The charity was forced to use some of its reserves last year after the amount of cash it raised fell short of its £6 million annual fundraising target.
The ministry is working on a policy to kick off helicopter services in a big way as major Indian cities face ground congestion, making movement difficult even in cases of health and security-related emergencies.
HeliHub.com is pleased to bring you first photos of G-LNCT, a new MD Explorer being prepared for Lincolnshire & Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance. Â Purchased to replace a 10-year old example registered G-LNAA, the new aircraft was first registered with the UK’s CAA on 23rd August and has been esconced within the Specialist Aviation Services complex at… Read more »
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance are on the point of going live with their Eurocopter EC135 – click here for full size photo. Â Photo by Keith C Wilson, the recently repainted helicopter was spotted yesterday at Bond’s base at Staverton. Â We understand that Hampshire and Isle of Wight declined the idea of re-registering… Read more »
Sales broker Kudos Aviation, previously based at Southend Airport, ceased trading early in 2010 and its website shows a default page from their Internet Service Provider. Â The company was best known for helicopter management and sales brokerage. Â Companies House records show that one company ceased to legally exist this week and the other company is… Read more »
Prince William has today graduated from his Search and Rescue training course at Royal Air Force Valley in Anglesey, Wales. He will now join C Flight of Number 22 Squadron, remaining at RAF Valley, as a fully-qualified, fully-operational Search and Rescue pilot flying the Sea King helicopter. Prince William will begin his operational service as… Read more »
The Pope arrived in the UK today on a four day visit. No busy schedule such as the one being undertaken by the Pope is complete without helicopters, and HeliHub.com understands that Starspeed will be operating four Eurocopter EC155 helicopters for this purpose. This could translate into AS365s and EC155s, as this operator flies both… Read more »
Leading search and rescue (SAR) service provider CHC Helicopter has marked a significant milestone in its SAR services with crews in the UK and Australia both undertaking their 2,000th missions. CHC has operated the service for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency in the UK since 2007 from four bases at Stornoway, Sumburgh, Lee on Solent… Read more »
HH Helicopters will be operating daily transfers to The Celtic Manor from Cotswold Airport, Cirencester, Gloucestershire. This is a fast and convenient way to travel to The 2010 Ryder Cup, arriving relaxed and stress free, with a journey time of just 20 minutes. For the discerning traveller, with a quick transfer time and a convenient… Read more »
Bristow Group Inc. (NYSE: BRS) a leading provider of helicopter services to the offshore energy industry, announced today that it has secured new contracts for work in the UK North Sea, Norway and Malaysia potentially worth in excess of $1.3 billion in revenue over the next ten years. William E. Chiles, President and Chief Executive… Read more »
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has confirmed a new independent legal inquiry into the 1994 Mull of Kintyre helicopter disaster. RAF Chinook HC2 ZD576 crashed on the Mull of Kintyre in Western Scotland 16 years ago, killing all 29 abroad.
The monthly bulletin from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been released. This month’s issue covers the accidents of:- Enstrom 280C Shark, G-COLL near Douglas, Isle of Man on 19 March 2010 Robinson R22 Beta, G-OTOY atWellesbourne on 28 April 2008 Robinson R44 Astro, G-PIDG at Skipton, North Yorkshire on 26 June 2010 Robinson R44… Read more »
On 2nd September 2010 local Air Ambulance Warwickshire & Northamptonshire Air Ambulance (WNAA) attended their 9,000th mission since the service began in 2003. Dominic Tolley, Director of Air Operations commented, “9,000 missions is quite a milestone and illustrates what a vital, well used service WNAA provides. I feel proud that I am part of a… Read more »
A 14-year-old youth accused of shining a laser pen at a police helicopter in Leicester has failed to convince the High Court he should not be prosecuted
Recently retired from being President & Chief Executive at Robinson Helicopter Company, is giving the Cierva Lecture at London’s Royal Aeronautical Society on Tuesday 5th October. The Cierva Lecture is named after Juan de la Cierva, FRAeS, an aeronautical engineer who pioneered rotary flight. In 1926 with the backing of the Weir brothers he formed… Read more »
Adrian Bell joins the charity in September following a career in the Royal Navy. He leaves his position as Commander British Forces Gibraltar to take up his new role with the air ambulance.
Vector Aerospace Corporation (Vector – www.vectoraerospace.com), one of the world’s leading independent providers of aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services is pleased to announce the 2010 International Sea King Maintenance Symposium being hosted in Portsmouth, United Kingdom (Vector Aerospace Helicopter Services-UK ) from September 28th-30th has filled all event sponsorship positions and delegate registrations… Read more »
Atlas Helicopters has announced that despite the credit crunch woes affecting the majority of the transport industry, helicopter charter is making a slow but steady revival, with private and business helicopter hire experiencing an increased demand. Mike Burns, Chief Executive and pilot at Atlas Helicopters, who have been experiencing business growth despite the economic conditions,… Read more »
Air ambulance spokesman Jill Playle said despite next month’s decision, the change was unlikely to happen for another three to four years, saying “This is a long process and the planning application is the very first step to doing this”.
A Royal Navy Helicopter Squadron is deploying to the Horn of Africa and the Gulf of Aden to carry out specialist anti-piracy operations over the coming months. Personnel from 820 Naval Air Squadron including Aircrew and Engineers and their Merlin helicopter, will be embarked on a Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship (RFA Fort Victoria) and will… Read more »
The Helicopter Museum site on the airfield at Weston-super-Mare has been recognised by The Transport Trust as a Transport Heritage site, in recognition of its connection with the manufacturing of helicopters in the town between 1955 and 2002. The occasion will be marked with the unveiling of a special Red Wheel Plaque at The Helicopter… Read more »
Sloane Helicopters Ltd., the UK and Ireland distributors for the Robinson Helicopter Company, is pleased to be able to announce some preliminary performance information for the new Robinson R66 Turbine helicopter. The Robinson R66 is in the final stages of FAA certification and, as part of the certification programme, some pilots from Robinson operators around… Read more »
North Yorkshire Police is in discussions with Humberside, West Yorkshire and South Yorkshire Police about the possibility of pooling resources to pay for the servicing and engineering of their eyes in the sky.
The monthly bulletin from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been released. This month’s issue covers the accident of:- MD369E G-VICE at Poundgate, Devon on 24th May 2010
Max-Viz, Inc and Police Aviation Services (PAS) of England have received a Statement of Integration (SOI) export license from the U.S. Department of Commerce (DoC) allowing significantly quicker and more streamlined export of Max-Viz Enhanced Vision System technology abroad to civilian users through the PAS facility in Cheltenham, UK. PDF – Max-Viz and PAS receive… Read more »
Helicopters are crucial to the success of operations in Helmand, and, from medical evacuation and troop movement to resupply and ground attack, the men and women of the Joint Helicopter Force do it all. Report by Sharon Kean. There is no average day for Camp Bastion’s Joint Helicopter Force (JHF). It is responsible for around… Read more »
Royal Navy warship HMS Ocean has arrived in the Caribbean where she will provide contingency support to British dependent territories during the hurricane season, as well as contribute towards ongoing anti-drug smuggling operations. Having already deployed to the Caribbean in 2007, when the amphibious assault ship made a major impact on drug smuggling by seizing… Read more »
Crews in the Commando Helicopter Force (CHF) have got their hands on a new and improved door gun ahead of 16 Air Assault Brigade’s deployment to Afghanistan in October. 846 Naval Air Squadron began training aircrew on their new FN Herstal M3M .50-inch-calibre (12.7mm) door-mounted weapon system while supporting 16 Air Assault Brigade during their… Read more »
The initiative is designed to encourage more businesses to become brand partners of the YAA. In return, for an annual fee, firms will be allowed to use the network logo for promotional purposes, feature on the YAA website and reinforce their corporate social responsibility by supporting a recognised charity
Surrey Air Ambulance spokeswoman Jill Playle said: “We are able to offer a very good service during the daytime but we’re unable to fly at night – and serious illness and injury happens 24 hours a day.
A lengthy consultation over possible plans to relocate operations from Great Yarmouth’s heliport to Norwich should be concluded by the end of the month.
Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] recently delivered the TOPSCENE® Tactical Terrain Visualization System, a mission planning and rehearsal software package, to the United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defense (MoD) in support of operations in Afghanistan. U.K. helicopter forces based at RAF Odiham will use TOPSCENE® to perform mission rehearsal with greater realism than is possible with their… Read more »
The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has announced changes to the regulation of permit to fly ex-military aircraft. Following a number of incidents and accidents involving ex-military aircraft over recent years, the CAA is taking steps to clarify the purposes for which ex-military aircraft can be operated. The CAA is therefore acting to remind the… Read more »
As part of the UK Government’s drastic cost cutting, the proposed 25-year S92 contract was set aside. AgustaWestland are proposing a life-extension to the current fleet as a cheaper option.
Members of 829 Naval Air Squadron based at Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose took part in exercises and training with the French Navy in Toulon recently. Also known as the “Kingfishersâ€, 829 Squadron usually provides Merlin helicopters for operations from Type 23 Frigates, such as HMS Sutherland, HMS Westminster, HMS Richmond and for ships of… Read more »
Humberside Police Authority’s MD Explorer has just returned to service after a 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 is now the second to have achieved the 10,000 hour milestone. PAS undertook a major role equipment… Read more »
A man has been arrested after a laser pointer was shone at West Yorkshire Police’s helicopter in the early hours of this morning. At just after midnight a laser was shone at the helicopter when it was flying over Leeds. The address was identified using specialist equipment on board the vehicle and the helicopter directed… Read more »
The heliport at Southwell Business Park is being used for the 2010 Skandia Sail for Gold Regatta at Weymouth and Portland Sailing Academy. It will also open during the summer seasons of 2011 and 2012.
Noise protestors at Land’s End Aerodrome raise concerns. Operator British International says there will be more concerns over tourism if they can’t operate a service from Cornwall to the Isles of Scilly. {Photo shows the current arrangement at Penzance HP]
Tickets went on sale this week for a special one night only event to celebrate 100 years of aviation heritage in the South West. As part of the BAC 100 Celebrations marking the 100th Anniversary of the birth of the aviation industry in the West of England, The Helicopter Museum is hosting a Period Hangar… Read more »
Police today put on display a new £7 million helicopter which will be used to strengthen the fight against crime in Northern Ireland and to make communities safer. The Eurocopter EC 145 is a larger, more modern version of the existing PSNI helicopter, an EC 135. The new twin-engine aircraft can carry up to 10… Read more »
Currently Hampshire’s air ambulance has to land on a council playing field two miles away in Lordshill, with patients then taken by ambulance to the site. The new helipad will be built on the top of an existing car park at the Hospital
PremiAir was delighted to receive a visit from Sikorsky President Jeffrey Pino to the company’s Blackbushe Airport, Surrey, helicopter maintenance base during Farnborough Airshow week. Mr. Pino, who is a retired U.S. Army Master Aviator and is type-rated on several Sikorsky aircraft including the S-76®, took time out from his busy show schedule to visit… Read more »
His Royal Highness Prince Charles presented Afghan service medals this week to members of 1st Regiment Army Air Corps (1 Regt AAC) who have recently been operating Lynx helicopters over Helmand. The Prince of Wales, who is the Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps, visited 1 Regt AAC at their base in Germany. The Prince… Read more »
After several weeks providing support to troops on the ground in Helmand province, the Merlin helicopter crews from 28 (Army Cooperation) Squadron’s B Flight, based at RAF Benson in Oxfordshire, are coming home. B Flight arrived at Bastion Airfield in late May 2010. Following multiple detachments in Iraq over the past five years, this was… Read more »
Having run the event for 20 years on the seafront at Weston-super-Mare, organisers are facing higher costs. Additinally, both North Somerset Council (on which event director Elfan ap Rees is a councillor) and the local Weston Parish Council have withdrawn their sponsorship.
Army helicopter pilots, ground crew and technicians who have served in Afghanistan were presented with campaign medals by His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales yesterday. 3 Regiment Army Air Corps (3 AAC), based at Wattisham Flying Station, Suffolk, was also awarded the Honorary Freedom of St Edmundsbury, at the presentation in Bury St Edmunds…. Read more »
In partnership with Ham Polo Club we are very pleased to announce that we can offer Helicopter Landings at Ham Polo Club in Richmond with immediate effect. Only 8 miles from Hyde Park Corner and with great road and river links to Westminster and The City, Ham is very well positioned for all of your… Read more »
Bond Aviation Group, Britain’s fastest growing privately owned helicopter service provider, has unveiled a new £1 million Design and Completions Department at its UK headquarters
The proposed South East Air Support Unit would bring together an MD Explorer from Shoreham and an EC135 from Odiham. Note, neither operate the AS355 featured in the BBC story!
John M. Belcher, Chairman and CEO of ARINC Incorporated, today announced the creation of a new International Division to lead the company’s operations in Asia-Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. The International Division will be based in the United Kingdom, and will also include ARINC’s Airport Technology Center. In addition to managing most of… Read more »
Royal Navy Sea King helicopter pilots and their crews from the Commando Helicopter Force (CHF) have been training for their deployment to Afghanistan in the Californian desert. The pilots and aircrew from 845 and 846 Naval Air Squadrons have been undergoing environmental qualification training at the Naval Air Facility El Centro, just north of the… Read more »
British operator Tiger Helicopters are to lease two AB206 JetRangers from Castle Air. The lease commences 1st October 2010 for an initial period of two years, with each JetRanger expected to fly 1,000 hours during that time on an intensive training contract. Tiger are providing ab initio training for Algerian military pilots who will then… Read more »
HMS Ocean is currently participating in Exercise Kearsarge – a US led exercise being conducted off the coast of North Carolina, in support of the deployment training package for the United States Navy’s Amphibious Ready Group. As a result, the Royal Navy’s largest helicopter carrier has been operating with some of the US Marine Corp’s… Read more »
One of the most well-known and long-running onshore operators in the UK, Alan Mann Helicopters, has had its operating licence withdrawn by the CAA. In a published announcement in their “Official Record Series 2” document, issue 1961 dated 20th July 2010, it confirms in a terse and formal statement “Alan Mann Helicopters Limited – This… Read more »
International HeliDays 2010 will launch this year at midday on Friday 23rd July with a demonstration of helicopter in flight refuelling by the US Air Force over the bay at Weston-super-Mare. Following the demonstration the USAF Pave Hawk search and rescue helicopter will land on the Beach Lawns where it will be on static display… Read more »
Bristow Helicopters has named its new director who will drive forward the company’s European growth plans. Mike Imlach, who was previously Director of Bristow’s Nigerian Business Unit, has been appointed as the Director of European Operations. He will oversee all commercial and operational aspects of the company’s activities in the UK, Norway and Holland. Mike,… Read more »
AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica Company, is pleased to announce that Sloane Helicopters Ltd has signed a contract for ten additional helicopters comprising AW109 Power and GrandNew light twin engine models. This latest order extends to 2012 the multi-year multi-aircraft contract and distribution agreement signed in February 2006. This purchase marks the entrance of the GrandNew light… Read more »
The military equivalent of an iPad for pilots’ mission planning will be among the features included in the avionics upgrade of 46 Royal Air Force Chinooks to the Mk.4 standard, said Peter Hitchcock, Avionics VP at Thales UK
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.
On July 19, a brand new EC135 P2i was handed over to Assistant Chief Constable of West Midlands Police, Sharon Rowe, on the EADS/Eurocopter booth No. G12 in Hall 4 at the Farnborough International Air Show. The order for this aircraft had been placed in September 2009. Markus Steinke, Managing Director of Eurocopter UK Ltd.,… Read more »
The ultra modern new passenger terminal at The London Heliport in Battersea is now officially open for business – ahead of the Farnborough Air Show next week (July 19th to 25th), when many of the senior executives from the world’s leading aerospace companies will be using the heliport en route to and from the show…. Read more »
