1-Apr-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Bell is expected to officially announce in the next two weeks that it will reopen the JetRanger production line at Mirabel, Canada, a year after the last airframe (serial 4690) was produced for a customer in British Columbia. This move is believed to be related to the unexpectedly positive response Robinson Helicopter Co have had... Read more
24-Mar-2011
Crashed into the water, unknown circumstances... Read more
24-Mar-2011
“The incident happened at about 3:30pm in rainy and windy condition when the Australian pilot failed to navigate the helipad belonging to the Ambua Lodge. “ All five on board survived. Helicopter was inbound from Komo, in support of Essar LNG project there. Pilot named as Haji Ruslan... Read more
16-Mar-2011
A Jet Ranger was damaged during a minor training mishap at Axamo Airport in Jönköping. The occupants were unharmed, and the cause of the incident is unknown... Read more
15-Mar-2011Source: Horizon International
Horizon International Flight Academy have announced the appointment of its new Chief Executive Officer, Hareb Thani Al Dhaheri. Retired Brigardier Pilot Mr. Al Dhaheri began his career as a helicopter pilot in UAE Armed Forces and he went on to hold a number of senior positions in the military. Prior to joining Horizon, he spent... Read more
11-Mar-2011Source: HeliHub.com
The UK CAA this week visited Shobdon airfield and were so alarmed by what they found that they issued a NOTAM there and then, closing the airfield. However, exactly why such this action was taken is not yet known, although it has been the subject of plenty of speculation on the Flyer forum frequented by... Read more
9-Mar-2011Source: Able Aerospace Services
Operators of Eurocopter AS350 and Bell 407 and 206 helicopters can realize overhaul and repair savings ranging from 35 to 70 percent using Able Preferred™, a new program from Able Aerospace Services. Able Preferred offers a full range of safe, FAA-approved dynamic component overhauls for these helicopters. Able Preferred overhauls are an alternative to OEM... Read more
7-Mar-2011Source: Bell
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company announced that it has signed a distribution agreement with Van Horn Aviation LLC for the 206 composite tail rotor blade supplemental type certificate (STC) No. SR02249LA. This STC allows for installation of the Van Horn composite tail rotor blade onto the Bell 206B and 206L series aircraft. ... Read more
7-Mar-2011Source: Cobham
HeliSAS, Cobham’s Autopilot and Stability Augmentation System, has been granted Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) status by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on Bell 206B, 206L, and 407 helicopters. By reducing pilot workload and increasing aircraft stability, HeliSAS sets a new standard in helicopter safety. HeliSAS provides precise control during all modes of flight, regardless of... Read more
6-Mar-2011Source: Uniflight
Uniflight announced today a revolutionary cooperative venture between Bell Helicopter and Rolls-Royce to provide the RR500 turboshaft as an engine upgrade kit to the venerable 206 series of light single engine helicopters. The program will significantly improve the performance of the aircraft for hot climate and high altitude operating conditions. The option kit will be... Read more
5-Mar-2011Source: DART Helicopter Services
DART Helicopter Services is pleased to announce that their affiliated partner Red Barn Machine has developed a field maintenance kit for the Bell 206 Jet Ranger. The Bell Jet Ranger Field Maintenance Tool Kit comes in a flyaway case with easy layout guide and includes over 30 tools to perform field maintenance on your Bell... Read more
5-Mar-2011Source: Aero Dynamix
Aero Dynamix Inc. is very proud to have the Bell 206B owned and operated by NASCAR legend Andy Petree in their booth (Booth #1337) this year at Heli Expo and would like to invite you by to see it. “We are tremendously excited to have Andy’s helicopter on display in our booth†stated General Manager... Read more
4-Mar-2011Source: Airwolf Aerospace
Airwolf Aerospace has developed a new Tension-Torsion (TT) strap for Bell 206 Jet Ranger and 206L Long Ranger helicopters, civilian and military. The straps will be on display at HAI Heli-Expo, 2011 (Booth #3561). Airwolf manufactures the straps under an FAA Parts Manufacturer Approval (PMA). Airwolf’s TT straps anchor each rotor blade to the mast... Read more
4-Mar-2011Source: US DoD
WESTAR Aerospace & Defense Group, Inc., Huntsville, Ala., was awarded on Feb. 25 a $10,294,818 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract. The award will provide for several logistic services for nine OH-58 and five 206B3 helicopters belonging to the government of Iraq. Work will be performed in Kirkuk Regional Air Base, Iraq, with an estimated completion date of March... Read more
3-Mar-2011
Flights suspended from London City Airport after Bell JetRanger made emergency landing there and blocked the runway... Read more
2-Mar-2011Source: Latitude Technologies
Latitude Technologies, a leading provider of satellite based communication, tracking and onboard aircraft data systems announced that their SkyNode® S100-001 satellite based tracking/messaging device has received FAA Supplemental Type Certificate number SR02872NY covering Bell Helicopter Textron models 206, 206A, 206A1, 206B, 206B1, 206L, 206L1, 206L3, 206L4. Certificate number SR02875NY covers Eurocopter models AS350B, AS350B1 AS350B2,... Read more
2-Mar-2011Source: HeliHub.com
A Bell 206B JetRanger of Upper Limit Aviation has crashed at Bolinder Field – Tooele Valley Airport. The helicopter was on a training flight and suffered a very heavy landing. Both occupants were reportedly trapped in the helicopter, which ended up on its starboard side and with the boom separated from the airframe. HeliHub.com adds... Read more
2-Mar-2011
Force landed near a parking deck... Read more
1-Mar-2011Source: SkyTrac Systems
SkyTrac Systems is pleased to announce that the European Safety Agency (EASA) has issued installation approvals for its next generation automated flight following and satellite communications system on the following airframes: Eurocopter AS 332 Super Puma Eurocopter EC 120 Eurocopter EC 135 Eurocopter EC 225 Bell 407 Bell 206 Steve Fuhr, VP and Director of... Read more
1-Mar-2011
Very heavy landing on long-line training flight. Helicopter ended up on starboard side with boom separated.... Read more
24-Feb-2011
Main rotor struck tail boom during autorotation landing... Read more
22-Feb-2011
Emergency landing on road during post-maintenance check flight. No injuries or damage... Read more
21-Feb-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Further to our breaking story last week that two Agusta-Bell 206As had arrived at the Airwork facility at Caboolture, we can report that the toal package now appears to be six helicopters. The following Austrian codes, followed by their Agusta serials, have been reported there now:- 3C-JB (8128), 3C-JC (8130), 3C-JF (8133), 3C-JH (8135), 3C-JJ... Read more
18-Feb-2011
Brig. Gen. Alfredo Bocanegra Navia, the 48-year-old commander of the army’s 5th Brigade, and his aides (Lt. John Alexander Salcedo, Pvt. German Alfonso Ortiz) were traveling from brigade headquarters in Bucaramanga, Santander’s capital, to the town of Aguachica in neighboring Cesar province. Civilian pilot Jaime Landinez was also killed... Read more
17-Feb-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Two Bell AB206 JetRangers were delivered by road to Airwork’s facility at Caboolture Airfield in Australia today. Coded 3C-JF and 3C-JM, these were previously operated by the Austrian Air Force and retired from service in 2009. Austria bought a total of 25 AB206/OH-58s, a first batch of 13 AB206A models, followed later by 12 OH-58Bs. ... Read more
15-Feb-2011
Precautionary landing after bird strike... Read more
12-Feb-2011Source: Van Horn Aviation
Composite rotor blade manufacturer Van Horn Aviation (VHA) recently signed an offer to purchase on a 23,000+ sq. ft. facility in Tempe, Ariz., significantly expanding the company’s available manufacturing space compared to its current location. According to VHA president James R. Van Horn, the expansion is required to accommodate current and future rotor blade programs.... Read more
8-Feb-2011
The new medical airlift service, using two helicopters to ferry patients during emergencies to be implemented by the Health Ministry in Sabah later this year, will be the first of its kind in Malaysia.... Read more
4-Feb-2011Source: Donaldson
While thousands enjoy one of the sports world’s most popular annual events, air crews with the Dallas Police Department’s (DPD) Helicopter Unit will be patrolling the skies over this year’s Super Bowl. On every flight, while these airborne law enforcers carry out their vital public safety missions, Inlet Barrier Filters (IBFs) from Donaldson Aerospace &... Read more
2-Feb-2011Source: Today's Zaman
see also HeliHub.com page for this accident – 25-Mar-09 TC-HEK Bell B206L4 Haci Omerli, Turkey (6F) File Photo... Read more
2-Feb-2011
Helicopter was harvesting pine cones and descending to unload. At about 100ft agl, tail rotor authority was lost and the helicopter began to rotate. The main rotor contacted trees and the helicopter crashed on its left side. The pilot was the sole occupant and sustained minor injuries. CADAORS ref 2011C0421... Read more
31-Jan-2011Source: DART Helicopter Services
DART Helicopter Services and its subsidiary Geneva Aviation have completed an agreement with Flightcell® International, Ltd., that will enable commercial helicopter operators to install satellite telephone capabilities quickly and easily in rotorcraft. DART and Geneva Aviation have pending Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for a Flightcell “Iridium†Satellite Phone... Read more
28-Jan-2011
Precautionary landing on school field after warning light illuminated. Timed at 3.30am local... Read more
26-Jan-2011Source: World Bulletin
A recent report prepared by the State Audit Institution (DDK) on a 2009 helicopter accident that killed six people, including Grand Unity Party (BBP) leader Muhsin YazıcıoÄŸlu, has found the deaths “suspicious.â€Â HeliHub.com page for this accident is here. File photo... Read more
25-Jan-2011Source: SK Logistics
SK Logistics was recently awarded an exclusive use helicopter contract supporting DOD agencies at Eglin and Tyndall Air Force Bases. The contract was awarded in December 2010 and will be active for six months. Department of Defense agencies under this contract will be utilizing SK Logistics’ helicopter for prescribed burning, fire suppression and numerous other... Read more
20-Jan-2011
Pilot was Scott Finlayson, rescued safely and briefly hospitalised.... Read more
18-Jan-2011Source: WCF Courier
see also HeliHub.com page for this accident – 23-Jul-10 N40TA Bell B206 New Hampton, US-Mississippi [file photo]... Read more
16-Jan-2011Source: KCRG
see also HeliHub.com report – 28-Jul-10 N275RA Bell B206 St.Olaf, US-Iowa... Read more
15-Jan-2011
Main blades severed tail boom during autorotation on training flight... Read more
14-Jan-2011
Reportedly developed mechanical difficulties and crashed into a coconut tree while landing... Read more
11-Jan-2011
TV reporting helico0pter for WCVB – Boston’s Channel 5. Warning light came on and pilot made immediate emergency landing. No damage to helicopter. Pilot Michael Young employed buy Helicopters Inc, and photographer Karen Lippert of WCVB were aboard.... Read more
6-Jan-2011
NTSB report noted that an autopsy revealed traces of an antihistamine and an opiate on the body of pilot Dennis Donovan, aged 70. See also HeliHub.com accident report page – 05-Jan-10 N5016U Bell B206 nr Redinger Lake, US-California (4F)... Read more
21-Dec-2010
The accident was fatal victim Colonel Dionysos Bomfim, 65, and left the injured co-pilot Yves Monte Costa... Read more
20-Dec-2010Source: HeliHub.com
The 12th Police helicopter unit (Italian – 12° Nucleo Elicotteri Carabinieri) which serves the region of Catania on the Italian island of Sicily has just completed 25 years of flight. The unit currently operates five helicopters (two 206s, one 412, one A109A and a 109 Nexus) from its base at Fontanarossa Airport. Since 1985 it... Read more
16-Dec-2010
Landing accident, damage level not given in FAA preliminary report... Read more
10-Dec-2010
Wire strike during low level patrol. Pilot Tim Kearns was flying in Isom with Mike Lasslo from Kentucky Power and Ed Toppings from United Coal.... Read more
9-Dec-2010Source: Van Horn Aviation
TEMPE, Ariz., December 8, 2010 – Composite tail rotor blade manufacturer Van Horn Aviation (VHA) recently added two Canadian companies as authorized dealers for its composite tail rotor blades. AOG Heli Services (www.aogheliservices.com) based at Norman Rogers Airport in Kingston, Ontario, and Avialta Helicopter Maintenance Ltd. (www.avialta.com) based at Villeneuve Airport in Edmonton, Alberta, have... Read more
9-Dec-2010Source: HeliHub.com
As the temperatures in Florida plummet, so helicopters are called in to fly low level over fields to minimise the chance of frost ruining the crop. Sadly, these operations brought no fewer than three casualties in one County earlier today. Robinson R44 N666SL clipped a post at Palm Beach Glades County Airport, Pahokee around 2am... Read more
9-Dec-2010
Heavy landing on shoreline and skid splayed out. Three passengers with minor injuries, two others have no injuries.... Read more
8-Dec-2010
NTSB officials said the pilot, identified as Jerry Freeman, 53, of Miami, told investigators he had been flying since 3 a.m. and was tired when he crashed. FAA reports the person suffered serious, but not life-threatening, injuries Helicopter was involved in low-level operations to keep frost from forming on crops... Read more
29-Nov-2010Source: Bajan Reporter
Horizon Helicopters of Barbados has entered into a joint venture with National Helicopters Inc. of Ontario Canada to provide helicopter services in support of an international science campaign based in Barbados.... Read more
23-Nov-2010
Instructor and student suffered minor injuries in an accident during helicopter flight training... Read more
22-Nov-2010
E-MED Rescue 24 launched the first-ever air ambulance in Windhoek on Thursday – a Bell LongRanger in association with MVA and Expedite Aviation. A second aircraft is planned for Tsumeb to help serve the Northern region of the country... Read more
21-Nov-2010Source: Watertown Daily Times
Air Evac Lifeteam wants to open a base to provide coverage to Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties.... Read more
3-Nov-2010
Wirestrike reported. Piloted by former ABC7 pilot Rich Westra, the accident tragically killing his wife Kelly Westra.... Read more
26-Oct-2010
Gene Monteleone, 55, of Texas said he was flying his Jet Ranger helicopter from Waynesboro at about 8:15 a.m. Monday when the caution light came on.... Read more
19-Oct-2010Source: DART Helicopter Services
DART Helicopter Services is pleased to announce that their affiliated partner, DART Aerospace Ltd., has received FAA, Transport Canada and EASA approval of their Utility Trim Kits for the Bell 206 L3/L4 models of helicopters. DART’s durable, lightweight interior trim panels improve the aesthetics of the aircraft interior and feature a modern texture. Kits install... Read more
15-Oct-2010Source: Aero Dynamix
Aero Dynamix, Inc., located in Euless, TX, (DFW area) is proud to announce the recent delivery of another NVIS Compatible Lighting System Modification for a Bell Helicopter model 206B-3 to owner/operator, Bristow Academy, Inc., a division of Bristow Group, Inc. (NYSE: BRS). This delivery marks the fifth Bell 206B-3, modified by Aero Dynamix, for Bristow... Read more
15-Oct-2010Source: Aero Dynamix
Aero Dynamix, Inc., located in Euless, TX, (DFW area) is proud to announce the recent delivery of an NVIS Compatible Lighting System Modification for two (2) each Bell 206B Helicopters, owned and operated by Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission located in Titusville, FL. Aero Dynamix, working in association with Bristow Academy, completed the second... Read more
15-Oct-2010
No emergency call made, pilot was only one on board. Ended up on a road in a very wooded area. Deceased named as Joseph Schuengel, age 47, 17 year veteran MSHP officer... Read more
14-Oct-2010
The pilot and one passenger onboard walked away unharmed after the aircraft tipped over as a result of a heavy landing... Read more
14-Oct-2010
The FBI is investigating a report that a hunter fired gunshots at a helicopter in north-central Idaho, hitting it twice.... Read more
13-Oct-2010
Helicopter used to spray herbicide crashed after refueling and chemical hoses were not disconnected before takeoff... Read more
11-Oct-2010Source: Bell
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, today announced the sale of 16 206L4 LongRanger IV helicopters to Air Medical Group Holdings (AMGH), the largest independent provider of Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) in the world. The aircraft will be operated by AMGH subsidiary Air Evac Lifeteam with deliveries in 2012 and 2013. “All... Read more
8-Oct-2010
LAPD helicopter put down in a park at 2.50am after a warning light came on. Engineers called to the scene cleared it for onward flight approx three hours later... Read more
6-Oct-2010
Air Evac Lifeteam proactively grounded its entire fleet of medical helicopters on Thursday, after a bolt on one of its choppers was found to be wearing dangerously thin, way before it was scheduled to be changed out... Read more
30-Sep-2010Source: Phoenix Helicopter Academy
We are very happy to welcome G-HNANY, an extremely well equipped B206 to our fleet.G HANY is a low hour, very well looked after aircraft with 3 coms, 2 GPS’s, auto pilot, Bose head sets, and a completely new paint job and interior. G HANY will be available for type rating once our FTO is... Read more
29-Sep-2010Source: US Dept of Defense
L-3 Communications Vertex Aerospace, LLC, Madison, Miss., is being awarded an $18,530,000 modification to a previously awarded indefinite-delivery requirements contract (N00019-05-D-0023) to exercise an option for logistics support for TH-57B/TH-57C aircraft. Â Work will be performed at Naval Air Station (NAS) Whiting Field, Milton, Fla. (99 percent), and NAS Patuxent River, Md. (1 percent). Â Work is... Read more
27-Sep-2010
Foreign object debris struck main blades on takeoff. Landed without further incident... Read more
25-Sep-2010Source: Chatanooga Times Free Press
The Bell LongRanger will be located temporarily at Fannin Regional Hospital in Blue Ridge, Ga., but Erlanger is building a new hangar and service facility near McCaysville, Ga.... Read more
16-Sep-2010Source: DART Helicopter Services
DART Helicopter Services is pleased to announce that their affiliated partner, DART Aerospace Ltd., has received FAA, Transport Canada and EASA approval of their new Pre-Flight Safety Access Kits for the Bell 206 A/B/L/L1/L3/L4 and Bell 407 series of helicopters. The DART Pre-Flight Safety Access Kits for the Bell 206 series consist of two Pre-Flight... Read more
13-Sep-2010Source: Aeronautical Accessories
Aeronautical Accessories, Inc., an affiliate company of Bell Helicopter, is pleased to announce STC certification of the company’s new Vertical Fin Antenna Mount for Bell 407, 206B, and 206L Series. The product is available for immediate shipment. The new Vertical Fin Antenna Mount boasts several safety benefits including: * Reduces weight by up to 1... Read more
5-Sep-2010Source: DART Helicopter Services
DART Helicopter Services’ announces that their subsidiary partner Apical Industries has received Transport Canada approval or their new Cable Cutters Kits for Bell 206A, B, L, L-1, L-3, L-4 helicopters. FAA and EASA approvals have been previously received. The Cable Cutters Kits provide a means of protecting the helicopter during a wire strike by providing... Read more
