21-Nov-2011Source: HeliHub.com
This week Gateway Canyons resort has added its first Eurocopter AS350B3 helicopter and is now offering rotary-wing tours of the Grand Canyon in addition to the fixed wing service it already operated. The company is operating from a hangar at Grand Junction Regional Airport and has operating test/demo tours of the McInnis Canyons National Conservation... Read more
21-Nov-2011Source: Clark School
The FAI has certified that the Clark School’s Gamera human-powered helicopter team set world records earlier this year for flight duration and flight duration with a female pilot. The FAI certified the 4.2-second flight of May 12, 2011, and the 11.4-second flight of July 13, 2011, which supersedes the first. Gamera was designed and built by a... Read more
21-Nov-2011Source: Star-Telegram
The Star-Telegram newspaper, a long-time careful follower of aviation news in Dallas and Forth Worth area, reported late late week that Sikorsky were displaying the X2 outside their office in Forth Worth. (See full story)... Read more
21-Nov-2011Source: EDP
Bristow has Southern North Sea contracts with Shell, Conoco Phillips and BP which see an average of 480 flights a month from Norwich in the peak period, dropping to about 300 in the quieter winter season. (see full story)... Read more
21-Nov-2011
Hydraulic leak – went AOG on the rig... Read more
20-Nov-2011
Emergency landing after unexpected vibration levels.  Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on board... Read more
19-Nov-2011Source: STARS
The Shock Trauma Air Rescue Society (STARS) is very pleased to announce that Mr. Rod Gantefoer has accepted the position of Executive Vice President for the STARS Foundation. Reporting to STARS’ Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Gantefoer will provide leadership to the STARS Foundation team and work to develop community partnerships and fundraising initiatives to enhance... Read more
19-Nov-2011Source: Hong Kong Civil Aviation Dept
Extract: The Civil Aviation Department of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (CAD) issued Accident Bulletin 2/2010 and Interim Statement 2/2011 on 27 July 2010 and 29 June 2011 respectively on the investigation of the accident on East Asia Airlines EA 206A on 3 July 2010. This Accident Bulletin provides further available... Read more
19-Nov-2011
EMS helicopter was stranded on the helicopter landing pad of Capital Health Regional Medical Center because of a leaking fuel tank... Read more
19-Nov-2011Source: Enloe FlightCare
The Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems (CAMTS) announced Oct. 15 that it has for the second time awarded the Enloe FlightCare medical transport rotor-wing service a full three-year accreditation. The accreditation recognizes that FlightCare provides highly skilled flight nurse/paramedic teams to care for adult and pediatric patients. Enloe received its first CAMTS accreditation... Read more
18-Nov-2011Source: US DoD
Rolls-Royce Corp., Indianapolis, Ind., is being awarded a $13,735,723 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-10-C-0020) to exercise an option for maintenance services in support of the V-22 AE1107C turboshaft engines. Work will be performed in Oakland, Calif. (70 percent), and Indianapolis, Ind. (30 percent), and is expected to be completed in November 2012. ... Read more
18-Nov-2011Source: NTSB
This is the text from the Preliminary Report. By its very nature, the details are subject to change and should not be relied upon. The Final Report for this incident will be issued in due course:- On November 10, 2011, about 1214 Hawaiian standard time, a Eurocopter EC 130 B4, N11QV, collided with mountainous terrain... Read more
18-Nov-2011Source: NTSB
This is the text from the Preliminary Report. By its very nature, the details are subject to change and should not be relied upon. The Final Report for this incident will be issued in due course:- On November 5, 2011, about 1620 eastern standard time, a Robinson R22 BETA, N413RM, operated by Ocean Helicopters Inc.,... Read more
18-Nov-2011Source: NTSB
This is the text from the Preliminary Report. By its very nature, the details are subject to change and should not be relied upon. The Final Report for this incident will be issued in due course:- On November 3, 2011, about 1815 eastern standard time, N130AL, a Eurocopter EC 130 B4, sustained substantial damage during... Read more
18-Nov-2011Source: HeliHub.com
In an incredulous decision, Hambleton District Council has served an enforcement notice on Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) to move off Bagby Airfield due to noise issues – hands up those who genuinely think MD Explorers are noisy…Â YAA has also been served with a notice to dismantle its flight crew room, toilet and shower block.... Read more
18-Nov-2011Source: Branding Iron
Branding Iron Marketing, Advertising and Public Relations announced today that one of Inc. Magazine’s 500 Fastest Growing Companies in America, Spectrum Aeromed, has retained Branding Iron for Media Placement, Media Relations and Public Relations Services. Spectrum Aeromed is a leading global designer and manufacturer of custom air medical and air ambulance equipment for fixed and... Read more
18-Nov-2011Source: HAL
The Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has bagged Raksha Mantri’s award for excellence in performance (2009-10). Shri P.V Deshmukh, Offg. Chairman of HAL received the award and citation from Hon’ble Defence Minister Mr A.K Antony in New Delhi. In recognition for achieving improved organisational performance excellence through Research & Development, improved production and financial performance, Export... Read more
18-Nov-2011Source: Studio City Patch
The Board of Supervisors today supported federal legislation to limit low-flying helicopters and cut down on noise from news and tour choppers in Los Angeles County. (see full story)... Read more
18-Nov-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Bird strikes are not that uncommon with helicopters as most are operating at relatively low level. But to have two EUrocopters make emergency landings on consecutive days with holes created by those bird strikes is unusual. On Wednesday a news gathering AS350B2 in Scottsdale, Arizona took a dove into the cockpit. The helicopter is operated... Read more
18-Nov-2011Source: Hampshire & IOW Air Ambulance
A long awaited event for Southampton General Hospital, and for HIOWAA, took place today. Â The new Helipad, which has been built on the multi story car park, opened with the first landing by the HIOWAA aircraft. Â There were many people there to see it, including members of the Hampshire media, and individuals from both SGH... Read more
18-Nov-2011Source: Professional Aviation Associates
Professional Aviation Associates, a Greenwich AeroGroup Company, announced today it has amplified its rotorcraft supply with more than $1 million in Eurocopter EC155 and Eurocopter AS365 helicopter inventory. The extensive inventory includes tail rotor blades, brakes, wheels, servos, windshields, hardware and tooling. Professional Aviation expanded into the rotorcraft market in March of this year with... Read more
18-Nov-2011Source: Conklin & de Decker
Conklin & de Decker has announced the new ACE – On the Go! web interface for Aircraft Cost Evaluator (ACE) subscribers is now available, providing instant access to ACE cost reports and comparisons of aircraft fixed and variable costs on-line from any internet browser via smart phones, tablets, MAC or Windows laptop. Now available with... Read more
18-Nov-2011
Sole occupant pilot Yevgeniy Kurbatov killed. High energy impact with terrain, helicopter broken in many parts, but no sign of post crash fire. Reported as low time pilot with only 20 hours experience, and flying at night. Helicopter was found on 26th November by a volunteer search team Liza Alert the day after the state... Read more
18-Nov-2011
Fire and Rescue Department helicopter hovered too low in built up area causing damage from the downdraft... Read more
18-Nov-2011
Gear collapsed on landing... Read more
17-Nov-2011Source: AeroSimulators
AeroSimulators USA, Inc. announced today the delivery of an EC 135 helicopter flight simulator to Air Methods Corporation, the nation’s largest provider of air medical emergency transport services. This device complements two AeroSimulators AS350 B2 simulators delivered to Air Methods earlier in the year. These simulators provide an enclosed Air Methods-configured cockpit together with a... Read more
17-Nov-2011Source: CAA
The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) have approved a joint policy on Performance-based Navigation (PBN) to be implemented across UK and Irish airspace. PBN relies on new technology such as global navigation satellite systems, instead of more traditional ground based beacons, to enable aircraft to navigate to very high... Read more
17-Nov-2011Source: Eurocopter
AIRTELIS, a wholly-owned subsidiary of RTE specializing in heliborne operations, received its first EC225 helicopter today from Eurocopter – the world’s leading helicopter manufacturer in the civil market. The delivery ceremony was held in Marignane in France’s Bouches du Rhône department, home to Eurocopter’s headquarters. Founded in 2011, AIRTELIS performs heliborne operations for customers in... Read more
17-Nov-2011Source: Russian Helicopters
Russian Helicopters, JSC, a subsidiary of UIC Oboronprom appointed Emirates Corporation Trading Agencies LLC as a regional distributor of the light single-engine helicopter Mi-34C1 in the Gulf countries. The Agreement was signed in Dubai, UAE, at the Dubai Airshow. The Agreement envisions marketing, sales and technical support for the Mi-34C1, as well as flight training.... Read more
17-Nov-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Cayman Islands Helicopters have opened their new helipad on the waterfront of capital city Georgetown, aiming specifically at the cruise ship market. Previously operating from Owen Robert International Airport, the transfer to and from the port (even though only 10 minutes each way!) did not encourage as many cruise passengers as expected. With the new... Read more
17-Nov-2011Source: Insolvency Service
Three connected companies that operated a charity collection scam were last week closed down in the public interest by the High Court in London, following an investigation by Company Investigations of the Insolvency Service. The companies are Air Ambulance Support Community Interest Company (“Air Ambulance Support CICâ€), St Anthony (Trading Co) Ltd (formerly Air Ambulance... Read more
17-Nov-2011Source: IFALPA
Recent technology has produced small, lightweight data recording devices suitable for use in small helicopters that lack traditional flight data recorders. The most popular models of these devices have built-in video recorders that image the cockpit area. IFALPA pilots have long supported the use of flight data recorders recognising the potential they hold for improving... Read more
17-Nov-2011Source: RIA Novosti
Russian Helicopters, which designs and manufactures civil and military rotorcraft, and Ukraine’s Motor Sich engine-building firm have signed a $1.2 billion contract on the supply of Ukrainian engines for Russian commercial helicopters, Motor Sich head Vyacheslav Boguslayev said (see full story)... Read more
17-Nov-2011Source: EME
Mercy Air, a division of Air Methods Corporation (http://www.airmethods.com), needed to find a better and safer way to remove, transport and install motors and transmissions in its helicopters. Renting fork lifts was proving to be cumbersome, expensive and dangerous as the components, often costing in the high six figures were in danger of being damaged... Read more
17-Nov-2011Source: Herald Sun
Victoria State Government will save $3 million by dumping a giant firefighting helicopter in a move the firefighters’ union slammed as the most irresponsible decision in two decades. (see full story)... Read more
17-Nov-2011Source: Radio NZ
The Civil Aviation Authority says the pilot was fined $1000 and ordered to pay $130 in court costs after he took several players and caddies on free low-level flights over the Pegasus golf course. (full story)... Read more
17-Nov-2011Source: Scott's Bell 47
Scott’s – Bell 47, Inc., is excited to announce an agreement with Oregon Aero, Inc. to development an improved Seat System and modern Interior solutions for the model 47 fleet. Oregon Aero, Inc. is a leader in engineering, testing, certifying and manufacturing advanced seating & interior systems for aircraft and other applications. The company has... Read more
17-Nov-2011Source: FAA
Differential Compression Test (AC 43.13-1B) The differential pressure tester is designed to check the compression of aircraft engines by measuring the leakage through the cylinders caused by worn or damaged components. The operation of the compression tester is based on the principle that, for any given airflow through a fixed orifice, a constant pressure drop... Read more
17-Nov-2011Source: Greenpeace
Greenpeace today released shocking footage and images of whales and a marlin and ray dying at the hands of industrial tuna fishers in the Pacific Ocean (1). The footage was shot by a New Zealand helicopter pilot turned whistleblower, who undertook aerial reconnaissance for a small fleet of tuna boats in the Pacific in 2009.... Read more
17-Nov-2011Source: Canadian Helicopters
Canadian Helicopters Group Inc. (TSX: CHL.A, CHL.B) (“the Companyâ€), an international provider of helicopter transportation and related support services, today announced its financial and operating results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2011. These results reflect the acquisition of Helicopters (N.Z.) Limited, (“HNZâ€) on July 7, 2011. The results also reflect Canadian Helicopters’ conversion... Read more
17-Nov-2011Source: Canadian Helicopters
Canadian Helicopters Group Inc. (“Canadian Helicopters”) (TSX: CHL.A, CHL.B) announced today that its Board of Directors has declared monthly dividends of $0.091875 per Common Share and Variable Voting Shares, payable on each of February 15, 2012, March 15, 2012 and April 13, 2012 to holders of record at the close of business January 31, 2012,... Read more
17-Nov-2011Source: Eurocopter
Extract from a longer press release from Eurocopter…. The sales agreement signed during the Dubai Airshow involves one EC130 B4 in a corporate configuration for Pakistan’s Princely Jets, which is to be delivered in June 2012. Also covered in the accord is Eurocopter’s provision of spares and services for this rotary-wing aircraft.... Read more
17-Nov-2011Source: Cornish Guardian
BIH managing director, Tony Jones, said flights would continue from Penzance until June next year and the firm would continue to look for a site in West Cornwall. If necessary, flights would continue after that date from Newquay Cornwall airport to ensure the service was not disrupted.... Read more
17-Nov-2011Source: Russian Helicopters
Light and medium class rotorcraft of Russian make, namely the Mi-34C1, Ansat, Ka-226T, Ka-32A11BC, Mi-171A2, and Mi-38, may become the best options for forming the rescue and firefighting aviation in the Middle East and North Africa. Representatives of Russian Helicopters, an industrial holding company of the Russian rotorcraft industry and a subsidiary of UIC Oboronprom... Read more
17-Nov-2011Source: Wichita Eagle
Wichita-based EagleMed and St. Catherine Hospital in Garden City have a new partnership to provide critical-care air medical transport services. (see full story)... Read more
17-Nov-2011Source: Tanis Aircraft Products
Tanis Aircraft Products has released a new video outlining the safety benefits of helicopter preheat. Tanis is the technology and innovation leader in aircraft preheat systems, including state of the art systems designed specifically for rotary wing aircraft. The new video highlights the functionality and features of the company’s helicopter preheat systems. Tanis preheat technology... Read more
17-Nov-2011Source: HFI
Helicopter Foundation International is pleased to be accepting applications for the Commercial Helicopter Rating Scholarship, a scholarship specifically geared towards students in the process of obtaining their commercial license and enrolled in an FAA approved Part 141 school or international equivalent. Up to four winners will be selected from all qualified applicants and they will... Read more
17-Nov-2011Source: RLC
RLC, the largest privately-held helicopter operator in the Gulf of Mexico, today announced it has signed a four-year contract with FlightSafety International, the world’s leading aviation training company and provider of flight simulators and advanced flight training devices used by the aviation industry, governments and military agencies worldwide. This agreement extends a relationship between RLC... Read more
17-Nov-2011Source: Air Methods
Air Methods Corporation (Nasdaq:AIRM) announced today that on November 11, 2011, the Company received a letter from the Nasdaq Stock Market stating that the Company is not in compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5250(c)(1). The Company anticipated receiving such letter because, as previously disclosed, the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (the “Form 10-Q”) for the quarter ended September... Read more
17-Nov-2011Source: Russian Helicopters
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has certified the Arrius 2G1 turboshaft engine made by French company Turbomeca (Safran Group), installed on the Russian light Ka-226T helicopter. Engine certification achieved end-October 2011 allows mass operation of the engine and remains an important milestone in the multi-role Ka-226T helicopter programme. The contract between the Russian rotorcraft... Read more
17-Nov-2011Source: REACH
The Woman’s Hospital of Texas (Woman’s) and REACH Air Medical Services, LLC (REACH) announce a collaboration to provide life-saving 24/7 emergency medical helicopter service to Houston and outlying areas. The service will provide air transport exclusively for high-risk maternal and neonatal patients to Woman’s for specialized care. Woman’s and REACH are combining resources to provide... Read more
17-Nov-2011Source: Star Telegram
The Arlington Police Department got approval Tuesday from the City Council to spend just over $202,000 from a federal grant to buy two small unmanned aircraft. (see full story)... Read more
17-Nov-2011Source: AHS
Recruit new members and get rewarded! We had a record number of membership renewals in October, but we still need you to talk to your colleagues about the benefits of membership. AHS is asking all members to help with our Fall 2011 Membership Drive. Our goal is to gain 500 of your friends and colleagues... Read more
17-Nov-2011Source: Eurocopter
New agreements announced during this week’s Dubai Airshow further enhance Eurocopter’s Middle East and Asia footprint, creating a cooperative maintenance program for Royal Jordanian Air Force AS 332 M1 Super Pumas, establishing customer support services for helicopters with the United Arab Emirates’ Armed Forces, and marking the sale of a corporate EC130 B4 to Pakistan.... Read more
17-Nov-2011Source: AgustaWestland
AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce that JSC Euro-Asia Air of Kazakhstan has ordered two additional AW139 medium twin helicopters. These offshore configured AW139s will be used to perform transport operations in Kazakhstan’s section of the Caspian Sea. One of the two aircraft will be provided with the Full Ice Protection System (FIPS)... Read more
17-Nov-2011
AirCare helicopter suffered bird strike and landed safely despite a hole in the wind shield. Pilot to hospital. On board burns victim patient onward to hospital by land ambulance... Read more
16-Nov-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Kenya Wildlife Service has recently taken delivery of a brand new Bell 407 helicopter at Nairobi’s Wilson Airport. Â This has given the organisation an increase of internal capacity for aerial surveys, and to transport workers to locations where they need to deal with vital situations. At the handover, KWS Executive Director Julius Kipngetich said that... Read more
16-Nov-2011Source: HAI
HAI invites all members of the rotorcraft community to participate in the many education course sponsorship opportunities available at HELI-EXPO 2012. Education course sponsorships begin at $1,500 and include the following: logo inclusion on the education course sign in the Dallas Convention Center, at the Salute to Excellence Awards dinner along with other sponsor logos,... Read more
16-Nov-2011Source: HAI
HAI hosted the 2011 Annual Fire Safety Forum in Boise, Idaho this week. HAI President Matt Zuccaro, opened the forum with a presentation to more than 100 attendees on the status of safety challenges in the industry. Stan Rose, HAI’s director of Safety, presented an overview of HAI accreditation, while Terry Palmer of FlightSafety International... Read more
16-Nov-2011Source: Bell
Bell Helicopter’s President & CEO John Garrison presents Hareb Thani Hareb Al Dhaheri, CEO for Horizon Flight Training Academy, with a model of a Bell 407 to recognize the long-standing relationship between the companies. Horizon Flight Training Academy currently operates the largest fleet of training helicopters in the Middle East. It will have 15 Bell... Read more
16-Nov-2011Source: Metro Aviation
Metro Aviation, Inc. recently entered into a contract with STAT MedEvac for three EC135 and two EC145 aircraft completions. The latest order will be a continuation of business between Metro Aviation, Inc. and STAT MedEvac that began with the introduction of the first EC135 aircraft in the United States, which was completed by Metro Aviation,... Read more
16-Nov-2011Source: GAMA
The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) has announced that its Board of Directors has voted to expand the Association’s membership to include rotorcraft manufacturers and to accept one of the world’s leading companies, Bell Helicopter, as the first GAMA member from this sector of general aviation products. “We are very excited about working formally to... Read more
16-Nov-2011Source: Tech-Tool Plastics
European EC120 and EC130 operators have a new source for helicopter replacement windows following European Aviation Safety Agency approval of a Supplemental Type Certificate for Tech-Tool Plastics’ standard and special application replacement windows. FAA and Transport Canada approvals have been previously received. Available replacement windows include windshields, skylights and forward and aft door windows. The... Read more
16-Nov-2011
Emergency landing after bird strike caused hole 10×16 inches... Read more
15-Nov-2011Source: Safe Flight
Safe Flight Instrument Corporation, the world’s leading manufacturer of aircraft lift instrumentation and control systems, announces the appointment of Matthew Greene as Vice President of Program Management. Since joining Safe Flight in October 2003, Matt has taken on increasing roles of responsibility within the organization, most recently as Vice President of Marketing. In this new... Read more
15-Nov-2011Source: HFI
The Helicopter Foundation International is pleased to accept applications for the Maintenance Technician Certificate Scholarship – a scholarship specifically geared to students who are enrolled in a FAA Part 147 school (or its international equivalent) and plan to become certified helicopter maintenance technicians. Up to six winners will be selected from all qualified applicants, and... Read more
15-Nov-2011Source: AgustaWestland
AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, and Abu Dhabi Aviation, the largest commercial helicopter operator in the Middle East, are pleased to announce the establishment of a joint venture in the UAE in the field of helicopter maintenance. The two companies have formed a limited liability company named AgustaWestland Aviation Services LLC to carry out a range... Read more
15-Nov-2011Source: Eurocopter
Eurocopter and the German air rescue organisation DRF Luftrettung signed a purchase agreement last night for 25 helicopters of the newest generation – the EC145 T2. This purchase makes the air rescue organisation Europe’s largest customer for this type of helicopter. With the purchase of these aircraft, the DRF Luftrettung will successively replace the BK... Read more
15-Nov-2011Source: AgustaWestland
AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce that the AW139 medium twin helicopter fleet operated by Gulf Helicopters of Qatar has achieved the milestone of 20,000 flying hours. Gulf Helicopter is one of the largest AW139 operators worldwide and a prime player in the Middle East with 12 helicopters of this type already in... Read more
15-Nov-2011
“An M18 helicopter crashed while landing in the region of Bandondo,”... Read more
15-Nov-2011
Hard landing – starboard gear collapsed. Pilot identified as 57-year-old Jeff Boatman... Read more
14-Nov-2011Source: FAA
The FAA recently launched a wildlife poster outreach campaign for the general aviation (GA) community – pilots, airport sponsors, mechanics, engine manufacturers, students at aviation schools, and aviation organizations – to increase wildlife strike reporting among this important segment of aviation. For the last 50 years, the FAA has worked to reduce wildlife strikes at... Read more
14-Nov-2011
Guernsey hopes to emulate the success of the Isle of Man’s aircraft register, which has become the eighth-largest business aircraft register in the world, only four years after its introduction. (see full story)... Read more
14-Nov-2011Source: University of Maryland
Sikorsky Aircraft, a world leader in helicopter design, manufacture and service headquartered in Connecticut, is partnering with the Clark School to develop the next generation of helicopter engineers. Sikorsky has donated $110,000 in 2011 in support of programs for Clark School students, including two new scholarships, a fellowship for graduate students, and the establishment of... Read more
14-Nov-2011Source: Cheyenne RMC
Cheyenne Regional Medical Center is expanding its emergency care across the region with the addition of an AirLife Denver medical helicopter service in Cheyenne. The new service is a partnership between Cheyenne Regional and HCA-HealthONE, which operates AIRLIFE Denver. Cheyenne Regional’s new blue and sonic green helicopter will be stationed in Cheyenne and will provide air ambulance... Read more