14-Sep-2011
In a ceremony punctuated with patriotic themes and commitments to save American jobs, the US Army on Tuesday took the keys to six helicopters to train Afghan pilots just days after they were manufactured in Mesa. (See full story). HeliHub.com ran the original story on this contract here – only the first six aircraft are... Read more
14-Sep-2011Source: FDC/aerofilter
FDC/aerofilter is pleased to announce that the service life for the MD Helicopters MD500 series and MD600 inlet barrier filter elements has been increased to 4500 hours, with no limitation on the number of cleanings. In addition, the recommended service interval has been increased to 300 hours. The FAA recently approved a revision to FDC/aerofilter’s... Read more
14-Sep-2011Source: Onboard Systems
Onboard Systems, a leading provider of innovative helicopter cargo hook equipment, announced that its updated attach point kit for the MD500 & 600 aircraft has been certified by the FAA and is available for purchase. Onboard has also submitted the attach point kit to Transport Canada and EASA for certification in Canada and Europe, respectively.... Read more
12-Sep-2011Source: BBC
The Wiltshire Air Ambulance was stopped from taking a dying man to hospital after laser pens were shone at the pilot as he tried to land. The man later died on the way to hospital in a road ambulance, although there are no details on the medical state of the patient to know whether or... Read more
9-Sep-2011Source: US DoD
MD Helicopters, Inc., Mesa, Ariz., was awarded a $14,237,169 firm-fixed-price contract. The award will provide for the modification of an existing contract to provide logistics support for operations of rotary wing primary training aircraft and flight training devices for the Afghan Air Force. Work will be performed in Shindand, Afghanistan, with an estimated completion date... Read more
7-Sep-2011Source: The Star
South Yorkshire is to lose its own dedicated police helicopter, it has been announced. The county will be served by helicopters based in West Yorkshire, Derbyshire and Humberside instead, with effect from January 2013 (full story)... Read more
1-Sep-2011Source: ATSB
Incident referred to is in HeliHub.com accident data at 28-Aug-11 YJ-HEL Hughes 369D South Malakula, Vanuatu (1F) On 29 August 2011, the ATSB was notified by the Vanuatu Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) of an accident that occurred on the island of Maleluka, Vanuatu on 26 August 2011 and involved Hughes 369D helicopter, registered YJ-HEL. It... Read more
28-Aug-2011
Crashed in mountainous terrain. Two passengers survived with serious injuries, but pilot Phil Cotter, age 62, died. Uncorroborated reports quote cargo net round the main rotor head.... Read more
22-Aug-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Huntington Beach police helicopters will continue to patrol Newport Beach for now. The City Council has approved a 3 year contract to provide helicopter services to its neighbour at the hourly rate of $700, and allowing for 1,000 hours worth of response services and patrol time per year. On July 30, Newport Beach and Costa... Read more
21-Aug-2011Source: Yorkshire Air Ambulance
Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) has awarded its new contract for maintenance of their helicopters to Yorkshire based aviation management company, Multiflight. The contract, which will commence on 20th August, will see Multiflight take control of all the maintenance of the two MD902 Explorer helicopters the YAA operate. Ironically, the YAA has been based on Multiflight’s... Read more
8-Aug-2011
Two Army pilots were killed when their helicopter crashed during a training exercise on a live-fire range. Pilots named as Capt. John D. Hortman, 30, of Inman, SC, and Chief Warrant Officer 3 Steven B. Redd, 37, of Lancaster, CA. Both served in the 1st Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment stationed at Fort Campbell,... Read more
2-Aug-2011Source: StandardAero
StandardAero has appointed Phoenix Heliparts of Mesa, Ariz. as a StandardAero Authorized Support Center for Rolls Royce Model 250 engines as installed on MD500 helicopters. StandardAero clients can now obtain engine repair & overhaul (R&O) services contracted through Phoenix’s facilities in Arizona, creating a one-stop shop for MD500 helicopter operators with Rolls Royce M250 engines.... Read more
29-Jul-2011
Post maintenance test flight. Main blades struck and cut tail boom. Landed upright in field.... Read more
25-Jul-2011Source: London's Air Ambulance
London’s Air Ambulance pilot, Captain Neil Jeffers, and doctor, Dr. Tom Konig, are soon to complete the ultimate endurance test, seeing them run 8 marathons in 6 days through the deserts of Jordan, in a bid to raise money for the charity. On 3rd September 2011 the London’s Air Ambulance duo will be running 200... Read more
20-Jul-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Yorkshire Air Ambulance is looking ahead to the late summer when its current contracts for both pilotage and maintenance expire. Both aspects are currently provided by Medical Aviation Services, but YAA has decided to “do its own thing” and will employ their own Chief Pilot and are working towards their own Air Operators Certificate. Further... Read more
4-Jul-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Britain’s Dorset Police have reportedly put their aviation and maritime units on the block in budget cut proposals, citing a need to reduce spending by 20% by 2014. The local Daily Echo newspaper notes that these are two of a number of proposals under consideration (see their article) The October 2010 announcement by the Association... Read more
4-Jul-2011
Pilot Paula Huckleberry, 61, was flying to McGrath with two passengers — 21-year-old Scott Stevenson of Idaho and 39-year-old Chris Fontes of Arizona ... Read more
3-Jul-2011Source: HeliHub.com
London’s Air Ambulance launched a visually appealing new website on 1st July, but you cannot find it on Google! Try looking for it and the old URL LondonsAirAmbulance.com comes up, but that fails. Some careful detective work by HeliHub.com found it at LondonsAirAmbulance.co.uk – and it’s worth checking out. However, we would have expected that... Read more
27-Jun-2011
Tipped backwards and fell off elevated platform while engine was running... Read more
22-Jun-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Yorkshire Air Ambulance, the British EMS operator with two MD Explorers, have recently joined Twitter. In a growing trend among UK emergency services – both air ambulance and law enforcement – one by one all units are launching their presence on Twitter. Yorkshire Air Ambulance can be found @YorkshireAirAmb The Yorkshire Air Ambulance is an... Read more
19-Jun-2011
Probable that the helicopter sustained a mechanical failure in the cruise, resulting in loss of pitch control to one of the tail blades. During the subsequent attempt to land, the airspeed reduced to the point where directional control seems to have been insufficient to maintain heading. At a height of approx 50 ft, the helicopter... Read more
15-Jun-2011Source: Medical Aviation Services
Medical Aviation Services displayed its latest medical interior at the recent AirMed 2011 Air Day at Dunsfold Park, UK. Fitted to an MD 902 Explorer, the new interior is aimed at the UK air ambulance market and features items from a range of different manufacturers including the floor, stretcher, seats and medical equipment stowage. MAS... Read more
15-Jun-2011Source: Multi Channel Merchant
Signature Styles, a division of private equity firm Patriarch Partners formed two years ago to purchase Spiegel Brands, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware late Monday. MD Helicopters is majority owned by Patriarch Partners. See article... Read more
11-Jun-2011
On lifting to the hover, the downwash from the helicopter pushed one parked light aircraft into another.... Read more
3-Jun-2011Source: Daily Local
Brandywine Hospital spokeswoman Patti Jackson-Gehris said in a statement Thursday afternoon that the helicopter service is no longer needed due to a new flight service in the region and due to the county’s new trauma center at Paoli Hospital, which opened last year.... Read more
3-Jun-2011
During a flight with two occupants on board, the helicopter collided with terrain and minor injuries were sustained. They activated a search beacon and were picked up by the Snowy Hydro SouthCare Rescue Helicopter... Read more
1-Jun-2011Source: Yorkshire Air Ambulance
The Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) want to say a huge thank you to all their supporters who have helped them raise a massive £1million through their recycling scheme over the last 5 years. The life-saving Charity has been operating their successful recycling campaign since 2005, which is managed by their recycling partners Bag It Up... Read more
31-May-2011Source: Flightglobal
AgustaWestland subsidiary PZL Swidnik will deliver four W-3A Sokol transport helicopters to the Philippines by November this year, with another four in the second quarter of 2012. The air force is also contemplating major avionics upgrades to its MD 520 light attack helicopters.... Read more
28-May-2011
A helicopter from the Mexican Air Force (FAM) crashed on Saturday near Apatzingan, Michoacan, apparently as a result of mechanical failure in the aircraft... Read more
26-May-2011Source: HeliHub.com
The Police in California’s Disneyland city of Anaheim have put the oldest of their four helicopters up for auction on the internet, whcih ends on 17th June. A 1989 build MD500E N1607A with over 20,700 airframe hours has been put on the PublicSurplus.com website with a starting bid of $150K. The City expects $600-700K proceeds... Read more
25-May-2011Source: Forbes
Sundance Channel spokesperson Katie Lanegran said “Diva of Distress†was a series in development. It was not green lit for production because Sundance , Lynn Tilton and Patriarch Partners jointly decided not to move forward with the series at this time.â€Â Patriarch Partners is the controlling shareholder of MD Helicopters... Read more
24-May-2011Source: Star Advertiser
Metal fatigue probably caused a left rear landing skid strut to collapse on a helicopter operated by K&S Helicopters Inc. at the Turtle Bay Resort Heliport in 2009, according to a National Transportation Safety Board investigation. HeliHub.com accident report page at 20-Nov-09 N551CR MD Helicopters MD369E Oahu, US-Hawaii... Read more
24-May-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Van Horn Aviation, the manufacturer of helicopter rotor blades, is expanding its presence in Tempe (Arizona) with the purchase of a new facility four times the size of its existing location. The move from a leased unit near Rural and Broadway roads is to a 23,000 sq.ft unit it is purchasing near Elliott Road and... Read more
16-May-2011
Force landed in field. Aircraft less than one year old... Read more
13-May-2011Source: Rotors of the Rockies
The staff of Rotors of the Rockies in Broomfield, Colorado would like to congratulate Owner and Chief Pilot Mike Fyola on earning PIC and Instructor endorsements for NVG flying. With Mr. Fyola’s accomplishment, we would also like to announce the inception of our NVG training program. Our program features an approved Part 141 syllabus and... Read more
13-May-2011Source: HeliHub.com
In the last few days, the coroner at a London hearing has been summing up her findings of the inquest into the terrorist attacks in London on 7th July 2005, involving explosions on three underground trains and one of London’s iconic red buses. The last of nine recommendations states “The Department of Health, the mayor... Read more
13-May-2011
Force landed in mountainous terrain, 35 miles from Fresno... Read more
11-May-2011Source: KTVU
Budget cuts grounded the Oakland Police Department’s helicopter almost two years ago, but the OPD chopper has been cleared to take to the air to once again help fight crime in the city.... Read more
10-May-2011
Clipped a tree during a search for a missing elderly woman at night. Crashed into dense woodland, boom separated from cabin. Three serious injuries... Read more
5-May-2011Source: Arizona Republic
The company sought dismissal, with its attorneys arguing that Arizona has almost no connection to the lawsuit and that the accident wreckage, aircraft records and accident witnesses are all believed to be located in Turkey in the custody of the national police.... Read more
4-May-2011Source: DART Helicopter Services
DART is pleased to announce that their subsidiary partner Apical Industries has received EASA approval of their Emergency Float System for MD 600N model helicopters. FAA approval has been previously received [14 years ago in 1997, notes HeliHub.com editor] The Apical MD 600N Emergency Float System consists of four emergency floats attached to the skid... Read more
3-May-2011Source: MD Helicopters
MD Helicopters, Inc (MDHI), a leading manufacturer of commercial and military helicopters, has announced that ADAC Luftfahrt Technik GmbH, in Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany, has been approved as an Authorized MD Helicopters Service Center. ADAC is now approved to provide airframe maintenance, component overhaul, and part and accessory sales to the operators of the MD 900 /902... Read more
24-Apr-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Local press reports suggest that Indianapolis Police are close to selling their MD600 with an overseas buyer inspecting it around now. This aviation unit ceased operations in October 2009 under budgetary pressure, putting its MD600 flagship, two Hughes 300s and an early Bell 206A into storage. A report in July 2010 cited public safety officials... Read more
23-Apr-2011
Conducting VFR spraying operations when it struck the top of a tree during a turn. The pilot’s vision was affected by windshield glare from the rising sun. The lower chin bubble windshield was shattered and the mount for the anti-torque control pedals was broken. The helicopter landed without further event. CADAORS ref 2011P0595... Read more
14-Apr-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Following suggestions in an online forum, HeliHub.com checked with Yorkshire Air Ambulance on the current situation regarding the maintenance contract for their two MD Explorers, registered G-CEMS and G-SASH. The suggestion has been floated that YAA are to move from their current provider Medical Aviation Services (part of the Specialist Aviation Group) to Multiflight, based... Read more
13-Apr-2011Source: Van Horn Aviation
Rotor blade manufacturer Van Horn Aviation (VHA) successfully completed a series of ground and flight tests of its composite MD 500 main rotor blades during a four-hour test session at the MD Helicopters Inc. (MDHI) facility in Mesa, Arizona aboard a MD 530F® test aircraft. According to VHA president James R. Van Horn, the April... Read more
12-Apr-2011Source: Forbes
Quote from the Forbes article about the owner of MD Helicopters states:- “We’ve uncovered dozens of complaints against Tilton and her firm, just by searching databases for the federal and New York State Supreme court systems alone”... Read more
8-Apr-2011Source: HeliHub.com
The Turkish Security General Directorate intends to broaden its fleet with ten new helicopters, specifically stating a need to better track suspected criminals and intervening in incidents that could erupt during mass demonstrations. Reports state that they are finding their current MD600 fleet “insufficient in most cases” citing “performance problems, particularly in high temperatures and... Read more
7-Apr-2011Source: Royal Air Force
RAF Linton-on-Ouse hosted the Yorkshire Air Ambulance recently when they dropped by to thank the station for their on-going support to the life-saving charity. Group Captain Terry Jones, station commander, welcomed the 160 mph MD902 Explorer helicopter and it’s crew, which was flanked in a unique photograph by a Grob Tutor trainer aircraft of 85... Read more
6-Apr-2011Source: London’s Air Ambulance
This agreement formalises the existing strong links between two long established providers of physician-led pre-hospital care. Both organisations are committed leaders in the field of quality improvement in pre-hospital care and place research and development high on their agendas. London’s Air Ambulance has an international reputation for clinical excellence and has trained the majority of... Read more
5-Apr-2011Source: Stuff
Paul Horrell appeared for sentencing before Judge Kevin Phillips after entering a guilty plea to operating a 50)E in a careless manner by flying at a low level in the Cardrona Valley without avoiding hazard to people and property.... Read more
5-Apr-2011Source: MD902
Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Trust is delighted to confirm that the Essex Air Ambulance has relocated from Boreham airfield to Earls Colne airfield with a brand new visitor area due to be launched in July 2011. Over the last 12 months, having secured planning consent and an affordable building design, TJ Evers the appointed... Read more
4-Apr-2011Source: Sussex Police
A collaboration to share air support across the counties of Sussex, Surrey and Hampshire was officially launched Friday at Shoreham Airport. Although the South East Air Support Unit (SEASU) has been operational since October, today marked the start of operations under a single Police Air Operator’s Certificate issued by the Civil Aviation Authority. Under the... Read more
31-Mar-2011Source: Patriarch Partners
Lynn Tilton, founder and CEO of Patriarch Partners, LLC, (Patriarch) a private equity firm and holding company managing 74 companies with annual revenues of more than $8 billion, was honored with the Luminary Award at the Women’s History Month Celebration organized by Womensphere and The Urban Zen Foundation. The event, which took place last night... Read more
29-Mar-2011Source: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
When: Wednesday, April 13, 2011 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM Where: Davis Learning Center, Prescott, AZÂ (Directions) Description: A talk by helicopter test pilot, Dwayne Williams, Chief Pilot, MD Helicopters, Mesa,AZ Contact: Prof Nick Manderfield, COA, 777-6985... Read more
22-Mar-2011Source: London’s Air Ambulance
London’s Air Ambulance, the Charity which runs London’s only air ambulance has today attended its 25,000th mission. The service, which has been in operation for 23 years, also celebrates a year of being a 24hr operation next month, in April 2011, thanks to the continued support of its sponsors and the London community. London’s Air... Read more
15-Mar-2011Source: MD Helicopters
MD Helicopters, Inc. (MDHI), a leading manufacturer of commercial and military helicopters, has completed the delivery of a new MD 530F to the Kauai Fire Department. The delivery of the MD 530F marks an important milestone in the history of the Kauai Fire Department, as it is the first aircraft they have owned. Prior to... Read more
15-Mar-2011Source: MD Helicopters
MD Helicopters, Inc (MDHI), a leading manufacturer of commercial and military helicopters, and Sagem are demonstrating the Sagem ICGS Display System in Booths 1618 (MDHI) and 1937 (Sagem) at Heli-Expo 2011, held March 5th – 8th at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando,Florida. MD Helicopters will feature the Sagem unit in its MD 530F®... Read more
15-Mar-2011Source: MD Helicopters
[Editor note – This is one in a long series MD Helicopters puts out every time this airframe passes the next 1000 figure – see here] Aircraft Number 078 Surpasses All Other MD Explorers in the Fleet MESA, AZ, March 6, 2011 – MD Helicopters, Inc (MDHI), a leading manufacturer of commercial and military helicopters,... Read more
15-Mar-2011Source: MD Helicopters
MD Helicopters, Inc (MDHI), a leading manufacturer of commercial and military helicopters, has completed the sale of a new MD 530F to Fuchs Helicopter of Schindellegi, Switzerland. Fuchs will deliver the aircraft to a large corporate customer, who already owns an MD 500D. The new MD 530F ordered from Fuchs features state-of-the-art avionics, including the... Read more
15-Mar-2011Source: MD Helicopters
MD Helicopters, Inc. (MDHI), a leading manufacturer of commercial and military helicopters, and Van Horn Aviation, L.L.C. (Van Horn) are demonstrating co-developed composite main rotor blades for the MD 530F® aircraft in Booths 1618 (MDHI) and 1521 at Heli-Expo 2011, held March 5th – 8th at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. The... Read more
15-Mar-2011Source: MD Helicopters
MESA, Arizona, March 6, 2011 – MD Helicopters, Inc. (MDHI), a leading manufacturer of commercial and military helicopters, along with Garmin, will be demonstrating the G500H Avionics in Booths 1618 (MDHI) and 1632 (Garmin) at Heli-Expo being held March 5th – 8th in the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. MD Helicopters is featuring... Read more
15-Mar-2011Source: MD Helicopters
MD Helicopters, Inc. (MDHI), a leading manufacturer of commercial and military helicopters, and The Boeing Company (Boeing) have announced significant progress on a contract to collaborate on the production of the Boeing AH-6i Light Attack/Reconnaissance Helicopter for the worldwide market. Consistent with the Memorandum of Agreement signed in July, 2010, both companies are now finalizing... Read more
15-Mar-2011Source: EMTEQ
EMTEQ will begin delivery of FC Exterior Lighting to be installed on MD Helicopters’ MD 900 and MD 500 series helicopter production programs in 2Q2011. Lighting for the MD 600 series helicopter will follow later this year. MD Helicopters selected EMTEQ to design and manufacture LED exterior lighting provisions including dual mode anti-collision, position and... Read more
14-Mar-2011Source: FedBizOpps
Rotary Wing Primary Training Aircraft for the Afghan air Force Solicitation Number: W58RGZ-11-R-0060 Notice Type: Award Notice Contract Award Date: March 10, 2011 Contract Award Number: W58RGZ-11-C-0070 Contract Award Dollar Amount: $186,464,973.00 Contractor Awarded DUNS: 054313767 Contractor Awardee: MD HELICOPTERS, INC. (054313767) 4555 E MCDOWELL RD MESA, AZ 85215-9734 Synopsis: Added: Nov 08, 2010 5:49... Read more
13-Mar-2011
On short final the pilot elected to change the touchdown point. During manoeuvre, the tail rotor struck a large rock. The tail rotor drive shaft sheared and the tail rotor sustained substantial damage; helicopter remained upright on landing. Sole occupant pilot was not injured. CADAORS ref 2011C0797... Read more
10-Mar-2011Source: Post-Journal
WCA Hospital and the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Department celebrated a milestone with the Starflight program when it received certification to be considered an air carrier Thursday.... Read more
8-Mar-2011
Press report states “tail boom separated”... Read more
6-Mar-2011Source: Garmin
Garmin International Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd. (NASDAQ: GRMN), the global leader in satellite navigation, today announced that MD Helicopters, a leading manufacturer of commercial and military helicopters, has selected the G500H as an optional avionics package for the MD series helicopters. The G500H, is a certified, all-glass avionics system designed specifically for the... Read more
5-Mar-2011Source: Phoenix Heliparts
Mesa, Arizona – March 5, 2011. After being fully restored by Phoenix Heliparts, of Mesa, AZ, a 1981 MD500D model has been customized with an ‘E’ nose, air conditioning and a complete Aerodynamix NVG package. This 30-year-old aircraft is now truly state of the art. Official handover to Team C&H, of Jacksonville, Florida, will take... Read more
4-Mar-2011Source: HeliHub.com
On 7th July 2005, the city of London was rocked by a series of terrorist blasts during the morning rush hour, targetting three underground trains and one iconic red London bus. A total of 56 people died, including four suicide bombers. There is currently an inquest in London into the tragic events of that day. ... Read more
4-Mar-2011Source: MD Helicopters
MD Helicopters, Inc. (MDHI), a leading manufacturer of commercial and military helicopters, will display three aircraft at Heli-Expo 2011, to be held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida – March 5th-8th. The MD 500E®, MD 530F® and MD 902 Explorer® will all be on display at Booth #1618 for the duration of... Read more
2-Mar-2011Source: HeliHub.com
MD Helicopters majority owner Lynn Tilton is to get her own television show, courtesy of the Sundance Channel. Under the working title of “Diva of Distressed“, the show will promote her on a mission to save troubled businesses across America. It’s not clear from the initial information whether it will feature her current investments such... Read more
1-Mar-2011Source: BBC
Kent Air Ambulance has received a cheque thanks to a style of fundraising widely used in New Zealand.... Read more
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