17-Mar-2015
Heavy landing on snow, damaging the helicopter. two pilots and two technicians on board were not seriously injured. Army code EI-351... Read more
16-Mar-2015Source: Bell
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, announced it secured customer commitments to purchase nearly 300 new Bell helicopters at last week’s Heli-Expo show in Orlando, FL. The customer signing ceremonies followed some of the company’s largest commercial orders in its history, including the sale of 200 Bell 407GXPS to Air Methods Corporation and... Read more
16-Mar-2015Source: AVPRO
Avpro announced several deals during the HAI Heli-Expo (March 2-5, 2015) in Orlando, Florida. Day one: Avpro reached an agreement to sell a Year 2009 Bell 429 s/n 57056 to an undisclosed buyer on behalf of its client SAEREOS, Bell Helicopter distributor in Ecuador. Day two: Avpro acting on behalf of its client, Kocoglu Group,... Read more
16-Mar-2015
Manoevring accident – in hover, tail rotor hit the tail rotor of another helicopter on the apron... Read more
16-Mar-2015
Manoevring accident – in hover, tail rotor hit the tail rotor of another helicopter on the apron... Read more
16-Mar-2015
On patrol at 600′ AGL flying south along Interstate 45 over the Trinity River struck two ducks. Landed safely with minor damage... Read more
12-Mar-2015Source: HeliHub.com
With time to reflect following the end of Heli Expo, Andrew Drwiega gives a quick summary of some of the key points that were made by OEMs during the show. Now that the dust has settled from Heli Expo, Florida, for another year what, if anything, did we learn from the world’s biggest helicopter exposition?... Read more
12-Mar-2015Source: Bell
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT), announced today that SECO International in Japan, has entered into a letter of intent to order 10 Bell 505 Jet Ranger X helicopters. The announcement was made as part of a formal signing ceremony at Bell Helicopter’s booth during the world’s largest helicopter trade show and exposition,... Read more
12-Mar-2015Source: US DoD
Bell Helicopter Textron Inc., Hurst, Texas, is being awarded an $8,431,030 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-14-C-0022) to exercise an option for delivery of one Bell 407 Analog Helicopter, and preservation and storage of seven aircraft in support of the endurance upgrade of the MQ-8C Fire Scout. Work will be performed in Ozark,... Read more
10-Mar-2015Source: LORD
LORD Corporation has extended the warranty on all the Bell 407 Main Rotor hub elastomeric components to 2,500 hours or three years (whichever comes first). Parts covered by the extended warranty include the lead lag bearing (407-310-102-101 & -103), shear bearing (407-310-101-101 & -105) and damper (407-310-100-105 & -107). Bell Helicopter approved the upgrade to... Read more
10-Mar-2015Source: mlive
The sound of twin jet engines and rotors intensifies as the Michigan State Police helicopter rocks from side to side and gently lifts off the ground, leaving the runways of MBS International Airport in the distance. See Full Story... Read more
10-Mar-2015Source: Bell
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT), announced today the signed agreement for the sale of four Bell 206L-4s to Air Medical Group Holdings (AMGH), one of the largest independent providers of helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) in the world. The aircraft will be operated by Air Evac Lifeteam for HEMS missions. Deliveries are... Read more
9-Mar-2015Source: INAER
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and the Environment (Magrama) awarded contracts to INAER for four of the five helicopters providing firefighting, surveillance and forest fire coordination services for the 2015 winter-spring season. This service will remain active during the months of March, April and part of May. The aircraft resources for this new contract include... Read more
9-Mar-2015Source: FRASCA
FRASCA International, Inc., Urbana, IL has been contracted to provide a Bell 206L Level 7 Flight Training Device (FTD) to Air Evac Lifeteam, O’Fallon, Missouri. The FTD will be an FAA Level 7 Bell 206L with Garmin G500H, Genesys Aerosystems HeliSAS, HTAWS, and Garmin GTN650. It will also feature Frasca’s high-fidelity NVG simulation for the... Read more
8-Mar-2015
The helicopter went down in mountainous terrain while water bombing the area, killing the pilot – named later here as Hendrik Marais... Read more
7-Mar-2015
Force landed in a field, no injuries... Read more
6-Mar-2015Source: Bell
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT), announced a collaboration with Safran Turbomeca USA (Turbomeca) to provide a Service By the Hour (SBH) program for the Arrius 2R engine in the Bell 505 Jet Ranger X. The agreement compliments Bell Helicopter’s Mission Critical SupportTM (MCS) program for the Bell 505 – a pay-as-you-fly program... Read more
6-Mar-2015Source: Bell
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company, (NYSE: TXT), has contracted Hughes Aerospace Corporation to develop performance based navigation (PBN) procedures for use by operators flying Bell helicopters with advanced onboard navigation systems in China. The selection process for the first location in China is underway. “Performance based navigation is a real win for our operators in China,”... Read more
5-Mar-2015Source: Component Control
Northwest Helicopters, LLC, the largest helicopter company in the state of Washington, will be expanding its Quantum Control MRO and Logistics software footprint to include the integration of StockMarket, and the addition of manufacturing for Mechanical Specialties, LLC, a subsidiary that will manufacture the Bell model 505 cargo hook. Northwest Helicopters, located at the Olympia... Read more
5-Mar-2015
Tail rotor strike on landing, substantially damaged... Read more
4-Mar-2015Source: Bell
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT), announced today the sale of four Bell 429s configured for Airborne Law Enforcement (ALE) and one Bell 412EPI configured for Search and Rescue (SAR) to the National Operations Centre, Air Division (NOCAD) in Trinidad and Tobago. The contract was signed by NOCAD Executive Director Mr. Garvin Heerah... Read more
4-Mar-2015Source: Bell
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT), announced today the sale of a Bell 407GX to Italy-based, Elicompany. The aircraft, configured for corporate and VIP transport and charter, will be the first Bell 407GX to operate in Italy, and was the first sale conducted by Bell Helicopter’s new office in Milan, Italy. The aircraft... Read more
4-Mar-2015Source: Bell
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT), announced today at Heli-Expo the company’s Prague facility has begun installation on the first Bell 429 to be outfitted with Mecaer Aviation Group’s (MAG) VVIP luxury interior branded the “MAGnificent”. For pictures of Mecaer’s Bell 429 interior, please visit this link. “We teamed up with MAG and... Read more
4-Mar-2015Source: Wysong
Wysong Enterprises, Inc., (Wysong) announced this week it has received a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for multiple EMS interior accessories on the Bell 407 and 407GX airframe. “We have become an industry leader in the completion and customizing of Bell 407 EMS helicopters,” said Vice President of Wysong Enterprises, Inc., Rodney... Read more
3-Mar-2015Source: Bell
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT), announced today Waypoint Leasing (Ireland) Limited (“Waypoint”) has signed a letter of intent (LOI) to acquire 20 Bell 525 Relentless helicopters with options for additional aircraft. Waypoint plans to provide the Bell 525 Relentless to operators servicing a wide range of missions, including oil and gas, emergency... Read more
3-Mar-2015Source: Turbomeca
Turbomeca (Safran) is scheduled to obtain type-certification for its new Arrius 2R engine by the end of 2015. Selected to power Bell Helicopter’s Bell 505 Jet Ranger X, Arrius 2R is the only engine in the 500 shp range to feature a dual-channel FADEC. With seven million flight hours already logged by Arrius models, the... Read more
3-Mar-2015Source: Rolls-Royce
Rolls-Royce and Bell Helicopter have signed a long-term agreement to install upgraded M250 engines in new Bell 407GXP helicopters, boosting power and fuel efficiency. Deliveries of M250-C47B/8 engines for Bell 407GXP helicopters will include a factory installed Value Improvement Package (VIP) kit, which will increase “hot and high” power by up to 8 percent, while... Read more
3-Mar-2015Source: Helinet
Helinet Technologies, an international provider of aviation technology solutions to the law enforcement, government and military markets, announced today its selection by the Swedish National Police (SNP) to deploy a comprehensive, country-wide airborne law enforcement solution. This will include a customized mission suite for the agency’s seven, newly acquired Bell 429 helicopters as well as the... Read more
3-Mar-2015Source: Bell
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT), announced today an agreement for the sale of 200 Bell 407GXPs configured for Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) to Air Methods Corporation (Nasdaq: AIRM), the largest provider of air medical transport services in the world. This order marks one of the largest commercial sales in Bell Helicopter’s... Read more
3-Mar-2015Source: Bell
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT), introduced today at Heli-Expo 2015 the new Bell 407GXP. The new aircraft incorporates the reliability and advanced technology of the Bell 407GX platform, and introduces performance improvement, payload increase and pilot workload reduction. “The Bell 407GXP enhances customer value with improvements in mission capability,” said Matt Hasik,... Read more
3-Mar-2015Source: Sagem
Sagem (part of Safran) is calling on its 25 years of expertise in flight data analysis to offer its proven and state-of-the-art safety tools – Analysis Ground Station (AGS) and Cassiopée Flight Data Monitoring (FDM) services – to every Bell Helicopter commercial platform currently in production. These solutions are designed to support investigation, identify unsafe... Read more
3-Mar-2015Source: BLR Aerospace
Some 850 BLR Aerospace FastFin® Tail Rotor Enhancement and Stability Systems are now operating in 30 nations worldwide, elevating the performance of Bell Medium helicopters and helping a wide range of operators improve mission effectiveness. More than half of all FastFin Systems are operating in North America, followed by Latin America (20 percent) and Asia... Read more
3-Mar-2015Source: Bell
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company, (NYSE: TXT), today announced the purchase of two Bell 407GX and a letter of intent to purchase five Bell 505 aircraft by Qiqihar Kun Feng General Aviation Co., a subsidiary of Kun Feng Group, a agricultural holding company. “For many years Qiqihar Kun Feng has utilized leased helicopters in... Read more
2-Mar-2015Source: Bell
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT), announced the sale of 15 Bell 407GXs to the Mexican Air Force (FAM) with deliveries to begin this year. The aircraft will be configured for a variety of parapublic missions. “We are extremely pleased to provide the Mexican Air Force with such a high performing and reliable aircraft,” said... Read more
2-Mar-2015
The Pilot was repositioning 12 passengers from the bottom to the top of the Ghosts Drimie ski run. Upon departure, the Pilot elected to take-off downhill and downwind due to the terrain. The aircraft started to settle as it transited across a field and entered a ‘snowball’ at which time the pilot lost visual reference.... Read more
1-Mar-2015Source: Forecast International
As the military rotorcraft market enters a downturn, Forecast International sees a strong niche in the medium/heavy military rotorcraft sector with over 5,300 units expected to be produced in the next 10 years. The company’s new study “The Market for Medium/Heavy Military Rotorcraft” reports that, during the 2015-2024 forecast period, the value of production will... Read more
1-Mar-2015Source: BLR Aerospace
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has certified a performance increase for Bell 206L helicopters equipped with dual tailboom strakes from BLR Aerospace. It is the first time BLR has certified one of its performance-enhancing products for a light helicopter, according to Vice President of Sales and Marketing Dave Marone. The new Flight Manual Supplement certifies... Read more
1-Mar-2015Source: VIH Aerospace
VIH Aerospace (VIHA), a leading provider of global helicopter maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services (Heli-Expo Booth # 3837) has received a Federal Aviation Administration Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for an aftermarket replacement Master Caution Panel (Model #: MCP01) for the Bell 212 series helicopter (STC#: # SR03503NY). European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) approvals are... Read more
1-Mar-2015Source: Bell
Bell Helicopter a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT), announced it has recently received certification for an improved Category A (CAT A) procedure on the Bell 412EPI from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The new CAT A backup procedure provides a significant increase in payload, performance and operational versatility. The alternate backup procedure for the Bell 412EPI provides improved... Read more
27-Feb-2015Source: Bell
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT), announced today the Ministry of Health in Kuwait will be operating the first two Bell 429s configured for Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) in the Middle East. The purchase agreement for the aircraft was announced at the end of last year, and is a milestone win for... Read more
27-Feb-2015
Agricultural aircraft hit powerlines and came down in orange orchard. Pilot seriously injured and airlifted to hospital... Read more
26-Feb-2015Source: Bell
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT), announces its show plans for the world’s largest helicopter trade show and exposition, Heli-Expo 2015. Hosted by the Helicopter Association International (HAI), this year’s Heli-Expo will be held March 3-5 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL. While engaging with current and prospective customers, Bell... Read more
26-Feb-2015Source: Bell
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT), announced today the sale and delivery of 16 new Bell 407GXs to BBM Inc. of Reno, Nevada. The aircraft will be operated in the Middle East, and configured to suit a changing variety of urgent mission profiles, ranging from casualty evacuation (CASEVAC) to reconnaissance. The aircraft were... Read more
26-Feb-2015Source: Bell
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT), announced today it has made the first delivery of the Bell 429 Wheeled Landing Gear (WLG) in North America. The aircraft has been delivered to professional NASCAR driver and founder and CEO of SunEnergy1, Kenny Habul. SunEnergy1 is a vertically integrated solar energy performance certificate (EPC) company... Read more
26-Feb-2015Source: Mid-Continent Instrument
Mid-Continent Instruments and Avionics today announced that the company’s MD302 Standby Attitude Module (SAM®) is being offered as the digital standby display in the Bell Helicopter 407GX, Enstrom Helicopter 480B-G, and the MD Helicopters MD900 Explorer. “SAM was a reliable and robust solution for our standby instrument need. The clean design and the ability to... Read more
26-Feb-2015Source: European Plastics News
UK-based EOS has announced that its EOSINT P 730 plastic laser-sintering machine has been used by Bell Helicopter and 3D printing company Harvest to make helicopter parts. See Full Story... Read more
25-Feb-2015Source: Bell
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT), announced today the Bell 505 Jet Ranger X’s second flight test vehicle has successfully achieved its first flight. The Bell 505’s flight test vehicle one completed its first flight in November of last year, and the program has quickly progressed, performing additional flight tests and numerous practice... Read more
25-Feb-2015Source: Bell
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT), announced today the signed purchase agreement for a Bell 429 outfitted to perform utility roles in the Middle East by Saudi Geological Survey. The company will use the aircraft to support geological mapping, mineral exploration and many other sustainable management activities. The aircraft was signed for by... Read more
24-Feb-2015Source: US DoD
Bell Helicopter Textron Inc., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded a $50,095,510 three year firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the repair of four weapons replaceable assemblies in support of the H-1 Legacy helicopter, including the right hand and left hand stub wings, gearboxes and main rotor blades. Work will be performed in Hurst, Texas, and work... Read more
24-Feb-2015Source: US DoD
Bell Helicopter Textron Inc., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded a $6,800,000 undefinitized contract action for the repair of AH-1W helicopter transmissions. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas, and work will be completed by October 2016. Fiscal 2015 Navy working capital funds in the amount of $3,332,000 will be obligated at the time... Read more
24-Feb-2015Source: Bell
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT), officially opened a new regional branch office in the United Arab Emirates this week. Located in the Capital Gate Tower in Abu Dhabi, the new facility will serve as a regional hub with personnel in place to facilitate sales and marketing efforts for Bell Helicopter. “We see... Read more
19-Feb-2015
Fell onto its side on take-off... Read more
17-Feb-2015Source: Textron
Bell Helicopter will showcase their commercial and military products to a global audience at the company’s exhibit at stand 03-C30. A model of the new Bell 525 Relentless fly-by-wire commercial helicopter will be on display, along with models of the company’s next generation V-280 tiltrotor and the Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey. “IDEX is considered by... Read more
17-Feb-2015Source: Bell
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company, (NYSE: TXT), announced its affiliate company McTurbine, Inc. (McTurbine) received authorization from Honeywell International, Inc. to serve as a Licensed Repair Facility for the Honeywell T53 series engine. “We are pleased to work with Honeywell and to join the Honeywell T53 support network, “ said Chera Ellis, manager, McTurbine.... Read more
15-Feb-2015Source: Aero Design
Aero Design is ecstatic to announce the Canadian certification of The Aero Design MEGA Basket for the Bell 205 and 212. The cargo basket features a huge 108.8” length, massive 29” width and is available with a low profile lid offering 21” inside height or a high profile lid offering an exceptional 27.1” inside height.... Read more
15-Feb-2015
Sole occupant pilot safe but was immediately flown back to Port Moresby for transfer to hospital for X-ray and medical observation. Unknown circumstances or level of damage to helicopter... Read more
13-Feb-2015
Emergency landing after vibration experienced. No patient on board... Read more
12-Feb-2015Source: Textron
Bell Helicopter,Textron Aviation Inc.,and Textron Systems, all businesses of Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT), announced today their joint presence during Aero India 2015, February 18-22, at Air Force Station Yelahanka, Bengaluru. “Our strong showing at Aero India is evidence of Textron’s commitment to forge strategic relationships for coproduction and development in India,” said Inderjit Sial, president and managing... Read more
12-Feb-2015
Training accident of a SeaRanger out of Whiting Field NAS, rolling over onto its side while landing... Read more
11-Feb-2015Source: Waypoint
Waypoint Leasing (Ireland) Limited (“Waypoint”), the largest independent global helicopter leasing company, today announced that it has closed on a multi-aircraft agreement with RLC, the largest privately held helicopter operator in the Gulf of Mexico. The initial transaction includes the purchase and leaseback of 10 helicopters, including the Bell 407 and Bell 206L4, supporting near-shore... Read more
11-Feb-2015Source: Boeing
The V-22 team of Bell Helicopter and Boeing [NYSE: BA] recently delivered two MV-22 Osprey flight training simulators to the HMX-1 Presidential Airlift Squadron, enabling Marine aviators to more efficiently train for their critical and highly-visible transport mission. With the simulators, which are installed at the squadron’s headquarters in Quantico, Va., aircrews can rehearse missions... Read more
11-Feb-2015
Heliski operation landing atop Sprout Mountain with 2 pax in an area cleared of snow accumulation, when the main rotor struck a nearby cabin. The helicopter tail section was severed but the helicopter remained upright and all occupants exited uninjured. The area which had been prepared for the arrival of the helicopter was located beside... Read more
10-Feb-2015Source: Bell
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT), announced today a signed agreement with Erickson Incorporated to assume product support responsibility of the Bell 214 B and ST models, including spare parts supply, technical assistance, maintenance training, and maintenance, repair and overhaul services (MRO). This agreement will extend the life of the Bell 214 aircraft... Read more
9-Feb-2015Source: Bell
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company, (NYSE: TXT), announced the Bell 505 Jet Ranger X was awarded “best light single engine helicopter” according to the Hurun Report’s survey of China’s luxury consumers. “We are incredibly excited the Bell 505 has been awarded this distinction in China,” said Chris Jaran, Vice President for Bell Helicopter in... Read more
6-Feb-2015Source: Becker
Becker Avionics International is pleased to announce Ecolift Corporation, a leading Bell Helicopter distributor and aviation customizing firm, located in San Juan, Puerto Rico, has chosen the Becker DVCS6100 Digital Audio System for integration into Puerto Rico Police Department’s three B429 helicopters. Recognized for its unparalleled scalability and rugged design, the DVCS6100 Digital Audio System... Read more
6-Feb-2015Source: Market Reports
MarketReportsStore.com adds Global Military Rotorcraft Market 2015-2025 research report of 186 pages that forecasts a CAGR of 2.61% for military rotorcraft industry across the globe for next 10 years. The Global Military Rotorcraft Market 2015-2025 report provides readers with a detailed analysis of both historic and forecast global industry values, factors influencing demand, the challenges... Read more
5-Feb-2015Source: Bell
Bell Helicopter will demonstrate the premiere in Russia Bell 505 Jet Ranger X at the 8th International Helicopter Industry Exhibition took its maiden flight in Canada in November, 2014. Bell 505 designed according to the customers’ wishes was primarily oriented to consideration of safety, flight performance and price factors. Proven systems are combined with the... Read more
5-Feb-2015
During a run-on downwind landing, the main rotor contacted the helicopters tail boom. The tail rotor driveshaft cover was damaged and the tail rotor driveshaft was creased. The aircraft’s vertical winglets were also struck by the main rotor blades. The helicopter’s occupants were not injured. CADORS 2015P0188... Read more
5-Feb-2015
conducting heliski operations with one pilot and five passengers aboard. During a run-on downwind landing, the main rotor contacted the helicopters tail boom. The tail rotor driveshaft cover was damaged and the tail rotor driveshaft was creased. The aircraft’s vertical winglets were also struck by the main rotor blades. The helicopter’s occupants were not injured.... Read more
4-Feb-2015
Two POB not seriously injuried in UH-1H crash in which helicopter ended up on its roof in open grass area... Read more
4-Feb-2015
2 POB both injured, one seriously. Heavy vertical landing with skids splayed out. Main rotor had chopped tail boom but main blades still attached to rotor head CADORS 2015C0395... Read more
3-Feb-2015Source: Synodon
Synodon Inc. (“Synodon”) (SYD), announces that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) approving the installation of Synodon’s realSens(TM) system on Bell 206B Jet Ranger type helicopters registered and operating in the United States. Synodon already holds an STC for this helicopter in Canada as well as STC’s in both... Read more
3-Feb-2015Source: HeliRussia
Traditionally, on a platform of Crocus Expo IEC will be held the gala review of helicopters featuring all developments and technical achievements of the last year. In addition to full scale specimens a wide range of navigation equipment, systems of radio control, equipment for helipads will be presented in the frames of the exhibition. Participation... Read more
2-Feb-2015Source: Litigation Daily
Lawyers at Mayer Brown scored a victory in a patent fight between two of the world’s biggest helicopter distributors, persuading a judge to block Bell Helicopter from selling choppers with a landing gear design that infringes a patent held by Airbus. See Full Story... Read more
29-Jan-2015
Impacted terrain during autorotation demonstration... Read more