21-Aug-2013
Post maintenance test flight. Pilot saw the low oil pressure alert when flying at 1,200ft AGL and performed an autorotation for landing on the Marginal Tiete Avenue which was busy with traffic. While trying to avoid the traffic, the landing flare caused the helicopter to hit a low concrete wall, causing teh tail boom to separate.... Read more
20-Aug-2013Source: American Eurocopter
Boston MedFlight has taken delivery of a new Eurocopter EC145 helicopter that will be used to provide life-saving emergency airborne medical transport service for a consortium of leading Boston hospitals. Boston MedFlight selected the EC145 in January as the most capable and cost efficient aircraft to replace their current fleet of BK117s. The new helicopter,... Read more
20-Aug-2013Source: Helibras
Helibras has just opened its new base of service and excellence in after-sales. The Customer Support Center (CSC) is located in Atibaia, São Paulo, and will receive and manage all customer inquiries related to maintenance, repair, parts supply, warranty and service of all helicopter operators Helibrás / Eurocopter in the country Aiming to improve the level... Read more
20-Aug-2013Source: Simplex
Simplex® Aerospace has received an order from Japan Aerospace for a high rise building water cannon, called the SkyCannon™, for the Eurocopter EC 225 helicopter. The high rise SkyCannon™ will be deployed for use in the city of Tokyo. Simplex® Aerospace will obtain an FAA STC along with Japanese reciprocal approval for use in Japan.... Read more
20-Aug-2013Source: Helibras
[electronic translation] Helibras held a symbolic delivery of the new AS350 Squirrel helicopter B3e for UniAir, air taxi company responsible for aeromedical transport group Unimed Rio Grande do Sul This is the second medical settings Squirrel with the company, the first being based in Minas general in the service of the State Federation Unimed. “The squirrel... Read more
17-Aug-2013
Plastic bag blown up into tail rotor. EMS Helicopter roaded out from landing site... Read more
14-Aug-2013Source: UTair
On June 28, 2013 a UTair Aviation Eurocopter BO 105 helicopter joined the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute expedition organized by State Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute. The UTair helicopter is outfitted with special equipment for conducting operations in the polar conditions and departed to participate in the project from the deck of the diesel-electric icebreaker Capitan... Read more
12-Aug-2013Source: Eurocopter Canada
Eurocopter Canada delivers a new AS350 B3e for utility operations to Paul’s Aircraft Services based out of Yellowknife, NT Paul’s Aircraft Services’ new AS350 B3e will join their existing Eurocopter fleet of 4 AS350’s. This is the first delivery of the enhanced AS350 B3e to Paul’s Aircraft Services. The addition of the aircraft for Paul’s... Read more
12-Aug-2013
“Christopherus 9” helicopter found with 9mm bullet hole through rotor blade. Date/location of incident unknown, but 12-Aug-13 the most likely date according to report and given location is base of this helicopter – Meidling Heliport, Vienna... Read more
8-Aug-2013Source: HeliHub.com
Following their launch on 1st May, The London Helicopter has had regular work offering sightseeing flights from The Barclays London Heliport in Battersea. Initially they were using an AS350B3 Squirrel G-ORKI, which will soon be re-registered G-LHTA to pick up the initials of London Helicopter Tours. Yesterday, a second Squirrel was added – this time... Read more
8-Aug-2013Source: Bond Air Services
Bond provides helicopter support to deliver maintenance technicians by hoist to the wind farm’s 140 turbines – the first helicopter operation of its kind in the UK. The wind farm has a generation capacity of around 500MW, enough to power approximately 530,000 homes. The service uses a Eurocopter EC135T2i aircraft, operating seven days a week... Read more
6-Aug-2013
After touching down, two of the three passengers got out of the helicopter while the engine and rotor were still running. The passenger on the right removed his gear from the cargo bay and proceeded to the front of the helicopter where he was struck by the rotating rotor blade. CADORS 2013C3288... Read more
5-Aug-2013Source: Eurocopter
THK Gökçen Aviation, the commercial company of the Turkish Aeronautical Association THK, yesterday received the first five EC135s to provide medical airlift duties throughout Turkey. The helicopters will start operations in August. The delivery of this first batch takes place only three months after the selection of Eurocopter as preferred manufacturer. THK Gökçen Aviation and... Read more
5-Aug-2013Source: Bristow Group
This is an extract from the Bristow quarterly financial report Eurocopter, the manufacturer of the EC225 Super Puma aircraft, has indicated that they have determined the root causes of the gear shaft failure in the EC225 that occurred in 2012. This determination has been reviewed and verified by airworthiness authorities and independent third parties. The... Read more
5-Aug-2013Source: Vector Aerospace
Vector Aerospace Corporation (Vector – www.vectoraerospace.com), one of the world’s leading independent providers of aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services, is happy to announce the availability of an FAA certified CVFDR applicable to AS332 helicopters. In collaboration with L-3 Vertex Aerospace (L-3), Whiting Field, Florida, Vector Aerospace, Langley, BC, received FAA Supplemental Type Certification... Read more
4-Aug-2013
Firefighting helicopter. Ended up on its starboard side with little apparent vertical impact (=roll-over?). 2 POB, 1 with minor injuries, 1 uninjured... Read more
3-Aug-2013
Smoke in cockpit, force landed, helicopter destroyed in ensuing fire. Pilot uninjured. Time approx 10.30pm and location reported as close to (or at?) the MIRA test track.... Read more
2-Aug-2013Source: Eurocopter
Eurocopter today delivered the first NH90 NFH (NATO Frigate Helicopter) to the Belgium Armed Forces, providing an advanced, highly capable and fully-qualified rotary-wing aircraft for this nation’s multi-role mission requirements. In addition to being the no. 1 NH90 NFH received by Belgium, it also is the first built at Eurocopter’s Donauwörth, Germany industrial site –... Read more
2-Aug-2013Source: HawkesBay.co.nz
A second major sponsor of the Hawke’s Bay rescue helicopter trust has expressed concerns over the trust’s structure and says it will pull sponsorship unless changes are made – see full story... Read more
2-Aug-2013Source: Chronicle Times
LifeNet Air Medical Services, a division of Air Methods, has announced that they will no longer be based on the grounds of Cherokee Regional Medical Center effective on August 15, 2013. see full story... Read more
1-Aug-2013Source: HeliHub.com
In the wake of the resignation of Alison McEwan as Chairman of the Trustees, new appointee Andy Train has reportedly made it his priority to sort out the issues that his predecessor. These included – according to NewsTalkZB – the lack of transparency in the board selection process, and unnecessarily high rates for a lower-equipped... Read more
1-Aug-2013Source: Eurocopter
SonAir, Africa’s largest oil and gas helicopter operator, has become the first operator to resume passenger transportation flights with the suspended EC225 fleet. Three flights were performed successfully with two EC225s from Luanda to two offshore platforms. Based in Angola, SonAir is the aviation division of Sonangol, Angola’s national oil company. Its resumption of EC225... Read more
1-Aug-2013Source: HeliHub.com
EADS – or “European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company N.V” to give it its full title – has decided to rename itself Airbus Group, and will be aligning all its subsidiaries accordingly. According to this press release, The Airbus Group will consist of three Divisions: * Airbus, responsible for all commercial aircraft activities – so... Read more
1-Aug-2013Source: EagleMed
EagleMed LLC has entered the second level of the voluntary Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Safety Management System (SMS), demonstrating the company’s ongoing commitment to advancements in safety. The critical care air medical transport company began working with the FAA on the process more than 18 months ago. By adopting SMS as a higher standard for safety... Read more
1-Aug-2013Source: Eurocopter
This is an important achievement for both the Tiger program and for Eurocopter Spain,” said Juan Luis Cordero, the Eurocopter Tiger program manager in Spain. “The assembly of this helicopter was made possible thanks to a significant investment in both industrial and human resources and also to the close coordination with other entities in the... Read more
31-Jul-2013Source: Milestone Aviation
Milestone Aviation Group, the global leader in helicopter leasing, announced today that it has closed a new US$300 million credit facility. The company will use the proceeds to acquire and lease helicopters valued at US$400 million to affiliates of Bristow Group Inc. The assets include Sikorsky S-92’s, Eurocopter EC225’s and AgustaWestland AW189 and AW139 aircraft.... Read more
31-Jul-2013Source: Milestone Aviation
Milestone Aviation Group, the global leader in helicopter leasing, announced today that it is financing the delivery of a Eurocopter EC225 to Blueway Offshore Norge AS, a subsidiary of Blueway AS. The Norwegian registered aircraft will be used for crew change missions to offshore oil and gas platforms in the North Sea. The European delivery... Read more
31-Jul-2013Source: INAER
The Malpartida medical base in Cáceres, operated by INAER Spain is now the home of Spain’s first all-woman medical helicopter crew. The crew is made up of pilot Beatriz Parera, medic Gloria Palacios and Salobrar Sánchez and Rocio Ramos from the Extramadura Health Service, and uses a Eurocopter EC135. “The gender of the crew doesn’t... Read more
30-Jul-2013Source: Eurocopter
The Eurocopter Corporate Foundation has launched its first outreach initiatives through agreements with two France-based non-governmental organizations: the Castel Mauboussin Association and Acting for Life. By partnering with the Castel Mauboussin Association, which helps people with disabilities pursue careers in the aerospace industry, the Foundation will support the training of flight assistants for helicopter emergency... Read more
30-Jul-2013Source: American Eurocopter
American Eurocopter, the largest producer of civil and commercial helicopters in the U.S., has joined forces with a group of Dallas/Fort Worth television stations to support a public interest campaign aimed at creating interest among youth in rewarding career opportunities in fields requiring science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education. American Eurocopter is the first... Read more
29-Jul-2013Source: Eurocopter
Eurocopter has delivered a fourth EC225 helicopter to Denmark’s DanCopter A/S – which operates the rotorcraft for crew change missions to offshore oil and gas platforms in the North Sea. The handover was made at the Marignane, France production facility of Eurocopter, and will be followed by the helicopter’s ferry flight to DanCopter’s Esbjerg, Denmark... Read more
29-Jul-2013Source: American Eurocopter
American Eurocopter has received a Supplemental Type Certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration for installing the Garmin G500H “glass cockpit” multifunction electronic flight display system in the EC130 T2 helicopter. Launch customer Blue Hawaiian Helicopters, the only helicopter tour company serving all four major Hawaiian Islands, has received the first two G500H equipped EC130 T2s... Read more
29-Jul-2013
Helicopter blown over on helipad of superyacht “Attessa IV” in gales reported as 60-80 knots... Read more
29-Jul-2013
Helicopter crashed into lake, killing 5 of 6 POB – three German businessmen, Romanian businessman Sorin Terbea (the helicopter owner), and the pilot died in the crash. Terbea’s assistant survived.... Read more
26-Jul-2013
the #2 engine chip light illuminated without secondary symptoms noted. The pilot completed the emergency procedure for a #2 Engine Chip Light illumination and landed without incident at a local airport.... Read more
25-Jul-2013Source: Trakka Corp
Trakka Corp Pty Ltd today announced that the A800 Trakkabeam Tactical Searchlight has been successfully installed and operated on the first UK Air Ambulance cleared for full night operations. The aircraft installation from Bond Air Services for the East Anglian Air Ambulance EC135 aircraft marks a first for UK HEMS operations. The Trakkabeam searchlight’s primary... Read more
24-Jul-2013Source: EagleMed
EagleMed LLC has begun air medical service operations in Cody, Wyo., for West Park Hospital, a primary, full-service medical center serving communities throughout Wyoming’s Big Horn Basin. EagleMed is the preferred air medical services provider for the Wyoming hospital. When fully staffed, the base will have approximately 15 EagleMed flight, medical, management and ground support... Read more
23-Jul-2013Source: HeliHub.com
Police in China’s Wuhan Province have now gone live with their new Eurocopter EC135P2e. Pioneers in law enforcement aviation in China by many years, Wuhan started helicopter operations with an Enstrom 280FX back in 1994. Increasing demands of the tasks has meant that they needed a much more able aircraft, hence the upgrade. The Enstrom... Read more
22-Jul-2013
Tail rotor struck ground on landing on a training flight. From this press report – According to airport spokesperson Christine Crews told FOX5 one of the helicopter’s rotors struck the ground, causing significant damage to the aircraft. The Sundance spokesperson, though, said the Eurocopter AS350B2 had tail rotor and skid damage only.... Read more
21-Jul-2013
Shortly after dropping off two tourist anglers and their interpreter, the pilot took off but crashed into them, killing all three. The pilot survived. The casualties were named here as retired lawyer Rupert Beaumont and fine-art dealer Mark Robertson, both 69, and their Russian guide and interpreter, Alexander Tushnikov, 53.... Read more
21-Jul-2013
Helicopter was circling nose-down at low level before crashing into shallow Shahe River – see video. Possible engine failure – note flame from exhaust just prior to impact... Read more
19-Jul-2013
Eurocopter Southern Africa chief executive Fabrice Cagnat said the expanded and extended agreement recognised “Denel’s proven rotorcraft engineering expertise and its reputation for top quality and competitively-priced service. See full story... Read more
19-Jul-2013
Aeromed is the company that has flown critically sick or injured patients from hospitals or accidents to urban trauma centers since 1994. However, on July 31, the Tampa General Hospital-owned company is severing its five-year contract with Rocky Mountain Holdings and will lease helicopters from a different company. – See full story... Read more
18-Jul-2013Source: Eurocopter
The missions of Eurocopter helicopters will have a starring role in this year’s Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) air show, demonstrating the unique capability of its rotorcraft to provide vital police, ambulance, fire and rescue support through the interoperability of equipped UK emergency services. During the RIAT event at RAF Fairford in the Cotswolds on... Read more
18-Jul-2013
Bird strike on tour flight... Read more
17-Jul-2013Source: American Eurocopter
American Eurocopter is pleased to announce the purchase of two Eurocopter EC120 helicopters by the San Antonio Police Department as part of an upgrade to their fleet of patrol helicopters. The agency currently operates one Eurocopter AS350B3 for use in fire-fighting, search and rescue and other special missions. The agency is eventually moving to an... Read more
17-Jul-2013Source: American Eurocopter
American Eurocopter has teamed up with the Los Angeles Police Department Air Support Division in an unprecedented training program to enhance the safety and efficiency of the LAPD helicopter flight operations. As part of its ongoing customer support commitment American Eurocopter will recognize the LAPD Air Support Division at the Airborne Law Enforcement Association’s 43rd... Read more
17-Jul-2013Source: American Eurocopter
One of the best ways law enforcement agencies and other operators can optimize the long-term use of popular Eurocopter AS350 series aircraft is to have American Eurocopter perform the detailed 12-Year Inspection. The 12-Year Inspection effectively resets the inspection cycles to zero (0) and allows the aircraft to be completely updated by incorporating all existing... Read more
17-Jul-2013Source: American Eurocopter
Alaska Department of Public Safety is the latest U.S. law enforcement agency to take delivery of a new Eurocopter AS350B3e helicopter and has placed an order with American Eurocopter for a second aircraft to be delivered in early 2014. The new AStar was delivered in a July 2 ceremony to a crew headed by Lt.... Read more
17-Jul-2013Source: American Eurocopter
Law enforcement agencies looking for a versatile helicopter to upgrade their airborne mission capabilities need look no further than the Eurocopter EC135, the highly capable light twin-engine helicopter marketed by American Eurocopter. Nearly 1,100 EC135s are in use globally, with missions heavily focused on airborne law enforcement and emergency medical transport services. The latest variant of this mission-tested helicopter is the... Read more
17-Jul-2013Source: American Eurocopter
Eurocopter AS350 series helicopters remain the leading choice of U.S. law enforcement agencies to provide airborne law enforcement capabilities. There are more than 200 AS350s used in law enforcement service, outselling the nearest competitor by nearly a three-to-one margin. The trend has continued as American Eurocopter finds wide customer acceptance with law enforcement for the... Read more
16-Jul-2013Source: BBC
The operating hours of Scotland’s first charity air ambulance have been changed to cope with demand at certain times of the day. see full story... Read more
16-Jul-2013Source: Eurocopter
Eurocopter has successfully demonstrated new landing procedures relying on augmented satellite guidance that can be tailored to more completely comply with the local environmental requirements. These new landing procedures were validated with a twin-engine Eurocopter EC155 during flight tests performed as part of the company’s participation in the Green Rotorcraft Integrated Technology Demonstrator program –... Read more
15-Jul-2013Source: Erickson Air-Crane
Erickson Air-Crane Incorporated (NASDAQ: EAC) (“Erickson” or “the Company”), a leading global provider of aviation services to a diverse mix of commercial and government customers, and the vertically-integrated manufacturer and operator of the powerful heavy-lift Erickson S-64 Aircrane helicopter, announced today that it has been awarded a contract renewal with the Department of Transportation, providing aerial passenger... Read more
15-Jul-2013Source: Cobham
Cobham plc (‘Cobham’ or ‘the Group’) today announces that it has completed the acquisition of the 50% shareholding that it did not already own in FB Heliservices Ltd, FB Leasing Limited and FBS Limited (together ‘FBH’), from its long standing joint venture partner, Bristow Helicopters Limited (‘Bristow’). The transaction comprises cash consideration of £74 million... Read more
15-Jul-2013Source: PhilStar
Defense department records show that as of Thursday, only AgustaWestland and Eurocopter have bought the bidding documents for the project. see full story... Read more
15-Jul-2013Source: Devon Air Ambulance
Having recently completed their 20,000th mission, Devon’s two Air Ambulances have had yet another busy week. Last weekend for example the crews were called to 8 missions across the county, from Bideford to Salcombe, Newton Abbot to Wheddon Cross. The incidents included falls from ladders, bikes and trees, a road traffic collision involving a motorcycle... Read more
15-Jul-2013Source: Rebtech
REBTECH, one the first civil and military aviation night vision lighting providers in the world, has announced the initial night vision goggle (NVG) compatible conversion of an AS350B3e recently acquired by the City of Austin Police Department (APD). The addition of this aircraft to the APD Air Support Unit will allow expanded critical support roles... Read more
12-Jul-2013Source: Anchorage Daily News
The Alaska State Troopers rolled out their new helicopter – Helo 2 on Thursday, July 11, 2013. see full story and photo... Read more
12-Jul-2013Source: Eurocopter
Eurocopter and the German Federal Ministry of Defense today signed a contract for 15 EC645 T2 Light Utility Helicopters (LUH) to be used by Kommando Spezialkräfte (KSK), Germany’s Special Forces Command. With this order, the Bundeswehr has now joined the customer list for the most powerful model in Eurocopter’s proven EC145 family. The contract, worth... Read more
11-Jul-2013Source: SaxonAir
SaxonAir Flight Support Ltd has marked a key milestone in its first year of offshore ground handling with DanCopter AS. The contract involves SaxonAir handling all Shell offshore passengers and freight from Norwich Airport on behalf of DanCopter AS of Denmark. DanCopter were awarded the Shell contract in July 2012 to operate helicopters carrying passengers... Read more
11-Jul-2013Source: Fox 18
The Iowa Army National Guard is very excited about having a new fleet with two new helicopter models – with six CH-47F Chinooks and two UH-72A Lakotas – see full story... Read more
11-Jul-2013Source: HSSG
The Helicopter Safety Steering Group (HSSG) welcomes the Directive from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) as the first major step in bringing the fleet of EC225 helicopters back to safe flight operations. The safety barriers proposed will give several layers of assurance that this helicopter is safe to fly.... Read more
10-Jul-2013Source: Eurocopter
Norbert Ducrot has been appointed the President and CEO of Eurocopter China, positioning this experienced Asian region executive to lead Eurocopter’s Chinese affiliate. Ducrot’s new role is in addition to continuing his responsibilities as the Eurocopter Senior Vice President – North Asia (China, Korea, Japan). China is a key market for Eurocopter. The company holds... Read more
10-Jul-2013Source: Airbus ProSky
Eurocopter has inked a deal for Airbus ProSky’s Exact Landing Interference Simulation Environment (ELISE) simulation solution to model and validate pending construction on the grounds of Paris – Le Bourget. In particular, the study will focus on simulating the impact of six cranes on the localizer signal and explore the interactions between the cranes and... Read more
10-Jul-2013Source: UK CAA and others
Following publication of an airworthiness directive by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) for Super Puma helicopters on 9 July 2013, the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) will subsequently amend its operational restriction on the helicopter type, allowing each aircraft to return to service once the requirements of the EASA directive are met. EASA is... Read more
10-Jul-2013Source: Norwegian Government
The Ministry of Justice and Public Security has informed the four bidders that further negotiations will be held with the two companies AgustaWestland and Eurocopter for the replacement of the current Sea King fleet. Norway intends to procure up to 16 new SAR helicopters with an option for additional 6. The project target is that... Read more
10-Jul-2013Source: Soloy
In the first half of 2013 Soloy Aviation Solutions has sold seven (7) AS350SD2 engine conversion kits. Four (4) of these STC’d engine conversion kits transacted in June. A New Zealand fleet operator placed an order for three SD2 kits and a fourth kit was sold to an existing Soloy customer who operates the largest... Read more
10-Jul-2013Source: WHO-TV Channel 13
An Iowa air ambulance says it will soon carry blood and plasma to patients in flight. see full story... Read more
9-Jul-2013Source: Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust
The Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust today confirmed that the future of the HEMS project (Helicopter Emergency Medical Service) was secure. Trust CEO Greg Barrow said the Board had recently signed off on a three year proposal to support the HEMS project and funding had been allocated accordingly in future budgets. “Although our annual ratepayer funding... Read more
9-Jul-2013
Contacted high voltage powerlines and crashed with 5 fatalities. Registration NOT yet verified... Read more
7-Jul-2013Source: Guardian
In February, Eurocopter, the latest arrival, opened a 12,000 sq metre facility that will employ 200 people by next year. see full story... Read more