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
Source: AAIB, 25-Nov-15
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 »
Source: FAA, 24-Nov-15
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
Source: Patch, 20-Nov-15
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
Source: Patch, 17-Nov-15
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 »
Source: Airbus, 16-Nov-15
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 »
Source: HAI, 15-Nov-15
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.
Source: Deccan Herald, 12-Nov-15
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 »
Source: HAI, 09-Nov-15
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 »
Source: FAA, 05-Nov-15
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 »
Source: CAA, 05-Nov-15
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
Source: Daily Business Review, 05-Nov-15
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 »
Source: IHST, 03-Nov-15
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 »
Source: HAI, 02-Nov-15
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 »
Source: HeliHub.com, 30-Oct-15
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 »
Source: Argus, 30-Oct-15
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 »
Source: FAA, 29-Oct-15
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 »
Source: Baldwin Aviation, 29-Oct-15
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 »
Source: HAI, 27-Oct-15
Aviation students can now apply for an opportunity to attend the 12th-annual CHC Safety & Quality Summit, through grants which honour Dr. Peter Gardiner, a long-time advocate of excellence in aviation safety training. The Dr. Peter Gardiner Student Grant, worth more than C$4,000, covers: admission to the Summit; and a choice of one of the… Read more »
Source: CHC, 26-Oct-15
From a survey of civil helicopter operators located in key regions around the world, the International Helicopter Safety Team (IHST) has gained a broader understanding of where safety initiatives are being implemented. Worldwide, the top IHST-recommended safety initiatives are the implementation of Safety Management Systems and the support for structured training. These are followed in… Read more »
Source: IHST, 26-Oct-15
The European Aviation Safety Agency announces the names of the first members of the EASA Virtual Academy. After undergoing a thorough evaluation procedure, CAA International, the Joint Aviation Authorities Training Organisation (JAA TO), the “Ecole Nationale de l’Aviation Civile” (ENAC) and the “Servicios y Estudios para la Navigacion Aerea y la Seguridad Aeronautica” (SENASA) have… Read more »
Source: EASA, 21-Oct-15
Intermountain HealthCare Life Flight of Salt Lake City is the 2015 Vision Zero Aviation Safety Award recipient for its development of safety risk assessment tools to help guide flight decisions and flight crew status. Jennifer Hardcastle, Air Medical Sales Manager for Airbus Helicopters Inc., presented the award and a $10,000 check to Intermountain representatives Monday… Read more »
Source: Airbus Helicopters, 20-Oct-15
The CHC Safety & Quality Summit is hosted by CHC Helicopter, the operating company of CHC Group Ltd. (NYSE: HELI). Industry and safety professionals interested in presenting at the CHC Safety & Quality Summit may now submit abstracts for the event. The 12th-annual summit will be held April 04-06, 2016 at the Westin Bayshore Resort… Read more »
Source: CHC, 19-Oct-15
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) today announced that the Republic of Nicaragua complies with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) safety standards and has been granted a Category 1 rating. The FAA first assessed the Republic of Nicaragua in 1994 and found it did not meet international standards. While under a Category… Read more »
Source: FAA, 19-Oct-15
It has transpired recently that Alaska State Troopers have grounded one of their two AS350B3 helicopters in an attempt to save money, and they only have a guarantee to fly the second until the end of June 2016. A budget decision awaits the future of the unit beyond that date. The Troopers have grounded “Helo-2”… Read more »
Source: HeliHub.com, 18-Oct-15
The Ecuador Government has announced that it has terminated links with Hindustan Aeronautics, from whom they bought seven Dhruv helicopters. Between October 2009 and January 2015, four of these seven were written off in accidents, one fatal accounting for three lives. See full story See HeliHub.com accident records for Dhruv helicopters in Ecuador
18-Oct-15
AAR (NYSE: AIR), a recognized leader in aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Federal Aviation Administration of South Florida FSDO-19 to take part in its Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP). Under ASAP, maintenance technicians at the Company’s aircraft repair facility in Miami are encouraged to voluntarily… Read more »
Source: AAR, 15-Oct-15
The monthly bulletin from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been released. This month’s issue covers the accident(s) of:- AgustaWestland AW139 (G-LBAL), flight into terrain after takeoff in fog and at night, near Gillingham Hall, Norfolk, 13 March 2014 Robinson R44 II (G-CDXX), tipped over whilst on the ground, Leicester Airport, 25 June 2015
Source: AAIB, 14-Oct-15
HeliHub.com maintains a detailed record of accidents and incidents, and trust that by making this information easily available. In a coincidence, two different Japanese operators managed to drop underslung loads from Super Puma helicopters within a week of each other. Neither incident resulted in any injuries to persons, or damage to aircraft Here are the… Read more »
Source: HeliHub.com, 14-Oct-15
The final day of Helitech International was reserved for one of the most important aspects of the rotorcraft industry: safety. Proceedings in the event’s popular Safety Workshop included a keynote from the celebrated Captain Eric ‘Winkle’ Brown. The Navy’s most decorated pilot, Capt. Brown has flown a record 487 different aircraft, and often as the… Read more »
Source: Helitech, 13-Oct-15
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has entered into a Pathfinder agreement with CACI International Inc. to evaluate how the company’s technology can help detect Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) in the vicinity of airports. In testimony today before the House Aviation Subcommittee, FAA Deputy Administrator Mike Whitaker said that flying an unmanned aircraft near a busy… Read more »
Source: FAA, 08-Oct-15
Speaking today at the Flight Safety Foundation’s Newsmaker Breakfast at the National Press Club in Washington, DC, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Michael Huerta announced the next step in the FAA’s continuing evolution of working with those it regulates. The FAA developed the new Compliance Philosophy to enhance our ability to find safety problems before… Read more »
Source: FAA, 07-Oct-15
Denver International Airport and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are partnering to raise awareness about safe unmanned aircraft operations. The agencies teamed up on a Public Service Announcement that will run on the video towers in the airport’s main terminal. The PSA uses the “No Drone Zone” slogan to drive home the point that flying… Read more »
Source: FAA, 01-Oct-15
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles/Systems (UAV/UAS) may be known by a number of names, to include model aircraft, drones, or remote-piloted aircraft (RPA). UAV/UAS operators include aviation hobbyists, as well as commercial operators who wish to use new and emerging technology in more creative ways to satisfy consumer demand. In the United States, and on an international… Read more »
Source: AAMS, 30-Sep-15
Helicopter Association International (HAI) is the latest supporter of the Know Before You Fly campaign, an initiative to promote the safe and responsible use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). “For the past 67 years, HAI has worked to promote safe, professional helicopter operations,” said Matt Zuccaro, president and CEO of the Helicopter Association International. “We… Read more »
Source: HAI, 30-Sep-15
A consultation on simplifying many of the national rules and regulations that affect UK General Aviation (GA) and opportunities for further deregulation is now underway through a second and final consultation on GA elements in the Air Navigation Order (ANO). Today’s announcement follows an earlier consultation in March this year on the wider aims of… Read more »
Source: CAA, 30-Sep-15
No, this is not a movie. It happened for real on the Kettle Complex of fires in Washington August 27, 2015.See Full Story
Source: Fire Aviation, 30-Sep-15
The widows of two pilots killed when a wave swept their helicopter off a destroyer filed suit in San Diego Monday against the U.S. Navy, asking them to declare the San Diego-based destroyer “unreasonably dangerous.” See Full Story
Source: NBC San Diego, 24-Sep-15
The call is out for papers that will characterize the 2016 edition of the world’s largest helicopter-safety conference, the CHC Safety & Quality Summit. The CHC Safety & Quality Summit is hosted by CHC Helicopter, the operating company of CHC Group Ltd. (NYSE:HELI). Industry and safety professionals interested in presenting at the CHC Safety &… Read more »
Source: CHC, 18-Sep-15
The National Transportation Safety Board says the company that operated a helicopter involved in a fatal crash in 2013 has made changes as a result of it. See Full Story
Source: Newson6, 17-Sep-15
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
Source: AAIB, 13-Sep-15
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has selected Marke “Hoot” Gibson and Earl Lawrence for two executive-level positions that will guide the agency’s approach to safe, timely and efficient integration of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) into U.S. airspace. Hoot Gibson will become the Senior Advisor on UAS Integration, a position established to focus on external outreach… Read more »
Source: FAA, 03-Sep-15
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) today published updated guidance on model aircraft operations that reflects current law governing hobby or recreational use of unmanned aircraft. Advisory Circular (AC) 91-57A replaces the previous guidance that, as written in 1981, did not reflect the rules Congress wrote into Section 336 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act… Read more »
Source: FAA, 03-Sep-15
The FAA and general aviation (GA) groups’ Fly Safe national safety campaign aims to educate the GA community on how to prevent Loss of Control (LOC) accidents this flying season. FAA Deputy Administrator Mike Whitaker officially kicked-off the #FlySafe campaign on Saturday, June 6, at the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association’s (AOPA) Fly-In at the… Read more »
Source: FAA, 02-Sep-15
Ahead of the second anniversary of the Sumburgh offshore helicopter tragedy, Unite has called on the UK government to urgently revisit the recommendation of the previous parliament’s Transport Select Committee for a public inquiry into offshore helicopter safety. The death of four offshore workers when their helicopter ditched in the waters off the Sumburgh coast… Read more »
Source: Unite The Union, 27-Aug-15
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) released a new list of pilot, air traffic and citizen reports of possible encounters with unmanned aircraft (UAS). The reports cover November 13, 2014 through August 20, 2015. Because pilot reports of unmanned aircraft have increased dramatically over the past year, the FAA wants to send a clear message that operating drones… Read more »
Source: FAA, 24-Aug-15
Pilot reports of unmanned aircraft have increased dramatically over the past year, from a total of 238 sightings in all of 2014, to more than 650 by August 9 of this year. The FAA wants to send out a clear message that operating drones around airplanes and helicopters is dangerous and illegal. Unauthorized operators may… Read more »
Source: FAA, 14-Aug-15
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
Source: AAIB, 13-Aug-15
As in previous years, the winner(s) of the ‘Innovation in Safety Award’ will be selected by a committee of industry professionals. The award ceremony will take place during the Helicopter Association of Canada’s annual conference, November 13th-15th in Vancouver, BC. The award recipient will receive a cash prize of $10,000.00 in addition to recognition from… Read more »
Source: Airbus, 13-Aug-15
News Corp Australia has also been told the chopper base has no comprehensive fire and emergency response service to cover Tiger operations.See Full Story
Source: News, 10-Aug-15
Wildlife strike reporting for both commercial and general aviation airports continues to increase, according to a new report by renowned wildlife expert Dr. Richard A. Dolbeer. At the request of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Dolbeer recently published the wildlifereport, which shows that 47 percent of the wildlife strikes that occurred from 2009 to 2013 were reported… Read more »
Source: FAA, 06-Aug-15
The FAA and general aviation (GA) groups’ #Fly Safe 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… Read more »
Source: FAA, 04-Aug-15
Following a string of recent high-profile events, PerriQuest Defense Research Enterprises unveiled the world’s most advanced laser-protective eye wear to dozens of aviation industry stakeholders. PerriQuest’s patent-pending technology protects the wearer from harmful red, green, and blue laser light without compromising the wearer’s ability to perceive and distinguish color. Production of the groundbreaking technology is… Read more »
Source: PerriQuest, 24-Jul-15
NEMSPA (National EMS Pilots Association) is encouraging all pilots and crewmembers that operate in a low level environment to attend a one day wire strike prevention seminar on October 18 in Long Beach, California. Robert (Bob) Feerst, a globally recognized expert in specialized crew resource management and pilot techniques in the wire environment, will represent… Read more »
Source: NEMSPA, 20-Jul-15
As of Tuesday, 14 July 2015, the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) has suspended the Part 127 (Helicopter) and Part 135 (Air Transport Operations: Small Aircraft) Air Operating Certificates (AOC) of Working on Fire, trading as FFA Aviation (Pty)Ltd, for failure to comply with the legislative requirements applicable to AOC holders. Following a recent spate… Read more »
Source: South African Civil Aviation Authority, 20-Jul-15
EASA’s Annual Safety Conference has a long standing tradition, every year addressing a different safety topic. The 2015 EASA Safety Conference focuses on the topic of Training for aircrew, but also for other activities like maintenance, RPAS, new simulation technologies etc. The conference will open on Wednesday 14 October, by EU Commissioner for Transport, Ms… Read more »
Source: EASA, 15-Jul-15
It was a close call Sunday after a Georgia man drove his car almost directly into the path of a medical helicopter about to take off from St. Clair Hospital in Mt. Lebanon with a newborn infant on board. See full story
Source: Pittsburgh Post Gazette, 15-Jul-15
In the high-consequence environment of air medicine, things can change in an instant. Carefully designed systems and routine activities are subject to failure. It can happen to any of us at any time. It’s with that understanding that the LifeFlight Eagle Safety Symposium calls together leaders, safety officers, medical crew members, communications specialists, pilots, and… Read more »
Source: Lifeflight Eagle, 14-Jul-15
If the first half of the year is any indication, then 2015 is shaping up to be a very good year for civil helicopter safety in the United States. Total accidents are down 28 percent during the first six months of 2015 compared to the same period last year. In addition, according to the United… Read more »
Source: IHST, 13-Jul-15
Aviation legend Captain Eric Melrose ‘Winkle’ Brown CBE, DSC, AFC, KCVSA, PhD Hon FRAeS, RN will be speaking at HeliTech International on the 8th October, 2015 at ExCeL London. Named “Britain’s Greatest Pilot” by the BBC, Captian Eric “Winkle” Brown will be the key-note speaker during The EHEST Safety Workshop. A former Royal Navy officer… Read more »
Source: Starspeed, 13-Jul-15
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
Source: AAIB, 09-Jul-15
The FAA and general aviation (GA) groups’ #Fly Safe 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 »
Source: FAA, 09-Jul-15
A ruling that investigators should hand over the black box from a North Sea helicopter crash to Scotland’s top law officer is being challenged. See full story
Source: BBC News, 08-Jul-15
Sundance Helicopters recently became the nation’s first helicopter tour operator and Tour Operators Program of Safety (TOPS) member to implement the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP) and Maintenance Safety Action Program (MSAP). ASAP and MSAP are voluntary, self-reporting programs designed to identify and reduce safety concerns. “We are proud to participate… Read more »
Source: Sundance, 03-Jul-15
The Australian Government has reappointed Mr Noel Hart as a Commissioner with the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB). Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Warren Truss announced the two-year extension of Mr Hart’s term today, effective from 1 July 2015. “Mr Hart’s extensive maritime and resource industry operations experience, along with… Read more »
Source: ATSB, 02-Jul-15
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has posted the second video designed to further enhance airport safety. Entitled “The 2015 Wildlife Hazard Management and Strike Reporting Update,” the video outlines the benefits of wildlife hazard strike reporting and how airport operators use the information to reduce wildlife strikes at airports. The video also discusses the FAA’s… Read more »
Source: FAA, 30-Jun-15
The forward-deployed Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Mustin (DDG 89) and its embarked helicopter detachment from the ‘Warlords’ of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM ) 51, were selected for the annual Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Ship-Helicopter Safety Award in May. This unique award honors the cruiser or destroyer and embarked detachment with the… Read more »
Source: US Navy, 29-Jun-15
It’s something many people flying offshore have experienced – bumpy air, foggy skies, an unusual sound – all of which can conspire to get the passenger thinking “What am I doing here?” Bob Egan, an offshore worker for more than 20 years, had those thoughts even though he doesn’t fear flying on helicopters. But a… Read more »
Source: Bristow, 24-Jun-15
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has called on US and European regulators to improve the safety of helicopter fuel systems. See Full Story
Source: Australian Flying, 22-Jun-15
Blue Hawaiian Helicopters recently received Safety Management System (SMS) program status by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), becoming the first air tour operator in the United States to reach this milestone. Blue Hawaiian began participating in the voluntary SMS program in 2009, adopting the systematic approach to managing safety risk. “Achieving SMS emphasizes our company’s… Read more »
Source: Air Methods, 19-Jun-15
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-ECMC), rolled over during simulated tail rotor failure exercise at Goodwood Aerodrome, on 12 February 2015 Robinson R22 Beta (G-THLA), heavy landing following autorotation exercise, Romney Marsh, Kent, 13 February 2015
Source: AAIB, 11-Jun-15
Safety experts, crew members, pilots, mechanics and leaders from air-medical programs throughout North America are invited to converge at the 5th Annual LifeFlight Eagle Safety Symposium in Kansas City, Mo., September17-18. The symposium, which is provided free of charge, features presentations by world-class safety experts, as well as an opportunity for representatives from air-medical organizations… Read more »
Source: LifeFlight Eagle, 11-Jun-15
By a co-operative partnership with CASA, the AHIA and other industry members, CASA is moving forward with legislative changes to streamline regulatory provisions as a result of the post-implementation review of part 61. AHIA President Peter Crook see this as a positive step closer to the industry contributing at a high level to legislative content… Read more »
Source: AHIA, 09-Jun-15
The FAA and general aviation (GA) groups are launching the Fly Safe national safety campaign to educate the GA community on how to prevent Loss of Control (LOC) accidents this flying season. FAA Deputy Administrator Mike Whitaker officially kicked-off the #FlySafe campaign on Saturday, June 6, at the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association’s (AOPA) Fly-In… Read more »
Source: FAA, 09-Jun-15
The Ninth EASA Rotorcraft Symposium will be held on 2-3 December at the Hilton Hotel in Cologne. If you are interested to be part of the European forum for the rotary wing community, please fill the online registration here. You will then receive a confirmation from EASA of your enrolment. Registration closes on 14 November 2015. Don’t… Read more »
Source: EASA, 08-Jun-15
