3-Aug-2011Source: HeliHub.com
The Waypoint AirMed & Rescue conference, airshow and exhibition that was due to take place in September has been rescheduled to May 2012. The venue remains unchanged as London Oxford Airport, UK. The official line from Ian Cameron, event chairman and Waypoint magazine editor-in-chief, is: “We want the event to be the best we can... Read more
2-Aug-2011Source: PremiAir
PremiAir, the award-winning UK-based executive helicopter and private jet charter operator, has reported a steady growth in its aircraft management activities, generating confidence that the industry may be seeing some recovery from the economic downturn. With a growing managed private jet fleet and maintenance bases at Oxford and Biggin Hill, PremiAir is strategically positioning itself... Read more
2-Aug-2011
Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust is applying to the city council to scrap the current 8am to 6pm landing restrictions on the helipad at Queen Alexandra Hospital, Cosham. The council, which imposed the restrictions when granting permission for the helipad to be built in 2007, will make the ultimate decision. (Full story).... Read more
1-Aug-2011Source: The Helicopter Museum
The last week has been busy is terms of offers of objects for donation. The latest offerings include manuals and a selection of spares from Yeovil College, a large Gulf war spec Lynx model from MBDA in Stevenage and the remains of a home made small helicopter from a retired Flight Lieutenant in Shropshire. Furthermore,... Read more
29-Jul-2011
Dual Automatic Flight Control System failure.... Read more
28-Jul-2011
The current Group Captain, ‘Jock’ Brown is leaving RAF Shawbury after 2 years to take up a vital and exciting role in Afghanistan. His replacement is Captain Paul Shawcross from the Royal Navy who arrives from the same role. (full story)... Read more
27-Jul-2011Source: HeliHub.com
British International have recently sold a third Sikorsky S61 this year to Vector Aerospace, this being serial 61721 and registered G-BCEA, Managing Director Tony Jones has confirmed to HeliHub.com. Previously operating on a military contract in the Falkland Islands, ‘EA had reached time for a major inspection and has thus been swapped with another example. ... Read more
27-Jul-2011Source: HeliHub.com
The second of three Eurocopter EC225s being leased by Bristow to MHS in Malaysia left the UK on delivery. After landing mid-morning today at Redhill Aerdrome from Aberdeen, the helicopter departed lunchtime on a long leg to Dijon in France. All three aircraft involved have been delivered from the Eurocopter factory at Marignane to Bristow’s... Read more
27-Jul-2011Source: HeliHub.com
A Westland Lynx has recently been put on display outside Portland Marina, on the UK’s south coast. Previously the site of Royal Naval Air Station HMS Osprey, the Marina will be the venue for the sailing events of the London Olympics in 2012. At an event hosted by marina owners Dean and Reddyhoff, the helicopter... Read more
26-Jul-2011Source: CAA
The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has set out its key safety objectives for the next two years at an industry launch event at its Gatwick headquarters. The CAA’s Safety Plan 2011 to 2013, which has been published in draft form, invites comment from all industry groups. A final version will be published in August.... Read more
26-Jul-2011Source: HeliHub.com
A 21-year old electrician working at Goodwood Airfield has opened a legal process seeking damages after being struck by flying debris from a crashing Robinson R44. As a result, Sebastian Ward had his leg amputated below the knee. Mr ward was installing wiring on a new hangar at Goodwood aerodrome when R44 Clipper G-CLPR crashed... Read more
25-Jul-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Specialist Aviation Services “SAS”, the British operator better known for its subsidiaries Police Aviation Services and Medical Aviation Services, has two new directors. Following our report on 7th July of a change in ownership (see here), we can now advise that they have added two directors as well. Previously we noted that we had an... Read more
25-Jul-2011Source: UK MoD
Soldiers who have been operating the Army’s Apache attack helicopters in Afghanistan were praised this week for their outstanding performance by His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. Prince Charles, who is Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps, presented Operational Service Medals to soldiers from 4 Regiment Army Air Corps (4 Regt AAC), who have... Read more
25-Jul-2011Source: London's Air Ambulance
London’s Air Ambulance pilot, Captain Neil Jeffers, and doctor, Dr. Tom Konig, are soon to complete the ultimate endurance test, seeing them run 8 marathons in 6 days through the deserts of Jordan, in a bid to raise money for the charity. On 3rd September 2011 the London’s Air Ambulance duo will be running 200... Read more
25-Jul-2011Source: Shields Gazette
Ford Aerospace has signed a three-year deal with AgustaWestland which boosts the company’s plans for global growth and development. Ford will supply an innovative metallic product, the concept of which reduces the part count and the need to re-grind, and vicariously reducing assembly costs at the same time. (Full story)... Read more
25-Jul-2011Source: CAA
Further development of the airspace security restrictions covering the London Olympic and Paralympic Games for 2012 were announced today by the UK Government, as part of its paramount objective to deliver of a safe and secure Games for all. A number of changes to the Government’s original proposals, announced on 7 March, have been made... Read more
24-Jul-2011Source: UK MoD
The Royal Navy’s Sea King Mk7 Force completed their 1,000th operational mission in Afghanistan this week Sea King helicopter squadrons from Royal Naval Air Station (RNAS) Culdrose have been operating from Camp Bastion since 2009 and have contributed to the confiscation of significant amounts of IED-making equipment, arms and drugs, and the detainment of suspected... Read more
24-Jul-2011
1 fatal – owner Chris Watts aged 45. A fixed wing pilot flying in the area reported this online “There was a lot of horrible, low drifting clag about with drizzle and the situation was rapidly changing.” Caught fire on crash landing.... Read more
22-Jul-2011Source: AgustaWestland
AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce the launch of UK involvement in the AW169 commercial helicopter programme with the support of a £22 million loan by the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills. The announcement was made today by the Rt Hon Dr Vince Cable MP, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and... Read more
22-Jul-2011Source: AgustaWestland
AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce that the Warwickshire & Northamptonshire Air Ambulance (WNAA) has signed a preliminary sale contract for two AW169 helicopters. The contract was signed today by Andy Williamson, CEO, WNAA and Bruno Spagnolini, CEO, AgustaWestland, during a ceremony at AgustaWestland’s Yeovil facility in the presence of the Rt Hon... Read more
22-Jul-2011Source: AgustaWestland
It was announced that the Government has awarded AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, a total of £10 million in research and development grants that will be delivered through the Technology Strategy Board. The funding will go towards a new programme consisting of three R&D projects. The programme will ensure that the UK maintains its leading position... Read more
21-Jul-2011Source: BBC
A gamekeeper from Wiltshire has been found guilty of endangering an aircraft after he drove his Land Rover straight at a low-flying army helicopter. (Full story) – see also HeliHub.com page for this accident... Read more
21-Jul-2011Source: Aero Maintenance
Aero Maintenance Ltd of Walton Wood in Yorkshire have successfully carried out the first ever UK full 12-year overhaul of an EC 120, they’ve also given it an outstanding new interior and re-spray too! Previously, the 12-year inspection was to be carried out by Eurocopter only, but an amendment to the MSM (Master Servicing Manual)... Read more
20-Jul-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Yorkshire Air Ambulance is looking ahead to the late summer when its current contracts for both pilotage and maintenance expire. Both aspects are currently provided by Medical Aviation Services, but YAA has decided to “do its own thing” and will employ their own Chief Pilot and are working towards their own Air Operators Certificate. Further... Read more
20-Jul-2011Source: Rail.co
Network Rail runs the railway infrastructure across the UK, and employs two AS355s on contract from PDG Helicopters. See this article for a profile of this operation... Read more
19-Jul-2011Source: Wales Air Ambulance
Helicopter charity Wales Air Ambulance is expanding its Welshpool-based operation from a five-day service to seven days a week, from 19thJuly. The lifesaving service, currently celebrating its tenth anniversary, is increasing its air cover for Mid Wales to 365 days a year following an ongoing fundraising drive by the charity. Wales Air Ambulance will announce... Read more
19-Jul-2011Source: UK Dept for Transport
The Secretary of State for Transport (Philip Hammond): On 8 February I informed the House that, owing to irregularities in the bidding process, the Government had concluded that it was not appropriate to proceed with the previously planned joint MOD/DfT PFI procurement for future search and rescue capability. The investigation into the circumstances that led... Read more
19-Jul-2011Source: UK MoD
Defence Secretary Dr Liam Fox has today published the conclusions of an independent review into the Chinook Mk2 helicopter crash of June 1994 on the Mull of Kintyre which tragically resulted in the deaths of all 29 people on board. The review, led by Lord Philip and assisted by three Privy Counsellors, examined the evidence... Read more
19-Jul-2011
Just prior to touchdown the tail rotor struck a hedge and a concrete post, damaging the tail rotor and its gearbox. There were no injuries. On arrival at an industrial depot the normal landing position had been obstructed by two articulated lorries.... Read more
17-Jul-2011
Heavy landing during operations for British Open golf championship, further details awaited... Read more
15-Jul-2011
The instructor reported that as the helicopter slid forward along the ground while practising running landings, it moved into an area of longer grass causing the front of the skids to become caught. The student raised the collective in an effort to pull the helicopter free, but this caused the skids to dig in and... Read more
12-Jul-2011Source: HeliHub.com
British inventor James Dyson, who made his name developing a new style vacuum cleaner, has last week registered a new AgustaWestland AW139 – the first corporate example of the type on the British register. Serial number 31353 and registered G-OAWL, it will replace his N3 Dauphin G-DOLF and operate alongside his Bombardier Challenger G-OXRS. Given... Read more
12-Jul-2011Source: Reed Business Information
Reed Business Information (“RBIâ€), the business information division of Reed Elsevier, announced that it has acquired the entire issued share capital of Ascend Worldwide Group Holdings Limited (“Ascendâ€). Ascend will be integrated with RBI’s aerospace information and data services business, Flightglobal. Ascend, headquartered in London with offices in New York, Hong Kong and Tokyo, delivers... Read more
7-Jul-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Specialist Aviation Services “SAS”, the British operator better known for its subsidiaries Police Aviation Services and Medical Aviation Services, has been sold. Few details are currently available, and while Financial Director Jim Webster confirmed the change of ownership, he declined to provide any information to HeliHub.com beyond what is already public domain. When we asked... Read more
6-Jul-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Bristow Helicopters in the UK are currently carrying out completion work, including full paint, on three Eurocopter EC225 helicopters for MHS Aviation in Malaysia. Two have been delivered thus far, both carrying British registrations to facilitate test flights. The aircraft are serial 2790 registered G-CGUB and 2792 as G-CGUC, delivered in to Bristow’s base at... Read more
5-Jul-2011Source: Hampshire and IOW Air Ambulance
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance are working closely with HELP to enable a unique project to equip Southampton General Hospital with a purpose-built life-saving helipad. Up until now, emergency airlifts have had to stop short of the hospital – the best the Air Ambulance could do was to touch down in a council... Read more
5-Jul-2011
Helicopter is on its side in a corn field, more details when available. One report suggests bird strike to blame?... Read more
5-Jul-2011
While cruising at 150 kt at 750 ft agl a bird struck and shattered the left windshield. The commander, seated in the left seat, suffered minor injuries so the co-pilot took control and made a successful emergency landing. The Agusta A109C’s windshield is not designed to withstand bird strikes and the regulations do not require it to... Read more
4-Jul-2011Source: AeroExpo
AeroExpo UK produced an extremely healthy turnout despite the rain showers that were experienced on Friday and Saturday, which grounded around 50% of pre-registered visiting aircraft. In total approximately 8,000 visitors and 420 aircraft visited AeroExpo UK at Sywell Aerodromeduring 17-19 June. An extended static display featuring aircraft from most of the leading manufacturers produced great interest amongst visitors,... Read more
4-Jul-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Britain’s Dorset Police have reportedly put their aviation and maritime units on the block in budget cut proposals, citing a need to reduce spending by 20% by 2014. The local Daily Echo newspaper notes that these are two of a number of proposals under consideration (see their article) The October 2010 announcement by the Association... Read more
3-Jul-2011Source: HeliHub.com
London’s Air Ambulance launched a visually appealing new website on 1st July, but you cannot find it on Google! Try looking for it and the old URL LondonsAirAmbulance.com comes up, but that fails. Some careful detective work by HeliHub.com found it at LondonsAirAmbulance.co.uk – and it’s worth checking out. However, we would have expected that... Read more
29-Jun-2011Source: HeliHub.com
The North Midlands police air support unit is proposing to move its maintenance provision to an organisation dedicated to police helicopters. ECPM – the Eastern Counties Police Maintenance organisation – was established in April 2007 to provide aircraft engineering services to the Eastern Consortium (Essex, Cambridgeshire and Suffolk Forces). In mid-March 2011, ECPM was approached... Read more
29-Jun-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Last month we ran an article on seven helicopters changing their address on the British CAA’s G- register to that of a finance company. Two of the affected LongRangers have now been sold to Canada. The two aircraft are Bell 206L (serial 45077), previously G-OLDN – last airworthiness certificate expired 30th July 2009 Bell 206L-1... Read more
29-Jun-2011Source: Cambridgeshire Police
The way in which police air support is provided in Cambridgeshire is changing. In a move which will save money the force is looking to enter into a consortium with Chiltern Air Support Unit which will be backed up with existing arrangements with Suffolk and Essex police forces. The Chiltern Air Support Unit, which has... Read more
28-Jun-2011Source: Eastbourne Herald
Eastbourne District General Hospital is the most-used landing site for air ambulance and other emergency helicopters of any hospital in Sussex. The new pad can now accept helicopters both day and night from Air Ambulance, Police, Coast Guard, Air-sea Rescue and the military. The largest it generally takes is the Coast Guard AW139, but it... Read more
28-Jun-2011Source: MCA
The Billy Deacon Search and Rescue (SAR) Memorial Trophy has recently been presented at the Air Leagues Annual Awards Ceremony at St. Jamess Palace by His Royal Highness, The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. The Billy Deacon SAR Memorial Trophy is awarded to winchmen and winch operators from the Coastguard, Royal Air Force and Royal... Read more
27-Jun-2011Source: RotorMotion
Feuding operators of private jets and helicopters are set to battle for supremacy again, but not in the skies – on a polo field. Teams from London Executive Aviation (LEA), one of Europe’s largest business jet charter operators, and top helicopter charter business RotorMotion, will be resuming their rivalry in the first ‘Aviation Polo Challenge’... Read more
27-Jun-2011Source: CAA
The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has approved a request from the Welsh Government to establish additional segregated airspace in the vicinity of West Wales Airport and the area to the east of the airport. The new segregated airspace will be for the sole use of unmanned aircraft conducting flying operations from the West Wales... Read more
24-Jun-2011Source: Eurocopter
The first upgraded Puma Mk2 helicopter developed by Eurocopter in a life extension programme for the UK’s Royal Air Force performed its initial flight this week from Eurocopter’s facility at Marignane, France. It is the first helicopter to be modified under the Puma Life Extension Programme, which was approved by the UK Ministry of Defence... Read more
22-Jun-2011Source: The Helicopter Museum
The World’s Fastest Helicopter returns to The Helicopter Museum at Weston-super-Mare in July, following a four year restoration to its original 1986 World Speed Record configuration by Apprentices at the AgustaWestland factory in Yeovil, Somerset. This August marks the 25th Anniversary of the Lynx helicopter setting up the new record at an average 400.87kmph (249.1mph). ... Read more
22-Jun-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Yorkshire Air Ambulance, the British EMS operator with two MD Explorers, have recently joined Twitter. In a growing trend among UK emergency services – both air ambulance and law enforcement – one by one all units are launching their presence on Twitter. Yorkshire Air Ambulance can be found @YorkshireAirAmb The Yorkshire Air Ambulance is an... Read more
21-Jun-2011Source: BBC
Police said the men burst into the charity’s office in Brierley Hill at around 0845 local time. A spokesman said they held 20 members of staff hostage with the Taser although it was not used on them. (see story)... Read more
21-Jun-2011Source: AEM Corp
AEM Corp is pleased to announce they have completed a distribution agreement with Adams Aviation located in the United Kingdom. “We are thrilled to have someone as connected and experienced as Adams Aviation representing and selling our products in Europeâ€, said Dave Veitch, AEM’s president. “Adams will be able to offer continuity to our customers... Read more
20-Jun-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Devon Air Ambulance “DAA”, which runs the EMS coverage in UK’s county of Devon, was one of the earliest to take to the air in the UK nad has been one of the most successful too. DAA currently operate two EC135s, a 2003-build EC135T2 leased from Bond Air Services and a newer EC135T2+ which the... Read more
19-Jun-2011
Probable that the helicopter sustained a mechanical failure in the cruise, resulting in loss of pitch control to one of the tail blades. During the subsequent attempt to land, the airspeed reduced to the point where directional control seems to have been insufficient to maintain heading. At a height of approx 50 ft, the helicopter... Read more
17-Jun-2011Source: BBC
Bond Offshore Helicopters are profiled in this article run today on the BBC as part of their lead-in to the Paris Air Show... Read more
17-Jun-2011Source: AeroExpo
Sloane Helicopters, the Sywell based distributor of AgustaWestland and Robinson Helicopters in the UK and Ireland exhibits at AeroExpo 2011, Sywell, 17th to the 19th June 2011. Sloane will showcase the entire Robinson product range and expects the Robinson R66 to attract the interest of the many predicted visitors. The static display will include an R22, an R44... Read more
16-Jun-2011
Nose wheel collapse on runway landing on training flight. Runway blocked for period of time which necessitated diversion of one airline flight. Civil owned, Military Registered aircraft, operated by British International for Royal Navy “Flag Officer Sea Training” unit... Read more
15-Jun-2011Source: Medical Aviation Services
Medical Aviation Services displayed its latest medical interior at the recent AirMed 2011 Air Day at Dunsfold Park, UK. Fitted to an MD 902 Explorer, the new interior is aimed at the UK air ambulance market and features items from a range of different manufacturers including the floor, stretcher, seats and medical equipment stowage. MAS... Read more
15-Jun-2011Source: Medical Aviation Services
Medical Aviation Services (MAS) and CEGA Air Ambulance are pleased to announce the signing of a teaming agreement between the two companies at the AirMed 2011 World Congress in Brighton recently. MAS, which is part of the Gloucestershire based Specialist Aviation Services Group, operates and maintains approximately twenty helicopters used in the Air Ambulance role,... Read more
13-Jun-2011Source: Shropshire Star
Members of the Defence Helicopter Flying School at RAF Shawbury were successful in the annual Helicopter Club of Great Britain Air Games in Northampton. The team, comprising of “JJ†Jackson, of 705NAS and Sqn Ldr Craig Finch, Officer Commanding DHFS Standards, achieved first and second places and were crowned overall winners.... Read more
13-Jun-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Britain’s Apache engineers could go out on strike if today’s pay negotiations are rejected, it has been reported. The Unite union is in discussions with engineering firm Morson Wynnwith who employ the engineers, and meet the company directors today to try to reach a compromise. Mark Robinson, regional officer for Unite, said: “The company made... Read more
13-Jun-2011Source: HeliHub.com
The Bristol Evening Post is reporting that this year’s HeliDays event at Weston-super-Mare “has been axed after failing to attract any sponsors”. The report states that the organisers have been unable to attract funding for the three day event after losing a grant from the local town council. Given that the event only broke even... Read more
11-Jun-2011
On lifting to the hover, the downwash from the helicopter pushed one parked light aircraft into another.... Read more
10-Jun-2011Source: AAIB
The monthly bulletin from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been released. This month’s issue covers the accidents of:- Eurocopter AS355F2 Twin Squirrel, G-SEWP – 28 October 2010 Mourne Mountains, Northern Ireland Robinson R44 II Raven, G-EEZR – 22 March 2011 – Fairoaks Airport, Surrey... Read more
7-Jun-2011Source: East Anglian Air Ambulance
A new Chief Executive has been appointed to lead one of the region’s largest and most vital charities. Tim Page joins the East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA) having most recently worked for charities in London and Birmingham. He arrives with a wealth of knowledge and experience of leading successful teams and has ambitions to make... Read more
7-Jun-2011Source: PremiAir
In May 2011 PremiAir made its debut at EBACE, exhibiting for the first time at this world renowned aviation trade show, held annually at Palexpo, Geneva Airport. PremiAir showcased its private jet and executive helicopter management, charter and maintenance services, introducing its newly bolstered team and announcing the addition of new types to its rotary... Read more
7-Jun-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Avon Fire & Rescue, the emergency authority based around Bristol in South West UK, is today having a demonstration of a Eurocopter EC145. It arrived at Bristol’s Filton Airprt yesterday using the callsign “Redfox 01”, and is a German registered example D-HTCL. Back in December 2009, fire chief Kevin Pearson put in a request to... Read more
7-Jun-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Helicopteres Guimbal have told HeliHub.com that a dealer has been appointed to sell the Cabri into EUrope’s biggest civil helicopter market – the United Kingdom. Cotswold Helicopters, based at Kemble in Gloucestershire (also known as Cotswold Airport), have signed a dealership agreement with the French manufacturer and will be operating serial number 1028 later this... Read more
6-Jun-2011Source: Cornishman
The company confirmed that it had reached an agreement with a landowner for a new heliport adjacent to the St Erth industrial estate off the A30, subject to planning permission and the successful sale of the current heliport in Penzance to Sainsburys. If successful, it will create a transport hub enabling passengers easy access to... Read more
6-Jun-2011Source: Bond Offshore Helicopters
[Note: We run the press release from Bond below verbatim. However, we have been reporting this since 1st February 2011 – see here!] Bond Offshore Helicopters, part of the Gloucestershire-based Bond Aviation Group, has won a £50m contract to supply oil and gas company Perenco with two new Agusta Westland AW139 aircrafts. Bond has been... Read more
4-Jun-2011
The machine appears to have spun and caught the ground, leading to dynamic rollover,... Read more
3-Jun-2011Source: Helitech
Now in its 25th year, Helitech 2011 will be taking place at the Imperial War Museum in Duxford on 27-29 September. More details on registration at http://www.helitechevents.com... Read more
3-Jun-2011Source: Helicopter Museum
Following interest expressed by Cockpiteers in a new Cockpitfest event in the South of England, The Helicopter Museum in Weston-super-Mare has offered to provide a venue for the weekend of 10th-11th September 2011. Coinciding with one of the museum’s regular Open Cockpit Days, the new Cockpitfest will offer both indoor and outdoor space for both... Read more
2-Jun-2011Source: Wales Online
The crew of the Wales Air Ambulance who plucked a badly-inured climber to safety has been nominated for a UK award. Paramedic Aneurin Heath, one of the crew onboard the Swansea-based helicopter, braved pounding waves and an incoming tide to rescue the patient.... Read more
