12-Apr-2012Source: Embry-Riddle
Vietnam veteran Sanford “Sandy†N. Kaplan, an Embry-Riddle alumnus, will be the guest speaker Tuesday, April 17, for Veterans Appreciation Day at the university’s Daytona Beach campus. Kaplan started by taking flying lessons in 1957 at the age of 16. After high school, he attended Embry-Riddle’s flight training school in Miami in 1959 for 11... Read more
11-Apr-2012
Emergency landing while en route to an accident scene – smoke in the cockpit. Registration assumed as this is the only helicopter operated by Martin County on this work and our report stated “Martin County LifeStar”... Read more
6-Apr-2012
Ingested plastic carrier bag on final approach to land on road to pick up accident victim. Aircraft went U/S and patient continued by road. Mechanic called to clear aircraft for flight.... Read more
2-Apr-2012
Tail rotor struck ground during hover taxi... Read more
27-Mar-2012Source: Orlando Sentinel
Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. broke ground Tuesday on a new helicopter hangar that some hope will give lift to bigger expansion plans in Palm Beach County. (see full story)... Read more
23-Mar-2012
Emergency landing in wooded area. Helicopter ended up on its skids with its nose against a wall, narrowly missing a convenience store. Pilot and copilot both both injured... Read more
20-Mar-2012Source: AAR
AAR (NYSE: AIR) was recognized as “Corporate Business of the Year†from the Miami-Dade Chamber of Commerce for its presence in Miami and its public-private partnerships with the Chamber and a local nonprofit to mentor at-risk high school students and introduce them to exciting careers in aviation. AAR, a leading provider of products and services... Read more
13-Mar-2012Source: Night Flight Concepts
Night Flight Concepts (NFC) is pleased to announce that the Broward County Sheriff’s Office has renewed commitments for a comprehensive Night Vision Goggle training program from Night Flight Concepts – BCSO’s designated NVG solution provider. The training program includes renewal of NVIO™ NVG Initial and Recurrent Computer-Based Training (CBT) for pilots and fire rescue crewmembers... Read more
6-Mar-2012
JetRanger working with Bristow Academy crashed and turned over. Main rotors ripped off, tail boom damage but skids appear to in one piece? No injuries... Read more
1-Mar-2012Source: Night Flight Concepts
Night Flight Concepts (NFC) is pleased to announce that Tampa PD Aviation Unit, a long-time user of NFC NVG Maintenance Services, has procured new Laser Armorâ„¢ Light Interference Filters (LIF) to protect their NVGs from malicious laser strikes encountered by their pilots and aircrew members. The aviation unit is one of the first law enforcement... Read more
12-Feb-2012Source: American Eurocopter
American Eurocopter today announced the purchase of an EC135™ helicopter by the Broward County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) in Florida, the third EC135 in its fleet and the fourth Eurocopter aircraft overall. The BCSO helicopter is an eye in the sky for deputies on the street and a vital lifesaving tool in medical emergencies. Last year... Read more
12-Feb-2012Source: American Eurocopter
American Eurocopter today announced the Hillsborough County (Florida) Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) has exceeded 10,000 hours of flight time on its fleet of aircraft from American Eurocopter — three AS350 B2’s and one EC120. Since the delivery of the first AS350 in September 2002, the HCSO has utilized its fleet to answer more than 17,000 calls... Read more
12-Feb-2012Source: Turbomeca
Turbomeca (Safran group) and Bristow Academy announced that their first training courses will be held the week of 5 to 9 March 2012. This first session is provided in the training partnership formed last fall. Lectures will be given to the Bristow Academy , Titusville, Florida Campus, Space Coast Regional Airport (KTIX). This formation of... Read more
11-Feb-2012Source: Southeast Aerospace
Southeast Aerospace (SEA), a custom aerospace solutions provider located at Melbourne International Airport, has hired Marla Westcott to lead the company’s efforts to obtain AS9100 certification by fall 2012. Westcott brings more than 30 years of experience from NASA’s Space Shuttle Program to SEA’s Quality Department. In her most recent position, Marla led the Florida... Read more
9-Feb-2012Source: Cobham
Cobham Beacon Solutions announced they have received 24 Technical Standard Order (TSO) authorizations from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for the Artex Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) product line. The FAA has allowed transition of the previous approval from Cobham Avionics in Prescott, AZ to ACR Electronics in Fort Lauderdale FL under the new Part 21... Read more
9-Feb-2012Source: Med-Trans
Two press releases for this story – first from Med-Trans In continuing with the Marion County Board of Commissioners’ effort to provide citizens with outstanding health services, Marion County Fire Rescue, Shands at the University of Florida (a premier Level 1 Trauma Center headed by Frederick Moore, M.D., one of the most recognized national figures... Read more
5-Feb-2012Source: University of Miami
The University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine & Atmospheric Science announced that it has received a challenge grant for $700,000 from the Miami-based Batchelor Foundation to support its exploration research efforts. The funds will be applied toward the acquisition of a helicopter outfitted with a suite of scientific equipment that will serve as the... Read more
1-Feb-2012Source: Uniflight
Uniflight LLC of Grand Prairie Texas extremely pleased to announce that Mr. Saul Maia, Partner of Liam Kenneth of Miami Florida has selected them to perform a VIP completion on his new AS350B2. “Mr. Maia selecting us as his completion house for his VIP AS350 is very exciting†stated Uniflight President David Horton. “Mr. Maia’s... Read more
24-Jan-2012Source: HeliHub.com
It sounds a bit like a couple of children playing – “you take me to court and I’ll take you to court in return”, but we’re sure that these two organisations are taking their legal stance very seriously. The current situations are:- In December, Vector took Bell to Alabama Middle Court (case ref 2:11-cv-01071) alleging... Read more
24-Jan-2012Source: News4Jax.com
The family of one of the men killed when a helicopter chartered by Mayo Clinic crashed last month in Clay County is suing the operator of the aircraft. The children of 57-year-old David Hines are suing SK Logistics for wrongful death. They’re also suing Abraham Holdings, the company that owned the helicopter. (see full story)... Read more
11-Jan-2012Source: Broward Palm Beach
​The Broward Commission are deciding whether the Broward Sheriff’s Office gets $6,505,593 for a new helicopter (see full story)... Read more
7-Jan-2012
A helicopter made an emergency landing on Alligator Alley Saturday night, authorities said. No one was injured and the helicopter was quickly cleared from the roadway, according to the Broward Sheriff’s Office.... Read more
6-Jan-2012
helicopter made a hard landing and ended up on its side... Read more
5-Jan-2012Source: NTSB
This is the text from the Preliminary Report. By its very nature, the details are subject to change and should not be relied upon. The Final Report for this incident will be issued in due course:- On December 26, 2011, at 0554 eastern daylight time, a Bell 206B, N5016M, operated by SK Logistics, d.b.a. SK... Read more
2-Jan-2012
The Palm Beach County Health Care District will begin discussions Tuesday on whether and when to replace its air ambulance fleet, which is almost 13 years old. The district paid $6.7 million each for its two Sikorsky S76-C+ trauma helicopters, delivered in 1999. Each one has transported about 4,700 patients during its life and flown... Read more
26-Dec-2011
3 died when their JetRanger crashed en route from Jacksonville to Gainesville to retrieve a heart meant for a patient at the Mayo Clinic, police and hospital officials said. The crash killed cardiac surgeon Luis Bonilla, procurement technician David Hines and pilot Hoke Smith shortly before 6 a.m. in a dense pine forest southwest of Green... Read more
8-Dec-2011
Pilot Richard Bran put the police helicopter down in a built up area after an unnamed problem... Read more
30-Nov-2011Source: Heliflite
“Florida is a popular travel destination for our clientele,” states Brian Lantier, Director of Strategy and Business Development at HeliFlite. “The demand for charter operations has increased significantly over the years. The ability to save time by flying directly to top golf courses, Miami or Disney World is a huge convenience.” Florida operations will be based out of West Palm... Read more
18-Nov-2011Source: NTSB
This is the text from the Preliminary Report. By its very nature, the details are subject to change and should not be relied upon. The Final Report for this incident will be issued in due course:- On November 5, 2011, about 1620 eastern standard time, a Robinson R22 BETA, N413RM, operated by Ocean Helicopters Inc.,... Read more
10-Nov-2011Source: Perla Aviation
Perla Group International Inc. (PERL:PK), a leader in the international military, police and security solutions sectors, today announced it has signed a contract for the sale of 9 (nine) AK1-3 helicopters to Florida based company, Yacht Chandlers. The helicopters are to be delivered over the next 3 years, and sold exclusively to the luxury yacht industry. Perla... Read more
5-Nov-2011
Helicopter was on a low-level aerial tour when it lost height over a residential area... Read more
1-Nov-2011Source: American Eurocopter
American Eurocopter announced today that the Miami-Dade Police Department’s (MDPD) Aviation Unit has taken delivery of another AS350 B3 helicopter. This is the fourth AS350 B3, and it will join the department’s Special Patrol Bureau’s Aviation Unit that includes a fleet of rotary and fixed wing aircraft. “MDPD’s selection of the AS350 B3 demonstrates the... Read more
24-Oct-2011Source: NWF Daily News
The helicopter, which has been operating since June 2006,  is no longer needed because of a decrease in calls and because there are more medical helicopters in the area than needed, according to Larry Hall, field operations manager for Air Methods, which runs the service. (See full story)... Read more
20-Oct-2011Source: EvoLux
After 5 years of passionate research, development and business planning we are very excited to finally announce that EvoLux Transporation, LLC is now open for business! Have you ever been late to an important meeting or event, sitting there stuck in bumper to bumper traffic, miles away from your destination, wondering to yourself, “It’s the... Read more
27-Sep-2011
Training accident, ended up on its side... Read more
22-Sep-2011Source: Bristow Academy
Bristow Academy Inc., a division of Bristow Group Inc., today announced a joint venture agreement with Rotorworld Institute LLC to offer Helicopter Underwater Egress Training (HUET). The first eight-hour course is planned for October 7, 2011, and includes two hours of classroom and six hours of practical instruction. Demand for HUET training has increased in... Read more
19-Sep-2011
The EMS pilot took off with patient on board, but shortly after take off not notified the on-scene engine crew that they had smoke in the cockpit and were declaring an emergency. Landed safety and patient to hospital by land ambulance... Read more
7-Sep-2011Source: Bristow Academy
Bristow Academy Inc., a division of Bristow Group Inc. (NYSE:BRS), today announced it will offer a new course for helicopter pilots on wildland fire operations and suppression. Taught by qualified wildland fire instructors, the class is scheduled to begin October 3, 2011. Entitled “Wildland Fire Orientation for Rotary Wing Pilots,†the six-day course will give... Read more
5-Sep-2011
Tail rotor strike during autorotation... Read more
3-Sep-2011
Photo shows helicopter on its port side... Read more
27-Aug-2011
Solo student pilot, emergency landing off the off the BeachLine Expressway, sparking a brush fire. Pilot had reportedly landed quickly due to an onboard fire.... Read more
24-Aug-2011Source: HeliHub.com
A Collier County EMS pilot suspended in July for leaving his running helicopter has won his appeal. Mark Holmes was suspended without pay July 28 and ordered to complete a safety course and pass a test before returning to work, which he immediately passed. The suspension involved an incident on July 14, when Holmes was... Read more
11-Aug-2011
On long finals, the pilot accidentally switched off the fuel flow. Helicopter made an engine-off landing on a residential street, sliding some distance on its skids before reaching some trees which arrested its movement and it ended up upside down under a tree... Read more
28-Jul-2011Source: Naples News
A Collier County Medflight pilot accused of standing outside his running helicopter last week was placed on administrative leave Friday, a month after he won $70,000 in a whistleblower and retaliation lawsuit against the county. (Full story)... Read more
27-Jul-2011Source: Night Flight Concepts
Night Flight Concepts, a leading provider of night vision solutions, announces that it has been selected to provide Night Vision Goggles (NVG) and training to the Pasco County, Florida Sheriff’s Aviation Unit. “Pasco County has a lot of difficult terrain to protect 24/7 and has been looking to acquire NVGs for some time now,†explained... Read more
19-Jul-2011
Emergency landing made in field. No apprarent external damage. Likely on training operations out of NAS Pensacola... Read more
10-Jul-2011
Hard landing shortly after take-off... Read more
23-Jun-2011Source: Lee County MedStar
Lee County, FL (June 22, 2011) – Lee County Emergency Medical Services (LCEMS) implemented a “stand down†of its MEDSTAR flight operations for a safety review at 7 a.m. Wednesday, June 22. MEDSTAR will resume operations at 7 a.m. Monday, Aug. 1 with its recently acquired Bell 430 helicopter. Bayflite has agreed to relocate one... Read more
30-May-2011Source: Air Orlando Aviation
A new majority owner and financial restructuring will keep Air Orlando Aviation in business and positioned to grow. “This company is part of Orlando’s aviation history†said John Painter, the previous majority owner and company founder. “We have a great team and now we can focus on the future.†The company’s majority interests were purchased... Read more
29-May-2011
“We saw him spinning and hit the ground,†Florida Highway Patrol Sgt. Kevin Ale said.  The helicopter’s cockpit and cabin appeared intact, but its tail boom was bent and its rear rotor sheared off. Pilot named as Deputy Shawn Sullivan... Read more
27-May-2011
Wind gust blew something into the rotor blades while hovering at 3ft when it was hovering immediately outside its hangar... Read more
25-May-2011Source: Professional Aircraft Accessories
Professional Aircraft Accessories, a Greenwich AeroGroup Company, have announced that they are expanding capabilities and their facility in Titusville, Fla. The 20,000 square-foot expansion which is expected to take approximately six months to complete will accommodate the growth of the company’s landing gear service area, accessory shop, instrument and avionics lab as well as an... Read more
11-May-2011Source: Banyan Air
Banyan Air Service will host a free Garmin seminar on Thursday, May 26, 2011 at 6:30 pm, for aircraft owners and operators who are interested in Garmin’s latest aviation panel-mount and portable products for aircraft and helicopters. The seminar will include the GTN 650/750 series, G600, G500, GTS Traffic Series and GPSMAP 696. Seats are limited... Read more
10-May-2011Source: Donaldson
Donaldson Aerospace & Defense, a division of Donaldson Company, Inc. (NYSE: DCI), is helping to ensure optimal service to Florida residents and visitors who need emergency aero-medical transport. The company recently provided a new inlet barrier filter (IBF) system for a Bell 430 twin-engine helicopter in service with Lee County, Fla., MEDSTAR. MEDSTAR provides air... Read more
10-May-2011Source: Florida Times-Union
Kaman Aerospace Corp. is seeking financial incentives from the city and state for a 200-job expansion of its aviation manufacturing plant. The Jacksonville Economic Development Commission is scheduled to vote Thursday on a recommendation that will go next to City Council.... Read more
28-Apr-2011Source: Orlando Sentinel
Jason Dennis McGuire, 27, was convicted on charges of attempted destruction of an aircraft, possessing a firearm after being convicted of a felony, and for using a firearm during a violent crime.... Read more
18-Apr-2011Source: St Augustine Record
“Whenever we get in bed with the county, we get screwed,” said Commissioner Cathy Brandhorst. She also said that the arrangement would amount to “purchasing a liability.”... Read more
12-Apr-2011Source: Grey Owl Aviation Consultants
Grey Owl Aviation Consultants Inc. is offering two Human Factors Workshops during May in Titusville, Fla. Human Factors – Phase I. May 18-19, 2011 Objective To equip aviation maintenance technicians, supervisors and managers with the skills necessary to enhance safety, teamwork and efficiency in the workplace, and therefore, reduce aircraft maintenance errors. This workshop is... Read more
4-Apr-2011
“Sky 13” broadcasting helicopter – precautionary landing on a golf course... Read more
1-Apr-2011Source: US DoD
L-3 Communications Vertex Aerospace, LLC, Madison, Miss., is being awarded a $42,285,583 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery requirements contract (N00019-05-D-0023) for logistics support of 124 TH-57B/TH-57C aircraft. Work will be performed at Naval Air Station (NAS) Whiting Field, Milton, Fla. (99 percent), and NAS Patuxent River, Md. (1 percent), and is expected to... Read more
31-Mar-2011Source: Keys Net
Monroe County Sheriff Bob Peryam wants to borrow one of the Florida Keys Mosquito Control District’s helicopters from time to time. He says it would be a public safety enhancement at a savings to county taxpayers.... Read more
30-Mar-2011Source: Pensacola News Journal
Sheriff David Morgan announced Monday that a $100,000 grant from the U.S. Justice Department’s Office of Justice Program will allow the agency to restart its air unit on a temporary basis beginning this week. The unit, which flies two OH-58s, has been grounded since 1st March 2009 – see HeliHub.com story... Read more
27-Mar-2011
Pilot was flying alone from South Florida to Nassau, Bahamas – the shortest distance for that route being 50 miles. Some 20 miles out over the sea, the aircraft experienced engine problems and put down safely in the water. The Enstrom was fitted with fixed floats... Read more
23-Mar-2011Source: Sikorsky
Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. officially opened a new facility at its Florida Assembly and Flight Operations (FAFO) campus, establishing experimental assembly line operations for the new CH-53K heavy lift helicopter. Sikorsky Aircraft is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX). Since 1959, United Technologies Corporation has been in operation in Palm Beach County with Pratt & Whitney... Read more
17-Mar-2011Source: US DoD
Longbow, LLC, Orlando, Fla., was awarded on March 11 a $10,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract. The award will provide for the procurement of radar electronics units and unmanned aerial system tactical common data link assembly units in support of the Apache Block III helicopter fire control radar. Work will be performed in Orlando, Fla., with an estimated... Read more
13-Mar-2011
“the pilot and crew heard a strange noise coming from the aircraft and made the decision to land.” Orange County Sheriff fly three OH-58Cs and one Bell 407... Read more
13-Mar-2011
Inflight damage to tail rotor... Read more
12-Mar-2011Source: TBO
Pasco County Sheriff have opened a new 10,000 sq.ft building, which will house their four helicopters. By use of inmate labour, the Sheriff saved roughly $700K of construction costs... Read more
6-Mar-2011Source: HeliHub.com
An extensive search involving helicopters from Broward County Sheriff, Palm Beach County and Miami Dade Fire Dept, along with airboats too, were launched to locate a Robinson R44 which was overdue on Saturday morning on a flight from Orlando to Tamiami in Florida. The helicopter, a 2008 model owned by Bravo Helicopters of Miami (http://www.flybravohelicopters.com),... Read more
5-Mar-2011Source: ABC-7
This small piece of equipment called “Heli-TAWS” – or Terrain Avoidance and Warning system. “It’s extremely important. This is a probably the best piece of technology we could put in the aircraft, besides the night-vision goggles we have,” Collier County Flight Operations Director Steve Adams explained.... Read more
5-Mar-2011
Pilot reported as 51-year-old Mark Palmieri. R44 was broken in two and the cabin area reported as charred. Pilot had to wait 3 hours before being rescued... Read more
4-Mar-2011Source: Professional Aircraft Accessories
Professional Aircraft Accessories, a Greenwich AeroGroup Company, announced today they have added Transmission Test Cell capabilities to their repertoire of rotorcraft support. “We have invested approximately $500,000 into a new rotorcraft test cell to facilitate transmission overhauls,†said President of Professional Aircraft Accessories Robert Bial. “We have conducted a lot of research in this area... Read more
2-Mar-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Sterling Flight Training of Jacksonville has taken delivery of a Robinson R44 for their training school. Sterling took delivery of the Raven I at the Robinson factory in California and then flew it cross-country to Sterling’s base at Craig Airport (CRG) in Jacksonville, Florida. Chief flight instructor Scott Malone will use the R44 for primary... Read more
1-Mar-2011Source: Banyan Air Service
Banyan’s avionics team recently completed work on a Sikorsky S76, Agusta 109, and an American Eurocopter AS-350. Upgrades included Garmin GNS-430W, GMX-200, Avidyne EX600 and Honeywell MK-22 EGPWS Safety Package installations. “We’ve been providing rotorcraft services for several years and have decided to become more aggressive in marketing our capabilities in this market,†said Brian... Read more
26-Feb-2011
low fuel pressure warning light came on during climbout at 200′. Engine sputtered and the ensuing landing was heavy, with the tail boom separating from the cabin and the base of the cabin touching the ground.... Read more
