On December 11, the Bell Innovation flight test team at our Mirabel, Quebec facility conducted the first flight of an alternate configuration of the Autonomous Pod Transport (APT) in collaboration with ARA Robotics. This platform operates with the same architecture and propulsion system of our renowned tail-sitter aircraft but utilizes a different airframe. The purpose of the… Read more »
Airbus Helicopters Canada has delivered two new twin-engine H145 helicopters to STARS, a physician driven non-profit helicopter air ambulance organization serving Western Canada, continuing the company’s multi-year fleet renewal program for nine new helicopters. The four remaining helicopters to be delivered will arrive in the new five-bladed configuration, beginning later this year. STARS’ H145 helicopters,… Read more »
Coastwide Helicopters, a division of GCH Aviation has launched a new Heli biking experience. The company has purchased a set of DART helicopter bike racks from Canada which can carry up to four E-Bikes up to the top of the new Paparoa Track. These bike racks are designed to protect expensive bikes in a vertical… Read more »
ALPINE AEROTECH announced today that they have validated several of their Transport Canada STCs (Supplemental Type Certificates) in various international airworthiness regions. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has recently validated their Bell 205/212/412 Bear Paws, and 13-person Shoulder Harness Kit. The Aerotech Bear Paws have become the industry leading solution for any operator… Read more »
For nearly 35 years, Bell Textron Canada delivers innovative products, enhanced customer experience and superior service and support for customers around the globe. Recently, they’ve gone above and beyond to create a Design & Manufacturing Safety Management System based on an industry standard. This system ensures quick resolutions to any aircraft build challenges, which are… Read more »
Helicopter collided with terrain, killing all four on board – the owner, his wife and two of their five children – named in this report as Wade Balisky, 45, and Aubrey Balisky, 37, and two of their children, Jewel, 8, and Fleur, 2. They were survived by their oldest three children. Location was a wide open… Read more »
Ornge, Ontario’s provider of air ambulance and critical care transport services, announces Peter Cunnington, Acting Chief Operating Officer – Aviation has been appointed to the Air Transport Association of Canada (ATAC) Board of Directors. The appointment is for a three year term commencing December 2020 to November 2023. Cunnington holds a helicopter Airline Transport Pilot… Read more »
A new air ambulance helicopter is now stationed at Prince George Airport. The craft quickly proved its worth when, on Sunday and a day before the service’s “official launch,” it was flown to Terrace to pick up a patient. What would have been a 6 1/2-hour trip by ground took a “significantly faster” two hours… Read more »
True Blue Power announced Vertical Flight Solutions (VFS) by EuroTec has received Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA) approval for the installation of the ultralightweight True Blue Power TB17 lithium-ion main ship battery on Airbus H125/AS350 Series helicopters. The battery integration requires no structural work and includes an NVIS-compatible cockpit annunciator. Additional approvals, including Federal Aviation… Read more »
The Government of Canada has reached another milestone in its commitment to improving the safety of Canada’s air transportation sector by modernizing and strengthening regulations. Today, the Minister of Transport, the Honourable Marc Garneau, announced changes to the Canadian Aviation Regulations to mandate the use of digital emergency locator transmitters (ELTs) onboard aircraft flying in Canada. The… Read more »
The new Airbus H125 helicopter is the same make and model as AIR-1, the EPS’s other helicopter, and will replace an EC120 model that is no longer being manufactured. A fleet consisting of the same aircraft type allows for efficiencies in training and maintenance, as the aircrew do not need to be trained on two… Read more »
CAE announced that it has concluded a conditional agreement with Textron (NYSE: TXT) to acquire TRU Simulation + Training Canada Inc. (TRU Canada) for a cash consideration of approximately US$40 million, excluding post-closing adjustments. The closing of the transaction is subject to customary conditions and regulatory approvals. The acquisition of TRU Canada expands CAE’s global… Read more »
Genesys Aerosystems and Metro Aviation announce that the companies have earned Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA) certification for the Genesys IFR avionics suite on the Airbus EC145e. The FAA previously certified the avionics suite in 2019. The Genesys avionics suite certified on the EC145e includes four IDU-450 displays in a dual-sided PFD/MFD format with dual… Read more »
Arizona-based rotor blade manufacturer Van Horn Aviation (VHA) received a Letter of Acceptance from Transport Canada for the company’s updated composite main rotor blades fitting the Bell 206B JetRanger helicopter. Approved by the FAA in August 2020, the new VHA 206B Version 2 main rotor blades may now be installed for use on Bell 206B… Read more »
International freight forwarding and transportation specialist Dimerco has won global bids to provide specialized complete-solution supply chain services for a leading helicopter assembly, refitting and operation company in China. The contract involves shipping near 30 Bell 407 helicopters from Canada to China by the end of 2020, first moving the cargo by air ride truck… Read more »
Sûreté du Québec, regularly abbreviated as SQ, is the provincial police service for the Canadian province of Quebec. The force has a history of operating Bell helicopters for many years, partly as a way of demonstrating support for the factory at Mirabel. But not now. SQ have surprised many observers by not just moving away… Read more »
Encouraging the development of an integrated ecosystem of partners, Bell joins the Canadian Advanced Air Mobility Consortium (CAAM) in its effort to establish Canada as a global leader in Advanced Air Mobility (AAM). Announced Oct. 28, the multi-stakeholder group created by the Canadian Air Mobility and National Research Council of Canada (NRC) will streamline research,… Read more »
The future of flight in Canada took a major step forward today with the launch of the Vancouver-based Canadian Advanced Air Mobility Consortium (CAAM), a multi-stakeholder group that will streamline research, development and commercial operations in the Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) sector, globally recognized as the next frontier of commercial aviation. AAM involves the use… Read more »
Prosper Gold Corp. (“Prosper Gold” or the “Company”) (TSXV:PGX) is pleased to announce that a high resolution helicopter-borne geophysical survey has commenced at the Golden Sidewalk Project (the “Project”) in the Birch-Uchi region of Red Lake. The Golden Sidewalk is a district scale gold exploration project covering over 160 square kilometres of contiguous mineral claims… Read more »
Astronics Corporation (Nasdaq: ATRO), a leading provider of advanced technologies for the global aerospace, defense and other mission critical industries, announced today that the Unites States and Canada approved Astronics’ Max-Viz 1400 and 1200 Enhanced Vision Systems (EVS) for Airbus Helicopter’s AS350 Écureuil. In cooperation with AVIO dg in Calgary, Canada, Astronics obtained the Supplemental… Read more »
The Calgary Police Service (CPS) has received the first of two helicopters purchased to replace the Service’s current HAWCS (Helicopter Air Watch for Community Safety) helicopters. The new helicopters will greatly increase how the Service’s Air Support Unit can respond to crime in Calgary and keep Calgarians safe. The current helicopters, which have been in… Read more »
Astronics Corporation (Nasdaq: ATRO), a leading provider of advanced technologies for the global aerospace, defense and other mission critical industries, announced that an amended Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) has been approved for the Max-Viz 2300 Enhanced Vision System (EVS). Offered by wholly-owned subsidiary Astronics PECO and obtained in cooperation with AVIO dg in Calgary Canada,… Read more »
Airbus are reporting new customers in North America and Asia Pacific over the coming months for the ACH130 Aston Martin Edition. Launched in January, this model is a stylish special version of the ACH130 featuring a range of interior and exterior designs created by Aston Martin to delight helicopter owners who appreciate the thrill of piloting… Read more »
CAE announced that it has become carbon neutral as of September 28, 2020, proudly becoming the first Canadian aerospace company to reach this goal. The company has achieved carbon neutrality by continuing to reduce its own emissions and by making investments in projects that offset its remaining annual carbon emissions. “This is a bold achievement… Read more »
The Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) Trenton was first called around 1700Z regarding a helicopter in the Orangeville, ON, area due to an emergency locator transmitter (ELT) signal that was going off. It was confirmed that there had been a crash approximately 12NM Northeast (NE) of Orangeville, near a private strip. It was reported that… Read more »
As the helicopter was touching down on the helipad, it bounced and then drifted laterally. A main rotor blade contacted a tree and the helicopter rolled over onto its side. The two occupants were not injured; the helicopter was destroyed.
Helicopter was applying herbicide to a wheat field with only the pilot on board. After clearing a row of trees, the helicopter began a slight descent. While rounding out to continue the application pass, the spray boom made contact with the crop and the pilot lost directional control of the helicopter. The helicopter veered to… Read more »
Helicopter was on an external load flight between 2 transmission lines when the main rotor contacted and severed an electrical cable. The pilot felt vibrations and immediately deposited and released the external load on the ground. The aircraft has been positioned away from the load, where it has landed safely. The main rotor was damaged… Read more »
Helicopter was on an external load flight between 2 transmission lines in the Sacré-Coeur, QC, area when the main rotor contacted and severed an electrical cable. The pilot felt vibrations and immediately deposited and released the external load on the ground. The aircraft has been positioned away from the load, where it has landed safely…. Read more »
BC Wildfire Service will be carrying out aerial trials of their night vision goggle (NVG) technology near Penticton to see if it could help future firefighting operations. See Full Story.
The Commander of 1 Canadian Air Division, Lieutenant-General Alain Pelletier, has lifted the operational pause on the CH-148 Cyclone maritime helicopter fleet. The return to flying operations follows a thorough risk assessment that outlined mitigation measures to ensure aircrews understand the conditions that led to the crash and how to avoid or resolve them. While… Read more »
Helijet International is please to announce we are adding more scheduled flights between the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island effective Monday, June 8, 2020. The number of scheduled Helijet flights between Vancouver and Victoria will increase to five roundtrips each weekday, up from the current three daily roundtrips. The number of scheduled flights between Vancouver… Read more »
On Wednesday, May 27, Dr. Homer Tien, Ornge Presidend and CEO, was invited as a witness for the House of Commons Standing Committee on Health in its Briefing on the Canadian Response to the Outbreak of the Coronavirus. During the question and answer session, Dr. Tien had the opportunity to highlight Ornge’s COVID-19 response including… Read more »
This year’s Convention was set to mark 25 years for HAC. An annual opportunity for you to meet with your suppliers and to benefit from discussions around the business of helicopter operations, and safety in our industry. We all benefit from this dialogue, but we can only hold the event when the health and safety… Read more »
During the spread of Covid-19, Leonardo has seen operators of its aircraft adapt, react and overcome the challenges posed by the pandemic across geographies. Air ambulance operators Ornge and STARS have managed to continue conducting life-saving missions across Canada throughout the emergency. Both of these healthcare organisations have shared with Leonardo how they were… Read more »
The latest evolution of the H135 helicopter has received Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA) certification. Helionix, the avionics system designed by Airbus offers operators increased mission flexibility and safety. “The H135 has proven itself to be one of the most reliable aircraft on the market”, said Dwayne Charette, President and COO of Airbus Helicopters Canada…. Read more »
Quebec based Optima Aero is proud to announce that it is now a Transport Canada Approved Maintenance Organisation. Optima’s capabilities include clean, test, repair, overhaul and certification of Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6T, PT6B, PT6C and PW200 series engine Fuel Nozzles. “Our new in house capabilities mark an exciting new era for Optima Aero,” said… Read more »
DRONE VOLT, an embedded artificial intelligence expert and manufacturer of professional civil drones, and Hydro-Québec, Canada’s largest electricity producer and one of the world’s leading hydropower producers, have signed a memorandum of understanding to reach an agreement on the exclusive industrial development and marketing of a drone designed to inspect high-voltage power transmission lines. The… Read more »
STARS is one step closer to renewing its fleet of helicopters, thanks to a $500,000 gift from the County of Grande Prairie. The generous commitment, which was announced Saturday at the 10th Annual GPPA Hangar Dance in Support of STARS at the TARA Centre, has been made toward a new H145 helicopter to serve County… Read more »
Aircraft crashed under unknown circumstances whilst part of a search and rescue operation for missing snowmobilers in the Île Beemer area of Lac-St-Jean, Canada-Quebec. The solo pilot received non life threatening injuries.
Bluedrop Training & Simulation Inc., a subsidiary of Bluedrop Performance Learning Inc. (“Bluedrop”) (TSX-V: BPLI) has renewed its contract with Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Company, to provide instructors and training courseware for pilots and maintainers for Canada’s CH-148 Cyclone maritime helicopters. The agreement extends the services that Bluedrop is providing to the program until March… Read more »
Airbus Helicopters Canada is proud to be named one of Hamilton Niagara’s top 100 employers for 2020 by Canada’s Top Employers Project. The honour recognizes industry-leading organizations for their work in employee attraction, attainment and growth. Airbus is the leading manufacturer of helicopters used throughout Canada in roles such as law enforcement, air medical, oil… Read more »
Bell Textron Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) company, announced the delivery of Canada’s first Bell 407GXi to Nova Scotia-based business, Municipal Enterprises Limited. The aircraft is outfitted in newly certified on-board equipment and features a custom designed interior. Municipal Enterprises Limited will use the aircraft with respect to its multifaceted group of companies. In 2018,… Read more »
Airbus Helicopters Canada has recognized Malcolm Murray, Chief Pilot of the Winnipeg Police Service, as the recipient of the 2019 Innovation in Safety Award. A pilot for 20 years, Murray has worked to enhance aviation safety in Winnipeg and across airborne law enforcement operations. Murray joined Winnipeg Police Service in 2011 and assumed the role… Read more »
While no decision has been made, the Town of Nipawin council has greenlighted a proposal from an Alberta-based company to come up with a design and detailed cost and OK’d an extra $800 for the project. See Full Story.
Minister Devin Dreeshen, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry in Province of Alberta (Canada) made a statement about wildfires late last week, and surprised the firefighting community by cutting the teams that rappel into fire zones from helicopters. Here is the full statement “The protection of lives and communities will always be our top priority when… Read more »
DART Aerospace (“DART”) is pleased to announce that it has recently acquired key product lines from Canadian helicopter mission equipment manufacturer Aero Design Ltd (“Aero Design”), as well as its brand trademark. Based in Powell River, British Columbia, Aero Design has been developing and manufacturing aerial cargo expansion products since 1999 and has created an… Read more »
Own Jason Trask was named the 2019 Paramedic of the Year with the Paramedic Association of Canada, a national advocacy group. “Oh, I thought it was a pretty cool honour,” Trask smiled during a recent chat at the STARS hangar. “It was pretty surprising but pretty nice at the same time.” Trask is the Emergency… Read more »
Leonardo welcomes the continued commitment made by Canada’s Minister of National Defence, the Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, to modernize and expand Canada’s primary rotary search and rescue helicopter fleet through the Cormorant MidLife Upgrade (CMLU) program. Yesterday’s announcement marks a major step forward ahead of program finalization. To date, the AW101/CH-149 “Cormorant” has enabled the… Read more »
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 »
As part of celebrating 35 years of operations in Canada, Airbus will present the 2019 Innovation in Safety Award at this year’s Helicopter Association of Canada’s annual conference on November 16th in Vancouver, BC. The award recipient(s) will receive a cash prize of $10,000 CAD in addition to recognition from the industry. “Our priority has… Read more »
Airbus announced today that Dwayne Charette has been appointed President of Airbus Helicopters Canada Limited, in addition to his role as Chief Operating Officer. He succeeds Romain Trapp, who has assumed the role of President of Airbus Helicopters Inc. and Head of the North America Region for helicopters. “We have a very strong team in… Read more »
Crown Capital Partners Inc. (“Crown”) (TSX: CRWN), a capital partner to entrepreneurs and growth businesses, today announced the full repayment by Canadian Helicopters Limited (“Canadian Helicopters”) of an $8 million term loan from Crown Capital Partner Funding, LP (“Crown Partners Fund”). Canadian Helicopters is the largest helicopter transportation services company in Canada with a network… Read more »
Bluedrop Training & Simulation Inc., a subsidiary of Bluedrop Performance Learning Inc. (“Bluedrop”) (TSX-V: BPLI), has received an In-Service Support (ISS) contract with Boeing, to provide ongoing support for Computer Based Training (CBT) courseware for maintainers of Canada’s CH-147F Chinook helicopters. The agreement provides management and on-site support of instructor-led CBT materials used in the… Read more »
Vancouver’s downtown waterfront heliport has been granted $1.3 million in funding from the Province of British Columbia’s B.C. Air Access Program and is subject to customary negotiation and contractual execution. Each year, the program announces grants that fund up to 75% of the cost for approved airport infrastructure upgrades that maximize safety and convenience for… Read more »
With 200 customers operating over 700 aircraft, Airbus Helicopters Canada is marking 35 years of providing quality customer service and technology to the Canadian helicopter industry. Over the past 35 years, Airbus Helicopters has supported regional and national law enforcement agencies, emergency medical services, utility operators, government and corporate customers to supply, operate and maintain… Read more »
Farm Credit Canada (FCC) renewed its commitment to the health and safety of Western Canadians by making a $600,000 contribution over four years to STARS air ambulance. “Each year STARS flies thousands of missions in and around the same rural communities served by FCC. We have seen the positive impact STARS has had during some… Read more »
The Government of Canada is supporting the development of well-trained, skilled personnel to serve the aerospace industry of the future, by donating surplus Coast Guard assets to colleges and universities across Canada. These donations are helping to support aircraft maintenance training in Canada, providing practical and hands-on experience to students. The Minister of Fisheries, Oceans… Read more »
The future of helicopter emergency medical services in Western Canada will soon receive a significant lift, thanks to a vital funding commitment from the Government of Canada. It was announced in today’s federal budget that STARS, a non-profit, charitable helicopter air ambulance organization operating across the Prairie provinces will receive $65 million to help replace… Read more »
Phoenix Heli-Flight, Inc., a charter helicopter company based in Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada, recently announced a fleet upgrade to the Outerlink IRIS system. Most recently the company utilized Outerlink’s tracking software and data recorders, but upgrading to the IRIS system gives them the additional features such as push-to-talk radio, constant and reliable communication, live alerts… Read more »
Drone Delivery Canada ‘DDC or the Company’ (TSX.V:FLT,OTC: TAKOF), unveiled its largest cargo and farthest range delivery drone, ‘The Condor’. ‘The Condor’ was displayed at public and investor launch events at the TMX Broadcast Centre Gallery in Toronto. Tony Di Benedetto, CEO of Drone Delivery Canada opens the cargo bay door of his company’s newest,… Read more »
On Friday, February 22, the Minister of Economy and Innovation and Minister Responsible for the Lanaudière Region, Pierre Fitzgibbon, announced that phase 3 of the SA2GE project will encompass four promising projects. Totalling $50M (including $25M in subsidies), phase 3 of the SA2GE project will continue until March 31, 2021. The four promising projects of this third phase include: The Propulsion for safe, silent, eco-friendly… Read more »
The Government of Canada is supporting the development of well-trained, skilled personnel to serve the aerospace industry of the future, by donating surplus Coast Guard assets to educational institutions across Canada. These donations are helping to support aircraft maintenance training in Canada, providing practical and hands-on experience to students. The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the… Read more »
The helicopter, being flown by an experienced pilot, was approaching MV Asterix’s landing pad in daylight and relatively calm conditions. As it hovered over the deck the helicopter appeared to suddenly drop about two metres, hitting the deck, military sources noted. No serious injuries were reported. Tail rotor damage
Enstrom Helicopter Corporation is pleased to announce it has received Transport Canada validation of their model 480B helicopter on January 25, 2019. The 480B joins the other Enstrom models listed under FAA Type Certificate H1CE which have been approved for operation in Canada including the F-28A, 280, F-28C, F-28C-2, 280C, F-28F, 280F, and 280FX. “Enstrom… Read more »
Airbus Helicopters North America is celebrating two milestone anniversaries of operations this year. Airbus Helicopters, Inc., based in Grand Prairie, Texas, is celebrating 50 years of sales and support for U.S. helicopter operators, while Airbus Helicopters Canada Ltd., located in Fort Erie, Ontario, is marking its 35-year milestone. “For 50 years, our customers and the… Read more »
As outlined in Canada’s defence policy, Strong, Secure, Engaged, the Government of Canada is making investments to re-capitalize and extend the life of equipment to ensure our women and men of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) have the equipment they need to fulfill the Canadian Armed Forces’ (CAF) core missions. In support of this,… Read more »
In October of last year, Gander’s 103 SAR Squadron was removed from their Hangar 1 at 9 Wing Gander after the discovery of a large concentration of asbestos in dust. They are still unsure of where the source is, but cleaning began on December 4. They have cleaned in sections, sealing off the safe areas… Read more »
Heartfelt tributes flowed freely during the official Sea King helicopter retirement parade December 1, 2018, when the military community bade farewell to the longest serving aircraft in the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). Inside the hangar at 443 Maritime Helicopter Squadron at Pat Bay, B.C., more than 500 people gathered to witness the historic send-off…. Read more »
The Minister of Transport announced new fatigue regulations to improve air travel safety for passengers and flight crews. The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is pleased to see that the Minister is taking action to address this key safety issue. Since the early 1990s, the TSB has identified fatigue as a contributing factor or… Read more »
Source:
Transportation Safety Board of Canada, 14-Dec-18
The Canadian Department of National Defence is considering using the private sector to fill the gap in their SAR operations when their CH-149 Cormorants undergo a mid-life overhaul. President of the Guysborough County Inshore Fishermen’s Association and the Nova Scotia Fisheries Sector Council; Eugene O’Leary, has stated that he has concerns over using a private… Read more »
The Government of Canada is investing in new infrastructure for Canadian Coast Guard operations.The Canadian Coast Guard plays a vital role in one of the safest marine systems in the world, and its members go to work every day to ensure the safety of mariners and the marine environment. On behalf of the Honourable Jonathan… Read more »
The Government of Canada is supporting the development of well-trained, skilled personnel to serve the aerospace industry of the future, by donating surplus Coast Guard assets to educational institutions across Canada. These donations are helping to support aircraft maintenance training in Canada, providing practical and hands-on experience to students. On behalf of the Honourable Jonathan… Read more »