28-Sep-2011Source: PremiAir
PremiAir will participate at Helitech, the largest dedicated helicopter exhibition in Europe this week (September 27-29) Stand 812. Group Managing Director, David McRobert will be part of the senior management team showcasing PremiAir’s full range of services, comprising aircraft management, charter, maintenance and engineering, police air support and advanced pilot training. PremiAir Global, the company’s... Read more
27-Sep-2011Source: Turbomeca
At Helitech 2011, Turbomeca (Safran group) and its British site, Turbomeca UK, promote an increasing influence in the UK market. The company displays mock-ups of the Arrius and Arriel gas turbines, as well as a 3D presentation of the latest generation Ardiden 3. The UK is a major market for Turbomeca with sales to the Ministry of... Read more
26-Sep-2011Source: Royal Navy
Royal Navy personnel, who by using Sea King Airborne Surveillance and Control helicopters helped Army Air Corps (AAC) Apache helicopter launch strikes against Gaddafi’s forces in Libya, have returned home from operations. Nearly 50 members of 857 Naval Air Squadron touched down at Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose in Cornwall on Friday, 23 September 2011,... Read more
26-Sep-2011Source: Eurocopter
Eurocopter’s strong presence in the UK multi-mission helicopter marketplace will be demonstrated at the Helitech 2011 show and conference, which is to include this event’s first appearance of the EC145 T2 – the company’s new generation version of its workhorse twin-engine EC145. During the September 27-29 Helitech show at Duxford Airport, the EC145 T2 will... Read more
26-Sep-2011Source: HeliHub.com
The British speak a lot about the weather, and there are good reasons for that – it’s so unpredictable here in the UK. There are generally two “cells†of weather between the equator and the North Pole, and the gap between the two cells falls at similar latitudes to the UK. While that gap can... Read more
25-Sep-2011Source: EADT
Staff at Wattisham, which services the UK’s fleet of Apache helicopters which are currently on operations in Libya and Afghanistan, have overwhelmingly voted to accept the new deal from their employers, Morson Wynnwith. (Full story)... Read more
25-Sep-2011Source: HeliHub.com
In a move which could destabilise the plans to coordinate airborne law enforcement in the UK, South Yorkshire Police has this week opted out of the National Police Air Support (NPAS) plans. With every police force thought to have signed up for NPAS, some rather reluctantly it has to be said, very few in the... Read more
23-Sep-2011Source: HeliHub.com
A newly produced AgustaWestland GrandNew – serial 22236 – has been registered as G-SGRP yesterday. The helicopter will replace an earlier A109E Power G-STGR which has been noted regularly in the sales pages in recent months. G-SGRP will be based at Carlisle Airport, one of two owned by the group, and operated in the executive... Read more
23-Sep-2011Source: HeliHub.com
It has been announced that British operator Bond Air Services is building a new facility on Inverness Airport Business Park, and is expecting to open its doors in November. It will then provide the base for two Eurocopter EC135s, one for the Scottish Ambulance Service, and the other for the Northern Lighthouse Board. The Scottish... Read more
22-Sep-2011Source: HeliHub.com
The subject of the planning application for the future of Penzance Heliport was put back at today’s meeting of the Strategic Planning Committee of Cornwall Council. It is not known whether this item will be scheduled for their next meeting on 20th October, or an additional meeting on 6th October which has been convened at... Read more
22-Sep-2011Source: Bristow Helicopters
Bristow Helicopters Ltd. today announced that it will exhibit at Helitech 2011, Europe’s largest helicopter exhibition, at the Imperial War Museum in Duxford, near Cambridge in the United Kingdom, from September 27-29. Bristow will cohost Chalet #9 with Bristow Group affiliate FB Heliservices Limited. Bristow representatives will present Bristow’s offshore helicopter services to prospective customers... Read more
22-Sep-2011Source: Sloane Helicopters
Sloane Helicopters is delighted to be exhibiting at the largest European helicopter show, Helitech 2011, Duxford, from Tuesday 27th to Thursday 29th September 2011. In our capacity as the UK and Ireland distributor and Customer Service Centre for Agusta and Robinson helicopters, we will be presenting a range of aviation products and services including the... Read more
21-Sep-2011Source: Elite Helicopters
The latest addition to our fleet of Agusta A109’s is G-WOFM, an A109E model, bringing the Company fleet up to a size of 5 aircraft of this type. Currently based at Oxford, the addition of G-WOFM gives us the ability to quote competitively for much of the South of England.... Read more
20-Sep-2011Source: Helitech
An impressive diversity of rotary wing companies are exhibiting at Helitech for the first time this year – showcasing everything from remote controlled landing pads and aircrew flying helmets to helicopter interiors refurbishment and night vision systems. Thirty eight first time exhibitors will make their debut at Helitech 2011, which is being held from 27-29... Read more
20-Sep-2011Source: Royal Navy
The Culdrose-based squadron can rightly call itself ‘the best of the best’ after bagging all four major naval aviation trophies for its global deeds over the past 12 months. 820 – motto tutamen et ultor, safeguard and avenger – has been at the forefront of the fight against the scourge of piracy, smuggling, drug trafficking and... Read more
19-Sep-2011Source: HeliHub.com
The first Cabri G2 from French manufacturer Guimbal is in flight test and on schedule to arrive in the UK late next week in time for Helitech. Serial 1028 is painted dark Concord Blue metallic with silver grey skids and a beige leather interior, and will take up British registration G-UIMB in due course. Handover... Read more
18-Sep-2011Source: 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
16-Sep-2011Source: AAIB
The monthly bulletin from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been released. This month’s issue covers the accidents of:- Sikorsky S-92A G-IACC at Scatsa on 30th March 2011 EC120B Colibri, G-FEDA at Redhill on 4th June 2011... Read more
16-Sep-2011Source: Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust
Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust is delighted to announce that its planning application to vary the flight restrictions on the helipad at Queen Alexandra Hospital has been approved. The Trust sought permission from Portsmouth City Council to vary the flight restrictions on the helipad to meet the changing, and future, health needs of patients in Portsmouth... Read more
16-Sep-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Penzance Town Council has voted by 7 to 6 in favour of the plans submitted to redevelop the site as a Sainbury’s supermarket as well as a petrol station, car park, park-and-ride scheme and other business units. The debate lasted almost two hours as town councillors discussed the plan. Arguments against the plan focused on... Read more
16-Sep-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Essex Police, operating a Eurocopter EC135T2+ across the UK county of Essex, have recently joined Twitter. In a growing trend among UK emergency services – both air ambulance and law enforcement – one by one all units are launching their presence on Twitter and keeping their residents updated with the tasks they are doing. One... Read more
16-Sep-2011Source: HeliHub.com
The British operator Great Western Air Ambulance Service has confirmed that it will remain at Filton, near Bristol, despite the sale of its current airfield home as it is no longer viable to owners BAE Systems. The Chief Executive of BAE, Ian King, has told GWAA that they will ensure that its home will remain... Read more
14-Sep-2011Source: Royal Navy
A Lynx helicopter flight commander embarked on Type 45 destroyer HMS Daring has achieved 6,000 hours of helicopter flight. Fleet Air Arm Lieutenant Commander Joe Harper clocked up his six-thousandth helicopter flying hour whilst taking off at night from HMS Daring’s flight deck. The 6,000 hours have been achieved during 32 years of constant service... Read more
14-Sep-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Mornington Sanford Aviation have recently received EASA Part 147 Approval to conduct Robinson R66 differences courses for those engineers who already have the R22/R44 types on their licences. Additionally, the company is soon to set up an EASA Approved Part 147 training school in Kuala Lumpur for the R22, R44 with Lycoming engine and the... Read more
14-Sep-2011Source: QinetiQ
Faced with lean budgets and an increasingly complex and dangerous defence and security environment, the UK urgently needs to be able to continue to produce clever, robust solutions for less money. One such area where an innovative, affordable solution may one day unseat more expensive technology programmes falls within the Royal Navy’s ability to provide... Read more
12-Sep-2011Source: BBC
The Wiltshire Air Ambulance was stopped from taking a dying man to hospital after laser pens were shone at the pilot as he tried to land. The man later died on the way to hospital in a road ambulance, although there are no details on the medical state of the patient to know whether or... Read more
12-Sep-2011Source: Onboard Systems
Onboard Systems International, Inc., a leading provider of innovative helicopter cargo hook equipment, announced that its Part 145 Repair Station has recently been certified by EASA to issue FAA Form 8130-3 Dual Release Certificates for service, repair and overhaul work. “This is something that our European customers have wanted for a long time,” said Karsten... Read more
11-Sep-2011Source: The Helicopter Museum
A very unusual donation has been made to The Helicopter Museum by UK housing developer, Barratts which in the past used helicopters as part of its television advertising to sell new homes nationwide. The first UK house builder to use TV advertising, Barratt Homes commissioned the advertising in 1977, initially using a Bell JetRanger and... Read more
11-Sep-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Everjets, part of clothing company Ricon Group, has recently bought Dauphin G-DPHN. It was previously operated in the UK by Starspeed for a Surrey-based owner who had upgraded from a Twin Squirrel. The Dauphin currently remains on the Britsh “G” register. Everjets is a startup operator whose name appeared in May of this year at... Read more
9-Sep-2011Source: North West Air Ambulance
The North West Air Ambulance Charity is proud to announce the appointment of Darryl Cooke as their new Chairman of the board. Darryl has been involved with the North West Air Ambulance Charity for over 3 years and is a strong advocate of all its functions. As chairman of the board he will be responsible... Read more
8-Sep-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Devon and Cornwall Police, together with Devon Air Ambulance, are to move their joint base to Exeter Airport. Currently based on the Police HQ at Middlemoor, only a couple of miles away, the change of location is expected to bring the Police a windfall of millions of pounds through the redevelopment of the current site.... Read more
8-Sep-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Noble Foods have just registered a factory-new AW109E Power as G-ZIPE, replacing a 2006 model which was sold to Brazil earlier this year. G-ZIPE is serial number 11798. The helicopter will be operated by Premair Aviation, who also handle the company’s Hawker 750 jet G-ZIPR. Noble Foods bought the jet in 2009 on the registration... Read more
7-Sep-2011Source: The Star
South Yorkshire is to lose its own dedicated police helicopter, it has been announced. The county will be served by helicopters based in West Yorkshire, Derbyshire and Humberside instead, with effect from January 2013 (full story)... Read more
7-Sep-2011Source: Unite
6 September 2011 – Engineers at Wattisham airbase in Suffolk, servicing Apache helicopters in Afghanistan, are set to take industrial action tomorrow (Wednesday 7 September) in their pay differential dispute that means that many are about £3,000-a-year worse off. Unite, which represents more than 100 employees working for Morson Wynnwith at Wattisham, was scheduled to... Read more
7-Sep-2011Source: Elite Helicopters
Every two years the helicopter industry gathers at Duxford Aerodrome for the Helitech Exhibition, viewing the latest aircraft and hearing the latest industry news. Once again, we are delighted to be working with the exhibition organisers, Reed Exhibitions, to co-ordinate aircraft and passenger handling for the duration of the event, from Tuesday 27 to Thursday... Read more
7-Sep-2011Source: Turbomeca
As of October 1, Frédéric Fourciangue was appointed CEO of Turbomeca UK, replacing Christian Hamel , called to other functions within the Safran group. Frédéric Fourciangue SUPAERO graduated. In 1998 he began his career at Dassault Aviation in the general direction of military support: he was project manager MCO contracts and new customer services until... Read more
7-Sep-2011Source: The Helicopter Show
The Helicopter Show Ltd is pleased to announce its move to a new, purpose-built international exhibition venue with unparalleled exhibit, flying and hospitality facilities. When we first began planning The Helicopter Show (THS 12), Farnborough’s long association with the aerospace industry made it appear an obvious venue. However, after consulting with our customers and our... Read more
7-Sep-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Great Britain has, over the years, been instrumental in many of the world’s key inventions – the internet, jet engines, hovercraft, radio, television, steam locomotive, the flush toilet, the iPod and so the list goes on. The country also hosted the world’s first Grand Prix in 1907, when the first banked track was completed at... Read more
6-Sep-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Significant effort has been put into promoting the Hermes Edition of the Eurocopter EC135. Eurocopter aimed this project at the high-end corporate market where they partnered with the French couture house to come up with a distinctive design, mainly in the aircraft’s interior – see below. Some external features were also added, particularly the skid... Read more
6-Sep-2011Source: Helitech
Emergency response networks around the world rely on the speed and effectiveness with which helicopters can be deployed for a variety of tasks. With this in mind, rotary wing ‘Blue Light’ operations will be discussed on Thursday 29 September at the Helitech Conference. The keynote speech will be given by Alex Marshall, Hampshire Constabulary’s Chief... Read more
1-Sep-2011Source: Helitech
This year Helitech is celebrating 25 years of supporting the rotary industry. To mark this special occasion we want to look back on highlights from across the industry, since the show began in 1986, and create a retrospective to display at Helitech 2011 from the images we collect. To be a part of this all... Read more
1-Sep-2011Source: Royal Navy
A helicopter pilot based at HMS Gannet in Prestwick – the UK’s busiest helicopter search and rescue unit – has become one of the Royal Navy’s most experienced flyers. For Lieutenant Commander Roger Stringer (49), who lives in Mauchline near Ayr in Scotland, completed his 7000th flying hour at the controls of a Sea King... Read more
1-Sep-2011
Emergency floats deployed without being commanded to while en route North Denes to Leman rig. Aircraft turned back.... Read more
30-Aug-2011Source: Helicopter Museum
On 24th September, as part of Spotters Weekend, David Gibbings will be giving a daytime lecture at 11am in the Museums Lecture Room entitled THE EVOLUTION OF THE BRITISH HELICOPTER INDUSTRY including a section on the speed record and G-LYNX. There is no additional charge for the lecture, only standard museum entrance with free entry... Read more
30-Aug-2011Source: Helicentre Aviation
To celebrate our 10 Year Anniversary, Helicentre Aviation will be holding an Open Day on Saturday 10th September for all to enjoy!REGISTER HERE! We’ve really settled in to Leicester Airport since our relocation from Coventry in January last year and would like to extend an invitation to everyone to come along to help us celebrate... Read more
29-Aug-2011Source: STV
The helipad has been branded “almost useless” after it was revealed two-thirds of emergency flights are unable to land there. The National Health Service said that locating the pad to the rear of the hospital was the only option open at the time of construction, and they are planning a replacement which could be available... Read more
29-Aug-2011Source: HeliHub.com
UK Robinson dealer Sloane Helicopters has recently delivered the third R66 into the UK market. Serial #0031 has been handed over to a private owner in the North East of England, who will continue to operate it on the FAA registration N4478K until EASA certification is achieved by Robinson Helicopter Co in Torrance. At that... Read more
26-Aug-2011
A Great Western Air Ambulance (GWAA) employee has said relocating from an airfield that is due to close will have a “substantial impact” on services. The service is based at Filton airport near Bristol, which is to close from the end of 2012 following a review of its commercial and economic viability. (see story)... Read more
26-Aug-2011Source: Rotormotion
London Executive Aviation (LEA), one of Europe’s largest business jet charter operators, and top helicopter charter business RotorMotion are together celebrating the success of the inaugural ‘Aviation Polo Challenge’. In a closely fought pro-am match, including three Argentinean professional players, a late goal from the RotorMotion team secured a 6-5 win over LEA. Everyone agreed,... Read more
25-Aug-2011Source: Zetron
A mission-critical communications control system from Zetron has been deployed by Bristow Helicopters’ North Sea oil and gas operation in a bid to help achieve a demanding world-wide quality target – and it is already paying dividends. The Zetron DCS-5020 Digital Console, installed at Bristow’s Aberdeen logistics control room, enables three controllers to coordinate some... Read more
24-Aug-2011Source: Helitech
Helitech has formed its first Steering Committee to help ensure that the event continues to reflect the needs and aspirations of the rotary-wing industry in future years. With the event celebrating its 25th year of supporting the rotary wing arena this year, the aim is to continue to shape Helitech to meet the requirements of... Read more
23-Aug-2011Source: Unite
Engineers at Wattisham airbase in Suffolk, servicing Apache helicopters in Afghanistan, are set to take strike action over a pay differential dispute that means that many are about £3,000-a-year worse off. More than 100 Unite members employed by Morson Wynnwith at Wattisham – Prince Harry’s home base – have voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike... Read more
23-Aug-2011Source: AAIB
The monthly bulletin from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been released. This month’s issue covers the accidents of:- Robinson R44 Raven, G-GDOV – 16 May 2011 – Chagford, Devon... Read more
23-Aug-2011Source: Bristow Helicopters
Bristow Helicopters Ltd (Bristow) has appointed David Laskowski to oversee its operations in the busy northern North Sea energy sector. Based in Aberdeen, Scotland, Laskowski will serve as Development Manager responsible for day-to-day management of up to 250,000 passenger movements annually through the Integrated Aviation Consortium (IAC) contract. He will play a key role in... Read more
22-Aug-2011Source: Boeing
Boeing [NYSE: BA] has received a $1.64 billion (£1 billion) contract from the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) to provide 14 new CH-47 Chinook helicopters and associated support for the first five years to the Royal Air Force (RAF). The new-build CH-47 Mark (Mk)-6 Chinooks are part of the MOD’s Strategic Helicopter Vision to modernize... Read more
22-Aug-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Bristow Helicopters has recently begun using the TCAS2 traffic collision avoidance system on one of its seven North Sea based S92s on a flight from Scatsa to an offshore rig. All seven of its UK Sikorsky S92 fleet – six based at Scatsa and one at Aberdeen – are expected to have the system installed... Read more
21-Aug-2011Source: Yorkshire Air Ambulance
Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) has awarded its new contract for maintenance of their helicopters to Yorkshire based aviation management company, Multiflight. The contract, which will commence on 20th August, will see Multiflight take control of all the maintenance of the two MD902 Explorer helicopters the YAA operate. Ironically, the YAA has been based on Multiflight’s... Read more
18-Aug-2011Source: London’s Air Ambulance
Dr. David Lockey, London’s Air Ambulance Consultant & Trustee and Research & Development lead, was made Honorary Professor of Trauma and Prehospital Emergency Medicine by the University of Bristol. This is believed to be the only Professorial appointment in the UK in the new medical speciality of Prehospital Emergency Medicine. The General Medical Council have... Read more
18-Aug-2011Source: Helicopter Museum
The Helicopter Museum at Weston-super-Mare has successfully completed a £387,000 project under a Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) programme to upgrade its conservation and educational facilities and introduce new skills training. The four year programme has seen the construction and fit out of a humidity controlled library and archive centre and adjacent film/lecture theatre, as well... Read more
17-Aug-2011Source: CAA
The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has announced a new joint initiative with industry to produce a set of standardised Flight Data Monitoring (FDM) safety measures. FDM aims to improve safety through an analysis of information downloaded from an aircraft’s on-board computer at the end of every flight. This information can be used to identify... Read more
17-Aug-2011Source: London's Air Ambulance
We were delighted to host a visit for His Excellency, Kim Traavik, The Norwegian Ambassador for London, in July. He was joined by Steinar Sørlie, General Secretary of the Norwegian Air Ambulance and former Minister, and Professor Hans Morten Lossius, Research and Development Director of the Norwegian Air Ambulance. The visit was arranged to hear... Read more
17-Aug-2011Source: Daisychain Benevolent Fund
Some of the staff and volunteers from the Worcester and Malvern shops went to the Midlands Air Ambulance valuation day to present a cheque for over £97,000. Henry Sandon was present at the event and even valued some of the more unusual donations that had been kindly donated. We also got to see a real... Read more
12-Aug-2011
A small helicopter, believed to be connected to the Airbourne event at Eastbourne, has made an emergency landing near Beachy Head. It is believed that the pilot sent out a Mayday message having suffered a bird strike. Given the event link, this was either a Navy Lynx from the Black Cats team, or a helicopter... Read more
11-Aug-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Stobart Group has tabled £40 million plans for a huge warehousing and office complex in Cheshire.  The scheme at Widnes Freight Park involves three sheds of 850,000sq ft, 300,000sq ft and 210,000sq ft, a biomass plant and a 12-storey office block with rooftop helicopter pad. The company is one of the UK’s major corporate helicopter... Read more
10-Aug-2011Source: EDP24
SaxonAir’s fleet of private jets and VIP helicopters now occupy one of the hangars with staff located in its associated offices. The ground floor facilities include the main reception desk, VIP lounge, flight crew rest room, training facilities, conference room and offshore passenger handling facilities. (Full story)... Read more
10-Aug-2011Source: Indra
Indra, the premier IT Company in Spain and a leading IT multinational in Europe, after being selected as a result of a competitive process, is pleased to announce their partnership with AgustaWestland for the design and development of the Aircrew Training Equipment (ATE) the British Ministry of Defence will use to train pilots of the... Read more
9-Aug-2011
The long held ambition will soon be realised after Great Western Ambulance Service (GWAS) agreed last week to relinquish its sole trusteeship of the appeal. GWAS had been criticised by air ambulance campaigners for being the sole trustee of the appeal. (Full story)... Read more
9-Aug-2011
Footage released of rioter pointing gun at helicopter... Read more
8-Aug-2011Source: HeliHub.com
East Anglian Air Ambulance “EAAA” have had a rough time in recent months, starting with their previous vendor Sterling Helicopters losing their operating certificate after internal procedural irregularities (see story). Sterling owned and operated the two Eurocopter BK117s that EAAA used, and thus the air ambulancd charity without a ride. Within a couple of weeks,... Read more
8-Aug-2011Source: Scilly Today
British International Helicopters intends moving their helicopter base from Penzance to a site within walking distance of the St Erth railway station. The plans will be put on public display 18-19th August and are expected to go before planners in September (Full story)... Read more
8-Aug-2011Source: BBC
Accountancy firm PKF has been appointed as liquidator after creditors Toby Blackwell Limited and the EAAA have applied to court. (Full story)... Read more
5-Aug-2011Source: HeliHub.com
In recent months we have charted the lack of progress of helicopter operations by the Longmint Group, particularly focusing on Sterling Helicopters. In one article, we noted that a private company Toby Blackwell Ltd had commenced legal proceedings against Sterling Helicopters, noting that they had bought three JetRangers from Sterling and then opened a leaseback... Read more
5-Aug-2011Source: AAIB
The monthly bulletin from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been released. This month’s issue covers the accidents of:- Bell 206L-4 Longranger IV, G-PTOO – 03 March 2011 – London City Airport... Read more
3-Aug-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Helicopter pilots from the Netherlands have picked up multiple awards in British air displays this month. At the Royal International Air Tattoo, held at Fairford, the Apache team won “Best overseas flying dipsplay”. The Dutch military also entered a Chinook in the Concours d’Elegance event, where an international jury awarded the title of Overall Winner... Read more
3-Aug-2011Source: HeliHub.com
The Waypoint AirMed & Rescue conference, airshow and exhibition that was due to take place in September has been rescheduled to May 2012. The venue remains unchanged as London Oxford Airport, UK. The official line from Ian Cameron, event chairman and Waypoint magazine editor-in-chief, is: “We want the event to be the best we can... Read more
