21-Feb-2024Source: HAI
To reduce the event’s carbon footprint, Helicopter Association International (HAI) is providing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to all aircraft flying into HAI HELI-EXPO 2024. The annual conference and trade show, the largest in the world for the vertical aviation industry, will take place Feb. 26–29 at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, Calif., with exhibits... Read more
22-Nov-2023Source: HeliHub.com
San Diego County Sheriff Kelly A. Martinez unveiled two new helicopters during a news conference on Monday, November 20 at the Sheriff’s ASTREA (Aerial Support to Law Enforcement Agencies) base at Gillespie Field in El Cajon. ASTREA is the Sheriff’s aviation unit which has been providing aerial support to the Sheriff’s Department and partner agencies... Read more
5-Oct-2023Source: Skyway Technologies
Skyway Technologies (Skyway), a pioneering vertiport infrastructure and planning company in the Urban Air Mobility (UAM) industry, and Berg Holdings (BH), a long-time Sausalito-based Bay Area real estate developer, are pleased to announce a strategic partnership to accelerate the development of a comprehensive network of UAM vertiports in the Bay Area and elsewhere in Northern... Read more
7-Aug-2023Source: Maverick
Maverick Helicopters, a premier provider of helicopter services, is excited to announce its recent expansion into Southern California, bringing an array of captivating flight options including aerial tourism flights, charter operations and transfers to Catalina Island. Maverick Helicopters offers departures from terminals across Greater Los Angeles including Long Beach, Orange County, Burbank, San Pedro, Hawthorne... Read more
8-Dec-2022Source: US Dept of Interior
[Further opportunities have been opened up for helicopter support of offshore wind farm as the US Dept of Energy approves five new areas. Two are off Humboldt Bay, close to California’s border with Oregon, and potentially helicopter support could be sited at Humboldt County Airport in McKinleyville. The other three are offshore Ragged Point, with... Read more
6-Oct-2022Source: AutoFlight
AutoFlight, the global eVTOL pioneer, today announces the opening of its first US office at Napa County airport in California. Its expansion is supported by the hiring of two senior industry veterans. Omer Bar-Yohay (co-founder and former CEO of Eviation Aircraft) has been appointed as AutoFlight’s President, while Chad Cashin (formerly leading Business Development at Joby Aviation) assumes... Read more
5-Jun-2022
Crashed and burnt out, all five on board received fatal injuries. The deceased were named here as Capt. Nicholas P. Losapio; Capt. John J. Sax; Cpl. Nathan E. Carlson; Cpl. Seth D. Rasmuson; Lance Cpl. Evan A. Strickland. The aircraft was operated by Marine Medium Tiltrotor (VMM) Squadron 364, based at MCAS Camp Pendleton. VMM-364... Read more
6-May-2022Source: FOX 40
The warm weather Northern California is experiencing, coupled with a bad wet season, has many fire crews already gearing up for potentially devastating fire season. The Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District is hoping to raise money to help stop fires right after they start. See Full Story. ... Read more
13-Apr-2022Source: FedEx
FedEx Express, a subsidiary of FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) and the world’s largest express transportation company, is teaming up with California Bay Area-based Elroy Air, the company building the first end-to-end autonomous vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aerial cargo system. As a first of its kind agreement in the U.S., FedEx Express will develop plans... Read more
3-Mar-2022Source: RECCO
The California Highway Patrol, Valley Division Air Operations, is the sixth search and rescue organization to be operational in the USA with the RECCO SAR helicopter detector. The detector will be used to search for missing people in the outdoors year-round. Many Search & Rescue teams in California are equipped with handheld RECCO detectors for... Read more
17-Feb-2022
Due to its stock market listing, Joby Aviation made the following statement to US Securities and Exchange Commission late yesterday. On February 16, 2022, Joby Aviation, Inc. a Delaware corporation (the “Company”) announced that earlier today one of its remotely piloted, experimental prototype aircraft was involved in an accident during flight testing at our remote... Read more
16-Feb-2022
Helicopter involved in agricultural ops crashed under unknown circumstances – sole occupant pilot received fatal injuries – named here as Steven Wilson, 53 🚁💨 Inquiry Begins Into Fatal Helicopter Crash Near Coalinga Federal investigators have begun an inquiry into what caused a helicopter to crash near Coalinga, killing pilot Steven Wilson, 53, of Shafter. Full... Read more
14-Jan-2022Source: Mercy Flights
Mercy Flights leadership announced the purchase of new helicopter this week to support the growing medical transportation needs in Southern Oregon and Northern California. The new Bell 407 GXi aircraft is scheduled to arrive at the Mercy Flights headquarters in Medford during the second week of January and will begin transporting patients by the beginning... Read more
21-Nov-2021
Clipped tree while landing... Read more
10-Nov-2021Source: MD Helicopters
MD Helicopters, Inc. (MDHI) announces the delivery of a new MD 530F to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. The agency’s first aircraft, the helicopter’s primary mission is to seek out and eliminate cannabis cultivation on public land and assist in the cleaning up the destruction caused by the illegal activity. The aircraft will also... Read more
28-Oct-2021
Low level photo mission with door off. Passenger removed jacket which was sucked out, caught on the stabilizer and then the tail rotor, causing helicopter to crash. Pilot and three passengers reported as not injured, but helicopter reported as substantially damaged... Read more
28-Oct-2021
Emergency landing on the shoulder of Interstate 15. The helicopter is so new, it is still registered to the manufacturer and not yet to the first customer... Read more
15-Oct-2021Source: Global Medical Response
Global Medical Response (GMR) has announced it has signed a new multi-year agreement with Blue Shield of California. This agreement, which took effect on July 1, 2021, provides the 4.5 million Blue Shield of California members with in-network access to GMR’s life-saving emergency air medical transports. This strategic partnership with GMR covers all 58 serviced... Read more
1-Aug-2021
The Colusa County Sheriff’s Office named the four individuals as William Bernard Vann, 67, Suzanne Marie Vann, 60, and Bobbie Lee Keaton, 62, all of Williams, and Charles Thomas Wilson, 71, of Rocklin.... Read more
19-Jul-2021Source: US Navy
A Navy MH-60 Knighthawk helicopter crashed near Mt. Hogue, California at approximately 5 p.m. on July 16, while conducting search and rescue (SAR) operations. All four crewmembers survived the crash without injury and have been safely recovered. The aircraft, call sign Longhorn 02, was supporting Mono County search and rescue efforts to locate a lost... Read more
7-Jul-2021
Firefighting helicopter ditched into Lake Shastina, from where it was picking up water. US Forest Service reported that the pilot was able to swim/walk away... Read more
25-Jun-2021Source: Archer
California-based Archer, a company designing and developing electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft (eVTOL), announced over twenty veteran engineers from Aerion Corporation have joined the company. Until recently, Aerion held a group of impressive talent who helped the company work towards their innovative vision of supersonic air travel. With 350+ collective years of experience, Archer welcomes... Read more
23-Jun-2021Source: NECN
Vanessa Bryant has reached a settlement in her lawsuit against the company that owned and operated the helicopter that crashed in Calabasas last year, killing her husband — Laker legend Kobe Bryant — and their 13-year-old daughter, according to court papers filed Tuesday. Full story here... Read more
9-May-2021
FAA : Aircraft made an off airfield landing for unknown reasons. Pilot and 3 passengers not injured... Read more
9-Feb-2021Source: REACH Air Medical Services
REACH Air Medical Services (REACH) announced the opening of its newest emergency air medical transport base in Salton City, CA. The new base will provide air medical transport services 24 hours a day, seven days a week to the communities of Imperial County and the surrounding regions. This is the third community-based air medical operation... Read more
14-Jan-2021Source: NTSB
The National Transportation Safety Board announced Wednesday its intent to hold a public board meeting Feb. 9, 2021, 9:30 a.m. (EST), to determine the probable cause of the fatal, Jan. 26, 2020, helicopter crash near Calabasas, California. The Sikorsky S-76B helicopter collided with hilly terrain and was destroyed by impact forces and fire. The pilot and eight... Read more
9-Jan-2021
Helicopter was lifting an air conditioning units from street level to the roof of the Elihu Harris State Building (1515 Clay Street) when the load dropped. No injuries were reported.... Read more
2-Dec-2020Source: DynCorp International
DynCorp International (DI) has been awarded a new contract to continue supporting the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) aviation program. The program works as an invaluable teammate to suppress and control wildfires. Work will be performed at McClellan Park in Sacramento, California and aircraft are deployed across 13 air tactical and... Read more
25-Nov-2020Source: MD Helicopters
Take the new MD Helicopters, Inc. (MDHI) enhanced glass cockpit MD 530F demo aircraft for a test flight to experience its power and performance firsthand. This state-of-the-art helicopter is touring the West Coast from Nov. 30 through Dec. 4. It is available for drop-in demo flights at Rotorcraft Support Inc. (RSI) on Dec. 2 from 8 a.m.... Read more
9-Nov-2020Source: HeliHub.com
A Leonardo AW109S Grand carrying a heart for transplant from Sharp Grossmont Hospital in La Mesa crashed on Friday on the rooftop helipad of Keck Hospital of USC in the Boyle Heights district of Los Angeles. Helicopter N109EX is seen in this video to be spinning just prior to touching down heavily and rolling onto its port... Read more
9-Nov-2020Source: Sacramento Bee
The State of California is reported to have launched a court case against Alpine Helicopter Service regarding violations during aerial spraying work. See report for full story... Read more
5-Nov-2020
Aircraft sustained heavy autorotation landing.... Read more
4-Nov-2020
Landing accident on hospital roof top pad, bringing in a donated heart for transplant from Sharp Grossmont Hospital in La Mesa. 3 POB all got themselves out of the wreckage. Each needed medical attention. This video shows the helicopter spinning just prior to touch-down, suggesting a tail rotor issue. Another video here, different angle.... Read more
13-Oct-2020Source: Edison
Captain Greg Barta of the Orange County Fire Authority has been on the front lines of firefighting for 13 years. He has one word to describe the 2020 fire season to date: “Explosive.” “None of us are used to fighting fires during a pandemic, which is putting a strain on our resources, but we’re rising... Read more
9-Oct-2020
FAA – AIRCRAFT DURING PRE-FLIGHT INSPECTION DAMAGE WAS DISCOVERED TO RUDDER AND A MISSING BOLT TO TAIL BOOM, WILLITS, CA.... Read more
1-Oct-2020Source: Professional Helicopter Pilots Association
The Professional Helicopter Pilots Association (PHPA) was established in the 1960’s in Southern California. Our mission has always been to advocate for the safe operation of helicopters in our region, education of helicopter pilots, and the promotion of our industry. We are a proud affiliate member of Helicopter Association International (HAI) and work with them... Read more
28-Sep-2020Source: OC Helicopters
OC Helicopters (“OCH”) has issued the following statement today in response to being named as a defendant in the lawsuits stemming from the tragic helicopter crash that took the lives of Kobe Bryant, his daughter, and seven other cherished members of their communities. We have acted as travel agent and concierge for the Bryant family... Read more
22-Sep-2020Source: US Dept of Defense
The Wyoming Army National Guard’s G Company, 2nd Battalion, 211th Aviation Regiment was activated by Gov. Mark Gordon Sept. 10, to provide support for firefighting efforts in California. One UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter and four crew members left Thursday and will be operating from Mather Airport near Sacramento. The helicopter and crew are expected to... Read more
22-Sep-2020
Rolled onto its side during landing... Read more
27-Aug-2020
US special forces UH-60M crashed with two fatalities and three injuries. Two fatalities were named as Staff Sgt. Vincent Marketta, 33, and Sgt. Tyler Shelton, 22... Read more
24-Aug-2020Source: Air Methods
Air Methods, a leading air medical service provider in the U.S., and Borrego Health, one of the nation’s largest Federally Qualified Health Centers, announced opening of a new Mercy Air base at the Borrego Medical Clinic in Borrego Springs, California on September 1st. The base will support the care and transportation of critically ill and... Read more
24-Aug-2020
Tail rotor double delamination discovered during post flight inspection... Read more
17-Aug-2020Source: Air Methods
Air Methods, the leading air medical service in the U.S., announced that its subsidiary, Mercy Air, has opened a new base in Paso Robles, Calif., to provide emergency air medical services to the city and surrounding area. Other California cities that will be served by the base include San Luis Obispo, Templeton, King City, Cambria,... Read more
14-Aug-2020
Main blade clipped building, causing unmanned helicopter to crash... Read more
26-Jul-2020
Blade strike while training in mountainous area. Helicopter continued take-off and departed location with rotor blade noise clearly “non-standard” Analysis of the helicopter’s tracks have suggested the date was 26-Jul-20 but this is not confirmed. Having been very active daily for two straight weeks, it was then not flying for four days. The video was... Read more
11-Jun-2020Source: Helinet
Helinet Aviation Services, one of the most diverse and respected helicopter companies in the United States, announces the addition of a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter to California’s aerial firefighting fleet. The former U.S. Army helicopter is on standby at Van Nuys Airport to assist with firefighting missions under call-when-needed contracts with the U.S. Forest Service and... Read more
2-Apr-2020Source: HeliHub.com
Launched in 2016 out of the Airbus innovation centre Acubed, Voom was created with the ambition to democratise access to the skies and transform how people move in urban environments. Over four years, it grew from a two-person project in Silicon Valley to 30+ employees, and operating in three of the most congested metropolitan areas... Read more
16-Mar-2020Source: DynCorp
CAL FIRE representatives attended the North American Aerial Firefighting Conference in Sacramento, California as the platinum sponsor. “The conference focused on global challenges in the aerial firefighting industry,” said Jeff Cavarra, CAL FIRE program director. “It explored new technology and lessons learned in the aerial firefighting community.” DynCorp International’s booth promoted our world-class aircrews, maintenance... Read more
11-Mar-2020Source: US DoD
The Whiting-Turner Contracting Co., Greenbelt, Maryland, is being awarded a $30,464,008 firm-fixed-price task order (N62473-20-F-4023) under a multiple award construction contract for an applied instruction facility, a training facility, and site utility infrastructure at Naval Base Coronado, California. The work to be performed provides for construction of two facilities and utilities infrastructure to support the... Read more
2-Mar-2020Source: Axnes
Wireless intercom innovator and manufacturer, Axnes has announced the recent delivery of a California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, Cal Fire S-70i Firehawk® helicopter equipped with the latest generation PNG wireless intercom system. Integrated by Firehawk® completion specialist, United Rotorcraft, the S-70i airframes are configured with internal audio integration and two MP50 handsets that... Read more
11-Feb-2020Source: Congressman Brad Sherman
Washington, D.C. – In the wake of the tragedy that claimed the life of Laker legend Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna and 7 others, Congressman Brad Sherman (D-Sherman Oaks) is introducing the Kobe Bryant and Gianna Bryant Helicopter Safety Act, which will require the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to strengthen federal safety standards for helicopters.... Read more
29-Jan-2020Source: S.A.F.E. Structure Designs
S.A.F.E. Structure Designs announced the delivery of efficient custom designed maintenance stands at Southern California Edison (SCE) to support their beautiful Bell 429 that is on display in the Bell exhibit at HeliExpo. The custom stands located at the SCE facility are designed specifically for the Bell 429 allowing the mechanics to work on all... Read more
29-Jan-2020Source: Bell
Bell Textron Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) company, announced today a signed purchase agreement with Alameda County Sheriff’s Office Air Support Unit for a public safety configured Bell 505 Jet Ranger X. “Global municipalities are expanding their public safety capabilities by adding aerial operations to their mission portfolio,” said LaShan Bonaparte, program manager, Bell 505... Read more
27-Jan-2020Source: Astronautics
Astronautics Corporation of America is providing its AFI4700 RoadRunner Electronic Flight Instruments (EFIs) to Arista Aviation as cost-effective, easy-to-install replacements on a FIREHAWK helicopter to be operated by the Santa Barbara County Fire Department (SBCFD). The RoadRunner EFIs—two per aircraft—are part of an upgraded avionics package and instrument panel on a UHH-60L Black Hawk helicopter... Read more
26-Jan-2020
This accident took the lives of basketball legend Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna. More details to follow when facts can be established rather than relying on media speculation... Read more
4-Jan-2020
Aircraft crashed under unknown circumstances in Mokleumne Hill. The occupants escaped prior to the helicopter bursting into flames.... Read more
18-Oct-2019
Rotor blades struck tail boom during run-on landing... Read more
30-Jul-2019Source: Coulson Aviation
Orange County Fire Authority in partnership with Southern California Edison (SCE) have contracted Coulson Aviation USA to bring its state of the art NVG aerial fire fighting program to the USA. “Edison is making significant investments to assist firefighting capabilities across our service area to protect our customers and communities from the ongoing threat of... Read more
14-May-2019Source: Air Methods
Air Methods, the leading air medical service provider, today announced that it has expanded its partnership with Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and will now be part of the plans’ in-network health coverage benefits in six additional states across the country. As part of the agreement, Anthem-affiliated health plan members in California, Georgia, Nevada,... Read more
28-Dec-2018
Remained upright in very heavy emergency landing on golf course after tail rotor birdstrike reported. Tail hit ground, skids collapsed. Training flight from nearby Hayward Executive airport – instructor and student not seriously injured... Read more
17-Dec-2018Source: California Army National Guard
Two of the Army’s newest helicopters worked their first wildfire missions recently as the California National Guard supported state agencies battling the deadly Camp Fire in Northern California. A pair of UH-60M Black Hawk medium-lift helicopters from the California Army National Guard’s 1st Assault Helicopter Battalion, 140th Aviation Regiment, deployed from Joint Forces Training Base,... Read more
19-Sep-2018Source: HeliHub.com
David Rodriguez, Donald Kowalski, Nathan Carrion and George Karcher, a crew from Cal Fire have been awarded with the California State Firefighters Association’s Medal of Valor. This was after they performed a dangerous rescue on September 6, rescuing a badly hurt climber who was stuck, upside down, 2,682m off the ground on Mount San Jacinto,... Read more
28-May-2018Source: Sikorsky
United Rotorcraft, a division of Air Methods, and Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, today received a purchase order from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) for the acquisition of a new Sikorsky S-70 Black Hawk aircraft, to be modified into FIREHAWK® firefighting configuration by United Rotorcraft. This aircraft will be the... Read more
19-Feb-2018Source: Med-Trans
Leading national air medical transport company Med-Trans Corporation and Care Flight, a medical flight service of the Regional Emergency Medical Services Authority (REMSA), have partnered to provide helicopter medical service to large parts of Nevada and California. “Care Flight is thrilled to partner with Med-Trans to provide rotor-wing critical care transportation across the region,” said Dean... Read more
20-Dec-2017Source: American Helicopter Services & Aerial Firefighting Association
With little advance notice, aerial firefighting companies demonstrated their rapid response capability to post-season fires throughout southern California, which have destroyed thousands of structures, and hundreds of thousands of acres across Santa Barbara, Ventura, Los Angeles and San Diego counties. As the fires, driven by the dry Santa Ana winds, spread, aircrews, mechanics and fuel truck drivers, who thought they would see no further... Read more
31-Aug-2017Source: HeliHub.com
The Kaweah Delta Healthcare District will be celebrating their 1,000th helicopter landing this Friday. The hospital’s helipad was built in 2013, cutting transportation time down drastically. The community played a large role in getting the much needed helipad up and running. They received donations of up to $2.3 million from the community and a sponsorship by... Read more
8-Jun-2017Source: HeliHub.com
Mills-Peninsula Medical Centre had to demolish their helipad in 2011 when they rebuilt the hospital. Since then, they have not been able to airlift patients to the hospital. They now will have a new helipad. As reported by CBS Local, the helipad will emphasise on specialized care from smaller hospitals.... Read more
20-May-2017
Emergency landing after the autopilot system failed and a crew member smelled something electrical burning. Helicopter removed from site by road back to base at CGAS San Francisco... Read more
5-May-2017
Two passengers and a pilot were taking a waterfront tour, when the R44 experienced mechanical problems and an emergency landing was made. The helicopter struck two vans near a golf course and caught fire, but all three occupants got out before the flames broke out. Operator was Santa Barbara Helicopter Tours, who lease it from... Read more
18-Apr-2017Source: Brand X Aviation
Los Angeles-based helicopter charter service Brand X Aviation to offer luxury VIP helicopter service to and from this weekend’s Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio, CA in its twin-engine Sikorsky S76 helicopter. “We are thrilled to be back this year offering this luxury experience to the faithful Coachella goers. Starting the festival off... Read more
2-Mar-2017Source: HeliHub.com
The residents of Napa County have sent in dozens of letters and complaints about the construction of a helipad at Palmaz Vineyards. The Napa County Planning Commission has to go through these complaints before a discussion can occur. A popular suggestion is that the helipad be built a mile northeast from the vineyards, on the... Read more