6-Apr-2010Source: UK Ministry of Defence
Defence Estates (DE) is overseeing an important project to build bespoke new facilities for the four Sea King helicopter squadrons based at the Royal Navy Air Station (RNAS) Culdrose in Cornwall. Construction work is well underway on the first of two new buildings at the base, which will co-locate key engineering and maintenance areas with... Read more
5-Apr-2010Source: AgustaWestland
AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce that its Operational Flying Training Centre (OFTC) located at Newquay Cornwall Airport, in South West England, was officially opened today. The opening ceremony was attended by representatives from the ERDF (European Regional Development Fund) Convergence Programme, South West Regional Development Agency, Cornwall Council, Newquay Council and Newquay... Read more
27-Mar-2010Source: AgustaWestland
AgustaWestland is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a £42 million contract extension by the UK Ministry of Defence for the upgrade of 10 more British Army Lynx Mk.9 helicopters with LHTEC CTS800-4N engines. The contract was announced by Quentin Davies MP, Minister for Defence Equipment and Support, during a visit to AgustaWestland’s... Read more
27-Mar-2010Source: Multiflight
The first of two Dauphin N2 helicopters supplied by Multiflight to the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) will be launched by the charity today. The charity’s new life-saving helicopter, in its official GNAAS livery and fitted with state-of-the-art life-saving equipment, will be launched today, Friday March 26th. It will go by the name of... Read more
23-Mar-2010Source: HeilHub.com
British JetRanger owner Joel Tobias regularly blogs about flying his JetRanger, and it’s great to read stories written by such an enthusiastic private pilot. However, as he leads his readers through night training exercises, a sense of alarm was raised in a recent missive:- “there were no emergencies, but we did become involved in a... Read more
23-Mar-2010Source: 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
22-Mar-2010Source: HeliHub.com
After two years operating in the UK, the two British Mi-17s have now been shipped to Afghanistan, where they have been donated to the local forces. Purchased from Bulgaria, and serialled ZB697 and ZB698, the two helicopters were shipped out Thursday last week aboard an An-124 freighter operated by Polet, and were still in their... Read more
18-Mar-2010Source: HeliHub.com
Back in 1982, British Forces captured two Agusta A109A helicopters from the Argentine Army during the conflict to recapture the Falkland Islands. Within 3 years, these were then added to with a second pair of 109s bought new from Italy, and these four helicopters became dedicated to the Special Forces In order to camouflage the... Read more
16-Mar-2010Source: EDP24
Reporter Emma Knights joined the Anglia One team for a day.  This year they celebrate 10 years in the air.... Read more
14-Mar-2010Source: Cambridge News
After years of campaigning and fundraising by dedicated groups and individuals, hospital bosses have lodged detailed plans for a helipad on land south of the Rosie maternity hospital.... Read more
13-Mar-2010Source: 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-CDXB at Culter Helipad, Aberdeenshire on 07-Oct-09 Robinson R44 Raven II G-TIMC at Barnsdale Hotel, near Rutland Water, Rutland on 27-Sep-09 Rotorway Executive 162F G-JONG at 1.5 miles East of Bullington Cross on... Read more
12-Mar-2010Source: The Times
The jobs of up to 4,000 UK workers were secured yesterday when AgustaWestland revealed that it had won a €560 million (£510 million) contract to supply helicopters to India.... Read more
12-Mar-2010Source: Sky News
A British pilot got shot between the eyes as he flew his Chinook helicopter into a firefight in Afghanistan – but he still managed to land safely and rescue all 20 people on board.... Read more
11-Mar-2010Source: Northampton Chronicle & Echo
Dr John Trenfield, a consultant in emergency medicine at NGH, and Richard Craske, the chief pilot at Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance, said land they had identified near the entrance to the A&E department, would be ideal for a landng site and would be a major boost to the hospital.... Read more
11-Mar-2010Source: EDP24
CHC is reportedly considering moving its Yarmouth operation to Norwich International Airport because of the costs of building a new run way at North Denes.... Read more
10-Mar-2010Source: Eurocopter
On Friday 5th March the Devon & Cornwall Police took delivery of a new EC145 helicopter. This most modern machine was customised at Eurocopter UK in Oxford to meet the demanding needs of the modern police service. It is equipped with the latest aids to police reconnaissance and airborne crime fighting. Included is a state-of-the-art... Read more
10-Mar-2010Source: Sensis
NATS Services is now using Sensis Corporation’s Wide Area Multilateration (WAM) system in the North Sea off the coast of Scotland for helicopter flight following. Air traffic controllers are using the WAM surveillance information as a supplement to established procedural flight rules until the WAM system completes testing and regulatory approval for flight information services later this... Read more
9-Mar-2010Source: 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-2010Source: Get Bracknell
An amateur aviator has been given permission to change the use of a Binfield warehouse so he can use it as a workshop for his hobby – designing and building helicopters.... Read more
7-Mar-2010
No decision has yet been made over who could be awarded the contract beyond that date and all operations were being looked at over its future, the statement says.  Options include awarding a contract for a dedicated Norfolk Police helicopter or collaborating with Suffolk Police... Read more
6-Mar-2010Source: 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
6-Mar-2010Source: 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
5-Mar-2010Source: North West Air Ambulance
The shop was opened by ITV Granada’s Paul Crone who said “It is a privilege to open this shop as it allows the charity to increase not only its takings through sales but the number of donated items they can accept.†“The money made by the charity shop helps saves people’s lives on a daily... Read more
5-Mar-2010Source: Yeovil Express
LIEUTENANT Commander Gavin Simmonite, of RNAS Yeovilton, was last week presented with the Distinguished Flying Cross by the Queen during a ceremony at Windsor Castle. (Photo Crown Copyright/MoD)... Read more
4-Mar-2010Source: Flightglobal
The UK Ministry of Defence has lifted the veil on a previously secretive helicopter training service being provided to future Afghan national security force pilots.... Read more
3-Mar-2010Source: Scotsman
A pilot scheme in the West of Scotland has seen emergency medicine consultants being sent out on air missions with the Scottish Ambulance Service. It will now be rolled out across the whole of the country, costing about £2 million a year, after being deemed a huge success... Read more
2-Mar-2010Source: Financial Times
Boeing makes Chinooks in Philadelphia and is due to deliver 10 of the 22 new ones direct from the US during the course of 2012 and 2013. It has now offered to shift final assembly for half the order to Britain.... Read more
28-Feb-2010Source: 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
28-Feb-2010Source: Evening Gazette
He told a meeting of the authority that there has been a discussion at ACPO – the Association of Chief Police Officers – on the idea of bringing police helicopters in the country into a central unit.... Read more
26-Feb-2010Source: Northampton Chronicle
Bosses at the region’s air ambulance service have defended the salary paid to its chief executive after concerns were raised by members of the public.... Read more
26-Feb-2010Source: Northampton Chronicle
Bosses at the region’s air ambulance service have defended the salary paid to its chief executive after concerns were raised by members of the public.... Read more
24-Feb-2010Source: F1SA
Heliair will also run all helicopter operations for event days at Silverstone including the British Grand Prix.... Read more
23-Feb-2010Source: Pratt & Whitney Canada
Pratt & Whitney Canada’s Customer Service Centre (CSC) Europe GmbH, a joint venture between Pratt & Whitney Canada and MTU Aero Engines, has signed a Fleet Management ProgramTM (FMP(R)) agreement with Eurocopter U.K. Ltd. to provide comprehensive maintenance support for six PW206B2-powered EC135 helicopters operated by various United Kingdom (U.K.) Police Air Support Units. “Superior... Read more
22-Feb-2010Source: PremiAir
PremiAir, the UK’s leading executive helicopter charter company, has been appointed as the supplier of helicopter services to the 2010 Ryder Cup. From October 1st to 3rd, golf’s most prestigious and fiercely contested golfing tournament, now in its 38th year, returns to the UK and for the first time, the magnificent Celtic Manor Resort in... Read more
21-Feb-2010Source: MD Helicopters
MD Helicopters, Inc (MDHI) and the Air Operations Unit of the West Yorkshire Police have announced that an MD Explorer®, helicopter serial number 078 has extended its record for flight hours, reaching 11,565 hours as of mid-January of this year. The flight hours far exceed any other MD Explorer in the fleet. The Air Operations... Read more
19-Feb-2010Source: The Helicopter Museum
ONE of the region’s top tourist attractions is geared up to give potential visitors a guided tour – before they even leave home. The Helicopter Museum, on Locking Moor Road in Weston-Super-Mare, is using the latest technology to provide a 360-degree virtual tour on its website – and the good news is that it hasn’t... Read more
19-Feb-2010Source: The Helicopter Museum
ONE of the region’s top tourist attractions is geared up to give potential visitors a guided tour – before they even leave home. The Helicopter Museum, on Locking Moor Road in Weston-Super-Mare, is using the latest technology to provide a 360-degree virtual tour on its website – and the good news is that it hasn’t... Read more
18-Feb-2010Source: Merseyside Police
Thermal imaging technology has been used for the first time on the Force’s ‘drone’ or Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) to make an arrest. Two men suspected of stealing a Renault Clio in Bootle were tracked by the UAV, which is a remote-controlled aerial camera operated by a police officer on the ground, and after fleeing... Read more
17-Feb-2010Source: This is the West Country
MP David Laws today welcomed a commitment from Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth to look at the potential for AgustaWestland to work with Boeing on the new order for 22 Chinook helicopters.... Read more
17-Feb-2010Source: Eastern Atlantic Helicopters
As many of the world’s helicopter OEMs are scrambling to recover from cancelled and declining orders, Eastern Atlantic Helicopters Ltd is closing the books on its best year ever. The company delivered 19 helicopters and logged sales of $25 million in 2009. With offices in England and the U.S., Eastern Atlantic specializes in sales of... Read more
15-Feb-2010Source: 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
13-Feb-2010Source: Selex Galileo
SELEX Galileo, a Finmeccanica Company, has been awarded a 4-year contract for the Common Defensive Aids System Technology Demonstrator Programme (CDAS TDP). This important contract has been placed by the UK MoD to support the aims of the UK strategy for Air Platform Protection. The TDP will be led by SELEX Galileo, based at Luton... Read more
13-Feb-2010Source: The Northern Scot
The Queen, Prince William and Prime Minister Gordon Brown have all given their backing for a helipad in Elgin that could save lives.... Read more
13-Feb-2010Source: The Northern Scot
The Queen, Prince William and Prime Minister Gordon Brown have all given their backing for a helipad in Elgin that could save lives.... Read more
13-Feb-2010Source: AAIB
The monthly bulletin from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been released. This month’s issue covers the accidents of:- Robinson R44 Clipper G-DBUG at Welshpool Airport, Powys on 09-Jul-09 Robinson R44 Raven G-EKKO at Swansea Airport on 29-Mar-09... Read more
11-Feb-2010Source: BBC
“The Bolkov is over 40 years old and sadly has spent more time on the ground with mechanical issues than it has in the air, as parts are very hard to source. This is not cost effective to the charity or public.”... Read more
11-Feb-2010Source: This is Wiltshire
A ball to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Wiltshire Air Ambulance is being held on March 27.... Read more
11-Feb-2010Source: STV
The Ministry of Defence said that the posts will be moved 30 miles after a private company was awarded the contract for the service.... Read more
10-Feb-2010Source: BBC
Bideford mayor Andy Powell said: “There’s a huge surfing population here, so what happens when [the helicopters] clock off at 6pm and somebody goes out at 6.01pm and gets into trouble? Does that mean another life is lost?”... Read more
10-Feb-2010Source: Sloane Helicopters
Following the recent announcement by Robinson Helicopter Company – see HeliHub 8th February 2010 – that they were accepting orders for the new turbine powered Robinson R66, David George, Chairman of Sloane Helicopters Ltd. has confirmed that Sloane have placed their first order for a new Robinson R66 Sloane Helicopters were one of Robinson’s very... Read more
10-Feb-2010Source: Rotorhub
Nearly 20 helicopters from the UK’s Joint Helicopter Command have been involved in their first major exercise of 2010.... Read more
9-Feb-2010Source: CHC
CHC Helicopters, through its membership in the Soteria* consortium, has won preferred bidder status on a 25-year contract to provide comprehensive search and rescue (SAR) services and military aircrew SAR training to the UK government, securing CHC’s place as the largest supplier of civilian SAR services in the world. “We are honoured to be chosen... Read more
9-Feb-2010Source: 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
4-Feb-2010Source: HeliHub.com
No sooner had HeilHub.com run a story last week on Norwich Airport-based Saxonair than they have been busy again. Last week we reported their move to helicopter operations with the acquisition of a Eurocopter EC120, having previously only flown fixed wing. This week they have added an EC135P2+, purchased from a corporate operator in Northern... Read more
4-Feb-2010Source: HeliHub.com
No sooner had HeilHub.com run a story last week on Norwich Airport-based Saxonair than they have been busy again. Last week we reported their move to helicopter operations with the acquisition of a Eurocopter EC120, having previously only flown fixed wing. This week they have added an EC135P2+, purchased from a corporate operator in Northern... Read more
4-Feb-2010Source: HeliHub.com
London radio station LBC is this morning reporting that London’s Air Ambulance will soon be moving to 24 hour operation. In the short news item, the report said that this was the result of the London Ambulance Service agreeing to fund paramedics right through the night, rather than up to 1am as previously. We suspect... Read more
4-Feb-2010Source: HeliHub.com
London radio station LBC is this morning reporting that London’s Air Ambulance will soon be moving to 24 hour operation. In the short news item, the report said that this was the result of the London Ambulance Service agreeing to fund paramedics right through the night, rather than up to 1am as previously. We suspect... Read more
3-Feb-2010Source: Royal Navy
One of the Royal Navy pilots at Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose has clocked up more than 7000 hours in the air. Lieutenant Commander Nick Lee of 750 Naval Air Squadron passed that milestone recently and received a congratulatory cake from Lieutenant Commander Nick Armstrong, the Commanding Officer of the Squadron, to mark the occasion.... Read more
3-Feb-2010Source: Royal Navy
For 2 years the Commando Helicopter Force (CHF) Sea Kings have been flying operations in Afghanistan, mainly from Kandahar Airfield, with elements also based at Camp Bastion. Most missions are over the volatile Helmand region, 80 miles to the West of Kandahar. Regional Command (South) readily call on ‘Jungly‘ aircraft because of their rapid response... Read more
2-Feb-2010Source: 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
31-Jan-2010
THE East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA) celebrates its tenth anniversary this year and plans a series of special events.... Read more
30-Jan-2010Source: The Helicopter Museum
The Helicopter Museum have put out the following advance notice:- A Russian Mil Mi-8 transport helicopter, once used by the Polish Air Force VIP Flight is due to arrive at The Helicopter Museum for permanent display next Friday (5th February) for unloading on the Saturday Morning (Starting circa 9am). Much used by military and civil... Read more
30-Jan-2010Source: The Economist
Yeovil operation too reliant on upgrades? UK military order Chinook over Merlin; UK military spending under pressure... Read more
29-Jan-2010Source: Royal Navy
Lietenant Commander Gordon Cook Royal Navy, the Officer Commanding the Lynx Simulator based at RNAS Yeovilton, has recently clocked up 5,000 flying hours over his long and varied Naval career. Lt Cdr Gordon ‘Gordo’ Cook, who lives in Weymouth, joined the Navy as an Observer in February 1985 and after successful completion of flying training... Read more
29-Jan-2010Source: BBC
If successful on the course, he will become a fully operational pilot with one of the six UK-based RAF Search and Rescue Force flights later this year... Read more
28-Jan-2010Source: EDP24
An executive jet operator at Norwich International Airport has invested £800,000 in the first of a new fleet of helicopters to offer VIP flights.... Read more
26-Jan-2010Source: Devon Air Ambulance
The new Devon Air Ambulance Trust ‘Steve Ford’ Airbase at Eaglescott Airfield, Umberleigh opens its hangar doors for the first time on Thursday 21st January, when it will be officially opened by BBC Radio Devon presenter Judi Spiers. Judi will be joined by the family of pilot Steve Ford, who the base is named after. ... Read more
25-Jan-2010Source: ITV
The air ambulance service which covers Northamptonshire unveiled its brand new helicopter on Friday at Althorp House. As well as the latest medical and radio equipment, the AgustaWestland 109 is also the fastest civilian helicopter in the UK.... Read more
21-Jan-2010Source: PremiAir
PremiAir, the leading executive helicopter charter operator, was voted ‘Best Executive Aviation Company’ at the 2010 Business Travel Awards, which took place on Monday evening at a glamorous awards ceremony, held at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London. Group Managing Director David McRobert accepted the award from John O’Hagan, Senior Vice President, Diners Club International.... Read more
21-Jan-2010Source: Third Sector
London’s Air Ambulance has received unspecified ‘advice and guidance’ from the Charity Commission after concerns were raised about the charity’s governance and financial controls.... Read more
20-Jan-2010Source: UK MoD
The first four upgraded Lynx Mk9 helicopters, which are to be sent to Afghanistan, have re-entered service, with three of the aircraft now being used for training, prior to deployment, at 9 Regiment Army Air Corps in Dishforth, North Yorkshire. The upgrades on initially twelve Mk9s were ordered by the MOD a year ago, with... Read more
20-Jan-2010Source: Derby Telegraph
THE air ambulance will fly higher over the area surrounding Royal Derby Hospital in a bid to appease residents who have complained about the noise it makes. The Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Rutland Air Ambulance has been transporting patients to the hospital since its helipad opened in June.... Read more
