search and Rescue (SAR) services in the UK, with extensive experience in delivering large SAR projects, led by personnel with the... Read more
20-Oct-2014Source: NATS
A single radar that can provide traditional airport surveillance functions and mitigate against the effects of wind turbines may be a step closer following trials conducted through 2014. Air navigation services provider, NATS, and the radar manufacturer, TERMA, trialled the use of Terma’s SCANTER system to assess its performance as an extended range wind turbine... Read more
17-Oct-2014Source: Cotswold Helicopter Centre
Another Guimbal Cabri G2 helicopter has been added to the ‘G’ register this week to bring the UK’s total to eight. The acceptance flight of Serial Number 1079 was conducted by Andy Moorhouse of Cotswold Helicopter Centre, the exclusive UK distributor for French manufacturer Helicoptères Guimbal. The aircraft will be handed over to its new... Read more
16-Oct-2014Source: GWAAC
After a big fundraising campaign and support from members of the public Great Western Air Ambulance Charity have today received their new helicopter. The Eurocopter 135 will replace the current helicopter, an aging Bolkow, enabling the charity to transform the care they are able to offer to patients. The Movin’ On Up campaign was launched... Read more
16-Oct-2014Source: AgustaWestland
AgustaWestland is pleased to announce the sale of two more AW169 helicopters in the UK for corporate transportation, continuing the success of the type in the UK market. The helicopters, sold to undisclosed corporate customers, are scheduled to be delivered in 2016. This latest contract brings the total sales of AW169 helicopters in the UK... Read more
16-Oct-2014Source: Airbus
The two latest-version aircraft will support Bond Air Services’ EMS operations in the UK. [Ed – as recently reported, one for Hampshire and IOW Air Ambulance, and one for Thames Valley & Chiltern Air Ambulance] Airbus Helicopters is proud to build on its partnership with Avincis, a Babcock International Group company, with an order for... Read more
15-Oct-2014Source: Sheffield Hospitals Charity
We are very excited to be launching our brand new appeal today: The Helipad Appeal. The “Saving Time, Saving Lives” campaign is kicking off today with a launch at the Northern General Hospital – the site where the new helipad will be built. The appeal is being launched to raise funds to build a new... Read more
15-Oct-2014Source: Bell
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT), announces it has made the first Bell 429 Wheeled Landing Gear (WLG) sale in Europe. The aircraft will also be outfitted with the world’s first Bell 429 MAGnificent luxury cabin interior created by Italy-based Mecaer Aviation Group (MAG). [Editor note – Bell have not announced the customer,... Read more
14-Oct-2014Source: HeliHub.com
Bond have confirmed to HeliHub.com that they will be moving their rig support flights from Blackpool Airport to Warton. This airfield, better known as the production line for Eurofighters for BAE Systems, is approximately 8 miles to the south east. John Fyall from Bond said “To ensure continuity of services, Bond Offshore Helicopters is transferring... Read more
14-Oct-2014Source: CAA
A ‘root and branch’ review of how the UK’s Air Navigation Order (ANO) impacts on general aviation (GA) has begun, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) confirmed today. The wide-ranging review will look at how a more proportionate and lighter touch regulation for general aviation can be achieved. The review follows a commitment made by the... Read more
14-Oct-2014Source: Bell
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT), will showcase Wiltshire Air Ambulance Charitable Trust’s (WAACT) Bell 429 at Helitech International in Amsterdam from October 14-16. After delivery, the aircraft will become the first Bell 429 in the United Kingdom used for Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS). Additionally, this year, Bell Helicopter is also celebrating... Read more
13-Oct-2014Source: HeliHub.com
For almost ten years, the British county of Wiltshire has been host to an MD Explorer jointly operated by the Police and Air Ambulance – a relatively unusual British aviation industry phenomenon with a Governmental organisation working hand-in-hand with a charity. This arrangement draws to a close at the end of November, with the aircraft... Read more
10-Oct-2014Source: Bristol Post
A PLEDGE has been given by the owners of Filton Airfield to help find a new home for both the police helicopter and Great Western Air Ambulance. See Full Story... Read more
10-Oct-2014
At around 11.15am, fire crews were called to Dyce, after the pilot of the CHC S92 alerted air traffic control and asked for emergency crews to be placed on stand-by as it made a return to base landing. Landed safely... Read more
9-Oct-2014Source: HIOWAA
Following a thorough selection process, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance are pleased to announce the appointment of Alex Lochrane as Chief Executive from 1st October 2014. He will replace John Perry, who stands down after five years as Chief Executive, during which time the charity has grown steadily to the point where it... Read more
9-Oct-2014Source: AAIB
The monthly bulletin from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been released. This month’s issue covers the accident(s) of:- Aircraft Accident Report 3/2014 – Agusta A109E (G-CRST), collided with a crane, St George Wharf, Vauxhall, London, 16 January 2013 Enstrom 280C (G-IDUP), Northampton/Sywell Aerodrome on 3 June 2014... Read more
8-Oct-2014Source: SWH
SWH Civils has recently tendered for and won the contract for the construction of a helipad at Derriford Hospital, Plymouth. This exciting project, which is due to commence at the end of October, will provide a new helicopter landing facility enabling a wider range of aircraft to land at Derriford Hospital Emergency Unit. The works... Read more
8-Oct-2014Source: Bristow
Bristow’s Europe Business Unit (EBU) unveiled the first AW189 search and rescue aircraft at this year’s Energy Ball. Several pilots and engineers worked very hard over the weekend to ensure the aircraft’s presence at the event went well. Bristow and AgustaWestland were title sponsors of the event. The evening started with a private reception for... Read more
7-Oct-2014Source: BBC
New rules are to be introduced on the size of oil workers travelling to and from offshore installations by helicopter. See Full Story... Read more
3-Oct-2014Source: Welsh Government
A new clinical emergency service to stabilise and transfer the most critically-ill and injured patients to hospital by road and air, ensuring they receive the best life-saving care, will be operational in Wales from April 2015, Deputy Minister for Health Vaughan Gething announced The Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service Cymru (EMRTS Cymru) is the... Read more
3-Oct-2014Source: Oil & Gas UK
The continuing steps being taken to improve further the safety of offshore helicopter flights will be outlined to the oil and gas sector on Thursday (October 2). Seven months after the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) published its ‘CAP1145’ report containing a series of actions and recommendations for helicopter safety, Oil & Gas UK is... Read more
2-Oct-2014Source: NLB
The General Lighthouse Authorities (GLAs) of the UK and Ireland have announced a £13M seven-year contract to PDG Helicopters for the provision of helicopter services to cover all three Authorities. The provision of one helicopter supplier across the GLAs will deliver significant cost savings of around £7.9M to the General Lighthouse Fund, which pays for... Read more
2-Oct-2014Source: RAF
30th September marked the end of an era for the Royal Air Force with the official handover of the Merlin to the Royal Navy and the disbandment of 78 Squadron in a formal ceremony at RAF Benson in Oxfordshire. The formal Royal parade marked the next stage in the transition of the Merlin helicopter from... Read more
1-Oct-2014Source: HeliHub.com
British operator Bond has been supporting gas rigs on the Irish Sea since at least 1978 when they took delivery of an initial pair of SA365C Dauphins. In reality very little has changed over the years apart from a short term change of operator – Bond still fly Dauphins from Blackpool, but these days they... Read more
30-Sep-2014Source: On The Wight
Alex Lochrane will replace John Perry, who stands down after five years as Chief Executive, during which time the charity has grown steadily to the point where it was recently announced that it will be upgrading to a new helicopter with full night flying capacity in 2015. See Full Story... Read more
30-Sep-2014Source: The Herald
MORE lives are set to be saved after the air ambulance service that operates in Oxfordshire revealed it will begin night flights. See full story... Read more
30-Sep-2014Source: Bristow
Bristow Helicopters Ltd. has expanded its presence in the North East by opening a new office at Kintore Business Park in Aberdeenshire. The building, which comprises three floors of office accommodation as well as a warehouse facility on a 1.09-acre site, is now home to 46 Bristow employees from the company’s Centralized Operations Business Unit... Read more
29-Sep-2014Source: HIOWAA
Today we are delighted to be able to announce that we will be upgrading to a specially-equipped new helicopter next year, which will have full night flying capability. As a young charity, this is considerable achievement, keeping us at the forefront of helicopter emergency services care, and allowing us to continuously improve our service to... Read more
29-Sep-2014Source: Daily Echo
A VITAL Hampshire emergency service will reaching a major landmark today. See Full Story... Read more
29-Sep-2014Source: EAAA
East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA) welcomes recent discussions on the treatment of cardiac arrest patients, published in the British Medical Journal this week. The article supports the need for immediate, good quality, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and advanced medical intervention at the scene, in order to give the best possible chance of survival after a cardiac... Read more
27-Sep-2014
Precautionary field landing after malfunction on night flight... Read more
26-Sep-2014
Emergency landing with 3 POB. Declared emergency at 2.20pm and landed at airport safely 2.39pm... Read more
21-Sep-2014
Crashed from a low hover on a training flight. Male pilot and female student uninjured.... Read more
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