29-Apr-2013Source: Bell
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT), visited with many customers and enthusiasts last week in San Pedro Totoltepec, Mexico at the 10th annual AeroExpo held April 18 to April 20 at Toluca International Airport. Five Bell Helicopter aircraft were displayed at the event, including three corporate-configured Bell 407s, as well as a Bell... Read more
29-Apr-2013Source: Newark Advocate
In its first year of service for Licking County, the helicopters of Air Evac Lifeteam 107 made more than 200 flights and were requested for service more than 460 times. (See Full Story)... Read more
27-Apr-2013
Sole occupant pilot killed after striking wires... Read more
26-Apr-2013Source: Zip Aviation
Zip Aviation re-entered their Bell Jet Ranger 206B into service at their Downtown Manhattan (New York City) Heliport. The Bell Jet Ranger 206B, or known as 99ZA, has received many new upgrades just in time for the summer season. 99ZA’s Turbine engine was overhauled by Aeromaritime, making it like new. The ship was then sent... Read more
26-Apr-2013Source: US DoD
Bell Helicopter Textron Inc., Fort Worth, Texas, has been awarded a maximum $14,361,600 contract for main rotor blades. The award is a firm-fixed-price, sole-source contract. Location of performance is Texas, with a Dec. 31, 2015 performance completion date. Using military service is Navy. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2013 through fiscal 2015 Navy funds. Defense... Read more
25-Apr-2013
Rolled over on landing. Supporting work on radio repeater site on the mountain... Read more
24-Apr-2013Source: Uniflight LLC
Uniflight LLC of Grand Prairie Texas is very pleased to announce the award of a contract by the US Department of the Interior for Helicopter maintenance services in support of the U.S. Park Police. The contract awarded to Uniflight is for one base year and four additional option years. The contract is for the maintenance... Read more
23-Apr-2013
Substantially damaged in landing accident. Although this is a tour helicopter, only two flight crew were on board, no passengers ... Read more
22-Apr-2013Source: KSWO
The Stephens County Sheriff’s Department has a new large piece of equipment that will help the department fight fires or crime from a bird’s eye view. (See full story)... Read more
18-Apr-2013
Bird strike, windscreen broken, landed without further incident, no injuries... Read more
17-Apr-2013Source: Textron
Extract from the quarterly statement of parent company Textron reveals the following:- Bell revenues decreased $45 million, primarily the result of lower military unit deliveries and lower commercial aftermarket sales. Bell delivered 9 V-22’s and 6 H-1’s in the quarter, compared to 10 V-22’s and 7 H-1’s in last year’s first quarter and delivered 40 commercial... Read more
17-Apr-2013Source: Bell
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT), announced today its participation in the 2013 Asian Business Aviation Conference and Exhibition (ABACE) held April 16 to April 18 at Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport. Aerochine, one of Bell Helicopter’s independent representatives in China, will feature Kingwing Aviation’s corporate configured Bell 407GX on static display. This week,... Read more
16-Apr-2013Source: Uniflight LLC
Uniflight LLC of Grand Prairie Texas is very pleased to announce the award of a contract by the Houston Texas Police Department to provide maintenance support for the department’s helicopters. The contract awarded to Uniflight is for one base year and two additional option years. The contract is for the support of Bell Helicopter 412... Read more
15-Apr-2013Source: Bell
Bell Helicopter has announced it is producing and distributing carbide skid shoes for the Bell 429 model, through its Aeronautical Accessories brand. The product utilizes a patented process under the repair station that provides the highest degree of skid gear protection. The Bell 429 skid shoes are long-lasting, extremely durable and reduce wear and operating... Read more
15-Apr-2013Source: US Army
Combat Aviation Brigade was awarded the Army Aviation Association of American Outstanding Aviation Unit of the Year Award at the 2013 AAAA Annual Professional Forum in Fort Worth, Texas on April 11. The Brigade’s primary mission was to conduct full spectrum aviation operations, to defeat the insurgency, support and improve governance and development. Their efforts... Read more
15-Apr-2013Source: Bell
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT), provided a program update on the OH-58 Kiowa Warrior program at the 2013 Army Aviation Association of America’s (AAAA) Annual Professional Forum and Exposition, highlighting the program’s accomplishments in the last year. “The men and women of Bell Helicopter are proud to say we build the rugged... Read more
15-Apr-2013
Door fell from helicopter into school grounds... Read more
15-Apr-2013
We have a recent report in of an emergency landing at 10.28pm of an EMS helicopter near the junction of New River and Cross Mountain roads in New River, Arizona – northern outskirts of Phoenix. Air Methods operating for “Guardian Air”... Read more
14-Apr-2013Source: Bell
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT), will sponsor the Ganassi Racing Team #1 car driven by Jamie McMurray Saturday, April 13, at the NRA 500 at Texas Motor Speedway. McMurray visited the Bell Helicopter Training Academy on April 11 for a cockpit simulator demonstration, meet and greet with Bell Helicopter employees, and flight... Read more
11-Apr-2013Source: Bell
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT), revealed today the Bell V-280 ValorTM, its offering for the Joint Multi Role/Future Vertical Lift (FVL) Technology Demonstrator (JMR/TD), at the 2013 Army Aviation Association of America’s (AAAA) Annual Professional Forum and Exposition in Fort Worth. “The introduction of the Bell V-280 Valor underscores our commitment to... Read more
10-Apr-2013Source: Bell
Bell have announced that it has secured an agreement with the Delaware State Police for the supply of two Bell 429 aircraft. The multi-mission configured Bell 429s will be utilized for both airborne law enforcement operations and helicopter emergency medical services. “For the mission and operations for the Delaware State Police, we evaluated all helicopter... Read more
10-Apr-2013Source: Bell
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT), announced today the kick-off of its participation in Navy League’s Sea-Air-Space Exposition 2013 in National Harbor, Md. April 8-10. Bell Helicopter will display models of the V-22 Osprey, AH-1Z Viper and UH-1Y Venom in its booth as well as new 3-D interactive programs demonstrating the capabilities of... Read more
10-Apr-2013Source: Bell
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT), announced today its participation in the ninth bi-annual LAAD Defense and Security International Exhibition, held April 9 to April 12 at Riocentro in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Bell Helicopter will have a strong presence as an exhibitor, featuring the recently announced Bell 407GT in its booth. “LAAD... Read more
10-Apr-2013Source: Bell
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT), announced today that the Bell 429 has earned Indonesian Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) approval to fly at an increased maximum gross weight of 7,500 lbs. Indonesia marks the seventeenth country to approve the increased maximum gross weight. The DGCA’s approval is based on Transport Canada’s... Read more
9-Apr-2013Source: Bell
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT), announced today that Sameer Rehman will assume the role of director, International Trade Support for Commercial Sales and Marketing. In this newly created position, Rehman will assist with the expansion of Bell Helicopter’s globalization strategy. In his new role, Rehman will develop localized solutions and frameworks for... Read more
9-Apr-2013Source: Bell
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT), announced today that C.M. Hwang will assume the role of managing director of Commercial Sales, Asia Pacific. In this position, Hwang is responsible for all marketing and sales activities within Asia-Pacific as Bell Helicopter continues to expand its presence in the region. “C.M.’s extensive background in the... Read more
9-Apr-2013Source: US Army
82nd Combat Aviation Brigade aviators received 81 individual awards and a unit plaque from Bell Helicopter at the brigade headquarters, March 28. Bell, who manufactures the OH-58 D Kiowa Warrior helicopters flown by the pilots of 1st Squadron, 17th Air Cavalry Regiment, awarded the company’s pipe tomahawk pins and plaque to the Saber squadron in... Read more
9-Apr-2013Source: Bell
A new initiative for Bell Helicopter in 2013, the safety symposium educates maintainers and operators on key safety practices and applications to implement into their daily operations. The effort is tied in part to Bell Helicopter’s participation in the International Helicopter Safety Team’s mission to achieve an 80 percent reduction in the rate of international... Read more
8-Apr-2013Source: AeroSimulators
AeroSimulators announced today that it has entered into simulator maintenance and support agreements with Bond Air Services and INAER Helicópteros Off-Shore. Under the support agreements, AeroSimulators will be responsible for the delivery and provision of spares, support equipment, maintenance and re-certification services, as well as on-site training and documentation. These support services will cover an... Read more
8-Apr-2013Source: Brownwood
The Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon cutting for Air Evac Lifeteam on Tuesday, March 26, at their new hanger on Streckert Drive in Brownwood (see full story).... Read more
5-Apr-2013Source: Hawker Pacific
Hawker Pacific, leading aircraft sales and product support company in Asia, Pacific and the Middle East, is pleased to announce the delivery of a Bell 407 Helicopter to a north Queensland operator which will be used for utility operations. The deal reflects the Company’s initiatives in servicing the pre-owned market in the region. Tony Jones,... Read more
5-Apr-2013
2 of 5 on board injured in heavy landing while on post-maintenance test flight... Read more
4-Apr-2013Source: Globe Gazette
A new Mercy Air Med helicopter for Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa has arrived and has been transporting patients since Tuesday, Patti Peterson, RN, director of the Emergency Department at Mercy-North Iowa (see full story).... Read more
3-Apr-2013Source: Illawarra Mercury
A proposal to relocate the Albion Park Rail-based rescue helicopter to Nowra has met the same fierce community opposition directed towards the plan to move the chopper to Sydney (see full story).... Read more
2-Apr-2013Source: US DoD
Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded a $13,085,222 advance acquisition contract to provide long lead parts and components required for the manufacture and delivery of 15 Lot 11 UH-1Y Build New Aircraft and 10 Lot 11 AH-1Z Build New Aircraft for the Marine Corps. Work will be performed in Fort Worth,... Read more
27-Mar-2013Source: HeliHub.com
Following a concerted public effort within the geographical area of Bardufoss, the Royal Norwegian Air Force have moved two Bell 412s to Bardufoss. This will meet the campaign’s target to provide a better spread of aviation resources throughout the country, particularly for emergency situations. Defence Minister Anne-Grete Strøm-Erichsen has also said that these helicopters are... Read more
27-Mar-2013Source: Latitude
Latitude Technologies (Latitude) announced that the company has received a FAA STC for the SkyNode S100 flight following and flight date transceiver for installation in more than 800 Part 23 category aircraft. Latitude has also recently received FAA approval of the SkyNode S100 including the IONode Flight Data Monitoring system for light helicopters including Bell... Read more
27-Mar-2013
Offshore operation for Petrobras, ditched in the sea, three POB got out OK... Read more
26-Mar-2013Source: HeliHub.com
Technically not “safety recommendations” but the latter part of the investigation report into the accident of Bell LongRanger ZK-ISF in January 2011 pulls no punches on what helicopter pilots should consider when flying over water. The pilot was not wearing a life jacket, and was in the water over two hours before being rescued. The... Read more
26-Mar-2013Source: Becker Avionics
The Sacramento Metro Fire Air Operations unit recently received a grant to upgrade its avionics and selected the Becker Avionics DVCS6100 digital airborne audio control system for one of its UH-1 multi-mission helicopters. The aircraft is currently undergoing an avionics upgrade at Advanced Helicopter Services (AHS) facility in Woodland, CA-near Sacramento. The popular Becker DVCS6100... Read more
26-Mar-2013Source: US DoD
L-3 Communications Vertex Aerospace LLC., Madison, Miss., is being awarded a $12,946,025 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery requirements contract (N00019-12-D-0003) for logistics services support of the TH-57 aircraft fleet. Services to be provided include repair and/or overhaul of aircraft, engines, avionics and related components. Work will be performed at the Naval Air Station,... Read more
23-Mar-2013
Helicopter substantially damaged in emergency landing on road. Bridegroom Rishi Ramdeo, his parents Vijay and Danmathie and best man Robert Soogram were injured after their helicopter crashed outside the wedding venue. The pilot and the groom were reported in a critical condition and the other occupants were treated for mild to serious injuries.... Read more
23-Mar-2013
Training accident. Main rotors severed tail boom, aircraft ended upright on its skids... Read more
21-Mar-2013Source: WUFT
Gainesville Police Department launched its helicopter back in the air Tuesday after a 15-month hiatus.Helicopter (see full story). File photo... Read more
21-Mar-2013Source: West Texas A&M University
Extract from a newsletter covering multiple stories Dr. Matthew Jackson was named the Bell Helicopter Professor of Engineering. His appointment will begin in 2013 and end in 2015. Dr. Jackson presented a current research project at the Endowed Professorships and Chairs Convocation on February 20, 2013. The School of Engineering and Computer Science would like... Read more
19-Mar-2013Source: Australian Helicopters
Australian Helicopters has been selected as the new helicopter provider to support both Central Queensland Helicopter Rescue Service (CQRS), based in Mackay, and Capricorn Helicopter Rescue Service (CHRS), based in Rockhampton, to assist with emergency response on behalf of Queensland Health. The services will transition over in July 2013 from incumbent operators at both the... Read more
19-Mar-2013Source: Scott’s Bell 47, Inc
The 47GT-6 helicopter was announced by SB47 earlier this month at the Heli Expo 2013 in Las Vegas, NV and will enter service in 2016. The 47GT-6 will be powered by the RR300 engine and will also include a new, modern Instrument Panel similar to that currently being developed by SB47 for use on the... Read more
19-Mar-2013
Vertical fin contacted pipe on landing on offshore platform... Read more
18-Mar-2013Source: HeliHub.com
Here are some photos of the new retractable gear Bell 429 as announced at Heli-Expo in Las Vegas earlier this month. HeliHub.com understands that it is the wheeled variant which has led to Bell pushing the certified maximum weight up from 7,000lb to 7,500lb, and while many national authorities have already agreed the higher figure,... Read more
16-Mar-2013
Officials from the International Security Assistance Force said they have no indication that the helicopter was brought down by enemy activity in the area.... Read more
15-Mar-2013Source: Scott’s - Bell 47, Inc.
Scott’s – Bell 47, Inc. (SB47) today released a Question & Answer format information letter providing more details on their 47GT-6 helicopter launched recently at Heli Expo 2013 in Las Vegas, NV. Chris Meyer, SB47’s General Manager, stated “we are very pleased with the launch of the 47GT-6 and how it was received by our... Read more
14-Mar-2013Source: Tanis Aircraft Products
Tanis Aircraft Products is proud to announce a Supplemental Type Certificate for the Bell 429 – Installation of Tanis Preheat System. Tanis manufactures the only heli-preheat system that thoroughly and safely heats all critical components. Helicopter preheat systems typically include heating elements for the engine, main rotor gear box, accessory gear box, tail rotor gear... Read more
13-Mar-2013Source: Northrop Grumman
The U.S. Navy has awarded Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) a contract valued at more than $71 million to produce six additional next-generation Fire Scout unmanned helicopters. The Fire Scout endurance upgrade, designated the MQ-8C and based on Bell Helicopter’s 407, will provide ship commanders with increased range, endurance and payload capacity over the current MQ-8B... Read more
13-Mar-2013Source: Tennessee Highway Patrol
Department of Safety and Homeland Security Commissioner Bill Gibbons joined Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) Colonel Tracy Trott to announce the permanent assignment of a THP helicopter and pilot to assist with aviation support of law enforcement in west Tennessee. This permanent aviation support will enhance public safety by increasing response time to incidents or missions... Read more
12-Mar-2013Source: Bell
It was impossible to miss Bell Helicopter this week in Las Vegas at HELI-EXPO 2013, the world’s largest helicopter trade show and exhibition. Taking center stage as the show’s largest exhibitor, Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT) greeted record crowds of almost 20,000 event attendees who filled the Bell Helicopter booth to speak... Read more
12-Mar-2013Source: Bell
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT), announced today an enhanced relationship with the Public Safety Aviation Accreditation Commission (PSAAC) a subsidiary of the Airborne Law Enforcement Association (ALEA), as part of Bell Helicopter’s continued commitment to advancing safety in the rotorcraft industry. Bell Helicopter is the exclusive sponsor in the development of PSAAC’s... Read more
12-Mar-2013
Accident around 1am local on night training mission. Both reservists killed, named by IDF as Lt.-Col. (res.) Noam Ron, 49, and Maj. (res.) Erez Flekser, 31. The pilots had radioed the Palmahim air base before the crash, saying they would land there in six minutes. There was no distress call prior to the accident.... Read more
9-Mar-2013Source: Bell
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT), announced today the appointment of Helidrive as its new independent representative for Russia. Helidrive is the first Bell Helicopter authorized independent sales representative in northwest Russia. Bell Helicopter and Helidrive also announced recent purchase agreements for five aircraft – two Bell 429s and three Bell 407GXs. “Russia... Read more
9-Mar-2013Source: Star-Telegram
Bell Helicopter is making early retirement offers to employees age 55 and older as it moves to tighten its belt in the face of looming budget cuts in Washington. (see full story)... Read more
9-Mar-2013
Air Evac Lifeteam broke ground Monday for its newest air ambulance base in Potosi on the campus of Washington County Memorial Hospital (see full story)... Read more
8-Mar-2013Source: Sky Talk blog
Fifteen hourly workers have been laid off at Bell Helicopter, a union official has confirmed. (see full story)... Read more
8-Mar-2013Source: Honeywell
Honeywell (NYSE: HON) previously announced that the HTS900 turboshaft engine was chosen by Eagle Copters Ltd. for its re-engine program for the Bell 407, named the Eagle 407HP. The concept of this engine conversion program originated in 2009 and now, after the successful conclusion of integration and ground testing, the Eagle 407HP is in the... Read more
7-Mar-2013Source: Scott’s – Bell 47
Scott’s – Bell 47, Inc. (SB47) announced today that Vertical Aviation LLC of Scottsdale, AR, has agreed to purchase 2 47GT-6 helicopters and also signed up to become their dealer and customer service facility for the United States Southwest Region. The 47GT-6 helicopter was announced by SB47 at the start of the Heli Expo 2013... Read more
7-Mar-2013Source: Bell
Bell Helicopter has announced it is distributing a new cargo basket under its Aeronautical Accessories brand, produced by Aero Design Ltd. for the Bell 429 aircraft. The new product was developed jointly through Bell Helicopter and Aero Design. The quick release cargo basket received Transport Canada certification supplemental type certificate SH12-58 in Nov. 2012 and... Read more
7-Mar-2013Source: Bell
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc (NYSE: TXT) company, announced it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Van Horn Aviation to develop a composite tail rotor blade for the Bell 212 and Bell 412 product lines. Van Horn Aviation has agreed to design, certify and manufacture the rotor blades with Bell Helicopter Engineering participating... Read more
7-Mar-2013Source: Bell
Bell Helicopter is pleased to announce that, through its Aeronautical Accessories brand, it is the exclusive distributor of Tanis Aircraft Products’ new preheat system for the Bell 429 aircraft. The Heli-Preheat system provides numerous benefits for operators in cold climates. When used for the prescribed time, benefits can include an increase in reliability and safety... Read more
7-Mar-2013Source: Bell
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT), today announced an agreement for the sale of 30 Bell helicopters – 24 Bell 407 and six Bell 206L-4 helicopters – to Air Medical Group Holdings (AMGH), one of the largest independent provider of helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) in the world. Deliveries are scheduled to begin... Read more
7-Mar-2013Source: Northwest Helicopters
Northwest Helicopters LLC today announced the sale of a Bell UH-1H Plus to Travis County STAR Flight, at the HELI-EXPO industry show in Las Vegas, NV. Included in the sale is the option for 1 additional aircraft, to perform fire suppression and support duties. The UH-1H Plus is powered by a 1,800 SHP T53-L-703 engine... Read more
7-Mar-2013Source: P&WC
HELI-EXPO – Bell Helicopter, a Textron Company (NYSE:TXT), has selected Pratt & Whitney’s Canada’s (P&WC) PT6T-9 Twin-Pac® engines to power its upgraded Bell 412EPI helicopter. The announcement was made during the Helicopter Association International (HAI) HELI-EXPO in Las Vegas, Nevada. P&WC is a United Technologies Corporation company (NYSE:UTX). “The PT6T family of turboshaft engines has... Read more
7-Mar-2013Source: Honeywell
Honeywell HON +0.83% announced that it has been selected by Bell Helicopter to provide the auxiliary power unit (APU) and environmental control system for Bell’s new 525 Relentless helicopter platform, which is scheduled for first flight in 2014. The Honeywell RE100 APU provides significant system weight savings over competing systems. The APU also gives operators... Read more
7-Mar-2013Source: Moog Inc
Moog Inc. MOG.A +0.31% MOG.B +0.16% announced today that it finalized the terms of a contract with Bell Helicopter for the design, qualification and manufacturing of the primary flight control actuation on the new Bell 525 Relentless helicopter. Last February, Bell Helicopter launched the 525 Relentless Program, a Super Medium(TM) twin capable of carrying up... Read more
7-Mar-2013Source: TEGAM
The TEGAM Model R1L-BR1 bond meter is a purpose built, rechargeable battery powered portable instrument for ground bond measurements. The R1L-BR1 comes with BCP-10 Kelvin Probes and KAK-1M Kelvin Alligator Klips, all housed within a ruggedized case for protection during transport. It has been selected for deployment in support of the Kiowa Warrior Armed Reconnaissance... Read more
6-Mar-2013Source: Scott’s – Bell 47
Scott’s – Bell 47, Inc. (SB47) became the talk of Heli Expo 2013 today with their announcement that they will return the Model 47 to production as a new turbine powered helicopter with the Rolls Royce RR300 engine. The model will be named the 47GT-6. This historic announcement was made today at 12:30PM on day... Read more
6-Mar-2013Source: Shadin Avionics
Shadin Avionics, a global leader in aircraft fuel management solutions, announces the installation of the Shadin Avionics AIS Fuel Flow system on the Bell 412 Helicopter EPI. Shadin Avionics continues its legacy of fuel management solutions by offering the new AIS Fuel Flow “Behind the Glass” system. The 412 EPI installation includes the new Shadin... Read more
