16-Dec-2015Source: DART
The PA100 PUREair System is ready for in-flight missions in falling and blowing snow conditions after successfully completing falling and blowing snow flight testing .The PA100 is now fully approved by TCCA, FAA and ANAC with no operational limitations. The PA100 continuously removes falling and blowing snow and will not clog during flight. Harsh operating... Read more
16-Dec-2015Source: All Metal MS
All Metal MS, a global leader in the design, engineering and manufacturing of solution driven custom “safety first” aircraft maintenance stands, production line platforms, hangar equipment, portable field equipment and specialty tooling announced today the delivery of its custom “Safety First” Maintenance Stand, Cowling Racks and Blade Racks to The United States Border Protection San... Read more
14-Dec-2015Source: Go Danriver
About 60 gathered observers at Blue Ridge Regional Airport looked into a clear blue sky with anticipation Tuesday as a state-of-the art H130 T2 helicopter, valued between $4 and $5 million, flew overhead and then landed. See Full Story ... Read more
10-Dec-2015
CHC EC225 made emergency landing following warning light in cockpit. Helicopter was reported as 60 miles out east from Aberdeen to a rig when it turned round and returned to Aberdeen... Read more
9-Dec-2015Source: HeliHub.com
The Royal Malaysian Air Force has received the first of five new H120 helicopters from Airbus, ready to be flown for train at the College of the Air Force in Alor Setar. The training syllabus of the first use of these aircraft will begin next year, and will lead the the gradual phase-out of their... Read more
8-Dec-2015Source: HeliHub.com
Airbus Helicopters has delivered the first two of fifteen H145M helicopters to the German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr) today. The helicopters will be used by the Kommando Spezialkräfte (KSK), the German Army’s Special Forces, in Laupheim. “With its cutting-edge technologies, outstanding performance and true multi-role capabilities, the H145M answers to the challenging demands of our military... Read more
8-Dec-2015Source: HeliHub.com
A junior defence minister in Poland is reported by Polsat News to have confirmed that the country’s helicopter tender will be reviewed, some seven months after the short-list was refined down to one “preferred bidder”. While no contract has been signed with Airbus Helicopters for their H225M Caracal, it had been selected after an extensive... Read more
7-Dec-2015Source: Airbus
Microflite Helicopter Services has again placed its trust in the performance, versatility and safety credentials of Airbus Helicopters’ family of civil aircraft, welcoming helicopter No. 14 to an all-star fleet. The latest addition, an H125 (formerly AS350 B3e), is destined to help safeguard thousands of lives, providing enhanced capability to the company’s front-line emergency response... Read more
4-Dec-2015Source: Airbus
Airbus Helicopters is proud to announce the certification of the H225 by Russian Certification Authorities as it is the first time in history that a foreign heavy class helicopter has been certified in Russia. “Successful certification of H225 by the Interstate Aviation Committee gives Russian customers an opportunity to start operations of the efficient and... Read more
3-Dec-2015Source: Airbus Helicopters
Market leading law enforcement helicopter is now assembled in Mississippi and completions performed in Texas GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas (November 30, 2015) – Airbus Helicopters Inc. has delivered the first H125 AStar helicopter produced on its new U.S. final assembly line to the Ohio State Highway Patrol. The new aircraft is the first fully assembled on... Read more
30-Nov-2015Source: HeliHub.com
Bond have renewed their contract with Kinsale Energy for a further five years from 1st January 2016 to 31st December 2020. The British-based operator and will continue to base an offshore-configured EC135T2+ at Cork Airport for this work, which calls for the transfer of personnel and equipment to and from the gas fields 50km off... Read more
30-Nov-2015Source: TVAA
Thames Valley Air Ambulance has been awarded for the significant impact it has made to the region at the Thames Valley Business Magazine Awards, held in Reading on Thursday 19 November 2015. Winning ‘Charity of the Year’, sponsored by James Cowper Kreston, the Charity demonstrated to the judges outstanding achievement and service to its beneficiaries,... Read more
29-Nov-2015
Controlled flight into terrain... Read more
27-Nov-2015Source: Collier Citizen
Collier County EMS (Emergency Medical Services) held an open house, offering a tour of their MedFlight hanger and helicopter on Nov. 14.See full story.... Read more
26-Nov-2015Source: AMOA
The Air Medical Operators Association (AMOA), in cooperation with helicopter manufacturers Airbus Helicopters and Bell Helicopter, announces its commitment to the installation of Crash Resistant Fuel Systems (CRFS) in all new aircraft and equipping current aircraft with CRFS as those products become available. Our members are proud to partner with Bell Helicopter and Airbus on this... Read more
25-Nov-2015Source: HeliHub.com
The Philippine Senate has agreed to update the proposed 2016 budget of the Philippine National Police (PNP) by 11 million Pesos to refurbish a pair of R44s purchased in 2009 but have been grounded for several years as they were subject of a court case. The PNP actually acquired three R44s in 2009, but they... Read more
24-Nov-2015
As a result of a forced landing, the aircraft fell on a banana plantation and suffered substantial damage. Pilot named in this article as Lieutenant Colonel Harold Jimenez of the Army of the Dominican Republic... Read more
24-Nov-2015
Aircraft was taken off from Dimapur with 4 passengers onboard and just after 35 minutes of flight the helicopter had made a crash landing. Helicopter rear portion caught fire after landing and destroyed.... Read more
23-Nov-2015Source: HeliHub.com
Mecaer has announced the award of an STC by EASA for the H145 Mercedes Benz Style luxury interior. The STC includes MAG’s new engineering package for the H145T2 and the interior options include their proprietary in-flight entertainment (IFEEL) and internal Wi-Fi. The interior is offered in four different “harmonies” which can be combine with a... Read more
23-Nov-2015Source: ETMC
ETMC’s Air 1 program is celebrating a milestone with 30 years of service to East Texas. The first flight was December 1985 with a transport of a burn patient to Dallas. ETMC Air 1 has served East Texans by providing emergency helicopter transport for victims of car accidents and cardiac and stroke patients, as well... Read more
21-Nov-2015
Crashed on a glacier and fell down a crevasse, killing pilot Mitch Gameren, two Australian tourists Sovannmony Leang and Josephine Gibson and four British tourists Nigel Charlton and his wife Cynthia, Andrew Virco and his partner Katharine Walker, head of radiotherapy at a major trauma centre. It is of particular note that the two visible main... Read more
18-Nov-2015Source: FlightSafety
FlightSafety announces that it has been selected by the Los Angeles Police Department Air Support Unit to provide training for the Airbus Helicopters AS350 B3. The training will include use of the first Level D qualified simulator for the AS350 B3 and take place at FlightSafety’s new Learning Center in Denver, Colorado once it opens... Read more
18-Nov-2015Source: Airbus
Airbus Helicopters, the UK’s leading turbine helicopter company, has received funding from the Department for Business Innovations and Skills (BIS) for two separate projects: one supported by the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) and the other through Advanced Manufacturing Supply Chain Initiative (AMSCI). These projects, the first time Airbus Helicopters has participated in UK Government-led industrial... Read more
18-Nov-2015Source: Airbus
In a ceremony held today by Guillaume Faury, CEO of Airbus Helicopters, and in the presence of Alexandru Nastase, Secretary of State, Airbus Helicopters set down the foundation stone of its new Romanian factory, established to assemble the latest helicopter to join the H Family of aircraft – the H215. The H215 is an evolution... Read more
18-Nov-2015
Landing on trolley pad went wrong – aircraft tipped back and hit tail on ground twice, then lurched forward and crashed, breaking off the main blades and tail. Lack of tail rotor then started the fuselage spinning on the ground, which it did dozens of times (see track in this video) before gradually coming to... Read more
18-Nov-2015Source: HeliHub.com
Thai operator Advance Aviation has posted to their Facebook page a photo of their new acquisition Airbus H130, serial 8090. Still currently on test flights with Airbus Helicopters South East Asia in Singapore carrying French test registration F-WTCP, the aircraft will become HS-JCN once it becomes operational on Advance’s fleet in Thailand in the new... Read more
18-Nov-2015
The crew was conducting an approach to a landing zone inside of a public safety training center. During the approach, a towel was sucked up into the Fenestron tail rotor system resulting in substantial damage. The towel came out of an unsecured trailer next to the landing zone.... Read more
16-Nov-2015Source: Airbus
BC Hydro has been awarded the 2015 Airbus Helicopters Canada “Innovation in Safety” Award for their dedicated and collaborative approach to ensuring many years of safe operations. This award is presented to a nominee or organization whose business initiatives have demonstrated a great impact on the overall goal of safe flying operations, including skill development,... Read more
16-Nov-2015Source: HeliHub.com
Bond Offshore Helicopters has reduced its fleet at its Blackpool base, but continues to maintain operations supporting offshore rigs in the Irish Sea. Initially launched with a fleet of four N3 Dauphins, the base at Blackpool serves gas rigs between the English coast and the Isle of Man – an area often known as Morecambe... Read more
16-Nov-2015Source: Airbus
The U.S. Army has exercised $65.8M in contract options for 12 additional UH-72A Lakota helicopters and associated mission equipment packages from prime contractor Airbus Defense and Space, Inc. The UH-72A is manufactured on the same Airbus Helicopters Inc. production line in Columbus, Miss., that has delivered almost 350 Lakotas to the Army, Navy and for... Read more
16-Nov-2015Source: Airbus
The SIMMAD (Structure intégrée du maintien en condition opérationnelle des matériels aéronautiques du ministère de la Défense, responsible for the maintenance and overhaul of French state-owned aircraft) has awarded Airbus Helicopters with a milestone contract for a global service solution covering the entire fleet of 50 EC145 operated by the French Gendarmerie Nationale and Sécurité... Read more
16-Nov-2015Source: Sky news
With Tasmania’s summer bush walking season fast approaching and an increase in boating activities, police are reminding bush walkers and boaters to be prepared.See Full Story... Read more
16-Nov-2015
Loss of T/R drive due to failure of air conditioning drive pulley. Instructor pilot completed successful autorotation. Emergency AD followed for all EC120s fitted with a particular type of air conditioning... Read more
12-Nov-2015Source: Airbus
Airbus Helicopters has successfully completed the first flight test of the high-compression engine demonstrator aircraft at around 3pm on Friday, November 6th, at Marignane Airport. The development and flight test of this new technology demonstrator is part of the European Clean Sky initiative’s Green Rotorcraft Integrated Technology Demonstrator (ITD) program, with support for these flight... Read more
11-Nov-2015Source: Grand Forks Herald
Patients in need of urgent care in northwestern Minnesota will no longer need to wait for a medical flight from Grand Forks or Bemidji to take them to a hospital.See full story.... Read more
11-Nov-2015Source: Avinco
Mont Blanc Helicopters (MBH) recently closed the purchase of a fire fighting AS 350B3 with the crucial assistance of Avinco. Further to its recent appointment for a fire fighting mission in Corsica, Mont Blanc entrusted Avinco with rapidly securing the appropriate helicopter. Avinco successfully secured the machine within a record one-week lead-time, by providing full... Read more
9-Nov-2015Source: US DoD
Airbus Defense and Space Inc., Herndon, Virginia, was awarded a $65,828,056 modification (P00945) to contract W58RGZ-06-C-0194 for Lakota helicopters with ARC radio 231 mission equipment package. Work will be performed in Herndon, Virginia, with an estimated completion date of Nov. 30, 2017. Fiscal 2016 other procurement funds in the amount of $65,828,056 were obligated at... Read more
9-Nov-2015Source: USPS
Last Thursday in an event at the USCG San Diego hangar, the US Postal Service dedicated the U.S. Coast Guard Forever Stamp at a ceremony honoring the role of the Coast Guard in protecting the security of our nation and advancing vital maritime interests. The stamp shows two icons of the Coast Guard: the cutter... Read more
9-Nov-2015Source: Airbus
Airbus Helicopters announced the arrival of the first H130, from the proven Ecureuil family, in the Kingdom of Bhutan. This is the first of two helicopters acquired by the Royal Bhutan Helicopter Services Limited (RBHSL) to serve parapublic and commercial missions. The second H130 is expected to be delivered in June 2016. [HeliHub.com editor note... Read more
7-Nov-2015
Crashed in remote area killing all three on board – owner Richard Green, his wife Carolyn and their travelling companion, John Davis, a renowned documentary film-maker. Mr Green used his helicopter as a “flying camper van” and frequently went to obscure locations – and this meant that a search party was not launched for over... Read more
4-Nov-2015Source: Reuters
Poland has recently completed a round of national elections, and the Law and Justice (PiS) party are now in power. The country’s potential foreign minister Witold Waszczykowski yesterday questioned the country’s initial deal with Airbus to buy H225M helicopters as the contract would only leave “leftovers” for Polish producers. While a provisional deal for 50 H225M... Read more
4-Nov-2015Source: Airbus
Long-time partners Airbus Helicopters and Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding to jointly market Korean helicopter platforms for the worldwide market. The collaboration will encompass the distribution of the Korean Light Civil Helicopter (LCH) and Light Armed Helicopter (LAH) globally, as well as the performance of comprehensive after-sales support services. The MoU was signed... Read more
4-Nov-2015Source: Airbus
A major milestone for the H145: The worldwide fleet of 35 helicopters operated by 14 international customers has accumulated a total of 10,000 flight hours. In only a little over a year, the light twin-engine multirole helicopter has become a proven platform for operators of all segments, showing an average availability of a solid 94%.... Read more
4-Nov-2015Source: http://www.bea.aero/fr/enquetes/2015/2015.semaine.45.pdf
Crashed into sea on night training flight. Helicopter was operating a training flight for night recency and took-off from rig “WIS”. While landing at “RONTAP MEYER” it met with an accident. After impact ELT was triggered. Cockpit door found at the last known position during SAR. Pilots named here as TK Guha and Eeso Samuel... Read more
3-Nov-2015Source: HeliHub.com
An operator in the Asian country of Laos (not The Lao People’s Liberation Army Air Force as previously reported) has recently acquired two new H155s from Airbus Helicopters. Seen recently at Vientiane Airport in the photo below, the pair arrived in the far east country of Laos on 11th October. It would appear they are... Read more
3-Nov-2015
After returning from a test flight, a maintenance inspection revealed damage to a main rotor blade.... Read more
2-Nov-2015Source: Airbus
A Letter of Intent (LOI) for the establishment of a final assembly line (FAL) of Airbus Helicopters’ H135 in China was signed today by Yao Yixian, the Sino-German Ecopark Deputy General Manager and Wolfgang Schoder, Airbus Helicopters Deutschland CEO in Hefei, Anhui Province. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and the visiting German Chancellor Angela Merkel witnessed... Read more
2-Nov-2015
EMS helicopter reported en route to helicopter accident. Initial reports say four or five on board, most agree on four injured with the pilot needing airlifting... Read more
29-Oct-2015Source: Metro Aviation
Metro Aviation will welcome a new operations customer in November. Metro and Cooper University Health Care are partnering to launch a new air medical service throughout seven counties of southern New Jersey. “Cooper Air Med is a crucial part of Cooper’s emergency medical services continuum,” said Steven E. Ross, MD, FACS, FCCM, Vice Chairman, Department... Read more
29-Oct-2015Source: Breeze-Eastern
The U.S. Coast Guard has contracted with Breeze-Eastern Corporation (NYSE MKT: BZC) to provide new hydraulic hoist controllers for their MH-65 search and rescue fleet. The contract provides for deliveries over the next three years with early deliveries acceptable and encouraged. Breeze-Eastern, the aerospace industry’s only dedicated hoist and winch specialist, received this production contract... Read more
29-Oct-2015Source: Airbus
In the frame of the on-going multipurpose helicopter tender of the Czech Ministry of Defence, Airbus Helicopters signed yesterday a Memorandum of Understanding with the LOM PRAHA s.p. for a future cooperation in the field of helicopter maintenance, repair and overhaul. The agreement is also covering national customization, service & support, training and the potential... Read more
27-Oct-2015Source: HeliHub.com
HeliHub.com was the first media outlet to confirm that Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance were going to update from their Bo105 to the larger EC135 helicopter, in our article on 22nd September, the day after the EC135 was registered by the Civil Aviation Authority as G-SCAA. What we can now reveal is the colour scheme of... Read more
27-Oct-2015Source: HeliHub.com
Spanish Police have recently announced that they impounded three helicopters in the last year which they believe have been used in drug smuggling operations between Morocco and Spain – photos of two of these are shown below. They believe they have broken two criminal organisations, and arrested a total of 15 and seized 810kg of... Read more
27-Oct-2015Source: HeliHub.com
The new Airbus Helicopters H135 G-HIOW was delivered to Hampshire and IOW Air Ambulance at Thruxton on Saturday 24th October, and is currently working alongside the previous EC135T2 G-KRNW – which in turn is better known for the time it spent in Cornwall. G-HIOW is seen photographed here (and © Copyright 2015) by Keith C... Read more
27-Oct-2015Source: DCI
The following is the published text [electronically translated to English] of a presentation by Helidax President Jean-Michel Palagos at an event to mark the achievement of 100,000 hours across the entire Helidax fleet. Helidax is a joint venture between French company DCI (Defense Conseil International) and operator INAER which operates a fleet of 36 Airbus... Read more
27-Oct-2015Source: KESQ
The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department is adding a new member to its team. See Full Story... Read more
27-Oct-2015Source: Airbus
United Rotorcraft, an Air Methods Division, announced the delivery of a completed Airbus H130 (formerly EC130 T2) air medical transport service demonstrator for Airbus Helicopters Inc. in Grand Prairie, Texas. The aircraft was completed at the United Rotorcraft Decatur, Texas facility and includes medical interior, avionics, exterior lighting accessories, and three-color paint scheme was designed... Read more
26-Oct-2015Source: Columbus News Team
Columbus Community Hospital held an open house and ribbon cutting ceremony Friday, October 23 to celebrate the acquisition of a new medical helicopter to the area. See Full Story... Read more
26-Oct-2015Source: Onboard Systems
Onboard Systems International, Inc., a leading provider of innovative helicopter cargo hook equipment, today announced that its cargo hook swing kit with Onboard Weighing System and Fuel Drain Guard for the Airbus Helicopters AS350 aircraft has been certified for use in Mexico by the Dirección General de Aeronáutica Civil (DGAC). A Certificado de Tipo Suplementario... Read more
26-Oct-2015Source: Great Western
The GWAAC helicopter is celebrating one year of saving lives across Bristol, Bath, North Somerset, Gloucestershire, South Gloucestershire and parts of Wiltshire. Our Eurocopter 135, callsign Helimed 65, arrived at our Filton base on 16th October 2014. To celebrate her first birthday we’re going to have a party! We’re planning to surprise our crew on... Read more
26-Oct-2015Source: Airbus
Airbus Helicopters Inc., the U.S. sales leader in law enforcement helicopters for more than a decade, will exhibit the Mississippi Department of Public Safety’s H125 AStar at the 2015 International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Conference in Chicago, October 25-27. The Mississippi Department of Public Safety operates the H125 (formerly AS350 B3e) to conduct... Read more
26-Oct-2015
The pilot reported he was conducting an approach in flat light conditions, visibility was decreasing, and during a turn, the right skid impacted terrain. The pilot reported the helicopter then came to rest on its side and he egressed from the cockpit. Substantial damage sustained to the helicopter. The purpose of the flight was to... Read more
24-Oct-2015
Partial loss of engine power during autorotation flare. Hard landing.French report says “substantial damage” but local press report shows... Read more
24-Oct-2015
Sightseeing flight – failed to take-off, lost height and rolled over on landing. Only one of the 7 POB was not injured. Registration to be confirmed – Type, Colour scheme and operator match to our records... Read more
23-Oct-2015
It was a dream of the Pilcher family for the better part of 50 years. Owners of Pilcher’s Dothan Ambulance Service, the family envisioned air transport to complement their ground service. It didn’t happen overnight, but it did eventually materialize. See full story... Read more
23-Oct-2015Source: Airbus Helicopters
Airbus Helicopters Inc. announced that California Shock Trauma and Rescue (CALSTAR) has ordered five H135 air medical helicopters. CALSTAR is the first U.S. customer for this significantly improved and updated variant of the most popular twin-engine helicopter chosen by air medical transport service operators. The order announcement was made Monday in a ceremony at the... Read more
23-Oct-2015Source: Metro Aviation
The Massachusetts State Police Air Wing is the largest and most comprehensive full time public safety aviation unit in New England, responding to more than 1,900 mission requests annually. The primary duty aircraft is the EC135T2+, and the division recently chose the Helicopter Flight Training Center, a Metro Aviation company, as its training partner for... Read more
22-Oct-2015Source: Era Group
Era Group Inc. (NYSE: ERA) (“Era”), a leading helicopter transport operator based in the United States, announced that Aeróleo Taxi Aero S/A, its Brazilian joint venture (“Aeroleo”), received notification today from Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. (“Petrobras”) that Petrobras will cancel the ongoing tender process for heavy and medium helicopters. In its notification, Petrobras noted its determination that... Read more
22-Oct-2015Source: Elite
Jerry Trimble Helicopters (JTH) in McMinnville, Oregon recently added an ELITE TH100 Helicopter Advanced Aviation Training Device (AATD) to their flight training programs. The TH100 will be used to lower training cost, increase proficiency and enhance the safety of students and pilots. JTH is recognized in the helicopter community for their top-notch training programs and... Read more
22-Oct-2015Source: CHE
Chicago’s premier helicopter tour and transportation company, Chicago Helicopter Experience (CHE), today announced the launch of their new charter service, CHE Premier. Operating out of their own downtown heliport, CHE Premier provides the ultimate, hassle-free charter experience that is all about luxury and speed. Flights to Midwest destinations are available 24/7 on Chicago’s most modern... Read more
22-Oct-2015
Helicopter ditched and sank. All three on board were originally reported as rescued by Moroccan military but that later proved incorrect and there were then fears they had been kidnapped after the helicopter was found with an empty liferaft beside it (report). Helicopter was en route from a military exercise in Senegal, bound for the... Read more
21-Oct-2015Source: Airbus
Air Medical Group Holdings (AMGH), a major U.S. air medical transport services provider, has contracted with Airbus Helicopters Inc. for the purchase of six H135-series helicopters with options to buy four additional aircraft.The announcement was made Tuesday in a ceremony at the Airbus Helicopters Inc. booth at the Air Medical Transport Conference under way in... Read more
21-Oct-2015Source: Airbus
STAT MedEvac, a major air medical transport service provider, has ordered two H135-series (formerly EC135) helicopters from Airbus Helicopters Inc. to replace older aircraft. The announcement was made Tuesday at the Air Medical Transport Conference in Long Beach, Calif. STAT MedEvac provides air medical transport services to residents of much of western Pennsylvania and operates... Read more
21-Oct-2015Source: Metro Aviation
The Jim Charlson Aviation Safety Award recognizes an individual who has made significant contributions to the overall enhancement, development and promotion of aviation safety. Metro Aviation is proud to congratulate Helicopter Flight Training Center Director Terry Palmer on receiving the 2015 Jim Charlson Award. Terry is extremely involved in the aviation industry and has committed... Read more
20-Oct-2015Source: HeliHub.com
Robinson Helicopter Co registered serial number 0690 on 9th October (it’s N959BC, if you want to check). This is a landmark achievement in the five-seat single-turbine world as it is the point where the total passes the production to date of the EC120 (now H120). See also our comparison article between these two types from... Read more