CHC Helicopter will today take delivery of its first H175 for use in offshore oil and gas operations. The aircraft has been delivered in full offshore passenger transport configuration, allowing CHC to begin training and adjustment from the operator’s base at Aberdeen, ahead of operational launch in August 2017. Based at CHC Helicopter’s site in… Read more »
Under some operating conditions, rotors are the main source of noise produced by a helicopter. To reduce this noise and the simultaneous vibrations, the German Aerospace Centre (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR), together with Airbus Helicopters Deutschland, has tested active rotor control on a modern, five-blade rotor in a wind tunnel as part of… Read more »
Airbus Helicopters Inc. has delivered a new H130 to Hospital Wing, a Memphis, Tenn.-based nonprofit air medical transport service, which will join three H130s already in service. The acquisition is part of Hospital Wing’s long-term strategy to transition its entire fleet to this helicopter model. The nonprofit also currently operates three EC130B4s, which is an… Read more »
Helinet Aviation, one of the most respected helicopter operators on the West Coast, announced today the purchase of an Airbus AS350 B2 for its ENG and Production groups. The aircraft has been specially outfitted by EuroTec, a leading helicopter sales and support company. Dedicated to the memory of Alan Purwin, the B2 features a digitized… Read more »
San Bernandino County Sheriff’s Department in California has strengthened its public safety capabilities with the acquisition of two new Airbus Helicopters H125 AStars, the best-selling law enforcement helicopter in the country. Airbus Helicopters Inc. is exhibiting one of San Bernandino’s H125s at the 2017 Airborne Law Enforcement Association (ALEA) Annual Conference and Expo this week… Read more »
An airfoil blade (2) of a bearingless rotor of a helicopter. Said airfoil blade (2) has a pitch axis from a tip end to a root end and said root end is provided with junction means for a separable junction arrangement of said airfoil blade (2) with a flexbeam head (13), and a control cuff (4,… Read more »
Currenty in flight test at the Leonardo factory in Italy is an AW189 in full CHC livery. However, it is not a brand new aircraft and we believe it may have been stored at the facility for over two years. When seen in March 2015, serial 49022 was wearing the livery of Nigerian opertor Caverton… Read more »
L3 Technologies (NYSE:LLL) announced today that its WESCAM division has received an order from Airbus Helicopters to provide 37 MX™-15 electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) imaging systems for installation on multiple fleets of H225M Caracal helicopters. The systems will be installed in France before being delivered to two foreign governments for military deployment. “This order expands… Read more »
Swiss Rotor Solutions Ltd, in cooperation with AeroBrigham LLC (booth #106) is presenting the MAXIMUM PILOT VIEW KIT (MPVK), the next generation safety and visibility solution for the Airbus H125 / AS350 helicopter family during the upcoming ALEA Convention in Reno NV. Visit AeroBrigham at booth #106 and preserve a technical briefing about the Maximum… Read more »
Airbus announced certification of the H145 by Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA). With its extensive versatility and operational flexibility, the H145’s compact size and large cabin make it the perfect choice for a variety of civil missions, particularly in high-and-hot conditions. “We are pleased to enhance our customers’ aircraft portfolios, through the availability of the… Read more »
Airbus Helicopters Inc., Grand Prairie, Texas, was awarded a $35,161,927 modification (P00026) to contract W58RGZ-17-C-0010 in support of the UH-72 Lakota contractor logistics support, parts support, and sustainment; the flying hour rate contract line item numbers have been revised to increase the total estimated flying hours and additional funding provided for the flying hours. Work… Read more »
HeliOffshore operators are working with UK and Norwegian authorities to release the technical data used to justify their decision on 7 July to lift operating restrictions on Airbus Helicopters H225LP and AS332L2 Super Puma helicopters. The offshore helicopter industry’s global safety association says that without having all available data its members cannot determine whether or… Read more »
As in previous years, the winner(s) of the Innovation in Safety Award will be selected by a committee of industry professionals. The award ceremony will take place during the Helicopter Association of Canada’s annual conference, November 9th – 11th in Ottawa, ON. The award recipient(s) will receive a cash prize of $10,000 CAD in addition to… Read more »
Airbus has proposed that domestic firms receive a cut of the €4 billion contract that the German government has set aside for their next generation of low-risk heavy-lift helicopters. But due to their demands, the government is currently looking to Lockheed Martin and Boeing for their existing heavy-lift military units. Although the project must still… Read more »
The aircraft set to train Australian Defence Force aviators is an impressive piece of kit. The Airbus EC135 T2+ offers the perjformance and safety of a twin-engine helicopter and will replace the Navy’s Squirrel and Army’s Kiowa, which are more than 30 and 40 years old respectively. The EC135 is widely used by police, firefighting… Read more »
Amsterdam, 5 July 2017 – StandardAero Aviation Holdings, Inc. (“StandardAero”) and Airbus SE (“Airbus”) today announced that they have entered into exclusive negotiations with respect to an acquisition by StandardAero of Vector Aerospace Holding SAS (“Vector”) from Airbus. Vector is a global aerospace maintenance, repair and overhaul company, providing responsive, quality support for turbine engines,… Read more »
Along with the “H Generation” of products comes an industrial “revolution” in helicopter manufacturing. The intent is to bring more agility, quality, standardization and competitiveness to the way helicopters are manufactured at Airbus, for the benefit of our customers. Just months away from the beginning of initial operations of the brand new H160 final assembly… Read more »
The European Commission has approved under EU state aid rules €377 million of French and German support to develop the innovative Airbus X6 heavy helicopter. The project will significantly contribute to research and innovation in the EU without unduly distorting competition in the Single Market. Commissioner Margrethe Vestager, in charge of competition policy, said: “The French and… Read more »
The heavy twin H215 helicopter, a member of the world-renowned Super Puma family, is demonstrating its multi-mission capabilities for firefighting, power line missions, law enforcement, and passenger transportation as well as its excellent performance in high and hot conditions during its debut demo tour in China. Kicking off the two-week long tour with demo flights… Read more »
The optional increase of the Alternate Gross Weight (AGW) allows H145 operators to take off with up to 100 kg more useful load. It brings additional benefit especially for law enforcement, para-public or military missions offering the possibility to carry for example more fuel, mission equipment or passengers. Axel Humpert, Airbus Helicopters Head of H145… Read more »
Defence and security company Saab has received a contract from Airbus Helicopters for the IDAS integrated electronic warfare self-protection systems for H225M Caracal multirole utility helicopters. Saab’s Integrated Defensive Aids Suite (IDAS) protects the crew by enhancing platform survivability in sophisticated, diverse and dense threat environments. The system provides timely warning against radar, laser and… Read more »
Uralhelicom is a Russian helicopter operator who is a certified dealer with Robinson Helicopters and also has a service centre for Airbus Helicopters. They have had seven deliveries out this year; four Robinsons, an AW119, an EC145 and a H125. One of their representatives has disclosed that the R66 and R44 are the two most… Read more »
The French Gendarmerie Nationale is replacing its trust in Airbus Helicopters’ EC145 with the purchase of an additional aircraft to be delivered in 2018. The aircraft will be delivered in the same configuration as the existing Gendarmerie fleet, with mission equipment notably including a hoist, search light, sling, and specific radios. Fourteen EC145s are currently… Read more »
ACSS, an L3 and Thales Company, announced today that its T3CAS® Integrated Surveillance System has been selected by Airbus Helicopters as standard equipment for its new H160 medium-lift, multi-role commercial transport helicopter. ACSS’s T3CAS provides situational awareness and collision avoidance protection to more than 15,000 aircraft worldwide. This marks the first time T3CAS has been selected… Read more »
Last month, Airbus delivered the final two of four H145 helicopters ordered by the Iraq Ministry of Oil. The contract with the South Oil Company, a government owned company of the Iraqi Ministry of Oil, was signed in June 2014. The Iraqi Ministry of Oil has selected Airbus as its helicopter provider for its aviation… Read more »
Hexcel Corporation (NYSE: HXL) will extend its 40-year partnership with Airbus Helicopters by supplying composite materials for the new H160 helicopter. Hexcel’s reinforcements, prepregs, adhesives and honeycomb materials have been selected for the H160’s composite fuselage structures and main rotor blades. The H160 was designed by Airbus Helicopters to create added value for customers in… Read more »
Airbus Helicopters Japan has secured a contract for one H125 with Akagi Helicopter Co., Ltd. The proven helicopter from the Ecureuil family will join the company’s fleet for various transportation missions, in June 2018. Akagi Helicopter currently operates two SA315s and four AS350s. This will be the first H125 to be operated by the Japanese… Read more »
Airbus Helicopters has delivered the 15th and final H145M multi-role helicopter to the German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr). The helicopters, stationed in Laupheim, are operated by the Bundeswehr special forces. As the launch customer, the Bundeswehr ordered 15 of these high-performance helicopters in 2013 as part of the Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) Special Operations Forces (SOF)… Read more »
Airbus Helicopters has unveiled today at the Paris air show the aerodynamic configuration of the high speed demonstrator it is developing as part of the Clean Sky 2 European research programme. Codenamed Racer, for Rapid And Cost-Effective Rotorcraft, this demonstrator will incorporate a host of innovative features and will be optimised for a cruise speed… Read more »
Salesforce (NYSE: CRM), the global leader in CRM, today announced that Airbus (EPA: AIR)—one of the largest aircraft manufacturers in the world with more than 130,000 employees—will deploy Salesforce Sales Cloud Einstein and Service Cloud Einstein as part of its global digital transformation strategy. “Airbus is a terrific example of a company that’s putting the customer… Read more »
Airbus Helicopters has been awarded a contract from the Japan Coast Guard (JCG) for the purchase of three additional H225s. This new order will bring the JCG’s total H225 fleet to nine units by February 2020. The JCG already placed an order for a sixth H225 in 2016, which will be delivered in 2018. Under… Read more »
The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) has signed a contract for one H215, making it the first operator in Japan to operate the rotorcraft when it is delivered in 2020. Currently operating a fleet of 14 helicopters, the largest police air corps in Japan plans to enhance its law enforcement activities with this new H215…. Read more »
Airbus Helicopters recently started autonomous flight trials of a VSR700 Optionally Piloted Vehicle (OPV) demonstrator, paving the way for a first flight of the actual VSR700 prototype in 2018. A light military rotary-wing tactical unmanned aerial vehicle, the VSR700 is being developed jointly by Airbus Helicopters and Helicopteres Guimbal, the original manufacturer of the civil-certified… Read more »
Astronautics Corporation of America announced that it will provide its newest connectivity platform, the Astronautics Air Ground Communications System (AGCS), to Airbus Helicopters as a connectivity solution for the original equipment manufacturer’s production helicopters. Airbus Helicopters is the largest supplier of turbine helicopters to the rotorcraft market. Astronautics is providing Airbus Helicopters with its newest… Read more »
Airbus Helicopters has signed its first HCare Smart contract with Fishtail in Nepal. Under the contract, two H125 helicopters operated by Fishtail Air will be covered by Airbus’ HCare program for a period of five years. The contract covers both scheduled and un-scheduled events providing all necessary support to the operator to carry out its… Read more »
The São Paulo Campo de Marte Airport, home to Helibras, held Brazil’s first Airbus Aeromedical Transport Symposium this past week. The symposium, held over two days, had speakers such as Élcio Alves Barbosa, the national civil defence disaster director; Ralph Setz, Airbus HEMS specialist; Col. Carlos Eduardo Falconi from the São Paulo police and Thomas… Read more »
The president of Airbus Canada, Romain Trapp, has commented how their H145M would be a suitable replacement for the current CH-146 Griffon and in doing so they could save Canadian taxpayers over $1 billion over 10 years. Leonardo seems to also be contesting to replace the Griffon. Canada’s Liberal government has however released a new… Read more »
Crashed into the sea during artillery exercise, after colliding with the Bulgarian Navy Wielingen-class Drazki 41 frigate. Pilot (named as Captain Georgi Atanasov) later died in hospital, with the other two occupants seriously injured but stable. Serial confirmed in this article
Crashed after hitting high voltage wires shortly after take-off (one report says three minutes after take off). All 13 POB deceased. DHA news agency is reported as saying the helicopter was carrying a delegation, headed by a major-general, which was inspecting the Senoba region. All 13 POB deceased, named as 23rd Border Division Command Major… Read more »
Airbus Helicopters is moving forward with the expansion of its global footprint and its strategic partnership with China, as construction is now underway for its H135 Final Assembly Line (FAL) – the first of its kind not only for Airbus Helicopters, but also for the Western helicopter industry in China. The FAL will be located… Read more »
French Navy Dauphin made a wheels up landing on the runway, with the helicopter remaining upright on its belly. Three POB not injured The French Navy have two examples based at Papeete/Tahiti-Faaa (PPT / NTAA), serialled 6872 and 6928
The Israeli Ministry of Defence has entered into negotiations with the Italian Ministry of Defence in order to purchase AW-119 training helicopters from Italy’s Leonardo. The new helicopters will replace their current Bell 206 training aircraft, which they bought in 1970. Bell and Airbus are also competing for the contract, offering GXP-407s and H-125s respectively…. Read more »
Helicopter was flying from Manekpur in Valsad to Himmatnagar when the engine reportedly heated up. Successful safe emergency landing made. VVIP – the Chief Minister of Gujarat (Vijay Rupani) was on board. The actual helicopter involved has not yet been identified and may have been a replacement in any case – after other issues with… Read more »
The Russian Aviation Register has lowered the minimum operating temperature of the Airbus H135’s new modification EC135 T3 and EC135 P3 from -25°С to -35°С. This change has ensured that the Russian airworthiness certificate has been amended as well as matching the EASA certificate. this announcement was made at HeliRussia 2017. The H135 model is… Read more »
Airbus Helicopters has handed over an H145 to the helicopter squadron of the Saxony-Anhalt state police. The aircraft will be used for the entire spectrum of police tasks. Following in Baden-Württemberg and North Rhine-Westphalia’s footsteps, Saxony-Anhalt is the third federal state in Germany to have purchased the helicopter. The helicopter’s equipment includes a thermal… Read more »
In the last few weeks Helibras has delivered two H225Ms to the Brazilian Armed Forces. The first one –destined to the Army- has been delivered in the full operational configuration, including specially designed mission systems unique to the Army. Based in Taubaté and operated by the 1º BAvEx, this is the ninth H225M to integrate… Read more »
Air ambulance on training flight. Crash shortly after take off, killing the pilot. No patients or medical crew were on board. Pilot named as Michael Murphy
Vector Aerospace (www.vectoraerospace.com), a global independent provider of aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services, has received authorization from Safran Helicopter Engines to support the latest Arriel 2D model as a certified Repair Centre. This new approval, which extends Vector’s service capabilities on the Airbus Helicopters H125 and H130 platforms, continues Vector’s long-running support of… Read more »
Texas-based, Safran Electronics & Defense, Avionics USA, LLC. will provide Contractor Logistics Support (CLS) services to Airbus Helicopters Inc. for the U.S. Army fleet of UH-72A Lakota Helicopters. Airbus Helicopters Inc., a U.S. affiliate of the global aerospace and defense company Airbus, was awarded a 5-year CLS contract by the U.S. Army in mid-December 2016. Airbus… Read more »
Airbus Helicopters has launched Airbus Corporate Helicopters (ACH), its high-end, bespoke brand, at EBACE 2017. The brand, which will be identified by the ACH logo, will build on the company’s leadership in the Private and Business Aviation market, offering a unique level of quality finish, craftsmanship and bespoke service matching the most demanding requirements. ACH… Read more »
Emergency landing after the autopilot system failed and a crew member smelled something electrical burning. Helicopter removed from site by road back to base at CGAS San Francisco
Airbus Helicopters celebrated a major milestone last week with the roll-out of the 700th H130 light single-engine helicopter, which will be operated by a private customer. The H130 fleet has so far accumulated more than 1.8M flight hours with 340 operators worldwide. Since entry into service of the first EC130 in 2001, this light single… Read more »
The Australian Army has achieved a major milestone with its Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter (ARH) flying 2000 hours on serial number #001, the first of any Tiger in the global fleet. Under the command of LTCOL Dave Lynch CSC, a highly experienced pilot and instructor, ARH Tiger 001reached the 2000 hours on a flight from… Read more »
Airbus (stock exchange symbol: AIR) today launched its U.S. base and operations of a new commercial drone start-up, named Airbus Aerial, at the AUVSI Xponential tradeshow and conference in Dallas. With bases both in the U.S. and in Europe, Airbus Aerial’s initial business will focus on developing new imagery services. These services will leverage the… Read more »
Ended up in the water next to the superyacht it is based on – MY Bacarella after the helicopter’s downdraft caused a loose tarpaulin to rise up into the rotors shortly before touchdown, and evasive action by the pilot steered the helicopter away from the boat and into the water alongside. Three POB, one seriously… Read more »
Babcock Mission Critical Services Offshore are in the process of rotating their AS365N3 fleet, which are based at Blackpool and serve offshore gas installations in the Irish Sea. In recent weeks they have received two helicopters, one from Germany and one from Tunisia. The German example D-HAVU was previously in the Babcock (Bond) fleet as… Read more »
Heli-One, a leading global provider of helicopter maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services, has completed inspections for two Airbus H225 aircraft (1-year and 8-year inspections) for South Korea’s National 119. The inspections were completed simultaneously (ten days for 1-year and 7 weeks for 8-year inspection) at two Korean bases in Seoul and Busan, allowing the… Read more »
Beijing 999 Emergency Rescue Center (Beijing 999), a subsidiary of Beijing Red Cross Foundation, signed an agreement today with Airbus Helicopters for the purchase of one H145, the first of its kind to be configured with a hoist for medical and search and rescue (SAR) in China. The rotorcraft is scheduled for delivery by 2019…. Read more »
Airbus Helicopters has completed deliveries of three H135s, the latest version of its family, for emergency medical services (EMS) operations by SAF Group. The first aircraft is in service in Toulouse while the second and third helicopters are destined to perform EMS missions in Alençon and Besançon. These helicopters are the very first H135s to… Read more »
At a recent briefing at the Airbus Helicopters production tactility at Marignane in Southern France, HeliHub.com was shown a new system which has been set up on the H125/H130 line to monitor the progress of each aircraft and provide significantly more management data. In very simple terms, each helicopter moves down the line every three days… Read more »
Landed on its port side with minimal damage to anything on the starboard side (stabiliser, tail rotor), although starboard skid somewhat bent. Possible dynamic roll-over. 3 POB all to hospital, one with life-threatening injuries
Chailease, a Taiwanese financial institution, has decided to finance PhilJets Group’s fifth Airbus H130 helicopter in order to create a partnership between the two companies. Chailease Regional Manager, Alexander Tang has commented that by creating this partnership, they will be able to tap into “local markets.” The announcement of this decision was made at the… Read more »
A Preliminary Report into the fatal accident of the CHC operated H225 helicopter LN-OJF by the Accident Investigation Board Norway (AIBN) was issued on April 28th 2017 (“The Report” is located at https://www.aibn.no/Aviation/Investigations/16-286. The detailing of the catastrophic events makes very sad reading indeed, particularly the questions as to: 1. Why two similar catastrophic accidents… Read more »
Airbus Helicopters celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Gazelle’s maiden flight today during a conference at the museum of aviation in St Victoret, near the company headquarters. Fifty years after its maiden flight on 7 April 1967, the Gazelle is still being operated by nearly 100 customers in 34 countries and it is appreciated for… Read more »
Airbus Helicopters have today issued the following statement to coincide with the publication of another Preliminary Report by AIBN – the Accident Investigation Board of Norway – into the fatal accident of EC225 LN-OJF on 29th April 2017, it being the first anniversary tomorrow. Further comment is given below the statement Statement from Guillaume Faury,… Read more »
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) takes note of the publication today by the Accident Investigation Board Norway (AIBN) of the preliminary investigation report of the tragic accident of an Airbus Helicopters EC225 (registration number LN-OJF) which occurred on 29 April 2016 in Norway. While the accident investigation is not complete, EASA continues to implement… Read more »
Investigation of helicopter accident at Turøy near Bergen in Hordaland county, Norway Description 29 April 2016 the Main Rotor Head (MRH) and mast suddenly detached from an Airbus Helicopters EC 225 LP enroute from Gullfaks B to Bergen Airport Flesland. The helicopter impacted on a small island east of Turøy. All 13 people on board… Read more »
Airbus Helicopters and Bangkok Helicopter Services (BHS) from Thailand held a ceremony at the Rotorcraft Asia Exhibition, to celebrate BHS as a pioneer in South East Asia for Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS), and committed operations for ten years. BHS has proved once again as a pioneer recently, operating since 2017 the first H145 in… Read more »
Airbus has extended the flight envelope of the H145 by enhancing the helicopter’s OEI power. The acronym OEI stands for “One-engine-inoperative”, measuring the performance of an aircraft with only one engine remaining operative. With the increased power, the light-twin helicopter H145 can accommodate two additional technicians or can fly longer distances during a mission which… Read more »
Airbus Helicopters and Bangkok Helicopter Services (BHS) from Thailand held a ceremony at the Rotorcraft Asia Exhibition, to celebrate BHS as a pioneer in South East Asia for Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS), and committed operations for ten years. BHS has proved once again as a pioneer recently, operating since 2017 the first H145 in… Read more »
Frasca International has sold a Level 5 Flight Training Device (FTD) for the Airbus H125 AStar (350B3) single-engine helicopter to Aero Asahi Corporation (AAC), Japan’s leading civil helicopter company. The new Frasca Level 5 FTD will be used by Aero Asahi for H125 pilot training as well as to provide operational training for offshore, emergency… Read more »
Heritage Aviation today announced the addition of two new state-of-the-art Airbus Helicopters’ H130 aircraft in its fleet. These helicopters will strengthen the company’s position as a leader in passenger transportation missions including heli-pilgrimage, aerial work and VIP transportation missions in India. The two H130s will complement Heritage Aviation’s existing fleet of two H125 helicopters which… Read more »