News

Sikorsky expects first S-76D handover in September

Sikorsky expects first S-76D handover in September

16-Dec-2011Source: FlightGlobal

Sikorsky declined to identify the customer, but said it was a corporate operator in the Northeast corridor of the US or one in the Middle East (see full story)... Read more

FAA to charge $150 per pilot for iPad app data

FAA to charge $150 per pilot for iPad app data

16-Dec-2011Source: Flying Magazine

The FAA’s AeroNav division held a meeting in Washington DC this week, and according to sources who asked not to be identified, its aim was to gather industry input on their plan to raise fees for its data (see full story)... Read more

Nishi Nippon Airlines orders Kawasaki-built EC145

Nishi Nippon Airlines orders Kawasaki-built EC145

16-Dec-2011Source: Kawasaki

Kawasaki Heavy Industries announced that it has received an order for a BK117C-2 helicopter from Nishi Nippon Airlines Co., Ltd. The helicopter, to be used as medevacs in Oita prefectures, is slated for delivery starting in May 2012 . The Kawasaki BK117 helicopter was developed jointly by Kawasaki and European helicopter manufacturer, Eurocopter Deutschland (ECD),... Read more

2012 Olympics military helicopter support details announced

2012 Olympics military helicopter support details announced

16-Dec-2011Source: UK MoD

The extent to which Britain’s Armed Forces will support the security effort for next year’s Olympic and Paralympic Games in London was announced today by the Defence Secretary, Philip Hammond. While the safety and security operation for the Games remains for the police to lead on, the Government has agreed that the Ministry of Defence... Read more

AgustaWestland completes Lynx AH Mk.9A program

AgustaWestland completes Lynx AH Mk.9A program

16-Dec-2011Source: AgustaWestland

A ceremony was held today at AgustaWestland’s Yeovil facility to mark the completion of the Lynx Mk9A programme and the scheduled delivery of the 22nd and final Lynx AH Mk9A helicopter to the British Army Air Corps in December 2011. The twenty-two aircraft programme was the result of Urgent Operational Requirement contracts placed in November... Read more

Bell delivers first 429 with multi-mission configuration

Bell delivers first 429 with multi-mission configuration

16-Dec-2011Source: Bell

Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT), announced today it has delivered the first Bell 429 with a multi-mission configuration to Fairfax County, Virginia. This is the first of two Bell 429s being delivered to Fairfax County. Their second Bell 429 is expected to deliver in the second quarter of 2012. This multi-role Bell... Read more

FAA certifies Era Training Center AW139 training device

FAA certifies Era Training Center AW139 training device

16-Dec-2011Source: Era Helicopters

Era Training Center (ETC) is pleased to announce that its first AW139 flight simulation training device (FSTD) has been FAA-certified as a Level 6 FSTD. This certification will allow helicopter operators to conduct AW139 training in ETC’s device under CFR Part 61 or train in the FSTD with their own instructors. ETC’s AW139 FSTD has... Read more

Bell assigned patent for flight control system

Bell assigned patent for flight control system

16-Dec-2011Source: USPTO

Bell Helicopter Textron, Fort Worth, Texas, has been assigned a patent (8,078,395) developed by Kenneth E. Builta, Euless, Texas, James E. Harris, Dalworthington Gardens, Texas, and Billy K. Gore, Euless, Texas, for a “control system for automatic circle flight.” The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: “A flight... Read more

Air Methods EMS pilots ratify agreement

Air Methods EMS pilots ratify agreement

16-Dec-2011Source: OPEIU

Emergency Medical Service (EMS) helicopter pilots, members of Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) Local 109 employed by Air Methods Corporation based in Denver, Colorado have ratified a new agreement covering more than 1,000 pilots. AMC operates in 45 states transporting close to 100,000 patients annually as the nation’s largest provider of air medical... Read more

New EC135 delivered to Romanian Ministry of Health

New EC135 delivered to Romanian Ministry of Health

16-Dec-2011Source: Eurocopter

A ceremony was held in Bucharest today for the delivery by Eurocopter Romania, a subsidiary of Eurocopter – the world’s leading civil and parapublic helicopter manufacturer – of an EC135 helicopter to Romania’s Ministry of Health. The ceremony was attended by the Romanian Minister of Health Ladislau Ritli, the Secretary of State in the Romanian... Read more

Summit Air Ambulance expands into Montana

Summit Air Ambulance expands into Montana

15-Dec-2011

Summit Air Ambulance is expanding its business with a new base in the Montana city of Belgrade, which they expect to have up and running by 1st January.  (see full story).  The company is based in Idaho and has a base at Boise in their home state of Idaho, as well as bases at Las... Read more

Indian authorities ground two Pawan Hans pilots

Indian authorities ground two Pawan Hans pilots

15-Dec-2011Source: HeliHub.com

India’s aviation safety regulator DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) has grounded two Pawan Hans pilots pending an inquiry into an alleged safety lapse. The pilots were ferrying three oil workers on 10th December and made an unscheduled landing after realising when already airborne that a door of the helicopter was not securely shut.  Having... Read more

Fort Worth council approves $13.5M tax break for Bell

Fort Worth council approves $13.5M tax break for Bell

15-Dec-2011

The City Council voted 6-2 Tuesday to approve a tax abatement for the expansion of Bell Helicopter’s headquarters in which the company will reap $13.5 million over 20 years if it meets requirements. (see full story)... Read more

Lawsuit filed in fatal Sundance crash by Kansas City attorney

Lawsuit filed in fatal Sundance crash by Kansas City attorney

15-Dec-2011Source: Kansas City Star

The first wrongful death lawsuit was filed Tuesday in Nevada on behalf of the families of a honeymooning couple from India killed in a Las Vegas sightseeing helicopter crash that also took the lives of the pilot and a Kansas couple celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary. (see full story)... Read more

Fuchs Helicopter buys another S333 from UK

Fuchs Helicopter buys another S333 from UK

15-Dec-2011Source: HeliHub.com

Yesterday, Schweizer 333 G-TAME departed Shoreham Airport by road after being purchased by Fuchs Helicopter, the Swiss operator. The UK fleet of five Schwiezer 333s has not flown for some time and originally numbered five.  In May this year we reported G-TAMB had been bought by Fuchs, and now G-TAME has followed the same route.... Read more

AgustaWestland takes work back from Vector Aerospace

AgustaWestland takes work back from Vector Aerospace

15-Dec-2011Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-16186665

AgustaWestland said it was withdrawing the Lynx and Sea King work from Vector Aerospace’s Almondbank site so it could bring the work in-house at their Yeovil plant by April 2012. (see full story)... Read more

Australian Sea Kings make their final flight

Australian Sea Kings make their final flight

15-Dec-2011Source: Royal Australian Navy

Residents of Sydney, Canberra and the Shoalhaven had their last chance to see the Royal Australian Navy’s Sea King helicopters in the air today as they said farewell to the nation with a formation flypast. The formation launched from the Naval Air Station at HMAS Albatross in Nowra at 10:00am, proceeded north up the NSW... Read more

Embry Riddle receives NVG donation from L-3

Embry Riddle receives NVG donation from L-3

15-Dec-2011Source: Embry Riddle

Students in Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Helicopter Specialty Degree program will be even more well prepared for work in the helicopter industry, thanks in part to L-3 Communications. L-3 has generously donated to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University a set of Night Vision Goggles (NVG) to be used within the Bachelor of Aeronautical Science Helicopter Speciality degree program.... Read more

Strom Aviation launches Strom Direct

Strom Aviation launches Strom Direct

15-Dec-2011Source: Strom Aviation

Strom Aviation, a full-service aerospace staffing company based near Dallas, Texas, has launched a new division in their organization, Strom Direct Aviation Staffing. Strom Direct is an independent provider of candidates for placement in permanent positions for Strom Aviation’s clients and with a particular emphasis on the corporate aviation and helicopter industries. Their primary focus... Read more

Lockheed Martin awarded $72M for MH-60R/S cockpits

Lockheed Martin awarded $72M for MH-60R/S cockpits

15-Dec-2011Source: US DoD

Lockheed Martin Mission Systems and Sensors, Owego, N.Y., is being awarded a $72,200,480 firm-fixed-price modification to a previously awarded advance acquisition contract (N00019-11-C-0020) to provide for the acquisition of fiscal 2013 long-lead material and associated efforts required for the production and delivery of MH-60R Lot 11 mission avionics systems/common cockpit kits, and MH-60S Lot 15... Read more

CHC transfers one AW139 from UK to Kazakhstan

CHC transfers one AW139 from UK to Kazakhstan

15-Dec-2011Source: HeliHub.com

CHC has processed a registration transfer to allow it to operate an AW139 in Kazakhstan. Operating until recently from North Denes in the UK, G-CHCV was noted in early November being worked on in Stavangar, Norway – perhaps in preparation for its new role. C-CHCV is serial 41005, a 2007 manufactured aircraft which had 3,007... Read more

Foundation donates $25,000 to CALSTAR base at Ukiah

Foundation donates $25,000 to CALSTAR base at Ukiah

15-Dec-2011Source: CALSTAR

The Allen-Heath Memorial Foundation has donated $25,000 to the California Shock Trauma Air Rescue (CALSTAR) base in Ukiah. It is the ninth year in a row that the foundation has made a substantial donation to the base, known as CALSTAR 4. According to Deborah Pardee, R.N., M.S., North Bay Regional Director for CALSTAR, the donations... Read more

London’s Air Ambulance moves to new rooftop helipad

London’s Air Ambulance moves to new rooftop helipad

15-Dec-2011Source: London's Air Ambulance

Today marked a moment in history when London’s Air Ambulance, the world’s leading air ambulance, began operating from its new home on top of the new Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel.  The helicopter landed at 8.05am for service.  At 284ft high, the helipad is one of the highest in Europe and is almost the same... Read more

Apache officer named Young Woman Engineer of the Year

Apache officer named Young Woman Engineer of the Year

15-Dec-2011Source: UK MoD

An officer who helped keep the British Army’s Apache attack helicopters flying in the demanding environments of Afghanistan and Libya has been named Young Woman Engineer of the Year. Aircraft engineering officer Captain Charlotte Joyce, of 4 Regiment Army Air Corps (4 Regt AAC), was honoured by the Institution of Engineering and Technology. Captain Joyce’s... Read more

First MH-60S aircrew virtual environmental trainer ready for training

First MH-60S aircrew virtual environmental trainer ready for training

15-Dec-2011Source: US Navy

The first U.S. Navy virtual reality device, the MH-60S Aircrew Virtual Environmental Trainer (AVET), located at Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego, Calif., is ready for training. The stand-alone, reconfigurable, full-motion simulator supports aerial gunnery; search and rescue; cargo replenishment training; confined area landings; and emergency procedures training for the MH-60S Knighthawk and HH-60H... Read more

Air Force safety magazine gets new website

Air Force safety magazine gets new website

15-Dec-2011Source: US Air Force

Wingman, the Air Force’s official quarterly safety magazine, has a new digital home. Readers can find the current and all future issues of Wingman atwww.wingmanmagazine.af.mil. Due to a Department of Defense initiative for organizations to find greater efficiencies, Air Force Safety Center officials transitioned to the online-only format. The Air Force Safety Center published its last hardcopy... Read more

Electronic flight bags could boost operational safety, effectiveness

Electronic flight bags could boost operational safety, effectiveness

15-Dec-2011Source: US Air Force

Improved safety, operational effectiveness and efficiency are just a few reasons Air Mobility Command officials are looking into using tablet devices such as electronic flight bags for aircrew members reference materials in the cockpit during in-flight emergencies. “Moving from a paper-based to an electronically-based flight publication system will not only enhance operational effectiveness, it can also save... Read more

Australian Aerospace delivers 15th MRH90

Australian Aerospace delivers 15th MRH90

15-Dec-2011Source: Australian Aerospace

Local defence manufacturer, Australian Aerospace, yesterday delivered the 15th MRH90 (Multi-Role Helicopter), tail number 014, to the Australian Defence Force (ADF) – the second such handover in two weeks following signing of an agreement to overcome Program issues and ensure timely delivery of the world’s most advanced helicopters. Australian Aerospace’s production facility on Brisbane Airport... Read more

REACH and Methodist Healthcare launch second Texas base

REACH and Methodist Healthcare launch second Texas base

15-Dec-2011Source: REACH

REACH Air Medical Services (REACH) and Methodist Healthcare (Methodist) announce the expansion of their partnership providing emergency helicopter service to include a second base in Pearsall, Texas, called Methodist AirCare 2. Service began on December 12, 2011. AirCare 2 will provide life-saving 24/7 emergency medical helicopter service from a base located 50 miles southwest of... Read more

UK AAIB Bulletin – December 2011

UK AAIB Bulletin – December 2011

15-Dec-2011Source: 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

Construction begins at STARS base in Saskatchewan

Construction begins at STARS base in Saskatchewan

14-Dec-2011Source: STARS

Saskatchewan Health Minister Don McMorris, STARS representatives and local media received a phase-one project briefing today at the site of the future STARS helicopter base at the Regina International Airport. Construction is progressing on schedule in advance of the anticipated spring 2012 launch of operations. “We’re very excited to move a step closer to introducing... Read more

Unmanned underwater vehicle finds 2003 helicopter wreckage

Unmanned underwater vehicle finds 2003 helicopter wreckage

14-Dec-2011Source: University Centre in Svalbard

A helicopter crashed and sank in Adventfjorden in December 2003, never to be seen again – until last week. An underwater robot was cruising at 70 meters depth to take images of the ocean floor for a UNIS research project, when it hit upon the remains of the helicopter. The helicopter crashed and sunk in... Read more

Air Zermatt adds new AS350B3e to fleet

Air Zermatt adds new AS350B3e to fleet

14-Dec-2011Source: HeliHub.com

Swiss operator Air Zermatt has registered a new Eurocopter AS350B3e on Monday of this week.  Serial 7309 and registered HB-ZPB, the new aircraft joins two AS350B2s, three AS350B3s, three Lamas and a Eurocopter EC135T2.  Air Zermatt’s website currently shows two of the Lamas are for sale. Photo shows sister ship and not the new AS350B3e... Read more

Judge: Sikorsky does not owe damages to PHi

Judge: Sikorsky does not owe damages to PHi

14-Dec-2011

A federal magistrate has refused to order Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. to pay damages to another company for allegedly hiding an internal report about a fatal accident in January 2009 (see full story) See also HeliHub.com page for this accident – 04-Jan-09 N748P Sikorsky S76C++ Gulf of Mexico, US-Gulf of Mexico (8F)... Read more

NTSB: Sundance AS350 was off-route in low-light conditions

NTSB: Sundance AS350 was off-route in low-light conditions

14-Dec-2011Source: HeliHub.com

The NTSB preliminary report cites the following factors which they evidently see as very important in this stage of their investigation (1) the impact location in a narrow ravine (2) the non-standard routing taken by the pilot (3) dusk light conditions Check out the details in the Preliminary report Jeremy Parkin – HeliHub.com... Read more

NTSB Preliminary Report – 07-Dec-11 N37SH Eurocopter AS350B2

NTSB Preliminary Report – 07-Dec-11 N37SH Eurocopter AS350B2

14-Dec-2011Source: NTSB

On December 7, 2011 at 1630 Pacific Standard Time, a Eurocopter AS350-B2, registration N37SH, operated by Sundance Helicopters as flight Landmark 57, crashed in mountainous terrain approximately 14 miles east of Las Vegas, Nevada. The 14 CFR Part 135 flight was a tourist sightseeing flight, which departed from Las Vegas McCarren International Airport (LAS), Las... Read more

Raytheon awarded $10M delivery order for MH-60R sonar work

Raytheon awarded $10M delivery order for MH-60R sonar work

13-Dec-2011Source: US DoD

Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems, Portsmouth, R.I., is being awarded a $10,441,880 firm-fixed-price delivery order against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-08-G-0013) for non-recurring engineering, highly accelerated life test, and integrated logistics services required to complete Part II Engineering Change Proposal (ECP) 6515-E-022 for the MH-60R helicopter.  ECP 6515-E-022 will integrate the Airborne Low Frequency... Read more

Bell-Boeing awarded $37M for V-22 component repair

Bell-Boeing awarded $37M for V-22 component repair

13-Dec-2011Source: US DoD

Bell-Boeing Joint Project Office, Amarillo Texas, is being awarded $37,582,267 for delivery order #0015 under previously awarded cost- plus-fixed-fee contract (N00383-10-D-003N) for the repair of various components for the V-22 aircraft.  Work will be performed in Roanoke, Texas, and is expected to be completed by Dec. 30, 2013.  The Navy Working Capital Funds being used... Read more

Bell awarded $13M contract modification for H-1 upgrades

Bell awarded $13M contract modification for H-1 upgrades

13-Dec-2011Source: US DoD

Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded a $13,919,264 firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to a previously awarded contract (N00019-11-C-0023) for the systems engineering/program management and engineering investigations for the H-1 upgrades production aircraft.  Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas, and is expected to be completed in December 2012.  Contract funds will... Read more

Circor Aerospace wins $25M contract for Black Hawk landing gear

Circor Aerospace wins $25M contract for Black Hawk landing gear

13-Dec-2011Source: Circor Aerospace

The CIRCOR Aerospace Products Group, a business unit of CIRCOR International (NYSE: CIR), has been selected by Sikorsky Aircraft, a subsidiary of United Technologies Corporation (NYSE: UTX), to execute a multi-year contract, with an initial award of approximately $25 million to manufacture landing gear for its H-60 – BLACK HAWK and Seahawk ® Helicopters. “As... Read more

Aero Vodochody is greener, safer and more reliable

Aero Vodochody is greener, safer and more reliable

13-Dec-2011Source: Aero Vodochody

As the first company in the Czech Republic caught Aero Vodochody in the quality management system up with leaders of the world aviation industry. Aero Vodochody has recently acquired three important certificates, which indicate the company responsible approach to its employees as well as customers. First, company was certified according to EN ISO 14001:2004 (Environmental... Read more

Please support the Vertical Flight Foundation

Please support the Vertical Flight Foundation

13-Dec-2011Source: AHS

VFF is the philanthropic arm of AHS. Since 1977, VFF has awarded nearly 400 scholarships to promising undergraduate and graduate students who plan to pursue careers in vertical flight. VFF has made a real difference, with past scholarship recipients now in important leadership positions in government, industry and academia. Last year, VFF provided 18 scholarships totaling nearly $35,000,... Read more

Ducommun awarded $14M contracts from Bell for V-22 program

Ducommun awarded $14M contracts from Bell for V-22 program

13-Dec-2011Source: Ducommun

Ducommun Incorporated (NYSE: DCO) today announced that it has received contracts totaling approximately $14 million from Bell Helicopter, a unit of Textron, Inc. (NYSE: TXT). The Ducommun LaBarge Technologies business unit (DLT), a provider of electronics manufacturing services (EMS), will produce electronic assemblies and wiring harnesses for the V-22 Osprey military aircraft. DLT has supported... Read more

Appareo develops Electronic Flight Bag for CHC

Appareo develops Electronic Flight Bag for CHC

13-Dec-2011Source: Appareo Systems

Appareo Systems is pleased to announce that it has undertaken a significant software development project with CHC Helicopter, providing the world’s largest helicopter services company with an innovative and robust electronic flight bag (EFB) application. The CHC EFB software will run on the Apple iPad, continuing CHC’s commitment to leveraging advanced technology to achieve a... Read more

Enstrom delivers four more 480s to Royal Thai Army

Enstrom delivers four more 480s to Royal Thai Army

13-Dec-2011Source: Enstrom

Enstrom Helicopter Corporation recently shipped four new 480B turbine helicopters to Thailand. The helicopters are part of a program for 16 training/utility helicopters for the Royal Thai Army. Enstrom has already delivered six helicopters, and these have entered service for the RTA. “This is an exciting time for Enstrom,” said Enstrom’s President & CEO, Jerry... Read more

AW139 OGP Safety Advisors Training Programme deemed a success

AW139 OGP Safety Advisors Training Programme deemed a success

13-Dec-2011Source: AgustaWestland

AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce that the first two AW139 OGP Safety Advisors Training Programmes for the oil & gas safety advisors community in September and November 2011 have been hailed a success by those attending. This initiative, launched early this year, complements the oil & gas seminars that have been organised... Read more

Bel Air signs for two AW189s

Bel Air signs for two AW189s

13-Dec-2011Source: AgustaWestland

AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce that Bel Air of Denmark has signed a contract for two AW189 helicopters. The aircraft will be used for offshore oil and gas transport missions in the North Sea. Bel Air is the latest offshore oil and gas operator to select the new AW189 helicopter to meet... Read more

Two more EC225s for Malaysian offshore operators

Two more EC225s for Malaysian offshore operators

13-Dec-2011Source: Eurocopter

Eurocopter Malaysia keeps up its 100% market share in the heavy helicopter category for offshore operations in Malaysia with two EC225 helicopter orders confirmed at the Langkawi International Maritime & Aerospace Exhibition 2011 (LIMA), in addition to eight others operating in the country. As an affirmation of its leading position in the provision of heavy... Read more

EASA approves Garmin GTNâ„¢ Touchscreen Avionics

EASA approves Garmin GTNâ„¢ Touchscreen Avionics

13-Dec-2011Source: Garmin

Garmin International Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd. (NASDAQ: GRMN), the global leader in satellite navigation, announced today that it has received the European Aviation Safety Agency’s (EASA) validation of the U.S. Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for the GTN 650 and GTN 750 series touchscreen avionics. With this validation, these avionics are certified and approved... Read more

DanCopter receives first AW139

DanCopter receives first AW139

13-Dec-2011Source: AgustaWestland

AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce that DanCopter, a Blueway AS company, has taken delivery of the first of five AW139 medium twin helicopters. This aircraft will be used for offshore transport operations in Nigeria. An initial order for three AW139s was placed in 2010 which was followed by contracts for two additional... Read more

Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing Open for its 42nd Season

Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing Open for its 42nd Season

13-Dec-2011Source: Mike Wiegele

Already boasting a 2 meter snow base, Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing announces the opening of their 42nd heli ski and snowboard season this past weekend. “Nothing compares to the experience of heli skiing and boarding in Blue River,” says Mike Wiegele, “it is unmatched anywhere in the world. From our amazing and massive ski terrain, unparalleled service,... Read more

Bell sponsor 9th Annual Living Legends of Aviation Awards

Bell sponsor 9th Annual Living Legends of Aviation Awards

12-Dec-2011Source: Living Legends

The 9th Annual “Living Legends of Aviation”® Awards, presented by Learjet, welcomes ONEflight International as a Presenting Sponsor.  The awards will be held January 20, 2012, at the Beverly Hilton. Considered the most prestigious and important recognition event of aviation, this intimate, memorable, and historic evening of aviation awards and entertainment will feature Morgan Freeman, with a special... Read more

Bangladesh Police to go airborne with two Bell 407s

Bangladesh Police to go airborne with two Bell 407s

12-Dec-2011Source: HeliHub.com

Bangladesh’s Rapid Action Battalion is to acquire a pair of new Bell 407s, providing airborne law enforcment capability for the first time in this Asian country.  Commander M Sohail of the RAB has confirmed that the police authorities signed a contract with Bell Helicopter Asia on June 23rd 2011.  The deal, valued at 57 crore... Read more

INAER opens a new HEMS base in Chile

INAER opens a new HEMS base in Chile

12-Dec-2011Source: INAER

In the city of Puerto Varas has been installed an emergency helicopter operations center for southern Chile. At the base, a Bell 212 helicopter will operate, equipped with a mobile ICU and medical equipment for the patient to receive the first care, stabilization in the accident site and care during transport to hospital. “The use of helicopters to evacuate critically... Read more

Kentucky National Guard share knowledge with Ecuadorian Army Air Group

Kentucky National Guard share knowledge with Ecuadorian Army Air Group

12-Dec-2011Source: Kentucky NG

Kentucky National Guard State Partnership Program hosted a team of Army aviators and maintainers from the Republic of Ecuador at the Army Aviation Support Facility on Boone National Guard Center in Frankfort, Ky.  The group consisted of six pilots, two maintenance and logistics personnel and one Ecuador civilian translator. They were accompanied by Air Force... Read more

FAA responds to ARSA letter concerning multiple part identification

FAA responds to ARSA letter concerning multiple part identification

12-Dec-2011Source: ARSA

In response to an ARSA request, the FAA will review agency policy and guidance regarding part identification when more than one number is applied to a part at production. In a Dec. 6, 2011 letter, FAA Aircraft Maintenance Division Manager Steven Douglas stated that the FAA, “[shares ARSA’s] concern that the presence of multiple part numbers may... Read more

Robinson starts production of the 100th R66

Robinson starts production of the 100th R66

11-Dec-2011Source: HeliHub.com

Robinson Helicopter Co have started production of the 100th R66 – the company distributed a photo via Twitter at 3.21pm Pacific time on Saturday afternoon.  See original posting here. As pointed out here by Rotorcorp, the Robinson parts people, what Robinson Helicopter Co lack in volume of tweets, they certainly make up for in quality!... Read more

Rega Foundation appoints new President

Rega Foundation appoints new President

11-Dec-2011Source: HeliHub.com

The current President of the board of Trustees of Rega Foundation stands down at the end of December 2011.  Albert Keller has served for 10 years having taken over the role at the beginning of 2002.  He has had an eventful time as a President, including the procurement of new helicopters, introduction of a new... Read more

Report: Sundance tour helicopter had engine work before crash

Report: Sundance tour helicopter had engine work before crash

11-Dec-2011Source: HeliHub.com

The Sundance Helicopters AS350 that went down just west of Lake Mead had its engine and other parts replaced the day before it crashed, killing five people, investigators revealed Friday.  Check out the NTSB press briefings:- early on Thursday 8th December 8pm on Thursday 8th December 5pm on Saturday 10th December William P Johnson –... Read more

S76C++ handed over to State of Maharashtra for VIP use

S76C++ handed over to State of Maharashtra for VIP use

11-Dec-2011Source: Hindustan Times

Chief minister Prithviraj Chavan received the keys of a brand new US-made Sikorsky 76 last Tuesday. In a few weeks time, Chavan, governor K Sankarnarayan and deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar, will use the aircraft to fly to state functions and events. (see full story)  File photo... Read more

Fatal California powerline accident leads to $10M jury award

Fatal California powerline accident leads to $10M jury award

11-Dec-2011

In November 2009, a Piasecki helicopter struck high tension wires shortly after departing from Adelanto airport as it headed for an airshow in Riverside, California.  The helicopter crashed and burned, and all three aboard were killed.  (see full story) See also HeliHub.com accident page – 07-Nov-09 N183YP Piasecki PV-18 Adelanto, US-California (3F)... Read more

NTSB to Hold Public Hearing on Air Race and Air Show Safety

NTSB to Hold Public Hearing on Air Race and Air Show Safety

11-Dec-2011Source: NTSB

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is holding a hearing on air race and air show safety. The hearing will be chaired by NTSB Chairman Deborah A.P. Hersman, and all five Board members will participate. During the one-day meeting, the Board will gather information on the safety regulations and oversight in the planning and execution... Read more

NTSB Preliminary Report – 24-Nov-11 N821JV Robinson R44

NTSB Preliminary Report – 24-Nov-11 N821JV Robinson R44

11-Dec-2011Source: NTSB

This is the text from the Preliminary Report.  By its very nature, the details are subject to change and should not be relied upon. The Final Report for this incident will be issued in due course:- On November 24, 2011, approximately 1900 central standard time, a Robinson R44 II helicopter, N821JV, sustained substantial damage when... Read more

Hungary seek to buy 32 UH-1Ns

Hungary seek to buy 32 UH-1Ns

11-Dec-2011Source: DSCA

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress Dec. 6 of a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Hungary for the modification and inspection of 32 UH-1N Utility Helicopters and associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support for an estimated cost of $426 million. The Government of Hungary has requested a possible sale of... Read more

UK: Bristow lease S92 in from Cougar

UK: Bristow lease S92 in from Cougar

9-Dec-2011Source: HeliHub.com

Late on Wednesday this week, a Sikorsky S92 from Cougar Helicopters completed its ferry flight from Newfoundland to Aberdeen in the UK.  This delivery flight is the initial stage of the helicopter being leased to Bristow for operations on the North Sea.  We are awaiting Cougar’s response to our enquiries regarding the length of the... Read more

UK: First EC135P1 registered for WPD

UK: First EC135P1 registered for WPD

9-Dec-2011Source: HeliHub.com

WPD Helicopter Unit have now registered their first EC135P1 as G-WPDB.  Previously D-HAIT with German EMS operator ADAC, it is expected to be joined by sister ship G-WPDA from the same source within days.  As recently as 22nd November, the helicopter was still in its ADAC yellow scheme at Bonn-Hangelar airport, but it is expected... Read more

Eurocopter and Boustead form JV maintenance company

Eurocopter and Boustead form JV maintenance company

9-Dec-2011Source: Malaysia Star

Boustead Heavy Industries Corp Bhd (BHIC) is expanding into the aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) business following its latest agreement with Eurocopter Malaysia Sdn Bhd. (see full story)... Read more

Helipool Europe adds EC120 from Mexico

Helipool Europe adds EC120 from Mexico

9-Dec-2011Source: HeliHub.com

Swiss operator Helipool Europe has this week added Eurocopter EC120B HB-ZMR to its fleet,  having imported it from Mexico.  It is expected to be based at Balzers. The company also owns an AS350B3 and an EC130B4 both of which are leased to Air Glaciers at Lauterbrunnen in the Bernese Oberland with it’s famous holiday resorts Grindelwald and... Read more

Sikorsky confirms HeliHub report of Brunei S-70i order

Sikorsky confirms HeliHub report of Brunei S-70i order

9-Dec-2011Source: Sikorsky

Sikorsky have issued the following press release on the order for 12 S-70i helicopters from Brunei’s military – but HeliHub.com had already run the story almost THREE WEEKS ago!  (see here) Sikorsky Aircraft, a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX), has formally signed a contract with the Brunei Ministry of Defence to provide 12 S-70iâ„¢... Read more

Bell awarded $85M for H-1 software upgrades

Bell awarded $85M for H-1 software upgrades

9-Dec-2011Source: US DoD

Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc., Hurst, Texas, is being awarded an $85,201,239 cost-plus-fixed-fee, firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the software upgrades in support of the H-1 Upgrade Program.  This contract includes design, development, studies, and implementation of the upgrades to existing software and ancillary hardware and/or improved functionality and obsolescence management of the aircraft.  Work will be... Read more

British Army completes Apache exercise in the US

British Army completes Apache exercise in the US

9-Dec-2011Source: British Army

Army Apache crews are returning to the UK this week having completed a major exercise in the United States as part of the Apache Conversion To Role course. Exercise Crimson Eagle is a challenging two-month exercise, split between Naval Air Facility El Centro in California and the Gila Bend Air Force Auxiliary Field in Arizona.... Read more

Southeast Texas Air Rescue named Air Medical Service of the Year

Southeast Texas Air Rescue named Air Medical Service of the Year

8-Dec-2011Source: Med-Trans

Med-Trans Corp., a leader in the air medical industry is pleased to announce that their Southeast Texas Air Rescue program was recently named the Texas EMS Air Medical Service of the Year. The Department of Health and Human Services recently presented the award to the Air Rescue team at the Texas EMS Conference in Austin,... Read more

Eurocopter Canada delivers AS350 training aid to BCIT

Eurocopter Canada delivers AS350 training aid to BCIT

8-Dec-2011Source: Eurocopter Canada

Eurocopter Canada (ECL) will continue to support the British Columbia Institute of Technology’s (BCIT) AME program and AME Type Course with a recent delivery of one Eurocopter AS350 training aid aircraft. A Memorandum of Understanding between ECL and BCIT was officially signed in September 2009 at BCIT’s Aerospace Technology Campus in Richmond – the facility... Read more

EC funds two Mi-8s for UN World Food Program

EC funds two Mi-8s for UN World Food Program

8-Dec-2011Source: ECHO Nairobi

Quick and safe access to humanitarian crises is at times difficult and often altogether impossible when infrastructure such as roads and bridges are destroyed or conflict makes them too dangerous to use. This means that assistance cannot reach people in need fast enough and such a delay may lead to loss of lives. The European... Read more

Maintenance advisers certify first Afghan Air Force expediter

Maintenance advisers certify first Afghan Air Force expediter

8-Dec-2011Source: NATO

Maintenance advisers recently certified the first Afghan Air Force flight line expediter at Kandahar Air Wing. A direct maintenance commander delegate on the flight line, an expediter is responsible for efficiently utilizing manning and resources to effectively execute the flight schedule agreed upon by both maintainers and operators. Advisers indicate the new capability will ensure... Read more

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