WHO: University of Miami (UM) Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science Dean Roni Avissar and scientists. WHAT: Media-only event for an advanced preview of the UM Rosenstiel School’s one-of-a-kind Helicopter Observation Platform (HOP). The flying scientific laboratory allows scientists to obtain vital information about our climate, environment and human health. WHEN: Monday, April 13,… Read more »
Airbus Helicopters on Monday rejected a German media report that the defence company had bribed Greek officials to buy several of its NH-90 helicopters. See Full Story
Organisers of The Elite London are pleased to welcome Airbus Helicopters UK Ltd as new exhibitors to this year’s event at Rizon Jet, London Biggin Hill Airport, during the8th – 9th May. Airbus Helicopters, the world’s leading helicopter manufacturer employs more than 23,000 people worldwide. A fleet of approximately 12,000 helicopters, flying more than three… Read more »
Airbus Helicopters’ commitment to address the needs and requirements of International, Governmental and non-Governmental Organizations engaged in peacekeeping and humanitarian efforts will be highlighted during this month‘s 12th edition of the Dubai International Humanitarian Aid & Development Conference & Exhibition (DIHAD). Airbus Helicopters will emphasize the company’s innovative helicopter solutions that can enhance most humanitarian… Read more »
Airbus Defense and Space Inc., Herndon, Virginia, was awarded a $23,954,200 modification (P00890) to contract W58RGZ-06-C-0194 to exercise an option to procure Program Year 10 contractor logistics support for UH-72A Lakota Helicopters. Fiscal 2015 operations and maintenance (Army) funds in the amount of $23,954,200 were obligated at the time of the award. Estimated completion date… Read more »
The H145 has arrived in Brazil for a customer tour to demonstrate the capabilities of this enhanced Airbus Helicopters rotorcraft in land-based and offshore service. During visits to the cities of São Paulo, Curitiba, Brasília, Belo Horizonte and Rio de Janeiro, the H145 will be presented to civilian and offshore operators, along with governmental and… Read more »
Malaysia’s MHS Aviation Berhad today received an Award of Appreciation that acknowledged its world-class achievements in operations for the oil and gas sector using Airbus Helicopters-built rotorcraft. This award was presented by Airbus Helicopters Vice President Christopher Grainger, the head of Oil & Gas Sales, to MHS Aviation Executive Director Mohsein bin Ma’som, during the… Read more »
The H175 has embarked upon a three-month demo-tour in Mexico, the United States and Brazil following its appearance at the Heli-Expo 2015 industry show in Orlando, Florida, earlier this month.
Boustead Heavy Industries Corporation Berhad (BHIC) signed an agreement today to acquire a 30 percent share in the Airbus Helicopters Simulation Center in Malaysia. This joint venture agreement was signed by BHIC Chairman YBhg Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Lodin Wok Kamaruddin and Philippe Monteux, Airbus Helicopters Senior Vice President for South East Asia & Pacific… Read more »
Airbus Helicopters today signed a contract with Aerial Power Lines Sdn Bhd (APL) for the purchase of two H135 rotorcraft to be utilized on emergency medical service (EMS) duties, and placed options for six more. In addition, this operator placed options for two H175s to support the company’s business needs, whose operations also include power… Read more »
Scott+Scott, Attorneys at Law, LLP (“Scott+Scott”), a national shareholder and consumer rights litigation firm, announces the commencement of an investigation into CHC Group Ltd. (NYSE:HELI) (“CHC Group”) related to potential violations of federal securities laws. If you are a CHC Group shareholder, you are encouraged to contact Scott+Scott for additional information. CHC Group (NYSE:HELI) is… Read more »
The third H145 (formerly EC145T2) to arrive in the UK was delivered to Bond Air Services last week, joining the only other two aircraft of this type in the country, which are both already at the company’s Staverton headquarters. [Editor note – the aircraft was delivered on a German test registration D-HCBW on Wednesday 11th… Read more »
New Zealand operator Garden City Helicopters has sent an AS350 and a BK117 to Vanuatu to help with the ongoing humanitarian aid operation in the aftermath of the devastating Hurricane Pam, which hit the archipelago country on Saturday 14th. President Baldwin Lonsdale is quoted as saying the storm has wiped out all development of recent… Read more »
Airbus Helicopters conducted the first demonstration flight of its H130 in Phnom Penh, showcasing the capabilities of this light rotorcraft to private and commercial helicopter operators in Cambodia. The H130 (formerly known as the EC130 T2) is a member of Airbus Helicopters’ renowned Ecureuil family. It offers many possibilities for operators, thanks to its powerful… Read more »
Onboard Systems International, Inc., a leading provider of innovative helicopter cargo hook equipment, today announced that its cargo hook swing retrofit kit for the Airbus Helicopters AS350 (H125) aircraft (P/N 200-286-02) has been certified for use in Japan by the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB). “Onboard’s swing retrofit kit enables operators to upgrade their factory-installed… Read more »
The French General Directorate for Armament (DGA) took delivery of 2 upgraded AS532 Cougar for the French Army Aviation on Friday the 13th March. Airbus Helicopters was awarded with an ambitious modernization program, by the French General Directorate for Armament, for the 26 Cougar aircraft that are operated by the French Army Aviation. The upgrade… Read more »
Avpro announced several deals during the HAI Heli-Expo (March 2-5, 2015) in Orlando, Florida. Day one: Avpro reached an agreement to sell a Year 2009 Bell 429 s/n 57056 to an undisclosed buyer on behalf of its client SAEREOS, Bell Helicopter distributor in Ecuador. Day two: Avpro acting on behalf of its client, Kocoglu Group,… Read more »
Crashed in waters off Gageodo Island, while trying to land near a seawall to carry out a mission to transport an emergency patient to an inland hospital. The accident left one dead and three others aboard the helicopter missing.
Just 22 months from their first flight in May 2013, Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance has recorded its 500th mission, according to a telephone interview HeliHub.com held with PR Manager Maureen Young. Their Bo105 helicopter was scrambled to Cray, near Glenshee, on Saturday 7th March to an elderly male with chronic chest pain. He was flown… Read more »
With time to reflect following the end of Heli Expo, Andrew Drwiega gives a quick summary of some of the key points that were made by OEMs during the show. Now that the dust has settled from Heli Expo, Florida, for another year what, if anything, did we learn from the world’s biggest helicopter exposition?… Read more »
Vector Aerospace’s Fleetlands aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul facility in Gosport, Hampshire, has completed a full paint/ refinish job on the Airlift Super Puma helicopter that provided assistance to the Hoegh Osaka, the car transporter ship which was deliberately run aground on 3rd January after it began to list in the Solent near Southampton. Airlift,… Read more »
flying to McAlester from Tulsa when it crashed, according to the Federal Aviation Administration, and no patients were on board. Timed at around 11.25pm 3 POB, 1 Fatal
The U.S. Army’s recent order for an additional 41 UH-72A Lakota helicopters underscores the continuing value the Army places on the Lakota’s low cost multi-mission capabilities, high performance and reliability. It also validates the work done by Airbus Helicopters Inc. and Airbus Group Inc. to fulfil commitments made to the Army and the U.S. government…. Read more »
Mid air crash of two AS350 helicopters resulting in the fatal crash of both aircraft with a total of 10 lives lost. Aircraft burnt out in post-crash fire, and were involved in the filming of a reality TV show called Dropped. Eight French nationals, including three sports stars, and the Argentine pilots died when the… Read more »
Helisim and SAAM Verspieren Group announced today at Heli-Expo their agreement offering significant insurance premium refunds for operators who perform recurrent flight training at the Helisim Training Academy and have an insurance contract handled by the SAAM Verspieren Group. Helisim – a subsidiary of Airbus Helicopters, Thales Training & Simulation and DCI (Defence Conseil International)… Read more »
One of the last announcement at Heli-Expo was the completion of the first H125 (formally the AS350) in the United States, performed on the Airbus Helicopters, Inc. final assembly line in Columbus, Mississippi. This milestone rotorcraft is now in completion prior to delivery, meeting a schedule set nearly two years ago to establish a U.S…. Read more »
Named “HCare” – which is consistent with Airbus Helicopters’ new H designations for its rotorcraft product lines – this strategy is focused on bringing the most tailor-made and competitive services for customers’ daily operations. HCare was unveiled at the Heli-Expo 2015 industry show in Orlando, Florida, where the company has a high-profile participation (Exhibit #2437)…. Read more »
Norway’s Norsk luftambulanse AS has ordered three H135s to further broaden the leading medical airlift services provider’s fleet of Airbus Helicopters-built rotorcraft. The agreement, signed today during the Heli-Expo 2015 industry convention in Orlando, Florida, marks Norsk luftambulanse’s latest acquisition of Airbus Helicopters’ lightweight twin-engine rotorcraft – with its current inventory consisting of 13 H135s… Read more »
Airbus Helicopters has expanded on its initial Flight Crew Operating Manual (FCOM) for H225 (formerly EC225) aircraft in oil and gas missions – the first such source document produced by a rotorcraft manufacturer – and has announced the release of an updated version, now extended to include emergency procedures. Airbus Helicopters worked closely on the… Read more »
Maverick Helicopters has re-signed a multi-year contract with Las Vegas Motor Speedway that will continue its relationship as the exclusive helicopter operator for events at the complex including NASCAR Weekend, corporate functions and more. Through this agreement, Maverick Helicopters will manage the heliport and work with the speedway and its entities to transfer guests and celebrities to events…. Read more »
Turbomeca’s new engine, the Arrano, was one of two alternative originally selected for Airbus Helicopters new medium class helicopter, the X4 (now revealed by its new name as the H160). Recently, Airbus revealed that Turbomeca alone would be the engine to power the H160. Andrew Drwiega (AD): What were the origins of the Arrano… Read more »
For its work conducting critical life-saving rescue missions, the Snohomish County Helicopter Rescue Team, based in Everett, Wash., has been awarded the Airbus Helicopters Golden Hour Award. The Golden Hour Award recognizes the efforts of an individual, group or organization that over time has advanced the use of helicopters in the vital mission of air… Read more »
Airbus Helicopters Inc. plans a multi-city tour across the U.S. this spring demonstrating the next generation air medical service capabilities of its EC130 T2. United Rotorcraft, a division of Air Methods, will be completing the Airbus EC130 T2 for the tour, equipping the aircraft with a state-of-the-art, next generation medical interior and avionics suite. Since… Read more »
Vector Aerospace Corporation (“Vector Aerospace”), a global independent provider of aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (“MRO”) services, is pleased to announce that Vector Aerospace Helicopter Services – North America (“HS-NA”) has been selected by Miami Dade County to provide dynamic component MRO support for the Miami Dade Police Air Support Unit for their fleet of… Read more »
Bristow Group today raised its total firm orders for Airbus Helicopters’ H175 to 17, and also signed a comprehensive support services agreement for its new seven-metric-ton-category rotorcraft. H175 is the new name of the twin-engine EC175. Airbus Helicopters announced at the Heli-Expo 2015 helicopter industry trade show in Orlando, Florida, the renaming of its products… Read more »
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 »
It has been sixteen years since Metro Aviation first completed the EC135 P1 known as First Flight. Since then, Metro has operated and maintained the aircraft for Holmes Regional Medical Center in Melbourne, Florida, ensuring it is always in top shape no matter its age. Recently, Metro brought the aircraft back to its completion facility… Read more »
The helicopter industry will be introduced to the newest edition of the Airbus Helicopters EC145 platform, the EC145e, at HELI-EXPO 2015. Metro Aviation recently configured what they call the “e-lite” for display at the largest helicopter exhibition in the world. Combining the well-known features of the EC145, such as the large cabin and reliability, with… Read more »
Metro Aviation operates the largest, most comprehensive air medical completion center in the world and has completed more EC135s and EC145s than any other completion center. Metro is in the process of completing its 75th EC145, which is also North America’s first EC145 T2, a considerable milestone for the company that recently celebrated its 200th… Read more »
The most anticipated event of this year’s Heli-Expo has happened – the reveal of the Airbus Helicopters X4 medium class helicopter, now to be known as the Airbus Helicopter H160. A large crowd assembled for the countdown with the reveal scheduled for 11am (local). During the launch Faury revealed that the H160 is the first… Read more »
After a full year of ground tests, Turbomeca (Safran) has demonstrated that its new Arrano turboshaft will achieve anticipated performance levels in terms of power range and fuel consumption. Last month, Airbus Helicopters confirmed Turbomeca as sole engine-supplier for its ground-breaking H160 helicopter. Thanks to the Arrano’s flexible configuration and integration of leading-edge build technologies,… Read more »
In a razzamatazz of sound and lightsF Guillaume Faury has launched the H160 – the replacement for the Dauphin family. The launch, with many convention attenders stopping to watch – and another 974 online – sees the first full composite airframe in the commercial market available to review. It has more of a pointy nose… Read more »
A good proportion of the industry still thinks “Eurocopter” and not “Airbus” and now they are changing all their product names. All the AS and EC prefixes are gone, to be replaced by H. So the EC135 becomes the H135, the AS350 is now the H350 and so on. That will be very confusing at… Read more »
Airbus Helicopters Inc. will hold six regional Customer Service Symposiums in 2015, expanding the popular program this year to include two additional locations. The events provide an opportunity for operators of Airbus Helicopters to get the latest aircraft safety and technical updates and meet with key company’s customer support personnel. The one-day symposiums begin in… Read more »
The first Airbus Helicopters AS350 AStar helicopter completely assembled in the U.S. has received airworthiness certification from the Federal Aviation Administration and will soon begin completion for delivery. The AS350 B3e rolled off the Airbus Helicopters Inc. final assembly line in Columbus, Miss. at the end of December, meeting a schedule set nearly two years… Read more »
Suffolk County Police Department, Long Island, NY has purchased a second Airbus Helicopters EC145 helicopter to add to its fleet of one EC145 and two AS350B2s. The new aircraft will replace an older AS350B2. The Suffolk County Police Aviation Section performs a wide variety of missions including law enforcement, medevac, inter-hospital transport and search and… Read more »
Continued market growth in the upper Midwest has prompted Indiana Helicopters to expand its Airbus Helicopters fleet with the addition of a new AS350 B3e AStar and an AS365 N2. The Fort Wayne, Ind.-based company took delivery of the new AStar on Feb. 24, its fifth Airbus aircraft. A leading provider of professional charters, tours… Read more »
Airbus Helicopters Inc. is pleased to announce that EagleMed LLC, a subsidiary of Air Medical Group Holdings (AMGH), is committed to growing its fleet of Airbus Helicopters AS350 AStar helicopters. EagleMed has ordered three AS350s and taken delivery of two since May 2014, including one delivered Feb. 19. Delivery of the third aircraft is scheduled… Read more »
Helicopters Inc. is pleased to announce that several California law enforcement agencies have recently purchased or taken delivery of new AS350 B3e AStars, continuing Airbus Helicopters leadership in law enforcement helicopter sales. Recent AS350 B3e customers include the California Highway Patrol (CHP), Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) and the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office. The AS350… Read more »
Dare County MedFlight, the air medical service provider for much of the Outer Banks region of North Carolina and the site of the Wright Brothers first flight, is the U.S. launch customer for the Airbus Helicopters EC145 T2. The Dare County aircraft is on display at Airbus Helicopters Booth #2437 during Heli-Expo 2015. A longtime… Read more »
Airbus Helicopters Inc. has delivered a fourth AS350 B2 AStar helicopter equipped for law enforcement missions to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) in Tampa, Fla. The aircraft replaces an EC120B to give Hillsborough an all-AStar fleet. The Hillsborough Sheriff’s Aviation Unit performs a wide variety of missions including law enforcement, light firefighting and search… Read more »
As one of the nation’s premier providers of full service, exclusive Electronic News Gathering (ENG) helicopters, U.S. Helicopters Inc. is continuing replacement of older aircraft with the addition of three new Airbus Helicopters AS350 B2 AStars. Two of the new aircraft, purchased in 2014, are already in service in the top five U.S. television markets…. Read more »
Hillsboro Aviation Inc., a leading provider of helicopter and airplane services and charter operations in the Pacific Northwest, has purchased its first new Airbus Helicopters aircraft and has signed an option agreement with Airbus Helicopters Inc. enabling it to purchase up to five more. Hillsboro has already taken delivery of its first aircraft, an industry… Read more »
Vector Aerospace Corporation (“Vector Aerospace” www.vectoraerospace.com), a global independent provider of aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (“MRO”) services, is pleased to announce that Vector Aerospace Helicopter Services – North America (“HS-NA”) has been selected as the primary supplier to Air Methods Corporation for all AS350 and EC130 dynamic components. This agreement will continue for a period… Read more »
Japan’s national leader in aircraft charter has quickly given new life to its largest-capacity helicopter with upgrades performed promptly, safely and on site by Heli-One. Heli-One is a segment of CHC Helicopter, the operating company of CHC Group (NYSE:HELI). Aero Asahi Corporation (AAC) chose Heli-One, the world’s largest independent provider of helicopter maintenance, repair and… Read more »
United States, Boise, Idaho based Aviation Specialties Unlimited Inc., (ASU) announced today, from the Helicopter International Association (HAI) HELI-EXPO Convention in Orlando, Florida, that the company along with Vienna, Austria based Helikopter Air Transportation GmbH (HeliAir) obtained EASA Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) approval on the civilian Airbus EC135 series. “One of the many strengths of… Read more »
Continuing to set industry records, Maverick Helicopters has officially logged 300,000 total flight hours using Airbus Helicopters’ EC130, making it the first operator in the world to hit this impressive milestone using the elite aircraft. In addition to this feat, Maverick Helicopters has recorded 350,000 total flight hours since its inception. Both of these remarkable… Read more »
A primary provider of private firefighting and rescue services in South Korea had one of its key helicopters safely back in service in less than one-half the expected time following routine inspection and maintenance performed by Heli-One. Heli-One is a segment of CHC Helicopter, the operating company of CHC Group Ltd. (NYSE:HELI). National 119 was… Read more »
Pratt & Whitney Canada’s new PW206B3 engine has earned certification from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) in December 2014, further clearing the way for its entry into service early this year on the new EC135P3 helicopter. The PW206B3 engine received its first certification with Transport Canada on 20 June, 2014. The engine boasts more… Read more »
Aerolite will be highlighting the newest aeromedical interior designs for the Airbus EC145 T2, EC135 T3 and Bell 429 during the 2015 Heli-Expo. EC145 T2 Aerolite received a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) from EASA for a modular aeromedical EMS Interior. The interior allows an operator various configuration set up choices regarding stretchers, seating arrangements and… Read more »
Vector Aerospace Corporation (Vector Aerospace), a global independent provider of aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services, is pleased to announce that Vector Aerospace Helicopter Services – North America (HS-NA) has recently conducted three 12-year inspections with plans to conduct a fourth this month. Vector Aerospace recently performed two Airbus Helicopters AS350 12-year inspections for… Read more »
Airbus Helicopters Japan has delivered an EC225 LP to the Japan Coast Guard (JCG), which was acquired as replacement for an aircraft that was destroyed during the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake. This is the last of three EC225s ordered by JCG in July 2011; the earlier two having been delivered last year. With the… Read more »
VIH Aerospace (VIHA), a leading provider of global helicopter maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services (Heli-Expo Booth # 3837) has received a European Aviation Safety Agency Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) approval for an aftermarket replacement Crew Bubble Window Installation for the Airbus EC135 helicopter (SCT# 10048796). The VIHA designed and engineered bubble window for the… Read more »
If everything goes as planned, a Vanderbilt Medical Center Life Flight helicopter will be based permanently at Henry County Medical Center by early spring. See Full Story
Safe Flight Instrument Corporation of White Plains, NY announced that Skyhorse Aviation of Pretoria, South Africa is the launch customer of Safe Flight’s Powerline Detection System (PDS) for the Airbus Helicopters AS350. Safe Flight’s PDS has been certified by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) under Supplemental Type Certificate (STC). … Read more »
As the military rotorcraft market enters a downturn, Forecast International sees a strong niche in the medium/heavy military rotorcraft sector with over 5,300 units expected to be produced in the next 10 years. The company’s new study “The Market for Medium/Heavy Military Rotorcraft” reports that, during the 2015-2024 forecast period, the value of production will… Read more »
Attendees at the HAI (Helicopter Association International) HELI-EXPO 2015, the world’s largest helicopter exposition and trade show, will be among the first to see Papillon Group’s “Golden Helicopter,” created to celebrate the company’s 50th golden anniversary. The show will take place Tuesday, March 3 through Thursday, March 5. This occasion provides a rare opportunity to… Read more »
Six pilots and 10 maintenance technicians from the Royal Thai Army have successfully completed training to fly and maintain the UH-72A Lakota, the initial group of Thai pilots and aircraft maintenance technicians that will be trained to operate Lakotas for Thailand. The Thai pilots and technicians were honored Friday in a graduation ceremony at Airbus… Read more »
According to preliminary information, after take-off from the helipad on a helicopter has failed directional control system, the pilot decided to make an emergency landing to determine the circumstances and causes of the failure. During landing the helicopter rolled over on its right side and collapsed. Reportedly destroyed. Location was a helipad located at the… Read more »
The high-profile presence of Airbus Helicopters at Heli-Expo 2015 will confirm the company’s leadership role, with its unveiling of the all-new X4 rotorcraft and a rollout of the industry’s most comprehensive customer services coverage. These developments are aligned with the company’s transformation plan, which has been implemented to provide highly efficient helicopter solutions for customers… Read more »
Airbus Defence and Space has joined forces with the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) of the Australian Ministry of Defence to improve the protection of wide-body aircraft and helicopters. In a joint development program they upgraded Airbus Defence and Space’s proven MILDS AN/AAR-60 Block II Missile Approach Warning system with a HFI (Hostile Fire… Read more »
A further addition to the Royal Thai Army’s rotorcraft fleet has been committed with the acquisition of six Airbus Helicopters light-utility EC145 T2, which is the newest and most powerful model in Airbus Helicopters’ proven EC145 light twin-engine helicopter family. The Royal Thai Army signed for six EC145 T2s with a VIP installation, under the… Read more »
Airbus Helicopters today signed Indian market launch orders for its single-engine EC130 T2 with Sanjay Ghodawat Group and Global Vectra Helicorp Ltd. (GVHL), which are to introduce the popular single-engine EC130’s enhanced version later this year for passenger transport services in Kolhapur and Delhi respectively. Signing ceremonies with both customers – who ordered one EC130… Read more »