UK

London’s Air Ambulance launches interactive mission map

London’s Air Ambulance launches interactive mission map

20-Apr-2012Source: London's Air Ambulance

We have now launched an Interactive Mission Map on our website.  Each postcode area will show a breakdown of missions that London’s Air Ambulance has attended in that vicinity since 1st January 2012. We attend over 2,000 missions in the Capital per year, only tending to those patients who are critically injured and in whom every minute counts. ... Read more

UK AAIB Bulletin – April 2012

UK AAIB Bulletin – April 2012

20-Apr-2012Source: AAIB

The monthly bulletin from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been released. This month’s issue covers the accidents of:- AS332L2 Super Puma (G-PUMS), Automatic Flight Control System disconnect on 29 July 2011 near Aberdeen. AS365N3 Dauphin II (G-REDG), engine fire at Norwich Airport, 18 April 2011... Read more

UK – National Director appointed to Association of Air Ambulances

UK – National Director appointed to Association of Air Ambulances

19-Apr-2012Source: Association of Air Ambulances

The National Association of Air Ambulances (AAA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Clive Dickin as its new National Director. Previously Mr Dickin, 38, led two national organisations from the built environment, helping to improve performance as well as working closely with the Health and Safety Executive to launch the “Gas Safe Register”, the... Read more

Trinity House marks first anniversary of using MD902 for lighthouse support

Trinity House marks first anniversary of using MD902 for lighthouse support

18-Apr-2012Source: Specialist Aviation Services

On the anniversary of the 2011 ceremony marking the start of the new service, Trinity House and Specialist Aviation Services (SAS) announce significant efficiency and value improvements as helicopter operations double capacity, reduce flying time requirements and enhance operational efficiency across the lighthouse maintenance programme. This month marks one year since the ceremony in Harwich... Read more

London’s Air Ambulance has 13 runners in the London Marathon

London’s Air Ambulance has 13 runners in the London Marathon

18-Apr-2012Source: London's Air Ambulance

On Sunday 22nd April, London’s Air Ambulance will have 13 supporters running the Virgin London Marathon in aid of the Charity. Out of hundreds of applicants, three runners were selected for our official places in the marathon, each aiming to raise £2012.There are an additional ten runners that have secured their own place who will be donating... Read more

UK – Patriot Aerospace buys Veritair Aviation

UK – Patriot Aerospace buys Veritair Aviation

18-Apr-2012Source: Patriot Aerospace

Patriot Aerospace has announced the acquisition of Cardiff-based commercial helicopter charter specialist Veritair Aviation. The deal, which underlines Patriot’s determination to form a credible UK alternative to the foreign owned companies currently dominating the commercial helicopter sector, sees Sir Peter Rigby’s aviation group acquire a significant majority share in the Cardiff Heliport operator. Enabling Patriot’s expansion to incorporate police... Read more

Specialist Aviation celebrates 100,000 MD Explorer hours

Specialist Aviation celebrates 100,000 MD Explorer hours

18-Apr-2012Source: Specialist Aviation Services

Specialist Aviation Services (SAS), the UK based emergency services and utility operator, is celebrating this week having achieved 100,000 flying hours with the MD 902 Explorer. The group is the largest operator of MD902 Explorers in the world and first introduced the type into the UK in 1998 as a dual-roled Police and Air Ambulance... Read more

UK – Two MPs call for helipad at Addenbrooke’s Hospital

UK – Two MPs call for helipad at Addenbrooke’s Hospital

18-Apr-2012Source: Peter Aldous MP

Along with fellow Suffolk MP Dan Poulter, Peter Aldous has presented a letter on the future of the East Anglian Air Ambulance to the Secretary of State for Health, the Rt Hon Andrew Lansley. Peter has written to the Health Secretary in a letter signed by most East Anglian MPs to raise his concerns about... Read more

Spain’s Traffic Police sell two AS355Ns

Spain’s Traffic Police sell two AS355Ns

17-Apr-2012Source: HeliHub.com

Trafico – the Spainish Traffic Police – have sold a pair of Eurocopter AS355N helicopters.  The 1998 and 1999 manufactured airframes were purchased by DMG Heli Sales in the UK and have 3700 and 4400 hours on the airframes.  Both are being offered for immediate resale. See also http://www.DMGHeliSales.co.uk Copyright photo reproduced with permission of... Read more

UK – Helipad approved for St Mary’s Hospital on Isle of Wight

UK – Helipad approved for St Mary’s Hospital on Isle of Wight

16-Apr-2012Source: Isle of Wight NHS Trust

The new Isle of Wight NHS Trust has welcomed the approval of planning permission for a helipad at St. Mary’s Hospital, Newport. This will enable patients with life threatening injuries to be flown from the Trauma Unit at St. Mary’s to the Trauma Centre at University Hospital Southampton. St. Mary’s Hospital is now part of... Read more

UK – Funding approved for Gloucestershire Royal Hospital helipad

UK – Funding approved for Gloucestershire Royal Hospital helipad

16-Apr-2012Source: Gloucestershire Echo

Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust will pay £70,000 towards the work which will be matched by the County Air Ambulance Trust. See full story... Read more

South Yorkshire Police Authority accepts helicopter collaboration plan

South Yorkshire Police Authority accepts helicopter collaboration plan

16-Apr-2012Source: South Yorkshire Police Authority

South Yorkshire Police Authority has reached agreement with the National Police Air Service (NPAS) to retain a helicopter based in Sheffield. The Authority had raised concerns that the initial NPAS proposals, announced last year, did not provide sufficient cover for South Yorkshire. Following negotiations with NPAS, the Authority has agreed in principle to join the... Read more

British Gazelle pilot sparks anti-terrorist alert

British Gazelle pilot sparks anti-terrorist alert

15-Apr-2012Source: HeliHub.com

A badly reported story in the UK on Saturday needs clearing up!  According to the Ministry of Defence, “two QRA Typhoons were scrambled from RAF Coningsby when a small civilian aircraft was transmitting inadvertently on an emergency frequency and was out of radio communication with Air Traffic Control.  Authorisation was given for one of the... Read more

UK: 1,000 Missions Flown for Herts Air Ambulance

UK: 1,000 Missions Flown for Herts Air Ambulance

15-Apr-2012Source: Herts Air Ambulance

More lives are being saved in Hertfordshire thanks to the Herts Air Ambulance (HAA). Since its launch in November 2008 this vital Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) has flown over 1,000 life-saving missions.   The landmark call-out was on Thursday 12th April where the aircraft was despatched to provide critical care to a patient in cardiac... Read more

Warwickshire & Northants Air Ambulance look for new HQ

Warwickshire & Northants Air Ambulance look for new HQ

13-Apr-2012Source: Stratford Herald

Due to introduce a nationwide Children’s Air Ambulance, the charity need a new 20,000 sq ft base including hangar space for its helicopters. (see full story)... Read more

UK CAA launch self-assessment test for laser dazzled pilots

UK CAA launch self-assessment test for laser dazzled pilots

11-Apr-2012Source: CAA

The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has developed a self-assessment tool for flight crew, to determine the likelihood of pilots having sustained eye damage following a laser attack on their aircraft. Over recent years, the deliberate targeting of aeroplanes and helicopters in flight with lasers by individuals on the ground has become a major global... Read more

Helicopter Museum to hold 30th Anniversary Falklands Weekend

Helicopter Museum to hold 30th Anniversary Falklands Weekend

10-Apr-2012Source: The Helicopter Museum

An extra special Falkland’s Conflict commemorative event is to take place at The Helicopter Museum, Weston-super-Mare on 19th and 20th May as part of the national ‘Museums at Night 2012’ campaign. Visitors to the museum will be able to meet the ‘troops’ at a living history encampment and military vehicle display on site before the... Read more

Essex & Herts Air Ambulance host 3rd Aeromedical Case Study Conference

Essex & Herts Air Ambulance host 3rd Aeromedical Case Study Conference

9-Apr-2012Source: Essex & Herts Air Ambulance

On Wednesday 28th March 2012, Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Trust (EHAAT) hosted the third Aeromedical Case Study Conference at Ford Dunton, near Basildon, the largest automotive technical centre in the UK, which houses the main design team of Ford of Europe. This year’s conference was titled ‘The Human Contribution to HEMS Patient Safety’ and... Read more

Two UK EMS charities work together to extend hours

Two UK EMS charities work together to extend hours

30-Mar-2012Source: Essex & Herts Air Ambulance

People living and working in the East of England will again benefit from a unique partnership between the region’s two Air Ambulance Charities this summer. Under the agreement, trialled successfully in 2011, the Charities will collaborate with the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST) to extend their service to cover the longer summer... Read more

Gama completes acquisition of Ronaldson Airmotive

Gama completes acquisition of Ronaldson Airmotive

29-Mar-2012Source: Gama Engineering

Gama Group, the global business aviation and services company, today announced the acquisition of Ronaldson Airmotive Ltd, the Oxford based engine and components overhaul organisation. Ronaldson Airmotive further strengthens the range of aerospace engineering capabilities available through the Gama engineering group of businesses. Ronaldson joins both Gama Engineering Ltd and Gama Support Services Ltd in... Read more

UK – New Chairman at Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance

UK – New Chairman at Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance

28-Mar-2012Source: D&S Air Ambulance

Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance announced the appointment of Simon Michell (pictured) and Roger Morgan as Chairman and Vice-Chairman to the Board of Trustees earlier today. The duo took over the reins from former Chairman, Terri Gill and Vice-Chairman Colin Harrisson. Simon has been on the board of trustees since 2006 and Roger since 2009.... Read more

First UK pilot goes solo on Guimbal Cabri

First UK pilot goes solo on Guimbal Cabri

27-Mar-2012Source: HeliHub.com

Cotswold Helicopter Centre, the UK distributor for the Guimbal Cabri, has achieved the milestone of the first UK student pilot to solo on the French two-seat helicopter.  On Friday 23rd March, Craig Davies – a company director aged 48 – made history in the Cabri G2 G-UIMB, achieving his solo after the legal minimum of... Read more

London Stock Exchange opened by London’s Air Ambulance

London Stock Exchange opened by London’s Air Ambulance

26-Mar-2012Source: London’s Air Ambulance

London’s Air Ambulance opened London trading in the London Stock Exchange’s Market Open Ceremony on 23rd March 2012.  To mark this special occasion, London’s Air Ambulance invited ex patient, four year old Liam, to open the market together with the doctor and paramedic who helped save his life. London’s Air Ambulance has been the London Stock Exchange... Read more

Multiflight helicopter operation continues to expand

Multiflight helicopter operation continues to expand

26-Mar-2012Source: Multiflight

Multiflight continues to expand its helicopter operation and now operates five Dauphin helicopters and employs 12 helicopter pilots. “Our helicopter operation is going from strength to strength and we have firmly established our reputation for providing a comprehensive range of first class helicopter services to clients in the UK and internationally,” said Steve Borrowdale, Multiflight’s... Read more

25-Mar-12 G-EMOL Schweizer 300CBi Bournemouth, UK

25-Mar-12 G-EMOL Schweizer 300CBi Bournemouth, UK

25-Mar-2012

Date is estimate – helicopter was seen being loaded onto a road trailer 26-Mar-12 at Bournemouth Airport being taken for repair.  Operator name and registration had been covered over with black bin liners.  Training accident, further details awaited – but noting that the helicopter does not look badly damaged from a photo we have seen.... Read more

24-Mar-12 G-BXRR Westland Scout Northampton, UK

24-Mar-12 G-BXRR Westland Scout Northampton, UK

24-Mar-2012

Pilot flared on final approach to hotel landing site but helicopter did not slow down as quickly as he expected so he increased the flare attitude, causing the tail to strike the ground. The helicopter started to yaw to the right, pilot lowered the collective, resulting in a heavy landing. The pilot and his passengers... Read more

UK AAIB Bulletin – March 2012

UK AAIB Bulletin – March 2012

20-Mar-2012Source: AAIB

The monthly bulletin from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been released. This month’s issue covers the accidents of:- Agusta A109C (N109TK), emergency landing after bird strike near Kew Bridge, London, 5 July 2011 Guimbal Cabri G2 (G-UIMB), heavy landing, Cotswold Airport (Kemble), 26 October 2011... Read more

20-Mar-12 AgustaWestland AW101 Colchester, UK

20-Mar-12 AgustaWestland AW101 Colchester, UK

20-Mar-2012

The downdraft of a Merlin helicopter on a training exercise at Colchester General Hospital damaged support poles holding up a covered walkway linking Gainsborough Ward with the main hospital building so badly it had to be taken down.  Cars in the car park – including a police vehicle – suffered broken windscreens.... Read more

BEP Systems helps Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance with Data Protection Compliance

BEP Systems helps Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance with Data Protection Compliance

19-Mar-2012Source: BEP Systems

BEP Systems have recently completed a Data Protection Audit for KSSAA to assist with their compliance to the Data Protection Act. Raising £5 million a year to keep their life saving ambulances flying is a full time occupation for the staff at the Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance (KSSAA), so they don’t really have time to... Read more

UK – New helicopter company at Shoreham

UK – New helicopter company at Shoreham

18-Mar-2012Source: Shoreham Airport

Advance Helicopters (www.advancehelicopters.com) is now approved and operating at Shoreham Airport, near Brighton. The new venture has been set up by James Morrey and Spencer Phillips, with aviation’s highly regarded Ian MacGregor, acting as a consultant and examiner for the new company. All three previously worked at FAST Helicopters, whose sudden demise, through no fault... Read more

Eurocopter renews certification of EC225 full-flight simulator in Scotland

Eurocopter renews certification of EC225 full-flight simulator in Scotland

16-Mar-2012Source: Eurocopter

The latest full-flight simulator in Eurocopter’s growing global training network has marked two key achievements as the Aberdeen, Scotland-based EC225 device accumulates more than 2,000 flight hours and passes the government-mandated recurrent evaluation that enables its use into 2013. This full-flight simulator – located at Eurocopter’s North Sea Service Center – provides high-fidelity training opportunities... Read more

UK helicopter fleet trains in “Pashtun Jaguar” exercise

UK helicopter fleet trains in “Pashtun Jaguar” exercise

14-Mar-2012Source: Flightglobal

Seventeen aircraft from the UK’s Joint Helicopter Command (JHC) are taking part in a major pre-deployment exercise on Salisbury Plain, Wiltshire, providing support for British land forces due to begin operations in Afghanistan during April. (see full story)... Read more

Heliair new base at Fairoaks launched

Heliair new base at Fairoaks launched

12-Mar-2012Source: HeliHub.com

Saturday 10th March saw Heliair launch their new base at Fairoaks, Surrey on the south west outskirts of London.  A popular airfield with an 800m hard runway, Fairoaks has long been known for training and charter work on both fixed and rotary wing, and is currently going through an evolution after the failure of Longmint... Read more

11-Mar-12 Newcastle, UK

11-Mar-12 Newcastle, UK

11-Mar-2012

Bottle thrown at rotor blades of helicopter, incurring damage.  Man arrested... Read more

Elite pilots eager to fly in Cabri helicopter

Elite pilots eager to fly in Cabri helicopter

8-Mar-2012Source: HeliHub.com

British Guimbal dealer, Cotswold Helicopter Centre, are taking their Cabri G2 to Goodwood this Saturday at an event hosted by operator Elite Helicopters.  At least 15 pilots, perhaps as many as 20, are expecting to have a flight in the Guimbal Cabri in the first such event in the UK.  Cotswold are expecting to repeat... Read more

Aero-Heli aims to land new business outside Northern Ireland

Aero-Heli aims to land new business outside Northern Ireland

8-Mar-2012Source: Invest NI

Invest Northern Ireland Chief Executive Alastair Hamilton has announced that Mid-Ulster-based Aero-Heli is being assisted to expand business in the Republic of Ireland and Great Britain. Speaking during a visit to the company, Hamilton said: “Our support is geared to the promotion of this entrepreneurial company in its two target markets by means of activities... Read more

FB Heliservices renews Defence Helicopter Flying School contract

FB Heliservices renews Defence Helicopter Flying School contract

6-Mar-2012Source: FB Heliservices

Cobham Aviation Services is delighted to confirm that FB Heliservices has announced it has been awarded a four (4) year contract plus two (2) possible one year extensions by the UK Ministry of Defence to continue to provide helicopter flying training at RAF Shawbury, RAF Valley and AAC Middle Wallop, together with support services at... Read more

UK’s first air ambulance to carry Blood on Board

UK’s first air ambulance to carry Blood on Board

6-Mar-2012Source: London’s Air Ambulance

Today, London’s Air Ambulance, will make history as the first air ambulance in the UK to carry blood on board its aircraft and cars. Every day in London, victims of major trauma are attended by London’s Air Ambulance. Many of these patients are suffering from catastrophic bleeding. Some die at the scene from blood loss... Read more

Bond Offshore Helicopters take on third AW139

Bond Offshore Helicopters take on third AW139

5-Mar-2012Source: HeliHub.com

Bond Offshore Helicopters have now registered their third AgustaWestland AW139 with the UK Civil Aviation Authority.  G-PERD will join the first pair G-PERA and G-PERB which were acquired in March and May of 2011.  The alphabetic sequence was broken due to G-PERC being currently allocated to a Cameron hot air balloon, and the UK CAA... Read more

Sloane Helicopters deliver another R66

Sloane Helicopters deliver another R66

5-Mar-2012Source: HeliHub.com

Sloane Helicopters are on the point of delivering another R66 to a UK customer, with last test flights being carried out last Friday, 2nd March.  The helicopter will be based at Gloucestershire  Airport in the west of England. This delivery marks the seventh R66 in the UK, with an eighth due soon via the Robinson... Read more

UK – Starspeed moves base from Blackbushe to Fairoaks

UK – Starspeed moves base from Blackbushe to Fairoaks

5-Mar-2012Source: HeliHub.com

British operator Starspeed is moving its base from Blackbushe to Fairoaks, nearly 15 miles closer to central London.  The company only offers twin-engined helicopters, and apart from a single Sikorsky S76C++ flies a fleet of around ten Eurocopters which it manages on behalf of their owners.  Some of these allow the company to charter them... Read more

UK – National Maritime Museum Cornwall takes delivery of Sea King

UK – National Maritime Museum Cornwall takes delivery of Sea King

28-Feb-2012Source: National Maritime Museum

National Maritime Museum Cornwall has just installed its biggest object to date as part of the forthcoming blockbuster Search & Rescue exhibition – a 70ft long, 16ft high, 6 tonne Sea King helicopter which had just 1½ inches of clearance through the Museum’s doors. National Maritime Museum Cornwall’s new Search & Rescue exhibition is just... Read more

Cabri returns to UK and prepares for sales tour

Cabri returns to UK and prepares for sales tour

27-Feb-2012Source: HeliHub.com

The Guimbal Cabri G2 first arrived in the UK just before Helitech, and generated a lot of attention.  Designer Bruno Guimbal flew in from France for the event, and the aircraft was presented by exclusive UK distributor Cotswold Helicopter Centre.  The Cabri is receiving increased interest from various countries, and the manufacturer has in recent... Read more

UK: New helipad opens at Tunbridge Wells Hospital

UK: New helipad opens at Tunbridge Wells Hospital

27-Feb-2012Source: Kent and Sussex Courier

Just steps away from the hospital’s Accident and Emergency department, it will knock vital minutes off the journey time for ill or injured patients being flown in for treatment. (see full story)... Read more

UK pilot achieves 10,000 Robinson R22 hours and counting

UK pilot achieves 10,000 Robinson R22 hours and counting

27-Feb-2012Source: Helicentre Aviation

Congratulations to Captain Geoff Day who cracked open the bubbly on reaching his 10,000th hour in the R22 today! 10,000 hours is an incredible number of flight hours to achieve, but we’re not talking total time, his grand total is now around 23,000 hours on helicopters! The flight took place this afternoon – an instructional... Read more

UK MoD report 2011 military SAR statistics

UK MoD report 2011 military SAR statistics

26-Feb-2012Source: UK MoD

HMS Gannet was the UK’s busiest Search and Rescue unit of 2011, while RAF Valley saved the most number of people, new government statistics show. During the past 12 months, the data from the Defence Analytical Services Agency shows that the personnel at HMS Gannet in Prestwick, Ayrshire, have responded to 298 call-outs, rescuing 240... Read more

UK – Heli Air add new base at Fairoaks

UK – Heli Air add new base at Fairoaks

24-Feb-2012Source: Heli Air

Fairoaks Airport is ideally located close to London and has a great reputation as one of the leading airfields for professional training for both civilian and military pilots. Fairoaks is in the enviable position of being a very friendly GA airfield with excellent facilities for helicopter flying and social events. Gary Savage is one of... Read more

Heli Air achieves IS-BAO (H) registration

Heli Air achieves IS-BAO (H) registration

24-Feb-2012Source: BHA

The British Helicopter Association has announced that one of its Members, Heli Air, has achieved IS-BAO registration. This is a world first for registration under the industry’s amended safety standard that now facilitates implementation by both fixed and rotary wing operations. Whilst specialising in the operation of smaller aircraft, Heli Air operates a fleet of... Read more

UK – North West Air Support gets confused by Twitter

UK – North West Air Support gets confused by Twitter

24-Feb-2012Source: HeliHub.com

North West Air Support group prepares for the impending NPAS National Police Air Service with a new Twitter account @NWCopter – complete with photo of Greater Manchester Police’s MD902, 159 followers, but no tweets yet.  We also notice similarly named accounts @GMCopter for the Greater Manchester Police- one test tweet 29th July 2011 @LancsCopter for... Read more

London Heliport acquired by aviation investors, not developers

London Heliport acquired by aviation investors, not developers

23-Feb-2012Source: Reuben Brothers

Ed…  Just when we sincerely hoped developers would not buy the site, while the new owners do indulge in property development, they have a significant financial commitment in the business aviation market, including London Oxford Airport and various other interests Reuben Brothers today announced the acquisition from Andrew Davis of the London Heliport in Battersea.... Read more

British air ambulance damaged by vandals

British air ambulance damaged by vandals

23-Feb-2012Source: BBC

Helicopter developed a fault, with crews being forced to leave it there overnight.  A security guard saw a number of youths running from the craft on Sunday and noticed a side window had been smashed (see full story)... Read more

London’s Air Ambulance Appointed Coutts Charity Partner of 2012

London’s Air Ambulance Appointed Coutts Charity Partner of 2012

22-Feb-2012Source: London’s Air Ambulance

Coutts’ Products, Services & Marketing Department has appointed London’s Air Ambulance as its Charity Partner for 2012. The charity was the outright winner, in a vote to all staff within the team, gaining 56% of the ballot. Coutts’ Charitable Foundation has donated an initial amount of £5,000 to kick start the fundraising and staff have... Read more

Royal Navy “impressed” by AW159 Lynx Wildcat

Royal Navy “impressed” by AW159 Lynx Wildcat

22-Feb-2012Source: Royal Navy

The groundwork for the Navy’s next-generation helicopter has been completed after 20 days of demanding trials for the state-of-the-art Wildcat aboard HMS Iron Duke. The Portsmouth-based frigate sought the most challenging weather conditions around the UK a she took the Wildcat – successor to the long-serving Lynx – to sea to help write the rulebook... Read more

UK – Gloucestershire Royal Hospital plans to reopen helipad

UK – Gloucestershire Royal Hospital plans to reopen helipad

21-Feb-2012

Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust needs to alter the site, in Great Western Road, after the recent construction of the multi-storey car park nearby meant helicopters could not fly low enough to land on the existing pad. Nearby trees and other buildings prevent the flight path being from any other direction. As a result the... Read more

UK – Sussex Police Authority wins better air support for residents

UK – Sussex Police Authority wins better air support for residents

21-Feb-2012Source: Sussex Police Authority

At their meeting on 16 February Sussex Police Authority celebrated a victory for the people of Sussex. The Authority, who had rejected a proposal for a National Police Air Service (NPAS) at a meeting last year, has succeeded in securing the best possible police air service for the people of Sussex. The original proposal would... Read more

21-Feb-12 ZJ202 Boeing AH-64D Tattingstone, UK

21-Feb-12 ZJ202 Boeing AH-64D Tattingstone, UK

21-Feb-2012

Emergency landing after hitting overhead power lines on night flight... Read more

Legal cases start on fatal UK A109 accident as inquest hears GPWS was switched off

Legal cases start on fatal UK A109 accident as inquest hears GPWS was switched off

20-Feb-2012Source: HeliHub.com

An inquest in Belfast into the fatal crash of an A109A, registered N2NR, heard today that the GPWS (Ground Proximity Warning System) was not switched on. A lawyer for the inquiry, Ronan Daly, told the inquest in Belfast that the GPWS “was not actually in use (and that) it was not the requirement for a... Read more

UK AAIB Bulletin – February 2012

UK AAIB Bulletin – February 2012

20-Feb-2012Source: AAIB

The monthly bulletin from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been released. This month’s issue covers the accidents of:- Agusta A109E (G-GCMM), tail rotor strike, Fiveways Trading Estate, Corsham, Wiltshire, 19 July 2011 Hughes 369E (G-KSWI), partial tail rotor control failure, Somerset, 19 June 2011 (1 serious injury)... Read more

20-Feb-12 G-NWAA Eurocopter EC135 Lancaster, UK

20-Feb-12 G-NWAA Eurocopter EC135 Lancaster, UK

19-Feb-2012

Window smashed by vandals after helicopter went AOG and had to be parked up overnight.  North West Air Ambulance have confirmed helicopter registration and date – note that the BBC are reporting the wrong date in their story... Read more

Air Engiadina orders Sikorsky S76D

Air Engiadina orders Sikorsky S76D

15-Feb-2012Source: Sikorsky

Sikorsky Aircraft, a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX), has received an order for one S-76Dâ„¢ helicopter from Swiss-based Air Engiadina. “We thank Air Engiadina for their confidence in Sikorsky Aircraft products,” said Alex Sharp, Sikorsky European Regional Sales Manager. “The S-76D helicopter will bring outstanding safety, reliability, proven performance and value.” Air Engiadina, as... Read more

South Yorkshire Police considers legal challenge over helicopter

South Yorkshire Police considers legal challenge over helicopter

15-Feb-2012Source: Yorkshire Post

South Yorkshire Police Authority’s chief executive Bill Wilkinson says they  “ considered in detail the business case provided last year and whilst not against the principle of a national police air service, decided to retain the current air provision in South Yorkshire.  Legal advice has also been sought surrounding the authority’s options to challenge the... Read more

Bond Aviation Group orders ten AW helicopters, plus options for five

Bond Aviation Group orders ten AW helicopters, plus options for five

14-Feb-2012Source: AgustaWestland

AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, and Bond Aviation Group, are pleased to announce that they have signed a Framework Agreement for 15 helicopters comprising ten firm orders and five options. The Framework Agreement, which includes AW169, AW139 and AW189 aircraft, was signed by James Drummond, Chief Executive Officer, Inaer Group, and Emilio Dalmasso, Senior VP Commercial... Read more

Bond Offshore Helicopters orders 16 Sikorsky S92s

Bond Offshore Helicopters orders 16 Sikorsky S92s

14-Feb-2012Source: Sikorsky

Sikorsky Aircraft today announced that Bond Aviation Group, the British helicopter operator and subsidiary company of the World Helicopters Group, has signed a contract to buy 16 S-92® helicopters. The purchase is the largest one-time acquisition of S-92 aircraft ever received by Sikorsky Aircraft, a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. “We are deeply honored by... Read more

Sloane Helicopters signs distribution agreement for GrandNew helicopters

Sloane Helicopters signs distribution agreement for GrandNew helicopters

13-Feb-2012Source: AgustaWestland

AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica Company, is pleased to announce that Sloane Helicopters Ltd of the United Kingdom has signed a multiyear distribution agreement covering a significant number of GrandNew light twin helicopters through to 2014. On signing the distribution agreement Sloane Helicopters has also signed a firm order for the first two helicopters. Sloane Helicopters has... Read more

20-Feb-12 G-SUEZ Agusta-Bell 206B Perth, UK

20-Feb-12 G-SUEZ Agusta-Bell 206B Perth, UK

12-Feb-2012

After suffering an engine failure at 600 ft agl the helicopter completed a successful autorotation into a field. The engine failure was a result of a fracture in fatigue of a stage-two compressor blade.... Read more

11-Feb-12 G-SRPH Robinson R44 Crossmaglen, UK

11-Feb-12 G-SRPH Robinson R44 Crossmaglen, UK

11-Feb-2012

Confined site with various small buildings in the immediate vicinity. As the helicopter lifted off, it yawed to the left but  the pilot over corrected. He then applied more collective in an attempt to escape from the situation but the helicopter yawed through about 180° and reached a height of about 25 to 30 ft,... Read more

Apache-flying Prince named best co-pilot gunner

Apache-flying Prince named best co-pilot gunner

9-Feb-2012Source: UK MoD

His Royal Highness Prince Harry, or Captain Wales as he is known in the Army, has been named best co-pilot gunner in his Apache training course. Captain Wales and his fellow trainees have now completed the Conversion to Role (CTR) course which involves 18 months of rigorous training on the Apache attack helicopter. During a... Read more

Yorkshire Air Ambulance one step closer to RAF Topcliffe move

Yorkshire Air Ambulance one step closer to RAF Topcliffe move

9-Feb-2012Source: Royal Air Force

The Yorkshire Air Ambulance took one step closer today to the move to their new premises at RAF Topcliffe. Currently based at Bagby Airfield, the Yorkshire Air Ambulance is due to relocate to RAF Topcliffe – which is parented by RAF Linton-on-Ouse – in the coming month. Today offered part of the Yorkshire Air Ambulance... Read more

CHC issue statement on UK SAR contract

CHC issue statement on UK SAR contract

8-Feb-2012Source: CHC

The following press release was released by CHC today, following publication of the UK Government press release. However, HeliHub.com was the first aviation press outlet in the world to release this story – five days ago – here. Nick Mair, regional vice president for Western North Sea at CHC Helicopter, was in London for the... Read more

Bristow announces new UK SAR contract

Bristow announces new UK SAR contract

8-Feb-2012Source: Bristow Group

The following press release was released by Bristow Group today, following publication of the UK Government press release. However, HeliHub.com was the first aviation press outlet in the world to release this story – five days ago – here. Bristow Group Inc. (NYSE: BRS), a leading provider of helicopter services to the offshore energy industry,... Read more

UK Government announces UK SAR contractors for 2013-2017

UK Government announces UK SAR contractors for 2013-2017

8-Feb-2012Source: UK Dept for Transport

The following press release was released by UK Government today. However, HeliHub.com was the first aviation press outlet in the world to release this story – five days ago – here. On 13 July 2011 the Department for Transport commenced a procurement competition for search and rescue helicopter services to replace the existing contracted Maritime... Read more

08-Feb-12 G-OJMF Enstrom 280FX Barton, UK

08-Feb-12 G-OJMF Enstrom 280FX Barton, UK

8-Feb-2012

In a run-on landing , the helicopter veered after landing and the tail rotor struck the ground.... Read more

British Sea King engineers catch Black Widow spider

British Sea King engineers catch Black Widow spider

6-Feb-2012Source: UK MoD

Royal Navy aircraft engineers got a shock recently when they started maintenance on a Sea King helicopter and came across a Black Widow spider inside. Petty Officer (PO) Alex ‘Scotty’ Scott and Chief Petty Officer (CPO) Daryl ‘Daz’ Prichard, from 845 Naval Air Squadron based at Royal Naval Air Station (RNAS) Yeovilton, were about to... Read more

Helicopter base to welcome Olympic Flame into UK

Helicopter base to welcome Olympic Flame into UK

6-Feb-2012Source: UK MoD

The London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) today announced that the Olympic Flame will arrive in the UK at Royal Naval Air Station (RNAS) Culdrose in Cornwall on 18 May 2012. In addition to being close to the start point of the Torch Relay at Land’s End, the arrival of the... Read more

Ashmore Group’s Coombs to bid for London (Battersea) Heliport

Ashmore Group’s Coombs to bid for London (Battersea) Heliport

6-Feb-2012Source: HeliHub.com

The Sunday Times reports that Mark Coombs, CEO of investment manager Ashmore Group plc, is reported as ready to bid for the London Heliport, aka Battersea Heliport.  Coombs is said to be in talks with current owner Andrew Davis, who was forced to hand his Von Essen Hotels group over to its bankers after the... Read more

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