15-May-2015Source: BALPA
A majority of British people think there should be stricter rules on the qualifications needed to fly a drone in urban areas, and half think there should be prison sentences for those flying drones in a way that endangers an aircraft, according to a new survey that will be presented at a Drone Safety Summit... Read more
14-May-2015Source: AAIB
The monthly bulletin from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been released. This month’s issue covers the accident(s) of:- Robinson R44 (G-CEDG), rolled over during a precautionary landing, near Aspley Guise, Bedfordshire, on 25 February 2015 Robinson R44 II (G-HECK), collision with vehicle, Leeds Heliport, 5 December 2014 ... Read more
14-May-2015Source: CAA
CAA International (CAAi) is supporting Aluminium Offshore Pte Ltd with the review and validation of their Helideck Inspection reports, in accordance with UK CAA CAP 437. Working in conjunction with the UK CAA, CAAi undertook a full review of the quality and safety system in place by Aluminium Offshore to ensure their helideck inspections meet... Read more
13-May-2015Source: TVAA
Thames Valley Air Ambulance (TVAA) welcomed HRH The Countess of Wessex to RAF Benson, Oxfordshire to officially open the upgraded operational base and Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) training facility on Monday 11th May. Meeting current crews, trainee air ambulance paramedics and emergency medical doctors undertaking pre-hospital training, The Countess of Wessex had the opportunity... Read more
13-May-2015Source: GNAAS
A LIFE-SAVING charity has opened its first fundraising office in Cumbria today (May 11). The Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) has operated the Pride of Cumbria air ambulance from its base at Langwathby since 2004, but this is the first time it has had a staffed office in the county. The charity officially opened... Read more
12-May-2015Source: CAA
Proposals for how the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) could take on the safety certification and approval of offshore helidecks, raising safety levels through a CAA-directed scheme that would have powers to stop flights to helidecks that fail to meet the minimum standards, were announced today as part of a consultation on the area. The... Read more
8-May-2015Source: Bristow
The Billy Deacon SAR Memorial Trophy will be presented at the Air League’s Annual Awards Ceremony at St James Palace, on Tuesday 05th May 2015 by HRH Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh. Sponsored by Bristow Helicopters Ltd and Breitling UK, the Trophy has been established to further the memory of Mr Billy Deacon who was... Read more
6-May-2015Source: Cotswold
Cotswold Helicopter Centre announced this week that two more EASA Part 145 maintenance facilities have gained approval to support the Guimbal Cabri G2 helicopter in UK. This increases the total of approved maintenance facilities in the UK to six. The two latest organisations to gain approval are Bourne Park Aviation in Hampshire and HeliMech in... Read more
6-May-2015Source: Furgo
Fugro is working with the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and Chevron North Sea Limited to improve helicopter safety regulations for the offshore industry. The CAA has identified a number of development areas to help improve the safety of helicopter operations with moving helidecks and has formulated a new technical specification for helideck monitoring systems... Read more
1-May-2015Source: Falck
Falck Safety Services has recently enhanced its fire training asset, installing a new three-storey fire rig, working in partnership with The Fire Training Group (FTG) located at Aberdeen Airport. The recent investment will enable Falck to continue to provide offshore workers with relevant, bespoke and OPITO-approved fire training courses using state-of-the-art facilities. Falck’s investment will allow... Read more
30-Apr-2015Source: Plymouth Hospitals NHST
After nearly seven months, Derriford Hospital is close to finishing the new helipad, which will be in operation by June, allowing a wider range of aircraft to land on site and being accessible 24 hours a day. Currently the hospital does not have a recognised helipad and instead has a small grassed-over area adjacent to... Read more
30-Apr-2015Source: CAA
he UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) today announced at the Offshore Helicopter Safety Action Group (OHSAG) a new set of proposals aimed at improving the safety of helicopter operations to the 116 normally unattended offshore installations in the North Sea. The proposals build upon an independent report compiled by Cranfield University, commissioned by the CAA,... Read more
30-Apr-2015Source: Nova Systems
Aerospace and professional services provider Nova Systems is expanding its European business (Nova Systems UK) with the purchase of an Airbus Helicopter H135 – providing the option of low cost and reliable flight trials for governments and manufacturers alike. The aircraft will be fully instrumented and will be used to test the latest sensors, avionics and... Read more
30-Apr-2015Source: Vector Aerospace
Vector Aerospace UK a leading provider of aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services, can announce that one of its apprentices has been presented with a prestigious Silver Star at the EEF Future Manufacturing Awards. James Clement, aged 23, who lives in Havant, was among just three other contestants to achieve this recognition. James secured... Read more
30-Apr-2015Source: BBC News
The Yorkshire Air Ambulance is to operate an extra helicopter during the inaugural Tour de Yorkshire cycle race. See Full Story... Read more
29-Apr-2015Source: Cotswold
The UK’s 13th Cabri was collected from the Hélicoptères Guimbal factory in Aix-en-Provence earlier today. The new aircraft was collected by Ian Lunt of VVB Aviation who will be operating it for flight training from their base at Elstree Aerodrome. Oliver Heynes of Cotswold Helicopter Centre, the sole UK agents for Hélicoptères Guimbal is accompanying... Read more
21-Apr-2015Source: North Wales Chronicle
The rescue happened at night in the Ogwen Valley of Snowdonia, when a young London woman with an ankle injury was winched aboard and flown to hospital at Bangor. See Full Story... Read more
13-Apr-2015Source: AAIB
The monthly bulletin from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been released. This month’s issue does not refer to any helicopters and this update is included in HeliHub.com for completeness... Read more
13-Apr-2015Source: Clacton Gazette
A three-year-old girl who was airlifted to hospital after a serious crash will officially open the new head office of the Essex and Herts Air Ambulance Trust. See Full Story... Read more
1-Apr-2015Source: Evening Express
OFFSHORE workers who fail to comply with new helicopter regulations could end up stranded, according to an offshore medical provider. See Full Story... Read more
29-Mar-2015Source: Cotswold
The number of Guimbal Cabri G2 helicopters operating in the UK increased to twelve last week with the arrival of serial number 1092 registered G-CILU. Andy Moorhouse of UK Guimbal importers Cotswold Helicopter Centre flew the aircraft back from the Hélicoptères Guimbal factory in Aix-en-Provence in southern France accompanied by a graduate of their flight... Read more
27-Mar-2015Source: AgustaWestland
AgustaWestland is pleased to announce that it has signed a contract with the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) covering the third five year period of the 25-year Integrated Merlin Operational Support (IMOS) contract. The contract provides a comprehensive availability based support package for the UK MoD’s fleet of AW101 Merlin helicopters for the period 1st... Read more
27-Mar-2015Source: HCGB
The organizers of Heli UK Expo, in partnership with the Helicopter Club of Great Britain, are proud to announce the return of the Heli UK Challenge Cup. This special event will be taking place during all 3 days of Heli UK Expo, at Sywell Aerodrome, 29th – 31st May 2015 . The Heli UK Challenge... Read more
24-Mar-2015Source: The Elite London
Organisers of The Elite London are pleased to welcome Airbus Helicopters UK Ltd as new exhibitors to this year’s event at Rizon Jet, London Biggin Hill Airport, during the8th – 9th May. Airbus Helicopters, the world’s leading helicopter manufacturer employs more than 23,000 people worldwide. A fleet of approximately 12,000 helicopters, flying more than three... Read more
24-Mar-2015Source: BBC
The cancellation of a party marking the retirement of Sea King helicopters has been met with anger. See Full Story... Read more
20-Mar-2015Source: WAA
Wiltshire Air Ambulance (WAA) hosted a special get together of patients it has airlifted since it started operating on March 15 1990. The service has saved countless lives during its 25 years and has carried out almost 15,000 missions. To mark the service’s Silver Jubilee the charity invited past patients to visit the helicopter’s base... Read more
19-Mar-2015Source: AAIB
The monthly bulletin from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been released. This month’s issue covers the accident(s) of:- Sikorsky S-76C (G-WIWI), unintentional descent towards trees, Peasmarsh, East Sussex, 3 May 2012... Read more
18-Mar-2015Source: Cotswold Helicopter Centre
Yesterday marked a milestone for the Guimbal Cabri G2 as the 11th aircraft was delivered to the UK. Paul White, owner of Elstree Helicopters landed G-FPEH, G2 Serial Number 1093 at Elstree Aerodrome yesterday morning after an uneventful flight back from Hélicoptères Guimbal in Aix-en-Provence – in just a day and a half, given unexpectedly... Read more
18-Mar-2015Source: Bristow
The launch of the Inverness civilian UK search and rescue (SAR) helicopter service was marked today (Tuesday 17 March) in a ceremony held at the new SAR base at Inverness Airport. Bristow Helicopters Ltd, a UK limited company, was awarded the ten year UK SAR contract by the Department for Transport in March 2013 and... Read more
17-Mar-2015Source: Bond Air Services
The third H145 (formerly EC145T2) to arrive in the UK was delivered to Bond Air Services last week, joining the only other two aircraft of this type in the country, which are both already at the company’s Staverton headquarters. [Editor note – the aircraft was delivered on a German test registration D-HCBW on Wednesday 11th... Read more
12-Mar-2015Source: HeliHub.com
Just 22 months from their first flight in May 2013, Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance has recorded its 500th mission, according to a telephone interview HeliHub.com held with PR Manager Maureen Young. Their Bo105 helicopter was scrambled to Cray, near Glenshee, on Saturday 7th March to an elderly male with chronic chest pain. He was flown... Read more
11-Mar-2015Source: Helicentre Aviation
Helicentre Aviation’s Chairman Christopher Line met with Bruno Guimbal, President and CEO of Hélicoptères Guimbal at Heli Expo in Orlando, Florida last week where they shook hands as Helicentre Aviation’s sixth Cabri G2 order was confirmed. The new aircraft will add to the existing fleet of five operated by Helicentre Aviation as well as three... Read more
8-Mar-2015Source: Oil & Gas UK
The Board of Oil & Gas UK, the leading trade association for the UK offshore oil and gas industry, is pleased to announce the appointment of Deirdre Michie as the organisation’s new Chief Executive, following a comprehensive search led by The Curzon Partnership. Deirdre Michie will take up her position from 1 May 2015, replacing... Read more
5-Mar-2015Source: Rockwell Collins
Rockwell Collins’ newest technologies for helicopters will be playing a key role in advancing search and rescue services being provided by Bristow Helicopters Ltd on behalf of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency for the UK’s search and rescue (SAR) program, commencing in April. Rockwell Collins’ flight decks are featured on the new fleet of specially... Read more
4-Mar-2015Source: SIkorsky
Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. today recognized Bristow Helicopters Ltd.’s upcoming launch of the U.K. search and rescue (SAR) contract and the company’s dedication to SAR over the past 40 years. The recognition ceremony was held at the 2015 Helicopter Association International Heli-Expo show in Florida. Bristow Helicopters Ltd. is an affiliate of Bristow Group Inc. (NYSE: BRS). Sikorsky... Read more
3-Mar-2015Source: Turbomeca
Turbomeca (Safran) is developing a new strategy to further improve the proximity service it offers to its customers. Taking advantage of the planned introduction of new light helicopters, Turbomeca will enlarge its support network to offer a best-in-class service tailored to small fleet operators. To offer the most comprehensive and reliable support network, Turbomeca is... Read more
3-Mar-2015Source: AgustaWestland
AgustaWestland announced today that Specialist Aviation Services (SAS) of the UK will be appointed as an Authorized Service Centre for the new generation AW169 light intermediate helicopter in UK. The company will ensure a range of support and maintenance services are supplied for the new model, following the selection of SAS by prime HEMS customers... Read more
1-Mar-2015Source: Spectro | Jet-Care
Spectro®|Jet-Care®, at the forefront of equipment condition monitoring services since 1976, has recently received continued approval from Turbomeca for the provision of debris analysis services using Scanning Electron Microscope, for their UK and Swiss laboratories. All three Spectro | Jet-Care laboratories, located in the UK, Switzerland and USA, also provide oil analysis services approved by... Read more
1-Mar-2015Source: Oil & Gas UK
Oil & Gas UK, the representative organisation for the UK offshore oil and gas industry, today (26 February 2015) confirms the appointment of three member company representatives to its Board. Craig May, managing director of Chevron Upstream Europe Limited, is appointed to the Board as a representative of the operator community bringing experience gained in... Read more
27-Feb-2015Source: Helicentre Aviation
Midlands-based Helicentre Aviation Academy has taken delivery of another Guimbal Cabri G2 painted in the same silver-grey paint scheme and company livery as the existing Cabri G2 fleet which now stands at five, including two aircraft which are leased from UK Guimbal distributor Cotswold Helicopter Centre. The keys were ceremoniously handed over by Hélicoptères Guimbal’s... Read more
27-Feb-2015Source: Bristow
The launch of the civilian UK search and rescue (SAR) helicopter service was marked today (Thursday, February 26, 2015) in a ceremony held at the new SAR base at Humberside Airport. Bristow Helicopters Ltd, will operate the Search and Rescue Helicopter service for the UK on behalf of HM Coastguard. The UK limited company was... Read more
26-Feb-2015Source: Oil & Gas UK
Oil & Gas UK’s new report on offshore exploration, investment and production published today (24 February) provides striking evidence of how rising costs, taxes and inadequate regulation have taken their toll on the UK industry’s international competitiveness. The Activity Survey 2015 highlights the urgency with which measures are needed to secure new investment and address the collapse... Read more
26-Feb-2015Source: Bristow
A ground-breaking ceremony on February 24, 2014, marked the start of construction of a new Search and Rescue (SAR) helicopter base at Glasgow Prestwick Airport. The base will house two state-of-the-art helicopters operated by Bristow Helicopters Ltd, who will take over delivery of helicopter Search and Rescue services throughout the UK on behalf of the Maritime... Read more
25-Feb-2015Source: LAA
A revolutionary new mobile app and EE’s 4G network are helping London’s Air Ambulance save lives by reducing the time it takes to dispatch the charity’s advanced trauma teams by up to two minutes. Developed by mobile app developer Mubaloo and EE, the UK’s most advanced digital communications company, the app increases emergency dispatch efficiency... Read more
24-Feb-2015Source: HeliHub.com
The recent announcement of the future plans for the British law enforcement fleet points to the disposal of the MD Explorers currently in use. The announcement by the National Police Air Service (NPAS) of a target fleet of 19 helicopters has put us into research mode, but the pattern is clear. There are 22 helicopters... Read more
23-Feb-2015Source: HeliHub.com
The ninth Cabri in the UK has been delivered to Multiflight at Leeds-Bradford Airport. Serial 1090 from the production line in France, G-CILR is leased through UK distributor Cotswold Helicopter Centre. Multiflight will add the Cabri to their training fleet, which covers both fixed and rotary wing. The company operates a wide range of aircraft... Read more
20-Feb-2015Source: Thanet Gazette
Bristow were due to use Manston airport as a base for its south east SAR services, provided on behalf of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, from July 1 this year. See full story... Read more
19-Feb-2015Source: Vector
Vector Aerospace UK (Vector – www.vectoraerospace.com), a leading provider of aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services, has announced that Vector Component Services (UK) based at Almondbank, Perthshire, will share in a £420 million order that extends the support programme for the RAF’s fleet of 60 Chinook heavy-lift helicopters. The contract, announced by Prime Minister... Read more
18-Feb-2015Source: Boeing
British Prime Minister David Cameron praised Boeing [NYSE: BA] for providing excellent value, and a close partnership with the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence (MOD), which led to a five-year extension of the contract under which Boeing supports the Royal Air Force’s Chinook helicopters. “The Chinook support contract represents significant value for money for what... Read more
18-Feb-2015Source: Vector
Vector Aerospace UK (Vector – www.vectoraerospace.com), a leading provider of aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services, is delighted to confirm that two of its apprentices met Prime Minister David Cameron during his visit to Portsmouth today. James Clement, aged 23, and Sean Collins, aged 21, are two recently graduated apprentices from Vector Aerospace’s Fleetlands... Read more
16-Feb-2015Source: Heli UK Expo
Heli UK Expo has now released its current exhibitor list with many more names still to be confirmed over the coming weeks! The event will offer the Helicopter Community a very unique line up of exhibiting companies, which has never been offered before, all on one platform. Exhibitors will have the exciting prospect of serving... Read more
16-Feb-2015Source: Royal Navy
Two Royal Navy Air Branch Reservists from Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose have started the very last ever “Flying-MOT” of a Sea King Mk 5 before the aircraft is retired from service next year. The veteran Air Engineers, Chief Petty Officers Bruce Rowarth and Andy Harding who have served most of their naval careers with... Read more
16-Feb-2015Source: Bristow Academy
Bristow Academy Inc., a division of Bristow Group, today announced it will award an annual scholarship in honor of Chief Executive Officer Emeritus William (“Bill”) E. Chiles for his contribution to creating a safer global helicopter transport community. The scholarship award covers full tuition at Bristow Academy for a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) CFI helicopter... Read more
13-Feb-2015Source: Ultra Electronics
Ultra Electronics announces that its Sonar Systems business, based in Greenford, Middlesex, has been awarded a £18m contract to supply sonobuoys for the Royal Navy’s Merlin maritime patrol helicopter. The contract will be executed over the next two years with options for a further two years. The contract, between Ultra and the MoD, for sonobuoy... Read more
13-Feb-2015Source: Vector Aerospace
Vector Aerospace UK (Vector – www.vectoraerospace.com), a leading provider of aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services, is to receive a Regional Growth Fund award from the UK Government. The award was announced by the Rt Hon Matthew Hancock MP, Minister of State at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and Minister of State... Read more
12-Feb-2015Source: LDC
The management team at PDG Helicopters, the industry leading aerial service provider to the construction and utility sectors, has completed a £20million+ MBO backed by LDC, as it looks to capitalise on growing demand for its services. The deal sees LDC take a majority equity stake in the business with management investing alongside and holding... Read more
12-Feb-2015Source: AAIB
The monthly bulletin from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been released. This month’s issue covers the accident(s) of:- Sikorsky S-76C (G-WIWI), unintentional descent towards trees, Peasmarsh, East Sussex, 3 May 2012 (update of the report AAIB issued in December 2014) ... Read more
11-Feb-2015Source: Statoil
The investment decision is expected next winter. Three various concept studies have been made for an unmanned wellhead platform. This platform has no living quarters, helicopter deck or lifeboats. “The alternative was to place the wells on the seabed, but the costs of subsea wells have been tripled during the last decade. We have therefore... Read more
10-Feb-2015Source: HeliHub.com
Just over two years since he was appointed as CEO of Bond Offshore Helicopters, Luke Farajallah has been announced as the new CEO of British airline Flybe effective from 1st April. This sees a return to his roots, given Bond’s announcement in early November 2012 said he had experience with Spanish startup low-cost airline Volotea... Read more
5-Feb-2015
Saying goodbye to an old friend is never easy and for the hundreds of thousands who have climbed aboard, relived and re-enacted being crew on a Sea King helicopter at the National Maritime Museum Cornwall, all good things have to come to an end. See Full Story... Read more
4-Feb-2015Source: Biggin Hill Airport
London Biggin Hill Airport (BHAL), the only dedicated international business aviation airport in Greater London, returns to Schedulers and Dispatchers in San Jose, California this week (3rd to 6th February) Booth No 1717 to promote its London Heli Shuttle offering – a brand new dedicated on demand service to The London Heliport in Battersea. A fleet of AgustaWestland AW109 helicopters,... Read more
4-Feb-2015Source: Wiltshire Air Ambulance
Pilot Steven Judd, who will oversee the operation of Wiltshire Air Ambulance’s pioneering new helicopter, says he is joining at an exciting time in the charity’s history. The charity’s new helicopter is the first Bell 429 to operate as an air ambulance in the UK. It leases the helicopter from Heli Charter and Steven has... Read more
4-Feb-2015Source: LAA
We are calling on the people and organizations of London to join together in owning the solution to London’s vital need for a second emergency medical helicopter. In our largest ever fundraising drive, the ‘Your London, Your Helicopter’ campaign is hoping to raise the remaining £4.4 million needed to acquire and sustain a second helicopter... Read more
3-Feb-2015Source: Essex & Herts AA
Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Trust (EHAAT) is delighted to announce the launch of its new App for iPhone and Android smart phones. The EHAAT App has a unique function enabling users in the event of an emergency to give an exact six-figure grid reference to accurately pinpoint their location to the emergency services allowing... Read more
3-Feb-2015Source: Air BP
Air BP, the international aviation fuel products and service supplier,has announced that Gloucestershire Airport (GLO/EGBJ) has signed a three year renewal contract for the exclusive supply of Jet A1 and Avgas 100LL. This extends Air BP’s long-standing arrangement of 15yearswith GLO/EGBJ which enables a continued seamless service and excellent value to customers. The airport is... Read more
2-Feb-2015Source: Welsh
A number of hospitals in Wales have existing helicopter landing sites but only three currently support 24-hour-a-day landings – Ysbyty Gwynedd, in Bangor; Ysbyty Glan Clwyd, in Rhyl and Morriston Hospital, in Swansea. The £180,000 investment announced today means helicopter landing sites, which have already been cleared for day landings, will become available for night... Read more
2-Feb-2015Source: King’s College Hospital
The facility at King’s will be London’s third helipad, and serve a trauma population of 5.5 million people across south east London and Kent. The multi-million pound helipad will speed up the time it takes helicopters to transfer critically ill patients to King’s. The helipad will be built on top of an existing tower-block on... Read more
2-Feb-2015Source: BBC News
The Your London Your Helicopter scheme wants to buy a second helicopter by the end of the summer to provide rapid trauma care for the capital. See Full Story... Read more
29-Jan-2015Source: CAA
Substantial progress has been made on measures to improve offshore helicopter safety but there is still more to do, the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said today as it published a progress report on the recommendations and actions from its comprehensive review of offshore helicopter operations from February 2014. Safety improvements introduced since the CAA... Read more
28-Jan-2015Source: HeliHub.com
We note from their Facebook page that HQ Aviation at Denham, UK, have added a second Robinson R66 to their fleet. The actual aircraft is N44829, a really early example with serial number 0034. This was originally acquired by German distributor Heli-Flight at Reichelsheim from new in 2011, and it has remained on the FAA... Read more
26-Jan-2015Source: LBHA
In a landmark ruling, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and the Secretary of State have been told that the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is the statutory regulator required to determine safety standards for civilian aircraft using government owned military aerodromes. Previously, as part of a policy of attracting 12,000 more business jets a year to... Read more
23-Jan-2015Source: HeliHub.com
Danish operator Uni-Fly has recently started a new wind farm support contract using a Danish registered Airbus EC135. This is the second wind farm support helicopter based in the UK, and sees a hoist-fitted aircraft based at Humberside Airport. The customer is Danish company Dong Energy, and this is the first time they have contracted... Read more
22-Jan-2015Source: Royal Navy
Captain Adrian Orchard OBE has joined Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose as its new Commanding Officer. Bringing a wealth of operational expertise, Captain Orchard takes the reins at a very important time for the Cornish Air Station and will lead a team driving a variety of frontline deployments, supporting the Royal Navy whenever and wherever... Read more
22-Jan-2015Source: DHL
DHL Express today launches London’s first ever scheduled helicopter delivery service [Editor note – see below, it is NOT the first in London] Beating congestion, DHL’s new helicopter service will significantly enhance the connection between key financial centers in the USA and the UK, in particular. It will guarantee next day delivery of urgent documents... Read more
22-Jan-2015Source: CAA
The next stage of the Government’s plans for General Aviation (GA) will be unveiled on Saturday 28th March 2015 when the Government’s strategy for GA is made public at a joint Government / Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) event at the Imperial War Museum Duxford, Cambridgeshire. The Duxford event and unveiling of the Government’s strategy is... Read more
