23-Jun-2014Source: FAA
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration today announced that the Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) test site is ready to conduct research vital to integrating UAS into the nation’s airspace. The site is the fourth of six to become operational. The FAA granted the Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi team a... Read more
23-Jun-2014
Substantially damaged in field landing... Read more
17-Jun-2014
Substantially damaged during autorotation landing... Read more
15-Jun-2014
Emergency landing in park, possibly due to mechanical issue... Read more
4-Jun-2014Source: Bell
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT), announced today Paul Watts has accepted the position of general manager of the new Lafayette aircraft assembly facility. The site, announced in late 2013, will be the home of the Bell 505 Jet Ranger X program. Watts will assume this new role immediately while also maintaining his... Read more
31-May-2014
Rotor separated on landing... Read more
20-May-2014Source: Dallas Airmotive
Dallas Airmotive, a BBA Aviation company, announced today that it has identified a site at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport as the location for its 30,000 square foot advanced test facility. The proposed development is awaiting approval by the DFW Airport Board of Directors. The design of the facility includes three turbo shaft and three turbo... Read more
19-May-2014Source: Airbus Helicopters
Airbus Helicopters Inc. (AHI) is hosting a U.S. Customer Safety Symposium dedicated to highlighting top safety issues in the industry and allowing customers to share their ideas and solutions. The two-day conference begins today at the Sheraton Hotel in downtown Fort Worth, Texas. AHI leadership, customers and industry experts will discuss helicopter safety, including safety... Read more
16-May-2014Source: KVIA ABC-7
El Paso Police are still looking for burglars who vandalized a JetRanger and a jet fuel tanker in the Franklin Mountains in northeast El Paso on Wednesday. See full story... Read more
15-May-2014Source: Bell
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT), announced a new purchase agreement and multiple deliveries for new Bell 407GX aircraft configured for VIP transport. The company has reached a signed purchase agreement with Helicopter Flight Services (New York City, NY) for a new Bell 407GX helicopter and two new Bell 407GXs to be delivered... Read more
13-May-2014Source: IHST
As part of its ongoing accident analysis, the United States Helicopter Safety Team (www.USHST.org) has categorized U.S. civil helicopter data by U.S. state for the period of 2008 through 2013. It continues to see the West and the South as ground zero for the majority of accidents. Fatal accidents, for the most part, also follow... Read more
8-May-2014Source: HAI
Multiple Safety Briefings for all helicopter pilots, and a free lunch! Attention all helicopter pilots! Don’t miss this event featuring the latest information on the safety issues facing the rotorcraft industry. Presented by top industry experts in their field, discussions inlcude accident trends, Next-Gen for helicopters, medical qualifications, and more! May 15, 9:00 am, 1940... Read more
7-May-2014
Bell is cutting 325 more jobs as the company continues to downsize in the face of declining defense spending and competitive pressures – see full story... Read more
30-Apr-2014Source: Bell
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT), announced today CareFlite®, a nonprofit 501(c) 3 corporation providing fully integrated medical transport across North Texas, is now fielding four Bell 407GX helicopters, with two aircraft currently in the field and others preparing to enter service later this year. These aircraft will transport ill or injured patients... Read more
25-Apr-2014
Both occupants injured – the owner’s son on a training flight with an instructor. Heavily damaged... Read more
24-Apr-2014Source: RSG Aviation
RSG Aviation, Inc., an industry leader in helicopter and aircraft completions, MRO and maintenance services recently signed an agreement with President/CEO, Rob Howie with Texas Helijet, LLC headquartered in Southlake, Texas to provide helicopter maintenance and fleet support. Rob Howie is focused on delivering exceptional helicopter charter flight services and we are pleased that he... Read more
24-Apr-2014Source: CBS DFW
Senior Corporal Elizabeth “Libby” Cotner in 1994 became the department’s first and only female helicopter pilot. See full story... Read more
21-Apr-2014Source: FAA
As many of you are aware, the 2014 Safety Management System Focus Group meeting planned for Dallas/Fort Worth, TX April 29, 30 and May 1, 2014 has been canceled. We want to thank all the industry and FAA personnel who demonstrated interest and volunteered to participate in the event. We are planning a 2015 SMS... Read more
16-Apr-2014Source: Bell
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc (NYSE: TXT) company, announced it has trained 130,000 students through its Bell Helicopter Training Academy (BTA). The milestone student, Mr. Fredrick “Chon” Taylor, who works for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), is an experienced pilot with more than 3,500 hours in Bell helicopters. Like many of Bell Helicopter’s customers,... Read more
3-Apr-2014Source: IAM
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) today announced an important organizing victory for 450 military helicopter mechanics, technicians and maintenance personnel employed by L3 at the Corpus Christi Army Depot (CCAD) in Corpus Christi, TX. The L3 employees voted for IAM representation by a solid 68% margin on April 2 in a... Read more
30-Mar-2014
Engine malfunction at low level while hog hunting. Substantially damaged in field landing... Read more
22-Mar-2014
Tail strike on landing at 20.05 local... Read more
16-Mar-2014Source: Dallas Avionics
Dallas Avionics announced today the company received a special recognition award from Wysong Enterprises, (Wysong) for their support and dedication to helping Wysong achieve 25 years in business. “We have had a long lasting relationship with Dallas Avionics,” said Wysong Enterprises Vice President Rodney Wysong. “We did not achieve 25 years of business in the... Read more
5-Mar-2014Source: All American
All American Maintenance and Avionics, LLC (an affiliate of All American Aviation, LLC) has been approved as a Customer Service Facility for Airbus Helicopters. All American Maintenance and Avionics occupies 43,000sf of space at the David Wayne Hooks Airport in Tomball, TX, and specializes in the maintenance, repair, and completion work on helicopters, airplanes, and... Read more
5-Mar-2014Source: AgustaWestland
AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce that SevenBar has placed an order for an EMS configured GrandNew to operate in an air medical transport capacity. Additionally, the SevenBar paint scheme was displayed on the newly-unveiled AW109 Trekker at last week’s Heli Expo in anticipation of future fleet additions across the light twin and... Read more
26-Feb-2014Source: Metro Aviation
Each year, more than 2,200 children are transported to Cook Children’s Medical Center in Fort Worth, Texas. Teddy Bear Transport is one of the largest pediatric transport programs in the nation and now, a member of the Metro Aviation family. Teddy Bear Transport utilizes both fixed and rotor wing for air transport. Metro Aviation will assume operation... Read more
25-Feb-2014Source: Meridian Helicopters
Meridian Helicopters LLC announced the sale and delivery of a Bell 206L-3 helicopter to S&T Services, LLC today. According to Matt St. Louis, Vice President of Saint Louis Designs, S & T Services parent company, Meridian Helicopters was selected because of the overwhelmingly positive nature of their references, as well as their reputation for 100%... Read more
24-Feb-2014Source: FlightSafety
FlightSafety International announces the installation of its new Airbus EC135 helicopter simulator in Dallas, Texas. Training is expected to begin in April 2014 following FAA Level D qualification. “Installing a new Airbus EC135 helicopter simulator in Dallas shows FlightSafety’s commitment and ability to respond quickly to Customer needs,” said Steve Gross, Vice President Sales. “They... Read more
30-Jan-2014Source: Dallas Business Journal
Sikorsky has sold a 150,975-square-foot industrial property at 2717 S. Main St. within Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport on a ten year leaseback. See full story... Read more
23-Jan-2014Source: Star Telegram
The layoffs are expected to affect mostly salaried engineers at the company’s corporate headquarters in far east Fort Worth, where it employs about 5,000 people. See full story... Read more
21-Jan-2014Source: Waco Tribune
Whitney Hospital Authority President Jim Cato said the new CareFlite helicopter stationed at Lake Whitney Medical Center will allow the struggling hospital to provide better emergency service while adding jobs to the surrounding area. see full story... Read more
10-Jan-2014
Emergency landing after pilot suspected (wrongly as it happens) an engine fire. Helicopter ended up on its side. 3 POB all injured and to hospital. US Customs & Border Patrol helicopter was reportedly on low level work... Read more
2-Jan-2014
Helicopter crashed and ended up on its side... Read more
1-Jan-2014Source: FAA
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) today announced the selection of the six public entities that will develop unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) research and test sites around the country. These congressionally-mandated test sites will conduct critical research into the certification and operational requirements necessary to safely integrate UAS into the national airspace over the next several... Read more
22-Dec-2013Source: US Army
Corpus Christi Army Depot (CCAD); the core of Army aviation’s maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) for helicopters, engines and components; broke ground on a new modernized helicopter facility that will house painting operations for Army helicopters, this December. When complete, this $34.2M Aircraft Corrosion Control Facility (ACCF) will meet the painting requirements for the Army’s... Read more
13-Dec-2013Source: FlightSafety
FlightSafety International announces that Kelly Allender has been named Manager of the company’s Learning Center in Dallas, Texas. He replaces Daniel MacLellan who was recently promoted to Vice President, Operations. “We congratulate Kelly on his new position as Manager of the Dallas Learning Center,” said Greg McGowan, Senior Vice President Operations. “His experience, leadership skills... Read more
26-Nov-2013Source: Bell
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT), congratulates San Antonio AirLIFE for transporting its 50,000th patient, a milestone reached this quarter. Bell Helicopter is celebrating AirLIFE’s accomplishment at the 2013 Texas EMS Conference, in Fort Worth, Texas, Nov. 24 -27. Anthony Moreland, managing director of North American sales for Bell Helicopter presented San Antonio... Read more
21-Nov-2013Source: Bell
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT), Fort Worth Independent School District (FWISD) and Tarrant County College (TCC) announced today a collaborative effort to provide advanced aviation and engineering training for students at Dunbar High School. Representatives from Bell Helicopter, FWISD and TCC landed in a Bell 407GX at Dunbar High School in Fort... Read more
13-Nov-2013Source: Air Methods
United Rotorcraft Division completed and delivered the first of four medically-equipped Bell 407GX helicopters to CareFlite, a non-profit 501(c) 3 corporation providing medical transport across North Texas. The other three medically-equipped Bell 407GXs are anticipated to be completed and delivered to CareFlite by the end of the year. “United Rotorcraft is honored to have earned... Read more
5-Nov-2013
Emergency landing after damage to main rotor blades. Helicopter was patrolling very close to the Mexican border when it was reportedly struck by rocks launched from the Mexican side. Safe landing, no injuries... Read more
30-Oct-2013Source: Brownwood Bulletin
For nearly 17 months, Brownwood has had two helicopter ambulance services — Air Evac Lifeteam, which has been operating here for 12 years, and Native Air, which began operating on June 2, 2012. Now, only Air Evac Lifeteam will be in Brownwood. See full story ... Read more
23-Oct-2013
Force landing in field during aerial application. Damage level not stated... Read more
23-Oct-2013
During a practice autorotation, after the helicopter landed, it slid about 8-10 feet forward and the skids sunk into soft terrain and rolled over. No injuries reported to 2 POB... Read more
22-Oct-2013Source: AgustaWestland
AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica Company, has named Uniflight an Authorized Service Center for AgustaWestland aircraft operating in the United States. With this agreement, Uniflight becomes AgustaWestland’s newest service center in the United States and is authorized to perform periodic airframe maintenance inspections on all AW119 single engine and GrandNew light twins. This authorization also allows Uniflight... Read more
22-Oct-2013Source: Bell
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT), announced today at the 2013 Air Medical Transport Conference (AMTC) that HALO-Flight, Inc., a non-profit air and ground ambulance service, will be adding a Bell 429 to their fleet for air ambulance operations. “Serving an area of 28,000 square miles and a population of more than one... Read more
17-Oct-2013Source: Uniflight
Hawke Aerospace Holdings (“HAH”), a growing platform of complementary rotary-wing aviation services companies, announced today that Ms. Renee Wilson joined its Uniflight, LLC (“Uniflight” or the “Company”) subsidiary as Director of Sales and Marketing. Wilson joins Uniflight after 22 years of distinguished service with Composite Technology, Inc. (“CTI”), a leading rotor-blade repair, maintenance, and overhaul (“MRO”) business... Read more
17-Oct-2013Source: Microplex News
AirEvac Lifeteam has recently opened a base in Eastland for an air ambulance helicopter. The location is on the north I-20 service road on the east end of town. See full story – This is Air Evac’s base number 115. EagleMed are supplying a fixed wing aircraft... Read more
14-Oct-2013Source: Martens, Todd & Leonard
In Robert Garriott v. Combs, a Texas district court recently ruled in favor of a taxpayer who challenged the Comptroller’s assessment of Texas use tax on his aircraft purchase. Mr. Garriott purchased a helicopter in New Hampshire, but brought it into Texas within the first year after purchase. Mr. Garriott hangared the helicopter in both Texas and New Hampshire. The Comptroller contended that Mr. Garriott owed Texas use tax... Read more
14-Oct-2013Source: Star Telegram
The contract, which takes effect immediately, was approved by 93 percent of members who voted on Sunday morning at the University of Texas at Arlington’s Texas Hall. It covers more than 2,500 machinists, packers and forklift operators at the manufacturer. See full story UPDATE 14.Oct.13 Bell later issued this statement Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc.... Read more
11-Oct-2013Source: HeliHub.com
Bell Helicopter and United Auto Workers (UAW)Local 218 have reached a “tentative agreement” on a new contract, which union members will vote on Sunday. The union has posted the following on its website to the workers it represents SUNDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2013 at 10:30am UTA TEXAS HALL, 701 W. Nedderman Drive, Arlington, TX The Union has... Read more
9-Oct-2013Source: Haverfield Aviation
Privately owned Haverfield Aviation, Inc., announced today that it will be launching three new operational bases out of Denton, Texas; Ft. Wayne, Indiana; and Valdosta, Georgia. These three new bases will operate in conjunction with Haverfield’s existing corporate office based out of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The launch of these three new bases will now give Haverfield... Read more
5-Oct-2013
Joshua Fitts, 34, of West Hurricane, Utah, was killed about 12:20 p.m. when the tail rotor of the McDonnell Douglas helicopter crashed after clipping a transmission line pulley, called a sheave... Read more
4-Oct-2013Source: Sky Helicopters
The nation’s newest public heliport is scheduled to open in December 2013. Located 12 miles Southwest of downtown Dallas in DeSoto TX, the 19-acre public heliport is nearly completed. Combined development teams from the City of DeSoto, the DeSoto Economic Development Corporation, TxDOT Aviation Division, and SKY Helicopters, Inc. have been working together on the... Read more
21-Sep-2013Source: USAF
The Air Force Flight Test Museum parted with a Sikorsky VH-34 helicopter Sept. 13. The aircraft, which has been in the boneyard for nearly 20 years, is being moved to the Texas Military Forces Museum in Austin, Texas. “The helicopter was originally built as a VH which means it’s for VIP’s and it’s commonly referred... Read more
13-Sep-2013Source: Frasca
Frasca International, Inc. has been awarded a contract to supply a dual qualified Bell 407 FAA Level B Full Flight Simulator/Level 7 Flight Training Device to Bell Helicopter for use at their Customer Training Academy in Fort Worth, Texas. The Frasca built dual qualified 407 will have capabilities to convert between the standard Bell Model... Read more
12-Sep-2013Source: Metro Aviation
Editor Note – HeliHub.com has already run the story of this helicopter being launched – see Austin Police launches Eurocopter AS350B3e operations – the press release below was issued today by Metro Aviation and adds to the specification details in the earlier article The Austin Police Department Air Support Unit recently added a third helicopter to its... Read more
9-Sep-2013Source: HeliHub.com
Bell’s Fort Worth facility suffered a strike by members of United Auto Workers Local 218 on Friday, but they return to work again today – Monday 9th. Those involved – over 2,500 machinists, packers, forklift operators etc – resorted to strike action after months of negotiations with Bell over healthcare and pension benefit changes the... Read more
9-Sep-2013Source: Austin Police
Police forces in some 30 regions across the world operate aircrafts from the AS350 B3e family. The AS350 B3e offers excellent visibility, has a pilot-friendly ergonomic cockpit and exceptional endurance and speed. The unobstructed, flat floor cabin concept and low vibration level allow for the installation of all necessary equipment, including fully integrated law enforcement... Read more
29-Aug-2013
Lost power – force landing in field... Read more
9-Aug-2013Source: Star-Telegram
Bell Helicopter and United Auto Workers Local 218 have reached tentative agreement on about 10 issues in contract negotiations but remain apart on employee pensions, overtime and healthcare, the two sides said. see full story... Read more
5-Aug-2013Source: NBC Dallas FW
Careflite already operates a medical helicopter in Denton, but the Denton Regional Medical Center approached PHI about adding a second. see full story. The Bell 407 photo is a file photo – the announcement does not include the helicopter type... Read more
5-Aug-2013
Two workers have fallen to their deaths when a cable suspending them hit a power line they were inspecting – the pair were later reported here as 25-year-old David Edward Oliveira of Turlock, CA and 26-year-old Christoper Geoffrey Breed of Moscow, ID. Helicopter landed safely with no damage... Read more
2-Aug-2013Source: Community Impact
CareFlite has decided to keep its medical helicopter in Frisco, CareFlite’s vice president told the city of Frisco in a letter – see full story... Read more
31-Jul-2013Source: Star Telegram
Nearly two months after union workers rejected a final contract offer from Bell Helicopter, the two sides plan to restart negotiations this week. see full story... Read more
26-Jul-2013
Crashed and burnt out. 2 Medevac’d to hospital... Read more
17-Jul-2013Source: American Eurocopter
American Eurocopter is pleased to announce the purchase of two Eurocopter EC120 helicopters by the San Antonio Police Department as part of an upgrade to their fleet of patrol helicopters. The agency currently operates one Eurocopter AS350B3 for use in fire-fighting, search and rescue and other special missions. The agency is eventually moving to an... Read more
15-Jul-2013Source: Rebtech
REBTECH, one the first civil and military aviation night vision lighting providers in the world, has announced the initial night vision goggle (NVG) compatible conversion of an AS350B3e recently acquired by the City of Austin Police Department (APD). The addition of this aircraft to the APD Air Support Unit will allow expanded critical support roles... Read more
1-Jul-2013Source: Bell
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT), announced today an agreement for the supply of four Bell 407GX helicopters to CareFlite®, a nonprofit 501(c) 3 corporation providing fully integrated medical transport across North Texas. The aircraft will transport ill or injured patients to critical care facilities, serving more than 100 counties within a 150-mile radius of the... Read more
25-Jun-2013Source: Bell
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT), and Tarrant County College (TCC) today announced an agreement through which TCC will purchase Bell Helicopter’s Military Programs Center facility at the Fort Worth Alliance Airport. The purchase of the 161,000-square-foot facility will enable TCC to expand its already successful aircraft maintenance programs currently offered at the college’s Northwest... Read more
13-Jun-2013Source: Air Evac Lifeteam
REACH Air Medical Services and Air Evac Lifeteam announce an integrated partnership venture at a new rotor wing base to be located in Seguin, Texas. REACH Air Medical Services operates Methodist AirCare in partnership with the Methodist Healthcare System of San Antonio, the largest provider of health care services in the region. Current bases exist... Read more
12-Jun-2013Source: my Foxdfw
Union workers at Bell Helicopter have rejected the company’s last and final contract offer by a vote of 85 to 15 percent. The vote took place at the Will Rogers Coliseum in Fort Worth. The contract expires at midnight Sunday. The union says the management’s latest offer would eliminate 200 jobs. (See Full Story)... Read more
11-Jun-2013Source: RSG AeroDesign
Due to steady growth over the past few years RSG AeroDesign has recently completed a facility expansion. In addition to the current facilities, RSG AeroDesign has expanded into two new office spaces at the RSG Meacham Airport Facility. RSG AeroDesign’s new space increases the overall capacity by fifteen engineers. The new space is now the... Read more
10-Jun-2013Source: American Eurocopter
U.S. Representatives Joe Barton and Marc Veasey joined leaders of American Eurocopter, EADS North America and Turbomeca at a rally Friday to call on Congress to restore funding for the Army’s UH-72A Lakota helicopter in the Fiscal Year 2014 budget. The rally took place at EADS North America’s American Eurocopter facility in Grand Prairie, Texas,... Read more
