Australia

RACQ LifeFlight Rescue crews make splash during vital training exercise

RACQ LifeFlight Rescue crews make splash during vital training exercise

10-Jun-2021Source: RACQ LifeFlight Rescue

Sunshine Coast residents heard the hum of the Land Rover LifeFlight Special Mission Helicopter, off Mudjimba, as RACQ LifeFlight Rescue crews completed vital water winch training today. “Water winching is the skill we need to practice the most,” Chief Aircrew Officer, Simon Gray, said. “This is really important training for us; it means we can go... Read more

Australian pilot marks 5000 hours flying Chinooks

Australian pilot marks 5000 hours flying Chinooks

8-Jun-2021Source: Australian Government

Former Army aviator and Boeing aircrewman Greg Maiden recently clocked up 5000 flying hours in CH-47 Chinooks at RAAF Base Townsville. “Boeing keeps records of the flying hours and there are very few that have achieved this milestone,” Mr Maiden said. The hours were accrued throughout his flying career, which started in 1998 on the... Read more

Possible US Foreign Military Sale to Australia of 29 AH-64Es

Possible US Foreign Military Sale to Australia of 29 AH-64Es

8-Jun-2021Source: DSCA

The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Australia of AH-64E Apache Helicopters and related equipment for an estimated cost of $3.5 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today. The Government of Australia has requested to... Read more

Helitak UH60 Black Hawk Fire Tank Receives FAA STC

Helitak UH60 Black Hawk Fire Tank Receives FAA STC

8-Jun-2021Source: Helitak

Continual Research and development leads to new evolution of airborne firefighting tank technology to aid in accurate and faster dispersal of water onto bushfires. In 2018, the Helitak FT4500 Fire Tank underwent rigorous flight-testing and trials in conjunction with High Performance Helicopters (HPH) in California. The tank received 8110-3 Major Alteration approval in early 2020... Read more

CHC becomes first Australian operator to meet major milestone

CHC becomes first Australian operator to meet major milestone

7-Jun-2021Source: CHC

CHC Helicopter—a global leader in helicopter services and maintenance, repair and overhaul provision—has become the first commercial rotary wing operator in Australia to achieve the Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), Civil Aviation Safety Regulation (CASR), Part 42 Continuing Airworthiness Management Organization (CAMO), and Part 145 Approved Maintenance Organization (AMO). Vince D’Rozario, CHC Regional Director... Read more

06-Jun-21 VH-HMQ Leonardo AW139 Mangalore, Australia

06-Jun-21 VH-HMQ Leonardo AW139 Mangalore, Australia

6-Jun-2021

The AW139 was flying southbound toward Mangalore at 3,100 feet above mean sea level. At the same time, the PA-44 was conducting a practice instrument approach to Mangalore. The PA-44 commenced a missed approach from below 3,000 feet in a northerly direction toward Mangalore and the pilot broadcast that the aircraft would climb to 3,900... Read more

Web Manuals Store Partners with ASQS

Web Manuals Store Partners with ASQS

2-Jun-2021Source: Web Manuals

Under an existing agreement with web-based safety, quality and risk management solution ASQS, Web Manuals customers operating in Canada and Australia have access to relevant regional digitized regulations. Web Manuals Store partners with ASQS to continue its expansion into new territories with the addition of Australian and Canadian libraries. The regulations are packaged as compliance... Read more

30-May-21 VH-TJK Leonardo AW139 Shelly Beach, Australia

30-May-21 VH-TJK Leonardo AW139 Shelly Beach, Australia

30-May-2021

While conducting a single-pilot EMS flight, the aircraft was flown into a confined area and unimproved landing site with the aid of night vision goggles. During the later stages of the approach, the aircraft drifted towards terrain. The crew aborted the approach and elected to conduct a precautionary out-landing about 1 km away. Inspection of... Read more

26-May-21 VH-KLY Robinson R22 Hay, Australia (1F)

26-May-21 VH-KLY Robinson R22 Hay, Australia (1F)

26-May-2021

The pilot, the sole occupant on board, was mustering cattle along a fence line on a property 75 km west of Hay, NSW, and had landed to open a gate at the entrance to a yard. Shortly after, a witness heard the helicopter take-off and, very soon after, a loud bang. Suspecting an accident, the... Read more

Sikorsky Australia Awarded $10m RAN MH-60R Sustainment Contract Expansion

Sikorsky Australia Awarded $10m RAN MH-60R Sustainment Contract Expansion

21-May-2021Source: Sikorsky

Sikorsky Australia, a Lockheed Martin company, has been awarded an AUD$10m contract to deliver additional sustainment support services for the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) fleet of 24 MH-60R Seahawk maritime helicopters. The contract will see the creation of 10 new positions in Sikorsky Australia’s purpose-built Maintenance and Logistics Support facility in Nowra NSW. Sikorsky Australia’s... Read more

Australian SAR operator merges with drone search company

Australian SAR operator merges with drone search company

14-May-2021Source: Ripper Corp

Surf Life Saving Queensland today announced it is joining forces with hi-tech drone search and rescue company The Ripper Group in a move it believes will revolutionise the way lives are saved in marine environments around the world. SLSQ’s investment in the rebranded Ripper Corporation will contribute significantly to the organisation’s vision of zero preventable drowning deaths... Read more

Tiger marks 30 years of flying

Tiger marks 30 years of flying

5-May-2021Source: Airbus Helicopters

As the Tiger celebrates the 30th anniversary of its first flight, it’s time to look at how far the programme has come since 27 April 1991. Resulting from the successful cooperation between France and Germany, with Australia and Spain joining the programme in 2001 and 2003 respectively, the aircraft has proven its value as a... Read more

US Foreign Military Sale to Australia of CH-47Fs valued at $259M

US Foreign Military Sale to Australia of CH-47Fs valued at $259M

30-Apr-2021Source: DSCA

The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Australia of CH-47F Chinook Helicopters and related equipment for an estimated cost of $259 million.  The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today. The Government of Australia has requested to... Read more

Babcock considers selling aerial emergency services businesses

Babcock considers selling aerial emergency services businesses

14-Apr-2021

In a detailed press release under the brief title of “Business Update”, Babcock International Group not only reaffirmed the sale of their offshore business, but also indicated that all aerial emergency services businesses are under review.  The company admitted that the Avincis acquisition in 2014 has not delivered shareholder value with low returns on high... Read more

Surf Life Saving Queensland upgrades Carrara base from Bo105 to EC135

Surf Life Saving Queensland upgrades Carrara base from Bo105 to EC135

12-Apr-2021Source: Surf Life Saving Queensland

Surf Life Saving Queensland’s rescue service has been bolstered by the addition of a new Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter, Lifesaver 46, which will start patrolling in time for school holidays. The new helicopter was unveiled at the Carrara hangar earlier today and replaces the B0105 that has been servicing South East Queensland since 2012. Lifesaver... Read more

93 years after starting, fixed wing operator adds helicopters

93 years after starting, fixed wing operator adds helicopters

5-Apr-2021Source: Flying Doctor

Royal Flying Doctor Service (Western Operations) Board Chair, Mr Sam Walsh AO has announced that two helicopters will join our fleet in an Australian first for the RFDS. This exciting expansion of our service will give RFDS crews greater flexibility and capability to respond quickly to each patient’s inter-hospital transfer needs with the most appropriate... Read more

26-Mar-21 VH-TJH Leonardo AW139 Katoomba, Australia

26-Mar-21 VH-TJH Leonardo AW139 Katoomba, Australia

26-Mar-2021

While conducting a single-pilot EMS flight, the aircraft was flown to the hover and an NVG winch commenced. During the winch, the aircraft drifted and descended towards terrain. The aircraft was recovered in close proximity to obstacles and during the recovery, the helicopter sustained an over torque.... Read more

04-Mar-21 VH-PVO Leonardo AW139 LaTrobe Valley, Australia

04-Mar-21 VH-PVO Leonardo AW139 LaTrobe Valley, Australia

4-Mar-2021

During cruise, the aircraft encountered instrument meteorological conditions while below the lowest safe altitude and the crew received a ground proximity warning system alert. The crew immediately conducted a climbing turn to avoid the terrain.... Read more

Emergency Services affected by Facebook Australia news ban

Emergency Services affected by Facebook Australia news ban

24-Feb-2021Source: NDTV

Several Australian emergency services were hit by Facebook’s local ban on news content Thursday, with pages that warn the public about Covid outbreaks, bushfires and cyclones rendered blank. See Full Story. ... Read more

CareFlight becomes Australia first H145 EMS operator

CareFlight becomes Australia first H145 EMS operator

19-Feb-2021Source: Airbus Helicopters

Australia’s CareFlight has become the country’s first operator of the emergency medical services (EMS) version of the Airbus H145 light twin helicopter. The aircraft will be used by the aeromedical services provider for rapid response missions in the Greater Sydney area. CareFlight’s H145, which was unveiled at a ceremony today at the Sydney Opera House,... Read more

11-Feb-21 VH-HKC Robinson R22 Hughenden, Australia (1F)

11-Feb-21 VH-HKC Robinson R22 Hughenden, Australia (1F)

11-Feb-2021

The pilot was conducting a positioning flight between two stations when the aircraft was reported missing on Thursday evening. The helicopter wreckage was located following a search coordinated by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority around 1130am Friday morning. The pilot, the sole occupant of the helicopter, was fatally injured.... Read more

All-female MH-60R flight crew takes to skies

All-female MH-60R flight crew takes to skies

5-Feb-2021Source: ABC

A Nowra-based crew has made Australian history by becoming the first all-female flight team to operate an MH-60R Seahawk helicopter. See Full Story. ... Read more

Babcock reaches 20 000 hour milestone with Ambulance Victoria

Babcock reaches 20 000 hour milestone with Ambulance Victoria

4-Feb-2021Source: Babcock

Babcock Australasia has achieved a significant in-service milestone with Ambulance Victoria, with its AW139 helicopter fleet exceeding 20,000 flying hours at the five year anniversary of entering service. Since January 2016, Babcock has supplied five AW139s, plus a service assurance aircraft, to support Ambulance Victoria’s Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) operations. Babcock Australasia’s Chief Pilot... Read more

Australia – CASA appoints acting CEO

Australia – CASA appoints acting CEO

15-Jan-2021Source: CASA

The CASA Board has appointed experienced aviation executive Graeme Crawford to act as the Chief Executive Officer and Director of Aviation Safety of CASA until the successor to Shane Carmody who retired on the 31 December 2020 is determined. Crawford who was appointed to the 2IC position of Group Executive Manager Aviation in May 2016... Read more

Australian military buys ChipCheck to support helicopter maintenance

Australian military buys ChipCheck to support helicopter maintenance

11-Dec-2020Source: Gastops

Gastops announced that the Rotary, Aerospace and Surveillance Systems Division of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) has purchased nine ChipCHECK® units to help maximize equipment readiness, improve maintenance efficiency and reduce costs. The Australian Department of Defence and Defence Aviation Safety Authority (DASA) validated ChipCHECK® through 2019’s Exercise Talisman Sabre, a bi-annual multi-country exercise that... Read more

Australia – Powercor starts patrol flights with new Bell 505s

Australia – Powercor starts patrol flights with new Bell 505s

9-Dec-2020Source: Powercor

Two new helicopters conducting vegetation and powerline inspections for electricity distributor Powercor will be seen flying above Warrnambool this week as part of their first official flight. The helicopters, combined with industry-leading technology, establish a unique aerial services capability to support Powercor’s annual vegetation management program. From Tuesday, 8 December until Monday, 21 December, the... Read more

02-Dec-20 VH-HGU Robinson R44 Marulan South, Australia (2F)

02-Dec-20 VH-HGU Robinson R44 Marulan South, Australia (2F)

2-Dec-2020

Helicopter collided with terrain during a training flight.  The pilot and instructor on board were fatally injured and the helicopter was destroyed by fire.  The student pilot was named as Andrew Goldman... Read more

New South Wales Police moves into new hangar facility

New South Wales Police moves into new hangar facility

17-Nov-2020Source: HeliHub.com

In a recent ceremony to open the New South Wales Police Aviation Command’s new headquarters at Sydney’s Bankstown Airport. Aviation Commander, Superintendent Matt Appleton, hosted NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller and NSW Minister for Police and Emergency Services, David Elliott, and officially opened the new facility during a COVID-safe ceremony and plaque unveiling. Established in... Read more

Helipad upgrade for Port Macquarie Base Hospital

Helipad upgrade for Port Macquarie Base Hospital

16-Nov-2020Source: Macquarie Port News

SAFER and more private transport of critically ill or injured patients will be possible with a $10 million pre-budget boost for a helipad upgrade at Port Macquarie Base Hospital. See Full Story.... Read more

Sikorsky Australia Achieves DASA TRAINING Certification

Sikorsky Australia Achieves DASA TRAINING Certification

11-Nov-2020Source: Sikorsky

Sikorsky Australia, a Lockheed Martin company, has been officially approved as an Aircraft Maintenance Training Organisation (MTO) by the Defence Aviation Safety Authority (DASA)—a significant training accreditation currently granted to only one other defence industry organisation. This important milestone authorises Sikorsky Australia to deliver type course aircraft training to its staff, defence and industry partners... Read more

Australian Army helicopter crews train for ship landings

Australian Army helicopter crews train for ship landings

6-Nov-2020Source: Australian Government

Army helicopter crews flying three different aircraft types have been training to land on the deck of HMAS Adelaide right in time for summer and the potential for natural disasters. The landing helicopter dock (LHD) ship Adelaide is the Navy’s high-readiness vessel and is available to support humanitarian and disaster-relief operations domestically and in the... Read more

Babcock Australasia improves access to emergency medical services

Babcock Australasia improves access to emergency medical services

30-Oct-2020Source: Babcock

Babcock Australasia’s Helicopter Emergency Medical Services contract with the Queensland Government has been extended by three years, ensuring ongoing and improved access to emergency medical services for communities in the Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula regions. Babcock will continue to deliver aerial support for emergency medical services, including inter-hospital transfers, primary medical evacuation and search... Read more

Emesent is pioneering autonomous drone flight

Emesent is pioneering autonomous drone flight

29-Oct-2020Source: Emesent

Australian data analytics and drone autonomy start-up Emesent is writing its way into the record books with a series of remotely operated autonomous drone flights which promise to drive revolutionary change in the heavy industry space. The most recent of these missions took place on August 28 at an Ultra-Deep Canadian Hard-Rock Mine. Emesent’s Hovermap... Read more

Royal Singapore AF lands Chinook on Australian Navy ship for first time

Royal Singapore AF lands Chinook on Australian Navy ship for first time

29-Oct-2020Source: Royal Singapore Air Force

Over the weekend, our CH-47D Chinook Helicopter from Oakey Detachment made a successful landing on the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) HMAS Adelaide. The deck landing, which involved precise manoeuvring and teamwork to overcome challenging sea conditions, took place in the lead-up to the commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the SAF’s training in the Shoalwater... Read more

ATSB reminds pilots of Low Rotor RPM response time

ATSB reminds pilots of Low Rotor RPM response time

21-Oct-2020Source: Australian Government

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) reminds all helicopter pilots to be prepared and respond immediately to low rotor RPM warnings, following the investigation into the collision with terrain of a Robinson R44 helicopter south of Ayers Rock Airport, Northern Territory, on 17 January 2018. Shortly after departing the Yulara Town helipad for a 15-minute... Read more

Schiebel Pacific ramps up for Land129 and Sea129

Schiebel Pacific ramps up for Land129 and Sea129

15-Oct-2020Source: Schiebel

Schiebel Pacific is scaling its business in preparation for Land129 and Sea129. The company is hiring remote pilots and maintenance technicians and upgrading its facility. The expansion comes after Schiebel Pacific and Raytheon Australia teamed up for the LAND129 Phase 3 Tactical Unmanned Air System (TUAS) project for the Australian Army. Additionally, Schiebel Pacific is... Read more

SkyNet Aviation new inbound aircraft detection and alarm system

SkyNet Aviation new inbound aircraft detection and alarm system

14-Oct-2020Source: SkyNet

Australian flight management solutions leader SkyNet Aviation launches LASAW – an innovation that automatically detects inbound aircraft and raises the alarm about aircraft making unannounced or emergency landing approaches. The LASAW system – short for Landing Approach Surveillance And Warning – has been developed by the engineering team at SkyNet Aviation over the past 12... Read more

Babcock extends South Australia contract

Babcock extends South Australia contract

9-Oct-2020Source: Babcock

Babcock Australasia’s rotary wing contract with the Government of South Australia has been extended until October 2022, confirming increased and continuing service to the region. Babcock will continue to deliver emergency medical services (EMS), search and rescue (SAR) and airborne law enforcement services for the South Australian State Helicopter Rescue Service (SRHS), on behalf of... Read more

29-Sep-20 VH-WPX Airbus AS365N3 Perth, Australia

29-Sep-20 VH-WPX Airbus AS365N3 Perth, Australia

29-Sep-2020

A rescue crewman was lowered onto the deck of a vessel as part of winch training exercise, off the coast of Perth, Western Australia. During the exercise, the rescue crewman was pulled overboard from the vessel, into and through the water. The rescue crewman was not injured.... Read more

18-Sep-20 VH-LTO Guimbal G2 Caloundra, Australia

18-Sep-20 VH-LTO Guimbal G2 Caloundra, Australia

18-Sep-2020

During a touch-and-go, the Extra EA 300 aircraft collided with a Guimbal Cabri G2 helicopter on the runway.... Read more

16-Aug-20 VH-YMU Robinson R22 McArthur River Mine, Australia

16-Aug-20 VH-YMU Robinson R22 McArthur River Mine, Australia

16-Aug-2020

On 16 August 2020, a Robinson R22 Beta, registration VH-YMU, was being utilised for cattle mustering operations in remote country, from the Rocky Point Yards, Northern Territory, south of the McArthur River Mine Aerodrome. At about 1200 Central Standard Time, the pilot was required to conduct an emergency forced landing. The helicopter landed heavily, resulting... Read more

31-Jul-20 VH-HNF Robinson R22 Steam Plains, Australia (1F)

31-Jul-20 VH-HNF Robinson R22 Steam Plains, Australia (1F)

31-Jul-2020

During agricultural spraying operations, the helicopter struck powerlines and collided with terrain, resulting in substantial damage. The pilot sustained fatal injuries.... Read more

Schiebel teams with Raytheon for Australian Army UAS tender

Schiebel teams with Raytheon for Australian Army UAS tender

28-Jul-2020

Schiebel Pacific and Raytheon Australia have teamed up for the LAND129 Phase 3 Tactical Unmanned Aerial System (TUAS) project for the Australian Army. The tender response was submitted last week. The teaming couples Schiebel’s proven and world-class CAMCOPTER® S-100 UAS with Raytheon Australia’s 20 year pedigree as a trusted, prime systems integrator across multiple domains.... Read more

24-Jul-20 VH-TJO Leonardo AW139 Goulburn, Australia

24-Jul-20 VH-TJO Leonardo AW139 Goulburn, Australia

24-Jul-2020

The ATSB is investigating the near-collision with terrain involving Leonardo Helicopters AW139, VH-TJO, 25 km East of Goulburn, New South Wales, on 24 July 2020. While conducting a single-pilot NVG EMS flight, the aircraft entered an uncommanded descent and drift. The aircraft was recovered in close proximity to obstacles and during the recovery, the helicopter... Read more

Airbus forms Team Nightjar for Australian special ops bid

Airbus forms Team Nightjar for Australian special ops bid

10-Jul-2020Source: Airbus

Airbus Helicopters has joined hands with over 20 Australian partners to form Team Nightjar, as the consortium launches its solution to Project LAND 2097 Phase 4. Under this Project, the Commonwealth of Australia is seeking a fleet of helicopters to support the Australian Defence Force’s Special Operations. Bringing together Australia’s best industry capabilities and academia,... Read more

New South Wales Government supports eVTOL development with grant

New South Wales Government supports eVTOL development with grant

10-Jul-2020Source: NSW Gov

Deputy Premier John Barilaro and Member for Dubbo Dugald Saunders today visited the Narromine Aerodrome Industrial Park, where sustainable aerospace company AMSL Aero will test its electric Vertical TakeOff and Landing (eVTOL) vehicles. Mr Barilaro, who inspected a flight-capable scale model of the aircraft, said the flying car will have the potential to revolutionise transport... Read more

Consultation under way for Sydney CBD helipad

Consultation under way for Sydney CBD helipad

29-Jun-2020Source: Emma Kelly

Australian hotel investor Dr Jerry Schwartz is hoping to launch operations from Sydney’s first commercial, rooftop helipad atop his Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour hotel from 2022. The entrepreneur recently launched the consultation process for the proposal in an effort to revive Sydney’s economy and boost its business and tourism profile in the post-COVID-19 economic downturn.... Read more

20-Jun-20 VH-EGK Leonardo AW139 Caboolture, Australia

20-Jun-20 VH-EGK Leonardo AW139 Caboolture, Australia

20-Jun-2020

During winching operations, the helicopter’s main rotor blades struck a tree. The crew returned to Archerfield, after which inspection revealed substantial damage to all main rotor blades, which were replaced by engineers.... Read more

Babcock Selects Bell 429 for Australian Special Forces bid

Babcock Selects Bell 429 for Australian Special Forces bid

28-May-2020Source: Babcock

Babcock has down selected the Bell 429 aircraft in its bid for the LAND 2097 Phase 4 Project to support the Australian Defence Force’s Special Operations helicopter capability. As one of the world’s largest and most experienced helicopter operators, and the largest commercial operator in Australia, Babcock completed a comprehensive assessment of the platforms available... Read more

Australia – Rio Tintopledges A$500,000 to CareFlight

Australia – Rio Tintopledges A$500,000 to CareFlight

22-May-2020Source: CareFlight

Rio Tinto has pledged A$500,000 to CareFlight Northern Operations to support emergency aeromedical care in the Northern Territory as part of a A$1.1 million commitment to support East Arnhem communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. The contribution underlines Rio Tinto’s commitment to the health and wellbeing of the region and to provide resources to combat the... Read more

RBI Hawker expands to Australia

RBI Hawker expands to Australia

8-May-2020Source: RBI Hawker

RBI Hawker Ltd announces they are expanding their world class Helicopter Rotor Blade Repair operation into Australia. The company will operate out of a 1000 square meter facility in north Brisbane. It expects to be operational by the end of Q2 2020. RBI Hawker is expanding its maintenance capabilities into Australia with its world-class helicopter... Read more

Airbus partners with Nova Systems

Airbus partners with Nova Systems

6-May-2020Source: Airbus Helicopters

Airbus Helicopters and Nova Systems have signed a charter, agreeing to identify future collaborative business opportunities, improve their capabilities through the complementary application of skills, and deliver competitive solutions to the Australian aerospace sector.This announcement builds upon Airbus’ nearly two-decade-long commitment to the Australian economy through the MRH90 Taipan and ARH Tiger programmes, which has... Read more

Coulson Aviation expand helicopter firefighting ops in Australia

Coulson Aviation expand helicopter firefighting ops in Australia

9-Apr-2020Source: Coulson Aviation

New South Wales Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS) has awarded the operation and maintenance of their recently acquired 412 fleet, as part of an existing 10-year contract with Coulson Aviation PTY. Coulson Aviation PTY has also moved its Australian headquarters from Melbourne to Bankstown, securing a 1,114 sq m hanger facility. The new Australian home-base... Read more

COVID-19 – Australian Rotortech event postponed to October

COVID-19 – Australian Rotortech event postponed to October

2-Apr-2020Source: Rotortech

Dear Industry Partner, After weeks of consultation with our major partners and stakeholders against the backdrop of a rapidly evolving COVID-19 Coronavirus environment, AMDA Foundation has taken the difficult decision to postpone June’s planned ROTORTECH 2020 to 14-16 October 2020. The preservation of public health will always be our paramount commitment. Although government restrictions on gatherings and travel may be... Read more

Bristow Supports Republic of Singapore Air Force, Australia Bushfire Relief Operations

Bristow Supports Republic of Singapore Air Force, Australia Bushfire Relief Operations

24-Jan-2020Source: Bristow

As the world pays attention to the major bushfires happening along the East Coast of Australia, Bristow Defence Industries (BDI) has quietly supported the Republic of Singapore Air Force’s Oakey Detachment, based in Oakey, Queensland, in its preparation to deploy two RSAF’s CH47Ds from Oakey to Royal Australian Air Force Base East Sale, located 220... Read more

Erickson is flying six firefighting S64s in Australia

Erickson is flying six firefighting S64s in Australia

8-Jan-2020Source: Erickson

Erickson Incorporated, a worldwide leading operator, maintainer, and manufacturer of utility aircraft, is continuing to fight the devastating Australian bushfires into the new year armed with Six Air Crane® helicopters. As of Thursday, January 2nd, New South Wales declared a 7-day state of emergency as Australia’s deadly bushfires rage. This is the third time in... Read more

Lockheed Martin makes Australia/NZ helicopter appointment

Lockheed Martin makes Australia/NZ helicopter appointment

2-Dec-2019Source: Lockheed Martin

Lockheed Martin has appointed Mr. Steve Froelich as the vicepresident of Rotary and Mission Systems operations for Australia and New Zealand, andProgramme Executive for AIR6500. He will be responsible for business performance andorganisational transformation, and will join the local leadership team to build a foundation forfuture growth in the region. A critical component of the... Read more

723 Squadron helicopters achieve 10,000 flying hours

723 Squadron helicopters achieve 10,000 flying hours

2-Dec-2019Source: Royal Australian Navy

The Royal Australian Navy EC-135 helicopters of 723 Squadron recently logged 10,000 flying hours during normal operations in support of the New South Wales bushfires. This significant milestone proved the aircraft’s rotary wing aircrew’s training capabilities and reliability in highly demanding operations. The first EC-135 helicopters joined 723 Squadron in 2016 and have since completed... Read more

Night-flying program to continue this season in Australia

Night-flying program to continue this season in Australia

7-Oct-2019Source: Fire Aviation

During the 2017-2018 bushfire season in Australia two helicopters were approved for dropping water at night with the use of night vision goggles (NVG) by the pilots. At least one of the ships, an S-61, was approved for hover refilling which was the first time this had been done anywhere. See Full Story.... Read more

Airbus offers Australia cost-effective Tiger for operations beyond 2040

Airbus offers Australia cost-effective Tiger for operations beyond 2040

2-Sep-2019Source: Airbus Helicopters

Airbus Helicopters is offering a cost-effective approach for taking the Tiger platform beyond 2040, in response to the Commonwealth of Australia’s (CoA) Request for Information (RFI) for the Project LAND4503 Armed Reconnaissance Capability. The RFI seeks solutions for the army’s future armed reconnaissance helicopter needs. Airbus is the manufacturer of the tandem seat Tiger helicopters... Read more

US Allied Forces Kick-off EOD Exercise HYDRACRAB

US Allied Forces Kick-off EOD Exercise HYDRACRAB

23-Aug-2019Source: US Allied Forces

Expeditionary forces from Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States conducted the opening ceremony for Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) training exercise HYDRACRAB, Aug. 19. HYDRACRAB is quadrilateral exercise conducted by more than 100 Sailors from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and U.S. Naval forces. The purpose of this exercise is to prepare the participating EOD... Read more

Esso Australia adds fifth AW139

Esso Australia adds fifth AW139

7-Jun-2019Source: ExxonMobil

Esso Australia, on behalf of the Gippsland Basin Joint Venture (GBJV), has announced it will add a fifth Agusta Westland AW139 helicopter to its existing fleet servicing its offshore oil and gas operations in Gippsland in 2019. The new helicopter takes the total number of AW139 helicopters owned and operated by the Gippsland Basin Joint... Read more

Airbus awarded Australia’s ARH Tiger support contract extension

Airbus awarded Australia’s ARH Tiger support contract extension

18-Apr-2019Source: Airbus Helicopters

Airbus has been awarded an extension of the Australian Army’s Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter (ARH) Tiger through-life support (TLS) contract by the Australian Department of Defence. Airbus Australia Pacific Managing Director Andrew Mathewson said that the five-year, TLS contract extension reflected the current standing of the Tiger in Australia. “Airbus is committed to ensuring the success... Read more

ARH Tiger support contract extension announced

ARH Tiger support contract extension announced

15-Apr-2019Source: Australian Government

The Australian Government has announced an extension to Airbus Australia Pacific’s through-life support (TLS) contract for the Australian Army’s Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter (ARH). The ARH Tiger, first introduced into service in 2004, has matured into a critical asset for the Australian Defence Force. Minister for Defence, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP said the extension... Read more

Australian Defence Force Issues Final Acceptance of Kratos Training

Australian Defence Force Issues Final Acceptance of Kratos Training

3-Apr-2019Source: Kratos Defense & Security Solutions

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (Nasdaq: KTOS), a leading National Security Solutions provider, announced today that the Australian Defence Force has completed all evaluation testing of Kratos’ CH-47F Chinook Avionics Trainer (CAT). The CAT is part of a $9.4 million contract by Boeing Defence Australia Limited in support of the Australian Defence Force (ADF)... Read more

MAG Aerospace acquires Encore Helicopter Maintenance

MAG Aerospace acquires Encore Helicopter Maintenance

1-Apr-2019Source: MAG Aerospace

MAG Aerospace (MAG) has acquired two Australia-based entities; Encore Aviation and Encore Helicopter Maintenance (“Encore Aviation”). Encore Aviation is a leading maintenance organisation supporting General Aviation in Australia and provides home base and deployed engineering and maintenance services to a wide variety of fixed and rotary wing aviation organisations including those contracted to the National... Read more

Toll Helicopters and Seeing Machines have joined forces

Toll Helicopters and Seeing Machines have joined forces

14-Mar-2019Source: Toll Helicopters

Toll Helicopters and Seeing Machines have joined forces to launch a unique eye tracking technology trial this month as part of the Toll AW-139 Full Flight Simulator (FFS) at the ACE Training Centre in Sydney.   The trial is based on Seeing Machines’ Crew Training System prototype which incorporates modern eye tracking technology. The system supports aviation training instructors, pilots and crewmen with intelligent, evidence based data to provide detailed insights into pilot scanning techniques and situational awareness.  The 2019 trial will... Read more

Babcock Australasia reports successful first year of H175 operations

Babcock Australasia reports successful first year of H175 operations

13-Mar-2019Source: Airbus Helicopters

Babcock Australasia, the aerospace and defence company, is celebrating its first year of Airbus H175 helicopter operations in Timor Leste after clocking up nearly 1400 flights providing offshore aviation services for their oil and gas customer. The company, which operates two H175s on personnel transport, search and rescue, and medevac duties in the Timor Sea... Read more

Babcock swaps aircraft between UK and Australia

Babcock swaps aircraft between UK and Australia

3-Mar-2019Source: HeliHub.com

Babcock has in the last week completed a fleet move that saw two helicopters moving from UK to Australia, and two coming back on the return flight. The move was completed by freight specialists Volga-Dnepr Airlines (VDA), using an Antonov An-124 aircraft.  After shipping two Leonardo AW139 helicopters from Prestwick UK to Melbourne in Australia, VDA... Read more

ACH makes Pacific region debut

ACH makes Pacific region debut

26-Feb-2019Source: Airbus Helicopters

Airbus Helicopters welcomes Melbourne-based operator Microflite as launch customer, as the helicopter manufacturer introduces to Australia and the Pacific region its premium private and business aviation helicopter brand Airbus Corporate Helicopters (ACH), providing a tailored offering to meet the demanding expectations of the corporate and VIP markets. Microflite is due to take delivery of an... Read more

Babcock wins five year Australia contract with two AW139s

Babcock wins five year Australia contract with two AW139s

25-Feb-2019Source: Babcock

Babcock Australasia (Babcock), the aerospace and defence company, is pleased to announce that its Offshore Aviation division has been awarded a five year contract with Santos Ltd (Santos) operating from Karratha, Western Australia. Commencing 1 July 2019, the contract facilitates the provision of two dedicated Leonardo AW139 aircraft to provide crew change, emergency support, 24/7... Read more

Aerial SAR Asia Pacific 2019 touches down in Melbourne on 21 February

Aerial SAR Asia Pacific 2019 touches down in Melbourne on 21 February

11-Feb-2019

Aerial Search & Rescue Asia Pacific 2019, Australia’s inaugural aerial search and rescue event, expands its reach after Tangent Link’s successful series in Europe over the past six years. Supported by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA), whose search and rescue region covers 53 million square kilometres including the Australian continent, large areas of the... Read more

04-Feb-19 VH-NXW Bell 206 Marcoola, Australia

04-Feb-19 VH-NXW Bell 206 Marcoola, Australia

4-Feb-2019

Bell 206 remained upright on its skids in a heavy landing during a training flight. The 22-year-old student pilot sustained injuries and was transported to hospital. One report suggested it will require a new set of skids... Read more

28-Jan-19 N173AC Sikorsky S64 Jericho, Australia

28-Jan-19 N173AC Sikorsky S64 Jericho, Australia

28-Jan-2019

During aerial fire control operations, at about 1956, the helicopter collided with water and came to rest inverted resulting in minor injuries to the three crew and damage to the helicopter.   Three on board swam to safety.... Read more

19-Jan-19 VH-YHS Airbus H130 Mansfield, Australia

19-Jan-19 VH-YHS Airbus H130 Mansfield, Australia

19-Jan-2019

The pilot reported that during the initial climb at about 3 m, the helicopter began to yaw and roll to the left at an increasing rate. The pilot then initiated a landing during which the helicopter rolled over. The helicopter was substantially damaged but no one was injured.... Read more

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