18-Mar-2011Source: Cornwall Air Ambulance
Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust has been awarded almost £1 million of ERDF (European Regional Development Fund) Convergence investment to build a new base for the charity and its helicopter at Newquay Cornwall Airport. The investment amounts to £949,760 from ERDF Convergence with further costs for the capital project to be matched by reserved charitable funds... Read more
16-Mar-2011Source: PremiAir
PremiAir, the award winning UK-based aviation services company, has appointed Mike Preston as Director of Engineering & Maintenance. The appointment is effective immediately, with Mike taking responsibility for fixed-wing and rotary maintenance at the Group’s Oxford, Biggin Hill and Blackbushe facilities. Mike has more than 35 years’ professional experience in the aircraft maintenance and engineering... Read more
15-Mar-2011Source: MD Helicopters
[Editor note – This is one in a long series MD Helicopters puts out every time this airframe passes the next 1000 figure – see here] Aircraft Number 078 Surpasses All Other MD Explorers in the Fleet MESA, AZ, March 6, 2011 – MD Helicopters, Inc (MDHI), a leading manufacturer of commercial and military helicopters,... Read more
14-Mar-2011Source: HeliHub.com
The second Robinson R66 is flying in Europe, serial 0017, arrived last week with Sloane Helicopters and is now flying after the usual uncrating and airtesting. It is appropriately registered N66UK and is painted dark blue in common with their corporate colours and their past landmark aircraft – both the 1000th R22 as G-OSHL and... Read more
14-Mar-2011Source: AC&S
AC&S Ltd, an aerospace consulting and services company based in the north west of England have received an order from the Metropolitan Police for a number of mission computer and symbol generators for use in their EC145 helicopters. The Mission Computer and Symbol Generator (MCSG) is an extensible mini PC for use in non-essential airborne... Read more
14-Mar-2011Source: NatWest
Wiltshire Air Ambulance paramedic, Bruce Jarvis, paid a flying visit to NatWest’s Chippenham branch today to collect £3000, after the charity was announced as the winner of a NatWest Community Fund award In August NatWest launched a new fund, as part of its customer charter, to support local charities and projects, and invited customers and... Read more
14-Mar-2011
Emergency landing in market square. See also second link where pilot falls foul of the CAA and gets fined for this incident... Read more
12-Mar-2011Source: CAA
The Civil Avaition Authority in the UK issued their latest update on charges for registering aircraft, valid from 1 April 2011 until at least 31 March 2012. Charge for the registration of a balloon, unpowered glider, microlight, small light aircraft, or any other aircraft having a maximum weight not exceeding 15,000kg. £62 Charge for the... Read more
12-Mar-2011Source: Royal Navy
Against particularly strong competition, the 2009/10 winner of the Rolls Royce engineering efficiency trophy has been given to the Navy Command Sea King Helicopter Force based at Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose. Unusually this year, the highly coveted Trophy has been awarded to the whole Force rather than to an individual unit, in acknowledgement of... Read more
11-Mar-2011Source: HeliHub.com
The UK CAA this week visited Shobdon airfield and were so alarmed by what they found that they issued a NOTAM there and then, closing the airfield. However, exactly why such this action was taken is not yet known, although it has been the subject of plenty of speculation on the Flyer forum frequented by... Read more
11-Mar-2011Source: Helicopter Museum
The in Weston-super-Mare has announced the theme of this years ‘Museums At Night’ event at the famous aviation attraction and the theme this year is ‘The Vietnam Conflict’. During the weekend of May 14th and 15th, visitors to the museum will be able to meet G. I’s in authentic period uniform care of several local... Read more
11-Mar-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
10-Mar-2011Source: AAIB
The monthly bulletin from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been released. This month’s issue covers the accidents of:- Schweizer 269C-1, G-CEAW on 22 May 2010 at Liverpool Airport, Merseyside Schweizer 269C-1, G-LINX Correction on 22 September 2009 at East bank of River Wyre, near Stalmine, Lancashire... Read more
10-Mar-2011Source: Army Air Corps
Prince Harry, Lt Wales, has been awarded his Flying Wings following completion of the eight-month Army Pilot Course with the Army Aviation centre (AACen) at Middle Wallop. His wings were presented to him by his father HRH the Prince of Wales, Colonel in Chief of the Army Air Corps, at the Museum of Army Flying... Read more
10-Mar-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Britain’s Bond Air Services has placed orders for eight Eurocopter EC135 T2e enhanced versions. This new model take the maximum takeoff weight of up to 2,950 kg and offers a 40-kg. gain in payload and allowing an extra passenger to be carried with a load margin extension from its previous weight rating. Currently, Bond Air... Read more
9-Mar-2011Source: Turbomeca
British oil & gas helicopter support operator Bond Offshore Helicopters signed a new Support-by-the-Hour® contract with Turbomeca UK for their four new AS365N3 Dauphins, powered by the Arriel engine. The helicopters’ Arriel 2C turbines will be maintained by Turbomeca UK which supports nearly 700 engines powering British and Irish-owned customers’ helicopters. Two of the new... Read more
8-Mar-2011Source: AgustaWestland
AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce that it has signed a contract with the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) to design and develop an integrated training solution which includes the building and equipping of a new modern training centre for the AW159 Lynx Wildcat helicopter. The state-of-the-art training centre will be located at... Read more
8-Mar-2011Source: East Anglian Air Ambulance
The East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA) can confirm it has terminated its contract with Sterling Aviation with immediate effect. The charity will continue to operate two helicopters across the four counties it serves and these will be provided by Bond Air Services on an interim basis until a new contract has been awarded. Steve Whitby,... Read more
8-Mar-2011
Authorities were alerted after the non-arrival of a helicopter due from a short flight in Cumbria. Local press reports give the owner/pilot’s name as Mark Weir.... Read more
7-Mar-2011Source: CAA
Planned airspace security restrictions covering the London Olympic and Paralympic Games for 2012 were announced today by the UK Government, as part of its commitment to deliver a safe and secure Games. The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), air traffic control provider, NATS, and the Ministry of Defence (MoD), will now work with the aviation... Read more
7-Mar-2011Source: BBA Aviation
H+S Aviation, a BBA Aviation Engine Repair and Overhaul (ERO) group company, received EASA certification for its PT6T test cell in January, 2011. H+S Aviation is authorized by Pratt & Whitney Canada as a Distributor and Designated Overhaul Facility (DDOF) for the PT6T Twin-Pac®. The addition of EASA test cell approval means H+S Aviation is... Read more
6-Mar-2011Source: HeliHub.com
The biannual Helitech show in the UK now has competition rather closer to home than they would like. Having sold out the Helitech show to Reed Exhibitions, most of the original team are behind “The Helicopter Show 2012” which will be hosted at Farnborough in September 2012. With the UK version of Helitech in September... Read more
6-Mar-2011Source: HeliHub.com
In a somewhat bizarre accident, Westland Wasp G-BZPP was written off Saturday at Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton in the UK. The helicopter was hovering at low level when it was hit from behind by a taxying fixed wing Starduster aircraft. It was one of the very last airworthy Wasps remaining in the world HeliHub.com... Read more
6-Mar-2011
Escalating oil prices are putting South West air ambulances under increasing pressure and could cost lives as aviation fuel costs hit the half-million pound mark for the first time. Both operators fly the EC135, with Cornwall having one and Devon two.... Read more
5-Mar-2011
Helicopter was hovertaxying when it was hit from behind hy a Starduster fixed wing aircraft. All occupants from both aircraft are OK... Read more
4-Mar-2011Source: CAE
CAE and CHC Helicopter, a global leader in helicopter services, announced today, at the eve of Heli-Expo 2011, the closing of the acquisition by CAE of CHC Helicopter’s helicopter flight training operations. They also announced the execution of the agreement that will see CAE become CHC’s long-term training partner, responsible for training more than 2,000... Read more
4-Mar-2011Source: HeliHub.com
On 7th July 2005, the city of London was rocked by a series of terrorist blasts during the morning rush hour, targetting three underground trains and one iconic red London bus. A total of 56 people died, including four suicide bombers. There is currently an inquest in London into the tragic events of that day. ... Read more
3-Mar-2011Source: East Anglian Air Ambulance
Supporters of one of the region’s largest charities now have a new way to help save lives across Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Suffolk. The East Anglian Air Ambulance has launched a text-to-donate number making it simple for people to donate just a small amount of money to the charity wherever they are. Supporters can now... Read more
3-Mar-2011
Flights suspended from London City Airport after Bell JetRanger made emergency landing there and blocked the runway... Read more
2-Mar-2011Source: Bond Air Services
Bond Air Services and the Wales Air Ambulance today celebrated 10 years of working together at the Charity’s birthday celebrations at Magram Park near Neath. The Wales Air Ambulance flew its first mission on the 1st March 2001 following the introduction of the charities first Bo105DBS twin engine helicopter. However, since that date the services... Read more
1-Mar-2011Source: BBC
Kent Air Ambulance has received a cheque thanks to a style of fundraising widely used in New Zealand.... Read more
22-Feb-2011Source: HeilHub.com
HeliHub.com can confirm that the CAA have today (Tuesday 22nd February) taken the step to suspend the Air Operations Certificate of Sterling Aviation. Richard Taylor of the CAA has confirmed this fact to HeliHub.com in the last hour. Various issues have led to this move, which can be reviewed in the following recent stories on... Read more
21-Feb-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Alan Mann Helicopters had their AOC (Air Operations Certificate) reinstated on 2nd February 2011 according to CAA spokesman Richard Taylor today. The company had its AOC revoked by the CAA on 14 July 2010 after some key personnel left the company and they were unable to meet the CAA’s requirements – in terms of named... Read more
21-Feb-2011Source: HeliHub.com
HeliHub.com has been looking at the public-accessable company records of UK operator Heliair, in particular the shareholdings in the company. The Financial Accounts for the year to 31 March 2010 stated that the only directors holding shares in the company at the end of that period were Mr C E W Peel – 2,233,700 shares... Read more
21-Feb-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Following the press release put out by East Anglian Air Ambulance, HeliHub.com made further enquiries into the wider implications of what this EMS operator has publically stated, in particular their statement that “the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) temporarily suspended the Air Operators Certificate (AOC) of Norwich-based firm Sterling Aviation”. On speaking with Richard Taylor of... Read more
21-Feb-2011Source: East Anglian Air Ambulance
The NHS Ambulance Trust has praised the ‘remarkable speed’ in which the East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA) solved a potentially difficult air operations issue this weekend. Late on Friday afternoon the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) temporarily suspended the Air Operators Certificate (AOC) of Norwich-based firm Sterling Aviation due to procedural issues. This meant the two... Read more
20-Feb-2011Source: East Anglian Air Ambulance
The East Anglian Air Ambulance has activated a contingency plan due to operational issues with the current supplier of its aircraft, Sterling Aviation. Sterling is temporarily unable to provide the EAAA with an air ambulance service, so, as an interim measure the charity will continue to operate using alternative aircraft from a different supplier, Bond... Read more
19-Feb-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Heliair today held a launch party for the first R66 in Europe, although the weather was certainly not favourable and the small number of demo flights were kept within the airfield boundary due to the cloudbase. Flights were also limited to those people who had already placed orders for the RR300 turbine-powered five seater from... Read more
17-Feb-2011Source: Corporate Jet Investor
In London almost 200 delegates hear speakers on various topics at the International Corporate Jet and Helicopter Finance Conference. The first day of the conference had a keynote speech by Luis Pinto CFO of NetJets Europe followed by Eddy Pieniazek, global head of consultancy at Ascend who talked about where we are in the business... Read more
17-Feb-2011Source: HeliHub.com
The BBC is tonight reporting that Norfolk Police will stop using their leased Eurocopter AS355F2 Twin Squirrel at the end of the current fiscal year – 31st March 2011 – and that it is trying to buy a block of 220 hours a year from neighbouring force Suffolk Police. The vicarious benefit in doing this... Read more
16-Feb-2011Source: HeliHub.com
UK opposition leader Ed Miliband visited AgustaWestland’s Yeovil factory last Friday and reportedly used the visit to try rubbishing the country’s third party – the Liberal Democrats – who have historically had significantly strong support in the area. He used the visit to mount a campaign to “win back the trust” of voters in the... Read more
16-Feb-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Czech manufacturer Aero Vodochody has announced that it will close its UK subsidiary Rotortech Aero in April 2011, after it completes its last orders for its contracted partners. All production, except that involving UK military restricted work, is being transferred to the Czech Republic. While citing high wage costs in the UK, president Ladislav Šimek... Read more
14-Feb-2011Source: HeliHub.com
UK Robinson dealer Heliair has taken delivery of its first R66. Still on the FAA register as N66NN pending EASA certification, serial number 0016 was noted ground running today at the company’s base at Wycombe Air Park. Britain’s second R66 for Sloane Helicopters is due very soon. HeliHub.com will report further on this aircraft soon... Read more
14-Feb-2011Source: Third Sector
The commission opened an investigation into the charity in June 2010 after receiving what it described as “a significant number of complaints over a number of months from members of the public”. [Click on “Third Sector” link for full story]... Read more
13-Feb-2011Source: AAIB
The monthly bulletin from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been released. This month’s issue covers the accidents of:- AS355F1 Ecureuil II, G-BPRI atAbridge, Essex on 23 October 2010 Sikorsky S-92A, G-SARC at Isle of Harris on 9 July 2010 Robinson R22 Beta, G-HRBS at Goodwood on 28 September 2010... Read more
11-Feb-2011Source: Magpas
Cambridgeshire-based emergency medical charity Magpas has agreed an historic partnership with Careflight – an air ambulance and international retrieval charity based in New South Wales, Australia. Although only 25 years old, Careflight is now a 50 million dollar-a-year service which operates 3 helicopters, 4 fixed wing King Air turbo prop aircraft and 4 medical jets... Read more
11-Feb-2011Source: HeliHub.com
BBC News is today reporting that the Irish division of Bank of Scotland had repossessed an A109A Mk.II belonging to Jermon Ltd – registered G-JMON. The company, run by Dungannon resident Peter Dolan, was placed into administration on 27 January. Jermon was formed in 1997, and purchased the 109 in 2006. Both the UK province... Read more
10-Feb-2011Source: HeliHub.com
As part of the rejuvenation of the charity, London’s Air Ambulance has appointed Siobhra Murphy as their Public Relations Manager to boost the charity’s profile to the 10 million people who live and work in London. The LAA press release indicated that Siobhra is experienced in Financial and Corporate PR and also has a keen... Read more
10-Feb-2011Source: CHC
CHC Helicopter wishes to express its disappointment at the government’s decision to cancel the SAR-H programme. CHC wishes to make it a matter of public record that in November of last year CHC became aware that a small number of its employees acting without its knowledge or authorization of the company’s senior management may have... Read more
10-Feb-2011Source: Wales Air Ambulance
The lifesaving charity Wales Air Ambulance is celebrating its tenth birthday on 1st March. Having carried out 14,000 missions to date, the service has proved to be a vital operation, providing emergency air cover across the country and helping to save thousands of lives. In celebration of this incredible landmark, Wales Air Ambulance is holding... Read more
10-Feb-2011
Hydraulic problems force helicopter to land in field... Read more
9-Feb-2011Source: HeliHub.com
London’s Air Ambulance has appointed Diane Richens as the Charity’s Business Development Manager. The LAA press release indicated that “Diane brings with her over 10 years experience working in Business Development in multi-national organisations in both the Private and Third Sector”. Research on the internet found that she previously worked in a similar Business Development... Read more
9-Feb-2011Source: UK Dept of Transport
Statement from Philip Hammond MP, Secretary of State for Transport On 16 December I and my Rt Hon Friend the Secretary of State for Defence announced that information had come to light regarding the preferred bid in the Search and Rescue Helicopter competition which required clarification. In mid December, the Preferred Bidder in the SAR-H... Read more
8-Feb-2011Source: HeliHub.com
London’s Air Ambulance (“LAA”) has announced that it has secured financing on its MD Explorer helicopter for the next seven years. The deal, financed through Santander Corporate Banking, and with the support of Virgin Group, will enable the Charity to concentrate its efforts on continuing to develop its service. It has also appointed Banco Santander... Read more
8-Feb-2011Source: Royal Air Force
On the 6th February 2011, the RAF Search and Rescue Force (SARF) commemorate seventy years of saving lives. Born out of the Battle of Britain, its predecessor, the Directorate of Air Sea Rescue (ASR) was formed at the HQ of RAF Coastal Command in 1941, with a mandate to form a combined and effective rescue service... Read more
8-Feb-2011Source: Royal Navy
A Royal Navy helicopter squadron is taking part in NATO’s largest Mediterranean anti-submarine exercise, Proud Manta, for the first time. Merlin Mk1 maritime patrol helicopters from 814 Naval Air Squadron (also known as ‘The Flying Tigers’) have flown 1,400 miles (2,250km) across Europe from Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose in Helston, Cornwall, to Sicily in... Read more
7-Feb-2011Source: CAA
Ex-military Permit to Fly aircraft will now be able to carry up to four occupants, the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has announced. The CAA said that the previous ambiguity as to the maximum number of occupants permitted for carriage in ex-military aircraft necessitated a review of CAA policy. Previously, the only permitted occupants of... Read more
7-Feb-2011Source: HeliHub.com
David Laws, the Liberal-Democrat Member for Parliament has called on the British Government to re-run the SAR privatisation competition following the recent debacle when the previous tender fell apart after “irregularities” were found some 11 months after the Soteria consortium were named “preferred bidder”. Royal Bank of Scotland, one of the consortium members, pulled out. ... Read more
7-Feb-2011
It was understood a small amount of excess fuel ignited when the Bond helicopter’s engines were starting up. We expect it was an AS332L2 or EC225, although Bond also operate AS365M3 and AW139 helicopters... Read more
6-Feb-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Britain’s helicopter fleet has risen by 139% in the last 25 years, from 571 in 1986 to 1364 in 2011. Analysis of statistics released by the CAA detailing aircraft registered on their “G” register at the 1st January each year from 1985 makes very interesting reading. In 1986 there were four civilian Chinooks registered with... Read more
3-Feb-2011Source: Airmed 2011
Preparations for Airmed 2011, which takes place in the UK this year for the first time in its twenty year history, are well in-hand and delegate registration is gathering pace quickly. The international aero-medical congress will be held in Brighton in the UK from May 24-27 2011 and is being hosted by the Kent, Surrey... Read more
2-Feb-2011Source: HeliHub.com
As part of Eurocopter UK’s launch of their new North Sea Service Centre in Aberdeen, the company also provided a focal point with the opening of a Eurocopter EC225 simulator. They have already made significant progress selling time on this simulator, made in Spain by Indra, by using the event to host a contract signing... Read more
2-Feb-2011
Salisbury Plain will be buzzing with activity for the next few weeks as Joint Helicopter Command plays its part supporting 3 Commando (Cdo) Brigade’s preparations for Afghanistan ahead of their deployment on Operation HERRICK 14 in April 2011. Using terrain around Netheravon Camp, Exercise Pashtun Jaguar has been mutually beneficial as Joint Helicopter Command (JHC)... Read more
2-Feb-2011Source: FT
Asked on Monday whether the MoD had placed a firm order for the dozen additional helicopters, Peter Luff, the minister for defence procurement, said that the order was now “subject to negotiation as part of PR 11†– shorthand for the MoD’s planning round for 2011.... Read more
1-Feb-2011Source: Eurocopter UK
Eurocopter officially inaugurated its new North Sea Service Centre in Aberdeen, Scotland today, providing a highly capable training, technical support and logistics facility in close proximity to helicopter operators who support the region’s vital oil and gas industry – as well as the emerging wind farm sector. Eurocopter rotary-wing aircraft constitute the largest helicopter fleet... Read more
1-Feb-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
1-Feb-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Yesterday, Bond Offshore Helicopters registered their first AW139 helicopter with teh UK CAA – it is G-PERA which reflects it being contracted to the independent oil & gas company Perenco. Previously this company’s operations were supported by an AW139 from CHC. The AW139, which will be joined by a second prior to the contract start... Read more
31-Jan-2011Source: The Helicopter Museum
A new Exhibition is set to open next month at The Helicopter Museum in Weston-super-Mare. ‘Developing An Archive’ will tell the story of how the famous aviation attraction has managed to gather a plethora of rotor craft documentation over the past 50 years and subsequently been able to build one of the largest archives on... Read more
29-Jan-2011Source: Essex Air Ambulance
We are delighted to announce that building work is now underway to bring the Essex operational airbase to Earls Colne Airfield! Over the last 9 months, having secured planning consent and an affordable building design, TJ Evers the appointed building contractor arrived on site in January to begin this exciting new chapter in the history of... Read more
29-Jan-2011Source: HeliHub.com
The British Civil Aviation Authority has reviewed and reduced the charges it levies on companies holding an Air Operators Certificate after representations from the British Helicopter Association among others. Previously, there were separate bandings for operators of 0-4 and those for 5-10 helicopters, with a big jump between the two making it very difficult for... Read more
28-Jan-2011Source: Flightglobal
Exercise involving Army Air Corps Lynx, RAF Merlin and Chinooks as well as Royal Navy Sea Kings – in view of operations starting in Afghanistan in April. This major pre-deployment exercise is being held on Salisbury Plain, Wiltshire... Read more
28-Jan-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Two different news sources in the UK have tonight gone public with their investigations into the suspended British SAR privatisation deal. In Spring 2010, the UK Government announced that the Soteria consortium were the preferred bidders, and it was assumed that this just meant that the contractual aspects had to be sorted and some months... Read more
26-Jan-2011Source: Flightglobal
The UK’s requirement to modernise its training system for military helicopter crews has drawn initial bids from two contenders, industry sources say. A final RFP is scheduled for release in March, with this to require the companies to submit final bids. A decision is expected in late 2011 or early 2012... Read more
25-Jan-2011Source: Chester Chronicle
Joseph Standish, aged 27, was sentenced to six months in prison, suspended for two years, and ordered to do 150 hours unpaid work.... Read more
24-Jan-2011Source: Boeing
Boeing [NYSE: BA] and its Boeing Defence UK subsidiary today announced that the Boeing UK Rotorcraft Support team has begun flight testing the first Chinook Mk4 helicopter for the Royal Air Force (RAF). The first flight took place on Dec. 9 in Hampshire, England. “Project JULIUS, as the Mk4 program is known, will modernize the... Read more
