New York Helicopter Charter Inc. filed for Chapter 11 protection Friday after running short on cash, Chief Executive Officer Michael Roth said in a court declaration. The company operates one Bell 206B JetRanger and two Bell 206L4 LongRangers. See Full Story.
Source: SF Gate, 16-Oct-19
Denel has confirmed that it is exiting the aerostructures manufacturing business as a cost-saving measure, and is trying to mitigate job losses. See Full Story.
Source: defence Web, 16-Oct-19
Honeywell (NYSE: HON) is finalizing a new and improved T55 engine to power the U.S. Army’s Chinook helicopters. The newest upgrade for the legendary T55 will offer over 20% more power at sea level, a nearly 10% power increase at high and hot altitudes, and use 9% less fuel than before. This new variant of… Read more »
Source: Honeywell, 16-Oct-19
StandardAero and Robertson Fuel Systems announced today the certification of their AS350/EC130 crash-resistant fuel tank (CRFT) by yet another international airworthiness authority, Transport Canada. This most recent approval represents the third regulatory agency to certify the solution, in addition to the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). Bolstered… Read more »
Source: Standard Aero, 16-Oct-19
Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company (NYSE: LMT), introduced RAIDER X™, its concept for an agile, lethal and survivable compound coaxial helicopter, specifically designed for securing vertical lift dominance against evolving peer and near-peer threats on the future battlefield. Through the U.S. Army’s Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA) program, RAIDER X is the out-front platform in… Read more »
Source: Sikorsky, 15-Oct-19
With inspiration from Leonardo da Vinci, the 23rd Flying Training Squadron here is transforming the learning environment with the intent of developing vertical-lift aviators better trained and prepared to conduct homeland security, combat search and rescue, and special operations missions. The first six students to complete the experimental specialized undergraduate pilot training – helicopter curriculum… Read more »
Source: US Army, 15-Oct-19
The U.S. Army is looking to improve its aviation technology and recently called upon the AEDC National Full-Scale Aerodynamics Complex at Moffett Field in Mountain View, California, to advance this effort. Engineers from Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation and The Boeing Company, in partnership with the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Aviation & Missile Center Army… Read more »
Source: Arnold Air Force Base, 15-Oct-19
The monthly bulletin from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been released. This month’s issue covers the accident(s) of:- Guimbal Cabri G2 (G-PERH), loss of control in hover, Goodwood Aerodrome, Sussex, 8 June 2018 Robinson R22 Beta (G-OODX), autorotation following loss of drive to main rotor, Near Naunton Beauchamp, Worcestershire, 1 August 2018
Source: AAIB, 15-Oct-19
International helicopter brokerage, Aero Asset, releases its third quarter 2019 Preowned Helicopter Market Trends this week. Timed just ahead of the NBAA-BACE Convention in Las Vegas, its latest report shows North America as the most active region. A total 37% of pre-owned twin engine helicopter buyers were in this territory Q3, up from 31% in Q2. Year to date (YTD),… Read more »
Source: Aero Asset, 14-Oct-19
Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company (NYSE: LMT), showcased the next generation Combat Rescue Helicopter (CRH) during a ceremony at its Development Flight Center in West Palm Beach, Florida, this week. During the event, United States Air Force General James M. Holmes, Commander, Air Combat Command, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia (91) described the HH-60W helicopter as… Read more »
Source: Sikorsky, 14-Oct-19
The Helicopter Museum in Weston-super-Mare is celebrating its 30th Anniversary this year On 3 November 1989, the Museum was officially opened by HRH Prince Andrew, Duke of York, who arrived at the site by air in a Wessex HC.4 of the Queens Royal Flight. Now exactly 30 years later to the day, that very same… Read more »
Source: The Helicopter Museum, 14-Oct-19
Hélity reports that last week it was considered a Maintenance Center Recognized by the LEONARDO helicopter factory for its AW139 model. Since October 2017, the Company already had the ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certification, but this is an important step for several reasons. See Full Story.
Source: UrduPoint, 11-Oct-19
Bell Textron Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, announced the appointment of China State Grid General Aviation Co., Ltd. as a new Bell 429 Authorized Maintenance Center (AMC), making it the fifth CAAC part 145 certified Bell-authorized MRO center in China. “Bell is committed to providing first-class support and services for all customers worldwide;… Read more »
Source: Bell, 11-Oct-19
In China, Safran is celebrating a major achievement for its Arrius engine range; 10 million flight hours flown since its introduction in 1996. With more than 3,800 units delivered to 430 customers in 60 countries, the Arrius family covers a power range of 450-750 shp and flies in both single and twin-engine light helicopters. Over… Read more »
Source: Safran Helicopter Engines, 11-Oct-19
Bell Textron Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, celebrated 40 years of Bell helicopters operating in the Chinese market. “In the past 40 years, the Chinese civil helicopter industry has tremendously changed, becoming the second largest civilian helicopter market in Asia-Pacific. Bell has been very proud to participate in the development of the vertical… Read more »
Source: Bell, 11-Oct-19
Safran Helicopter Engines and Aero Engine Corporation of China (AECC) announce the issue of the Type Certificate for the WZ16 turboshaft from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC). Installed in the AVIC AC352 helicopter, the WZ16 is the first jointly-developed aero engine to be entirely certified by Chinese authorities. Also known as the Ardiden… Read more »
Source: Safran Helicopter Engines, 11-Oct-19
LZControl allows pilots, UAS operators, certificate holders, first responders, as well as federal, state, and local emergency management providers access to unique site-specific information for hospital heliports as well as Predesignated Medical Emergency Scene Sites. All while providing current weather and hazard information for individual sites along with critical hard to find healthcare data populated… Read more »
Source: LZControl, 11-Oct-19
Euramec, the European flight simulation solution providers, announced it has signed a non-exclusive distribution agreement with GeoSim Technologies for the worldwide distribution of GeoSim’s rotary wing simulators and specialty flight simulators. GeoSim based in Ipswich, Australia, signed a reciprocal arrangement to market EURAMEC’s portfolio of Flight Training Devices in Australia and New Zealand. GeoSim has partnered with… Read more »
Source: Euramec, 11-Oct-19
The Russian authorities are looking for ways to improve the contractual process and the real-time monitoring and control of medevac service suppliers. See Full Story.
Source: Russian Aviation INSIDER, 10-Oct-19
WIKING Helikopter Service and DHSS have completed the first flight to the heliport in the Port of Eemshaven for the opening ceremony. See Full Story.
Source: offshoreWIND, 10-Oct-19
MINT Turbines, LLC (Stroud, Oklahoma), one of four premier MRO facilities within the M International group, is pleased to announce Mr. David Norton has joined as their new General Manager effective immediately. Within his expanded role, David is responsible for all operations within their state-of-the-art facility providing MRO services for both Honeywell T53 and Pratt… Read more »
Source: M International, 10-Oct-19
[electronic translation] The government gives priority to strengthening emergency preparedness in the north, and proposes to establish a new rescue helicopter base in Tromsø and establish HF coverage in the northern marine areas up to the North Pole. – We aim to launch the new rescue helicopter base in 2022. We will soon launch a… Read more »
Source: Norwegian Government, 10-Oct-19
Hong Kong business aviation consulting company Asian Sky Group (ASG) has released the third edition of its China GA Report, showcasing the country’s growing general aviation industry, including a fleet breakdown by aircraft type and itemized list of recent government initiatives. The latest edition also includes a special feature on commercial drones in China, courtesy… Read more »
Source: Asian Sky Group, 10-Oct-19
Seventeen years ago, on Sept. 26, America began to hit back. Just 15 days after the U.S. mainland was attacked by al-Qaida terrorists on 9/11, a team of seven CIA paramilitary operatives and a three-man flight crew landed in Afghanistan’s Panjshir Valley to prepare for the assault that would topple the Taliban regime by December. See Full… Read more »
Source: USA Today, 09-Oct-19
CAA International (CAAi), the technical cooperation arm of the UK Civil Aviation Authority (UK CAA), has been awarded a new consultancy project to help the Kazakhstan aviation regulator adopt a new aviation oversight model, based on that used in the UK. The new regulatory system will support Kazakhstan’s air transport sector growth and provide a… Read more »
Source: CAA International, 09-Oct-19
SEI Industries Ltd. is announced as a finalist for Business in Vancouver’s 2019 BC Export Awards in the manufacturing category. SEI engineers and manufactures niche products for the helicopter industry through two major divisions: Aerial Firefighting and Remote Site. Left: Bambi Bucket extinguishes fire, Right: Bulk Aviation Transfer Tank inside aircraft; both manufactured by SEI… Read more »
Source: SEI Industries, 09-Oct-19
UAVOS has announced the addition of R22-UV unmanned helicopter to its agriculture unmanned aircraft portfolio for spraying for diseases, weed and pest control, vegetative control. R22-UV is a manned Robinson-22 helicopter converted by UAVOS to an unmanned aircraft. Agro-drone R22-UV is equipped with a specially developed (for Robinson helicopters) utility to deliver liquid chemicals –… Read more »
09-Oct-19
CHI St. Joseph Health and PHI Air Medical/Air Med 12 have upgraded the aircraft they use to help care for and transport people in critical condition. See Full Story.
Source: KBTX-TV3, 08-Oct-19
EnBW has issued a tender for a rescue helicopter to service the Hohe See and Albatros offshore wind projects in Germany. See Full Story.
Source: offshore WIND, 08-Oct-19
A Queenstown helicopter company, placed in liquidation in February, has had its assets – including its name – sold for $125,000. See Full Story.
Source: Otago Daily Times, 08-Oct-19
With 118 individual events presented worldwide, Women in Aviation International’s October 5 Girls in Aviation Day 2019 reached approximately 20,000 attendees. Truly an international event, Girls in Aviation Day was celebrated not just in the United States but in 17 other countries in Canada and Australia as well as countries in Africa, Asia, and Europe…. Read more »
Source: WAI, 08-Oct-19
The V-22 fleet of tiltrotor aircraft built by Bell Textron Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, and Boeing [NYSE: BA] has topped the 500,000 flight hour milestone. More than 375 Ospreys logged the hours, including the U.S. Air Force CV-22 and the U.S. Marine Corps MV-22. “The V-22 provides unmatched capability for the U.S…. Read more »
Source: Bell, 08-Oct-19
Helinetwork International, the specialist in the sale of new and overhauled parts for civil and military helicopters, announces the signature of a distribution agreement with LACE, a subsidiary of the LISI Aerospace group. Lace is a major player in the design, production, sale and technical support of aeronautical cargo hooks equipments and systems. LACE’s experience… Read more »
Source: Helinetwork International, 08-Oct-19
Bristow Group Inc. (OTC: BRSWQ) (“Bristow” or the “Company”) announced that on October 4, 2019, the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas confirmed the Company’s Amended Plan of Reorganization (the “Plan”) and indicated that it will enter a written order to this effect. The Company expects to consummate its financial restructuring process… Read more »
Source: Bristow, 08-Oct-19
Schiebel successfully demonstrated the shipboard integration of its CAMCOPTER® S-100 as well as its impressive search and rescue (SAR) capabilities to the Norwegian Coast Guard on board of the KV Svalbard from 16 to 27 September 2019. The outstanding flight trials included a successful search and rescue mission, where the Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL)… Read more »
Source: Schiebel, 08-Oct-19
PhilJets has appointed a new Chief Executive Officer to manage both PhilJets Aero Charter and PhilJets Aero Services in the midst of its expansion in 2019. Established in 2013, PhilJets has grown its portfolio to 15 aircrafts currently under management including newly added Gulfstream G200, Citation Latitude, Citation CJ4 and with additional upcoming R44, Bell… Read more »
Source: PhilJets, 08-Oct-19
The Las Vegas Lights’ wildly popular helicopter cash drop stunt last month could land the aviation company behind it in hot water. See Full Story.
Source: Las Vegas Review-Journal, 07-Oct-19
During the 2017-2018 bushfire season in Australia two helicopters were approved for dropping water at night with the use of night vision goggles (NVG) by the pilots. At least one of the ships, an S-61, was approved for hover refilling which was the first time this had been done anywhere. See Full Story.
Source: Fire Aviation, 07-Oct-19
As of January 1st, 2019 Blackcomb Helicopters became the first full-service helicopter operator in the world to offset 100% of its carbon footprint. Initiating the transition in 2018 by first offsetting its growing tourism program, this operator of 22 aircraft and 6 base locations has now offset the entirety of the business including employee commutes,… Read more »
Source: Blackcomb Helicopters, 07-Oct-19
The Kopter Flight Test crew has successfully performed a series of flight tests with the newly fitted and improved Main Gear Box (MGB) casing on SH09 Prototype 3 (P3). The flights performed with the retrofitted gearbox have already confirmed the expectations of Kopter engineers and crew: the new MGB runs more smoothly, is quieter and… Read more »
Source: Kopter, 07-Oct-19
The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is pleased to confirm the appointment of Rob Bishton as its new Group Director of Safety and Airspace Regulation. This follows a global recruitment process, including both internal and external candidates. Rob has been at the CAA since 2014, where he is currently Head of Flight Operations and a… Read more »
Source: CAA, 07-Oct-19
Air Methods, the leading air medical service provider, announced today that its ARCH Air Medical base (ARCH 3) will carry blood and plasma on its missions to support improved outcomes for patients involved in traumatic injuries or other conditions that require transfusions. Air Methods has continuously worked to increase the number of aircraft nationwide that… Read more »
Source: Air Methods, 07-Oct-19
From October 7th 2019, an Essex & Herts Air Ambulance (EHAAT) critical care team will be available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. This is the first time in the Charity’s 21-year history that it has been able to provide a fully 24/7 service to the people of Essex, Hertfordshire and the surrounding… Read more »
Source: Essex & Herts Air Ambulance, 07-Oct-19
Leonardo, one of the top ten companies in the world in Aerospace, Defense and Security and one of the leading players in the helicopter field, and Olmedo, a leading European company for the transformation and preparation of vehicles for healthcare use, have announced the signing of a collaboration agreement aimed at the development of technologies… Read more »
Source: Leonardo, 07-Oct-19
Air Methods, the leading air medical service provider, released public comments to the Wyoming Department of Health regarding a Medicaid waiver application that would take decisions from physician and first responders and turn them over to a remote call center that uses financially driven criteria to determine the need for a transport, putting Wyomingites’ lives in danger…. Read more »
Source: Air Methods, 04-Oct-19
Air Methods, the leading air medical service provider, announced today that its LifeStar program in Joliet will carry blood and plasma on its missions to support improved outcomes for patients involved in traumatic injuries or other conditions that require transfusions. Air Methods has continuously worked to increase the number of aircraft nationwide that carry blood… Read more »
Source: Air Methods, 04-Oct-19
Helicopters are once again able to airlift patients who are in need of a higher level of care from Tofino General Hospital, now that a new helipad is in place next to the hospital. “This is terrific news for the residents of this area, and for the thousands of visitors who come to this special… Read more »
Source: Island Health, 04-Oct-19
Blade has begun deploying helicopters in the Big Apple to quickly transport human organs for emergency transplants. See Full Story.
Source: New York Post, 04-Oct-19
Centennial College’s School of Transportation formally recognized the donation of a decommissioned Sikorsky S-76A helicopter by Ontario’s Ornge air ambulance service at an event at the college’s Downsview Campus Centre for Aerospace and Aviation on September 25. Some 500 students in Centennial’s Aviation Technician and Aviation Technology programs directly benefit from having the Sikorsky hull… Read more »
Source: Ornge, 04-Oct-19
S.A.F.E. Structure Designs, a global leader in the design, engineering and manufacturing of ergonomic safety-first aircraft maintenance stands, fall protection platforms, phase maintenance platforms, hangar equipment, and specialty tooling, has announced the successful completion of the ISO 9001:2015 certification. S.A.F.E. has proven that they are an elite company in every area of business, whether it… Read more »
Source: S.A.F.E. Structure Designs, 04-Oct-19
New Airbus H145 the 3rd STARS has bought to replace its older models in the Prairie provinces. See Full Story.
Source: CBC, 04-Oct-19
Just science fiction, or soon a reality in rescuing human lives? In a feasibility study launched by ADAC Luftrettung (air rescue) at the end of 2018 and supported by the charitable ADAC foundation, a multicopter was used for the first time in a staged rescue operation. Covering everything from the alert at the ADAC Luftrettung… Read more »
Source: Volocopter, 04-Oct-19
Air Greenland has ordered two Airbus H225 heavy helicopters to support its bid to win its home country’s search and rescue (SAR) contract. Under the terms of a firm contract assisted by Airbus Helicopters, two H225s repurposed from the oil and gas industry will be delivered over the coming months to replace the ageing S-61… Read more »
Source: Airbus Helicopters, 04-Oct-19
It all started in the 1930s when three brothers who were fascinated by the blossoming field of aviation started their own business in Big Flats. More than seven decades later, the saga of Schweizer Aircraft came to a bitter end after the company that took it over closed its Chemung County operations for good. See… Read more »
Source: Star Gazette, 04-Oct-19
Midlands-based helicopter training academy Helicentre Aviation has received approval from the CAA to deliver integrated training for the Commercial Pilot Licence (Helicopter). The first integrated course will commence later this month at the academy’s Leicester Airport training centre and will enable ab-initio cadets to attend full-time training for 12 months to obtain a professional licence…. Read more »
Source: Helicentre Aviation, 04-Oct-19
After an absence of some years, Enstrom Helicopter Corp now have an active new dealer in France. Rotor & Aircraft SA, based in Chartres, have taken delivery of the latest production example of the Enstrom 280FX. Serial number 2167, this aircraft was displayed at Heli-Expo in Atlanta following manufacture in March 2019. It was officially… Read more »
Source: Robert Swan, 03-Oct-19
Construction to upgrade the Victoria Hospital’s temporary landing area to a certified heliport is underway. See Full Story.
Source: Prince Albert Daily Herald, 03-Oct-19
China’s domestically made utility helicopter, the Z-20, made its debut at the National Day parade on Tuesday, a move that confirmed its active service status within the Chinese military. See Full Story. And a later press release confirms six Z-20s were flying in the parade.
Source: Global Times, 03-Oct-19
The Armed Forces is reportedly set to procure 16 units of Mi-17 medium-lift helicopters with a total worth of P12.5 billion as it beefs up its air capability in the first official acquisition from Russia. See Full Story.
Source: Business Mirror, 03-Oct-19
ARGUS International, Inc., the global leader in specialized aviation services, has announced that SGS, the world’s largest certification, verification, and inspection company, has acquired a majority stake. The acquisition aims to strengthen SGS’s aviation auditing and consulting services and increase market penetration through the organizations’ leveraged synergies. “ARGUS is a globally recognized brand name in… Read more »
Source: ARGUS International, 03-Oct-19
Bell Textron Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, has announced a new rotorcraft, Bell 360 Invictus, as the company’s entrant for the U.S. Army’s Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA) Competitive Prototype program. Bell’s innovative approach to designing the Bell 360 Invictus combines proven low-risk technologies with advanced processes to deliver soldiers an affordable, agile and… Read more »
Source: Bell, 03-Oct-19
Airbus Helicopters and EASA have signed a Memorandum of Cooperation aiming to harness their respective experience and know-how to bring the next generation of VTOL platforms to life, along with the necessary regulatory framework to support them. “I am very pleased to be joining efforts with EASA to build a common framework for the next… Read more »
Source: Airbus Helicopters, 03-Oct-19
DART Aerospace is pleased to announce that it has recently acquired aerial firefighting mission equipment leader Simplex Aerospace. Based in Portland, Oregon, Simplex Aerospace is an aviation industry veteran serving thousands of operators and OEMs worldwide. Its reputation as a world leader in the innovation, manufacturing and certification of aerial application systems has been built… Read more »
Source: Dart Aerospace, 02-Oct-19
Ireland’s first charity-led air ambulance service has launched a major fundraising drive to meet its annual €2 million running costs as it revealed it has already carried out more than 100 missions in just two months. See Full Story.
Source: Irish Times, 02-Oct-19
The Royal Thai Army (RTA) is receiving training on its latest batch of six Enstrom 480B helicopters ahead of delivery. Over the next four weeks, a total of 36 RTA pilots and mechanics will be visiting Enstrom facilities in Menominee, Michigan, to become trained to fly and support the turbine-powered helicopters. They will be split into two groups,… Read more »
Source: Air Forces Monthly, 02-Oct-19
Airbus Helicopters Inc. is celebrating 50 years of supporting U.S. helicopter operators. The company’s U.S. operations began in 1969 with the establishment of Vought Helicopter, Inc. in Texas, which France’s Aerospatiale took over in 1974. Six years later, in 1980, Airbus Helicopters Inc. opened the doors to its current facilities in Grand Prairie, which is… Read more »
Source: Airbus Helicopters, 02-Oct-19
On September 4, 1994, “Christoph Regensburg” took up his duties and landed for the first time at the University Hospital Regensburg (UKR). Thus, the most modern helicopter type H 145 for 25 years an indispensable part of the emergency medical care in Bavaria. Especially in the areas of competence night flight and ECMO transports (mobile… Read more »
Source: DRF Luftrettung, 02-Oct-19
Bucher has delivered a total of six H135 HEMS equipment units for the Chinese market. The last delivery was the first to beinstalled on-site by our specialists in the newly built FAL (Final Assembly Line) in Qingdao, in the eastern Chinese province of Shandong. The plant is the first H135 FAL outside Europe. The opening… Read more »
Source: Bucher, 02-Oct-19
Simplex ® Aerospace has announced that they have received the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) SR02657SE for an internal Fire Attack System (FAS) for the UH-60 A Blackhawk. The Model 370i FAS is certified for installation and operation on the Timberline Helicopters Inc. TC type. Simplex will be working quickly to add… Read more »
Source: Simplex ® Aerospace, 02-Oct-19
Bell Textron Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, announced a teaming agreement with Collins Aerospace Systems, a unit of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX), as Bell competes for the U.S. Army’s Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA) Competitive Prototype program. Bell is designing a vertical lift aircraft, as part of the contract awarded in April… Read more »
Source: Bell, 02-Oct-19
The United Arab Emirates is weighing a buy of the same Combat Rescue Helicopter the Air Force is acquiring, and recently received details on how to proceed from the service’s program office, a USAF spokesman told Air Force Magazine.
Source: Air Force Magazine, 01-Oct-19
The Police in Sweden have recently added a pair of Bell 429s to bring their fleet to a total of nine. Funded by an anti-terrorism budget, the two arrived at Stockholm by airfreight on 5th August, courtesy of freight airline Cargolux. Now on the Swedish civil register as SE-JPN and JPO – respectively Bell MSNs 57350… Read more »
Source: HeliHub.com, 01-Oct-19
The Aircrew Systems Program Office delivered, installed and demonstrated the first two redesigned MH-60S Seahawk gunner seats on Sept. 24 and 25 to Helicopter Sea Combat Wing Pacific (HSCWP) at Naval Air Station North Island. This delivery is the culmination of innovative, strategic planning across multiple organizations working together to complete the mission with urgency…. Read more »
Source: NAVAIR, 01-Oct-19
Great Western Air Ambulance Charity (GWAAC) were delighted to welcome His Royal Highness The Duke of Gloucester to officially open our new purpose-built emergency operations base in Almondsbury on Wednesday 25th September. Moving in to the new site was a huge milestone for us, having celebrated our 10th birthday last year. GWAAC’s Critical Care Team… Read more »
Source: Great Western Air Ambulance, 30-Sep-19
Voom, an Airbus company, announced the launch of its helicopter service in the U.S., starting with the San Francisco Bay Area. Expanding upon its successful helicopter service in Latin America, Voom provides an easy and affordable way to quickly fly over traffic with service available between five Bay Area airports: Napa, Oakland, Palo Alto, San… Read more »
Source: Airbus, 30-Sep-19
