6-Jan-2011
ADAC have taken over the running of Germany rescue helicopter “Christoph 18” at Ochsenfurt for the next five years using an EC135, after winning a tender. The previous operator was DRF... Read more
6-Jan-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Frimley Park Hospital in the UK county of Surrey has given the go-ahead to a £20M project to build a new Accident & Emergency department including a roof-top helipad. When completed, this facility will avoid the delays associated with the current arrangement where air ambulances have to land at Kings International College and complete the... Read more
6-Jan-2011Source: Russian Helicopters
The No.2 prototype of the new civil medium-class passenger/transport Mi-38 helicopter accomplished the first long-haul flight. Mi-38 took off in Kazan, where the manufacturer, Kazan Helicopters, is situated. It covered over 800 km and arrived in Moscow to continue testing program at Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant, designer of this rotorcraft. Kazan-Moscow flight also makes part... Read more
6-Jan-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Helibras sold a total of 35 helicopters in 2010, significantly up from 2009’s total of 14. Of these, 25 were to the civilian market, up from 5 in 2009 – showing the difference as 10 military helicopters compared to 9. All of these were AS350 Squirrel models, branded “HB350 Esquilo” locally. Production in Eurocopter’s Brazilian... Read more
6-Jan-2011Source: HeliHub.com
This news item is part of the HeliHub.com “Register Updates†series, listing helicopters which have been added to a particular national register, removed from it or the listed owner has changed. Our coverage represents the majority of registration and owner changes within the global civilian helicopter fleet. Most updates are weekly or monthly, although some... Read more
6-Jan-2011Source: Pura Noticia
Having achieved local certification in Chile in September 2010, the National Forestry Commission’s PZL W-3 Sokol lies idle due to lack of trained pilots... Read more
6-Jan-2011Source: KCSG
Intermountain Life Flight will begin providing helicopter service for medical transport in southern Utah starting January 14th... Read more
6-Jan-2011Source: HAI
Now is an exciting time to consider a career in the international helicopter industry. Talented and qualified aviation students and professionals will be attending the 9th Annual HELI-EXPO® Job Fair, to be held on Sunday, March 6, 2011 from 1:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. at the Orange County Convention Center, in Orlando, Florida. If your... Read more
6-Jan-2011Source: HeliHub.com
ONGC, the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation of India, is increasing its shareholding in helicopter operator Pawan Hans with a cash injection of Rs96 crore – 960 million rupees – equivalent to US$21.2M. This takes the ONGC shareholding from 21% to 49% in the state-owned helicopter operator. Given this as the value of 28% would... Read more
5-Jan-2011Source: HeliHub.com
This news item is part of the HeliHub.com “Register Updates†series, listing helicopters which have been added to a particular national register, removed from it or the listed owner has changed. Our coverage represents the majority of registration and owner changes within the global civilian helicopter fleet. Most updates are weekly or monthly, although some... Read more
5-Jan-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Helibras, the Brazilian based Eurocopter subsidiary, has had its website hacked.  An unknown group or organisation posing under the name “BaRaCK_ObaMa” has filed two news items on the Helibras website on 5th January. Both stories carry a “Happy New Year” notice with a Disney cartoon and the website address of a blog hosted on the... Read more
5-Jan-2011Source: HeliHub.com
British helicopter company Heliair have launched a website specifically for Robinson R66 sales at R66Dealer.com – this may, in time, be merged into their main website, but it is currently intentionally stand-alone.Head of Marketing Brian Kane told HeliHub.com that Heli Air see the R66 as being “the best single engine turbine ever produced”, presumably based... Read more
5-Jan-2011Source: Torres News
The 620-square metre aeromedical helipad, ringed with two-metre safety nets, will be used by Australian Helicopters’ quick response teams to transport patients to the Thursday Island Hospital through its medical and SAR operations.... Read more
5-Jan-2011Source: Daytona Beach News-Journal
Before he can get this charter service up and running, Neal Tomlinson of Tomlinson Aviation says he needs a beachfront location for landings and departures.... Read more
5-Jan-2011Source: Bell
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, today announced that it has completed the integration of six of its support and service subsidiaries, officially merging them into Bell Helicopter Textron Inc. By combining its service organizations Bell Helicopter has restructured operations to provide customers with a comprehensive support solution– making it easier for them... Read more
5-Jan-2011Source: OAMTC
[electronic translation from original German press release] Future of the Air Ambulance in Austria for the time being secured “The operational activities of emergency medical helicopter ÖAMTC has increased again in 2010,” said Reinhard Kraxner, managing director of ÖAMTC air ambulance. “Overall, our 16 helicopters flew 14 816 operations, which are 886 more than in... Read more
5-Jan-2011Source: Sun Sentinel
Life at the end of a runway is naturally a noisy existence. But William Coakley and his neighbors near Palm Beach County’s Lantana Airport say airport operators and a helicopter training school fail to follow a noise-reduction agreement hammered out to lessen the nuisance.... Read more
5-Jan-2011Source: United Rotorcraft Solutions
United Rotorcraft Solutions (URS) recently delivered upgraded Bell 206B3’s helicopters to the City of Dallas, TX Police Department. The upgrades, made possible by a federal grant that was recently awarded to the police department, included BMS digital video microwave system, upgrade of existing L-3 Wescam camera systems and auto-tracking, Avalex digital video recorder upgrades, and... Read more
5-Jan-2011Source: Native Air
Native Air, a division of Omniflight Helicopters, a leading national provider of air medical services, today introduced a membership program, OmniAdvantage, making medical transport available to members and their families for a fraction of its actual cost. Native Air operates more than 20 bases in Arizona, New Mexico and west Texas, using helicopters and fixed-wing... Read more
5-Jan-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Taiwan has developed new technology to retrieve information from damaged GPS chips, which will be particulary helpful in accident investigation where no flight data recorder is present, Japan’s Council for Aviation Safety said Tuesday 28th. CAS director Kuan Wen-lin briefed the media on the use of the technology, noting that Japan’s Transportation Safety Board sought... Read more
5-Jan-2011Source: Bristow Group
Bristow Group Inc. (NYSE: BRS), the leading provider of helicopter services to the offshore energy industry, today announced that it has completed the redemption of its $230 million face value 6 1/8% Senior Notes due June 2013. The notes were redeemed at 101.021% of face value, or approximately $232 million, plus accrued and unpaid interest... Read more
4-Jan-2011Source: Miami Herald
A Winter Park man faces 20 years in federal prison for shining a laser pointer into the cockpit of an Orange County Sheriff’s Office helicopter.... Read more
4-Jan-2011Source: AIN
Timken recently expanded its aerospace aftermarket facility in Mesa, Ariz., with offerings aimed primarily at the turbine-powered civil and military rotorcraft markets.... Read more
4-Jan-2011
San Antonio AirLIFE’s board of directors named Shawn Salter as its new president and CEO, effective Jan. 1.... Read more
4-Jan-2011Source: DART Helicopter Services
DART Helicopter Services, a global leader in design, development and distribution of helicopter components and accessories that enhance flight safety, operational efficiency and customer satisfaction, has completed an exclusive distribution agreement with Heli-Enterprise, Inc. The new agreement enables DART to globally distribute Heli-Enterprise’s comprehensive line of custom and purpose-built maintenance and work stands as well... Read more
4-Jan-2011Source: Onboard Systems
Onboard Systems, a leading provider of innovative helicopter cargo hook equipment, announced the release of its new line of Electric Swivels for external load work operations with long lines and remote hooks. The new Electric Swivels are designed to interface directly with Onboard’s TALON™ 3K & 6K Remote Cargo Hooks and include many safety and... Read more
4-Jan-2011Source: Naples News
Cpl. Joseph Andreasen and flight officer Cpl. Shawn Bogart were on patrol in North Naples at about 1 a.m. Saturday when a green laser light entered the left side of the helicopter, injuring both of their left eyes... Read more
4-Jan-2011Source: Canadian Helicopters
Canadian Helicopters Income Fund (CHL.UN) (the “Fund”) announced today the closing of the conversion of the Fund from an income trust to a dividend paying corporation by way of plan of arrangement (the “Arrangement”) as further described in the Fund’s management information circular dated May 13, 2010. The completion of the Arrangement resulted in the... Read more
4-Jan-2011Source: WDSU
New Orleans Children’s Hospital launches a new helicopter operation on 3rd January with Air Methods operating an EC145... Read more
4-Jan-2011Source: Office of Special Counsel
The U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) transmitted to the President and Congress a Department of Transportation (DOT) report responding to a whistleblower’s allegations that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) failed to ensure that Airworthiness Directives (ADs) were issued in a timely manner.  ADs are rules that FAA issues to address unsafe conditions that exist in... Read more
4-Jan-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Robinson Helicopter Co have launched a new website at http://www.robinsonheli.com.  Although no major content changes have been made, the new cleaner design is certainly easier to navigate than its predecessor. Some new aspects of the site – particularly the World Dealer Locator Map – show that elements of new technology have been introduced. Scratching... Read more
4-Jan-2011Source: Brownsville Herald
Trevor Moore, president of CC Helicopters based in Kamloops (British Columbia) was shocked to learn two Bell 407s he leased from a U.S. company may be owned by a Mexican drug lord.... Read more
4-Jan-2011Source: Lycoming
Lycoming Engines, a division of Avco Corp., has been awarded the prestigious Shingo Prize for Operational Excellence, making it one of only two in history to achieve the honor at the business-wide “enterprise†level. Dubbed the Nobel Prize for manufacturing by Business Week magazine, The Shingo Prize for Operational Excellence is awarded annually by the... Read more
4-Jan-2011Source: Heli Invest
Just before Christmas at the service center of Heli Invest in Warsaw Eurocopter delivered the Polish Medical Air Rescue, or Lotnicze Pogotowie Ratunkowe (LPR), the last two EC 135P2i helicopters out of total of 23 ordered under a contract with the Ministry of Health. Heli Invest – as a sole authorized distributor of Eurocopter helicopters... Read more
4-Jan-2011Source: HAI
NBC Nightly News recently aired a report on the FAA’s Next-Generation Air Traffic System that featured the pioneering application of that system’s backbone, Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B), for helicopter operations in the Gulf of Mexico. “The FAA is touting a revolutionary system that it says will overhaul air traffic control across America, making the nation’s... Read more
4-Jan-2011Source: HAI
FAA officials will address industry-developed questions on public-aircraft operations and discuss related information at a meeting in Alexandria, Va. on Thursday, January 20, 2011 that will also be accessible through the Internet. HAI and the FAA encourage directors of operations, chief pilots, directors of maintenance, and pilots of Part 135 air carriers, and entities contracting... Read more
4-Jan-2011Source: Helitrax
Telluride Helitrax announced the start of it’s 29th season of Helicopter skiing in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado. The oldest helicopter ski operation in Colorado, Helitrax offers the ultimate helicopter skiing adventure with experienced staff and guides for intermediate and expert skiers and boarders alike. Now conveniently located in the lobby of the Peaks... Read more
4-Jan-2011Source: CHC
Following a traditional ceremony that saw nine Buddhist monks bless the office, CHC Helicopter, the world’s leading offshore helicopter services provider, is pleased to announce that the company’s new SEA regional headquarters is fully operational from its new location in Bangkok. Located on the 21st floor at Sun Tower B on Vibhavadi-Rangsit Road, Chomphon, Chatuchak,... Read more
4-Jan-2011Source: American Eurocopter
Grand Prairie, Texas –Today, American Eurocopter’s FAA Organization Delegation Authorization (ODA) issued Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) Supplemental Type Certificates (STC’s) for both the EC135 and EC145. These STC’s have upgraded the Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) single- or dual-pilot configuration and are predicated on the use of either the Garmin GNS 430W or 530W in... Read more
4-Jan-2011Source: NTSB
The NTSB has issued an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) seeking comments from the public regarding amendments to its procedural rules dealing with review of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certificate actions and its rules concerning applications for fees and expenses under the Equal Access to Justice Act. The NTSB listed three main reasons for... Read more
4-Jan-2011Source: Aero
Friedrichshafen – AERO, the Global Show for General Aviation, will be presenting a significantly expanded helicopter area, the Helicopter Hangar, as part of the exhibition from Wednesday, April 13 to Saturday, April 16, 2011. The show’s organizer, Rainer Herzberg, promises a high concentration of helicopter power, with large helicopters from various manufacturers being shown for... Read more
4-Jan-2011
Boustead Holdings, founded in 1828, is one of Malaysia’s established and diversified conglomerates. Today Boustead has more than 100 subsidiaries and associate companies of which four companies are listed on the local stock market – Bursa Malaysia.... Read more
3-Jan-2011Source: Arizona Family
Rescuers used a Stokes basket to lift the man off the trail and up to the helicopter, but as that basket got close to the door, it started to spin faster and faster. (VIDEO)... Read more
23-Dec-2010Source: NUPGE
In October, Local 505 of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU/NUPGE) filed a complaint with the Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB) alleging discrimination, intimidation and targeting of union activists at Ornge, formerly Ontario Air Ambulance. “We are pleased to announce that the complaint has now been withdrawn by the union prior to a formal... Read more
23-Dec-2010Source: CSTS Dinamika
The 8th of December 2010 saw the first major contract signed between Training center HTP Ostrava and MoD in Czech Republic on training flight crews for the Mi-171helicopter. The first crews started training on December 9th. The core of the program is training for emergencies including landing at windmill caused by engine or anti-torque rotor breakdowns, training... Read more
23-Dec-2010
The three also plan to together float an aviation company to cater to the growing air-transportation needs in the state.... Read more
23-Dec-2010
Applicant Steven Troon, from H.Troon Properties, said he had been approached by an operator, Aquila Helicopters, to build the $150,000 heliport and hangar.... Read more
23-Dec-2010Source: DRF Luftrettung
Preparation for the use of Night Vision Goggles (NVGs), at the Regensburg HEMS base of HDM Luftrettung is gaining pace: The helicopter of type EC 145 completed multi-day tests conducted by Eurocopter, the helicopter manufacturer, on NVG capability last week. Pilot training goes along with it. In April 2011, the regular NVG operation will start... Read more
23-Dec-2010Source: Soloy
Soloy Aviation Solutions (Soloy) and Aerospace Filtration Systems, Inc. (now branded as Donaldson), recently agreed to expand Soloy Aviation Solutions Distributor Agreement to include Donaldson Inlet Barrier Filter (IBF) products. This product line distributor expansion allows Soloy to offer inlet barrier filters to operators of aircraft currently approved with Donaldson IBF products. “Now Soloy can... Read more
23-Dec-2010Source: Master Instructors
Master Instructors LLC of Longmont, Colorado recently introduced its new Master CFI-Helicopter (MCFI-H) accreditation. Designed to better serve the needs of the nation’s rotorcraft instructors, the MCFI-H designation is the sixth in a line of Master accreditations offered by the company. Improved safety in rotary wing instruction and EMS operations has taken on a renewed... Read more
23-Dec-2010Source: HAI
Under the auspices of the Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS), an International Working Group (IWG) has been working for the last 4 years on developing new criteria for the classification and qualification of civil helicopter Flight Simulation Training Devices (FSTDs), based on pilot training tasks. The intention is for the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) to... Read more
23-Dec-2010Source: Jerry Trimble Helicopters
Jerry Trimble Helicopters (JTH) is proud to announce the opening of their winter flight training base in Thermal, CA (TRM). JTH decided to move one of their R-22 Beta II’s to a warmer locale for winter flying. Jerry Trimble, owner, stated “We felt it would be fun for our customers to provide a different training... Read more
23-Dec-2010Source: Great Slave Helicopters
Dehcho Regional Helicopters is pleased to announce that its ownership group has grown to include the business arm of Liidlii Kue First Nation (LKFN) of Fort Simpson, the largest First Nation in the region. “This is a very satisfying milestone for our partnership,†said JoAnne Deneron, Dehcho Regional Helicopters President. “We have always been 100... Read more
23-Dec-2010Source: TVACAA
Thanks to the generosity of its supporters the Thames Valley & Chiltern Air Ambulance (TVACAA), which serves Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire (BOB), was able to fly an extended 12 hour day for the period 5 July 2010 to 22 November 2010 and will continue to run a 10 hour day during the winter months. The... Read more
22-Dec-2010Source: HeliHub.com
The third of three AW119Ke helicopters for the Brazilian state of Goias is currently undergoing flight testing at AgustaWestland’s Philadelphia facility.   Goias has a population of nearly 6 million and covers just over 130,000 square miles. This helicopter is expected to be delivered to Brazil in January 2011. Serialled 14768, and test flying on US... Read more
22-Dec-2010Source: Sacramento Bee
California Shock Trauma Air Rescue on Wednesday began providing emergency helicopter transport service to the Sacramento Valley from its headquarters at McClellan Park.... Read more
22-Dec-2010Source: Brantly International
Representatives of Brantly International announced today that helicopter industry veteran Kyle B. Hardman has joined the company as its new president. “We are extremely pleased to have Mr. Hardman join Brantly International,†stated CHENG Shenzong, Chairman of the Qindao Brantly Investment Group, owners of Brantly International. “His depth of experience as a program leader and... Read more
22-Dec-2010
GEORGETOWN, Texas – Enflite, Inc., the interior and galley products division of LifePort, Inc., has achieved AS9100B certification and in the process received a perfect score from third party registrar Intertek. The audit also evaluated Enflite’s compliance with ISO 9001: 2008 quality standards. Meeting the complex and unique demands of the aerospace industry, this new... Read more
22-Dec-2010Source: HAI
Although this long-awaited Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) was billed as a regulatory initiative aimed at helicopter air medical operations, it goes well beyond that. It would affect other Part 135 operations, all commercial helicopter operations, and even Part 91 operations. HAI has been receiving considerable feedback from air medical operators and working closely with... Read more
21-Dec-2010Source: HeliHub.com
Local reports in Azerbaijan confirm the delivery of two Sikorsky S92s to operator SW Helicopter Services, with the pair arriving at Zabrat airport near Baku. HeliHub.com understands they will be put to use supporting offshore exploration in the Caspian Sea with oil company BP. The two helicopters are serials 92-0135 and 0136, and one has... Read more
21-Dec-2010
MISSISSAUGA (Dec. 20) – Ornge, a world leader in transport medicine, reached a major milestone in its five year history today, as the organization transported its 100,000th patient. All aspects of air ambulance services were divested by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care in January 2006 and since became Ornge. Ornge, a not-for-profit organization,... Read more
21-Dec-2010Source: Stuff
helicopters NZ stands to lose a US$45M contract, after losing New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) approval to carry out a special contract in Asia. HNZ has lost the approval needed to operate the contract retrieving the remains of American servicemen missing in Laos and Cambodia.... Read more
21-Dec-2010Source: ALEA
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance is accepting nominations beginning today for the Federal Law Enforcement Congressional Badge of Bravery and the State and Local Law Enforcement Congressional Badge of Bravery. Every day, federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement officers engage in exceptional acts of bravery while in... Read more
21-Dec-2010Source: CHC
CHC Helicopter today announced that it will release its financial results for its fiscal year 2011 second quarter ended October 31, 2010 by posting a quarterly report on the Investor Relations section of its website (www.chc.ca) after the market closes on Thursday, December 30, 2010. CHC will also host a conference call on Tuesday, January... Read more
21-Dec-2010Source: HeliHub.com
Uralhelicom has become the first organisation in Russia and CIS to win approval to carry out major overhauls on R44s. The company has recently received agreement from both Robinson Helicopter co and the Russia Authorities. They have also accepted an R44 Raven I with 2200 aiframe hours as the first airframe to go through the... Read more
21-Dec-2010Source: CompaniesAndMarkets.com
Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation – Strategic SWOT Analysis Review – companiesandmarkets.com adds new report Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (Sikorsky) is one of world´s leading producers of military and commercial helicopters. The company offers fixed-wing reconnaissance aircraft, and civil and heavy lift helicopters, as well as related spare parts. It also provides maintenance, repair, and overhaul services for... Read more
20-Dec-2010Source: MyNorthWest
Wayne P. Groen was arrested by FBI agents, spotlight in hand, in his driveway, dressed only in underwear, said special agent Fred Guut.... Read more
20-Dec-2010Source: HeliHub.com
We reported on 19th November that CHC had won the Woodside Energy contract in Australia from long-term incumbent Bristow Helicopters. CHC will commence flying this contract in June 2011, operating four EC225 aircraft and two AW139 aircraft based out of Karratha in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. The two AgustaWestland AW139s have been delivered... Read more
20-Dec-2010Source: ABC
Planning Minister Matthew Guy says the Government has amended the Glenelg Shire planning scheme to allow the plans to go ahead.... Read more
20-Dec-2010Source: HAI
HAI President Matt Zuccaro will host a forum on public aircraft in Alexandria, Va. (location to be determined) on Thursday, January 20, 2011 in cooperation with the FAA and industry participants. The National Transportation Safety Board also is expected to participate. Estimated start time will be 1 pm Eastern to accommodate Internet participants in other... Read more
20-Dec-2010Source: Night Flight Concepts
On Dec 15, 2010 the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) released a key Safety Alert For Operators (SAFO 10022) to notify operators of aircraft equipped with a Night Vision Imaging System (NVIS) of potential deficiencies in the configuration and condition of installed NVIS equipment. The safety alert warns “many operators of NVIS-equipped aircraft may not be... Read more
20-Dec-2010Source: BBC
A group of youths stopped an airborne ambulance crew from landing at an emergency call in Swansea by pelting the helicopter with snowballs.... Read more
20-Dec-2010Source: Eurocopter
Poland’s public air medical rescue operator LPR (Lotnicze Pogotowie Ratunkowe) has received its final two EC135 helicopters from the 23 acquired by the Polish Ministry of Health, which are being used to modernize the country’s nationwide emergency medical services (EMS) network. This on-time delivery for the concluding two EC135s followed their technical acceptance at Eurocopter’s... Read more
20-Dec-2010Source: CAE
MONTREAL, QUEBEC and VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA–(Marketwire – Dec. 20, 2010) – CAE (NYSE:CAE)(TSX:CAE) and CHC Helicopter, a global leader in helicopter transportation for the offshore oil and gas industry, announced today that they have signed an agreement pursuant to which CAE will acquire CHC Helicopter’s helicopter flight training operations including four full-flight simulators located... Read more
