The French Minister of the Armed Forces, Florence Parly, has announced that the launch of the Joint Light Helicopter (Hélicoptère Interarmées Léger; HIL) programme has been brought forward to 2021. The HIL programme, for which the Airbus Helicopters’ H160 was selected in 2017, was initially scheduled for launch in 2022 by the current military budget… Read more »
Source: Airbus Helicopters, 28-May-19
In January 2008, the French Ministry of Defence launched its first private-public partnership (PPP) under a contract signed with Hélidax. This company has been equally owned by Babcock MCS France and DCI (Défense Conseil International). Babcock acquired their half through the purchase of Avincis, a group of companies which included INAER Helicopter France – which… Read more »
Source: HeliHub.com, 12-Apr-19
The Full Flight Simulator (FFS) of Airbus Helicopters in Helisim (France) has been upgraded with the latest step 3 Helionix version delivered on new H175 aircraft. In addition to the improved similarity with the aircraft real life situations, this update includes new mission capabilities: • AFCS SAR (Search And Rescue) modes allowing to perform SAR… Read more »
Source: Airbus Helicopters, 10-Apr-19
Aerial Firefighting Europe 2019 is the latest event in the expanding conference and exhibition portfolio run by Tangent Link. It follows the recent highly successful SAR conference in Australia and takes place on 19-20 March 2019 at Nîmes in France. Tangent Link prides itself in having a strategic partnership to underpin each of its conferences,… Read more »
Source: Tangent Link, 19-Mar-19
Enstrom Helicopter Corporation was pleased to deliver their newest 280FX to the French training company, Golf Tango at Heli-Expo in Atlanta. Gérard Taunay, founder of Golf Tango was on hand, along with François Gatineau, CEO of Rotor and Aircraft, the Enstrom dealer in France. This new 280FX will be operated from Golf Tango’s main base… Read more »
Source: Enstrom, 11-Mar-19
The newest Enstrom Helicopter service center was announced at Heli-Expo in Atlanta. Copter & Boat’s Dream, also known as Copter Company in France, is owned by Eddy Pacalis and is based in Cournonsec, West of Montpellier on the Mediterranean Riviera where they maintain 30+ helicopters including 6 Enstroms. Doug Smith, Director of Product Support at… Read more »
Source: Enstrom, 11-Mar-19
Air Ambulance on approach to land – a sheet from a farm building broke loose and embedded in the blades of the helicopter, causing it to turn through 180 degrees, landing heavily from low level. The crew consisting of a doctor, a nurse, a pilot and a flight assistant were unharmed but shocked [Wrongly quoted… Read more »
22-Feb-19
During reconnaissance to land on a golf course, the helicopter suddenly rotates left on its yaw axis, falls from a height of 5 to 10 m by making several turns on itself, and collides with the ground on one of the courses of the golf course. Two POB, one reported seriously injured, the other lightly… Read more »
31-Jan-19
The helicopter takes off in the wind. It reaches the altitude of about 20m and makes a 180 ° to head south. Shortly after this U-turn, the aircraft tilts to the left about 45 °, falls rapidly and hits the ground violently.
Source: https://www.bea.aero/index.php?id=40&news=20239&cHash=d4a41eef25ebe89914abb3a3ee24a125, 05-Nov-18
Enstrom Helicopter Corporation signed a contract at Helitech International to deliver a new 280FX into France. The deal is being completed by their dealer, François Gatineau, CEO of Rotor & Aircraft Sarl. This signing took place on October 17 at the Enstrom booth. This is the last step in the process to bring the Enstrom… Read more »
Source: Enstrom Helicopter Corporation, 22-Oct-18
MBDA’s Sea Venom/ANL missile has successfully completed its second development firing from a French Defence Procurement Agency (DGA – Direction Générale de l’Armement) Panther test helicopter at Ile Du Levant in southeast France.The firing, which took place on 18 April 2018, highlighted Sea Venom/ANL’s lock on after launch (LOAL) capabilities. It also validated its aptitude for low-altitude,… Read more »
Source: MBDA, 04-Jun-18
Naval Special Warfare forces and the U.S. Army Special Operations Aviation Command conducted interoperability training with French amphibious assault ship LHD Tonnerre (L9014) and USNS John Lenthall (T-AO 189) in the Arabian Gulf, Feb. 6. This was the first mission for a French Mistral class LHD as a platform for U.S. special operations. The training… Read more »
Source: US Navy, 12-Mar-18
The Kuwait Government has launched an investigation into their deal with France. The contract, worth more than $1.1 billion, is for Airbus Caracal helicopters. However, Kuwait’s Anti-Corruption Authority has started investigating the deal since reports of a middleman demanding $71 million has come to light, reports Gulf Business.
Source: HeliHub.com, 19-Feb-18
Airbus Helicopters has delivered the first Tiger retrofitted into the HAD version to the French Army Aviation, after having previously completed its formal acceptance process with the French Defence Procurement Agency (DGA). This retrofit from the HAP to the HAD version involves performing over 100 airframe modifications and installing over 1500 new parts and 250… Read more »
Source: Airbus Helicopters, 03-Jan-18
This new identity is a natural step in the Group’s history, aimed at supporting our ambitions to guarantee our exposure and credibility in international markets. Naval Group CEO Hervé Guillou said: “The creation of a strong, unifying brand, that embodies both our heritage and our expertise will enable us to meet two major objectives: continue… Read more »
Source: Naval Group, 12-Jul-17
Schiebel’s CAMCOPTER® S-100 Unmanned Air System (UAS) once again convinced with its outstanding maritime capability when successfully completing qualification flights for the French Navy from 29 May to 3 June 2017. The flight trials were performed from the deck of the Bâtiment de Projection et de Commandement (BPC) Dixmude, the newest of the French Navy’s… Read more »
Source: Schiebel, 26-Jun-17
XTI Aircraft Company (XTI) announced today it has been selected by the Paris Air Lab Programming Committee to exhibit at the Paris Air Show. The exhibit space is hosted by the French Aerospace Industries Association in coordination with Starburst Accelerator, a major aerospace, defense and security investment fund and consulting firm. In addition to exhibiting… Read more »
Source: XTI Aircraft, 07-Jun-17
Luxaviation Helicopters and Azur Hélicoptère are announcing today a new partnership which will bring a seamless private helicopter and jet experience to clients visiting the South of France. Luxaviation Helicopters, part of the Luxaviation Group (EBACE booth number T70), will work together with Azur Hélicoptère to provide helicopter transfers to clients’ end destinations in the… Read more »
Source: Luxaviation Group, 26-May-17
Five French manufacturers of components for helicopters will take part in the 10th International Helicopter Industry Exhibition HeliRussia 2017, taking place from 25 to 27 May at the Crocus Expo IEC in Moscow. Esterline, Hutchinson, Nicomatic, Permaswage and Sela will exhibit at the National Pavilion of France, organized by the Business France national agency: Trade… Read more »
Source: HeliRussia, 17-May-17
At a recent briefing at the Airbus Helicopters production tactility at Marignane in Southern France, HeliHub.com was shown a new system which has been set up on the H125/H130 line to monitor the progress of each aircraft and provide significantly more management data. In very simple terms, each helicopter moves down the line every three days… Read more »
Source: HeliHub.com, 05-May-17
Helicopter sank into the ground on landing and then tilted backwards. The pilot applies more power but loses control of the helicopter which falls onto its side. BEA 2017-0233
03-May-17
Héli-Union is creating more than 30 new jobs by opening its doors in Pau, France. This new branch will become another branch of Héli-Union Industry providing heavy maintenance of helicopters. Héli-Union Pau is expected to be operational in May 2017. Héli-Union Pau will host one of Héli-Union’s main portfolios of industry-related service, which is regular… Read more »
Source: Héli-Union, 24-Apr-17
As part of its ongoing journey towards improving customer satisfaction, Airbus is implementing QR codes as a means of collecting customer feedback following each spare part delivery originating from Marignane, France. Upon receipt of a package, customers can scan the affixed QR code using their smartphone, displaying a webpage on which they can select their… Read more »
Source: Airbus Helicopters, 13-Mar-17
HeliHub.com has become aware of a new prototype test flying with French manufacturer Hélicoptères Guimbal. The new aircraft is all white, and carries the French test registration F-WBGD in blue on the tail boom. On the tail fin, in the normal Guimbal style, is the serial number 2001 – “A Space Odyssey” to some, but… Read more »
Source: HeliHub.com, 02-Dec-16
DCNS, a world leader in naval defence, and Airbus Helicopters, the world’s leading helicopter manufacturer, are joining forces to design the future tactical component of France’s Naval Aerial Drone (Système de Drones Aériens de la Marine – SDAM) programme. By pooling naval and aerospace skills and expertise, the teaming of DCNS and Airbus Helicopters will… Read more »
Source: Airbus Helicopters, 26-Oct-16
DCNS, a world leader in naval defence, and Airbus Helicopters, the world’s leading helicopter manufacturer, are joining forces to design the future tactical component of France’s Naval Aerial Drone (Système de Drones Aériens de la Marine – SDAM) programme. By pooling naval and aerospace skills and expertise, the teaming of DCNS and Airbus Helicopters will… Read more »
Source: DCNS, 22-Oct-16
Esterline CMC Electronics (CMC) is pleased to announce that the CMA-9000 Flight Management System (FMS) and CMA-5024 GPS Landing System have been selected by the French Direction générale de l’armement (DGA) and by Airbus Helicopters, to upgrade the Sécurité Civile fleet of EC145 helicopters. The 35 helicopters that will be upgraded are deployed on Sécurité… Read more »
Source: CMC, 11-Jul-16
Monacair has received the last H130 of a contract for six units signed in September 2015. Like the previous five aircraft, the new helicopter will join the regular scheduled flight service that Monacair has set up between Monaco Heliport and Nice International airport. Monacair started this shuttle service in January this year after taking delivery… Read more »
Source: Airbus, 25-May-16
On April 21st, Airbus Helicopters delivered an H125 to RTE at a ceremony at its headquarters in Marignane, France. At this occasion, the company also celebrated a major milestone of one of RTE’s pilots who recently clocked in more than 30,000 flight hours, the majority of which on Airbus Helicopters Ecureuil aircraft. On February 4th,… Read more »
Source: Airbus, 13-May-16
Airbus Helicopters has been awarded a contract by the French Defence Procurement Agency (DGA) to retrofit the avionics suite of the 35 EC145 helicopters operated by the Sécurité Civile, an agency of the French Ministry of Interior that performs critical search and rescue and medical evacuation services throughout the French territory. As part of this… Read more »
Source: Airbus, 12-May-16
Helipaddy, the world’s largest moderated database of helicopter landing sites and points of interest, has started to create suggested helicopter tours as a way of demonstrating the capabilities and value of their system. The first itinerary around the significant First World War (WW1) locations of Northern France has been well received. The suggested route will… Read more »
Source: Helipaddy, 18-Apr-16
In April 2016, Airbus Helicopters is launching its work-study campaign by offering more than 240 new apprenticeship positions at its headquarters in Marignane, France and other regional offices. The positions are in various fields and for all educational levels. The headquarters in Marignane provide apprentices with a close proximity to production lines, allowing them to… Read more »
Source: Airbus Helicopters, 13-Apr-16
Helipaddy, the world’s largest moderated database of helicopter landing sites and points of interest, is expanding through a new collaboration with the Good Hotel Guide. This will increase the already-impressive Helipaddy database with helipads at every relevant hotel in the Good Hotel Guide worldwide. The Helipaddy smartphone apps and website are being updated with around… Read more »
Source: Helipaddy, 08-Apr-16
French operator Helixaero, based at Toussus-le-Noble airfield on the outskirts of Paris, has recently acquired a new Guimbal G2 Cabri direct from the factory in the south of the country. The operator, who previously focused on Robinson R22 and R44 operations, now has serial 1135 in their fleet, as seen in the photos here. Helixaero… Read more »
Source: HeliHub.com, 18-Mar-16
The H160’s second prototype took off today in Marignane, kicking off a busy 2016 for the H160 as it pursues its flight test program with two prototypes. The second prototype is the first H160 to fly with the Turbomeca Arrano engines. PT1 had accumulated more than 75 hours of flight testing by the end of… Read more »
Source: Airbus, 29-Jan-16
The French Defence Procurement Agency (DGA) has ordered six additional NH90 helicopters in tactical troop transport (TTH) configuration, bringing the total amount of NH90 TTHs on order for the French Army Aviation to 74. “The French armed forces have deployed the NH90 operationally in Mali where its outstanding endurance, versatility and manoeuvrability have been greatly… Read more »
Source: Airbus, 08-Jan-16
The French Defense Procurement Agency (DGA) has ordered seven additional Tiger HAD attack helicopters, bringing to 67 the total number of Tigers that will eventually be operated by the French Army Aviation. The additional Tigers will be delivered in 2017-2018. “The French Army Aviation have put the Tiger to the test in multiple theatres and… Read more »
Source: Airbus Helicopters, 04-Jan-16
Skid collapsed in heavy landing after striking wires – which the pilot had not seen due to being distracted by direct sunlight
03-Dec-15
The SIMMAD (Structure intégrée du maintien en condition opérationnelle des matériels aéronautiques du ministère de la Défense, responsible for the maintenance and overhaul of French state-owned aircraft) has awarded Airbus Helicopters with a milestone contract for a global service solution covering the entire fleet of 50 EC145 operated by the French Gendarmerie Nationale and Sécurité… Read more »
Source: Airbus, 16-Nov-15
Mont Blanc Helicopters (MBH) recently closed the purchase of a fire fighting AS 350B3 with the crucial assistance of Avinco. Further to its recent appointment for a fire fighting mission in Corsica, Mont Blanc entrusted Avinco with rapidly securing the appropriate helicopter. Avinco successfully secured the machine within a record one-week lead-time, by providing full… Read more »
Source: Avinco, 11-Nov-15
On September 28, 2015, the French Navy Naval Aviation Practical Experimentation Center (centre d’expérimentations pratiques de l’aéronautique navale – CEPA) validated during a closing conference the interoperability between Mistral class LHDs and the Boeing V-22 Osprey tilt rotor aircraft. See Full Story
Source: Navy Recognition, 09-Nov-15
On return from a local flight, pilot stabilizes the hovering helicopter, turns round before starting a fast forward about 5 m height. After about 300m the pilot the helicopter pitched up to stop hovering. He then receives a uncontrolled increase in engine speed and fails to reduce power. He loses control in rotation, the right… Read more »
05-Nov-15
As from November 2nd, François Tarel is appointed General manager at Microturbo (Safran). He will replace Pierre-Yves Morvan who is taking up a new position in another company in the group, Snecma. François Tarel is an engineering graduate of Ecole Polytechnique in 1984 and Ecole Nationale des Ponts et Chaussées (France) in 1989. He joined… Read more »
Source: Safran, 03-Nov-15
Next May at the HeliRussia 2016, French Association of Aerospace Industry (Groupement des industries françaises aéronautiques et spatiales, abbreviated GIFAS) will unite the French industrial companies at the dedicated French pavilion. IX International Helicopter Industry Exhibition HeliRussia 2016 will be held from 19 to 21 May in Moscow at the “Crocus Expo” International Exhibition Centre…. Read more »
Source: HeliRussia, 26-Oct-15
Sightseeing flight – failed to take-off, lost height and rolled over on landing. Only one of the 7 POB was not injured. Registration to be confirmed – Type, Colour scheme and operator match to our records
24-Oct-15
The eagle-eyed among you will have noticed that every Bell image of a Bell 429 with skids has a legal notice across the bottom of it, saying “Le Bell 429 est seulement disponible avec train d’atterrissage à roues en France” (example image) This literally translates as “The Bell 429 is only available with wheeled undercarriage… Read more »
Source: HeliHub.com, 16-Oct-15
On September 28, 2015, CEPA ( centre d’expérimentations pratiques et de réception de l’aéronautique navale – the Centre for Practical Experimentation and reception) held the closing conference regarding the interoperability between BPCs (bâtiment de projection et de commandement – protection and command vessel) and the V-22 Osprey tiltrotor aboard the French Navy command ship Dixmude. This… Read more »
Source: French Navy, 01-Oct-15
Big changes in the historical transport line Monaco-Nice. Heliair, which held most busy helicopter shuttle line in Europe for 40 years, lost market in favour of its sole competitor Monacair. See Full Story
Source: Life in Rivera, 24-Sep-15
Airbus Helicopters, the French Defense procurement agency (DGA – Direction générale de l’armement) and the French Navy today marked the handover of the 15th NH90 NFH multimission naval helicopter, the first to be delivered in the final radar configuration (FRC), during a ceremony held in the facilities in Marignane. The DGA ordered 27 NH90 NFH… Read more »
Source: Airbus, 23-Sep-15
Monacair signed today an order for six H130s to set up an improved service of regular scheduled flights linking Monaco Heliport to Nice International Airport. The first commercial flight is planned for January 2016 with a flight every 15 minutes. Specializing in private helicopter management, Monacair has valuable experience in terms of VIP transport and… Read more »
Source: Airbus, 17-Sep-15
Two of Tignes ski patrol were seriously injured in the crash at 8.15am. There were four trackers on board, in addition to the pilot and a mechanic, to be dropped to reactivate the remote avalanche triggering devices after maintenance period occurred this summer.
16-Sep-15
SOGITEC INDUSTRIES announces that NAHEMA and the French Defense Procurement Agency (Direction générale de l’armement, DGA) have declared ready for training the French Army Aviation NH90 Full Flight Simulator (FFS). The FFS is operational at the French Army Aviation Academy NH90 Joint Training Center (Centre de formation interarmées, CFIA) in Le Cannet-des-Maures, south-eastern France. The… Read more »
Source: Sogitec, 04-Sep-15
Substantially damaged in autorotation landing after pilot noticed a decrease in engine power
04-Aug-15
French operator Heli-Union has added a third Guimbal G2 Cabri to its training fleet. Based at Angouleme, Heli Union Training Centre took delivery of two Cabri helicopters in April 2013, and demand has led them to expand the fleet. The new aircraft is registered F-HUTD and is the 105th Cabri off the production line in… Read more »
Source: HeliHub.com, 29-Jul-15
An astonishing new building was recently unveiled at the Marignane plant in southern France. Built in under a year, the giant cylinder known as DHC0–Dynamic Helicopter Zero–now makes it possible to perform dynamic integration testing for the H160 and future helicopters in the Airbus Helicopters range. Gary Clark, head of vehicle test and integration at… Read more »
24-Jul-15
Crashed into field and burned out. Pilot seriously injured. Helicopter type to be confirmed
05-Jul-15
Operator Skycam Helicopters is one of very few in France to fly helicopters built outside the country. Products from the Airbus factory at Marignane (and its various predecessors over the years) have always found greater favour with operators right across France, and indeed Skycam do have two AS350B2 and one EC130T2. Skycam, however, have gone… Read more »
Source: HeliHub.com, 29-Jun-15
Engine failed, and helicopter fell onto its side during autorotation landing. Pilot and his passenger/wife got out OK
27-Jun-15
Sagem (Safran) has been awarded a contract by French defense procurement agency DGA for a program to upgrade the capabilities of the Euroflir 350 optronic systems on the French army’s Cougar helicopters, and the Caracal fleet deployed by France’s special and conventional forces. The gyrostabilized Euroflir 350 optronic system will incorporate a new Matis infrared… Read more »
Source: Sagem, 25-Jun-15
NHI celebrated today the Initial Operational Capability of the Belgian NH90s. This event took place today in the NHI pavilion in presence of Colonel Dejaeger Commander of the Air Component of Belgium and the NHI Directoire. After having ordered 4 Tactical Transport NH90s and 4 Naval NH90s and proceeded to the training of its aircrews,… Read more »
Source: NH Industries, 18-Jun-15
Dassault Systèmes (Paris:DSY) (Euronext Paris: #13065, DSY.PA), the 3DEXPERIENCE Company, world leader in 3D design software, 3D Digital Mock Up and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solutions, today announced that Airbus Helicopters, a division of Airbus Group, has chosen Dassault Systèmes’ “Build to Operate” industry solution experience for more efficient and profitable manufacturing operations management of… Read more »
Source: Dassault Systèmes, 15-Jun-15
During a low level flight prior to attending to vegetation near powerlines, pilot noticed a decrease in engine power. The subsequent autorotation avoiding powerlines and buildings led to a hard landing and completely burnt out in post crash fire in the garden of a house. 2 POB seriously injured
18-May-15
Date assumed given posting date of the incident on Facebook. Helicopter had been peppered with over 100 lead shots from close range, causing damage the tail boom close to the root
22-Apr-15
Friday, March 13, 2015 was an important date for the NH90 Caiman in France as it became a combat helicopter in its own right following the statement by the General Staff of the Navy of an initial operational capability of firing the torpedo MU90 . This is a major milestone for the torque capability FREMM / Cayman… Read more »
Source: French Navy, 17-Mar-15
The instructor explained that during a go-around after practice approach altitude on a field, the helicopter suddenly made several turns to the left around the yaw axis. He managed to land in a snowy field at about 5400 ft.
12-Mar-15
Extensively damaged – hired by PPL from Hélitravaux. 3 POB all to hospital.
05-Mar-15
[electronic translation] DCI announces the opening of a brand new helicopter training International Centre (ITC-H) recorded in Dax located in the Drivers French Military Training Schools (Dax and Luc-en-Provence). The ITC-H curriculum are taught in English or French and in partnership with Light Aviation Army (ALT) and HeliDax. This new training center meets the high demand… Read more »
Source: DCI, 23-Feb-15
Vector Aerospace UK (Vector – www.vectoraerospace.com), a leading provider of aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services, is delighted to announce that one of its apprentices has won a regional Apprentice of the Year award. James Clement (pictured), aged 23, who lives in Havant, has won the Outstanding Performance by a Final Year Apprentice award… Read more »
Source: Vector Aerospace, 17-Feb-15
Crews of the Franco-German Tiger multi-purpose attack helicopter will continue in future to train with tried-and-tested simulation technology from Rheinmetall. The Düsseldorf-based Group recently booked an order to this effect worth several tens of millions €. In December 2014 the Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation OCCAR (Organisation Conjointe de Coopération en matière d’Armement) contracted with… Read more »
Source: Rheinmetall, 16-Feb-15
Over the past few months DCNS, in which Thales (Euronext Paris: HO) holds a 35% shareholding, has conducted a comprehensive review of the financial and contractual status of several activities and complex programmes, which have had difficulties. The main conclusions of these reviews have been communicated to DCNS governing bodies. On the basis of these… Read more »
Source: Thales, 25-Jan-15
The Organisation conjointe de cooperation en matiere d’armement (OCCAR-EA), a European organization responsible for managing the through-life support of cooperative European defence programs, has awarded CAE a contract for the analysis of training needs for the German-French Tiger Helicopter Technical School located in Fassberg, Germany. The technical school is responsible for the theoretical and practical… Read more »
Source: CAE, 16-Dec-14
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT), announced today the delivery of the 50th Bell 429 in Europe to an operator in the United Kingdom. The aircraft will be used to accomplish corporate/VIP transport across the region. [Ed:- see our analysis below by country] “The Bell 429 offers customers exceptional performance and a smooth, comfortable ride, and… Read more »
Source: Bell, 26-Nov-14
Vector Aerospace UK, a leading provider of aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services, has announced the agreement of a long term contract to provide structural maintenance and technical support for the French Navy’s Lynx Mk.4 helicopter fleet. The company’s Fleetlands facility in Gosport, Hampshire, has the only main build/repair jig for this aircraft type in the… Read more »
Source: Vector Aerospace, 19-Nov-14
The pilot landed on runway 36. During translation to reach the taxiway, the helicopter tilts right and a main rotor blade struck the ground. The helicopter is destabilized and collides with the ground. The two people on board were evacuated by a witness and the helicopter caught fire.
13-Nov-14
