05-Jan-13 Eurocopter EC120 Baltimore, US-Maryland
05-Jan-13
Word reaching us that a Baltimore Police EC120 has made an emergency landing near the junction of Hanover Street and Reedbird Avenue in Baltimore at 0025 local time. Later flew back to base.
First landing made at new Frederick Memorial Hospital helipad
Source: Your4State, 12-Oct-12
A Maryland State Police Dauphin touched down for the first time Thursday morning for a test landing at Frederick Memorial Hospital’s new rooftop helipad. (see full story)
Maryland State Police unveil new medevac AW139
Source: Maryland State Police, 07-Oct-12
On Fridya, Governor Martin O’Malley joined Colonel Marcus Brown, officials from AgustaWestland, representatives from the state’s emergency medical services community, and other officials to unveil the first new Maryland State Police medevac helicopter, an important step forward in replacing Maryland’s aging medevac helicopter fleet. “The most sacred responsibility that any government holds is to protect [...]
Baltimore Police start operating new EC120 fleet
Source: HeliHub.com, 31-Aug-12
Following the decision to replace their existing Eurocopter EC120 fleet, Baltimore Police have recently launched operations with the first of their four new helicopters – replacing the four old ones which are all at or close to their 12 year overhaul. By taking new aircraft, the Maryland city has also been provided the opportunity to [...]
Clark School Team unofficially satisfies two Sikorsky Prize requirements
Source: A. James Clark School of Engineering, 29-Aug-12
Flight Reached Height of Two Feet Towards 10-Foot Requirement Students on the Gamera human-powered helicopter team at the University of Maryland’s A. James Clark School of Engineering have unofficially satisfied two of the three American Helicopter Society Sikorsky Prize competition requirements with a flight that unofficially lasted 65 seconds, stayed within a 10 square meter [...]
Clark School Team to Fly Revamped Gamera II HPH
Source: A. James Clark School of Engineering, 28-Aug-12
Larger Space to Allow for Longer, Higher Flights The following advisory is from the A. James Clark School of Engineering: WHAT: A team of A. James Clark School of Engineering students will fly a modified version of their human-powered helicopter, Gamera II, in a much larger space than in previous flight attempts. Gamera II is [...]
Maryland State Police exercises options for three AW139s
Source: AgustaWestland, 19-Jul-12
AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce that Maryland State Police Aviation Command has executed options under their current contract for three additional AW139 medium twin helicopters. These aircraft will be used for emergency medical, search and rescue, law enforcement and homeland security missions. This order follows an initial contract for six AW139s placed [...]
American Eurocopter delivers first two EC120s to Baltimore Police
Source: American Eurocopter, 13-Jul-12
In October of last year, the Baltimore Police Department ordered four EC120® helicopters as part of a fleet renewal program for its current fleet of four EC120s that it has been operating since 2000. The delivery of two of the department’s new EC120s will take place in July, with the remaining two delivered in August. [...]
Human-Powered Helicopter Team Sets New Unofficial 35-Second Flight Duration Benchmark
Source: Clark School of Engineering, 22-Jun-12
On June 20, students on the Gamera II human-powered helicopter team from the University of Maryland’s A. James Clark School of Engineering set a new, unofficial flight duration record of approximately 35 seconds. If verified by the National Aeronautic Association, this new time will supersede the team’s previous world record of 11.4 seconds set last July. The Gamera [...]
Maryland State Police spends $500K more on AW139s before delivery
21-Jun-12
The Maryland Board of Public Works voted Wednesday to grant $500K more to AgustaWestland to account for a remodeled searchlight and medical interiors on their nine AW139s, none of which are yet delivered. (see full story)
09-Jun-12 Mosquito Mount Vernon, US-Maryland
09-Jun-12
Single engined helicopter crashed into the Wicomico River near the Whitehaven Ferry. Rescued by boat without serious injuries.
Maryland National Guard celebrates UH-72 arrival
Source: Maryland National Guard, 20-Apr-12
The Maryland Army National Guard introduced their new helicopter during an orientation event conducted at Camp Fretterd Military Reservation near Reisterstown, Md., April 18. The event gave service members and the media the opportunity to learn about the capabilities of the new UH-72A ‘Lakota’ helicopter and what benefits it brings to the Maryland Army National [...]
20-Feb-12 N82MD Eurocopter AS365N2 Harford County, US-Maryland
20-Feb-12
Engine vibrations in flight, made emergency landing and there was a fire in the engine too
AW139 EMS interiors – it’s not just an Ornge problem
Source: HeliHub.com, 09-Feb-12
Ontario’s air ambulance operator Ornge has had a number of problems recently, a number of them documented here on HeliHub.com. One ongoing aspect is the “emergency room in the air” EMS interior fitted to the AW139s which have been deemed unsuitable for the role they are intended for. Problems identified particularly include the height of [...]
FAI recognise human-powered helicopter’s 11.4-second flight
Source: Clark School, 21-Nov-11
The FAI has certified that the Clark School’s Gamera human-powered helicopter team set world records earlier this year for flight duration and flight duration with a female pilot. The FAI certified the 4.2-second flight of May 12, 2011, and the 11.4-second flight of July 13, 2011, which supersedes the first. Gamera was designed and built by a [...]
City to pay $245K in police whistle-blower case
Source: Baltimore Sun, 27-Oct-11
Former officer Samuel K. Miller, wrote a memo in 2006 criticizing the Police Department for failing to properly train officers in the helicopter unit and to properly maintain the helicopters. The settlement includes a $120,000 payment to Miller and $125,000 in legal fees and other costs (see full story)
Eurocopter confirms Baltimore Police EC120 order
Source: American Eurocopter, 24-Oct-11
What follows is the formal press release from American Eurocopter, issued today. However, HeliHub.com broke this story five weeks ago on 22nd September – see here. American Eurocopter announced today that the Baltimore Police Department has ordered four EC120’s to update its current fleet of four aircraft. The department is one of the leading law [...]
Univ Maryland schedules CH-53K presentation
Source: University of Maryland, 21-Oct-11
Join the Department of Aerospace Engineering on November 10, 2011 for a presentation on The CH-53K Marine Corps Program with Dr. Michael S. Torok,Vice President and Chief Engineer of the Marine Corps Program. The talk will take place in the lecture hall (room 1110) of the Jeong H. Kim Engineering building. Meet the Speaker Michael S. [...]
Baltimore Police buys four EC120s
Source: HeliHub.com, 22-Sep-11
In a major about-turn, Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake has this week approved the purchase of four new Eurocopter EC120s and support package for $9.5 Million. Less than two years ago, she had threatened to ground the Police Department in a budget reduction plan. Police Commissioner Frederick H. Bealefeld III was on hand to thank the [...]
Howard County Police receives Aero Dynamix NVG conversion
Source: Aero Dynamix, 23-Aug-11
Aero Dynamix Inc. is very proud to announce the completion and delivery of the Howard County Police night vision goggle modified Bell 407 aircraft. ’We are very pleased to be working with a large number of law enforcement agencies on the conversion of their aircraft for night vision goggle operations’ stated General Manager Dennis Trout. [...]
29-Jul-11 N39SH Schweizer 300C Darlington, US-Maryland
29-Jul-11
Heavy landing which damaged the helicopter after pilot Steven Rindone experienced severe in-flight vibration and put the helicopter down as soon as he could.
Gamera Human-Powered helicopter team achieves new 12.4 sec unofficial flight duration
Source: Clark School of Engineering, 28-Jul-11
On July 13, the students on the Gamera human-powered helicopter team from the University of Maryland’s A. James Clark School of Engineering completed their scheduled summer flight session with a new unofficial flight duration of 12.4 seconds. If verified by the National Aeronautic Association, this new time will shatter the team’s previous 4.2-second U.S. national record set [...]
Maryland State Police to relocate a helicopter to Port Deposit or Colora at peak times
Source: Dagger Press, 28-Jun-11
Knowing minutes can mean the difference between life and death, the Maryland State Police Aviation Command is implementing a plan to pre-position the medevac helicopter stationed in Baltimore County closer to where it is most frequently used in Northeastern Maryland during hours of peak mission demand.
Clark School’s human-powered helicopter flight wins national recognition
Source: University of Maryland, 09-Jun-11
The National Aeronautic Association has certified that onMay 12, 2011, the human-powered helicopter Gamera, designed and built by graduate and undergraduate students of theUniversity of Maryland’s A. James Clark School of Engineering and piloted by biology student Judy Wexler, achieved lift-off and hovered for 4.2 seconds, thereby establishing the U.S. national records for the duration of [...]
Maryland State Police to relocate Salisbury helicopter on summer weekends
Source: Del Marva Now, 29-May-11
The Maryland State Police helicopter typically stationed in Salisbury will be relocated to the Ocean City Airport for weekends during the summer. Police say the switch means they can respond more quickly to medical crises in the tourist-packed resort.
24-May-11 Oxon Hill
24-May-11
Prince George’s County Fire Department Spokesperson Mark Brady says a military helicopter made an emergency landing
University of Maryland achieves World Record with human-powered helicopter
Source: University of Maryland, 13-May-11
HI-RES VIDEO:http://lecture.umd.edu/detsmediasite/Viewer/?peid=7ec9bc500b61490aaf49b05320e0cda61d COLLEGE PARK, Md.–A team of more than 50 students at the University of Maryland’s A. James Clark School of Engineering has succeeded in flying their human-powered helicopter, Gamera. Pilot Judy Wexler, a 24-year-old biology graduate student at UM, pedaled furiously, taking the craft several inches into the air for about 4 seconds, setting [...]
Clark School team to test Human-Powered Helicopter
Source: University of Maryland, 05-May-11
The following is being released today by A. James Clark School of Engineering: WHAT: In a step toward winning the Sikorsky Prize, a team of A. James Clark School of Engineering students will attempt for the first time to test-fly their human-powered helicopter, called Gamera. Gamera has a rotor at each of the four ends of its X-shaped frame, [...]
USCG hosts 4th annual SAR Conference in Baltimore
Source: US Coast Guard, 01-May-11
BALTIMORE – The Coast Guard hosted the 2011 Search and Rescue Conference at Coast Guard Sector Baltimore to improve cooperation between search and rescue agencies in the upper Chesapeake Bay and the Potomac River, Friday. Approximately 100 members from the Coast Guard, Maryland Natural Resources Police, Maryland State Police, and supervisors from more than 25 [...]
Maryland at fault in ’08 State Police crash that killed four, US claims
Source: Baltimore Sun, 15-Apr-11
In its latest filing, the federal government says the pilot failed to properly assess the risk of landing the helicopter and executing an approach to the base’s runway, and that he attempted to descend too quickly.
Maryland ponders billing medevac patients
Source: WBAL 11 News, 19-Mar-11
The state is looking into the possibility of billing each patient transported, according to 11 News reporter David Collins. This would be a huge departure from current policy, which uses tax dollars to fund the program, without charging patients.
14-Mar-11 Eurocopter BK117 Mardela Springs, US-Maryland
14-Mar-11
“They made a precautionary emergency landing due to an equipment malfunction, and they had a patient on board,” said Cpl. Kelly Matthews with the Wicomico Sheriff’s Office.
29-Jan-11 Eurocopter BK117 Baltimore, US-Maryland
29-Jan-11
Precautionary landing for a potential mechanical problem.
Maryland sues federal government over AS365 crash
Source: Buffalo News, 13-Jan-11
The state of Maryland has filed a $4 million lawsuit against the federal government over the 2008 crash of a state police helicopter that killed four people.
Three EC135s and two EC145s for Stat MedEvac
Source: American Eurocopter, 13-Jan-11
Grand Prairie, TX – Today, American Eurocopter announced that STAT MedEvac has ordered five more twin-engine helicopters. The order consists of three EC135 helicopters and two EC145 helicopters and is part of an ongoing strategy at STAT to continually upgrade its fleet with the latest aircraft and the newest technology. The aircraft are scheduled to [...]
06-Jan-11 N329PH Eurocopter EC135P2 Reisterstown, US-Maryland
06-Jan-11
A medevac helicopter en route to a Caroll County hospital made an emergency landing in Reisterstown Thursday night, Baltimore County police said.
Sole survivor of 2008 Maryland crash files $50M lawsuit
Source: Gazette, 14-Dec-10
The sole survivor of a 2008 Maryland State Police helicopter crash in District Heights has filed a $50 million lawsuit against the FAA, alleging negligence on the part of air traffic controllers.
Sykesville man arrested for pointing laser at Maryland State Police Dauphin
Source: Eldersburg Patch, 25-Nov-10
David H. Hopwood, 35, of the 7000-block of Bristol Place in Sykesville was charged with reckless endangerment, attempted second-degree assault on a law enforcement officer and prohibited use of a laser pointer.
UH-1 to go on display at Ocean City airport
Source: Ocean City Today, 21-Nov-10
Ocean City council have funded the transportation of the UH-1 from Pennsylvania on the basis that Ocean City Aviation Association reimburses them over time
AgustaWestland confirm Maryland State Police AW139 purchase
Source: AgustaWestland, 20-Oct-10
(HeliHub.com editor note – we have already run this story as reported in Maryland local press – this the confirmation from AgustaWestland via a press release) AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce today that it has been awarded a contract by the Maryland State Police Aviation Command to provide six AW139 helicopters for [...]
MD Helicopters and Allegheny LifeFlight at AMTC 2010
Source: MD Helicopters, 20-Oct-10
MD Helicopters, Inc (MDHI) joined with Allegheny General Hospital’s LifeFlight at this year’s Air Medical Transport Conference (AMTC) in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Allegheny General Hospital’s LifeFlight had on display its MD Explorer which they use to provide regional emergency helicopter and critical care ground transportation services for critically ill and injured patients who need immediate [...]
Questions raised over non-competitive bid for Maryland helicopters
17-Oct-10
A state tender for six helicopters closed this week with AgustaWestland’s $72M bid the only one placed. Questions now being raised as to why they were the only manufacturer to bid, and why helicopters as large as AW139s are used for State police and EMS work
AW139 wins Maryland State Police tender – six orders plus six options
Source: Baltimore Sun, 15-Oct-10
The AW139 was the only bid – a year back Eurocopter alleged that the state’s specifications for new aircraft were skewed in favour of AgustaWestland
HealthNet utilizes Eurocopter fleet to expand operations
Source: American Eurocopter, 11-Oct-10
Grand Prairie, TX – American Eurocopter today announced that HeatlhNet Aeromedical, long-time customer and program with aircraft operated by Air Methods, continues to expand its operations utilizing the company’s industry leading helicopters. HealthNet has already placed an EC135 and an EC145 into service this year and it has further expansion planned for the fourth quarter. [...]
Baltimore County police blinded by laser
Source: Baltimore Sun, 13-Sep-10
Authorities from several Maryland police agencies called attention to the problem on Wednesday, asking people to put down their lasers, some of which can project beams more than two miles.
Second lawsuit filed over 2008 Maryland State Police accident
Source: Washington Post, 02-Aug-10
The attorney for Kenneth Mallard says he deserves compensation for the death of his wife because of the “negligence of Federal Aviation Administration air traffic controllers”
EC120 fleet leader reaches 10,000 hours
Source: American Eurocopter, 05-Jul-10
American Eurocopter announced today that an EC120 helicopter operated by the Baltimore Police Department has become the first EC120 in the world to reach 10,000 flight hours. The Baltimore Police Department’s fleet consists of four EC120s, which they have been operating since 2000. “The EC120 has been a great aircraft for us,” said Sgt. Andre [...]
Maryland paramedic’s family sues federal government for $15M
30-Apr-10
The attorney for flight paramedic Mickey Lippy’s family said Wednesday that his wife and young daughter deserve restitution for the “negligent acts” of FAA air traffic controllers – who are claimed to have provided outdated weather information
Baltimore Police helicopter on chopping block?
Source: Baltimore Sun, 19-Mar-10
News coming out about budget cuts sounds dire for the Baltimore Police Department. At the moment, the police helicopter known as Foxtrot is on the chopping block.
Air Methods Maryland won’t have much impact on use of MSP medevac helicopters
Source: Herald Mail, 01-Dec-09
The presence of a new air medical transport company in Hagerstown won’t have a major impact on use of Maryland State Police medevac helicopters at accident scenes, according to Dr. Robert Bass, executive director of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems
Air Methods Maryland takes over Hagerstown base vacated by Stat MedEvac
Source: Herald-Mail, 21-Nov-09
An air medical transport company based in Colorado began service out of Hagerstown Regional Airport this week, following a several-week gap after STAT MedEvac ended operations there in mid-October.
World’s smallest controllable single-winged rotorcraft mimics maple seed design
Source: The Engineer, 23-Oct-09
Aerospace engineering graduate students at the University of Maryland’s Clark School of Engineering have mimicked the design of the maple seed, or samara fruit, to create the world’s smallest controllable single-winged rotorcraft.
Maryland State Police tender rigged in favour of AgustaWestland, says Eurocopter
Source: WBAL, 16-Oct-09
Eurocopter, the manufacturer of the current Maryland State Police fleet, filed a formal protest and is not making an offer to replace the aging helicopters. The company alleges that the state’s specifications for new aircraft are skewed in favor of AgustaWestland.In a letter to Gov. Martin O’Malley and to the state Department of Transportation, the [...]
Montgomery County Council members want drug fund spent on treatment, not helicopters
Source: Washington Examiner, 15-Oct-09
Montgomery County Council members want money seized from drug dealers to be spent treating drug addicts instead of a new police helicopter program proposed by County Executive Ike Leggett.
Trooper 6 Medevac Helicopter To Relocate From Centreville To Easton
Source: WJZ, 02-Oct-09
The Maryland State Police Trooper 6 medevac helicopter is relocating from Centreville to a hangar at the Easton Airport.
Heroism award presented to Maryland State Police AS365 crew for swift-water rescue
Source: American Eurocopter, 09-Sep-09
The Public Service award was presented to pilot Jim MacKay and trooper/flight paramedic Nate Wheelock, who received this distinction during the Rotor & Wing 2009 Search and Rescue summit in Reston, Virginia.
Eurocopter files protest over Maryland EMS helicopter replacement process
Source: Baltimore Sun, 08-Sep-09
American Eurocopter, the maker of the 11 helicopters currently in the fleet, opted not to submit a proposal to supply new helicopters. The company called the process “flawed” because the requirements appeared to be written to favor another company, AgustaWestland.
Advanced Helicopter Concepts on the rebound
Source: Gazette, 04-Sep-09
The company, which has 12 employees and has operated at the Frederick Municipal Airport for the last 21 years, divides its services primarily between providing helicopter flight instruction and aerial photography for local media outlets and real estate developers.
Princess Anne helicopter donated to Montgomery County
Source: DelMarva Now, 20-Aug-09
The Montgomery County Police Department is just starting up its new division, and expects to have the helicopter reconditioned and flying by the end of the year
Maryland State Police unit awarded ‘rescue of the year’ for lifesaving mission with the AS365 Dauphin
Source: American Eurocopter, 07-Aug-09
A Maryland State Police Aviation Command crew has been honored for a daring December 2008 rescue which utilized American Eurocopter’s Dauphin AS365 when a broken water main left several vehicles trapped in three-to-four feet of swiftly-flowing water.
23-Jul-09 N7189W Robinson R44 Frederick, US-Maryland (4F)
23-Jul-09
23-Jul-09 N7189W Robinson R44 Frederick, US-Maryland
Maryland State Police to inspect elusive Princess Anne Police Dept helicopter
Source: Somerset Herald, 21-May-09
Maryland EMS helicopter procurement decision put back for at least a year
Source: Baltimore Sun, 26-Mar-09
Legislative panel endorses Maryland State Police control of medevac fleet
Source: Baltimore Sun, 10-Mar-09
Attempts to overhaul and possibly privatize the state’s emergency medical system appear likely to fail this year after a legislative panel’s full-throated endorsement of continued state police control of Maryland’s medical helicopter program.
Ground breaking ceremony for the Aircraft Prototyping Facility at Pax River
Source: Bay Net, 02-Mar-09
Maryland May Lose ‘Trooper’ Medevac Program
Source: Baynet, 01-Mar-09
Senate Bill 650, co-sponsored by Senators Picken and Astle, seeks to eliminate the current Maryland Emergency Medical Department helicopter program in favor of third party vendors.
