As police forces aim to be come more accountable to the residents of the area they serve, a number of those operating helicopters have launched a page on their website to list the tasks they fly – usually as a way of minimising noise complaints. These usually take the form of a table listing date,… Read more »
Source: HeliHub.com, 13-Dec-10
857 Naval Air Squadron has handed over responsibility for Sea King airborne surveillance and control duties in Helmand province, Afghanistan, to 854 Naval Air Squadron. Both squadrons are based at Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose and take it in turns to deploy to Camp Bastion in southern Afghanistan. Commander Pat Douglas, the Sea King Force… Read more »
Source: Royal Navy, 12-Dec-10
[This is the official press release from Bond. HeliHub.com ran the story “Northern Lighthouse Board upgrading to EC135 on 1st December” back on 24th November] Gloucestershire-based, Bond Aviation Group, one of Europe’s leading helicopter service providers, has been awarded a long-term contract with the Northern Lighthouse Board valued at £6.5m. Following a competitive tendering exercise,… Read more »
Source: Bond Aviation Group, 09-Dec-10
[HeliHub.com has already provided links to a press report on this operation. This press release provides a lot more detail than the press report] Sloane Helicopters Limited is pleased to announce the entry into service of the UK’s first Agusta EMS Grand, G-HEMZ, with the Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Rutland Air Ambulance, one of the busiest… Read more »
Source: Sloane Helicopters, 08-Dec-10
The East Anglian Air Ambulance has moved its Western operational base to Cambridge Airport as it launches an enhanced and more sustainable service which it believes will help save more lives across Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire. The charity has worked closely with the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST) in developing the new service… Read more »
Source: East Anglian Air Ambulance, 08-Dec-10
Lycoming Engines, a division of Avco Corporation, has added Airpart Supply Ltd., located at Wycombe Air Park near London’s Heathrow Airport, to its worldwide distributor network. Founded in 1984, Airpart Supply Ltd. is an independent, privately owned United Kingdom based company supplying parts, components and services to airline, regional, corporate and general aviation aircraft. Its… Read more »
Source: Lycoming, 08-Dec-10
Sloane Helicopters is pleased to announce that it is providing one A109 Power EMS to Magpas, the Emergency Medical Charity, for the Magpas Helimedix to fill in an operational gap into the Air Ambulance services operating from RAF Wyton. The aircraft is equipped with the standard EMS factory fit and with customised oxygen and radio… Read more »
Source: Sloane Helicopters, 07-Dec-10
DLRAA has upgraded from a 109E Power to a brand new 109S Grand
Source: Channel 4, 06-Dec-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, 01-Dec-10
PremiAir Global, the aircraft sales and brokerage specialist and part of UK aviation services business PremiAir, has appointed two new Aircraft Sales Managers – Craig Lammiman and Gordon Potter – as it moves to focus increased activity on the fixed wing pre-owned business aircraft market in addition to its well established executive helicopter services. The… Read more »
Source: PremiAir, 01-Dec-10
Cornwall Air Ambulance has won planning permission for a new operational base on the boundary of Newquay Cornwall Airport. The location is currently just outside the airport’s security fence, but the plans call for a fence move to ensure the new helipad continues to be airside. Positioned just south of the “piano keys” of Runway… Read more »
Source: HeliHub.com, 01-Dec-10
PremiAir, one of the UK’s leading private aviation charter companies, is making its debut at the International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM) in Cannes during 7-10 December. Reinforcing its presence, PremiAir Group Managing Director, David McRobert will participate as a panelist in the prestigious annual travel industry leaders’ forum which takes place on 6 December, the… Read more »
Source: PremiAir, 30-Nov-10
From Benson to Bastion – today the Royal Air Force Merlin Force marked their first anniversary on Operation HERRICK. Following transportation to Afghanistan, re-assembly and pre-flight checks, the Merlin Force officially declared that they were ready for operational flying on the front line a full year ago. The Merlins have spent those twelve months transporting… Read more »
Source: RAF, 30-Nov-10
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
