North Carolina air medical operator Dare County MedFlight will be the first customer in North America to retrofit its helicopter to the new 5-bladed version, announced today at the Heli-Expo tradeshow at the Georgia World Congress Center. The new version of Airbus Helicopters’ best-selling H145 light twin-engine helicopter brings a new, innovative five-bladed rotor to… Read more »
Source: Airbus Helicopters, 12-Mar-19
The 1st Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment welcomed their six new AH-64D Apache helicopters this past Tuesday. These new helicopters are replacing their fleet of OH-58 Kiowa Warrior helicopters at Fort Bragg’s Simmons Army Airfield, reports Military.com. Plans are being made to use the Ah-64D in conjunction with the RQ-7 Shadow unmanned aerial system. The mid-sized… Read more »
Source: HeliHub.com, 15-Jun-17
The Carolina Beach Town Council passed a unanimous vote to prohibit the take-off and landing of helicopters in the town. The public commentary lasted two and a half hours, with a large attendance. WECT reports that many people had to stand in the hall, due to the large turnout. Many voiced their concerns over issues… Read more »
Source: HeliHub.com, 11-Jan-17
Citations for dangerous flying and littering are being looked into for social media app company Likeli, after a helicopter cash drop for a back to school event for UNCW. Likeli hired Oak Island’s High Tide helicopter company to do the cash drop. As reported by WNCN, Tim Owens, Wrightsville Beach Town Manager has stated that… Read more »
Source: HeliHub.com, 28-Oct-16
High Tide Helicopters would like to start helicopter rides in a Robinson R44 from Carolina Beach in North Carolina, and believe they have sufficient business from visitors to the area to substantiate one mid-week day of flying per week between Memorial Day and Labor Day each year. So that’s 16 days flying per year. High… Read more »
Source: HeliHub.com, 13-May-16
United Rotorcraft, an Air Methods Division, announced they delivered the first of two Bell 429 emergency medical helicopters equipped with a next generation EMS interior for the University of North Carolina (UNC). The first completed aircraft was delivered from United Rotorcraft’s facility in Englewood, Colorado where the aircraft completion took place. The supplemental type certification… Read more »
Source: Air Methods, 19-Jan-16
About 60 gathered observers at Blue Ridge Regional Airport looked into a clear blue sky with anticipation Tuesday as a state-of-the art H130 T2 helicopter, valued between $4 and $5 million, flew overhead and then landed. See Full Story
Source: Go Danriver, 14-Dec-15
Hard landing while conducting Helicopter Rope Suspension Techniques (HRST) training in a landing zone at Stone Bay, a satellite training area aboard Camp Lejeune. About 20 Marines from Virginia and North Carolina were participating in night training that requires them to exit through the back of a helicopter using suspended ropes. The rappelling and fast-rope… Read more »
02-Sep-15
In a special-called meeting Thursday evening, the Roseboro Town Board gave the green light for the helipad project to start construction. See Full Story
Source: Clinton NC, 28-Aug-15
Metro recently delivered its 75th H145 completion and the first H145 T2 in North America to Dare MedFlight, a leading air medical provider serving North Carolina’s Dare County. As the launch customer for the H145 T2, Dare County worked closely with Metro Aviation to ensure the new airframe fit their exact mission profile. The H145… Read more »
Source: Metro Aviation, 03-Aug-15
In a special-called meeting Thursday evening, the Roseboro Town Board gave the green light for the helipad project to start construction. See full story
Source: Sampson Independent, 29-Jul-15
Dare MedFlight, a rapid medical transportation provider, recently completed a performance comparison between Eastman Turbo Oil 2197 and their current high thermal stability (HTS) oil. The purpose of the testing was to track the performance of the two HTS oils, specifically carbon or coke buildup in the engine vent tube. The oil testing was carried… Read more »
Source: Eastman, 30-Apr-15
Metro Aviation operates the largest, most comprehensive air medical completion center in the world and has completed more EC135s and EC145s than any other completion center. Metro is in the process of completing its 75th EC145, which is also North America’s first EC145 T2, a considerable milestone for the company that recently celebrated its 200th… Read more »
Source: Metro Aviation, 04-Mar-15
Dare County MedFlight, the air medical service provider for much of the Outer Banks region of North Carolina and the site of the Wright Brothers first flight, is the U.S. launch customer for the Airbus Helicopters EC145 T2. The Dare County aircraft is on display at Airbus Helicopters Booth #2437 during Heli-Expo 2015. A longtime… Read more »
03-Mar-15
The Marine Corps may soon ground its four “Pedro,” search and rescue helicopters at MCAS Cherry Point and disband its crew. See Full Story
Source: WCTI12, 28-Nov-14
Plans are in place to close the U.S. Coast Guard facility on John’s Island and relocate the search and rescue helicopter to Savannah. See Full Story
Source: News 2, 29-Oct-14
“Lost power and flipped over” per FAA
26-Jul-14
Enstrom Helicopter Corporation is pleased to announce three new Enstrom dealers: DSA a.s., in the Czech Republic, Hi-Tech Helicopters, Inc. in North Carolina, and Indiana Helicopters in Indiana. “All three are well-established companies and will enhance our market presence for these regions,” said Orlando Alaniz, director of sales and marketing at Enstrom. “We are looking… Read more »
Source: Enstrom, 17-Jul-14
The following OH-58s are currently on the GSA Auction site for sale as “scrap metal”. The photos show two of them as mostly complete fuselages with skids, wire strike system and all windows etc. The third is the shell of the cabin. All three are for disposal ex Raleigh, North Carolina and have been with… Read more »
Source: HeliHub.com, 18-Jun-14
North Carolina’s Dept of Transportation (NCDOT) recently put a little-used S76C++ up for sale on eBay – but the auction has closed with no bids received. The reserve price had been set at $1.5 Million, and they allowed just one day for potential visitors to come and inspect the helicopter and all its associated paperwork… Read more »
Source: HeliHub.com, 09-Jun-14
North Carolina’s Transportation Department has put their S76 on the market due to low usage – see full story
Source: 11 ABC, 07-May-14
The goal of any safety program is to identify the hazards and manage the risks. Accidents are caused by normal people performing normal tasks that usually deviate from a normal system’s environment. At the FREE, North Carolina Helicopter Safety Summit on Thurs., April 10, identify the hazards of inadequate helicopter maintenance, human factors related to… Read more »
Source: HAI, 09-Apr-14
Jerry Trimble Helicopters (JTH) is partnering with Jessica Ward, owner of High Tide Helicopters, to open its fourth flight training base in Oak Island, NC. Jessica completed all of her training with Jerry Trimble Helicopters and decided to open her own flight school at the Cape Fear Regional Jetport in Oak Island, NC near Wilmington. … Read more »
Source: Jerry Trimble Helicopters, 05-Feb-14
Metro Aviation will begin operating for a new customer this November. Vidant Medical Transport provides critical care air and ground service around the clock in Greenville, North Carolina. Vidant Medical Transport owns two EC145’s and one EC135 to service Greenville and surrounding areas within 150 miles. Aircraft are IFR-equipped and outfitted with night vision goggles… Read more »
Source: Metro Aviation, 21-Oct-13
Osprey engine exhaust caused grass fire on a Dare County bombing range. No word as to extent of fire. Osprey was “slightly scorched”
14-Jun-13
Emergency landing for “engine issues”
18-May-13
Just a week after receiving its first UH-1Y Venom, Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 476 inducted three UH-1N Hueys into the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group at Davis Monthan Air Force Base April 24. Two of the Hueys were flown from Naval Air Facility El Centro, Calif., where the squadron was supporting the Weapons… Read more »
Source: US Marine Corps, 03-May-13
City Officials told a local television station Friday funds from asset forfeiture will be used to purchase the drones. (see full story)
12-Mar-13
Emergency landing after electrical malfunction
31-Jan-13
On Tues., Jan. 15, HAI Director of Safety Stan Rose joined the FAA Safety Team in hosting a seminar for helicopter pilots at the Charlotte Motor Speedway in North Carolina. More than 80 local pilots from law enforcement, air medical, NASCAR team flight departments, and other operations gathered to hear presentations on a variety of… Read more »
Source: HAI, 17-Jan-13
Attention all Mid-Atlantic Helicopter pilots! Join us for the very latest information on the safety issues facing the rotorcraft industry presented by some of the top industry experts in their field. A panel of experts from the FAA Safety Team, CLT FSDO & ATC, North Carolina State Aviation, and Helicopter Association International (HAI) will discuss… Read more »
Source: FAAST, 07-Jan-13
Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 366 and Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 467 are scheduled to return to Marine Corps Air Station New River in 2014, pending the completion of a new hangar complex that recently broke ground. When Osprey squadrons with Marine Aircraft Group 26 move into the new hangars, HMH-366 and HMLA-467 will take… Read more »
Source: US Marine Corps, 04-Jan-13
The H-46 model “Phrog” helicopter has served the Marine Corps for nearly 50 years, but its era is drawing to a close. During a ceremony here Nov. 9, Fleet Readiness Center East sent off the last HH-46 helicopter it will service to Marine Transport Squadron 1. The helicopter is being replaced by the MV-22B Osprey,… Read more »
Source: US Marine Corps, 15-Nov-12
The Coast Guard hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the completion of the new Rescue Swimmer Training Facility in Elizabeth City, N.C., Wednesday. The new facility incorporates a larger pool as well as an Underwater Modular Egress Trainer where Coast Guard aircrew and response boat crewmembers will train to escape a ditched aircraft or capsized vessel…. Read more »
Source: US Coast Guard, 22-Oct-12
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Aviation unit recently selected the Becker DVCS6100 digital airborne audio control panel system for their two Bell 407 helicopters. Wysong Enterprises Inc. in Blountville, TN completed an extensive avionics and mission equipment upgrade for both aircraft during the summer prior to the CM aviation unit’s demanding operations supporting the Democratic National Convention… Read more »
Source: Becker Avionics, 27-Sep-12
The Democratic National Convention may be over, but the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department will continue to experience the effects of it being held in Charlotte, North Carolina. Wysong Enterprises, Inc. was tasked with providing essential modifications and installations to their fleet of Bell 407 helicopters for protection during the convention. “We have performed many installations and… Read more »
Source: Wysong Enterprises, 20-Sep-12
HeliWagonTM announced this week that the company has delivered a new HeliWagon to Duke University Medical Center. The new HeliWagon is located at Duke Life Flight’s base at Johnston County Airport in Smithfield, North Carolina. Duke Life Fight was the first North Carolina hospital based helicopter service in 1985. This is the first HeliWagon delivered to… Read more »
Source: HeliWagon, 31-Aug-12
Intoxicated person approached helicopter outside pilot’s peripheral vision while at flight idle and with the patient on board being stabilised. New helipad lacked chain or fence to stop anyone approaching pad, which is adjacent to public-access area
24-Aug-12
Transmission chip light came on. Power reduce and an emergency landing was made at Pope Army Airfield which was about 3-4 miles away without further incident
24-Aug-12
Robinson R22 Mariner operating at low level (it usually flies aerial photography work with boats) crashed into the sea and turned over. Ambulances transported occupants Will Mistrot and Marie Kojimoto to hospital but their injuries were not considered life-threatening We note that the initial press reports (see below) indicated that Mr Mistrot was the pilot,… Read more »
14-Jun-12
Hard landing on the runway, which meant that the runway was closed for 80 minutes.  2 POB not injured.
24-May-12
Nationwide air medical operator and helicopter completions specialist, Metro Aviation, Inc. has delivered the first of two EC145 helicopters to longtime air medical program, Duke University Life Flight. Life Flight Administrative Director, Henry Ward accepted the aircraft during a delivery ceremony at the Metro Aviation main facility in Shreveport, Louisiana this month. Attending the event was the… Read more »
Source: Metro Aviation, 18-May-12
Carilion Clinic will add a third helicopter to its fleet of medical aircraft serving southwest and central Virginia and sections of West Virginia and North Carolina. The helicopter, called Carilion Life-Guard 12, will be based in the Rockbridge County area. Its presence will further extend Carilion’s ability to serve the region, which includes Allegheny County,… Read more »
Source: Carilion Clinic, 03-Feb-12
Metro Aviation, Inc. attracts first-time customer, Duke Life Flight, with their extensive custom aircraft completion options. After operating two EC135’s for several years, Duke Life Flight decides to replace the EC135’s with two EC145’s completed by Metro Aviation, Inc. “The larger cabin of the EC145 combined with the state of the art medical interior and… Read more »
Source: Metro Aviation, 29-Nov-11
Precautionary landing. Photo shows engineers checking rotorhead
25-Aug-11
Near miss with C17 military transport plane. Helicopter pilot took evasive action
27-Jul-11
The Haskell Co., Jacksonville, Fla., is being awarded a $138,836,727 firm-fixed-price contract for the Marine Vertical 22 maintenance hangar, apron expansion, parallel taxiway, and hangar at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune. The work to be performed provides for the construction of an aircraft parking apron to support additional requirements created by the introduction of the… Read more »
Source: US DoD, 12-Jun-11
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – May 27, 2011 – Wake Forest Baptist Medical Centerbegan using its newest helicopter, AirCare 2, during the month that commemorates the establishment of the air ambulance service 25 years ago. AirCare 2 is based at the Elkin Municipal Airport to provide fast transport to calls from northwest North Carolina and southwest Virginia…. Read more »
Source: Wake Forest AirCare, 29-May-11
WILMINGTON, N.C. – Members of Coast Guard Sector North Carolina’s Command Center activated a new interagency operations center here Thursday. The operations center has been established in response to the Security and Accountability for Every Port Act, which required the Coast Guard to establish interagency operations centers in select ports. “You cannot understate the importance… Read more »
Source: US Coast Guard, 13-May-11
HeliHub.com recently reported that New Hanover County Sheriff had chosen to terminate their own air law enforcement program, and put their R44 up for auction on GovDeals.com, which closed yesterday at $425K – it was bought in 2008 for $690K. New Hanover County is putting $300K into the SABLE program – joining the Wilmington and… Read more »
Source: HeliHub.com, 12-Apr-11
Very heavylanding in farm field after experiencing mechanical issues. Skids took impact, and tail boom also damaged. Tail rotor not attached to the helicopter by the time it came to rest.
24-Mar-11
A US Marine Corps Bell UH-1N has today made an emergency landing in a field at Jacksonville, US-North Carolina after experiencing a mid-air port engine fire. Based at the nearby Marine Corps Air Station New River, the photos of the UH-1N where it landed show significant scorch marks The six crew on board all exited… Read more »
Source: HeliHub.com, 15-Mar-11
Bidding is underway on the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office auctions off its Robinson R44 – see earlier stories on this operation on HeliHub.com here The auction opened in the last week on the website govdeals.com starting at $150,000. It is currently showing 7 bids with the highest at $350,000. see http://www.govdeals.com/index.cfm?fa=Main.Item&itemID=268&acctID=359 Sheriff Ed McMahon… Read more »
Source: HeliHub.com, 14-Mar-11
Engine fire en route – emergency (and safe) landing in field
14-Mar-11
MedCenter Air, the regional flight service for critically ill or injured patients operated by Carolinas HealthCare System, has moved one of its helicopter units to Concord Regional Airport. The move, from Charlotte-Douglas International Airport, is part of a planned effort to disperse helicopters to provide faster service for the transport of injured and sick patients,… Read more »
Source: Carolinas HealthCare System, 25-Feb-11
The helicopter, a Robinson R44 Raven II helicopter, will be declared surplus and sold using GovDeals, an online Internet-based company that sells government surplus and unclaimed property.
Source: Wilmington Star News, 21-Feb-11
New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office are ceasing operating their R44 and will instead join the SABLE program – a partnership between the Wilmington and Leland police departments as well as the Pender County Sheriff’s Office.
Source: StarNews Online, 11-Feb-11
The New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office is expected to announce the future of its helicopter program Thursday, after the agency’s only pilot Scott Gerow resigned on 18th September last year amid an internal investigation. Sheriff Ed McMahon said he would explore all options for the four-year-old program–and cancelling it remains an option
10-Feb-11
PBA Aviation is pleased to announce the acquisition of North Carolina Rotor & Wing. This acquisition will encourage continued growth, increased quality and expanded scope of services. North Carolina Rotor & Wing is a leader in helicopter and fixed wing instruction, tours, and part 91 commercial operations in North Carolina. Al Mattress, a board member… Read more »
Source: North Carolina Rotor and Wing, 10-Jan-11
Marines with 2nd Marine Logistics Group (Fwd) tested airborne resupply capabilities aboard Camp Lejeune, Dec. 7, 2010. With the help of a V-22 Osprey from Marine Medium Tilt Rotor Squadron, the Marines made several cargo drops at Training Landing Zone Pheasant in preparation for a 2011 deployment to Afghanistan. Both the MLG and Wing units… Read more »
Source: US Marine Corps, 17-Dec-10
A lease agreement that would station a Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center Air Care helicopter at the Davidson County Airport will be on the table for discussion Tuesday night at the Davidson County Board of Commissioners’ meeting.
Source: The Dispatch, 25-Oct-10
The emergency air transport service took off in April of 1985 with only one helicopter. The fleet has grown to three choppers and a number of ground support units
Source: WNCT, 20-Oct-10
Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, Norfolk, VA, home to Nightingale Regional Air Ambulance has chosen Metro Aviation, Inc. to perform the air medical completion for a recently purchased EC145 helicopter from American Eurocopter. Metro will finish the aircraft in an air medical configuration with a single pilot IFR and a night vision goggle compatible cockpit and… Read more »
Source: Metro Aviation, 13-Oct-10
Grand Prairie, TX – The MedCenter Air Program at Carolinas Medical Center is now operating an all-EC135 fleet, with the latest aircraft entering service in May. The aircraft include state-of-the-art cockpit technology as well as the latest medical equipment. In addition to accommodating one or two litters, the EC135s are equipped with a neo-natal sled,… Read more »
Source: American Eurocopter, 11-Oct-10
American Eurocopter has completed delivery of three new helicopters to EastCare, the critical care transportation service of University Health Systems of Eastern North Carolina, Pitt County. Two EC145s and one EC135P2+ now comprise the EastCare rotorcraft fleet, replacing three BK117s. EastCare’s three new helicopters are fully configured for single and dual patient trauma care and… Read more »
Source: American Eurocopter, 11-Oct-10
The New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office helicopter program is grounded indefinitely after its only pilot resigned Saturday amid an internal investigation. Â – – – HeliHub.com notes that the R44 flown by this unit was registered N911SG, incorporating the pilot’s initials
Source: Star News, 21-Sep-10
The Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center revealed its latest addition to the AirCare fleet on September 3rd for several local emergency services agencies in Alexander County. The recent addition of the EC-130 helicopter to AirCare’s fleet has allowed them to reach out to the communities in their service area and has greatly reduced response… Read more »
Source: Alexander Rescue Squad & EMS, 04-Sep-10
For the first time, Sentara is soliciting donations to help pay the bill – at the same time the company continues to pursue new projects worth millions
Source: Virginian-Pilot, 01-Sep-10
The Hospital says the second air ambulance will be referred to as AirCare 2 and will be based in northwest North Carolina to provide a faster response time to that region and adjoining parts of Virginia.
Source: DigiTriad, 20-Aug-10
Grand Prairie, Texas – American Eurocopter today announced that North Carolina’s Pitt County Memorial Hospital took delivery of two EC145s for its EastCare air medical service fleet. These aircraft will join an EC135 that was delivered at the start of the year and will be located at Pitt County Memorial Hospital in Greenville, North Carolina…. Read more »
Source: American Eurocopter, 28-Jun-10
A recently released report on North Carolina’s aircraft fleet has recommended the sale of 25 of their 72 aircraft and closure of five facilities. The report summary is as follows Evaluation Purpose. The North Carolina General Assembly directed the Program Evaluation Division to study the number, use, and effectiveness of state aircraft; consider ways to… Read more »
Source: HeliHub.com, 03-May-10
MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. – The MV-22 Osprey, long touted by the Marines as an advanced, flexible, transformational and all-around “great piece of gear,” didn’t do anything spectacular in a landing zone capability exercise at LZ 16 at the Robert E. Bush Naval Hospital here March 9. The tilt-rotor helicopter… Read more »
Source: US Marine Corps, 13-Mar-10
American Eurocopter is pleased to announce that three new EC135s have entered service with the MedCenter Air Program at Carolinas Medical Center. The aircraft, which were purchased in late 2009, were completed by Metro Aviation and include state-of-the-art cockpit technology as well as the latest medical equipment. In addition to accommodating one or two litters,… Read more »
Source: American Eurocopter, 11-Mar-10
