18-Feb-2013Source: Den Helder Airport
Flybe franchise carrier Loganair has commenced ticket sales for a new weekday service, operating from Den Helder to both Norwich and Manchester in the United Kingdom. The flights to Norwich, which serves as East England’s offshore support hub, will operate on weekdays from March 4 2013. Passengers will be able to leave Den Helder at... Read more
18-Feb-2013Source: Scottish Ambulance Service
The Scottish Ambulance Service has completed an initiative to create new lit helicopter landing sites on Shetland’s outer isles that will enhance access for medical evacuations. While the Coastguard helicopter has always had 24 hour access to these islands, the new sites will allow access at night by the Jigsaw helicopter, which requires a lit... Read more
18-Feb-2013Source: The Helicopter Museum
The Helicopter Museum (THM) at Weston-super-Mare has appointed Bristol architects Alec French to act as its Stage One lead designer in support of a new Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) bid. The Practice has previously successfully participated in HLF funded projects at the Underfall Yard and the SS Great Britain in Bristol and the Clifton Suspension... Read more
18-Feb-2013
Emergency shutdown on rig after overheating indication, which later turned out to be false... Read more
17-Feb-2013Source: Wales Air Ambulance
The founder and Chairman of Wales Air Ambulance, Robert Palmer has died after a short illness, aged 64. Mr Palmer was a leading businessman in Swansea who founded Wales’ first ever air ambulance, in 2001. The news comes as the Charity, now operating three aircraft nationwide, marks its twelfth birthday on St David’s Day. A... Read more
17-Feb-2013Source: AAA
Following the Association of Air Ambulances decision to change its membership structures the Association has recruited 2 new full members and a range of associate members to its ranks. Full members of the Association are ambulance services and air ambulance charities that are committed to ethical fundraising and collaboration in their unified vision of improving... Read more
14-Feb-2013Source: AAIB
The monthly bulletin from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been released. This month’s issue covers the accident(s) of:- Robinson R22 Beta (G-CHZN), in-flight separation of main rotor blades, near Ely, Cambridgeshire, 6 January 2012 Sikorsky S-76C (G-CGOU), precautionary landing following smell of smoke in flight, 19 nm east-north-east of Humberside Airport, 26 September 2012... Read more
12-Feb-2013Source: MIU Events
A one-day conference dedicated to commercial helicopter operations will debut at and be supported by the Barclays London Heliport, Battersea on Wednesday, 12 June, 2013. Organised by MIU Events, the Rotary Operations Conference (ROC) will bring together helicopter manufacturers, operators, suppliers and industry chiefs. The event is also being supported by the UK’s British Helicopter Association (BHA)... Read more
12-Feb-2013Source: Western Daily Press
Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance flew rescue missions 615 times last year (see full story)... Read more
12-Feb-2013Source: Heli-One
On Feb. 7 Lars Landsnes from Heli-One, joined Ian Craddock, head of helicopters for the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD), to sign a multi-million pound, 13-year contract to provide long-term logistic support for the Makila 1A1 engines fitted in new Puma HC2 helicopters used by the Royal Air Force (RAF). The RAF fleet of 24... Read more
12-Feb-2013Source: HeliHub.com
Gone are the big sponsor logos – but the theme is still very much red. The MD Explorer of LAA (London’s Air Ambulance) G-EHMS has appeared from the paint shop at Gloucestershire Airport in new red paint with a yellow and pale blue “dog tooth” pattern to the aft of the cabin area and to... Read more
11-Feb-2013Source: The Helicopter Museum
With all the severe weather recently it seems quite apt that a new display has opened at The Helicopter Museum, Weston-super-Mare to mark the 60th Anniversary of The Dutch Flood Disaster. On 1st February 1953 gale force winds and a high spring tide led to the breaching of coastal defences on both sides of the... Read more
8-Feb-2013Source: HeliHub.com
UK’s Castle Air has recently sold an AW109S Grand to Nigeria – and delivered it by air. Coverage on the company’s Facebook page indicates that the route followed the West Africa coast via Mauretania, Ivory Coast and Ghana before arriving at Lagos in Nigeria. The purchaser is Azikel Dredging, who started in the business supplying... Read more
8-Feb-2013
Shattered windscreen from bird strike. Emergency field landing... Read more
7-Feb-2013Source: Bond
Bond Helicopters Europe (Bond) is delighted to confirm that the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has approved one of its EC135 aircraft for night vision goggles (NVG) operations to ground level, a significant step towards the UK’s first night air ambulance operations. At present, no air ambulance service in the UK is able to operate... Read more
7-Feb-2013
AgustaWestland, the world’s second- largest helicopter maker, will start civil rotorcraft production in Britain if the company prevails in a competition to supply search-and-rescue choppers in the country, its chairman said (see full story)... Read more
6-Feb-2013Source: AAA
Following last night’s [Monday 4th] broadcast off BBC1’s Inside Out investigation into the Children’s Air Ambulance operated by The Air Ambulance Service Ltd. The Association on behalf of its members wishes to reassure the public that their local air ambulances provide emergency and transfer services for children and babies. Members of the association can be... Read more
6-Feb-2013Source: Devon Air Ambulance
On Monday 4 February, during the BBC South West ‘Inside Out’ programme, there was a feature about The Air Ambulance Service’s proposed Children’s Air Ambulance service. Heléna Holt, Chief Executive of Devon Air Ambulance Trust said: “We would like to take the opportunity to reassure the people of Devon that their local Air Ambulances can... Read more
6-Feb-2013
Reported lightning strike – shipped to Norway for repair by associated company HeliOne. Helicopter has not flown in the two months after 6th February, so while that date is not 100% confirmed, it would be very close if it is not correct.... Read more
5-Feb-2013Source: DIO
Maintenance staff at a frontline RAF helicopter base are enjoying a better working environment, thanks to new lighting that not only brightens their working day but also saves energy and money. The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) has worked with its regional industry partner PriDE to improve lighting in hangars at RAF Benson, in Oxfordshire, as... Read more
5-Feb-2013Source: BBC
The Coventry-based charity became The Air Ambulance Service after launching a national children’s service but is yet to transport any youngsters. A leaked NHS report suggests a whole network of air ambulances would be needed to provide such a national air transfer service for children (see full story)... Read more
5-Feb-2013Source: HeliHub.com
London’s Air Ambulance are reportedly moving base to Northolt in the very near future, having overnighted their helicopter – currently an MD Explorer, plus the Dauphin before that – for 24 years at Denham. There are two possible reasons for this – either their contract was with Premiair (who ceased operating from Denham late last... Read more
4-Feb-2013Source: Yorkshire Post
A British helicopter instructor has been sentenced to six months jail for falsely signing off the training records of a student pilot to get him a pilot’s licence. The Judge said that it was impossible to say whether these actions were contributory to the “newly qualified” pilot and his wife losing their lives in their... Read more
4-Feb-2013Source: Bristow Helicopters
Over ten days after HeliHub.com reported the arrival of this aircraft, Bristow issued the following press release which provides more details, including equipment fit. The first of four Sikorsky S-92 helicopters that will service the U.K. GAP SAR contract starting later this year is nearly finished and on track to begin training flights in February.... Read more
4-Feb-2013Source: HeliHub.com
Bond Offshore Helicopters have confirmed to HeliHub.com this morning that Malcolm Paine, Director of Flight Operations, and Graham Wildgoose, Ground Operations Manager, have both “left the company to seek opportunities externally” (our inverted commas, not theirs) Jeremy Parkin – HeliHub.com... Read more
4-Feb-2013Source: HeliHub.com
Last week HeliHub.com announced that the first Sikorsky S92 had arrived in the UK for Bristow to operate in the SAR role. Today the aircraft moves from Aberdeen to Inverness to begin training ready for going live on 1st June – this is G-MCGA, serial The first of the four Sikorsky S92s arrived at Aberdeen... Read more
4-Feb-2013Source: Helicentre Aviation
Due to the severe weather the UK has experienced throughout January, Helicentre Aviation have granted a 30 day extension to candidates wishing to apply for their professional helicopter pilot scholarships. The weather conditions, ranging from heavy snow and freezing fog to gale force winds and torrential rain, have made it impossible to fulfill the training... Read more
3-Feb-2013Source: HeliHub.com
Following the very sad fatal accident last month, Rotormotion have acquired another helicopter – effectively replacing G-CRST which crashed to the ground in London killing experienced pilot Pete Barnes and one person on the ground after coming into contact with a crane in low visibility. Both helicopters were owned by Cornwall-based Castle Air and leased... Read more
3-Feb-2013Source: East London Advertiser
“his long-term mission is to have two helicopters flying simultaneously both day and night. At present the helicopter only operates during daylight hours from around 8am in the morning to around 4pm in winter and 8pm in summer.” Read the full article... Read more
29-Jan-2013Source: CAA
The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) will soon offer online applications and provide payment options for certain services through secure online processes. As part of a major project to update and improve the way it handles applications, the CAA will begin accepting e-applications and payments, initially, for two services – Part 145 maintenance organisation approvals,... Read more
25-Jan-2013Source: Royal Air Force
Air Marshal Sir Andrew Pulford was commissioned into the Royal Air Force as a pilot in 1977 and, after flying training, joined No 72 Squadron, flying Wessex helicopters, beginning an association with the Support Helicopter Force which would last 25 years. During his flying career he accumulated over 5,000 hours on both Wessex and Chinook... Read more
25-Jan-2013Source: Bond Air Services
Leading European aviation operator Bond Air Services has been awarded a multi-million pound contract to provide Scotland’s first and only charity-funded helicopter air ambulance. The recently-launched Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance (SCAA) today announced that Bond has been selected to supply the new frontline life-saving resource for an initial seven-year period, following a rigorous and extensive... Read more
24-Jan-2013Source: TVACAA
The Thames Valley and Chiltern Air Ambulance reached another important landmark, flying its 14,000th mission to attend to a fallen horse rider out on the Lambourn Gallops. Sarah Williamson, Head of Fundraising for the Trust said: “Because of the rural location, Air Ambulance BOB received the ‘shout’ to Lambourn Gallops to assist a rider who... Read more
23-Jan-2013Source: AAIB
Report name: S1/2013 – Agusta A109E, G-CRST Registration: G-CRST Type: Agusta A109E Location: St George Wharf, Vauxhall, London Date of occurrence: 16 January 2013 Category: Commercial Air Transport – Rotorcraft Summary: The helicopter was flying to the east of Battersea Heliport when it struck the jib of a crane, attached to a building development at... Read more
22-Jan-2013Source: HeliHub.com
In early February 2012, HeliHub.com broke the news that the “Gap SAR” contract had been split between Bristow running the two northerly bases at Sumburgh and Stornoway, while CHC would continue with the two southerly bases at Portland and Lee-on-Solent. Not only were we first to announce this, but it took a further five days... Read more
20-Jan-2013Source: WFW
Watson, Farley & Williams (“WFW”), a leading international law firm, is pleased to announce that it has advised CHC Helicopter on an operating lease facility of up to US$202m with Milestone Aviation, for up to 12 helicopters (including Sikorsky, Eurocopter and AgustaWestland helicopters), its third facility with Milestone. The team, led by partner Nicola Davies,... Read more
20-Jan-2013Source: Step Change in Safety
Helicopter operators are maintaining readiness for the return to service of EC225s. An element of this are short maintenance flights over land. The 20-minute flights will take place without passengers and are intended to keep the aircraft within their maintenance certification, meaning they won’t have to be placed for long periods in storage. As these... Read more
17-Jan-2013Source: Bond Air Services
Bond Air Services (Bond) is proud to announce that one of the two helicopter air ambulances it operates on behalf of the Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) has reached 10,000 flying hours. The aircraft, a Eurocopter EC135T2i (registration G-SASA), reached this milestone transferring a maternity patient with abdominal pains from Cambeltown hospital to Crosshouse hospital in... Read more
16-Jan-2013Source: Helihub.com
An AgustaWestland AW109E helicopter crashed this morning in central London’s rush hour – around 8am. The helicopter was en route from Redhill to Elstree, but diverting into Battersea Heliport due to poor visibility, when it hit a crane on a block of flats, and crashed to ground in flames. Two cars were reported hit and... Read more
16-Jan-2013Source: The Courier
Over the next five years, Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance (SCAA) will receive an annual donation of £20,000 – helping it move closer to its ambitious £1.5 million target (see full story)... Read more
16-Jan-2013
AW109 Helicopterhit crane and crashed to ground, killing the pilot Pete Barnes and one person on the ground, Matt Wood. Top of the crane may have been in the cloud – check photos on the second link below. The crane is marginally south of the H4 heliroute, which has a 1500ft restriction at this point. ... Read more
15-Jan-2013
Negligence claims over a helicopter crash that claimed the lives of two Britons should remain in the US, a judge has ruled. (see full story) We also found this document online relating to this case File photo... Read more
14-Jan-2013Source: London's Air Ambulance
London’s Air Ambulance, the Charity that delivers an advanced trauma team to critically injured people in London, is delighted to announce the appointment of Graham Hodgkin to the role of Chief Executive Officer. He joins at an exciting time of rapid transition for the Charity and will lead the service through its next stages of... Read more
14-Jan-2013Source: HeliHub.com
Last week it emerged that the UK Government has reduced the number of bidding groups for the UK Search And Rescue contract from three to two – and the loser was CHC. The Canadian based company, who have an established operation on the UK North Sea, are the current contractor operating four Sikorsky S92 and... Read more
13-Jan-2013Source: Royal Air Force
Warrants Officer Dave Woodhead, 7 Squadron Warrant Officer Engineering, was awarded an MBE in the New Years Honours. Warrant Officer Woodhead has shown over 35 years of exceptional dedication, leadership and devotion to duty. During this time he has deployed to numerous operations and has been previously recognised with various Commendations. Due to his innovative... Read more
13-Jan-2013Source: SaxonAir
As part of their continued expansion, Norwich based air charter operator and flight support services company SaxonAir announces the appointment of a new CEO, Alex Durand, who takes up his new position within the company in early January 2013. Mr Durand, 43, brings to the role over 20 years of experience in the Business Aviation... Read more
10-Jan-2013Source: Royal Navy
The 4 servicemen from 815 Naval Air Squadron are among 1,500 Royal Navy personnel to receive medals for their part in the NATO-led Libya operation. The aircrew and engineers, based at Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton, were presented with NATO Operation Unified Protector medals for their participation in the Libya operation while serving with 217... Read more
10-Jan-2013Source: BBC
The jury found the instructor guilty of making a false representation with intent to deceive the Civil Aviation Authority. He will be sentenced next month. (see full story). File photo... Read more
10-Jan-2013Source: SICL
After 5 years sponsoring Yorkshire Air Ambulance SICL has committed to a further 5 years and increased the donation. SICL has provided the YAA Charity with corporate sponsorship including free-of-charge IT support, services and infrastructure for the last five years but it has now re-committed until 2018 and increased the level of sponsorship. The YAA has long been SICL’s... Read more
10-Jan-2013Source: AAIB
The monthly bulletin from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been released. This month’s issue covers the accident(s) of:- Agusta Bell 206B Jet Ranger II, (G-SUEZ), engine failure and a forced landing, Perthshire, 20 February 2012... Read more
7-Jan-2013Source: HeliHub.com
Specialist Aviation Services have imported a pair of MD Explorers from California, which have been purchased from EMS operator CALSTAR. The two have been registered as G-HMDX and G-KSSA and are serials 900-00121 (previously N902RN) and 900-00123 (previously N902CS) respectively. G-HMDX is for Magpas Helimedix, a more recent addition to the UK EMS scene. Magpas... Read more
7-Jan-2013Source: HeliHub.com
British Formula 1 driver Dr Jonathan Palmer has recently upgraded from a Eurocopter AS355NP Twin Squirrel to an AgustaWestland AW109S Grand – buying a 2006 aircraft previously owned by Sir Peter Ogden – joint owner with Palmer of MotorSport Vision “MSV”. (Mr Ogden has replaced the Grand with a new GrandNew – see article) Palmer... Read more
7-Jan-2013Source: West Midlands Police
MORE than 500 people were arrested in 2012 – who would otherwise have got away had it not been for the West Midlands Police helicopter. The helicopter, known to officers on the street by its call sign ‘Alpha Oscar 1’, has taken off 1,362 times this year and has been involved in 3,698 incidents. Using a... Read more
7-Jan-2013Source: The Helicopter Museum
The Helicopter Museum came alive with the sounds of “Action!” and “Cut!” last week as a small film crew recorded a number of scenes for their début feature using one of the more iconic aircraft in the museum’s vast collection. With the use of some clever lighting angles and a large Green Screen backdrop, the... Read more
6-Jan-2013Source: London’s Air Ambulance
Coutts has exceeded its annual target of raising £50,000 for this year’s chosen charity, London’s Air Ambulance. Coutts’ Products, Services & Marketing team dug deep to raise more than double last year’s charity donation, culminating in a grand total of £51,705.60. Numerous fundraising activities were organised throughout the last twelve months, including comedy nights, a... Read more
4-Jan-2013Source: BBC
Tactical flight officer PC Paul Gridley said: “When we are approaching a scene, usually at 1000ft, we tend to use the blue lights of emergency vehicles as one way of guiding us into the scene” (see full story)... Read more
4-Jan-2013Source: 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
3-Jan-2013Source: BBA Aviation
BBA Aviation today announced the promotion of Mark Taylor to Managing Director of its H+S Aviation subsidiary. He will be responsible for the day to day activities of this OEM-approved engine repair and overhaul company. Taylor joined H+S Aviation in 1990 and has worked in numerous positions throughout the company. As an engineer, Taylor started... Read more
1-Jan-2013Source: NHS East of England Trauma Network
The NHS East of England Trauma Network is pleased to announce that a temporary helipad will be laid at Addenbrooke’s Hospital as the next step in enhancing care for the most seriously injured people across the region. This solution has been made possible by close partnership working between the hospital, ambulance service, air ambulance trusts... Read more
21-Dec-2012Source: AgustaWestland
AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce that it has signed a contract with the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence, valued at approximately £260 million, for the provision of Sea King Integrated Operational Support (SKIOS) from 1st April 2013 to the type’s out of service date in March 2016. This contract will follow on... Read more
20-Dec-2012Source: HeliHub.com
Sir Peter Ogden, joint founder of the very successful computer services company Computacenter, is upgrading his AW Grand to a GrandNew. Remaining executive chairman until 1997, Sir Peter placed £22.5M into an educational trust – the Ogden Trust – when Computacenter became a UK public company in 1998. The trust fund helps very able students... Read more
17-Dec-2012Source: Medical Aviation Services
Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance Trust (KSSAAT) has signed a contract with air ambulance operator Medical Aviation Services (MAS) which heralds the introduction of a full 24/7 helicopter service in the UK’s South East from early next year. KSSAAT works in conjunction with the South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb) in the delivery of... Read more
17-Dec-2012Source: Cornwall Air Ambulance
The Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust has been rewarded for its commitment to the environment by winning the New Build category at the Cornwall Sustainability Awards. Chief Executive Paula Martin, who collected the award, said, “We at the charity are both honoured and proud to have won this category, the competition was very strong indeed this... Read more
17-Dec-2012Source: Eurocopter
On 27 November at an award ceremony in Ministry of Defence Main Building, Whitehall, London, Eurocopter UK was presented with a “Recognition of Achievement Award”. Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology (DEST) Philip Dunne MP handed over the award to the Team. These awards recognise and celebrate specific areas of procurement and included for... Read more
17-Dec-2012Source: HeliHub.com
CHC have transferred a pair of Sikorsky S92 helicopters form their operation in Denmark to the UK. Serial 920046 OY-HKA has now been registered as G-WNSF while 920058 OY-HKB is now G-WNSG. We assume that this is, at least in part, to cover for the requirements generated by the suspension of operations of the Eurocopter... Read more
13-Dec-2012Source: HeliHub.com
A British registered AgustaWestland AW109S Grand has recently been sold by one British retailer to another. Previously G-CDWY with Mike Ashley’s SportsDirect group, the helicopter is moving further north into Scotland, where it has been bought by Edinburgh Woollen Mill. Part of the sale will be the change of registration of this aircraft – serial... Read more
13-Dec-2012Source: Cornwall Air Ambulance
Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust is very sad to confirm the news of the tragic death of our former Chairman, Mr Harold Chapman. Harold and his wife Pamela, who was also a trustee, had recently emigrated to Australia, to take up their retirement ambition and become reunited with close family members. In the past few days,... Read more
12-Dec-2012Source: Yorkshire Air Ambulance
The Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) is breaking new ground in the Air Ambulance industry having just become the first Air Ambulance in the UK to apply for and obtain their own Air Operators Certificate (AOC) from scratch. The Yorkshire based charity, which owns and operates two MD 902 Explorers, learned last week that after nearly... Read more
12-Dec-2012Source: MCA
At 4.30am, a doctor on Unst called Shetland Coastguard to ascertain the times of the ferries to the main Island. This was because he was dealing with a woman in labour. After the doctor had spoken with the Scottish ambulance service, ARCC Kinloss tasked the Coastguard Search and Rescue Helicopter Rescue 102. The helicopter was... Read more
11-Dec-2012Source: AAIB
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.... Read more
11-Dec-2012Source: HeliHub.com
Britain’s Sloane Helicopters opened its base in Northern Ireland at Enniskillen Airport back in 2007 before the recession hit – and it’s no secret that helicopter operations in Northern Ireland have been hit nearly as badly as those in the country of Ireland to the south. Undaunted by this, Sloane are showing a continued commitment... Read more
11-Dec-2012Source: Helicopter Museum
The Museum has put three models of the unique Fairey Rotodyne compound helicopter on display complementing the only surviving sections of the actual aircraft that are also part of the collection. The new models have been transfered to THM from the Imperial War Museum store at Duxford, Cambridge and are on display for the first... Read more
11-Dec-2012Source: CAA
An innovative new lighting system for use on off-shore helidecks has undergone a successful flight inspection by the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). The new system, developed under a CAA research project and manufactured by Orga BV in the Netherlands, is designed to radically improve visibility for approaching pilots. The first production version of the... Read more
10-Dec-2012
12 December: Bond Offshore Helicopters can confirm that one of its aircraft developed a technical problem whilst on an offshore platform. Engineers were dispatched and examined the aircraft. Once the relevant part has been delivered and fitted, the aircraft will be returned to normal service. update 14th December – G-PERA returned to Norwich Airport yesterday... Read more
