HeliHub.com provides news via Google Buzz for GMail users
Source: HeliHub.com, 10 Mar, 10
As part of the continued expansion of HeliHub.com, all of our news articles are now available on the Google Buzz platform. Seen initially as a cross between Facebook and Twitter, Buzz is fast carving out its own niche in the social networking world. Google’s launch of Buzz was not without its controversy, but has now [...]
UK’s Devon & Cornwall Police takes delivery of a new EC145
Source: Eurocopter, 10 Mar, 10
On Friday 5th March the Devon & Cornwall Police took delivery of a new EC145 helicopter. This most modern machine was customised at Eurocopter UK in Oxford to meet the demanding needs of the modern police service. It is equipped with the latest aids to police reconnaissance and airborne crime fighting. Included is a state-of-the-art [...]
Alpine Choppers South West invests NZ$4M in new southern venture
10 Mar, 10
Alpine Choppers South West owner Brendan Thow said because of its strong interest in the Fiordland National Park and the southwest corner of Southland, it was operating in Queenstown, Te Anau, Tuatapere and Clifden with hangars under construction.
AgustaWestland summoned to explain AW119 crash which injured Ugandan President
Source: Daily Monitor, 10 Mar, 10
HeliHub.com accident report – click here 07-Mar-10 5X-MAC AgustaWestland AW119 Bugiri, Uganda
HAI Releases New Wire Strike Safety Awareness Video Online
Source: HAI, 10 Mar, 10
Helicopter Association International (HAI) has released a new, online aviation wire strike safety awareness video. “Surviving the Wires Environment” is posted as a streaming video on the HAI Web site, and can be viewed for free by HAI members and nonmembers. The video was produced in cooperation with Southern California Edison (SCE) and AEGIS Insurance [...]
FAA Forecast Links US Aviation Activity and National Economic Growth
Source: FAA, 10 Mar, 10
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is forecasting that key airspace safety and efficiency modernization efforts will play a vital role in spurring long-term sustained growth in air travel and the nation’s overall economic health. This forecast, which comes after a short-term period of slow growth in aviation activity, underscores the need for [...]
North Sea Helicopter Traffic Safety Improves with Sensis Wide Area Multilateration
Source: Sensis, 10 Mar, 10
NATS Services is now using Sensis Corporation’s Wide Area Multilateration (WAM) system in the North Sea off the coast of Scotland for helicopter flight following. Air traffic controllers are using the WAM surveillance information as a supplement to established procedural flight rules until the WAM system completes testing and regulatory approval for flight information services later this [...]
Bond Offshore signs a new SBH® Contract with Turbomeca UK
Source: Turbomeca, 9 Mar, 10
British oil & gas helicopter support operator Bond Offshore Helicopters signed a new Support-by-the-Hour® contract with Turbomeca UK for their four new AS365N3 Dauphins, powered by the Arriel engine.
The helicopters’ Arriel 2C turbines will be maintained by Turbomeca UK which supports nearly 700 engines powering British and Irish-owned customers’ helicopters. Two of the new helicopters [...]
PHI, Inc. Announces Results for the Year Ended December 31, 2009
Source: CNN Money, 9 Mar, 10
Oil and Gas segment revenues were $316.2 million and operating income was $51.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2009, compared to segment revenues of $324.1 million and operating income of $64.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2008
Greenland gives Ontario helicopter firm a lift
Source: Daily Press, 9 Mar, 10
Joining forces with Greenland company Heli-Greenland, Expedition Helicopters will primarily provide support in the mining industry. Services will include staking, sampling, drill moves, camp relocations and aerial assessments.
New Unmanned Helicopter Design Would Investigate Nuclear Disasters
Source: Space Daily, 9 Mar, 10
Students at Virginia Tech’s Unmanned Systems Laboratory are perfecting an autonomous helicopter they hope will never be used for its intended purpose.
Canadian Helicopters awarded additional work in Afghanistan
Source: Canadian Helicopters, 9 Mar, 10
MONTREAL, March 8 – Canadian Helicopters Income Fund (TSX: CHL.UN) (the “Fund”), the largest helicopter transportation services company operating in Canada, is pleased to announce that it has been awarded additional work in Afghanistan by the the United States Transportation Command (“USTRANSCOM”). This amendment to the support contract previously announced on December 22, 2008, entails [...]
Dart Announces FAA/TC Approval of Tyler’s Power Bench for the MD500 series
Source: DART Helicopter Services, 9 Mar, 10
DART Helicopter Services is pleased to announce that their affiliated partner Tyler Technologies Inc. has received FAA and Transport Canada Approval of their Power Bench for the MD 369/A/D/E/F/FF/H/HE//HM/HS/500N model of helicopters.
Tyler has modified its Special Operations Platform (TSOP) for the special needs of power companies. By lowering and extending our standard support frame, lineman [...]
AgustaWestland reveals 2009 results
Source: Rotorhub, 8 Mar, 10
AgustaWestland saw new orders for helicopters fall by nearly 40 % in 2009, the company’s results have revealed.
Canadian Helicopters to disclose Q4, Full Year results on March 17 after market close
Source: Canadian Helicopters, 8 Mar, 10
Canadian Helicopters Income Fund (the “Fund”) (TSX: CHL.UN) will release its fourth quarter and year-end results ending December 31, 2009, on Wednesday March 17, 2010, after market close.
The Canadian Helicopters Income Fund conference call will take place Thursday March 18, at 11:00 a.m. (ET) to review the financial results. To participate in this conference call, [...]
L-3 Wescam hiring 130
Source: The Spec, 8 Mar, 10
This year alone, the president of L-3 Wescam is going to fill more than 130 positions in his Burlington and Don Mills plants with engineers, programmers, program managers, customer service reps, technical writers and system analysts
British man’s helicopter building hobby takes off
Source: Get Bracknell, 8 Mar, 10
An amateur aviator has been given permission to change the use of a Binfield warehouse so he can use it as a workshop for his hobby – designing and building helicopters.
After 2½ years of controversy, Cayman Islands Police take delivery of EC135
Source: Cayman News Service, 7 Mar, 10
After almost three years and a considerable amount of controversy, the police helicopter has finally landed in the Cayman Islands
Norfolk Police re-consider air support options after current contract ends in 2011
7 Mar, 10
No decision has yet been made over who could be awarded the contract beyond that date and all operations were being looked at over its future, the statement says. Options include awarding a contract for a dedicated Norfolk Police helicopter or collaborating with Suffolk Police
Jindal Steel & Power Takes Delivery Of An AW139
Source: AgustaWestland, 7 Mar, 10
AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce that Jindal Steel & Power Ltd (JSPL) of India has taken delivery of an AW139 medium twin helicopter. The aircraft configured with a 12 seat cabin will be used for corporate transport purposes in the Delhi and Chhattisgarh areas. The handover of JSPL’s AW139 further expands the [...]
Sharp Ocean Signs Contract For Two Grand New And One AW119Ke
Source: AgustaWestland, 7 Mar, 10
AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce that its authorized distributor Sharp Ocean has signed a contract for two Grand New light twin helicopters and one AW119Ke single engine helicopter. The aircraft will be delivered to Indian private customers and used to perform VIP transport missions. This purchase marks the entrance of the Grand [...]
Register Update – United Kingdom – 1-7 March 2010
Source: HeliHub.com, 6 Mar, 10
This news item is part of the HeliHub.com “Register Updates” series, listing helicopters which have been added to a particular national register, removed from it or the listed owner has changed. Our coverage represents the majority of registration and owner changes within the global civilian helicopter fleet. [...]
Register Update – United Kingdom – 22-28 February 2010
Source: HeliHub.com, 6 Mar, 10
This news item is part of the HeliHub.com “Register Updates” series, listing helicopters which have been added to a particular national register, removed from it or the listed owner has changed. Our coverage represents the majority of registration and owner changes within the global civilian helicopter fleet. Most updates are weekly [...]
Register update – USA – 15-21 February 2010
Source: HeliHub.com, 6 Mar, 10
This news item is part of the HeliHub.com “Register Updates” series, listing helicopters which have been added to a particular national register, removed from it or the listed owner has changed. Our coverage represents the majority of registration and owner changes within the global civilian helicopter fleet. Most updates are weekly [...]
New helipad set to open at Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital
Source: Rossland Telegraph, 5 Mar, 10
The Health and Hospital Committee (HHC) of the Lower Columbia Community Development Team are planning a groundbreaking ceremony for the new heliport at Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital.
CALSTAR appoints new CFO
Source: CALSTAR, 5 Mar, 10
McClellan, Calif. – California Shock Trauma Air Rescue (CALSTAR), a nonprofit air ambulance service, has appointed a new Chief Financial Officer. Mark A. Vincenzini was formerly the CFO for International Business Systems in Folsom, CA. Vincenzini assumed his new duties March 1st.
He replaces current CFO Lynn Malmstrom, who was recently promoted to CEO following the [...]
North West Air Ambulance opens another charity shop
Source: North West Air Ambulance, 5 Mar, 10
The shop was opened by ITV Granada’s Paul Crone who said “It is a privilege to open this shop as it allows the charity to increase not only its takings through sales but the number of donated items they can accept.”
“The money made by the charity shop helps saves people’s lives on a daily basis [...]
Indian operators suggest heliroutes around Mumbai Airport
Source: Indian Express, 5 Mar, 10
Helicopter operators like Pawan Hans, Unitech Flying and Kestrel Aviation among others have suggested some measures to improve the safety and efficiency of the dedicated chopper corridors at Mumbai airport.
Indocopters commits to fourth base at Bhubaneswar, considers fifth at Hyderabad
Source: The Hindu, 5 Mar, 10
The company will set up another MRO centre at Bhubaneswar in Orissa during the second half of the current year, while Hyderabad too is on Indocopters’ radar for setting up a centre
Uttar Pradesh State Government’s AW109S Grand Enters Service
Source: AgustaWestland, 4 Mar, 10
AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce that the Uttar Pradesh State Government (India) has started operating its Grand light twin turbine engine helicopter. Configured with a six seat cabin the aircraft will be used for VIP transport purposes in the region.
The delivery of the Uttar Pradesh State Government’s Grand further expands the presence [...]
United Rotorcraft Solutions delivers customized EC130 to Cannon Aviation Group
Source: United Rotorcraft Solutions, 4 Mar, 10
United Rotorcraft Solutions (URS) delivered a customized Eurocopter EC130 to Cannon Aviation Group of Georgetown, TX on March 3, 2010.
Configured to meet the requirements of Cannon’s customer, URS completed the EC130 with a Sagem Integrated Cockpit Display, Avidyne TAS 610 TCAS, a Garmin GMX200 MFD, Garmin 696, L-3 WX-500 Stormscope and Garmin GMA340 audio panel, [...]
Mecaer Aviation Group Receives EASA Certification for AW139 Cabin Noise Reduction System
4 Mar, 10
S.E.I. (Servizi Elicotteristici Italiani) S.p.A., a Mecaer Aviation Group company, has received certification for its lightweight cabin noise and vibration reduction system called SILENS. The system has been EASA certified on an AgustaWestland AW139 helicopter, with FAA certification expected early in 2010.
Originally developed in Italy in collaboration with AgustaWestland, the system has been proven to [...]
Helinet Technologies Expands Aerial Surveillance Services Engagement with Special Anti-Crime Unit of Trinidad and Tobago
Source: Helinet, 4 Mar, 10
Helinet Technologies, the aerial surveillance solutions division of Helinet Aviation, announced today it has been selected by the Special Anti-Crime Unit of Trinidad and Tobago (SAUTT) to assist the agency in implementing a fulltime, high definition aerial surveillance capability. The assignment represents a continuation of Helinet’s work with SAUTT providing HD image gathering and live [...]
JSSI® Appoints Avcon Jet as Sales Rep in Eastern Europe, Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan
Source: JSSI, 4 Mar, 10
Jet Support Services, Inc. (JSSI), the world’s largest, independent provider of hourly cost maintenance programs for the business aviation industry, recently announced Avcon Jet of Vienna, Austria, as its new sales representative for JSSI throughout Eastern Europe and Russia.
JSSI continues to focus on expanding its business in Europe and recognizes Avcon Jet’s strong customer relationships [...]
Aspen Avionics’ Transport Canada STC Expanded
Source: Aspen Avionics, 4 Mar, 10
Albuquerque, NM, March 3, 2010: Aspen Avionics, Inc., manufacturer of the innovative Evolution Flight Display System, announced today an amendment to the Transport Canada Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) that grants installation approval of the system in Canada. The amended STC now enables all aircraft on Aspen’s Approved Model List (AML) of over 700 aircraft to [...]
NTSB: AS350 design contributed to fatal April 2008 crash
Source: KTUU, 4 Mar, 10
Floor-mounted fuel controls on a helicopter that crashed in 2008 near Chickaloon, killing four people and injuring one, contributed to the accident according to a NTSB report released Wednesday
Eurocopter Canada lays off 15% of workforce
Source: Niagara Falls Review, 4 Mar, 10
Eurocopter Canada have laid off 34 of its full-time employees last week, and now employs approx 180
Air Methods to Report Q4 and FY2009 Financial Results on March 11th
Source: Air Methods, 3 Mar, 10
Air Methods Corporation (AIRM 27.40, +0.76, +2.85%) will report financial results for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2009 after the close of the market on Thursday, March 11, 2010. The Company has scheduled a conference call for Thursday, March 11, 2010 at 4:15 p.m. Eastern to discuss these results.
Interested parties can access the call by dialing (877) 883-0656 [...]
S92 cabin manufacture moving from Japan to India
Source: Express Buzz, 3 Mar, 10
“The Japan plant, which produced more than 100 cabins so far, will stop production from now on,” AJS Walia, the Managing Director (India & South Asia) for Sikorsky said
GCAA hosts meeting of Gulf Cooperation Council Helicopter Safety Team
Source: Emirates News Agency, 3 Mar, 10
The UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) hosted a meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council Helicopter Safety Team (GCCHST), attended by all helicopter operators in UAE, Qatar and KSA.
Eurocopter sells seven AS365N3s to Pawan Hans
Source: Eurocopter, 3 Mar, 10
Hyderabad: Eurocopter, the world’s number one manufacturer of helicopters and Pawan Hans Helicopters, today announce the purchase of seven new Dauphin AS 365 N3 helicopters by Pawan Hans Helicopters Limited. Mrs. Marie-Agnes Veve, Head of Eurocopter activities in India and Mr. Rainer Farid, VP Sales South Asia, Eurocopter presented a memento to Mr. R.K. Tyagi, [...]
United Rotorcraft Solutions delivered a customized 407 to Ireland’s Newtown Aviation
Source: United Rotorcraft Solutions, 3 Mar, 10
URS completed the 407 with a Garmin Comm/Nav/GPS GNS530AW , SL-40 Comm 2, GTX-330 transponder and GMA347H Audio Control. Also installed are the Honeywell KR87 ADF and KCS55A HSI Compass System, TransCal Blind Encoder, Mid-Continent Turn & Bank and ADI with battery back-up. The airframe was modified with a Paravion door opener kit; [...]
HeliHub.com adds gallery on Flickr for website user photos
Source: HeliHub.com, 3 Mar, 10
HeliHub.com continues its expansion with the addition of a gallery on the popular image bank website Flickr.com
The Flickr gallery provides users of HeliHub.com the opportunity to upload their own photos, and over time this will become a very valuable resource. In time, HeliHub.com will utilise this gallery to provide imagery on the website itself to [...]
Medical Center of Central Georgia’s heliport officially opened
Source: Macon Telegraph, 3 Mar, 10
Within four hours of The Medical Center of Central Georgia’s heliport officially opened Monday at noon, the hospital received its first patient on the roof of the hospital’s surgery center.
Hyderabad Airport ready to lease land for helicopter factory
Source: LiveMint, 3 Mar, 10
The operator of Hyderabad airport would lease out 6-12 acres of land to set up a $70-100 million helicopter factory, two executives of GMR Hyderabad International Airport Ltd (Ghial) said on Tuesday.
Scottish Ambulance Service adds doctors to flights
Source: Scotsman, 3 Mar, 10
A pilot scheme in the West of Scotland has seen emergency medicine consultants being sent out on air missions with the Scottish Ambulance Service. It will now be rolled out across the whole of the country, costing about £2 million a year, after being deemed a huge success
Register Update – Australia – 22-28 February 2010
Source: HeliHub.com, 3 Mar, 10
This news item is part of the HeliHub.com “Register Updates” series, listing helicopters which have been added to a particular national register, removed from it or the listed owner has changed. Our coverage represents the majority of registration and owner changes within the global civilian helicopter fleet. Most [...]
Register Update – Austria – February 2010
Source: HeliHub.com, 3 Mar, 10
This news item is part of the HeliHub.com “Register Updates” series, listing helicopters which have been added to a particular national register, removed from it or the listed owner has changed. Our coverage represents the majority of registration and owner changes within the [...]
Register Update – Ireland – February 2010
Source: HeliHub.com, 3 Mar, 10
This news item is part of the HeliHub.com “Register Updates” series, listing helicopters which have been added to a particular national register, removed from it or the listed owner has changed. Our coverage represents the majority of registration and owner changes within the [...]
Register update – New Zealand – February 2010
Source: HeliHub.com, 3 Mar, 10
This news item is part of the HeliHub.com “Register Updates” series, listing helicopters which have been added to a particular national register, removed from it or the listed owner has changed. Our coverage represents the majority of registration and owner changes within the global civilian helicopter fleet. Most updates are weekly [...]
San Diego County approves $1.1M to refurbish helicopter
Source: San Diego News Network, 2 Mar, 10
The San Diego County Board of Supervisors Tuesday approved $1.1M for refurbishing a sheriff’s helicopter that has been grounded since October. Board Chairwoman Pam Slater-Price said a new helicopter would cost $2.5M.
Summit County may regulate where helicopters are allowed to land
Source: Park Record, 2 Mar, 10
The conflicts about helicopter noise date back three years to when people complained about helicopter sightseeing tours on the West Side of Summit County.
StandardAero Singapore Extends RR250 Authorized Maintenance Center
Source: StandardAero, 2 Mar, 10
StandardAero’s Singapore facility has extended its authorization as an Authorized Maintenance Center (AMC). This authorization renews the level of support Standardaero can provide to Asia-Pacific Model 250 operators. Additionally, these customers will benefit from the support Singapore will receive from Winnipeg’s new Authorized Maintenance Repair and Overhaul Center (AMROC) authorization and its broad level of [...]
Becker Avionics signs dealer agreement with Paradigm Aerospace Corp
Source: Becker Avionics, 2 Mar, 10
Becker Avionics, a leading provider of communication, navigation, surveillance and search & rescue equipment for airborne and ground applications, announced today that it has entered into a dealer agreement with Paradigm Aerospace Corporation, now more commonly known as PAC International, a premier full service helicopter customizing and completions center for [...]
Eurocopter and Pawan Hans set up two JV companies
Source: The Hindu, 2 Mar, 10
Eurocopter announced that it would form ventures with Pawan Hans Helicopters for maintenance repair and overhaul (MRO) and training facilities either in Mumbai or Delhi.
Avior wins Can$35M contract for Bell 429 assemblies
Source: Avior, 2 Mar, 10
Laval, Quebec, March 1st, 2010: Avior Integrated Products Inc. today signed a US$35 million, multi-year contract with Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Ltd. in Mirabel to supply structural assemblies for the new 429 Helicopter. Avior will manufacture the engine cowl structure, which includes multiple light-weight hybrid assemblies using advanced composite materials and aluminum. The composite work [...]
U.S. Helicopter terminates five, does not say why
Source: Dothan Eagle, 2 Mar, 10
Five U.S. Helicopter workers were terminated this week, just days after the company delivered the first of three aircraft in a $14 million government contract, officials confirmed. US Helicopter is a subsidiary of Bell.
Bursary and scholarship program established to remember Cougar Flight 491
Source: News 880AM, 2 Mar, 10
A scholarship and bursary program has been established in the memory of the 17 victims of the crash of Cougar Flight 491 off Newfoundland last year.
Triumph Group buys helicopter parts maker Fabritech
Source: Triumph Group, 2 Mar, 10
WAYNE, Pa., Mar 01, 2010 — Triumph Group, Inc. today announced the acquisition of Fabritech, Inc., a leading component manufacturer and repair station for critical military rotary-wing platforms. The acquired business, which will operate as Triumph Fabrications-St. Louis and be part of Triumph Aftermarket Services Group, is expected to add approximately $25 million of revenue [...]
Dart Announces TC Approval of Apical’s Cylindrical Emergency Float Systems for the AS355
Source: DART Helicopter Services, 2 Mar, 10
DART Helicopter Services is pleased to announce that their subsidiary partner Apical Industries Inc., has received Transport Canada approval of their Cylindrical Emergency Float Systems with & without Liferafts for the Eurocopter AS355E, F, F1, F2, N & NP models.
Apical’s Eurocopter AS355 Cylindrical Emergency Float Systems are the only float systems certified for take-off after [...]
United Rotorcraft Solutions delivered customized 407 to DS Aviation in Dallas
Source: United Rotorcraft Solutions, 2 Mar, 10
The new Bell 407 was completed with the newly certified Aspen EFD-1000 Electronic Flight Display, the Garmin GPS/NAV/COMM, Transponder, Blind Encoder and the Garmin GPSMAP 696 and GMA347H audio, the second COMM is the Honeywell KY196A. The Avidyne TCAD TAS610 is also installed.
The airframe is equipped with the Air Comm air conditioning and heater/defroster, Tech [...]
StandardAero VP Elected to Second Term as Chairman of AMROC/AMC Council
Source: StandardAero, 2 Mar, 10
StandardAero’s Vice President Helicopter Programs, Tom Roche, has been re-elected to a second term as Chairman of the Rolls-Royce Authorized Maintenance Repair and Overhaul Center (AMROC)/Authorized Maintenance Center (AMC) Council. Roche will serve another two-year term in this capacity.
StandardAero has been servicing Model 250 engines and accessories for over 40 years and is the oldest [...]
Aerovel reveals Flexrotor long-range UAV with VTOL
Source: Aerovel, 2 Mar, 10
Husum, Washington 1 March 2010 – When a new airliner is ready for its public debut, it emerges from a giant hangar in a glitzy roll-out extravaganza. But when you have a very small aircraft and an equally small company, you have to think on a different scale. Tad McGeer, Aerovel’s president, recalls that [...]
Lawsuit against Onondaga County Sheriff ‘Air One’ dismissed by federal court
Source: WSYR, 2 Mar, 10
Mercy Flight Central, Inc. filed the suit in Federal Court two years ago, alleging that Air-1 was providing competing services without proper certification.
Careflight takes over Northern Territories medical flights from Pearl Aviation
Source: NT News, 2 Mar, 10
Careflight will take over the services from Pearl Aviation from July 2010 while the NT Government puts the service out to tender
Fishtail Air takes delivery of new AS350B3 at Kathmandu base
Source: Republica, 2 Mar, 10
Fishtail Air now has five helicopters — a Bell 206 BIII Jet Ranger, an AS350 B and AS350 B2 and two AS350 B3s.