HeliTSA has celebrated its second anniversary, proving its model of rotary maintenance training was a much-needed addition to the Australian market. The training model offers exposure to operational aircraft and is now expanding to encompass S-92 courses. “If there is one thing engineers are good at, it’s making things complex. So when we launched HeliTSA,… Read more »
The helicopter collided with terrain about 130km ENE of Alice Springs Airport. A passenger and pilot were on board. The passenger sustained serious injuries and the pilot was fatally injured. The helicopter was destroyed.
The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) celebrated 20 years of helicopter training in Oakey, Australia. Senior Minister of State for Defence Mr Heng Chee How and Australia Assistant Minister for Defence Mr David Fawcett co-officiated at the commemorative event held in Warriors’ Camp, Rockhampton. The commemorative event was hosted by Commander of the RSAF’s… Read more »
Source:
Republic of Singapore Air Force, 12-Nov-18
The Australian Department of Defence has started purchasing new helicopters for their special forces with the release of an RFI. The helicopters they acquire should be able to be easily fitted with intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance equipment. They are expecting the helicopter deliveries by 2023, reports Australian Aviation.
Schiebel, the market leader in Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) Unmanned Air Systems (UAS), has founded Schiebel Pacific Pty Ltd (SPL) to provide the Pacific region with a permanent and comprehensive programme, logistics and sales hub. The Schiebel Group, with already established Defence contracts in the region, sees considerable further potential in Australia and in… Read more »
CHC Helicopter has been awarded a ground-breaking helicopter services contract by Woodside and other operators in the North West Shelf and North West Cape regions, providing passenger transfer flights, medical evacuation and search and rescue services for four customers from bases in Australia’s Pilbara region. The contract will commence in July 2019 and will provide… Read more »
Boeing [NYSE: BA] has successfully completed the first suite of synchronised unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) flight tests using new on-board autonomous command and control technology developed by Boeing in Australia. Conducted at a regional Queensland airfield, the test flights saw five UAV test beds equipped with Boeing’s new on-board system safely complete in-air programmed missions… Read more »
the bucket and longline become tangled in trees at the edge of a clearing, followed by the helicopter colliding with terrain. The pilot was fatally injured and the helicopter was destroyed.
GVH Aerospace has been selected to design, manufacture and supply a hoist light for Boeing Defence Australia’s Helicopter Aircrew Training System (HATS). The selection concludes the competitive tender process and the hoist light product will be used for night hoisting training to provide the aircrewman with adequate illumination to carry out hoisting operations safely. “We… Read more »
The Australian Defence Force has had to ground one of its Chinook helicopter units after the accusation of a cocaine ring. The ten personnel who were tested included officers, maintenance workers, aircrew and one civilian employee. They all tested positive for traces of cocaine, amphetamines and ecstasy, while they were on the clock, reports 9… Read more »
Rockwell Collins has been selected by the Australian Army to provide extended avionics support for its fleet of CH-47F Chinook helicopters through a performance-based logistics (PBL) contract. The agreement extends to 2020, providing field service engineering, program management, logistics service and repair and overhaul for the Common Avionics Architecture System (CAAS)components installed on the aircraft and… Read more »
CAE today announced that its Defence and Security business unit has expanded operations in Australia by opening a new office in Canberra, the capital city of Australia. The new office was inaugurated yesterday during a visit from the Honourable Christopher Pyne, Minister for Defence Industry, and Ian Bell, CAE’s Vice President and General Manager, Asia-Pacific/Middle… Read more »
Leonardo and the Australian Ministry of Defence have agreed to establish a helicopter transmission repair and overhaul facility in Melbourne capable of servicing MRH Taipan, foreign NH90 and certain civil helicopter main gear boxes. Planned to be set up into an existing facility of Leonardo and to commence operation in mid-2020, the centre will employ… Read more »
CHC Group announced they have signed a 30-month contract continuation with Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) to provide search and rescue services at five bases around Australia. As part of the continuation, six new generation AW139 aircraft will replace the current S76 SAR helicopter fleet flying for RAAF. The first of these aircraft have already… Read more »
CHC Helicopter unveiled the Ngarluma names of their two new AW189 helicopters in Karratha. The chosen names, Garlawirrura and Warduwardura, are the Ngarluma words for dragonfly and a small inland grass bird that hovers. The two twin-engine aircraft carry up to 16 passengers per flight to and from Woodside’s installations on the North West Shelf…. Read more »
ConocoPhillips (NYSE: COP) announced the winners of its 2017 Supplier Recognition Award program. The ten recipient companies were honored for exhibiting exceptional leadership that celebrates our SPIRIT Values. Awards were given in two areas: focus on execution and doing business better. ConocoPhillips’ business units around the world generated nominations internally, with winners chosen by a… Read more »
Australia (PHP-AU), a subsidiary of Atlanta, GA based Precision Aviation Group (PAG) a leading provider of products and value-added services to the worldwide aerospace and defense industry, has signed a distribution agreement with LORD Corporation for its rotary wing product line. Under the agreement, PHP-AU will assume responsibility to sell, distribute and support LORD aftermarket… Read more »
Landing Ship Dock HMAS Choules has conducted First of Class Flight Trials for the CH-47F Chinook helicopter marking a significant increase to amphibious capability. Elements from the Australian Army’s 5th Aviation Regiment and the Aircraft Maintenance and Flight Trials Unit embarked Choules for the duration of the flight trials. The CH-47F conducted 206 launches and flew for a total of… Read more »
While approaching the pontoon, the pilot reported noticing a warning message illuminate but was unable to verify the nature of the warning due to workload. Pilot elected to conduct a go-around. On the second approach at an altitude of about 40 ft above the pontoon, the pilot recalled feeling a ‘thud’ and the nose of the… Read more »
CHC now has three AW189 helicopters added to their fleet. The helicopters can transport up to 16 passengers, while having a noticeably quieter flight and less vibrations. The three Aw189s are the first in all Australia. They will be used to help transfer offshore oil and gas workers, reports Australian Aviation. They are joined in… Read more »
Coulson Aviation will be using two fire-fighting helicopters for a night-flying trial. The trial will determine whether they will be able to conduct a firebombing exercise during the night. Coulson’s Sikorsky S-61 347 helicopter will be used during the trial, reports Fire Aviation.
Whyalla Mayor Lyn Breuer said Becker Helicopters announcement confirms the city is officially in flight mode and ready to soar to new heights. Representatives from Becker Helicopters, Australia’s largest helicopter flight training company, were in Whyalla today (Wednesday, January 24) to reveal their plans to create an operating base in the Upper Spencer Gulf region, operating… Read more »
Erickson Incorporated, a leading aerospace manufacturer and global aerial services company that has fought fires for nearly 50 years, has returned to serve the citizens of Australia for its 20th year. The October start of the fire season parallels the beginning of summer “Down Under,” and Erickson has six S-64 Aircranes located in or en… Read more »
Charges against the Department of the Environment and Energy, and Helicopter Resources Pty Ltd have been laid following the death of 62-year-old pilot, David Wood. Mr Wood fell down a crevasse while delivering fuel drums. He died of hypothermia the following day. Comcare, federal work health and safety regulator, has said that the department has… Read more »
It was a marriage made in…Fleet Base East recently, when Navy’s most sophisticated helicopter partnered with Navy’s most potent and capable warship. The ‘Guided Missile Destroyer and MH-60R Seahawk Deck Handling Trial’ took place on 7 November at the Oiler Wharf, Garden Island, Sydney. At the centre of the union was Navy’s Aircraft Maintenance And… Read more »
AHIA Board announced the appointment of Mr Paul Tyrrell to the position of CEO of the AHIA. This appointment will enable the AHIA to progress to the next level in its development as one of the proactive associations in the Australian aviation industry. Paul comes with a wealth of experience as a manager of companies… Read more »
Experience Co has finished with its acquisition of GBR Helicopters this week. The acquisition was for $19.6 million, which helps strengthen their position in Far North Queensland’s tourism industry, reports Proactive Investors.
CHC Group announced it will be the first helicopter operator to introduce the new generation super-medium AW189 aircraft into Australia. The three AW189s will be flown from CHC’s Karratha base on behalf of Woodside to support their operations on the North West Shelf starting this month. The twin-engine aircraft can be configured to carry up… Read more »
Leonardo announced today that the Government of Queensland in Australia has placed an order for two additional AgustaWestland AW139 intermediate twin engine helicopters. The aircrafts are expected to enter into service by December 2018 performing emergency medical services and search and rescue missions over land and sea. The AW139s will replace two older helicopter models… Read more »
Boeing’s delivery of the Helicopter Aircrew Training System (HATS) to the Australian Defence Force (ADF) continues to ramp up, with the final Airbus Helicopters EC135 T2+ aircraft arriving in Australia in late August. The last aircraft delivery marks the completion of the training fleet for the program which will provide ab initio training to Royal… Read more »
LifeFlight, a world leader in aeromedical care, is building a new home for its Brisbane-based RACQ LifeFlight Rescue helicopters and crews, at Archerfield Airport. The new purpose-built base is under construction with its two Brisbane-based RACQ LifeFlight Rescue AW139 helicopters and crews planning to move into the new base by the end of the year…. Read more »
The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Australia for an upgrade program for MH-60R Multi-Mission Helicopters. The estimated cost is $360 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on August 30, 2017. The Government of Australia has requested a… Read more »
After a national air safety audit, it was found out that TAFE SA did not assess their students to the correct standards. This means that numerous aircraft maintenance engineers working for CHC Helicopters have had parts of their licences suspended. While the Civil Aviation Safety Authority carries out an investigation, airlines are not approving or… Read more »
Passing 500 ft in a descending turn at approximately 50 kt, the pilot reported the helicopter began to vibrate. The pilot was unable to stop the vibration and conducted a precautionary landing. The helicopter landed hard and severed the tail boom. The helicopter sustained substantial damage and the pilot and three passengers were not injured.
In a recent investor call, Jonathan Baliff – President and CEO of Bristow Group – said the following on the company’s position on the Airbus H225 helicopter and their current plans for its Return To Service. “You may be aware that the civil aviation authorities in the United Kingdom and Norway recently issued directives that… Read more »
In a ground-breaking new deal, Kaan Air Australia, Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) company, and StarFlight Australia, have signed an agreement worth up to AUD $63 million to bring 10 Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters into Australia, with options for an additional 10 aircraft. In a world-first refurbishment program to be undertaken in Brisbane, the… Read more »
Eagle Australasia has been a proud sponsor of the Northern Region Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter for the past 5 years. Each year the community’s own Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter is on standby 24 hours a day to help save lives across the Northern Rivers and beyond. The Northern Region fleet carry out an… Read more »
At Eagle Australasia, we continually strive to expand our capabilities and intern our ability to provide expert support and service to the industry. We are excited to announce BLR Aerospace has recognised Eagle Australasia as an industry expert in the world of Bell Helicopters by appointing us BLR Distributors for Australia, Papua New Guinea and… 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 »
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 »
Adelaide City Council has announced a proposal to lease a piece of land near Morphett St Bridge for a helipad that will be used for “joy flights.” The proposal has been met with much enthusiasm from commercial providers. The proposal will be reviewed by councillors and a decision will be made in the near future,… Read more »
CHC Australia is proud to launch its 2017 – 2019 Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) after receiving final endorsement from Reconciliation Australia. The RAP launched by CHC will help inform and drive existing initiatives, in addition to building long-term relationships and collaborative practices with local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander groups in areas where they, and… Read more »
Hervery Bay Hospital is opening their newly constructed helipad this week. Along with the helipad opening, they are also announcing the completion of their new 125-space parking lot. The upgrades are all part of a $44.2 million project to renovate the emergency department. They will also be building six new ambulance bays and are looking… Read more »
Toll Helicopters has recently donated their old Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6T turboshaft engine to Aviation High School in Brisbane after upgrading their Bell 212’s engine. The donation will be used to support hands on learning at the school, giving kids the opportunity to take apart and reassemble the engine to gain a greater understanding,… Read more »
During their new budget announcement, the Mount Isa LifeFlight base revealed that they had a year’s funding package of $2.4 million that will enable them to purchase a newer model helicopter. They will be replacing their Bell 230 with a BK117. The new helicopter will enable them to transport two patients at a time, along… Read more »
Successful emergency landing in public park after engine problems. Helicopter not damaged, all passengers safe. Helicopter was on a tour flight from Mascot to Palm Beach
Two new firefighting helicopters have been given to the National Parks and Wildlife Service. This gift was due to a $6.6 million state government funding increase. These helicopters will be used for carrying heavy loads as well as being used in difficult to reach areas. The National Park employees cover a range of 135,000 hectares,… Read more »
Eagle recently celebrated its tenth conversion of a 407HP for Heli Niugini in March. With nine conversions completed in Canada, this recent conversion was the first for the Australasia arm of the company.The successful conversion in Coffs Harbour, Australia, finished within the allotted timeframe, and on budget as previously announced by Eagle Australasia’s CEO Grant… Read more »
Milestone Aviation Group (Milestone) and GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS) have opened a new office in Sydney, Australia, effective May 1, 2017. With the opening of the new location, Milestone and GECAS are available locally to better support Australian customers with the company’s full suite of helicopter and commercial aircraft financing products. “Now that we… Read more »
During aerial work, the helicopter collided with trees and subsequently with terrain. The pilot and passenger sustained minor injuries and the helicopter was substantially damaged.
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 »
HNZ Group Inc. (TSX: HNZ) (the “Corporation”), an international provider of helicopter transportation and related support services, announced today that it has been awarded contracts by INPEX Operations Australia Pty Ltd (“INPEX”) and Shell Australia Pty Ltd (“Shell”), to provide offshore search and rescue services for the INPEX-led Ichthys LNG Project and the Shell-led Prelude… Read more »
CHC Group announced it has begun operating a 15 month contract to provide Aviation Emergency Response services out of the Australian Navy base at Nowra, on the south coast of New South Wales. Provision of the interim search and rescue, aeromedical evacuation (AME) and crash response services will be delivered at HMAS Albatross until the… Read more »
Eagle Australia successfully completed the first 407HP conversion for Heli Niugini. The conversion finished within the allotted timeframe to Eagle Australasia’s timeframe as previously announced by Eagle Australasia CEO Grant Boyter. It is Eagle Group’s ninth conversion to date, taking six weeks delivered on time and on budget. A team of three from Eagle Canada… Read more »
Eagle Australasia has successfully completed the first 407HP conversion for Heli Niugini. The conversion finished within the allotted timeframe of six weeks and on budget as previously announced by Eagle Australasia CEO Grant Boyter. It is Eagle Group’s ninth conversion to date. A team of three from Eagle Canada were flown into the country to… Read more »
Less than two months are left before the opening of the 10th International Helicopter Industry Exhibition HeliRussia 2017. Along with the growing number of participants, more and more interesting exhibits are announced which will be available to see from 25 to 27 May at Crocus Expo IEC in Moscow. For example, the Australian company Turtle-Pac… Read more »
Able Aerospace Services, a Textron Inc. company, has been selected by Eagle Australasia to be its exclusive provider for component repair, overhaul and exchange services for helicopter installations in Australia and neighboring countries. It will also assist in the expansion of existing Bell Helicopters Certified Service Facility rating to continue providing solutions to the Australian… Read more »
Waypoint Leasing (Ireland) Limited (“Waypoint”), the largest independent global helicopter leasing company, today announced in technical partnership with Eagle, a leading global helicopter solutions provider, the establishment of an aircraft reconfiguration and repurpose program, the Waypoint Medium Utility Helicopter (“MUH”) for legacy AW139 variants for use in support of a range of utility mission areas,… Read more »
On April 3, 2017 PHI HNZ Australia PTY Limited performed its first flight for the Inpex-led Ichthys LNG Project, based out of Broome, Western Australia. The PHI HNZ joint venture supplies up to four Sikorsky S-92 heavy helicopters providing transportation services for the Ichthys LNG Project’s massive offshore facilities in Australia. This new contract builds… Read more »
Boeing’s Helicopter Aircrew Training System (HATS) program is off to a flying start, with the first flight of its live training aircraft marking official transfer to the military aircraft register. This was achieved following successful completion of an Airworthiness Board Review, and receipt of approval for a special flight permit from the Australian Defence Force’s… Read more »
Able Aerospace Services, a Textron Inc. company, has been selected by Eagle Australasia to be its exclusive provider for component repair, overhaul and exchange services for helicopter installations in Australia and neighboring countries. It will also assist in the expansion of existing Bell Helicopters Certified Service Facility rating to continue providing solutions to the Australian… Read more »
LifeFlight of Maine is now also operating out of the Sanford Airport in order to cover the York County area. They will be operational 12 hours a day, but hope to increase that number to 24 hours, reports WABI.
John Larter, a paramedic with NSW Ambulance, is currently under investigation after going to the media with complaints about the takeover of the company by Toll Group. He has explained his displeasure with the decision to let go two pilots who have collectively 30 years’ experience and states that new pilots won’t have the experience… Read more »
Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Marise Payne, and Member for Gilmore, Ann Sudmalis MP, today inspected progress in the development of a $157 million Helicopter Aircrew Training System at 816 Squadron at HMAS Albatross. Minister Payne said the project will provide state of the art training facilities for Navy and Army aviators. “The new… Read more »
Together with Perth’s Heliwest Services, Van Horn Aviation (VHA), Bell Helicopter’s subsidiary Aeronautical Accessories have successfully fitted a pair of composite main rotor blades onto an Australian Bell 206B Jet Ranger. The blades from VHA are guaranteed to extend the service life from 18,000 hours to 20,000. The blades have NASA designed laminar-flow airfoil, carbon… Read more »
New AW139 rescue helicopters have hit a snag in Northern New South Wales, as they are too large for the helipads, causing an excess downwash. These helicopters are now unable to land at eight of the regional helipads. Adam Marshalls, Northern Tablelands MP, has commented how he is perplexed at how health management did not… Read more »
“Already having a Part 145 CASA & EASA approved repair station in Australia has enabled us to reduce aircraft downtime, improve response time, and has enabled customers to leverage the full scope of PAG services locally in Australia,” said Chris Slade, Director of Operations PAI-AU. “The recent approval from the FAA represents another effort to… Read more »
Twelve new AW139 air medical helicopters – all equipped with Donaldson AW139 Inlet Barrier Filters (IBFs) – have entered service in Australia, joining numerous other air operators that already use the advanced filter to keep their aircraft flying at peak performance. Two new operators – Toll Helicopters and Hunter Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter Services… Read more »
Becker Helicopters Pilot Academy is delighted to announce that one of its apprenticed Maintenance Technician’s, David Betts, was chosen as a 2017 Helicopter Foundation International (HFI) Scholarship winner. HFI annually offers up to 19 scholarships to help support students studying to become part of tomorrow’s vertical aviation industry. The HFI Maintenance Technician Certificate Scholarship is… Read more »
Source:
Helicopter Foundation International, 06-Mar-17
The TYABB Aero Club hopes to build a helipad at the Stuart Rd airfield. They have $25,000 that they can contribute to the project but have sent in a grant application to the Mornington Peninsula Shire Council for $100,000. The proposed helipad will be used by air ambulances, police and firefighters reports The News. A… Read more »
Hawker Pacific, the leading aviation solutions provider in Asia, Pacific and the Middle East, is pleased to confirm the highly anticipated Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) certification of the new Bell 505 Jet Ranger X Helicopter. The milestone makes Australia the first country to be awarded certification for the Bell 505 following the initial type… Read more »
The Toowoomba Regional Council has unanimously agreed on the proposal to build a new LifeFlight base or expand the existing one at the Toowoomba Aerodrome. The proposal was last minute, reports The Chronicle. They have applied for funding through the Federal Government’s Building Better Regions Fund.
CHC Group (OTC Pink Sheets: HELIQ) announced it had recently reached the 25,000 flight hour milestone on its fleet of AW139s in Australia. CHC was the first commercial operator to fly AW139s in Australia and has used the aircraft to fly critical emergency medical service (EMS) missions in New South Wales as well as provide… Read more »
A recent accident involving a Bell 206 helicopter highlights the ongoing dangers wirestrikes pose to pilots flying at low levels in a high workload environment. On 18 December 2016, the pilot was flying a Bell 206 helicopter from Bathurst to Wagga Wagga, NSW for maintenance, in wet and cloudy weather conditions. While flying at low… Read more »
