15-Apr-2016Source: AAIB
The monthly bulletin from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been released. This month’s issue covers the accident(s) of:- AAR 1/2016 AS332 L2 Super Puma, G-WNSB struck the sea on approach to Sumburgh Airport in the Shetland Islands, 23 August 2013 Agusta Bell 206B Jet Ranger III (G-OMDR), loss of control in flight, near Gamston... Read more
12-Apr-2016Source: FAA
FAA Deputy Administrator Mike Whitaker visited the Sun ‘n Fun International Fly In and Expo in Lakeland, Fla. this week as part of the agency’s ongoing partnership with the general aviation community to improve safety. Whitaker announced the FAA’s Got Data? initiative to give the private sector better access the FAA’s aeronautical data. Speaking at... Read more
11-Apr-2016Source: ICAO
ICAO is working to bring sleep standards for helicopter pilots in line with existing recommended practices for commercial airline crew, said Michelle Millar, ICAO’s technical specialist, human performance See full story... Read more
8-Apr-2016Source: FAA
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is currently reviewing the report and recommendations of the Micro Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Aviation Rulemaking Committee. The agency had tasked the group to develop recommendations for performance-based regulations that would let certain unmanned aircraft operate over people not directly involved in the flight of the aircraft. The rulemaking committee,... Read more
7-Apr-2016Source: USHST
The United States Helicopter Safety Team (www.ushst.org) will focus major attention during the next four years on reducing fatal accidents within the U.S. civil helicopter community. The industry-government partnership is targeting a reduction to 0.61 fatal accidents per 100,000 flight hours, which is 20 percent less than the average since 2009. For a baseline comparison,... Read more
4-Apr-2016Source: Herald Sun
Lieutenant Marcus Case, 27, was killed and five other service personnel injured when a Chinook helicopter they were in crashed near the Aussie base at Tarin Kowt in May 2011 See full story See also HeliHub.com page for this accident – 30-May-11 Boeing CH-47D Tarin Kot, Afghanistan (1F)... Read more
28-Mar-2016Source: FAA
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) today released an updated list of pilot, air traffic controller and citizen reports of possible encounters with unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). The latest report covers August 22, 2015 through January 31, 2016. Reports of unmanned aircraft have increased dramatically since 2014. Safely integrating unmanned aircraft into the national airspace system is one... Read more
27-Mar-2016Source: USHST
Raj Helweg, chief pilot of Air Methods, has been named the new industry co-chairman of the United States Helicopter Safety Team (www.ushst.org). The USHST was formed in 2013 as a regional partner within the International Helicopter Safety Team (www.IHST.org) to lead a government and industry cooperative effort to promote safety and work to reduce civil... Read more
23-Mar-2016Source: FAA
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) expects thousands of birds may be saved each year because of changes the agency has made to its communication tower lighting standards. The FAA has developed a number of tower lighting configurations for tall structures to warn pilots they are approaching an obstruction, particularly during nighttime hours and in bad... Read more
23-Mar-2016Source: KREM
Guillermo Sanchez was driving to work in Seattle on the morning of March 18, 2014 when the news helicopter fell from the sky and hit his car while he was stopped at a red light. See full story... Read more
23-Mar-2016Source: Oil & Gas UK
Mick Borwell, Health & Safety Director, Oil & Gas UK, said: “Following publication of the Air Accidents Investigation Branch report into the Sumburgh tragedy we will take time to carefully examine its findings. Our thoughts are with the families, friends and colleagues of those not with us today. “There are many recommendations in this report... Read more
20-Mar-2016Source: Starspeed
Over 40 members of the UK onshore helicopter industry got together at the buildings of the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB), Farnborough on 10th March. Senior members of many of the Air Operators Certificate (AOC) operators and maintenance organisations, along with Airbus Helicopters UK, Finmeccanica UK, and Turbomeca UK all contributed to a busy schedule... Read more
18-Mar-2016Source: Airbus
Analyses of helicopter accidents point to operational factors as prime contributors to rotorcraft accidents. Airbus Helicopters’ Aviation Safety Roadshows aim to change the safety culture by mobilizing our network of customer centers and promoting helicopter safety through seminars around the world. Aligned with our ‘Safety First’ culture, Airbus Helicopters launched the Aviation Safety Roadshows as... Read more
17-Mar-2016Source: FAA
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and key government agencies involved in unmanned aircraft operations are expanding participation in the Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Executive Committee (EXCOM). The committee provides federal agencies with a forum to share information and reduce redundancies on UAS research and development, and resolve policy and procedural issues on safe UAS integration... Read more
15-Mar-2016Source: FAA
FAA Administrator Michael Huerta and Sally French, “The Drone Girl,” today led a lively panel discussion about the future of small unmanned aircraft at South by Southwest (SXSW) in Austin on Monday. The panel included a diverse group of innovative thinkers from industry and government. In his opening remarks, Administrator Huerta outlined recent progress on... Read more
13-Mar-2016Source: FAA
FAA Administrator Michael Huerta will make opening remarks and moderate a panel discussion with several industry and government partners about the future of small unmanned aircraft – at the SXSW “South By South West” event. Discussion topics are expected to include UAS registration, the MicroUAS aviation rulemaking committee, steps to speed integration, new uses for... Read more
10-Mar-2016Source: AAIB
The monthly bulletin from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been released. This month’s issue covers the accident(s) of:- Correction: Agusta Bell 206B (G-SUEX), loss of engine power in a position from which it was not possible to conduct a safe landing, Flamborough Head, Yorkshire, 16 September 2014... Read more
9-Mar-2016Source: NBAA
The FAA-led effort to develop and test a detection system that identifies unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) operating on and near airports is a good first step, said Sarah Wolf, NBAA’s senior manager of security and facilitation. As this technology matures, it will contribute to the safety of NBAA members that operate both manned and unmanned... Read more
2-Mar-2016
Professional Resources in System Management, LLC (PRISM) is pleased to announce that Memorial Hermann Life Flight® has selected Aviation Risk Management Online Resource (ARMOR) as its aviation Safety Management System software. Life Flight is a critical care air medical transport service based in Houston, Texas. They serve the community within a 150-mile radius of the... Read more
29-Feb-2016Source: FAA
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is establishing an aviation rulemaking committee (PDF)with industry stakeholders to develop recommendations for a regulatory framework that would allow certain UAS to be operated over people who are not directly involved in the operation of the aircraft. The FAA is taking this action to provide a more flexible,... Read more
29-Feb-2016Source: NATA
On Friday 26th February, the National Air Transportation Association (NATA) announced a new “FAA Medical Certification Services” benefit program for Part 135 and 91 operators and their pilots. Administered by Harvey Watt & Co., this program was previously available only when combined with insurance products or through airlines for their pilots. The NATA FAA Medical... Read more
29-Feb-2016Source: CHC
Dr. Joe MacInnes, a medical doctor, undersea explorer, author and leadership expert, has been confirmed as the keynote speaker for the gala dinner at the 12th-annual CHC Safety & Quality Summit. The Tuesday, April 5, dinner at the Westin Bayshore hotel is expected to attract up to 600 people – most of whom will also... Read more
23-Feb-2016Source: USI
The Unmanned Safety Institute, a professional organization dedicated to the safe and responsible integration of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) into the U.S. National Airspace System, today announced a joint partnership with the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) to provide educational workshops to the law enforcement community throughout the United States. The purpose of the... Read more
23-Feb-2016Source: Leadership
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has ordered all airlines operating the Sikorsky S76C series to carry out safety inspections on the helicopter type with immediate effect. See Full Story... Read more
19-Feb-2016Source: FAA
Each month, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) receives more than 100 reports from pilots and others who spot what appears to be an unmanned aircraft (UAS) flying close to an airport or a manned airplane. It’s become a serious safety concern for the agency, and a potential security issue for the Department of Homeland Security... Read more
16-Feb-2016Source: RGU
Charting their body dimensions has also cast valuable light on their ability to escape through a helicopter window. Bigger individuals are less likely to be able to do so than smaller individuals, but the study has shown that size isn’t everything. The new findings from a joint research project into the size and shape of... Read more
15-Feb-2016Source: HeliHub.com
The sole Enstrom TH-180 development aircraft N180TH [pictured] had an accident on Friday, coming down in a residential area close to Marinette Twin County Airport in Menominee, Michigan where the manufacturer is based. The helicopter hit a power pole and some tree branches on 14th Avenue and crashed right-side up at 18th Street and 15th... Read more
15-Feb-2016Source: HAI
As most of you know, HAI exists to serve the needs of you, our members, and to advocate on your behalf. We want to ensure you do not have to operate in an environment of over burdensome regulations and legislation that restrict your ability to conduct your activities and remain economically viable. This philosophy applies... Read more
12-Feb-2016Source: HAI
The timing is critical for the helicopter industry to help stave off major changes to the FAA that will impact your operations and bring additional costs for your operation. The House Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) Committee will vote on Thursday on a bill that could fundamentally change how U.S. airspace is governed and what kind... Read more
12-Feb-2016Source: AAIB
The monthly bulletin from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been released. This month’s issue covers the accident(s) of:- Robinson R22 Beta (G-DEFY), dynamic rollover, Elstree Aerodrome, Hertfordshire, 25 September 2015 Robinson R22 Beta (G-TIMH), heavy landing, Nottingham Heliport, 13 September 2015 Robinson R66 (G-LROK), dynamic rollover during takeoff, Denham Airfield, Buckinghamshire, 12 September 2015... Read more
11-Feb-2016Source: IHST
Global members of the International Helicopter Safety Team (www.IHST.org) will gather at Heli-Expo next month for a worldwide summit focused on civil helicopter safety and to share knowledge and advice about reducing accidents. Safety experts will participate in the summit from countries with substantial civil helicopter operations, including the United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, the... Read more
10-Feb-2016Source: WDBJ7
On Friday, Carilion Clinic Life-Guard pilots and drone operators met at the hangar on McClanahan Street in Roanoke to talk about safe ways to share the airspace. See Full Story... Read more
5-Feb-2016Source: Maverick
Maverick Helicopters, an award-winning division of Maverick Aviation Group, recently received the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) 2015 Award of Excellence “Diamond Award.” The prestigious honor, which the company has now received five years in a row, is a result of Maverick Helicopters’ ongoing dedication to maintenance training and aircraft safety. The FAA’s Award of Excellence... Read more
27-Jan-2016Source: Rice University
A new nanotech coating can melt ice on helicopter blades and might offer a new way to de-ice aircraft, wind turbines, and power lines. In tests, the material melted centimeter-thick ice from a static helicopter rotor blade in a minus-4-degree Fahrenheit environment. When a small voltage was applied, the coating delivered electrothermal heat—called Joule heating—to... Read more
27-Jan-2016Source: HAI
At HAI HELI-EXPO 2016, HAI will bring back the HAI Rotor Safety Challenge: an easy and economical way to learn industry best practices, including safety tools and techniques you can apply back on the job. Free to all registered HAI HELI-EXPO attendees and exhibitors, the 2016 HAI Rotor Safety Challenge features 63 safety education events. Most... Read more
25-Jan-2016Source: HAI
The Helicopter Safety Advisory Committee (HSAC) is an opportunity for the stakeholders in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) to come together and work on safety issues that affect the Oil and Gas industry. HAI Director of Safety Outreach Stan Rose joined helicopter operators, the energy companies, the regulators and other who operate in and around... Read more
22-Jan-2016Source: PC World
The Los Angeles County District Attorney filed criminal cases against two drone pilots on Wednesday for allegedly flying their drones in controlled airspace. See Full story... Read more
21-Jan-2016Source: IHST
Members of the International Helicopter Safety Team (www.IHST.org) will be providing their safety advice for Heli-Expo participants in Louisville at 14 different workshops and at a special safety symposium. The IHST promotes safety and works to reduce accidents through a government and industry cooperative effort that has resulted in a worldwide decrease in civil helicopter... Read more
17-Jan-2016Source: AAIB
The monthly bulletin from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been released. This month’s issue covers the accident(s) of:- Agusta Bell 206B (G-SUEX), loss of engine power in a position from which it was not possible to conduct a safe landing, Flamborough Head, Yorkshire, 16 September 2014 Enstrom 480 (G-IGHH), wire strike, Aldbury, Hertfordshire, 9... Read more
11-Jan-2016Source: FAA
North Carolina was “first in flight” when the Wright Brothers took to the skies at Kitty Hawk, and now it’s leading the way to the next generation of air traffic control. NextGen procedures are helping flights operate more efficiently at Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT), improving on-time performance and decreasing emissions. The Charlotte Metroplex project includes new arrival and departure procedures for CLT and surrounding airports in North Carolina, South Carolina and southern Virginia. Procedural changes in... Read more
7-Jan-2016Source: FAA
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Michael Huerta today announced the public release of the B4UFLY mobile application following an initial beta testing period. B4UFLY tells users about current or upcoming requirements and restrictions in areas of the National Airspace System (NAS) where they may want to operate their unmanned aircraft system (UAS). The app is... Read more
6-Jan-2016Source: USHT
The United States Helicopter Safety Team (http://www.ushst.org/) will help the Helicopter Association International (HAI) kick off Heli-Expo 2016 by hosting a Symposium for helicopter safety professionals on Feb. 29th in Louisville. The theme of the Safety Symposium will be “Safety and the Bottom Line” and will include presentations focused on showing how safety initiatives and the... Read more
6-Jan-2016Source: FAA
The FAA and general aviation (GA) group’s #FlySafe national safety campaign aims to educate the GA community on how to prevent Loss of Control (LOC) accidents. What is Loss of Control (LOC)? A Loss of Control (LOC) accident involves an unintended departure from controlled flight. LOC can happen when an aircraft operates outside its normal flight... Read more
21-Dec-2015Source: HeliHub.com
The team at HeliHub.com would like to wish all our readers a very Happy Christmas and a prosperous 2016. This is the time of the year we celebrate the birth of Jesus, and we trust many of our readers will take time to consider what that means to the world, perhaps through attending a church... Read more
15-Dec-2015Source: U K CAA
Two significant improvements to the way the UK Civil Aviation Authority provides information to the public and its wide and diverse range of stakeholders have been made today with the launch of a new website and industry alerting system. The website provides a range of enhanced, easily accessible information. It is automatically optimised for mobile... Read more
15-Dec-2015
Aviation students can now apply for an expenses-paid opportunity to attend the 12th-annual CHC Safety & Quality Summit, through grants which honour a longtime advocate of excellence in aviation safety training. The Dr. Peter Gardiner Student Grant, worth more than C$4,000, covers admission to the summit, a registration to the pre-summit HFACS course, as well... Read more
10-Dec-2015Source: AAIB
The monthly bulletin from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been released. This month’s issue covers the accident(s) of:- Eurocopter (Deutschland) EC135 T2+ (G-SPAO), crashed in Glasgow City Centre, Scotland, on 29 November 2013... Read more
10-Dec-2015Source: FAA
Among the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) main priorities is to keep all users of our national airspace safe. To maintain the safest aerospace system in the world, the FAA must make sure the national airspace is navigable and free of obstructions. When anyone proposes new construction or proposes to alter existing structures near airports or... Read more
9-Dec-2015Source: FAA
The FAA and general aviation (GA) group’s #FlySafe national safety campaign aims to educate the GA community on how to prevent Loss of Control (LOC) accidents this flying season. What is Loss of Control (LOC)? A Loss of Control (LOC) accident involves an unintended departure of an aircraft from controlled flight. LOC can happen because... Read more
9-Dec-2015Source: TSB
In its investigation report (A13H0002) released today, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) determined that a strong probability of a lack of visual cues to judge altitude led to the fatal September 2013 crash of a Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm BO 105 helicopter in the M’Clure Strait, Northwest Territories. On 9 September 2013,... Read more
7-Dec-2015Source: CHC
CHC Helicopter is offering discounts for early registration to the 12th annual CHC Safety and Quality Summit, one of the world’s premier aviation-safety conferences. Early bird registration for the 2016 CHC Safety and Quality Summit is open now until Dec. 31. During that period, enrolling in the April 04-06 conference costs C$1085 plus tax –... Read more
3-Dec-2015Source: FAA
You’ve bought that shiny new camera-equipped drone you’ve yearning for. You can’t wait to get into the sky and let loose your inner high-flying aerial photographer, right? Did you know you’re also going to become a pilot? When you fly your drone anywhere in the nation’s airspace, you automatically become part of the U.S. aviation system. Under the... Read more
2-Dec-2015Source: EHEST
My name is Daniel Maurino, and I am what in English is called a ‘safety practitioner’. I have dedicated most of my professional life to work on issues related with the safety management systems in aviation. The topic of this presentation is the ‘reporting system’, why they are so much needed and how they should... Read more
2-Dec-2015Source: FAA
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) today announced that the Kingdom of Thailand does not comply with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) safety standards and has been assigned a Category 2 rating based on a reassessment of the country’s civil aviation authority. U.S. and Thai aviation officials have a long-standing cooperative relationship... Read more
27-Nov-2015Source: Fast Company
The day I passed the flight test and earned my private pilot’s license more than 20 years ago, I was a safe and competent aviator, but not yet a good one.See full story.... Read more
26-Nov-2015Source: Bird Control Group
Offshore installations provide birds with a perfect landing spot. However, their presence is a globally recognized problem because, if left undisturbed, guano build up can reduce the safety of helidecks. To address this, Bird Control Group, CHC Helicopter and Total E&P Nederland (a subsidiary of the French energy company Total) collaborated to develop and install... Read more
26-Nov-2015Source: AMOA
The Air Medical Operators Association (AMOA), in cooperation with helicopter manufacturers Airbus Helicopters and Bell Helicopter, announces its commitment to the installation of Crash Resistant Fuel Systems (CRFS) in all new aircraft and equipping current aircraft with CRFS as those products become available. Our members are proud to partner with Bell Helicopter and Airbus on this... Read more
25-Nov-2015Source: AAIB
The monthly bulletin from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been released. This month’s issue does not refer to any helicopters and this update is included in HeliHub.com for completeness... Read more
24-Nov-2015Source: FAA
This Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) advises general aviation pilots and operators of concerns with the use of noise cancelling headsets. In many cases, pilots are using the noise cancelling headsets as supplementary equipment during operations. When wearing these headsets, the pilot may be unaware of environmental sounds and audible warning annunciations in the cockpit... Read more
20-Nov-2015Source: Patch
Sikorsky Aircraft is being sued by the families of three U.S. Army soldiers after a Black Hawk helicopter crashed into a Georgia airfield in 2014 and one of its passengers died, according to the Connecticut Law Tribune. See Full Story... Read more
17-Nov-2015Source: Patch
Sikorsky Aircraft is being sued by the families of three U.S. Army soldiers after a Black Hawk helicopter crashed into a Georgia airfield in 2014 and one of its passengers died, according to the Connecticut Law Tribune. See Full Story... Read more
16-Nov-2015Source: Airbus
BC Hydro has been awarded the 2015 Airbus Helicopters Canada “Innovation in Safety” Award for their dedicated and collaborative approach to ensuring many years of safe operations. This award is presented to a nominee or organization whose business initiatives have demonstrated a great impact on the overall goal of safe flying operations, including skill development,... Read more
15-Nov-2015Source: HAI
HAI on Friday launched hai-aps.rotor.org, a new website for the HAI Accreditation Program of Safety (HAI-APS) — a program designed to help HAI operator members fly to a higher degree of safety. Federal aviation regulations set a minimum standard for safety. The HAI-APS lays a course for operators who want to demonstrate to themselves, their staff,... Read more
12-Nov-2015Source: Deccan Herald
An associate professor in the Department of Aerospace Engineering at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) here has developed a real-time online health monitoring system for tail rotor flexbeams that can “greatly reduce the chances of helicopter accidents.”See full story.... Read more
9-Nov-2015Source: HAI
The FAA on Thursday published an expected notification in the Federal Register, announcing the formation of a working group to make recommendations regarding occupant protection for rotorcraft. HAI has told the FAA that the association would like to be a part of the working group, which is under the auspices of the Aviation Rulemaking Advisory... Read more
5-Nov-2015Source: FAA
The total number of U.S. helicopter accidents has steadily declined over the past 10 years, but the aviation community has not made sustainable progress in reducing the number of fatal accidents. In response to the Federal Aviation Administration’s 2013-2014 post-crash fire and blunt force trauma study, along with concerns raised by the National Transportation Safety Board... Read more
5-Nov-2015Source: CAA
The Minister of Investments and Development (MID) of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Asset Issekeshev has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with CAA International (CAAi), the State-to-State advisory arm of the UK Civil Aviation Authority (UK CAA). Witnessed by British Prime Minister, David Cameron and Nursultan Nazarbayev, President of Kazakhstan, the MoU supports future collaboration... Read more
5-Nov-2015Source: Daily Business Review
Miami aviation attorney Steven Marks settles a malpractice suit with an insurance company seeking to recover a $2 million payment in a helicopter crash involving billionaire developer Jeffrey Soffer. See Full Story... Read more
3-Nov-2015Source: IHST
The International Helicopter Safety Team (IHST) promotes safety and works to reduce accidents and fatalities through education and culture change. The organization was formed in 2005 to lead a government and industry cooperative effort to address factors that were affecting an unacceptable helicopter accident rate. Worldwide safety Prior to 2006, the number of worldwide civil... Read more
2-Nov-2015Source: HAI
In collaboration with the HAI Safety Committee, HAI’s communications department has begun work to update the popular discussion-starter safety video series, Pressure Points, designed to facilitate group discussions. Each video coupled prepared discussion guides with videos that could be stopped at designated points to discuss topics raised in the videos. “The videos are intended to... Read more
30-Oct-2015Source: HeliHub.com
HeliHub.com are sad to report the fatal test flight accident in Italy of AgustaWestland AW609 prototype N609AG, killing test pilots Pietro Venanzi and Herb Moran. The pair are being praised in the Italian media for bringing the aircraft down in fields away from a town when it was widely reported as already being on fire... Read more
30-Oct-2015Source: Argus
Professional Resources in System Management, LLC (PRISM) is pleased to announce the release of their Safety Management System iPhone app. The PRISM app can be downloaded for free from the Apple iTunes store by searching, “PRISM Safety” or by clicking here:https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/argus-international-inc./id529828894?mt=8. “We are continually looking for ways to enhance our users’ experiences and make it... Read more
29-Oct-2015Source: FAA
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Michael Huerta today announced the membership of the Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Registration Task Force. Earl Lawrence, Director of the FAA’s UAS Integration Office, and Dave Vos of Google X will co-chair the group. Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Anthony Foxx and Administrator Huerta announced the formation of the Task... Read more
29-Oct-2015Source: Baldwin Aviation
Avera McKennan Hospital and University Health Center’s air ambulance service serves a widely-dispersed population in parts of South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, and Minnesota from its Sioux Falls location and, as with any emergency response organization, timeliness and precise information are critical components to its success. That’s why Avera McKennan’s aviation operation has chosen to team... Read more
27-Oct-2015Source: HAI
Late last week, HAI Director of Safety Outreach Stan Rose joined the FAASTeam and the Virginia Department of Aviation to host a helicopter safety day in Richmond, Va. Local helicopter operators and pilots gathered together for continuing helicopter safety education. The presentations included an industry outlook and safety management systems (SMS) considerations from HAI, medical... Read more
