Two men working on power lines from the helicopter, and heir safety harness failed because it had been rubbing against the power lines causing it to “snap” the release from Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office reportedly said. Both men fell about 100 feet to their deaths from the helicopter – they were later named as Nicholas Gamalski,… Read more »
08-Nov-17
Rapides Regional Medical Centre had to build a larger helipad, as well as moving the location to above the emergency department. The new helipad is 65 feet by 65 feet and has an elevator that leads straight down to the ER. Rapides Regional Medical Centre is now awaiting FAA approval before they are able to… Read more »
Source: HeliHub.com, 20-Sep-17
Substantially damaged by ground resonance
13-Jun-17
The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission has awarded Chief Warrant Officers Jack Mucha and Corey Sayer and Staff Sgt Chad McCan and Sgts Aaron Adam for their bravery during last year’s floods. The crew of the Bayou 69 rescued six people. A wildlife agent and firefighter had been clinging to their overturned boat for hours… Read more »
Source: HeliHub.com, 12-Jun-17
Bristow supported helicopter rescue efforts for Louisiana residents affected by historic flooding in the parishes around Livingston and East Baton Rouge in August 2016. Working in close coordination with the Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness for Livingston Parish, Bristow teams based at Galliano and New Iberia quickly mobilized the company’s response to provide… Read more »
Source: Bristow Group, 26-Sep-16
Lane Regional Medical Centre successfully opened its newly constructed helipad. As reported by The Advocate, the new helipad will be beneficial in transporting high risk patients with life threatening conditions. Before the pad was built, they received around 10 air ambulance cases a year, now since the opening, the hospital has received seven patients so… Read more »
Source: HeliHub.com, 20-Sep-16
The Administración Nacional de Aviación Civil (ANAC) Argentina has certified three simulators at the Helicopter Flight Training Center (HFTC) in Shreveport, Louisiana. Two inspectors recently spent time at the HFTC and certified the EC135 Level D full motion simulator, AS350 Level 7 flight training device and BH407 Level 7 flight training device for Argentinian pilots…. Read more »
Source: HFTC, 30-Aug-16
In an announcement yesterday, Bell has announced that the work for the cabin sub-assembly for the 525 Relentless will relocate from its planned location in Amarillo to the new plant being built at Lafayette, Louisiana. At the same time they announced the 505 JetRanger X line will move to Mirabel in Canada. At the start… Read more »
Source: HeliHub.com, 20-May-16
FlightSafety International announces that it will offer training for the Airbus Helicopters EC145 using a new Level D qualified simulator located at the Helicopter Flight Training Center, a Metro Aviation company, in Shreveport, Louisiana. This is the first simulator of its kind in North America. It was developed in conjunction with Metro Aviation. Training is… Read more »
Source: FlightSafety, 29-Feb-16
Time means everything, especially in a medical emergency. See Full Story
Source: 7 KPLC, 11-Sep-15
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, announced today the Bell Helicopter Lafayette Assembly Center is officially open for business in Lafayette, La., where the company will assemble the new commercial helicopter, the Bell 505 Jet Ranger X. Louisiana Economic Development (LED) Secretary Steven Grissom and other state, regional and local officials joined Bell… Read more »
Source: Bell, 01-Sep-15
Over the last three years there has been a significant increase in use of rotary wing aircraft (helicopters) in agriculture aviation resulting in a growing demand for helicopter pilots. Said Dr. Barbara M. Hanson, Chancellor of Louisiana Delta Community College, “In response to this growing demand, we are adding a rotary wing application to our… Read more »
Source: The news star, 16-Jul-15
Although 29th District Court Judge Timothy Marcel ruled against Tim Mayeaux’s proposed heliport on Judge Edward Dufresne Parkway, the Luling resident said he is appealing the decision. See Full Story
Source: Herald Guide, 29-Jun-15
Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. announced today that Era Group Inc. continues to expand its S-92® helicopter fleet with acceptance of a second S-92 helicopter baseline delivery. Sikorsky Aircraft is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX). In January 2014, Era signed a multi-year contract with Sikorsky for S-92 helicopters. Sikorsky and Era celebrated the first… Read more »
Source: Sikorsky, 29-Jun-15
Emergency landing in marsh area. Boom damaged
08-Jun-15
Bell Helicopter’s decision to cut 1,100 jobs from its global workforce will not affect the company’s plans to hire 115 employees at a helicopter assembly plant now under construction at Lafayette Regional Airport, a company official said Tuesday. See Full Story
Source: The Advocate, 30-Apr-15
The Helicopter Flight Training Center (HFTC) in Shreveport, Louisiana is growing at a steady pace. Already home to a FlightSafety AS350 Level 7 Flight Training Device and an EC135 Level D Full Motion Simulator, the center will add a Frasca Bell 407/GX Flight Training Device this summer. Simulators are great tools for aviators, and allow… Read more »
Source: Metro Aviation, 04-Mar-15
PHI, Inc. (The Nasdaq Global Market: PHII (voting) PHIIK (non-voting)) today reported financial results for the year ended December 31, 2014. Consolidated operating revenues for the year ended December 31, 2014 decreased $20.2 million compared to the year ended December 31, 2013. Oil and Gas segment revenues increased $27.8 million primarily as a result of… Read more »
Source: PHI, 01-Mar-15
Bristow Group Ltd. today announced the opening of a new 23,000 square-foot helicopter terminal at its Galliano base in Louisiana that offers increased security and greater conveniences for passengers, including expanded check-in, waiting and customer service areas, increased baggage handling and more parking. The terminal will serve as a temporary facility for Bristow’s operations through… Read more »
Source: Bristow, 24-Feb-15
Uncommanded left yaw, diverted and landed at Dulac Heliport
20-Feb-15
Bristow Academy Inc., a division of Bristow Group, today announced it will award an annual scholarship in honor of Chief Executive Officer Emeritus William (“Bill”) E. Chiles for his contribution to creating a safer global helicopter transport community. The scholarship award covers full tuition at Bristow Academy for a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) CFI helicopter… Read more »
Source: Bristow Academy, 16-Feb-15
AgustaWestland announced today the approval of the FlightSafety International Learning Centre in Lafayette, Louisiana, USA as an AgustaWestland Authorised Training Centre. FlightSafety International has been providing AW139 Training since May, 2013. Courses for the popular AW139 intermediate helicopter delivered from the Learning Centre benefit from an AW139 Level D qualified Full Flight Simulator which features… Read more »
Source: AgustaWestland, 13-Feb-15
Garmin G500H glass panels have been installed in the Guidance Aviation helicopter fleet. Last year, the primary helicopter flight training organization with flight operations in Prescott, Arizona and Baton Rouge, Louisiana, announced their decision to upgrade their aircraft. Now, the organization’s fleet upgrade is in its final phase with all of the IFR fleet installations… Read more »
Source: Garmin, 13-Jan-15
Metro Aviation is pleased to announce that Casey Marland has joined the Metro family as the Director of Part 135 Training. Marland is a veteran with 30 years of aviation training and management experience. During his successful career he has been a Chief Pilot, Senior Aviation Training Manager, Regional Aviation Director and Manager, Army Aviation… Read more »
Source: Metro Aviation, 05-Jan-15
Jim Hill, Area Chair for Northwest Louisiana Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), an office of the Department of Defense, announced that Metro Aviation was honored with an Above and Beyond Award in recognition of extraordinary support of employees who serve in the Louisiana National Guard and Reserve. According to Jim… Read more »
Source: Metro Aviation, 20-Nov-14
KBR Inc. (NYSE: KBR) announced today that KBR Building Group, a subsidiary within KBR’s Services Group, has been awarded a contract to construct Bell Helicopter’s new facility in Lafayette, LA. The project is scheduled for completion by June 2015. Bell Helicopter will use the facility to assemble its newest commercial helicopter, the Bell 505 Jet… Read more »
Source: KBR, 13-Nov-14
Metro Aviation recently completed an Airbus EC135 for Life Air Rescue, the premiere air medical service in Shreveport, Louisiana. Compared to Life Air’s former helicopter, which had a serial number of 0013, the new aircraft is equipped with great technological and medical improvements. The new, completely refurbished aircraft includes a Helicopter Terrain Awareness Warning System… Read more »
Source: Metro Aviation, 17-Sep-14
Crashed on the edge of a sugar cane field killing pilot Kenneth E. Squires, age 60. Five years ago age 55 the pilot was quoting himself as having flown 19,000 hours
10-Aug-14
Cmdr. David Cooper relieved Cmdr. Michael Brandhuber as commander of Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans in an official change-of-command ceremony, Thursday Cmdr. Michael Brandhuber assumed command of Air Station New Orleans in June 2012, and will be attending the Eisenhower School of National Security at the National Defense University in Washington D.C. As the… Read more »
Source: US Coast Guard, 03-Jul-14
Broussard-based Rotorcraft Leasing Co. LLC has laid off about 50 employees, the company confirmed Thursday. See full story
Source: The Advertiser, 30-May-14
As part of its ongoing accident analysis, the United States Helicopter Safety Team (www.USHST.org) has categorized U.S. civil helicopter data by U.S. state for the period of 2008 through 2013. It continues to see the West and the South as ground zero for the majority of accidents. Fatal accidents, for the most part, also follow… Read more »
Source: IHST, 13-May-14
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT), celebrated a ribbon-cutting ceremony yesterday announcing its newly-constructed composite facility in Broussard, LA. The new facility represents a $4.5 million investment by Bell Helicopter and was achieved through collaboration with the Lafayette Economic Development Authority (LEDA). “At Bell Helicopter, we are committed to providing exceptional value throughout… Read more »
Source: Bell, 31-Mar-14
Metro Aviation is pleased to announce Air Medical Group Holdings (AMGH) as its launch customer for simulator training at the Helicopter Flight Training Center in Shreveport, Louisiana. AMGH recently signed a four-year training agreement utilizing the EC135 Level D Full Motion Simulator as well as the AS350 and BH407 Level 7 Flight Training Device. “We… Read more »
Source: Metro Aviation, 27-Feb-14
Rolls-Royce has signed multi-year agreements with four large fleet operators, aimed at enhancing operational support for more than 220 helicopters. The agreements provide vital engine repairs and overhauls through the authorizedRolls-Royce FIRST network, which guarantees the use of genuine Rolls-Royce parts and exclusive use of the Rolls-Royce M250 repair network, as well as access to tailor-made technical manual libraries. Greg Fedele, Rolls-Royce,… Read more »
Source: Rolls-Royce, 26-Feb-14
Guidance Louisiana, LLC of Baton Rouge, Louisiana has just launched a new Robinson Helicopter Dealership. On Friday, February 21, 2014, the dealership became official when Chief Pilot, Matt Cavenagh, received delivery of a new 2014 Robinson R66 Helicopter from the Robinson manufacturing facility in Torrance, California. “Guidance Louisiana will be providing sales and service of the… Read more »
Source: Guidance Aviation, 25-Feb-14
Lafayette, LA based Precision Heliparts – Louisiana (PHP-LA) has announced that it has doubled the size of its facility to 10,000 square feet. This expansion comes just 18 months since PHP-LA’s parent company Precision Aviation Group (PAG) announced it had opened the new facility. The expansion of the Lafayette facility increases the global footprint of PAG companies to nearly… Read more »
Source: Precision Heliparts, 18-Feb-14
St Charles Parish Council voted yesterday 6-3 to approve a zoning change which paves the way for MYU Helicopters to build a new heliport at Luling, Louisiana See full story
Source: Nola.com, 18-Feb-14
Already operating out of the back yard behind his house (with two S76s and three B407s), Tim Mayeux is facing difficulties from the owner of a business park (away from the residential area) where he would like to build a new $3M heliport. See full story
04-Feb-14
Gov. Bobby Jindal and Bell Helicopter CEO John Garrison announced the company will build its new SLS helicopter line at Lafayette Regional Airport, leading to the first modern-era aircraft assembly facility in Louisiana history. The project will create 115 new direct jobs averaging more than $55,000 per year, plus benefits, while Bell will invest $11.4… Read more »
Source: Bell, 11-Dec-13
Heavy wheel-up landing following sudden wind-shift on take-off
05-Dec-13
Melville Mayor Willie Haynes announced the reopening as a “definite asset” for the small town, which he acknowledged is fairly isolated from the rest of the parish. The facility is primarily used by Acadian Ambulance. See full story
Source: Daily World, 04-Dec-13
When he takes over as the new skipper of the Naval Air Station-Joint Reserve Base, Capt. Scott Gootee will become only the second career helicopter pilot to command the 5,000-acre installation since its commissioning more than 55 years ago. See full story
Source: Times-Picayune, 12-Nov-13
Pilot and two engineers uninjured in crash on post-maintenance test flight. Helicopter ended up on its side. Helicopter is contracted to Shreveport-based Life Air Rescue
09-Nov-13
A helicopter pilot school scholarship has been established by Guidance Aviation in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, with a $14,000 donation to the Baton Rouge Collegehelicopter pilot school scholarship Baton Rouge Community College Foundation. The helicopter pilot scholarship is designed to help students determine if they are on the right career path prior to committing to the… Read more »
Source: Guidance Aviation, 29-Sep-13
iPads arrived for helicopter flight students in the Guidance Aviation flight training program. These iPads will be used in the cockpit as an electronic information management device. Referred to as Electronic Flight Bags, or EFBs, the iPads contain geo-referenced navigational charts and ADS-B traffic avoidance data. The helicopter flight students will also be using their… Read more »
Source: Guidance Aviation, 14-Sep-13
Med-Trans Corp. has announced the expansion of their Life Air Rescue air medical program, adding a second base in Natchitoches, Louisiana. The life saving program will serve the region 24 hours a day, seven days a week beginning mid-September. The region will benefit from the superior clinical care and exceptional reputation established by Life Air… Read more »
Source: Med-Trans, 05-Sep-13
Metro Aviation is increasing the curriculum offered by the new Metro Aviation Training Center with the addition of Pratt & Whitney courses presented by FlightSafety International. Pratt & Whitney factory maintenance training for the PW 206/207 will be offered quarterly at Metro’s Training Center in Shreveport, Louisiana. These instructor-led courses emphasize proactive safety, reliability, performance… Read more »
Source: Metro Aviation, 02-Jul-13
Following the floods brought by Hurricane Katrina, many oilfield transport companies began relocating their aircraft to areas less prone to flooding – Houma-Terrebonne Airport has benefitted and is now the 4th busiest airport in Louisiana – see full story
Source: Houma Today, 24-Jun-13
Metro Aviation recently hosted its first of 3 Turbomeca Level 1 classes for 2013 at its new training facility in Shreveport, Louisiana. Turbomeca USA is providing factory training courses on Arriel and Arrius engines in the Metro Aviation Training Center. Since completing its new comprehensive Training Center at the beginning of the year, Metro Aviation… Read more »
Source: Metro Aviation, 19-Jun-13
Metro Aviation conducted annual training for 34 lead pilots last week. Pilots gathered at the company’s new training facility at its Shreveport, Louisiana headquarters. During the culminating dinner, Metro recognized Joseph “Woody” Woodard, Lead Pilot for the First Flight program in Melbourne, Florida. Woodard was honored for his quick thinking and commendable actions during a… Read more »
Source: Metro Aviation, 01-May-13
Metro Aviation recently delivered a new Eurocopter AS350 to EagleMed as the result of a base expansion in Cody, Wyoming. The aircraft was completed at Metro’s headquarters in Shreveport, Louisiana. The AS350 is equipped with Metro’s EMS kit that includes the transfill oxygen system with two outlets, medical inverter system, flip up seats, and LEMS… Read more »
Source: Metro Aviation, 25-Apr-13
PHI, Inc. (“PHI”) (The Nasdaq Global Market: PHII (voting) PHIIK (non-voting)) today reported financial results for the year ended December 31, 2012. Consolidated operating revenues for the year ended December 31, 2012 increased $107.1 million over the year ended December 31, 2011. Our Oil and Gas medium and heavy aircraft flight hours and revenues increased… Read more »
Source: PHI Inc, 18-Mar-13
Atlanta-based Precision Aviation Group (PAG), a leading provider of products and value-added services to the Worldwide Aerospace and Defense industries announces the hiring of 3 key personnel for its new PHP facilities in Lafayette, Louisiana and Brisbane, Australia. Hired to lead sales efforts in Lafayette is Keith Stringer , Director of Sales, PHP-LA. Prior to… Read more »
Source: Precision Aviation Group, 04-Mar-13
Cadorath Aerospace is proud to announce the release of it’s new corporate branding video entitled – Your Trusted Supply Chain Partner. The video is freely available for viewing on YouTube, the popular video sharing website. The video was filmed entirely on location at Cadorath’s two extended repair facilities in Lafayette, Louisiana and Winnipeg, Canada. The… Read more »
Source: Cadorath Aerospace, 26-Feb-13
Meridian Helicopters, a subsidiary of the Cadorath Group, has moved into a new facility in Lafayette, Louisiana. Meridian Helicopters provides reworked parts distribution support, consulting, brokering and technical support for the global Bell Helicopter network. “Our new facility provides us the ability to have five helicopters in progress at any one time. Meridian Helicopters business… Read more »
Source: Meridian Helicopters, 15-Feb-13
A Sikes man has been sentenced to more than three years in prison for shooting at a Louisiana Army National Guard helicopter during a drug surveillance operation. (see full story)
Source: San Francisco Chronicle, 27-Jan-13
Emergency landing after bird strike – EMS unit “Pafford AirOne” with patient on board. We believe they operate either/both of LongRanger 4 N1813 (52335) and LongRanger 3 N3180L (51055)
03-Nov-12
Substantially damaged in landing accident, reports FAA. Other reports suggest it was taking off, started spinning left and was put down hurriedly, wheels collapsed and it ended up on its belly between parking spot rows A and B
22-Oct-12
Helicopter crashed after hitting guy wire of radio tower. Sole occupant pilot (named as Hugh Clifton Kelley) killed
10-Oct-12
From a Bristow press release:- A Bristow Bell 407 operating near Intracoastal City, Louisiana was involved in a fatal accident at approximately 8:00 a.m. CDT . Local press reported poor visibility. The pilot was the only person onboard – later named as Carl Amos, from Corpus Christi, Texas
05-Oct-12
United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that James Lamar Kelly, age 61, of Sikes, Louisiana, was found guilty of three felony counts by a jury last night in federal court in Alexandria of three counts which charged Kelly with endangering the safety of the pilot of a Louisiana Army National Guard helicopter in… Read more »
Source: US Dept of Justice, 18-Sep-12
Unknown circumstances, according to FAA records
07-Jul-12
Children’s Hospital, New Orleans, La., is the latest recipient of Helicopter WAAS LPV procedures – developed by Hickok & Associates, Inc. For the past four years, since FAA approved the company’s WAAS LPV criteria, Hickok & Associate’s has been the only developer of helicopter WAAS LPV procedures. In addition to developing every approach to date,… Read more »
Source: Hickok & Associates, 21-Jun-12
Emergency landing at Barksdale AFB after suspected bird strike. Registration assumed as news received by HeliHub showed operator name as “Pafford EMS helicopter” and this LongRanger flies as “Pafford Air One“
09-Apr-12
AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce that Arrow Aviation has been appointed as an AgustaWestland Service Centre in the USA for the AW119 single engine and the AW139 medium twin helicopters. Headquartered in Broussard, Louisiana, Arrow Aviation will provide maintenance and repair services as well as maintaining a spare parts inventory for these… Read more »
Source: AgustaWestland, 13-Feb-12
Crashed in marshy area, killing both POB.  pilot named as Jason McKean, 40, and passenger Lanny Ledet, 43.
19-Jan-12
Era Training Center (ETC) is pleased to announce that its first AW139 flight simulation training device (FSTD) has been FAA-certified as a Level 6 FSTD. This certification will allow helicopter operators to conduct AW139 training in ETC’s device under CFR Part 61 or train in the FSTD with their own instructors. ETC’s AW139 FSTD has… Read more »
Source: Era Helicopters, 16-Dec-11
Minor damage, unknown circumstances
11-Nov-11
R44 owner Jon Gonsoulin, president of LeBeouf Bros., got the OK Monday at Terrebonne’s Board of Adjustment meeting. The decision allows Gonsoulin to put a helipad on his 18-acre residential property in Mulberry Estates, a subdivision along the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway. (See full story)
20-Oct-11
FlightSafety International is pleased to announce that it will offer training for the AgustaWestland AW139 at its Learning Center in Lafayette, Louisiana starting in 2013. “Offering training for the AgustaWestland AW139 is a clear demonstration of FlightSafety’s commitment to provide our Customers who operate and support helicopters around the world with the advanced technology Level… Read more »
Source: FlightSafety, 10-Oct-11
From: The World Record Helicopter Team & USA Academy Of Aviation Inc. French Valley Airport ( F70) Murrieta, Ca. Tel 951-551 6592- 951-600 2883. when: In September 2011. From Where: From Brown Airport, San Diego- to Savannah Hilton Head, GA, and back. Departure Time will be 6 o’clock AM. What is the current record and… Read more »
Source: World Record Helicopter Team, 12-Sep-11
A former employee of ERA Helicopters claims she was fired after reporting that male co-workers subjected her to a hostile work environment through sexually suggestive comments and inappropriate touching.
Source: Louisiana Record, 24-May-11
Dean M. Cole, 46, took time out from his job as a helicopter pilot to pen his first novel, a science-fiction work on sale now.
Source: Daily Comet, 10-May-11
Water taxying on floats, turned sideways and fell onto its side
13-Apr-11
Destroyed in hard landing (per FAA), but “There was only moderate damage to the aircraft and no damage to the runway or any impact on our commercial operations,†according to airport director Heath Allen.
10-Apr-11
