24-Jul-2012
Post flight check found engine cowling missing... Read more
19-Jul-2012Source: Amarillo Globe News
During a meeting Tuesday, commissioners unanimously approved a $5-million Amarillo Economic Development Corp. incentive package for a Bell Helicopter expansion to bring manufacturing of the company’s newest civilian craft — the 525 Relentless — and 100 jobs to the city. (see full story)... Read more
12-Jul-2012Source: Metro Aviation
Metro Aviation will be exhibiting again this year during the Airborne Law Enforcement Association (ALEA) 42nd Annual Conference and Exposition at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center from 11-14 JUL 2012. The company will be featuring their latest AS350B3 law enforcement completion provided to the Texas Department of Public Safety Aviation Section. The aircraft is the first... Read more
4-Jul-2012Source: KTSM Television
The NativeAir emergency response team wants to get the word out to local hospitals, local firefighters and emergency responders. They’re ready and waiting to respond to an emergency and just a phone call away. (see full story)... Read more
22-Jun-2012Source: HeliHub.com
Austin Police Department have put a funds request in to the City Council for $3,745,000 to buy a new Eurocopter AS350B3 – and the request will be heard at their scheduled meeting on 28th June at Austin City Hall. The paperwork submitted indicates that this is ostensibly to replace their 1969-vintage Bell OH-58A. There is... Read more
22-Jun-2012Source: HeliExperts International
Leading heliport consulting firm HeliExperts International and the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) dedicated the DOD’s first rooftop heliport last month in San Antonio, Texas. Located on the roof of the San Antonio Military Medical Center (SAMMC) at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, the heliport was commissioned to reduce transport time for critically ill... Read more
16-Jun-2012
Rotor blade separated during run up... Read more
14-Jun-2012Source: Outdoor Hub
The law allows landowners to sell permits for taking invasive and destructive feral hogs via helicopter and is being lauded as a huge success. (see full story)... Read more
12-Jun-2012Source: Dallas Business News
The City of Fort Worth waived certain development fees and entered into a 19-year economic development program agreement. Bell Helicopter will get a $4.4 million tax abatement from the county for the new headquarters. (see full story)... Read more
6-Jun-2012Source: Med-Trans
Med-Trans Corp. has announced the transition of their two Carestar air medical programs to their well-known AeroCare brand. The life saving programs will collectively serve West Texas and New Mexico 24 hours a day, seven days a week beginning June 1st. The region will benefit from the superior clinical care and exceptional reputation established by... Read more
5-Jun-2012Source: US Army
The Army will deliver the first OH-58D Kiowa Warrior to be upgraded under the Wartime Replacement Aircraft (WRA) Program in a roll-out ceremony at Corpus Christi Army Depot on Thursday, June 7, 2012, at 10:00 am in Hangar 44. This is the first OH-58D aircraft that will replenish the fleet. CCAD Commander, Col. Christopher B.... Read more
4-Jun-2012
San Antonio Police aircraft declared emergency landing during night patrol.... Read more
1-Jun-2012Source: San Antonio Express-News
The first rooftop helipad in the Department of Defense was opened recently at San Antonio Military Medical Center (SAMMC) at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston. (see full story)... Read more
1-Jun-2012Source: HeliHub.com
On June 20, the X3 will be kicking off its U.S. tour with a special event and flight display at the American Eurocopter facilities in Grand Prairie in Texas. The event will include politicians, dignitaries and celebrities. Dr. Lutz Bertling will present the X3. No details have been provided at this time of the dates... Read more
17-May-2012Source: Bell
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT), has renewed its option to continue as the title sponsor of the Armed Forces Bowl for two more years covering the 2012 and 2013 season. The continuation of the sponsorship was announced on Thursday May 10 at Amon G. Carter stadium on the Texas Christian University campus... Read more
17-May-2012Source: Fort Hood Sentinel
Fort Hood’s Apache training unit, 21st Cavalry Brigade (Air Combat), added a new airframe to its inventory Friday with two LUH-72A Lakota helicopters. (see full story)... Read more
16-May-2012Source: HAI
HAI and the FAA Safety Team (FAASTeam) present a two-day safety seminar, June 1-2, 2012, in Irving, Texas. The target audiences on the first day are commercial helicopter operators and pilots, and the target audiences for the second day are General Aviation helicopter pilots, certified helicopter flight instructors, and helicopter student pilots. For more information and to register, click here.... Read more
16-May-2012Source: Superior Aviation Services
Helicopter repair and maintenance specialty company, Superior Aviation Services, Inc., has recently expanded by moving to a larger facility at the Dallas Executive Airport (KRBD), located in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area metroplex. The move offers capacity for more aircraft and easier access for customers. Since 1983, Superior Aviation has been providing comprehensive helicopter maintenance services... Read more
15-May-2012Source: WFAA
Ten Bell employees, mostly from the site at Roanoke, scooped a $28M syndicate win on the Texas Lottery on Sunday morning. The group apparently all called in sick on Monday so they could go to Austin to pick up their prize. (see full story)... Read more
15-May-2012
Missile training device accidentally dropped from Apache helicopter out of Fort Hood.... Read more
2-May-2012Source: SkyTalk
Eurocopter CEO Lutz Bertling announced the tour, expected to begin about June 20 in Grand Prairie, at the American Helicopter Society’s annual meeting in Fort Worth on Tuesday. (see full story)... Read more
27-Apr-2012Source: The Vindicator
The required funding has been raised for the new Dayton Rotary Helipad to be located on the grounds of the Dayton Community Center. (see full story)... Read more
26-Apr-2012
Substantially damaged in heavy landing. Both occupants to hospital. Weather report as winds gusting to 30 knots at the time of the accident... Read more
24-Apr-2012Source: All Metal MS
All Metal MS, rapidly becoming a global leader in the development and manufacturing of “safety firstâ€Â custom maintenance stands, maintenance support equipment and hangar equipment, announced today that world-renowned American Eurocopter has asked All Metal MS to design custom maintenance stands for its manufacturing facility in Texas. These unique stands will solve a number of safety concerns... Read more
11-Apr-2012
Precautionary field landing on test flight out of Amarillo... Read more
10-Apr-2012Source: Air Comm
Air Comm Corporation (ACC), a leading provider of aircraft environmental control solutions, will showcase its new Business Development, Engineering and Test Facility in Carrollton, Texas, at an open house on Tuesday, April 10, 2012. The open house will begin at 10 a.m. and continue throughout the day. The facility is located at 2550 Midway Road,... Read more
9-Apr-2012Source: McGraw-Hill
Aviation Week today presented its 2012 MRO of the Year Awards on 3rd April for outstanding achievement and innovation in aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) to four industry leaders: US Airways, Sikorsky Aerospace Services, Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Co., and Leading Edge Aviation Services. These prestigious annual industry awards, presented by Overhaul & Maintenance,... Read more
3-Apr-2012
Heavy landing on final approach, causing skids to flatten and some rotor blade damage. Minor injury to pilot, passenger refused medical help. Aircraft was returning to base after transmission line survey for American Electric Power.... Read more
27-Mar-2012Source: OA Online
Bill Webster, CEO for Medical Center Hospital, said that the hospital will give full control to their partner Med-Trans. The program name will be changed to AeroCare, bringing it into line with the naming convention of air medical services in Seminole, Lubbock and Clovis, N.M. (full story). They operate two Bell 407s out of Odessa... Read more
5-Mar-2012
landed in a field with the tail boom chopped in half. Remained upright on skids and two occupants not injured... Read more
24-Feb-2012Source: Star-Telegram
With a government contract in hand, AVX is working with several partner companies and has moved beyond the “struggling startup” phase, President Troy Gaffey said. (see full story)... Read more
17-Feb-2012Source: Sikorsky
Composite Technology Inc. (CTI), a Sikorsky Aerospace Services company based at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, today opened one of the world’s most powerful structures to dynamically balance helicopter main rotor blades. Designed by Sikorsky to test main rotor blades that rotate either clockwise or counterclockwise, the bi-directional whirl tower will enable helicopter operators and... Read more
15-Feb-2012
Unscheduled landing in a parking lot... Read more
11-Feb-2012Source: YES Communications
YES Communications is pleased to announce the launch of an enhanced press release platform that will be used to submit news and announcements for their customers to a worldwide audience. This new format will provide a standardized look for YES Communications and their discerning client base. YES Communications is a leader in distributing news for... Read more
11-Feb-2012Source: Star Telegram
Tarrant County commissioners on Tuesday approved a 10-year, $4.4 million tax abatement for Bell Helicopter’s new headquarters building and training academy at its east Fort Worth complex along Texas 10 (see full story)... Read more
10-Feb-2012Source: Sikorsky
Composite Technology Inc., a Sikorsky Aerospace Services company, will open a $15 million bi-directional whirl tower to dynamically balance helicopter main rotor blades on 14th February The ability to spin blades either clockwise or counterclockwise on one of the most powerful whirl tower’s in the world will enable helicopter operators and manufacturers to rebalance their... Read more
24-Jan-2012Source: HeliHub.com
It sounds a bit like a couple of children playing – “you take me to court and I’ll take you to court in return”, but we’re sure that these two organisations are taking their legal stance very seriously. The current situations are:- In December, Vector took Bell to Alabama Middle Court (case ref 2:11-cv-01071) alleging... Read more
23-Jan-2012Source: Dell Children's Medical Center
On Thursday, Jan. 19, Seton Health Care Family, STAR Flight and Central Texas community leaders gathered at Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas for a grand opening celebration of STAR Flight’s first on-site, live-in accommodations at the hospital. With its completion, “home” for STAR Flight now carries new meaning. The 1,175-square-foot, specialized accommodations include... Read more
22-Jan-2012
Tail boom damaged. 4 POB not seriously injured... Read more
13-Jan-2012Source: St. Joseph
St. Joseph Health System is eager to announce two major initiatives to improve emergency and trauma medical care in the region. The first is a new affiliation with PHI Air Medical. St. Joseph AirMedical PHI has been our area’s air ambulance provider for more than six years. St. Joseph Health System, established 75 years ago,... Read more
10-Jan-2012Source: Star-Telegram
Breaking with its recent past, Bell Helicopter plans to produce its next new commercial helicopter, code named Magellan, at its military aircraft plant in Amarillo. (see full story)... Read more
2-Jan-2012Source: Christus Spohn Hospital
CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital Corpus Christi-South celebrates a brand new Halo Flight Landing Pad with a Helo Pad blessing. Previously, Halo Flight landed on a flat grassy area behind the hospital. That area has now been paved and outfitted with special lighting to help guide Halo Flight to the hospital. This enhancement to the hospital will... Read more
1-Jan-2012
Crashed in a field (FAA reported this as 47J, but register says 47G2)... Read more
27-Dec-2011Source: Texas Christian University
Engineering students are getting real life career experience in their senior project for Bell Helicopter Textron Inc, Tristan Tayag, professor of the engineering department, said. Bell propositioned half of the senior engineering class to create a heads-up display for a helicopter cockpit. Lauren Lueders, senior design project manager, said. The display would provide visual cues to... Read more
15-Dec-2011
The City Council voted 6-2 Tuesday to approve a tax abatement for the expansion of Bell Helicopter’s headquarters in which the company will reap $13.5 million over 20 years if it meets requirements. (see full story)... Read more
15-Dec-2011Source: REACH
REACH Air Medical Services (REACH) and Methodist Healthcare (Methodist) announce the expansion of their partnership providing emergency helicopter service to include a second base in Pearsall, Texas, called Methodist AirCare 2. Service began on December 12, 2011. AirCare 2 will provide life-saving 24/7 emergency medical helicopter service from a base located 50 miles southwest of... Read more
8-Dec-2011Source: Med-Trans
Med-Trans Corp., a leader in the air medical industry is pleased to announce that their Southeast Texas Air Rescue program was recently named the Texas EMS Air Medical Service of the Year. The Department of Health and Human Services recently presented the award to the Air Rescue team at the Texas EMS Conference in Austin,... Read more
6-Dec-2011Source: REACH
REACH Air Medical Services and Cal-Ore Life Flight announce the merger of the two privately-held companies, creating the most comprehensive network of medical air and ground transportation in the Western United States. REACH, with 13 helicopter bases and one airplane base, and Cal-Ore, with two airplane and two ground ambulance bases, have been collaborators in... Read more
5-Dec-2011Source: Star-Telegram
On Friday morning in Fort Worth, 45 Bell employees were given their walking papers because their positions had been moved to Amarillo. (see full story)... Read more
4-Dec-2011
Main rotor blade struck street sign... Read more
30-Nov-2011Source: United Rotorcraft Solutions
United Rotorcraft Solutions, located in Decatur, TX, recently secured the completion contract to outfit HALO-Flight, Inc’s third Bell 407 Helicopter. In late October, HALO-Flight purchased an additional aircraft to meet the needs of its 26-county service area. “We selected United Rotorcraft for the task because of our past experience with the company and their new... Read more
30-Nov-2011Source: HeliHub.com
AgustaWestland have taken a lease on 98,851 square feet of space at Arlington Airport in Texas, and are intending building a further 7,000 sq.ft. The lease allows the building to be used for “Aircraft sales, engineering and design, flight testing, and aircraft maintenance” and “any other aviation related activity or incidental uses in connection with... Read more
25-Nov-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Air Evac Lifeteam have upgraded their base at Carrizo Springs Airport in Texas – about 125 miles south-west of San Antonio. Known as “Lifeteam 71”, this base previously flew a LongRanger, they now have a Bell 407 in the same colour scheme Photos were released on AEL71’s Facebook page William P Johnson – HeliHub.com US... Read more
25-Nov-2011Source: Star Telegram
Bell Helicopter has notified about 65 of its Fort Worth materiel buyers whose positions are being moved to Amarillo that Dec. 2 will be their last day of work, according to their union leader. (see full story)... Read more
22-Nov-2011Source: US Army
A needed OH-58D Kiowa Warrior was returned to the fight when Corpus Christi Army Depot Commander, Col. Christopher B. Carlile handed the newly repaired KW’s log books to 1st Infantry Division Combat Aviation Brigade Commander, Col. John M. Morgan during a transfer ceremony held during the Luther Jones Professional Aviation Forum at the American Bank... Read more
21-Nov-2011Source: Star-Telegram
The Star-Telegram newspaper, a long-time careful follower of aviation news in Dallas and Forth Worth area, reported late late week that Sikorsky were displaying the X2 outside their office in Forth Worth. (See full story)... Read more
17-Nov-2011Source: REACH
The Woman’s Hospital of Texas (Woman’s) and REACH Air Medical Services, LLC (REACH) announce a collaboration to provide life-saving 24/7 emergency medical helicopter service to Houston and outlying areas. The service will provide air transport exclusively for high-risk maternal and neonatal patients to Woman’s for specialized care. Woman’s and REACH are combining resources to provide... Read more
17-Nov-2011Source: Star Telegram
The Arlington Police Department got approval Tuesday from the City Council to spend just over $202,000 from a federal grant to buy two small unmanned aircraft. (see full story)... Read more
13-Nov-2011
While emergency crews were working the first crash scene, an intoxicated car driver bypassed emergency vehicles and crashed into the tail fin of a Careflite helicopter that had landed in the middle of Highway 287. The helicopter was disabled and unable to transport the original crash victims to hospitals.... Read more
12-Nov-2011Source: Star-Telegram
Judge ruled that Michael Prieto and his lawyer Hal Gillespie failed to prove that he was fired for investigating whether Bell was overcharging the U.S. government on military contracts. (See full story)... Read more
8-Nov-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Texas operator Veracity Aviation has bought a new Eurocopter AS350B2 – registration N119VA and serial 7208. Their website tells us that Veracity Aviation is a helicopter services company, with two locations. The home office is Northwest of Seguin, TX at Huber Airpark (E70). Seguin is a prime location for flight training, centered between San Antonio... Read more
2-Nov-2011Source: Star-Telegram
Bell Helicopter plans to build a new office building and training academy at its east Fort Worth headquarters complex and relocate hundreds of employees who now work at Alliance Airport and other area locations. (see full story)... Read more
2-Nov-2011Source: Med-Trans
Med-Trans has announced the opening of their newest air medical program, AeroCare – Seminole, TX. This life saving program will serve west Texas and New Mexico 24 hours a day, seven days a week beginning October 31st . The region will benefit from the superior clinical care and great reputation built by AeroCare over the last... Read more
1-Nov-2011Source: HAI
From Feb. 7 through 17, 2012, HAI will be offering education courses as part of HELI-EXPO 2012 at the Dallas Convention Center. There will be a Texas-sized program, with more than 25 courses offered in areas including safety, maintenance, management, and other helicopter-oriented concentrations. Program highlights include the Military to Civilian Workshop, a free course... Read more
1-Nov-2011Source: Med-Trans
Med-Trans Corp., a leader in the air medical industry, announced today that Ken Grimes has accepted a position as V.P. of Business Development and will be working out of the corporate headquarters in Lewisville, Texas. Grimes has an in-depth knowledge of the air medical services industry, most recently holding the position of Senior Account Manager... Read more
1-Nov-2011Source: HeliHub.com
The Rio Grande Valley’s longest-running helicopter ambulance flew its last flight yesterday, 31st October, thanks to Texas state budget cuts. The South Texas Emergency Care Foundation has operated Valley AirCare since 1995, but operating their AS350B2 in recent years has been an increasing challenge as cost reimbursements continued a downward slide and fuel prices soared. ... Read more
27-Oct-2011Source: IHST
Aviation authorities from more than a dozen countries from across the globe will offer their perspectives on safety at the Fifth Annual International Helicopter Safety Symposium, taking place in Fort Worth, Texas from Nov. 8-9, 2011. The theme of the symposium will be Human Factors: our Collective Challenge – Our Individual Responsibility. The event is a... Read more
26-Oct-2011Source: American Eurocopter
American Eurocopter announced today that the customer event for the EC145 T2 at its Grand Prairie, TX facility was a huge success. Customers were able to get a close-up look at this new helicopter, learn more about the features and benefits of this model from the Eurocopter Program Manager, and witness it in action during... Read more
23-Oct-2011
Precautionary landing on test flight out of Boeing’s Ridley Park plant... Read more
21-Oct-2011Source: US Army
Black Hawk production reached unprecedented levels this year at the Corpus Christi Army Depot due to an integral partnership with Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation. Two years ago, the depot rolled out its initial A- L Recapitalized (Recap) Black Hawk conversion, last year CCAD produced 38 and this year the depot completed 48 Black Hawks that are... Read more
14-Oct-2011Source: Halo Flight
HALO-Flight, Inc., the only air ambulance serving the sixteen counties surrounding Corpus Christi, is expanding its fleet of emergency service vehicles. A third Bell 407 helicopter is expected to be delivered in early 2012. With this addition, HALO-Flight’s fleet will include three rotor-wing aircraft and one Specialty Care Transport ground ambulance. “HALO-Flight is focused on... Read more
14-Oct-2011
A spokesperson for the FAA said the helicopter sustained severe damage, but that neither of the two people on board suffered any injuries.... Read more
13-Oct-2011Source: Brownsville Herald
The new McAllen base will be one of Air Evac Lifeteam’s 104 bases in the country and the 21st base in Texas, the company said in a statement. –... Read more
8-Oct-2011
Helicopter became unserviceable while on ground responding to emergency call. Second helicopter called in for patient... Read more
5-Oct-2011Source: Bell
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, announced that on Friday, August 2, Shannon Halter became the 120,000th student to complete training from the Bell Helicopter Training Academy (BTA). Pictured below, Trey Wade, Director of the Bell Helicopter Training Academy and Charles Fisher, Manager Technical Training for Bell Helicopter present Shannon Halter of United... Read more