This past Thursday, Cornwall Air Ambulance have recorded their 22,000th mission in their 23 years of operation, airlifting a 30 year old woman from Penzance to the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro. Cornwall Air Ambulance flies a Eurocopter EC135T2 covering a county of nearly 1,400 square miles and a population approaching 550,000. Jutting out to… Read more »
Source: HeliHub.com, 29-Nov-10
Fire chiefs have said it would be quicker and more efficient to fly in specialist teams to road crashes. But the Fire Brigades Union said the plan was “a folly” with some firefighters facing redundancy.
Source: BBC, 29-Nov-10
The Northern Lighthouse Board’s (NLB) experience with helicopter support has revolved around a Eurocopter Bo105 for many years. With the current contract expiring on 30th November, they took the opportunity to revisit what helicopter type was used. A feasibility study was undertaken prior to the tendering exercise to establish what type of helicopter was needed… Read more »
Source: HeliHub.com, 24-Nov-10
The Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) has launched the second of two Dauphin Eurocopter AS 365 N2 helicopters it has bought from Multiflight. Both of the Dauphin helicopters will be managed and crewed by Multiflight. The first Dauphin bought from Multiflight was launched into service by GNAAS earlier this year. Multiflight Managing Director Steve… Read more »
Source: Multiflight, 23-Nov-10
Use of the £600,000 facility, on land south of the Rosie maternity hospital, will be limited to the hours between 7am and 9pm. The only aspect standing in the way now is to secure the funding. Photo shows the local air ambulance
Source: Cambridge News, 22-Nov-10
The estimated journey time between touchdown at Biggin Hill and arrival at the stadium could be as short as 40 minutes.
Source: Kent Business, 22-Nov-10
Grants came from three trusts, General Charities of the City of Coventry, Stratford Town Trust and the Soroptimist International of Rugby Charitable Trust, to improve working areas at the operational base.
Source: Coventry Telegraph, 22-Nov-10
The East Anglian Air Ambulance has announced that the charity’s Chief Executive Simon Gray will be leaving the charity at the end of January 2011. Andrew Egerton-Smith, Chairman of the charity’s board of trustees, commented: “We’re hugely indebted to Simon for the commitment he has shown to making the charity one of the most effective… Read more »
22-Nov-10
BAE Systems has delivered the first order of a new helmet-mounted optical sighting system to the Royal Navy, addressing a mission-critical need for increased air door gunner situational awareness on helicopters. BAE Systems, prime contractor for the Lynx PT, earlier this month delivered 12 Q-Sightâ„¢ Gunner Remote Sighting Systems (GRSS) that are qualified for use… Read more »
Source: BAE Systems, 22-Nov-10
The UK Ministry of Defence has signed a deal with Australian based company, Virtual Simulation Systems (VSS, established by the founder of the popular VBS series of software, David Lagettie) for the lease of a Complete Aircrew Training System (CATS) for up to 3 years. The system will be delivered to the Army Air Corps’… Read more »
Source: Virtual Simulation Systems, 21-Nov-10
The future make-up of the UK’s military helicopter fleet remains unclear following the release of the government’s Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR) as acquisition officials mull over its ramifications.
Source: Shephard, 19-Nov-10
The number of cases of pilots being dazzled by laser pens increased across the UK to 737 in 2009 compared with just 29 in 2007.
19-Nov-10
The Royal Navy (RN) is carrying out an operational evaluation of a new helmet-mounted optical sighting system that will be issued to Lynx Mk8 helicopter door gunners.
Source: Shephard, 18-Nov-10
The commander of the UK’s Commando Helicopter Force (CHF) says his organisation is facing a challenging time over the next decade.
Source: Shephard, 18-Nov-10
A recommendation to the Treasury proposes pressing ahead with the Soteria consortium, comprising Thales UK, Royal Bank of Scotland and CHC, a helicopter operator, which was chosen as preferred bidder in February. A decision is expected in the next fortnight.
Source: Financial Times, 16-Nov-10
Advances over their earlier MD Explorer include bigger fuel tank, Nightsun, Night Vision Goggles, and others.
Source: This is Grimsby, 16-Nov-10
An unannounced new Sikorsky S76C++ was registered four weeks ago in the UK as G-PACO and has been operating from City Airport in Manchester, also known as Barton. The registered owner of this helicopter with the UK CAA is Cardinal Helicopter Services (IOM) Ltd, with a private address given in the Isle of Man –… Read more »
Source: HeliHub.com, 16-Nov-10
The 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, faced two charges of endangering the safety of an aircraft – not only the helicopter but also a Boeing 737 of airline Jet2.
Source: BBC, 15-Nov-10
On Saturday, a Eurocopter EC135T2+ appeared out of the Bond Air Services hangar carrying the titles of Northern Lighthouse Board “NLB” and the organisation’s logo on both the doors and the tail. NLB have previously been operating Bo105s for many years in support of Scotland’s lighthouses. As these maritime navigation beacons have been automated over… Read more »
Source: Helihub.com, 15-Nov-10
The monthly bulletin from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been released. This month’s issue covers the accident of:- Eurocopter AS365N, G-HEMS at Thornaby, Teesside on 17 June 2010
Source: AAIB, 13-Nov-10
Heli Air, established over 25 years ago is the largest Robinson Helicopter Distributor in the UK and one of the world’s most successful, and eagerly awaits the imminent arrival of the superb new 5-seat R66 Turbine helicopter. Heli Air, who will have the first R66 in the UK and Europe has confirmed orders from confident… Read more »
Source: Heliair, 11-Nov-10
Labour MPs have asked the coalition why millions in state funding has been promised to a helicopter factory in a Liberal Democrat constituency in spite of claims there was “no money†for such grants.
Source: Financial Times, 11-Nov-10
PremiAir’s Group Operations Director, Christopher Forrest, has been honoured with receiving The Eric Brown Award from the British Helicopter Association (BHA) in recognition of his contribution to the UK helicopter industry. Christopher was nominated for his overall work over many years in the helicopter industry. Christopher is recognised as an outstanding supporter of the BHA… Read more »
Source: PremiAir, 10-Nov-10
“The helicopter landing pad will be used in conjunction with events on Oliver’s Mount, mainly in case of the need for an air ambulance to take any race-day injured personnel to hospital for emergency treatment.â€
Source: Scarborough Evening News, 09-Nov-10
This news item is part of the HeliHub.com “Register Updates†series, listing helicopters which have been added to a particular national register, removed from it or the listed owner has changed. Our coverage represents the majority of registration and owner changes within the global civilian helicopter fleet. Most updates are weekly or monthly, although some… Read more »
Source: HeliHub.com, 09-Nov-10
CHC Scotia Limited has announced the closure of Great Yarmouth’s North Denes heliport next May with offshore operations focusing on Norwich International Airport from that date.
09-Nov-10
Bond Aviation has hired advisers to look at strategic options for the business, said sources. The family-owned company is understood to be interested in selling 30 to 60% to expand
Source: Telegraph, 08-Nov-10
Yorkshire Air Ambulance to move one of their MD Explorers from Sheffield to Bagby following a strategic review
02-Nov-10
An education campaign, aimed at reducing the number of airspace infringements, has been launched by the Airspace & Safety Initiative (ASI), the broad-based coalition tasked with tackling UK airspace safety risks. Information packs, containing listening squawk information cards, radio best practice kneepads, magazines and interactive CDs, are being sent to all flying schools in the… Read more »
Source: CAA, 30-Oct-10
Sloane Helicopters, the longest established international Robinson dealer in the world, is pleased to confirm increasing interest in the new Robinson R66 turbine helicopter. The R66 received FAA certification on 25th October 2010 and EASA certification is expected early in 2011. Sloane was one of the first dealers worldwide to purchase its own R66 and… Read more »
Source: Sloane Helicopters, 29-Oct-10
From a humble start with one 15 year old Bo105, Yorkshire Air Ambulance now operate two MD Explorers
29-Oct-10
The Herts Air Ambulance and its crew have attended more than 500 incidents, their work is diverse and challenging but the aim is always the same – to provide the best possible care quickly and efficiently.
Source: Watford Observer, 29-Oct-10
Married Chris Hearn, 48, is accused of “propositioning” a female cleaner at the Army Air Corps base in Middle Wallop, Hants.
Source: The Sun, 28-Oct-10
[The Magpas statement referred to was run by HeliHub.com here] The East Anglian Air Ambulance was dismayed to read the press statement issued by Magpas which made many erroneous statements about the EAAA’s work and future direction. We have detailed below a more accurate view of our aims and strategy and are happy to provide… Read more »
Source: EAAA, 27-Oct-10
The MoD have accepted liability, but the exact settlement has yet to be decided. The men are suing for “injury, loss and damage”. The accident happened in August 2007 during low-level flight near the Army’s Catterick base.
Source: Daily Record, 26-Oct-10
It is fully equipped with night vision goggle capability, the MD 902 Explorer would be able to fly in the dark – something the current model is unable to do.
Source: Thsi is Scunthorpe, 26-Oct-10
The firm which owns Land’s End termintes talks with British International Helicopters (BIH) over plans to move services to the Scilly Isles to its airport. Photo shows current base – Penzance HP
Source: This is the West Country, 26-Oct-10
Bristow Helicopters Ltd has secured a £multi-million five year deal with the Integrated Aviation Consortium (IAC) in the UK North Sea. The IAC comprises six major oil companies: BP, CNR International, Fairfield Energy, Petrofac, Shell and TAQA. The contract was renewed for a five year term with the option to extend for an additional five… Read more »
Source: Bristow Helicopters, 26-Oct-10
Following news enquiries today regarding the “privatisation†of the East Anglian Air Ambulance charity, Multi Award Winning charity Magpas, issues the following statement: We are grateful that matters that have long concerned our board of trustees are now being brought into the public domain by the media. We hope that this will now open the… Read more »
Source: Magpas, 26-Oct-10
A new National Police Air Service (NPAS) is set to provide a more efficient and accessible air support service throughout England and Wales that offers better value for money. Responding to the findings of a comprehensive review commissioned in 2009, ACPO members have approved the central recommendation to replace the current air support system with… Read more »
Source: ACPO, 26-Oct-10
Through 2010, HeliHub.com has become known for its range of official register updates, where we list new helicopter registrations, cancellations, changes of owner etc for a range of countries – Australia, Austria, Ireland, Japan, Norway, New Zealand, South Africa, Switzerland and UK. We are now very pleased to report that, in association with AMCAR, we… Read more »
Source: HeliHub.com, 26-Oct-10
Goodrich Corporation (NYSE: GR) has received a follow-on contract worth over £7M (approx US$10M) from the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) for Performance Based Logistics (PBL). The contract continues a decade of support for a number of legacy instruments used on a range of UK jets and helicopters in operational service. The contract was awarded… Read more »
Source: Goodrich, 26-Oct-10
A man has been arrested after a green laser was shone at a police helicopter which was responding to a burglary in Berkshire at the weekend.
Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-11621898, 26-Oct-10
Essex and Herts Air Ambulance Trust recently hosted the second annual Aeromedical Case Study Conference at The Essex Golf and Country Club in Earls Colne. The themes covered this year were Trauma, Paediatric Care, Medical Retrievals, Multiple and Logistical Challenges The aim of the conference was to give like-minded professionals the opportunity to meet and… Read more »
Source: Essex and Herts Air Ambulance, 25-Oct-10
A detachment from 847 Naval Air Squadron (NAS) has returned to Sierra Leone after a five year absence. Amongst the detachment personnel were veterans of Operations Palliser and Silkman in 2000, and members who had last visited for Exercise Vela in 2005. For many Sierra Leone nationals the British Armed Forces, and more specifically those… Read more »
Source: Royal Navy, 22-Oct-10
[HeilHub.com editor note – we are running the Bristow press release verbatim below. However, we note their careful wording “the first global helicopter operator” when there is already another UK helicopter operator in this marketplace. Bond already fly an EC135 out of Lowestoft in support of the Greater Gabbard Offshore Wind Farm. Press release follows…]… Read more »
Source: Bristow Helicopters, 22-Oct-10
The detailed plans would take away the air base which we currently have at Sheffield, and they would then get our service from bases in West Yorkshire, Humberside or Derbyshire.
Source: BBC, 22-Oct-10
Robert Paterson, industry body Oil and Gas UK’s health, safety and employment issues director, said: “Everyone in the oil and gas industry really appreciates the work Bob put in to make these safety improvements actually happen.”
Source: BBC, 21-Oct-10
Based at Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose are three helicopter squadrons which specialise in Airborne Surveillance and Control (ASaC). 849 Naval Air Squadron is the HQ and training squadron, with 854 and 857 squadrons forming the “front line†or operational squadrons which deploy on operations, currently to Afghanistan. The airborne surveillance and control capabilities of… Read more »
Source: Royal Navy, 21-Oct-10
Monday, 25th October sees that start of a new series “Frontline Battle Machines†on the Discovery Channel. The series, which is presented by Discovery’s “Wheeler Dealer†frontman Mike Brewer, takes an up close and personal look at the UK’s equipment and personnel operating in Afghanistan. Explaining why he made the series Mike said, “We were… Read more »
Source: Royal Air Force, 21-Oct-10
From the website of Multilfight Multiflight has sold a Robinson R22 Beta II helicopter to Helitrain Ltd at Kemble Airfield for flight training purposes The R22 Beta II G-FIRS recently returned to service following its 12-year 2200 hour overhaul. As a Robinson Service Centre, Multiflight was able to carry out this work in house, plus… Read more »
Source: Multiflight and Cotswold Helicopters, 21-Oct-10
The air ambulance service covering Kent, Surrey and East and West Sussex has been given the go-ahead to operate 24 hours a day.
Source: BBC, 21-Oct-10
Cornwall Council recently recognised the work of personnel from Royal Naval Air Station (RNAS) Culdrose who have just returned from serving with coalition forces in Afghanistan at a special reception at the council’s headquarters. Personnel from 854 and 857 Naval Air Squadrons have been serving at Camp Bastion in Afghanistan since June 2009 where they… Read more »
Source: UK MoD, 20-Oct-10
NBAA Trade Show, Atlanta, Ga.,– Sikorsky Aerospace Services announced today the signing of an agreement authorizing Harrods Aviation to install modification kits on Sikorsky S-76® helicopters in Europe. Sikorsky Aerospace Services (SAS) is the aftermarket division of Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX). “Sikorsky continues to increase its global presence, and… Read more »
Source: Sikorsky, 19-Oct-10
Prime Minister David Cameron has today announced a range of cuts to Britain’s defence ahead of the main UK budget announcements tomorrow, which are expected to issue a major reduction in spending on all government departments. Today’s military announcement targets an 8% spending cut and centres on aircraft carriers, if which there are currently three… Read more »
Source: HeliHub.com, 19-Oct-10
This news item is part of the HeliHub.com “Register Updates†series, listing helicopters which have been added to a particular national register, removed from it or the listed owner has changed. Our coverage represents the majority of registration and owner changes within the global civilian helicopter fleet. Most updates are weekly or monthly, although some… Read more »
Source: HeliHub.com, 18-Oct-10
Winter sports company, Total Heliski, will host the world’s first event dedicated to heli-skiing at the new Hotel Verta on 26 October
Source: Event Magazine, 17-Oct-10
The monthly bulletin from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been released. This month’s issue covers the accident of:- AgustaWestland AW139, G-CHCV 65 nm NE of North Denes HP on 23 December 2008
Source: AAIB, 14-Oct-10
As part of our interview with Frank Robinson last Friday, we discussed the future – principally the upcoming R66 model which is due for FAA certification in two weeks time on 25th October and the EASA approval 6-8 months after that. As the total number of helicopters delivered from the RHC factory at Torrance closes… Read more »
Source: HeliHub.com, 12-Oct-10
Lynx helicopters from 847 Naval Air Squadron (NAS) have been helping to train Nigeria Armed Forces. As part of HMS Ocean’s embarked Squadrons they visited the Joint Maritime Security Training Centre (JMSTC) in Lagos while the ship visited the country. While HMS Ocean was berthed alongside, conducting diplomatic work, military training and out-reach work in… Read more »
Source: Royal Navy, 12-Oct-10
The popular regional charity, which flew its first mission in 1991, will mark two decades of carrying out mercy flights throughout the region next May. They currently operate three EC135s from bases at Cosford, Strensham and Tatenhill
Source: Birmingham Mail, 10-Oct-10
The Helicopter Museum at Weston-super-Mare in Somerset has secured another First for a UK aviation collection, with the addition of an ex-Italian Guardia di Finanza Agusta A109GdiF helicopter. The aircraft is the first all-Italian aircraft and second addition this year to the Museum’s helicopter collection. The helicopter was unveiled by UK Tourism Minister John Penrose… Read more »
Source: The Helicopter Museum, 10-Oct-10
Mesa, Arizona, October 8, 2010 … MD Helicopters, Inc (MDHI) and the Humberside Police Authority have announced that an MD Explorer has just been returned to service after its 10,000 hour inspection conducted by Police Aviation Services Ltd (PAS) in Gloucestershire UK. The helicopter is one of the busiest MD 902 Explorers in service and… Read more »
Source: MD Helicopters, 08-Oct-10
Mesa, Arizona, October 8, 2010… MD Helicopters, Inc (MDHI) and the Air Operations Unit of the West Yorkshire Police have announced that MD Explorer, helicopter serial number 078 has extended its record for flight hours, reaching 12,600 hours as of mid-September of this year. The flight hours exceed any other MD Explorer in the fleet,… Read more »
Source: MD Helicopters, 08-Oct-10
The Helicopter Museum, based in Weston-super-Mare in the UK is set to unveil a new exhibit tomorrow. Britain’s Tourism Minister John Penrose MP will be in attendance as Guest of Honour – he is also the local Member of Parliament for Weston-super-Mare. On 28th September story, he noted on his website of his “dismay as… Read more »
Source: HeliHub.com, 07-Oct-10
A teenager has been charged after a laser beam was shone at the Essex police helicopter.
Source: BBC, 07-Oct-10
The summer period not only drew many crowds to Cornwall, but brought about several interesting jobs for the Search and Rescue crews of 771 Naval Air Squadron, based at RNAS Culdrose. In August alone, a total of 34 rescues were conducted – the busiest month of the year. On call 24 hours a day, every… Read more »
Source: Royal Navy, 05-Oct-10
An Apache and a Sea King came close to hitting the much smaller drone spy aircraft – while it was being flown remotely by a soldier on the ground. The near collisions on Salisbury Plain in February involved the small Desert Hawk drone
Source: BBC, 05-Oct-10
Northrop Grumman Corporation’s (NYSE:NOC) Europe-based air traffic management systems subsidiary, Northrop Grumman Park Air Systems, has been awarded a contract by the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) to provide a ground-to-air voice radio system for air traffic control operations at the MoD’s Camp Bastion airfield in Helmand Province, the main handling airfield for UK operations… Read more »
Source: Northrop Grumman, 04-Oct-10
A teenager has been put under a curfew after admitting he put a police helicopter in jeopardy by shining a laser into its cockpit. [Note: Photo used in news article is way out of date – this force upgraded from AS355 to EC135 in 2003)
Source: Liverpool Echo, 01-Oct-10
A detachment of Royal Navy aircrew and engineers have spent a week thoroughly testing the Merlin helicopter’s sensors and weapons to ensure that aircrew are ready for any operational deployment that they may be tasked with. The weapon and sensor trials were carried out at the British Underwater Test and Evaluation Centre situated on Inner… Read more »
Source: Royal Navy, 30-Sep-10
A Humberside Police spokesman said the crew of Oscar 99 were attending a job near Grant Thorold Park when they experienced a series of bright green flashes which illuminated the inside of aircraft, putting them in danger.
Source: This Is Grimsby, 30-Sep-10
We are very happy to welcome G-HNANY, an extremely well equipped B206 to our fleet.G HANY is a low hour, very well looked after aircraft with 3 coms, 2 GPS’s, auto pilot, Bose head sets, and a completely new paint job and interior. G HANY will be available for type rating once our FTO is… Read more »
Source: Phoenix Helicopter Academy, 30-Sep-10
Winter sports company,Total Heliski, are hosting London’s first ever dedicated heli ski and cat-ski Show as an evening event at a fitting five star venue overlooking the London Heliport on October 26. The London Total Heliski Show is a world first event designed to showcase the world’s premier boutique heli-ski and catski operations with operators… Read more »
Source: Total Heliski, 30-Sep-10
PremiAir, the UK’s leading executive helicopter charter company and the supplier of helicopter services to the 2010 Ryder Cup, is now fully booked on its charter fleet for helicopter transfers to and from golf’s most prestigious golfing tournament, which takes place next month. From October 1st to 3rd, the Ryder Cup returns to the UK… Read more »
Source: PremiAir, 28-Sep-10
