30-Nov-2011Source: HeliHub.com
CHC has this week transferred an AW139 from the Dutch register to the Canadian register – serial number 31072 going from PH-EUA to C-GNDG. However, industry sources tell us that it’s not going to Canada, but is destined for operations in Tanzania. It is currently on its ferry flight as we file this story, expected... Read more
30-Nov-2011Source: HeliHub.com
AgustaWestland have taken a lease on 98,851 square feet of space at Arlington Airport in Texas, and are intending building a further 7,000 sq.ft. The lease allows the building to be used for “Aircraft sales, engineering and design, flight testing, and aircraft maintenance” and “any other aviation related activity or incidental uses in connection with... Read more
30-Nov-2011Source: Big Bend Community College
A partnership between Big Bend Community College and Inland Helicopters of Spokane will provide opportunities for students to become helicopter pilots while earning an associates degree. The new helicopter pilot training program begins in January of 2012. “This is another example of the type of public/private partnerships we must establish to create new programs in... Read more
30-Nov-2011
Eurocopter Southern Africa has moved to a new and bigger base at Grand Central Airport, close to Johannesburg and Pretoria. The company’s previous base was spread across four buildings at Lanseria Airport, (see full story)... Read more
30-Nov-2011Source: Western Telegraph
The Wales Air Ambulance has received a massive lift with the news Valero’s Pembroke Refinery has donated £100,000 to the lifesaving charity, after it was elected “charity of the year” by employees (see full story)... Read more
30-Nov-2011Source: InCumbria
GNAA has so far sold more than 80,000 tickets for the fundraiser, which will be drawn on December 14. (see full story)... Read more
30-Nov-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Local website Fuerzas Aeronavales is reporting the recent arrival of the first two Mi-171s for the Argentine Air Force. Coded H-94 and H-95, the two arrived by air freight, and are painted in a high-visibility red and white scheme for their expected role in the Antarctic. While the purchase of these two was agreed in... Read more
29-Nov-2011Source: Evening Times
The heliport will move from its current base at Stobcross Road over the River Clyde to Govan (see full story). The heliport is base to the local police and air ambulance EC135 helicopters, apart from others.... Read more
29-Nov-2011Source: US DoD
Moog, Inc., East Aurora, N.Y., is being awarded a $12,001,770 firm-fixed-price order 7038 against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00383-09-G-002D) to repair the swashplate actuator for the V-22 aircraft. Work will be performed in East Aurora, N.Y., and is expected to be completed by Dec. 30, 2012. Navy Working Capital Funds will not expire... Read more
29-Nov-2011Source: Cobham
Cobham plc announces that Andy Stevens has informed the Board that he is unable to continue as Cobham’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) due to the recurrence of a long term serious back injury and has therefore decided to take early retirement. The Chairman, John Devaney, will temporarily assume the position of Executive Chairman while a... Read more
29-Nov-2011Source: Oil & Gas UK
Oil & Gas UK welcomes the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) report published on November 24 on the tragic crash of helicopter Flight 85N which took place off the Aberdeenshire coast on 1 April 2009. Robert Paterson, Oil & Gas UK’s health and safety director, said: “With today’s publication of the report, we remember, first... Read more
29-Nov-2011Source: FAA
The Federal Aviation Administration recently announced changes to the way it will distribute electronic aeronautical charting data. In an announcement posted on the agency website, the FAA said it will make the data available 24 hours before the charts’ effective date, instead of the 15 days’ advance release that had been standard. Plus, the agency... Read more
29-Nov-2011Source: Rockwell Collins
Underscoring the growing need to bring training solutions to where soldiers are located, the U.S. Army has selected Rockwell Collins to provide additional Transportable Black Hawk Operations Simulators (T-BOS). The contract, valued at $35 million, calls for deliveries to be complete by September 2015. “Rockwell Collins has developed a strong track record of delivering the... Read more
29-Nov-2011Source: Stirling Square
Stirling Square Capital Partners [“Stirling Squareâ€], the pan-European private equity firm focused on transformational cross-border transactions, today announced a €40m growth capital investment into Portugal-based Omni Helicopters International S.A. [“Omni†or “the Company”]. Based in Lisbon, Omni is the helicopter services specialist that was recently de-merged from the broader aviation group Omni Aviação SGPS S.A.;... Read more
29-Nov-2011Source: AAR
AAR (NYSE: AIR) announced today that the United States Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) has exercised two renewal options for AAR to provide airlift support in Afghanistan through October of 2012. The first option has a value of $99 million and is part of a task order awarded to AAR in October, 2010. The second option has... Read more
29-Nov-2011Source: CASA
Extract from the CASA Director of Aviation Safety’s monthly briefing:- The unmanned aircraft systems sector is to get better regulatory support. CASA has set up a project to review the rules currently covering unmanned aircraft systems and to develop a package of new guidance material. Six advisory circulars will be published to guide both the... Read more
29-Nov-2011Source: CTV
In May, Defence Minister Peter MacKay announced that Canadian Forces air crew could expect to have their first interim CH-148 Cyclone for training purposes by the end of the summer. This week a spokeswoman for the Defence Department said the military hasn’t yet accepted delivery of the helicopter from Sikorksy because work on it isn’t... Read more
29-Nov-2011Source: Metro Aviation
Metro Aviation, Inc. attracts first-time customer, Duke Life Flight, with their extensive custom aircraft completion options. After operating two EC135’s for several years, Duke Life Flight decides to replace the EC135’s with two EC145’s completed by Metro Aviation, Inc. “The larger cabin of the EC145 combined with the state of the art medical interior and... Read more
29-Nov-2011Source: LA Times
To date, the FAA has issued 266 active testing permits for civilian drone applications but hasn’t permitted drones in national airspace on a wide scale out of concern that the pilotless craft don’t have an adequate “detect, sense and avoid” technology to prevent midair collisions. (see full story)... Read more
29-Nov-2011Source: The Journal
Claire Jobling, an accountant by trade who worked for the Co-operative before spending five years at globally-successful Eutechnyx, has acquired Newcastle Airport-based Northumbria Helicopters for an undisclosed sum. (see full story)... Read more
29-Nov-2011Source: Otago Daily Times
44-year-old mother of three admitted misappropriating more than $130,000 from her employer over seven years (see full story)... Read more
29-Nov-2011Source: East Day
From a current fleet of four, a total of 15 helicopters will be in place by 2020, said the Aviation Force of the Shanghai police yesterday. The next new helicopter should be a firefighting Ka32 for delivery in 2012 (see full story). The current fleet includes two EC135s and the EC155 photo’d here for the... Read more
29-Nov-2011Source: CAE
Today at the Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation, and Education Conference (I/ITSEC), the world’s largest military simulation show, CAE announced that it has completed a major upgrade to one of the CH-47 Chinook dynamic mission simulators located at CAE’s Medium Support Helicopter Aircrew Training Facility (MSHATF) in the United Kingdom, and the Royal Air Force (RAF) is... Read more
29-Nov-2011Source: Bristow
Bristow Helicopters Ltd. has appointed Ian Taylor as the company’s new quality and safety manager for its European business unit. With more than 20 years experience in the aviation industry, Taylor joins Bristow from its affiliate group FB Heliservices Ltd (FBH) where he held the same role. Taylor will relocate from Dubai to the company’s... Read more
29-Nov-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Earlier this month, Aerosoyuz became the first helicopter company in Russia to become an official service center for the AgustaWestland AW109. The certification process involved training a minimum of 6 engineers for each type and the purchase of type-specific maintenance equipment. HeliHub.com believes there are currently six AW119s operating on the Russian register. Nikolai Vanesev... Read more
29-Nov-2011Source: Russian Helicopters
New medevac, rescue, and firefighting rotorcraft of Russian make, built by enterprises of the Russian Helicopters holding company, a subsidiary of United Industrial Corporation Oboronprom, may take part in ensuring and enforcing security at the Winter Olympics in Russian seaside resort Sochi in 2014. Such a conclusion was made after the Russian EMERCOM completed research... Read more
29-Nov-2011Source: AdaCore
AdaCore, provider of Ada tools and expertise for the mission-critical, safety-critical, and security-critical software communities, today announced that Eurocopter has chosen the GNAT Pro High-Integrity Edition for development of an ARINC-653 demonstrator for military helicopters. The demonstrator will provide military interfaces and operational functions within a time- and memory-partitioned ARINC-653 architecture. The GNAT Pro High-Integrity... Read more
29-Nov-2011Source: Gates & Partners
The UK headquarters of leading international lawyers Gates & Partners, which focuses specifically on aviation law, has this month launched a new set of initiatives to support the industry’s understanding of complex legal and regulatory issues within the aviation sector. The latest event was held in early November and aimed to bring banks and insurance... Read more
29-Nov-2011Source: AgustaWestland
AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce that it has finalised the transaction with Bell Helicopter Textron for the acquisition of the 609 tiltrotor programme. All legal and regulatory approvals have now been successfully completed. The development of the AW609 tiltrotor programme is now moving forward under full AgustaWestland control with civil certification expected... Read more
29-Nov-2011Source: Schiebel
Schiebel s CAMCOPTER® S-100 Unmanned Air System (UAS) has once again successfully proven its highly efficient maritime capability, this time onboard the new Gowind class OPV (Offshore Patrol Vessel), L ADROIT built by DCNS and handed over to the French Navy in October 2011. Operating at the cutting edge of technology, the S-100 successfully completed... Read more
29-Nov-2011
Rio Tinto’s sponsorship of $1M a year over the next 10 years will be in addition to what the State Government provides. EMQ are looking at using the first year of the Rio Tinto funds to increase the fuel capacity (and thus range) of their three AW139s. (see full story) Photos reproduced with prior permission... Read more
29-Nov-2011Source: US Army
KHOWST PROVINCE, Afghanistan — Calling for air medical evacuation on the battlefield is a skill required before it’s needed. For Indiana Guardsmen with the 4-19th Agribusiness Development Team and pilots from the Wyoming National Guard’s Company C, 5th Battalion, 159th Aviation Regiment, training on Forward Operating Base Salerno, Nov. 18, honed their proficiency for medevacs.... Read more
29-Nov-2011Source: 9 News
Defence Minister Stephen Smith said on Monday the project had experienced delays of some two years with a risk of further delays and recently one aircraft suffered a major engine failure. (see full story)... Read more
29-Nov-2011Source: HAI
HAI President Matt Zuccaro and 19 other association and company presidents have written to U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano, urging her department to issue a final rule on security at foreign repair stations by the end of this calendar year. In the letter, the 20 leaders note that Congress directed the Transportation Security... Read more
29-Nov-2011Source: HAI
Jessica Kuney has been named HAI’s Shows & Expositions coordinator. Jessica has significant experience in the meeting planning field, working for a variety of associations and small organizations, including Georgetown University Law Center, the American Bankruptcy Institute, the American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries, and the American Composites Manufacturers Association. Jessica’s duties will include... Read more
29-Nov-2011Source: Extech
Extech Instruments, makers of the best handheld test and measurement tools, announces the relocation of its headquarters to an all-new facility in Nashua, New Hampshire, USA. To accommodate strong growth and to serve customers better in the years ahead, Extech announced the move, along with the Billerica, MA operations of parent company, FLIR Systems’ Commercial... Read more
28-Nov-2011Source: UK MoD
The Department for Transport has started the procurement process for a new UK-wide Search and Rescue helicopter service to be provided by civilian crews, it has been announced today. The Secretary of State for Transport, Justine Greening, announced to Parliament in a written statement that she wished to inform the House of the Government’s intentions... Read more
28-Nov-2011Source: Bell
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT), announced today that its newest version of the popular Bell 407 – the 407GX – has earned European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) certification following its certification by Transport Canada and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) earlier this year. Since the Bell 407GX was introduced in March at... Read more
28-Nov-2011Source: Bristow Group
Bristow Group Inc.(NYSE: BRS), the leading provider of helicopter services to the offshore energy industry, today announced that the Company will be attending the Jefferies 2011 Global Energy held in Houston onNovember 30 – December 1,  2011. Jonathan Baliff, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, is scheduled to present on Thursday, December 1, at 10:30 a.m. Central Time (11:30 a.m. Eastern Time).  A live broadcast... Read more
28-Nov-2011Source: Bristow Group
Bristow Group Inc.(NYSE: BRS), the leading provider of helicopter services to the offshore energy industry today announced that the Company will be attending the Dahlman Rose & Co. First Annual Ultimate Oil Services & Drilling Conference to be held in New York City,November 29-30, 2011. Mark Duncan, Senior Vice President Commercial, is scheduled to present on Tuesday, November 29, at 10:40 a.m.... Read more
28-Nov-2011Source: ASU
The military has realized the benefits of night vision technology for years. Now pilots with Sanford’s Life Flight have been trained and are now using the helmet mounted night-vision goggles. The goggles are especially important for medical emergencies in our rural areas. Life Flight pilot Tim Vreeman is no stranger to birds. He’s been flying... Read more
28-Nov-2011Source: CASA
Special flight safety checks are being carried out at 15 aerodromes across South Australia in early December 2011. The checks are being conducted for the Civil Aviation Safety Authority to make sure flight paths at the aerodromes continue to be safe. Checks will be conducted at: Adelaide, Cleve, Edinburgh, Kimba, Kingscote, Olympic Dam, Leigh Creek,... Read more
28-Nov-2011Source: CBC
Representatives for both companies wouldn’t give details of the settlement. Cougar’s statement of claim said it was looking for more than $20 million for negligence and fraudulent misrepresentation after the crash (see full story)... Read more
28-Nov-2011Source: Eurocopter
Eurocopter delivered the first of six EC145s ordered to date by the Kazakh Ministries of Defense and Emergencies. A total of 45 of the helicopters are to be purchased, and will be assembled by the new joint venture Eurocopter Kazakhstan Engineering, in which Eurocopter and Kazakhstan Engineering have a 50/50 share. This initial delivery comes... Read more
25-Nov-2011Source: HeliHub.com
The Polish-built PZL SW-4 was last week put on the Brazilian register for the first time – the local demonstrator aircraft is now officially registered as PP-MHJ. The helicopter has been in the South American country since at least August 2011, when it was presented at the LABACE (Latin American Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition)... Read more
25-Nov-2011Source: HeliHub.com
CHC yesterday registered a new Sikorsky S92 on the British Register as G-WNSA. Given their previous use of the G-SNSx series for Southern North Sea ops, it is assumed that the new S92 is for Western North Sea flights. The helicopter is fresh from the production line – ship #152 This is CHC’s fourth offshore... Read more
25-Nov-2011Source: STARS
Former STARS patients, media, and members of the public are invited to a special five-year anniversary celebration at the STARS Grande Prairie base on Thursday, December 1, 2011 from 1 to 4 p.m. This event will acknowledge the incredible support from the community, while reflecting upon major milestones that have taken place over the past... Read more
25-Nov-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Air Evac Lifeteam have upgraded their base at Carrizo Springs Airport in Texas – about 125 miles south-west of San Antonio. Known as “Lifeteam 71”, this base previously flew a LongRanger, they now have a Bell 407 in the same colour scheme Photos were released on AEL71’s Facebook page William P Johnson – HeliHub.com US... Read more
25-Nov-2011Source: Johns Hopkins University
A new study by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Center for Injury Research and Policy finds that helicopters that service the drilling platforms and vessels in the Gulf of Mexico crash on average more than six times per year resulting in an average of 5 deaths per year. From 1983 to 2009, 178 crashes resulted... Read more
25-Nov-2011Source: Star Telegram
Bell Helicopter has notified about 65 of its Fort Worth materiel buyers whose positions are being moved to Amarillo that Dec. 2 will be their last day of work, according to their union leader. (see full story)... Read more
24-Nov-2011Source: Dart Helicopter Services
DART Helicopter Services (DHS) is pleased to announce Transport Canada approval of DART Aerospace’s Ltd. (DAS) Quick Release Heli-Access-Step™ for the Bell 206L/L1/L3/L4 and 407 series of aircraft. FAA and EASA approvals are pending. The Quick Release Heli-Access-Step™ installs easily to existing Quick Release Heli-Utility-Basket™ mounts. The step can be quickly mounted by one person... Read more
24-Nov-2011Source: Eurocopter
Eurocopter has inaugurated its new logistics platform at its industrial site in Marignane, marking the end to an innovative program to re-engineer the Group’s entire logistics chain and implement a flexible, high-performance tool. The investments made over the past two years to develop modern means will enable Eurocopter to reduce both logistics costs and delivery... Read more
24-Nov-2011Source: Aspen Avionics
Members of the Southwest Secondary Learning Center (SSLC) visited Aspen Avionics last week, and received a tour of the facility and an introduction to available career paths in the aerospace industry. “The SSLC currently has 280 students enrolled and 40 of them are participating in the AERO AV8R (Aeronautical Education & Research Opportunities) program,†says... Read more
24-Nov-2011Source: AAIB
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) was notified of the accident by Aeronautical Rescue Co-ordination Centre (ARCC) Kinloss at 1326 hrs on 1 April 2009 and the investigation began the same day. In accordance with established international arrangements the Bureau d’Enquetes et d’Analyses Pour la Securité de l’Aviation Civile (BEA), representing the State of Manufacture... Read more
24-Nov-2011Source: NTSB
On November 15, 2011, at 0837 mountain standard time, a restricted category Williams Helicopter Corporation, UH-1H, N502AW, experienced a loss of power, made a hard landing, and came to rest on its right side about 3 miles northwest of the Valle Airport (40G), Grand Canyon, Arizona. The pilot operated the helicopter under the provisions of... Read more
24-Nov-2011Source: Scoop
As a part of that training system the simulator will provide the Royal New Zealand Air Force with a cost effective means of training A109 aircrew and those destined to fly the NH90 and SH2G helicopters. The simulator provides significant financial savings as the operating cost of the simulator is approximately 10% of the A109... Read more
24-Nov-2011Source: Wysong Enterprises
Wysong Enterprises, Inc., (Wysong) announced today that they delivered the third of four refurbished MD500D helicopters to AIR2, LLC (AIR2). The refurbishment work included rewiring the entire airframe, installation of a new avionics package, sheet metal repairs including panel replacement, window replacement, and custom painting of the interior and exterior of the aircraft. “This is the... Read more
23-Nov-2011Source: Air Methods
Air Methods Corporation (Nasdaq:AIRM) announced today that the Company will restate its financial results after receiving a response from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The SEC responded to the Company’s previous request for guidance concerning the appropriate GAAP interpretation of the maximum amount that the Company could be required to pay as described... Read more
23-Nov-2011Source: Nightline
Nightline, Inc., a US, Small Business Administration HUBZone certified, veteran-owned defense company, and global supplier of Generation III Night Vision Equipment, is introducing the NL963M™, their new innovative Multi Battery Night Vision Goggle. The NL963M™ Multi Battery NVG offers the performance and versatility of the AN/PVS-7B with Nightline’s patent pending multi battery design. The revolutionary... Read more
23-Nov-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Dubai Customs have seized an Aerocopter AK1-3 two seat helicopter claiming it was being illegally imported into the emirate. Paperwork showed the shipping container had furniture in it, but the reality was different. One local media report suggesting the aircraft could be used for terrorist activities or smuggling operations, but that seems unlikely for such... Read more
23-Nov-2011Source: HeliHub.com
CITIC Offshore Helicopter Co have announced plans to buy another seven Eurocopter EC225LP to support oil operations off the China coast. Deliveries would be made over the next 3-4 years. It appears that the company is seeking local approvals before actually placing the order with Eurocopter Jeremy Parkin – HeliHub.com... Read more
22-Nov-2011Source: Orissa Diary
Tata Advanced Systems have made a presentation on UAV technology to a meeting under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Sri Bijay Kumar Patnaik (see full story)... Read more
22-Nov-2011Source: Omaha World Herald
Four Lakotas will be officially unveiled today Grand Island. These will allow the Guard to stand up a new 50-soldier medevac company that can transport medical supplies, help with firefighting and conduct SAR missions in Nebraska. Four more Lakotas will be delivered in January 2013 (see full story)... Read more
22-Nov-2011Source: Heliflite
This month Heliflite was pleased to deliver a new R66 Turbine helicopter to The Salvation Army for its dedicated Outback Flying Service which is based in Mt Isa, Queensland. The new R66 Turbine will be primarily operated to support remote outback communities and stations in central and north Queensland which covers an extraordinary 800,000 square... Read more
22-Nov-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Following the success of its first three photo galleries – one of which approaches 8,400 images – we are today launching a more specialised gallery covering helipads and heliports. The imperative with this new gallery is to provide a resource for pilots and heliport visitors on the facilities, approach paths, aerial views etc to promote... Read more
22-Nov-2011Source: Northrop Grumman
Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has been competitively selected to supply the AQS-24A airborne mine-hunting system to the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. Under the initial contract, Northrop Grumman’s Undersea Systems business unit will deliver the airborne mine-hunting system to Kawasaki Heavy Industries for integration into Japan’s new Airborne Mine Countermeasures MCH-101 helicopter. “The combination of our... Read more
22-Nov-2011Source: Hartford Hospital
It’s the life-saving medical helicopter that has been saving lives since 1985, and its team just received a great honor. The LIFE STAR program, owned and operated by Hartford Hospital, has been selected as a recipient of the Association of Air Medical Services (AAMS) Program of the Year for 2011. The Program of the Year... Read more
22-Nov-2011Source: ABC
The Health and Community Services Union’s Tim Jacobson says the $3.20 an hour members get on top of a base wage for helicopter shifts is not enough to recognise the extra training and work. (see full story)... Read more
22-Nov-2011Source: HFI
Helicopter Foundation International is pleased to be accepting applications for the Commercial Helicopter Rating Scholarship, a scholarship specifically geared to students currently in the process of obtaining their commercial license and enrolled an FAA approved Part 141 school or the international equivalent. Up to four winners will be selected from all of the qualified applicants... Read more
22-Nov-2011Source: Isle of Man.com
Fans of the TT Races will be able to get a different view of the track this year with the return of helicopter pleasure flights. (see full story)... Read more
22-Nov-2011Source: Hartford Courant
Two months after setting into motion cuts of 3 percent of its global workforce, including 419 jobs in Connecticut, Sikorsky Aircraft said Monday it’s targeting another 3 percent, this time mostly salaried employees. The company is offering a voluntary buyout package to 525 workers. (see full story)... Read more
22-Nov-2011Source: Aero Sekur
Aero Sekur Inc. will present a range of heli-safety and protection products at Heli-Expo 2012. The new addition to the Aero Sekur Group of companies will display complete system expertise for life-raft and flotation products. Specializing in integrated technology, Aero Sekur combines flotation bags and life-rafts with gas cylinders/inflation systems and housing for incorporation into... Read more
22-Nov-2011Source: US DoD
Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc., Hurst, Texas, was awarded a $10,537,813 firm-fixed-price contract. The award will provide for the procurement of one standard commercially configured Bell 412 enhanced performance helicopter with optional equipment requirements and complementary pilot and maintainer training. Work will be performed in Hurst, Texas; Quebec, Canada; and Piney Flats, Tenn., with an estimated... Read more
22-Nov-2011Source: US DoD
Lockheed Martin Corp., Orlando, Fla., was awarded a $45,819,571 firm-fixed-price contract. The award will provide for the logistical services in support of the AH-64 Apache Modernized and Legacy Target Acquisition Designation Sight Assembly and Pilot Night Vision Sensor Assembly System. Work will be performed in Orlando, Fla., with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31,... Read more
22-Nov-2011Source: US Army
A needed OH-58D Kiowa Warrior was returned to the fight when Corpus Christi Army Depot Commander, Col. Christopher B. Carlile handed the newly repaired KW’s log books to 1st Infantry Division Combat Aviation Brigade Commander, Col. John M. Morgan during a transfer ceremony held during the Luther Jones Professional Aviation Forum at the American Bank... Read more