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
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
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 Registerâ€, the... Read more
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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-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-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
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-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
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
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
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
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
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-2012
Bottle thrown at rotor blades of helicopter, incurring damage. Man arrested... Read more
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
23-Feb-2012Source: Reuben Brothers
Ed…Â 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
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
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
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
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
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-2012
Emergency landing after hitting overhead power lines on night flight... Read more
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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-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
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
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
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
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
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
8-Feb-2012
In a run-on landing , the helicopter veered after landing and the tail rotor struck the ground.... Read more
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
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
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