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
27-Feb-2017Source: Shotover
KABC-TV, the most watched television station in Southern California, is live with Air7 HD with XTREME Vision and SkyMap7 powered by the SHOTOVER F1 LIVE, a major breakthrough in aerial news coverage that delivers unprecedented clarity and detail from the Air 7 HD news helicopter. “By utilizing the SHOTOVER F1 LIVE as the centerpiece of... Read more
31-Jan-2017Source: REACH Air Medical Services
REACH Air Medical Services announces the planned opening of its critical care air ambulance base in Murrieta, California with service starting in April, 2017. The base will be located at the French Valley Airport and provide 24/7 air medical transports to the local community and surrounding region. For 30 years, REACH has served patients needing... Read more
4-Jan-2017Source: HeliHub.com
Rogers Helicopters has a wrongful death lawsuit filed against them after a fatal crash in December 2015. Kathryn Ann Brown, 40, was on her way to a nearby hospital for head, shoulder and arm pain when the helicopter crashed, killing Kathryn, the pilot, the nurse and the paramedic on board. The Brown’s family attorney hopes... Read more
19-Dec-2016Source: Airbus Helicopters
The powerful twin-engine Airbus Helicopters H135 deftly navigated the heat and high altitude of California’s Sierra Nevada Mountains after it was put into service last summer. California Shock Trauma and Rescue (CALSTAR), the first U.S. air medical transport service to operate the H135, reports the aircraft has exceeded expectations. Based in Sacramento, Calif., CALSTAR took... Read more
23-Aug-2016Source: Coastal Helicopters
It’s official. Southern California based Coastal Helicopters is set to provide luxury VIP helicopter charter flights to Burning Man 2016 aboard its large twin-engine Sikorsky S76 helicopter. “We are incredibly excited to be a contributing part of the Burner Express Air family for Burning Man 2016. We will be offering service primarily between Reno/Tahoe,” says Coastal... Read more
11-Aug-2016Source: SDG&E
San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) today unveiled the latest additions to its fire-preparedness toolkit for this year, which includes the return of the Erickson Skycrane “Sun Bird” for the seventh straight year. The helitanker, which holds a maximum of 2,650 gallons of water or fire suppressant and can get airborne in just 15 minutes, already helped... Read more
29-Jul-2016Source: SAFE Structure Designs
S.A.F.E. Structure Designs is excited to announce today’s delivery of their the most innovative custom Rolls-Royce Allison 250 engine maintenance stand to A&P Helicopters Inc in Richvale, California S.A.F.E. Structure Designs has utilized its long time working relationship with helicopter mechanics around the world to design this custom engine maintenance stand for A&P’s crew to... Read more
21-Jul-2016Source: Cobham
The LAPD Air Support Division (ASD) is the largest municipal airborne law enforcement operation in the world. The LAPD fleet consists of fourteen Eurocopter AS350B2 and five Bell Jet Ranger B3 helicopters, as well as one King Air fixed wing aircraft. Their mission is to provide city-wide air support to patrol units in their efforts... Read more
7-Jul-2016Source: Helinet
Helinet Aviation Services today announced the appointments of Jim Adams, Arnold Kleiner and Thomas Norton to its board of directors. Helinet is the leading provider of airborne surveillance solutions, patient and organ transport and news coverage helicopters and pilots, as well as the largest, most respected charter service on the West Coast. The three directors... Read more
29-Jun-2016Source: Helinet
Kathryn Purwin, jet and helicopter pilot and widow of Alan Purwin, today takes over as CEO of Helinet Aviation Services. Helinet is a leading international provider of corporate travel, emergency medical service, electronic news gathering, motion picture, television and commercial production services since 1987. The company predicts growth for its technical division Helinet Technologies, which... Read more
29-Jun-2016Source: Vector
Vector Aerospace is pleased to announce that it has completed the first of three 12-year inspections for the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department’s (SBCSD) fleet of Airbus Helicopters AS350 B3 AStars. The SBCSD flew its second AStar to Vector’s hangar in Langley, BC on June 20th, and returned home with the first completed aircraft, work... Read more
22-Jun-2016Source: Flight Research
Bill Korner, Chairman and CEO of Flight Research, states that ‘Loss of Control In-Flight’ is the leading cause of aviation accidents today, and this applies to helicopters as well as fixed wing aircraft. It is important that every flight department recognize that their crews should be well prepared for any situation that would arise. In... Read more
19-Jun-2016Source: Helinet
Two helicopters from Helinet Aviation Services will participate in the American Heroes Air Show on Saturday, June 18, at Hansen Dam in the San Fernando Valley. The show is the nation’s premier, helicopter-only, admission-free aviation event designed to demonstrate to the public, media and community officials the vital and diverse roles of rotary aviation. American... Read more
17-Jun-2016Source: REACH
REACH Air Medical Services LLC (“REACH”) and CALIFORNIA SHOCK TRAUMA AIR RESCUE (“CALSTAR”), two of the preeminent air medical ambulance providers in Northern and Central California for three decades, are entering into an agreement that will place CALSTAR within the same corporate holding company as REACH (“REACH Medical Holdings LLC”). In a joint announcement, REACH... Read more
2-Jun-2016Source: REACH
The Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians and REACH Air Medical Services recently opened a new helicopter base on the Viejas Reservation. Helicopter services will provide life-saving medical support to local communities, as well as offer secondary support to REACH bases in San Diego, Imperial, and Riverside counties. “We value our partnership with REACH and we... Read more
1-Jun-2016Source: PHPA
On May 20, 2016, the Professional Helicopter Pilots Association learned that the FAA denied all four of the Los Angeles Area Helicopter Noise Coalition petitions to regulate helicopter operations over the Los Angeles Basin. The LAAHNC had asked the FAA for four (4) SFAR’s: * A 2000’ AGL minimum operating altitude for all helicopter operations,... Read more
20-May-2016Source: Yamaha
Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A., is pleased to announce the inaugural commercial operation of its RMAX remotely piloted helicopter for agriculture spraying service in the U.S. The RMAX flight was completed this week in California for Napa-based Silverado Farming Company, a leading vineyard management company. During its debut the RMAX applied a fungicide for preventative control... Read more
5-May-2016Source: Layfield & Barrett
The Villegas family, represented by Philip Layfield of Layfield & Barrett and V. James (Jim) DeSimone of V. James DeSimone Law, filed a lawsuit in the Superior Court of California, San Bernardino County. The lawsuit was filed under the case name: Villegas v. San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department et al with the case number CIVDS1606504,... Read more
26-Apr-2016Source: Paso Robles Daily News
The Estrella Warbirds Museum recently acquired two Sikorsky helicopters from the Fox Field Museum which was closing. The H-19 and H-34 helicopters are currently being refurbished at the museum and will be on display to the public in June. See full story... Read more
22-Apr-2016Source: Report CA
The widow of Helinet boss Al Purwin has raied a lawsuit seeking unspecified damages and against Cross Creek Pictures LLC, Imagine Entertainment LLC, Vendian Entertinament LLC, Quadrant Pictures and the estate of pilot Carlos Berl, who also died in the accident – See full story... Read more
20-Apr-2016Source: Rotorcraft Support
Rotorcraft Support, Inc. (RSI) continues to add to its lengthy list of OEM Authorized Service Centers with the addition of the Sikorsky S-76 series of helicopters. “We have been maintaining the S-76 for years, adding the service center rounds out our service and support capabilities for the S-76 customers” comments Phillip G. DiFiore, President and... Read more
13-Apr-2016Source: Van Horn Aviation
Van Horn Aviation (VHA) CEO Jim Van Horn and President Dean Rosenlof traveled to Valley Center, Calif., to witness the first installation and flight of VHA 206B main rotor blades on a customer’s helicopter. Bob Hoag, owner and operator of Hummingbird Helicopters, has been flying VHA tail rotor blades on his JetRangers for several years... Read more
6-Apr-2016Source: HeliHub.com
Following the Heli-Expo trade show in Kentucky in early March, Airbus Helicopters took their H215 demonstrator from there on a tour across the US. The series of flights naturally visited both current and prospective customers, and has concluded with the aircraft on static display at the Aerial Firefighting International in Sacramento, California. The three week... Read more
6-Apr-2016Source: REACH
The Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians and REACH Air Medical Services (REACH) recently opened a new helicopter base on the Viejas Reservation. Helicopter services will provide life-saving medical support to local communities, as well as offer secondary support to REACH bases in San Diego, Imperial, and Riverside counties. “We value our partnership with REACH and... Read more
4-Apr-2016Source: PHPA
The Professional Helicopter Pilots Association is troubled with the LAAHNC’s ongoing efforts to solicit helicopter complaints from Los Angeles residents. Although we encourage people to utilize the Federal Aviation Administration’s automated helicopter noise complaint system when they are bothered by helicopter noise, it appears the LAAHNC may be encouraging people to “game” the system and... Read more
30-Mar-2016Source: Fire Aviation
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (better known as Cal Fire) has issued a solicitation to buy nine helicopters — about three a year for three years, with an option to spring for an even dozen. See full story... Read more
23-Mar-2016Source: Redlands Daily Facts
The California Dept of Transportation has revised the helicopter flight pattern included on the city’s permit, and is now directing the city to seek FAA approval on a proposed altitude specification, and to require helicopter operators take off and land from either a heliport or the runway. See full story... Read more
4-Mar-2016Source: Vector
Vector Aerospace, a global independent provider of aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services, is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a contract to perform 12-year inspections on three Airbus Helicopters AS350 B3 AStars operated by the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department (SBCSD). Vector will conduct these inspections at its facilities in Langley,... Read more
2-Mar-2016Source: Finmeccanica
On the first day of Heli-Expo 2016, the Helicopter Division of Finmeccanica presented an evolution of the light single-engine SW-4 commercial helicopter, now designated the AW009. The new model provides improved levels of comfort, reduced maintenance and operating costs as well as an all new integrated avionics suite, and in the future, the option of... Read more
15-Feb-2016Source: USMC
Marines with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 165 supported the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) in a fire fighting exercise aboard Hemet-Ryan Air Attack Base, California, Feb. 11. The Marines with VMM-165 flew out to Diamond Valley Lake on Hemet-Ryan Air Attack Base in an MV-22B Osprey to perform bucket dips... Read more
22-Jan-2016Source: PC World
The Los Angeles County District Attorney filed criminal cases against two drone pilots on Wednesday for allegedly flying their drones in controlled airspace. See Full story... Read more
21-Jan-2016Source: PHPA
Upon learning of a plan by Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) to permanently close the Los Angeles International Heliport, several Board Members of the Professional Helicopter Pilots Association (PHPA) met with the Executive Director of Los Angeles World Airports on January 5, 2016. PHPA requested that the plan be canceled and the heliport reopened to... Read more
19-Jan-2016Source: Airbus
Four California law enforcement agencies have bolstered their crime fighting and public service capabilities by taking delivery of new Airbus Helicopters H125 AStars, the highest performance, best-selling helicopter for airborne crime-fighting and rescue work. Airbus Helicopters Inc. recently delivered six H125s, including two each to the California Highway Patrol (CHP) and Riverside County Sheriff’s Office,... Read more
5-Jan-2016Source: ARGUS
ARGUS International, Inc. (ARGUS) is pleased to present Shier Aviation Corporation d.b.a. Corporate Helicopters in San Diego, CA, with the prestigious ARGUS Platinum Rating. The Platinum Rating is the highest level of the ARGUS Ratings and is awarded only to those air charter operators who have demonstrated successful implementation of industry best safety practices relative... Read more
4-Jan-2016Source: VCStar
Fillmore’s business park was in the planning stages seven years ago, when the Great Recession vaporized any demand for new business space in town. See Full Story... Read more
17-Dec-2015Source: ABC30
The department’s two MD500E helicopters were both built in 1991, purchased used in 1996 and have flown a combined total of more than 30,000 hours. Supervisor Brian Pacheco said the terrorist threat was a reason for his support. “I believe the events of the past week show that we need to have our best and... Read more
16-Dec-2015Source: All Metal MS
All Metal MS, a global leader in the design, engineering and manufacturing of solution driven custom “safety first” aircraft maintenance stands, production line platforms, hangar equipment, portable field equipment and specialty tooling announced today the delivery of its custom “Safety First” Maintenance Stand, Cowling Racks and Blade Racks to The United States Border Protection San... Read more
10-Dec-2015
EMS helicopter “went down in dense fog in an area known to have overhead powerlines”, killing all four on board – pilot, flight nurse, flight paramedic and patient... Read more
2-Dec-2015Source: All Metal MS
All Metal MS, a global leader in the design, engineering and manufacturing of solution driven custom “safety first” aircraft maintenance stands, production line platforms, hangar equipment, portable field equipment and specialty tooling announced today the delivery of its Model 400 custom “Safety First” Maintenance stand to the City of Pasadena Helicopter Section’s fleet of Bell... Read more
26-Nov-2015Source: HeliHub.com
A local news outlet – Big Bear Grizzly – has reported that AgustaWestland were testing the AW169 at Big Bear City Airport last week. This is located at Big Bear Lake, a mountain community 100 miles northeast of Los Angeles and surrounded by the San Bernardino National Forest. Altitude ranges from the airport at 6,752... Read more
18-Nov-2015
Landing on trolley pad went wrong – aircraft tipped back and hit tail on ground twice, then lurched forward and crashed, breaking off the main blades and tail. Lack of tail rotor then started the fuselage spinning on the ground, which it did dozens of times (see track in this video) before gradually coming to... Read more
18-Nov-2015
The crew was conducting an approach to a landing zone inside of a public safety training center. During the approach, a towel was sucked up into the Fenestron tail rotor system resulting in substantial damage. The towel came out of an unsecured trailer next to the landing zone.... Read more
29-Oct-2015Source: Vector
Vector Aerospace (www.vectoraerospace.com), a global independent provider of aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services, is pleased to announce its completion of a modification and upgrade for the San Bernardino County Sheriff Department’s (SBCSD) Bell 212 aircraft. Modifications to this aircraft included avionics, airframe, and tailboom structural modifications required for the installation of a new... Read more
28-Oct-2015Source: PHPA
On October 20, 2015, the LAAHNC announced in a Press Release that they had filed petitions with the FAA asking for the establishment of mandatory regulations for helicopter flights above Los Angeles County. Despite published statements to the contrary from some of the stakeholder groups who maintain no significant progress has been made, the PHPA... Read more
27-Oct-2015Source: KESQ
The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department is adding a new member to its team. See Full Story... Read more
26-Oct-2015Source: HAI
HAI executive and senior staff met for two days late last week with 55 representatives of the air tour industry in San Diego. The first day brought together members of HAI’s helicopter tour operators’ committee. Day Two was a meeting of the Tour Operators Program of Safety. The agenda for both groups was similar, and... Read more
24-Oct-2015
Partial loss of engine power during autorotation flare. Hard landing.French report says “substantial damage” but local press report shows... Read more
23-Oct-2015Source: Airbus Helicopters
Airbus Helicopters Inc. announced that California Shock Trauma and Rescue (CALSTAR) has ordered five H135 air medical helicopters. CALSTAR is the first U.S. customer for this significantly improved and updated variant of the most popular twin-engine helicopter chosen by air medical transport service operators. The order announcement was made Monday in a ceremony at the... Read more
13-Oct-2015Source: The Tribune
Cal Fire San Luis Obispo County has installed a 5,500-gallon helicopter dip tank west of Atascadero in the Summit Hills area. See Full Story... Read more
5-Oct-2015Source: Vector
Vector Aerospace (www.vectoraerospace.com), a global independent provider of aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services, is pleased to announce it has signed a three-year contract with the Anaheim Police Department to provide MRO support for their Airbus Helicopters AS350B2 components. “This contract is another example of our excellence in tip-to-tail MRO support capabilities for AS350... Read more
1-Oct-2015Source: Daily Pilot
If given final approval by the City Council, the 40-by-40-foot pad on the roof of 3132 Airway Ave. would be solely used by Mike Manclark, CEO of Leading Edge Aviation Services, to park his personal helicopter. See full story... Read more
17-Sep-2015Source: The Press Enterprise
Following an explosive summer in which drones repeatedly got in the way of pilots fighting wildfires and nearly slammed into a medical helicopter, a bill taking aim at them soared through Sacramento late Friday on the final, marathon day of the 2015 legislative session. See Full Story... Read more
14-Sep-2015Source: KTLA 5
Two people were killed, including the Chairman of Los Angeles-based Helinet Aviation, when a plane being used by a crew filming a new Tom Cruise movie crashed in Colombia, the company confirmed to KTLA on Friday night. See full story ... Read more
25-Aug-2015Source: KRCR News
CAL FIRE is beefing up their aerial firefighting fleet with a newly stationed “stage one,” or large, chopper at the Chico Municipal Airport. See Full Story... Read more
21-Aug-2015Source: REACH
REACH Air Medical Services (REACH) announces the planned opening of its new air ambulance base in Alpine, California. This emergency medical helicopter service is expected to be placed on the Viejas Casino grounds serving the tribal communities and surrounding region with 24/7/365 emergency air medical transport.This is the sixth REACH air transport vehicle offering service... Read more
15-Aug-2015
Emergency landing in a cemetery, during which the main blades sliced the tail boom off. Helicopter substantially damaged but remained on its skids... Read more
14-Aug-2015Source: SDGE
Today, San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) announced it has renewed agreements to make a heavy-lift helicopter available to support fire-fighting efforts again this fall. The Erickson Skycrane helitanker has the capacity to carry and drop more than 2,500 gallons of water and can be in the air within 20 minutes to assist with fire... Read more
14-Aug-2015
Struck powerlines and made a controlled landing in Angeles National Forest. Substantially damaged... Read more
13-Aug-2015Source: San Diego Air & Space Museum
The San Diego Air & Space Museum has a new addition to its already impressive collection of aircraft at the Museum’s Gillespie Field Annex in El Cajon east of San Diego, courtesy of the United States Navy. On Wednesday, August 5, 2015, the Museum, with the help of A&D Logistics, trucked a retired SH-60B Seahawk... Read more
6-Aug-2015Source: Metro Aviation
California-based Coastal Helicopters recently took delivery of their new H125, formerly known as the Airbus AS350 B3e. Bringing their aircraft total to six, the company boasts one of the most diverse fleets in Southern California. “Metro Aviation’s reputation preceded them,” said a Coastal representative. “Everything we heard about Metro was awesome, and the completion experience... Read more
23-Jul-2015
Substantially damaged after “force landing in the dirt” (FAA)... Read more
22-Jul-2015Source: The Sun Wildfires
Several lawmakers are taking steps to stop drones from interfering in firefighting efforts after several incidents in California. See full story... Read more
20-Jul-2015Source: NEMSPA
NEMSPA (National EMS Pilots Association) is encouraging all pilots and crewmembers that operate in a low level environment to attend a one day wire strike prevention seminar on October 18 in Long Beach, California. Robert (Bob) Feerst, a globally recognized expert in specialized crew resource management and pilot techniques in the wire environment, will represent... Read more
16-Jul-2015Source: FlightSafety
FlightSafety has been selected by the Los Angeles Police Department Air Support Unit to provide training for the Bell 412 helicopter. “Our King Air pilots have experienced consistently high quality training and support from FlightSafety for years, so they were our first choice to support us launching the Bell 412 program,” said Officer Kevin Gallagher,... Read more
16-Jul-2015Source: KPBS
The San Diego Police Department announced Wednesday that loudspeaker public-address messages periodically broadcast from the sky by the agency’s helicopter crews — often unintelligibly, many contend — are now available online, as well, for clarity’s sake.See Full Story... Read more
13-Jul-2015Source: Donaldson
Donaldson Aerospace & Defense, a division of Donaldson Company, Inc. (NYSE: DCI) continues to add to its list of operators relying on its industry-leading Inlet Barrier Filter (IBF) systems for airborne law enforcement missions. Donaldson filtration systems are utilized by more than 40 U.S. law enforcement agencies, including new customers, the California Highway Patrol (CHP),... Read more
12-Jul-2015
On landing, object flew out and struck blades... Read more
8-Jul-2015
Force landed on school property. FAA has no other details, but industry forum suggesting engine failure. Helicopter is operated by TV station KCRA... Read more
1-Jul-2015Source: BizJournals
Sutter Medical Center staff are in training to handle air ambulance transports from the helistop atop midtown Sacramento’s tallest building — the Anderson Luchetti Women’s and Children’s Center — to a neonatal intensive care unit on the seventh floor. See Full Story... Read more
1-Jul-2015Source: The Reporter News
Cal Fire has enlisted a second private helicopter to protect North Bay counties from wildfire, and the aircraft has already been credited with helping contain a fire near Lake Berryessa this weekend. See Full Story... Read more
29-Jun-2015
Landing accident on post maintenance test flight. ended up on its side... Read more
20-Jun-2015
Crashed in low level agricultural work after impacting a fence, killing pilot Frank Gomes Jnr. Ground crewmen who worked for the operator had just refilled the fertilizer tank on the helicopter prior to its last departure. When the helicopter did not return for its scheduled rinse load the crewmen drove out to the field to... Read more
18-Jun-2015Source: Mail Tribune
The vice president of a defunct Grants Pass helicopter company was sentenced to 12½ years in federal prison this morning for lying about the carrying capacities of his firm’s helicopters, including the overloaded Sikorsky S-61N that crashed at a Northern California fire in 2008, killing nine people. See Full Story.... Read more
11-Jun-2015Source: ChicoER
The Butte County Sheriff’s Office is replacing a 1967 helicopter that it has used for the past 17 years. See Full Story... Read more
