29-Jun-2010Source: HeliHub.com
After some demo flights last week in the Swiss towns of Samedan and Sion, Bell’s 429 demonstrator flew via Baden-Baden in Germany en route to the UK. Registered C-FTNB, the helicopter is now based at Blackbushe for a few weeks at Premiair Aviation’s hangar. Today it visits Oxford, although we are not yet aware of... Read more
29-Jun-2010Source: Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard
The 16-year-old, from Cheltenham, was arrested in Crabtree Place at 2.45am on Tuesday on suspicion of shining a light at an aircraft so as to dazzle or distract a pilot. He was given a formal reprimand after admitting the offence.... Read more
28-Jun-2010Source: Daily Record
Police leaders reacted with fury yesterday after a teenager who aimed a laser pen at a police helicopter escaped with a £500 fine. Call centre worker Anthony Boyle, 19, had been warned he faced jail for the potentially lethal stunt.... Read more
22-Jun-2010Source: Bournemouth Echo
Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance operates an EC135 from Henstridge Airfield in UK. This superseded an earlier Bo105... Read more
18-Jun-2010Source: BBC
Britain’s new government puts the 25-year SAR privatisation proposal on hold as part of massive spending cut program to get budget deficit under control.... Read more
17-Jun-2010Source: Patriot Aerospace
Less than five weeks after acquiring Coventry Airport, Sir Peter Rigby’s aviation group, Patriot Aerospace, has signed a £4million contract with Serco for air traffic services. The objective is to get Coventry Airport fully operational as quickly as possible and provide the highest levels of air traffic services with full radar and instrumental approaches. Sir... Read more
9-Jun-2010Source: Royal Air Force
A Chinook pilot from RAF Odiham was presented with a Distinguished Flying Cross for his ‘superior flying skills’ in Afghanistan at a prestigious ceremony at Buckingham Palace on Friday 4 June 2010. Flight Lieutenant Marc Heal, aged 29, was amongst personnel from various stations across the UK to be honoured in the Armed Forces Operational... Read more
9-Jun-2010Source: Wales Online
The South Wales and Gwent Police EC135 helicopter crew now has a twitter feed that reports on what it’s been covering.... Read more
9-Jun-2010Source: HeliHub.com
HeliHub.com notes that an N2 Dauphin in the UK has been registered G-NHAB, the consecutive out-of-sequence registration to Dauphin G-NHAA operated by Great North Air Ambulance. This is in line with a story we ran in late March, where the UK EMS operator stated that they G-NHAA was the first of two to be supplied... Read more
9-Jun-2010Source: BBC
Now that the Ministry of Defence has lifted its embargo, the helmet has been returned to him and he has given the BBC his first broadcast interview.... Read more
8-Jun-2010Source: PremiAir
Andy Fishwick, an apprentice helicopter maintenance engineer with PremiAir, the UK’s largest helicopter charter and management company, has been named South East Advanced Apprentice of the Year winner 2010 by the Learning Skills Council. The awards celebrate excellence in vocational education across the south-east region and acknowledge the outstanding achievements of individuals at every stage... Read more
7-Jun-2010Source: Yorkshire Evening Post
A vital emergency helicopter is flying that little bit higher after airport bosses slashed its landing fees. (HeliHub.com Editor note – we believe they are still the only UK air ambulance to pay landing fees!)... Read more
4-Jun-2010Source: Guardian
Great North Air Ambulance, which sent two AS365s, confirmed that police at Whitehaven requested them to wait on the ground. When aircraft were permitted to fly to three of the shooting scenes, the injured victims had already been driven to hospital by, it is believed, members of the public.... Read more
3-Jun-2010Source: Bond Offshore Helicopters
[The following press release from Bond supplements HeliHub’s own story regarding the delivery of these two 365s] The latest additions to Bond Offshore Helicopters’ fleet of aircraft have entered service on behalf of new client, Perenco (UK) Ltd, in the UK sector of the southern North Sea. Crew change flights with two AS365N3 Dauphin aircraft... Read more
3-Jun-2010Source: Royal Navy
212 Flight from 815 Naval Air Squadron, based at RNAS Yeovilton, is normally associated with the Ice Patrol Ship HMS Endurance, but for the last two months the crew and two Mark 3 Lynx Maritime Attack helicopters have been embarked in HMS Ark Royal, conducting the Helicopter Delivery Service (HDS) in addition to planned attack... Read more
2-Jun-2010Source: Medical Aviation Services
Medical Aviation Services Ltd, a Specialist Aviation Services Group Company, is pleased announce the delivery of its latest MD 902 Explorer to Essex and Herts Air Ambulance Trust. As helicopter provider and licensed operator, MAS will also supply the pilots who will help the Trust’s clinical staff provide their vital skills throughout the county. The... Read more
2-Jun-2010Source: Ellesmere Port Pioneer
The Hawarden-based helicopter, which operated at the same altitude as the plane of about 1,000-1,500ft, resulted in a noise level of about 84 decibels compared with 85-90 decibels for a lawnmower, 80 decibels for a refuse truck and 100 decibels for a train... Read more
2-Jun-2010Source: CAA
The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has approved a request from the Ministry of Defence to establish additional segregated airspace for the use of Unmanned Aircraft operating from the Wiltshire aerodromes of Upavon and Boscombe Down. The new segregated airspace, designated as Danger Areas by the CAA, will be connected to the existing Salisbury Plain... Read more
2-Jun-2010Source: PremiAir
PremiAir, the UK’s largest helicopter charter and management company, has become a member of Avinode, the leading b2b platform to buy and sell charter flights. The relationship follows Avinode’s recent decision to extend its web technology to helicopters and enable charter broker users to search availability between chosen helipads, or any location where helicopters are... Read more
2-Jun-2010Source: Vector Aerospace
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 that Vector Aerospace Engines Services-United Kingdom has been awarded the EASA Part 145 approval rating for all variants of the Rolls Royce (RR) 250 model engine. The Rolls Royce 250... Read more
1-Jun-2010Source: EDA
As part of the European Defence Agency’s Helicopter Training Programme (HTP), Spain will host a Multinational Helicopter Exercise in June 2010. The Exercise is the largest of its kind so far, with more than 32 helicopters and 500 people attending from 9 nations and yet takes place less than a year after the Ministerial endorsement... Read more
1-Jun-2010Source: HeliHub.com
In the last few days, Bond Offshore Helicopters have registered two new AS365N3 Dauphins, G-REDG (serial 6907) and G-REDH (6911). The former was first registered in the UK on Thursday 27th and delivered into the UK the following day. The latter was (most unusually) first registered on a UK public holiday yesterda, and the HeliHub.com... Read more
28-May-2010Source: Loughborough Echo
The new Defence Secretary Liam Fox told the Commons an independent review of the evidence surrounding the crash had been promised when the Conservative Party were in opposition.... Read more
28-May-2010
Deputy Chief Constable Craig Denholm said the Surrey helicopter cost nearly £2m a year to keep in the air. “We are completely committed to continuing air support in Surrey,” he said. “But I am not saying we will retain a single helicopter for Surrey.” [HeliHub.com Editor Note: The accompanying BBC story wrongly features an AS355]... Read more
27-May-2010Source: Shetland Times
Health officials say the much-vaunted site will help save lives as casualties are flown in to a dedicated area as close as possible to the Gilbert Bain Hospital.... Read more
26-May-2010Source: Royal Navy
In the mist and drizzle of a shrouded West Coast of Scotland the Royal Navy’s helicopter search and rescue duty crew of HMS Gannet have had their busiest 24-hour period of the year so far with no less than five call-outs. Going on call at 0900hrs on the morning of Wednesday 19 May, the crew... Read more
26-May-2010
The Black cats kicked off their season for 2010 at the Duxford Spring Air Show in Cambridgeshire. As this was the first event of the season, hopes were high that the weather would hold and the display would flow. Luckily both did! The crowds had already gathered to see the various visitors turn up on... Read more
26-May-2010Source: BBC
A new helipad has opened at Musgrove Park hospital in Taunton allowing paramedics to respond more quickly to incidents in isolated areas. The area is served by an EC135 from Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance... Read more
26-May-2010Source: UK MoD
Upgraded Army Lynx Mk9A helicopters have arrived for use in Afghanistan after being shipped from the UK, and are already being put to good use. The Lynx Mk9As, with their increased fire power, more powerful engines, and the ability to operate all year in the harsh ‘hot and high’ Afghan environment, have increased the total... Read more
25-May-2010Source: BBC
Devon Air Ambulance is celebrating flying its 16,000th mission across the county. The rescue helicopter was called to Broadwoodkelly at about 1120 BST on Saturday to rescue a lady who had fallen and required hospital treatment.... Read more
20-May-2010Source: Royal Navy
824 Naval Air Squadron, based at Royal Navy Air Station Culdrose near Helston in Cornwall has been awarded the Fleet Air Arm’s Bambara Flight Safety Shield. This annual award was given to 824 NAS in recognition of the Squadron’s commendable Flight Safety ethos throughout the last year. The shield was presented by Rear Admiral Tom... Read more
18-May-2010Source: AAIB
The monthly bulletin from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been released. This month’s issue covers the accidents of:- Agusta A109E, G-TYCN at Blandford Forum, Dorset on 18th January 2010... Read more
14-May-2010Source: Northern Echo
The crew were able to pinpointed the source of the laser and guided a ground unit to an address in Easington Lane, where a 17-year-old male was arrested.... Read more
11-May-2010Source: AAIB
The monthly bulletin from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been released. This month’s issue covers the accidents of:- Robinson R22 Beta, G-TOMM at Redhill Aerodrome, Surrey on 12-Oct-09 Robinson R44 Astro, G-WEMS at Shobdon Airfield, Herefordshire oin 15-Nov-09... Read more
7-May-2010Source: Selex Galileo
SELEX Galileo, a Finmeccanica Company and a key player in the Electronic Warfare (EW) market is delighted to announce its successful participation in the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD)’s Project Baker. The Company has been awarded contracts worth in excess of £10 Million as part of an Urgent Operational Requirement (UOR) to provide an integrated... Read more
6-May-2010Source: Royal Navy
77 Royal Navy Sea King crew members from 857 Naval Air Squadron have been presented with their Afghanistan Operational Service Medals by The Prince of Wales. Naval Officers and Ratings from the Squadron marched from Wellington Barracks past Buckingham Palace and up the Mall to receive the Operational Service Medal at a Royal medal presentation... Read more
6-May-2010Source: JSSI
Jet Support Services, Inc. (JSSI), the largest, independent provider of hourly cost maintenance programs for the business aviation industry, celebrated the opening of their new European Headquarters in Farnborough on April 8, 2010. JSSI marked the occasion by hosting a reception for clients and industry leaders who traveled from all over Europe to attend the... Read more
1-May-2010Source: Helicentre Aviation
The S300CBi is now available to fly on our entire range of trial lessons and flight discovery days at our bases in Leicester and Bournemouth. Ranging from a 20 minute trial lesson through to a flight discovery day, which incorporates a whopping 2 and a half hours of flying, as well as briefings and lunch,... Read more
30-Apr-2010Source: Telegraph
“Prince Harry is absolutely determined to return to the front line in Afghanistan and flying the Lynx will give him the best opportunity,†an Army Air Corps source said.... Read more
29-Apr-2010Source: Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance
The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance has been flying and saving lives for just under three years. In that time it has made huge strides to provide the very best service possible to the people of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. The Trustees are delighted to announce that, from September this year,... Read more
28-Apr-2010Source: Patriot Aerospace
The strategic acquisition will create a vibrant, commercial regional hub for General Aviation, including leisure, business and freight; with passenger flights amongst possible future plans, alongside creating more jobs.It dovetails with the Group’s extensive national flight training, charter, sales and engineering operations. The deal firmly establishes Patriot’s status as a leading and fast growing General... Read more
28-Apr-2010Source: HeliHub.com
HeliHub.com understands that Essex Air Ambulance will be moving from their current Eurocopter EC135T2 to an MD Explorer, perhaps as early as June 2010. EAA already has experience of the type after operating one for their neighbouring county of Hertfordshire on similar EMS work – what better situation could you be in to compare two... Read more
28-Apr-2010Source: Wincanton plc
Wincanton, a leading European provider of supply chain and business outsourcing services, has secured a major contract gain with AgustaWestland. The contract, to manage the company’s production stores and logistics operations in and around Yeovil, has a value of approximately £27 million over five years. AgustaWestland’s production stores distribute helicopter components to clients around the... Read more
24-Apr-2010Source: Sloane Helicopters
Sloane Helicopters are now taking bookings for their CAA approved Instrument Rating course. The training is offered at the Company’s HQ at Sywell, Northamptonshire, and complies with the latest requirements of the JAR FCL 2. The course consists of a maximum of 40 hours in a brand new FNPT II and a minimum of 10... Read more
23-Apr-2010Source: Birmingham Mail
Motorised hangar doors, reinforced steel pedestrian access, a comprehensive alarm system and a CCTV monitoring capability had been installed to “ensure the safe keeping of the helicopterâ€. Their previous EC135 was destroyed by an arson attack... Read more
22-Apr-2010Source: PremiAir
PremiAir, the UK’s leading helicopter charter operator, is expanding its aircraft management capabilities with a move into fixed wing business aircraft. The development builds on a successful 30 years’ operating, maintaining and managing twin-engined executive helicopters for third party corporates and high net worth individuals. Its fixed wing AOC (Aircraft Operator’s Certificate) was recently granted... Read more
22-Apr-2010Source: Ireland Air Ambulance
A new company has been formed with the ambition to operate a helicopter emergency medical service in Northern Ireland. Â The company, Ireland Air Ambulance has recruited a board of directors with considerable business experience and cross community representation. At the same time the association, Ireland Air Ambulance will cease operations transferring its assets to the... Read more
20-Apr-2010Source: ArmorWorks
ArmorWorks, a leading provider of advanced survivability products, today announced that the U.K. Ministry of Defence (MOD) has selected ArmorWorks for a Chief of Defence Materiel (CDM) Commendation. The recognition is for ArmorWorks’ outstanding performance in response to urgent armor requirements for U.K. Apache helicopters supporting Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. The CDM Commendation is... Read more
20-Apr-2010Source: Patriot Aerospace
Patriot Aerospace has introduced an emergency shuttle service to fly stranded passengers between Dublin, Belfast and Liverpool With the vast majority of flights still grounded following the volcanic ash phenomenon and aviation experts predicting continued flights chaos for the rest of the week, Patriot has stepped in to offer a number of unscheduled passenger seats... Read more
20-Apr-2010Source: Atlas Helicopters
The 2010 CLA Game Fair will be held at Ragley Hall, Warwickshire between the 23rd & 25th July. Atlas Helicopters has again been contracted to provide the Game Fair with all of its helicopter requirements. With the Game Fair being such a huge event based around Country life, including shooting, fishing and hunting, people from... Read more
15-Apr-2010Source: HeliHub.com
The eruption under a glacier in the Eyjafjallajoekull area of Iceland is the second in Iceland in less than a month. Aberdeen Airport, central to the majority of North Sea oil rig support helicopter flights, closed at Midnight and the latest update at 04.45 local states “Following advice from the Met Office, the airspace around... Read more
14-Apr-2010Source: HeliHub.com
Cheshire Police have confirmed they have taken delivery of their first helicopter, a Eurocopter EC135P2+, at their Hawarden base. Cheshire is one of a consortium of six British police forces who got together and agreed a single specificiation, which brought down the unit price for each of them. Cheshire is the third of the six... Read more
14-Apr-2010Source: EDP24
Under his leadership, the Norwich airport-based firm was instrumental in setting up Norfolk’s first police helicopter in 1990 and the East Anglian air Ambulance nine years ago, both of which he also acted as a pilot for.... Read more
13-Apr-2010Source: Multiflight
A Dauphin N2 helicopter supplied to the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) charity by Multiflight has been launched in Newcastle. The helicopter, the first of two Dauphin N2 helicopters that Multiflight has supplied to the charity, flew in over the Tyne and landed on Gateshead’s Quayside for the launch event. Representatives from GNAAS, Multiflight... Read more
9-Apr-2010Source: Gazette Live
Wayne Birbeck had been working on a trial basis for two weeks for Where On Earth when he dishonestly took 100 collection bags belonging to the Great North Air Ambulance.... Read more
8-Apr-2010Source: Buxton Advertiser
From April 1, Derbyshire, Leicestershire & Rutland Air Ambulance (DLRAA) increased its flying hours from ten to 12 hours, and then from mid-May the hours will extend even further to 14 hours cover.... Read more
7-Apr-2010
Although subject to planning permission for a new supermarket, the future of Penzance HP is all but sealed and operator British International ponders whether to move operations to Newquay or Lands End... Read more
7-Apr-2010Source: AgustaWestland
AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce that the Apache Integrated Operational Support (IOS) contract is now fully operational just six months after contract award and a whole 12 months earlier than originally planned. In the six months since contract award AgustaWestland has moved from being a supplier to a capability provider, enabling the... Read more
7-Apr-2010Source: Veritair
Arrangements and charges in respect to use of Cardiff Heliport over period 30 September 2010 – 4 October 2010 All movements strictly PPR Operational Hours & Handling Fees   – Cardiff Heliport (charges are per aircraft) Thu 30 Sep 0800-1800 landing fees only as incurred (see below) plus £50 per movement Fri 1 Oct 0700-2000 landing... Read more
7-Apr-2010Source: CAA
The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has today issued updated guidance on the use of unmanned aircraft, following recent legislative changes. The advice includes the new regulations affecting small, unmanned aircraft used for surveillance work. Small, unmanned aircraft are increasingly being used for commercial aerial work such as surveillance and data gathering, as well as... Read more
7-Apr-2010Source: BBC
The 16 men who died when a Super Puma helicopter crashed into the North Sea have been remembered on the first anniversary of the tragedy.... Read more
7-Apr-2010Source: Royal Navy
Mr Quentin Davies MP, (the Minister for Defence Equipment and Support) took time out from an extremely hectic schedule, which included a visit to AgustaWestlands aircraft factory in Yeovil, to receive a Command update from Captain Jon Pentreath RN, CO Commando Helicopter Force on the Force’s current operations in Afghanistan. The main purpose of the... Read more
6-Apr-2010Source: UK Ministry of Defence
Defence Estates (DE) is overseeing an important project to build bespoke new facilities for the four Sea King helicopter squadrons based at the Royal Navy Air Station (RNAS) Culdrose in Cornwall. Construction work is well underway on the first of two new buildings at the base, which will co-locate key engineering and maintenance areas with... Read more
5-Apr-2010Source: AgustaWestland
AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce that its Operational Flying Training Centre (OFTC) located at Newquay Cornwall Airport, in South West England, was officially opened today. The opening ceremony was attended by representatives from the ERDF (European Regional Development Fund) Convergence Programme, South West Regional Development Agency, Cornwall Council, Newquay Council and Newquay... Read more
27-Mar-2010Source: AgustaWestland
AgustaWestland is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a £42 million contract extension by the UK Ministry of Defence for the upgrade of 10 more British Army Lynx Mk.9 helicopters with LHTEC CTS800-4N engines. The contract was announced by Quentin Davies MP, Minister for Defence Equipment and Support, during a visit to AgustaWestland’s... Read more
27-Mar-2010Source: Multiflight
The first of two Dauphin N2 helicopters supplied by Multiflight to the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) will be launched by the charity today. The charity’s new life-saving helicopter, in its official GNAAS livery and fitted with state-of-the-art life-saving equipment, will be launched today, Friday March 26th. It will go by the name of... Read more
23-Mar-2010Source: HeilHub.com
British JetRanger owner Joel Tobias regularly blogs about flying his JetRanger, and it’s great to read stories written by such an enthusiastic private pilot. However, as he leads his readers through night training exercises, a sense of alarm was raised in a recent missive:- “there were no emergencies, but we did become involved in a... Read more
23-Mar-2010Source: HeliHub.com
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
22-Mar-2010Source: HeliHub.com
After two years operating in the UK, the two British Mi-17s have now been shipped to Afghanistan, where they have been donated to the local forces. Purchased from Bulgaria, and serialled ZB697 and ZB698, the two helicopters were shipped out Thursday last week aboard an An-124 freighter operated by Polet, and were still in their... Read more
18-Mar-2010Source: HeliHub.com
Back in 1982, British Forces captured two Agusta A109A helicopters from the Argentine Army during the conflict to recapture the Falkland Islands. Within 3 years, these were then added to with a second pair of 109s bought new from Italy, and these four helicopters became dedicated to the Special Forces In order to camouflage the... Read more
16-Mar-2010Source: EDP24
Reporter Emma Knights joined the Anglia One team for a day.  This year they celebrate 10 years in the air.... Read more
14-Mar-2010Source: Cambridge News
After years of campaigning and fundraising by dedicated groups and individuals, hospital bosses have lodged detailed plans for a helipad on land south of the Rosie maternity hospital.... Read more
13-Mar-2010Source: 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-CDXB at Culter Helipad, Aberdeenshire on 07-Oct-09 Robinson R44 Raven II G-TIMC at Barnsdale Hotel, near Rutland Water, Rutland on 27-Sep-09 Rotorway Executive 162F G-JONG at 1.5 miles East of Bullington Cross on... Read more
12-Mar-2010Source: Sky News
A British pilot got shot between the eyes as he flew his Chinook helicopter into a firefight in Afghanistan – but he still managed to land safely and rescue all 20 people on board.... Read more
11-Mar-2010Source: Northampton Chronicle & Echo
Dr John Trenfield, a consultant in emergency medicine at NGH, and Richard Craske, the chief pilot at Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance, said land they had identified near the entrance to the A&E department, would be ideal for a landng site and would be a major boost to the hospital.... Read more
