Uk News

Portuguese startup operator buys Dauphin and Phenom jet

Portuguese startup operator buys Dauphin and Phenom jet

11-Sep-2011Source: HeliHub.com

Everjets, part of clothing company Ricon Group, has recently bought Dauphin G-DPHN.  It was previously operated in the UK by Starspeed for a Surrey-based owner who had upgraded from a Twin Squirrel. The Dauphin currently remains on the Britsh “G” register.  Everjets is a startup operator whose name appeared in May of this year at... Read more

North West Air Ambulance appoints new chairman

North West Air Ambulance appoints new chairman

9-Sep-2011Source: North West Air Ambulance

The North West Air Ambulance Charity is proud to announce the appointment of Darryl Cooke as their new Chairman of the board. Darryl has been involved with the North West Air Ambulance Charity for over 3 years and is a strong advocate of all its functions. As chairman of the board he will be responsible... Read more

Devon Police and Ambulance helicopters to move

Devon Police and Ambulance helicopters to move

8-Sep-2011Source: HeliHub.com

Devon and Cornwall Police, together with Devon Air Ambulance, are to move their joint base to Exeter Airport.  Currently based on the Police HQ at Middlemoor, only a couple of miles away, the change of location is expected to bring the Police a windfall of millions of pounds through the redevelopment of the current site.... Read more

New corporate AW109E in UK

New corporate AW109E in UK

8-Sep-2011Source: HeliHub.com

Noble Foods have just registered a factory-new AW109E Power as G-ZIPE, replacing a 2006 model which was sold to Brazil earlier this year. G-ZIPE is serial number 11798.  The helicopter will be operated by Premair Aviation, who also handle the company’s Hawker 750 jet G-ZIPR.  Noble Foods bought the jet in 2009 on the registration... Read more

South Yorkshire Police annouces helicopter unit close date

South Yorkshire Police annouces helicopter unit close date

7-Sep-2011Source: The Star

South Yorkshire is to lose its own dedicated police helicopter, it has been announced.  The county will be served by helicopters based in West Yorkshire, Derbyshire and Humberside instead, with effect from January 2013 (full story)... Read more

UK Apache engineers go on strike

UK Apache engineers go on strike

7-Sep-2011Source: Unite

6 September 2011 – Engineers at Wattisham airbase in Suffolk, servicing Apache helicopters in Afghanistan, are set to take industrial action tomorrow (Wednesday 7 September) in their pay differential dispute that means that many are about £3,000-a-year worse off. Unite, which represents more than 100 employees working for Morson Wynnwith at Wattisham, was scheduled to... Read more

Elite to run Helitech’s heliport again

Elite to run Helitech’s heliport again

7-Sep-2011Source: Elite Helicopters

Every two years the helicopter industry gathers at Duxford Aerodrome for the Helitech Exhibition, viewing the latest aircraft and hearing the latest industry news. Once again, we are delighted to be working with the exhibition organisers, Reed Exhibitions, to co-ordinate aircraft and passenger handling for the duration of the event, from Tuesday 27 to Thursday... Read more

New CEO for Turbomeca UK

New CEO for Turbomeca UK

7-Sep-2011Source: Turbomeca

As of October 1, Frédéric Fourciangue was appointed CEO of Turbomeca UK, replacing Christian Hamel , called to other functions within the Safran group.  Frédéric Fourciangue SUPAERO graduated. In 1998 he began his career at Dassault Aviation in the general direction of military support: he was project manager MCO contracts and new customer services until... Read more

The Helicopter Show 2012 moves location

The Helicopter Show 2012 moves location

7-Sep-2011Source: The Helicopter Show

The Helicopter Show Ltd is pleased to announce its move to a new, purpose-built international exhibition venue with unparalleled exhibit, flying and hospitality facilities. When we first began planning The Helicopter Show (THS 12), Farnborough’s long association with the aerospace industry made it appear an obvious venue. However, after consulting with our customers and our... Read more

New helipad at world’s first Grand Prix track

New helipad at world’s first Grand Prix track

7-Sep-2011Source: HeliHub.com

Great Britain has, over the years, been instrumental in many of the world’s key inventions – the internet, jet engines, hovercraft, radio, television, steam locomotive, the flush toilet, the iPod and so the list goes on.  The country also hosted the world’s first Grand Prix in 1907, when the first banked track was completed at... Read more

How popular is Eurocopter’s EC135 Hermes edition?

How popular is Eurocopter’s EC135 Hermes edition?

6-Sep-2011Source: HeliHub.com

Significant effort has been put into promoting the Hermes Edition of the Eurocopter EC135.  Eurocopter aimed this project at the high-end corporate market where they partnered with the French couture house to come up with a distinctive design, mainly in the aircraft’s interior – see below.  Some external features were also added, particularly the skid... Read more

Searchlight falls on police aviation during Helitech

Searchlight falls on police aviation during Helitech

6-Sep-2011Source: Helitech

Emergency response networks around the world rely on the speed and effectiveness with which helicopters can be deployed for a variety of tasks. With this in mind, rotary wing ‘Blue Light’ operations will be discussed on Thursday 29 September at the Helitech Conference. The keynote speech will be given by Alex Marshall, Hampshire Constabulary’s Chief... Read more

Helitech celebrates 25 years with photo competition

Helitech celebrates 25 years with photo competition

1-Sep-2011Source: Helitech

This year Helitech is celebrating 25 years of supporting the rotary industry. To mark this special occasion we want to look back on highlights from across the industry, since the show began in 1986, and create a retrospective to display at Helitech 2011 from the images we collect. To be a part of this all... Read more

UK SAR pilot achieves 7,000 hours

UK SAR pilot achieves 7,000 hours

1-Sep-2011Source: Royal Navy

A helicopter pilot based at HMS Gannet in Prestwick – the UK’s busiest helicopter search and rescue unit – has become one of the Royal Navy’s most experienced flyers. For Lieutenant Commander Roger Stringer (49), who lives in Mauchline near Ayr in Scotland, completed his 7000th flying hour at the controls of a Sea King... Read more

Lecture scheduled on evolution of British helicopter industry

Lecture scheduled on evolution of British helicopter industry

30-Aug-2011Source: Helicopter Museum

On 24th September, as part of Spotters Weekend, David Gibbings will be giving a daytime lecture at 11am in the Museums Lecture Room entitled THE EVOLUTION OF THE BRITISH HELICOPTER INDUSTRY including a section on the speed record and G-LYNX. There is no additional charge for the lecture, only standard museum entrance with free entry... Read more

UK: Helicentre Aviation prepares for 10th birthday

UK: Helicentre Aviation prepares for 10th birthday

30-Aug-2011Source: Helicentre Aviation

To celebrate our 10 Year Anniversary, Helicentre Aviation will be holding an Open Day on Saturday 10th September for all to enjoy!REGISTER HERE! We’ve really settled in to Leicester Airport since our relocation from Coventry in January last year and would like to extend an invitation to everyone to come along to help us celebrate... Read more

UK: Edinburgh helipad branded ‘almost useless’

UK: Edinburgh helipad branded ‘almost useless’

29-Aug-2011Source: STV

The helipad has been branded “almost useless” after it was revealed two-thirds of emergency flights are unable to land there.  The National Health Service said that locating the pad to the rear of the hospital was the only option open at the time of construction, and they are planning a replacement which could be available... Read more

Sloane Helicopters deliver UK’s third R66

Sloane Helicopters deliver UK’s third R66

29-Aug-2011Source: HeliHub.com

UK Robinson dealer Sloane Helicopters has recently delivered the third R66 into the UK market.  Serial #0031 has been handed over to a private owner in the North East of England, who will continue to operate it on the FAA registration N4478K until EASA certification is achieved by Robinson Helicopter Co in Torrance.  At that... Read more

Great Western Air Ambulance threatened by airfield closure

Great Western Air Ambulance threatened by airfield closure

26-Aug-2011

A Great Western Air Ambulance (GWAA) employee has said relocating from an airfield that is due to close will have a “substantial impact” on services.  The service is based at Filton airport near Bristol, which is to close from the end of 2012 following a review of its commercial and economic viability. (see story)... Read more

Aviation Polo Challenge successful, says Rotormotion

Aviation Polo Challenge successful, says Rotormotion

26-Aug-2011Source: Rotormotion

London Executive Aviation (LEA), one of Europe’s largest business jet charter operators, and top helicopter charter business RotorMotion are together celebrating the success of the inaugural ‘Aviation Polo Challenge’. In a closely fought pro-am match, including three Argentinean professional players, a late goal from the RotorMotion team secured a 6-5 win over LEA. Everyone agreed,... Read more

Bristow deploys North Sea fleet control system

Bristow deploys North Sea fleet control system

25-Aug-2011Source: Zetron

A mission-critical communications control system from Zetron has been deployed by Bristow Helicopters’ North Sea oil and gas operation in a bid to help achieve a demanding world-wide quality target – and it is already paying dividends. The Zetron DCS-5020 Digital Console, installed at Bristow’s Aberdeen logistics control room, enables three controllers to coordinate some... Read more

Helitech show organisers form committee

Helitech show organisers form committee

24-Aug-2011Source: Helitech

Helitech has formed its first Steering Committee to help ensure that the event continues to reflect the needs and aspirations of the rotary-wing industry in future years. With the event celebrating its 25th year of supporting the rotary wing arena this year, the aim is to continue to shape Helitech to meet the requirements of... Read more

UK: Apache engineers at Wattisham to strike?

UK: Apache engineers at Wattisham to strike?

23-Aug-2011Source: Unite

Engineers at Wattisham airbase in Suffolk, servicing Apache helicopters in Afghanistan, are set to take strike action over a pay differential dispute that means that many are about £3,000-a-year worse off. More than 100 Unite members employed by Morson Wynnwith at Wattisham – Prince Harry’s home base – have voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike... Read more

UK AAIB Bulletin – August 2011

UK AAIB Bulletin – August 2011

23-Aug-2011Source: AAIB

The monthly bulletin from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been released. This month’s issue covers the accidents of:- Robinson R44 Raven, G-GDOV – 16 May 2011 – Chagford, Devon... Read more

Bristow appoints North Sea Development Manager

Bristow appoints North Sea Development Manager

23-Aug-2011Source: Bristow Helicopters

Bristow Helicopters Ltd (Bristow) has appointed David Laskowski to oversee its operations in the busy northern North Sea energy sector. Based in Aberdeen, Scotland, Laskowski will serve as Development Manager responsible for day-to-day management of up to 250,000 passenger movements annually through the Integrated Aviation Consortium (IAC) contract. He will play a key role in... Read more

Boeing receives UK contract for 14 new Chinooks

Boeing receives UK contract for 14 new Chinooks

22-Aug-2011Source: Boeing

Boeing [NYSE: BA] has received a $1.64 billion (£1 billion) contract from the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) to provide 14 new CH-47 Chinook helicopters and associated support for the first five years to the Royal Air Force (RAF). The new-build CH-47 Mark (Mk)-6 Chinooks are part of the MOD’s Strategic Helicopter Vision to modernize... Read more

Bristow introduces TCAS2 to S92 and S76C++ fleets on North Sea

Bristow introduces TCAS2 to S92 and S76C++ fleets on North Sea

22-Aug-2011Source: HeliHub.com

Bristow Helicopters has recently begun using the TCAS2 traffic collision avoidance system on one of its seven North Sea based S92s on a flight from Scatsa to an offshore rig.  All seven of its UK Sikorsky S92 fleet – six based at Scatsa and one at Aberdeen – are expected to have the system installed... Read more

Multiflight awarded new maintenance deal with Yorkshire Air Ambulance

Multiflight awarded new maintenance deal with Yorkshire Air Ambulance

21-Aug-2011Source: Yorkshire Air Ambulance

Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) has awarded its new contract for maintenance of their helicopters to Yorkshire based aviation management company, Multiflight. The contract, which will commence on 20th August, will see Multiflight take control of all the maintenance of the two MD902 Explorer helicopters the YAA operate.  Ironically, the YAA has been based on Multiflight’s... Read more

London’s Air Ambulance Consultant & Trustee made first pre-hospital EMS professor

London’s Air Ambulance Consultant & Trustee made first pre-hospital EMS professor

18-Aug-2011Source: London’s Air Ambulance

Dr. David Lockey, London’s Air Ambulance Consultant & Trustee and Research & Development lead, was made Honorary Professor of Trauma and Prehospital Emergency Medicine by the University of Bristol. This is believed to be the only Professorial appointment in the UK in the new medical speciality of Prehospital Emergency Medicine.  The General Medical Council have... Read more

Helicopter Museum completes Heritage Lottery Fund project

Helicopter Museum completes Heritage Lottery Fund project

18-Aug-2011Source: Helicopter Museum

The Helicopter Museum at Weston-super-Mare has successfully completed a £387,000 project under a Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) programme to upgrade its conservation and educational facilities and introduce new skills training. The four year programme has seen the construction and fit out of a humidity controlled library and archive centre and adjacent film/lecture theatre, as well... Read more

UK’s CAA launch flight data monitoring initiative

UK’s CAA launch flight data monitoring initiative

17-Aug-2011Source: CAA

The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has announced a new joint initiative with industry to produce a set of standardised Flight Data Monitoring (FDM) safety measures. FDM aims to improve safety through an analysis of information downloaded from an aircraft’s on-board computer at the end of every flight. This information can be used to identify... Read more

London’s Air Ambulance hosts Norwegian delegation

London’s Air Ambulance hosts Norwegian delegation

17-Aug-2011Source: London's Air Ambulance

We were delighted to host a visit for His Excellency, Kim Traavik, The Norwegian Ambassador for London, in July.  He was joined by Steinar Sørlie, General Secretary of the Norwegian Air Ambulance and former Minister, and Professor Hans Morten Lossius, Research and Development Director of the Norwegian Air Ambulance. The visit was arranged to hear... Read more

Grant to Midlands Air Ambulance for specific projects in 2011

Grant to Midlands Air Ambulance for specific projects in 2011

17-Aug-2011Source: Daisychain Benevolent Fund

Some of the staff and volunteers from the Worcester and Malvern shops went to the Midlands Air Ambulance valuation day to present a cheque for over £97,000. Henry Sandon was present at the event and even valued some of the more unusual donations that had been kindly donated. We also got to see a real... Read more

UK’s Stobart Group plans rooftop helipad on new 12-storey office block

UK’s Stobart Group plans rooftop helipad on new 12-storey office block

11-Aug-2011Source: HeliHub.com

Stobart Group has tabled £40 million plans for a huge warehousing and office complex in Cheshire.   The scheme at Widnes Freight Park involves three sheds of 850,000sq ft, 300,000sq ft and 210,000sq ft, a biomass plant and a 12-storey office block with rooftop helicopter pad. The company is one of the UK’s major corporate helicopter... Read more

New £6.5M SaxonAir base open for business at Norwich Airport

New £6.5M SaxonAir base open for business at Norwich Airport

10-Aug-2011Source: EDP24

SaxonAir’s fleet of private jets and VIP helicopters now occupy one of the hangars with staff located in its associated offices. The ground floor facilities include the main reception desk, VIP lounge, flight crew rest room, training facilities, conference room and offshore passenger handling facilities.  (Full story)... Read more

Indra awarded contract to develop AW159 simulators

Indra awarded contract to develop AW159 simulators

10-Aug-2011Source: Indra

Indra, the premier IT Company in Spain and a leading IT multinational in Europe, after being selected as a result of a competitive process, is pleased to announce their partnership with AgustaWestland for the design and development of the Aircrew Training Equipment (ATE) the British Ministry of Defence will use to train pilots of the... Read more

Wiltshire Air Ambulance to become an independent charity

Wiltshire Air Ambulance to become an independent charity

9-Aug-2011

The long held ambition will soon be realised after Great Western Ambulance Service (GWAS) agreed last week to relinquish its sole trusteeship of the appeal.  GWAS had been criticised by air ambulance campaigners for being the sole trustee of the appeal. (Full story)... Read more

East Anglian Air Ambulance to fly EC135 from Bond Air Services

East Anglian Air Ambulance to fly EC135 from Bond Air Services

8-Aug-2011Source: HeliHub.com

East Anglian Air Ambulance “EAAA” have had a rough time in recent months, starting with their previous vendor Sterling Helicopters losing their operating certificate after internal procedural irregularities (see story).  Sterling owned and operated the two Eurocopter BK117s that EAAA used, and thus the air ambulancd charity without a ride.  Within a couple of weeks,... Read more

UK: British International to put St Erth Heliport plans on display

UK: British International to put St Erth Heliport plans on display

8-Aug-2011Source: Scilly Today

British International Helicopters intends moving their helicopter base from Penzance to a site within walking distance of the St Erth railway station.  The plans will be put on public display 18-19th August and are expected to go before planners in September (Full story)... Read more

UK: Sterling Helicopters in liquidation

UK: Sterling Helicopters in liquidation

8-Aug-2011Source: BBC

Accountancy firm PKF has been appointed as liquidator after creditors Toby Blackwell Limited and the EAAA have applied to court.  (Full story)... Read more

UK: Private owner extracts three JetRangers from Sterling Helicopters

UK: Private owner extracts three JetRangers from Sterling Helicopters

5-Aug-2011Source: HeliHub.com

In recent months we have charted the lack of progress of helicopter operations by the Longmint Group, particularly focusing on Sterling Helicopters.  In one article, we noted that a private company Toby Blackwell Ltd had commenced legal proceedings against Sterling Helicopters, noting that they had bought three JetRangers from Sterling and then opened a leaseback... Read more

UK AAIB Bulletin – July 2011

UK AAIB Bulletin – July 2011

5-Aug-2011Source: AAIB

The monthly bulletin from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been released. This month’s issue covers the accidents of:- Bell 206L-4 Longranger IV, G-PTOO – 03 March 2011 – London City Airport... Read more

Dutch military helicopter pilots win British air display awards

Dutch military helicopter pilots win British air display awards

3-Aug-2011Source: HeliHub.com

Helicopter pilots from the Netherlands have picked up multiple awards in British air displays this month.  At the Royal International Air Tattoo, held at Fairford, the Apache team won “Best overseas flying dipsplay”. The Dutch military also entered a Chinook in the Concours d’Elegance event, where an international jury awarded the title of Overall Winner... Read more

Waypoint AirMed & Rescue conference postponed to 2012

Waypoint AirMed & Rescue conference postponed to 2012

3-Aug-2011Source: HeliHub.com

The Waypoint AirMed & Rescue conference, airshow and exhibition that was due to take place in September has been rescheduled to May 2012. The venue remains unchanged as London Oxford Airport, UK.  The official line from Ian Cameron, event chairman and Waypoint magazine editor-in-chief, is:  “We want the event to be the best we can... Read more

UK’s PremiAir reports upturn in charter and management business

UK’s PremiAir reports upturn in charter and management business

2-Aug-2011Source: PremiAir

PremiAir, the award-winning UK-based executive helicopter and private jet charter operator, has reported a steady growth in its aircraft management activities, generating confidence that the industry may be seeing some recovery from the economic downturn. With a growing managed private jet fleet and maintenance bases at Oxford and Biggin Hill, PremiAir is strategically positioning itself... Read more

UK: Queen Alexandra Hospital submits 24-hour helipad plans

UK: Queen Alexandra Hospital submits 24-hour helipad plans

2-Aug-2011

Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust is applying to the city council to scrap the current 8am to 6pm landing restrictions on the helipad at Queen Alexandra Hospital, Cosham.  The council, which imposed the restrictions when granting permission for the helipad to be built in 2007, will make the ultimate decision.  (Full story).... Read more

Helicopter Museum details forthcoming acquisitions

Helicopter Museum details forthcoming acquisitions

1-Aug-2011Source: The Helicopter Museum

The last week has been busy is terms of offers of objects for donation. The latest offerings include manuals and a selection of spares from Yeovil College, a large Gulf war spec Lynx model from MBDA in Stevenage and the remains of a home made small helicopter from a retired Flight Lieutenant in Shropshire. Furthermore,... Read more

New commandant for UK’s Defence Helicopter Flying School

New commandant for UK’s Defence Helicopter Flying School

28-Jul-2011

The current Group Captain, ‘Jock’ Brown is leaving RAF Shawbury after 2 years to take up a vital and exciting role in Afghanistan. His replacement is Captain Paul Shawcross from the Royal Navy who arrives from the same role. (full story)... Read more

Lynx on display at Portland – past air base and future Olympic venue

Lynx on display at Portland – past air base and future Olympic venue

27-Jul-2011Source: HeliHub.com

A Westland Lynx has recently been put on display outside Portland Marina, on the UK’s south coast.  Previously the site of Royal Naval Air Station HMS Osprey, the Marina will be the venue for the sailing events of the London Olympics in 2012.  At an event hosted by marina owners Dean and Reddyhoff, the helicopter... Read more

CAA launches major new safety plan

CAA launches major new safety plan

26-Jul-2011Source: CAA

The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has set out its key safety objectives for the next two years at an industry launch event at its Gatwick headquarters. The CAA’s Safety Plan 2011 to 2013, which has been published in draft form, invites comment from all industry groups. A final version will be published in August.... Read more

UK: Victim of helicopter debris sues for damages

UK: Victim of helicopter debris sues for damages

26-Jul-2011Source: HeliHub.com

A 21-year old electrician working at Goodwood Airfield has opened a legal process seeking damages after being struck by flying debris from a crashing Robinson R44.  As a result, Sebastian Ward had his leg amputated below the knee.  Mr ward was installing wiring on a new hangar at Goodwood aerodrome when R44 Clipper G-CLPR crashed... Read more

UK: Specialist Aviation Services adds two directors

UK: Specialist Aviation Services adds two directors

25-Jul-2011Source: HeliHub.com

Specialist Aviation Services “SAS”, the British operator better known for its subsidiaries Police Aviation Services and Medical Aviation Services, has two new directors.  Following our report on 7th July of a change in ownership (see here), we can now advise that they have added two directors as well.  Previously we noted that we had an... Read more

Prince Charles honours British Apache crews

Prince Charles honours British Apache crews

25-Jul-2011Source: UK MoD

Soldiers who have been operating the Army’s Apache attack helicopters in Afghanistan were praised this week for their outstanding performance by His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. Prince Charles, who is Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps, presented Operational Service Medals to soldiers from 4 Regiment Army Air Corps (4 Regt AAC), who have... Read more

London Air Ambulance pilot and doctor to run 8 marathons in 6 days

London Air Ambulance pilot and doctor to run 8 marathons in 6 days

25-Jul-2011Source: London's Air Ambulance

London’s Air Ambulance pilot, Captain Neil Jeffers, and doctor, Dr. Tom Konig, are soon to complete the ultimate endurance test, seeing them run 8 marathons in 6 days through the deserts of Jordan, in a bid to raise money for the charity. On 3rd September 2011 the London’s Air Ambulance duo will be running 200... Read more

Ford Aerospace extends contract with AgustaWestland

Ford Aerospace extends contract with AgustaWestland

25-Jul-2011Source: Shields Gazette

Ford Aerospace has signed a three-year deal with AgustaWestland which boosts the company’s plans for global growth and development.  Ford will supply an innovative metallic product, the concept of which reduces the part count and the need to re-grind, and vicariously reducing assembly costs at the same time.  (Full story)... Read more

Development of London 2012 Airspace Restrictions announced

Development of London 2012 Airspace Restrictions announced

25-Jul-2011Source: CAA

Further development of the airspace security restrictions covering the London Olympic and Paralympic Games for 2012 were announced today by the UK Government, as part of its paramount objective to deliver of a safe and secure Games for all. A number of changes to the Government’s original proposals, announced on 7 March, have been made... Read more

Royal Navy Sea Kings complete 1,000th Afghanistan mission

Royal Navy Sea Kings complete 1,000th Afghanistan mission

24-Jul-2011Source: UK MoD

The Royal Navy’s Sea King Mk7 Force completed their 1,000th operational mission in Afghanistan this week Sea King helicopter squadrons from Royal Naval Air Station (RNAS) Culdrose have been operating from Camp Bastion since 2009 and have contributed to the confiscation of significant amounts of IED-making equipment, arms and drugs, and the detainment of suspected... Read more

UK Government confirms £22m loan to support commercial AW169 programme

UK Government confirms £22m loan to support commercial AW169 programme

22-Jul-2011Source: AgustaWestland

AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce the launch of UK involvement in the AW169 commercial helicopter programme with the support of a £22 million loan by the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills. The announcement was made today by the Rt Hon Dr Vince Cable MP, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and... Read more

UK: Warwickshire & Northamptonshire Air Ambulance signs for two AW169s

UK: Warwickshire & Northamptonshire Air Ambulance signs for two AW169s

22-Jul-2011Source: AgustaWestland

AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce that the Warwickshire & Northamptonshire Air Ambulance (WNAA) has signed a preliminary sale contract for two AW169 helicopters. The contract was signed today by Andy Williamson, CEO, WNAA and Bruno Spagnolini, CEO, AgustaWestland, during a ceremony at AgustaWestland’s Yeovil facility in the presence of the Rt Hon... Read more

AgustaWestland launches new R&D programme supported by £10m UK Government grant

AgustaWestland launches new R&D programme supported by £10m UK Government grant

22-Jul-2011Source: AgustaWestland

It was announced that the Government has awarded AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, a total of £10 million in research and development grants that will be delivered through the Technology Strategy Board. The funding will go towards a new programme consisting of three R&D projects. The programme will ensure that the UK maintains its leading position... Read more

Gamekeeper found guilty of driving at British Army helicopter

Gamekeeper found guilty of driving at British Army helicopter

21-Jul-2011Source: BBC

A gamekeeper from Wiltshire has been found guilty of endangering an aircraft after he drove his Land Rover straight at a low-flying army helicopter. (Full story) – see also HeliHub.com page for this accident... Read more

Aero Maintenance completes first ever UK EC120 12 year overhaul

Aero Maintenance completes first ever UK EC120 12 year overhaul

21-Jul-2011Source: Aero Maintenance

Aero Maintenance Ltd of Walton Wood in Yorkshire have successfully carried out the first ever UK full 12-year overhaul of an EC 120, they’ve also given it an outstanding new interior and re-spray too! Previously, the 12-year inspection was to be carried out by Eurocopter only, but an amendment to the MSM (Master Servicing Manual)... Read more

Yorkshire Air Ambulance seeks Chief Pilot as contract approaches end

Yorkshire Air Ambulance seeks Chief Pilot as contract approaches end

20-Jul-2011Source: HeliHub.com

Yorkshire Air Ambulance is looking ahead to the late summer when its current contracts for both pilotage and maintenance expire.  Both aspects are currently provided by Medical Aviation Services, but YAA has decided to “do its own thing” and will employ their own Chief Pilot and are working towards their own Air Operators Certificate.  Further... Read more

Profile: Network Rail’s helicopter operations in UK

Profile: Network Rail’s helicopter operations in UK

20-Jul-2011Source: Rail.co

Network Rail runs the railway infrastructure across the UK, and employs two AS355s on contract from PDG Helicopters.  See this article for a profile of this operation... Read more

Wales Air Ambulance extends Welshpool base to 365 days/year

Wales Air Ambulance extends Welshpool base to 365 days/year

19-Jul-2011Source: Wales Air Ambulance

Helicopter charity Wales Air Ambulance is expanding its Welshpool-based operation from a five-day service to seven days a week, from 19thJuly. The lifesaving service, currently celebrating its tenth anniversary, is increasing its air cover for Mid Wales to 365 days a year following an ongoing fundraising drive by the charity. Wales Air Ambulance will announce... Read more

UK Government issue statement on future SAR options

UK Government issue statement on future SAR options

19-Jul-2011Source: UK Dept for Transport

The Secretary of State for Transport (Philip Hammond): On 8 February I informed the House that, owing to irregularities in the bidding process, the Government had concluded that it was not appropriate to proceed with the previously planned joint MOD/DfT PFI procurement for future search and rescue capability. The investigation into the circumstances that led... Read more

UK military publishes independent review of Mull of Kintyre Chinook accident

UK military publishes independent review of Mull of Kintyre Chinook accident

19-Jul-2011Source: UK MoD

Defence Secretary Dr Liam Fox has today published the conclusions of an independent review into the Chinook Mk2 helicopter crash of June 1994 on the Mull of Kintyre which tragically resulted in the deaths of all 29 people on board. The review, led by Lord Philip and assisted by three Privy Counsellors, examined the evidence... Read more

Vacuum cleaner tycoon James Dyson buys AW139 helicopter

Vacuum cleaner tycoon James Dyson buys AW139 helicopter

12-Jul-2011Source: HeliHub.com

British inventor James Dyson, who made his name developing a new style vacuum cleaner, has last week registered a new AgustaWestland AW139 – the first corporate example of the type on the British register.  Serial number 31353 and registered G-OAWL, it will replace his N3 Dauphin G-DOLF and operate alongside his Bombardier Challenger G-OXRS.  Given... Read more

Flightglobal parent acquires Ascend Aviation

Flightglobal parent acquires Ascend Aviation

12-Jul-2011Source: Reed Business Information

Reed Business Information (“RBI”), the business information division of Reed Elsevier, announced that it has acquired the entire issued share capital of Ascend Worldwide Group Holdings Limited (“Ascend”). Ascend will be integrated with RBI’s aerospace information and data services business, Flightglobal. Ascend, headquartered in London with offices in New York, Hong Kong and Tokyo, delivers... Read more

Change of owner at Specialist Aviation Services

Change of owner at Specialist Aviation Services

7-Jul-2011Source: HeliHub.com

Specialist Aviation Services “SAS”, the British operator better known for its subsidiaries Police Aviation Services and Medical Aviation Services, has been sold.  Few details are currently available, and while Financial Director Jim Webster confirmed the change of ownership, he declined to provide any information to HeliHub.com beyond what is already public domain.  When we asked... Read more

Three EC225s being prepared for MHS by Bristow in UK

Three EC225s being prepared for MHS by Bristow in UK

6-Jul-2011Source: HeliHub.com

Bristow Helicopters in the UK are currently carrying out completion work, including full paint, on three Eurocopter EC225 helicopters for MHS Aviation in Malaysia.  Two have been delivered thus far, both carrying British registrations to facilitate test flights.  The aircraft are serial 2790 registered G-CGUB and 2792 as G-CGUC, delivered in to Bristow’s base at... Read more

Hampshire and IOW Air Ambulance support Southampton helipad appeal

Hampshire and IOW Air Ambulance support Southampton helipad appeal

5-Jul-2011Source: Hampshire and IOW Air Ambulance

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance are working closely with HELP to enable a unique project to equip Southampton General Hospital with a purpose-built life-saving helipad. Up until now, emergency airlifts have had to stop short of the hospital – the best the Air Ambulance could do was to touch down in a council... Read more

New venue provides successful platform for AeroExpo UK

New venue provides successful platform for AeroExpo UK

4-Jul-2011Source: AeroExpo

AeroExpo UK produced an extremely healthy turnout despite the rain showers that were experienced on Friday and Saturday, which grounded around 50% of pre-registered visiting aircraft. In total approximately 8,000 visitors and 420 aircraft visited AeroExpo UK at Sywell Aerodromeduring 17-19 June. An extended static display featuring aircraft from most of the leading manufacturers produced great interest amongst visitors,... Read more

London’s Air Ambulance launches new hard-to-find website

London’s Air Ambulance launches new hard-to-find website

3-Jul-2011Source: HeliHub.com

London’s Air Ambulance launched a visually appealing new website on 1st July, but you cannot find it on Google!  Try looking for it and the old URL LondonsAirAmbulance.com comes up, but that fails.  Some careful detective work by HeliHub.com found it at LondonsAirAmbulance.co.uk – and it’s worth checking out.  However, we would have expected that... Read more

UK: Proposal for Eastern Counties Police Maintenance to add North Midlands

UK: Proposal for Eastern Counties Police Maintenance to add North Midlands

29-Jun-2011Source: HeliHub.com

The North Midlands police air support unit is proposing to move its maintenance provision to an organisation dedicated to police helicopters.  ECPM – the Eastern Counties Police Maintenance organisation – was established in April 2007 to provide aircraft engineering services to the Eastern Consortium (Essex, Cambridgeshire and Suffolk Forces). In mid-March 2011, ECPM was approached... Read more

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