FAA Steps Up Enforcement of Laser Penalties
Source: FAA, 17-May-12
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has directed its investigators and staff to pursue stiffer penalties for individuals who purposefully point laser devices at aircraft. “Shining a laser at an airplane is not a laughing matter. It’s dangerous for both pilots and passengers, and we will not tolerate it,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “We [...]
HAI FAASTeam Regional Safety Seminar, Texas
Source: HAI, 16-May-12
HAI and the FAA Safety Team (FAASTeam) present a two-day safety seminar, June 1-2, 2012, in Irving, Texas. The target audiences on the first day are commercial helicopter operators and pilots, and the target audiences for the second day are General Aviation helicopter pilots, certified helicopter flight instructors, and helicopter student pilots. For more information and to register, click here.
Bond AS332s and EC225s take to the air again
Source: Bond Aviation Group, 15-May-12
Bond Offshore Helicopters Ltd., one of the UK’s leading providers of energy support services announced the resumption of flights following the release of important data from Eurocopter. The full fleet of helicopters will return to service over the next 24 hrs. Bill Munro, Managing Director of Bond Offshore Helicopters said, “Bond puts safety first, above [...]
Helicopter Safety Steering Group meets over North Sea EC225 ditching
Source: Oil & Gas UK, 15-May-12
The Helicopter Safety Steering Group (HSSG) met today, Monday 14 May, to share preliminary information on the recent helicopter ditching incident in the North Sea. Making up the HSSG are helicopter operators, oil and gas operators and contractors, offshore trade unions, the pilots’ union BALPA, the regulators HSE and CAA and Oil & Gas UK. [...]
Bond EC225 ditching – AAIB report consistent with Bond analysis
Source: Bond Aviation Group, 15-May-12
Bond Offshore Helicopters Ltd., one of the UK’s leading providers of energy support services concur with the initial findings of the AAIB interim Service Bulletin S2/2012 issued which indicates component failure. The bulletin states that, “An initial visual inspection of the main gearbox has identified a 360° circumferential crack on the bevel gear vertical shaft, [...]
Bond issue statement on North Sea ditching
Source: Bond Aviation Group, 11-May-12
Bond Offshore Helicopters Ltd, one of the UK’s leading providers of energy support services reports that at 12.13h today an Eurocopter EC225 helicopter (registration G-REDW) outbound from Aberdeen going to the Ensco102 Maersk Resilient platform made a controlled descent 24 nautical miles off-shore. The Captain and Co-pilot made the controlled descent and landed on the [...]
Bond Air Services issues notice regarding its EC135 grounding
Source: Bond Air Services, 10-May-12
Bond Air Services, the UK’s largest independent emergency and mission critical helicopter operator providing air ambulance helicopter services, police and marine support to offshore wind farms and lighthouses, will resume flight operations of the EC 135 fleet at 07:00 on 9th May. Bond Air Services took the decision to suspend all flight operations for the [...]
FAA criticized over whistleblower safety concerns
Source: HAI, 10-May-12
In an unusual public rebuke, the FAA’s Office of Special Counsel said in letters to the White House and Congress that it lagged in responding to urgent safety problems, with the administration not following through on promised corrections in five of seven whistleblower cases. Special Counsel Carolyn Lerner claims there is a pattern dating at [...]
Jharkhand Chief Minister out of danger after A109C accident
Source: HeliHub.com, 09-May-12
This news item is part of the accident data provided by HeliHub.com on this site. Information provided in this update may potentially be incomplete or inaccurate as we frequently post these stories only a very short time after the accident has occurred. Users of HeliHub.com are advised to carry out their own checks and searches, [...]
Some UK and Spanish EC135s grounded temporarily
Source: HeliHub.com, 09-May-12
Four weeks ago, Eurocopter issued an AD regarding the main rotor hub of the EC135 after a crack was found. This was an “ordinary AD” as far as those of us in the industry are concerned, and there was a schedule of actions which need to be taken by operators just like there normally is. [...]
Police AW119 down in Brazil, 8 killed
Source: HeliHub.com, 09-May-12
This news item is part of the accident data provided by HeliHub.com on this site. Information provided in this update may potentially be incomplete or inaccurate as we frequently post these stories only a very short time after the accident has occurred. Users of HeliHub.com are advised to carry out their own checks and searches, [...]
Heliflite plans three Robinson safety courses in Australia and New Zealand
Source: Heliflite, 08-May-12
Heliflite, Australasia’s longest serving authorised Robinson distributor are holding Robinson Factory Pilot Safety Courses in Sydney, Melbourne & Wanaka (NZ) during late May/ early June. All three courses will be conducted by Robinson’s Chief Instructor and Test Pilot, Tim Tucker. The Wanaka course will be held at the Edgewater Resort, Sargood Drive, Wanaka from Thursday [...]
Alaska Helicopter Pilots Safety Workshop starts Monday
Source: HAI, 06-May-12
On Mon., May 7, from 9:00 a.m., Helicopter Association International, the FAA Safety Team (FAASTeam), and local industry experts will present a one-day safety workshop for all helicopter pilots and operators in Alaska. Topics include important issues affecting Alaska pilots, best practices, educational outreach, and initiatives to mitigate accidents. The workshop will also serve as [...]
HeliHub.com launches daily email Safety Bulletin
Source: HeliHub.com, 03-May-12
HeliHub.com is today launching a second daily email bulletin – specifically focusing on Helicopter Safety. This will pick up accident reports, news items related to safety as well as alerts to safety documents. While the news stories are an overlap with our main daily news headlines email, this one will provide more insight into helicopter [...]
Colombian Air Force Bell 212 accident kills 13
Source: HeliHub.com, 01-May-12
This news item is part of the accident data provided by HeliHub.com on this site. Information provided in this update may potentially be incomplete or inaccurate as we frequently post these stories only a very short time after the accident has occurred. Users of HeliHub.com are advised to carry out their own checks and searches, [...]
Heliprops – Bell’s safety publication available electronically
Source: Bell, 01-May-12
The Bell Helicopter, Textron Inc. safety publication, Helicopter Professional Pilots Safety Program or HELIPROPS, designed for helicopter pilots, is now available electronically online. Bell’s newsletter Human AD, Airworthiness for Humans, is published in English and Spanish and is distributed to readers in approximately 122 countries. A popular feature of the newsletter are articles from helicopter pilots’ own experiences flying [...]
Global Aerospace launches new aviation safety website
Source: Global Aerospace, 27-Apr-12
Global Aerospace, Inc., a leading provider of aerospace insurance products and services, announced the launch of a new website dedicated to providing safety resources to the aviation community. Developed through the company’s SM4 safety program, the new website is an indispensable resource for aviation professionals who are serious about improving and promoting safety within their [...]
Five Ukraine nationals die in Ka32 accident in Romania
Source: HeliHub.com, 27-Apr-12
This news item is part of the accident data provided by HeliHub.com on this site. Information provided in this update may potentially be incomplete or inaccurate as we frequently post these stories only a very short time after the accident has occurred. Users of HeliHub.com are advised to carry out their own checks and searches, [...]
PRISM provides Safety Management System training in India
Source: ARGUS International, 27-Apr-12
Professional Resources In System Management, LLC (PRISM) is pleased to report the completion of a three-day Safety Management System (SMS) course in conjunction with the Rotary Wing Society of India (RWSI). The course took place in New Delhi, India and focused on the Four Pillars of SMS, safety culture, just culture, decision making, SMS risk [...]
Alaska Helicopter Pilots Safety Workshop
Source: HAI, 26-Apr-12
On Mon., May 7, from 9:00 a.m., Helicopter Association International, the FAA Safety Team (FAASTeam), and local industry experts will present a one-day safety workshop for all helicopter pilots and operators in Alaska. Topics include important issues affecting Alaska pilots, best practices, educational outreach, and initiatives to mitigate accidents. The workshop will also serve as [...]
Good safety is good business ARSA tells congressional panel
Source: ARSA, 25-Apr-12
Aeronautical Repair Station Association Senior Vice President Gary Fortner, vice president of Quality Control & Engineering at Fortner Engineering in Glendale, Calif., testified before the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee’s Aviation Subcommittee about the excellent work repair stations across the country and around the world are doing to ensure aviation safety. “For repair stations, good [...]
Obituary – Past HAI Safety Committee Chairman Bruce L Gillaspie
Source: HAI, 25-Apr-12
HAI is saddened at the passing of long-serving member of the HAI Safety Committee, Bruce L. Gillaspie, Sr., who died January 21, 2012 in Lafayette, La. He was 68. Born in Battle Creek, Mich., Gillaspie served in Vietnam as a U. S. Marine Corps helicopter pilot before flying oil and gas operations for PHI, Inc. [...]
New Book – “Safety Management without the Mumbo Jumbo”
Source: RDCA, 19-Apr-12
“Safety Management without the Mumbo Jumbo” is a recently published book about how to manage safety. The book demystifies safety management. Simple explanations and anecdotes make this book an interesting read for anyone who has an interest in or who is responsible for safety. The book has been published in hard copy and E-Book format. [...]
HAI seeks Deputy Director of Safety
Source: HAI, 19-Apr-12
HAI is seeking a Deputy Director of Safety. Duties and responsibilities include: assisting HAI Director of Safety regarding safety-related matters, acting as the point of contact for and managing staff associated with the HAI Accreditation Program, working with the FAA Safety Team to develop online educational materials, making safety presentations on behalf of HAI, and [...]
Sikorsky S76 down in Gulf of Mexico – all accounted for
Source: HeliHub.com, 18-Apr-12
This news item is part of the accident data provided by HeliHub.com on this site. Information provided in this update may potentially be incomplete or inaccurate as we frequently post these stories only a very short time after the accident has occurred. Users of HeliHub.com are advised to carry out their own checks and searches, [...]
HMLA-169 pilot named USMC ground safety officer of the year
Source: US Marine Corps, 16-Apr-12
Capt. Phillip A. Wiktor, a UH-1Y Huey pilot and the hazardous materials officer-in-charge with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 169 and a Rochester, Minn., native, received the 2011 Marine Corps Ground Safety Officer of the Year Award at the 26th Executive Force Preservation Board in Washington, D.C., March 28. Wiktor was awarded for his efforts [...]
Japan – UH-60J ditches – six rescued, one fatal
Source: HeliHub.com, 16-Apr-12
This news item is part of the accident data provided by HeliHub.com on this site. Information provided in this update may potentially be incomplete or inaccurate as we frequently post these stories only a very short time after the accident has occurred. Users of HeliHub.com are advised to carry out their own checks and searches, [...]
Guatemala – LongRanger down, four injured
Source: HeliHub.com, 16-Apr-12
This news item is part of the accident data provided by HeliHub.com on this site. Information provided in this update may potentially be incomplete or inaccurate as we frequently post these stories only a very short time after the accident has occurred. Users of HeliHub.com are advised to carry out their own checks and searches, [...]
US Army acquiring ‘brown-out’ assistance for helos
Source: US Army, 16-Apr-12
The U.S. Army is in the early stages of responding to an Operational Needs Statement asking for high-tech assistance for pilots to better navigate “brown-out” conditions where terrain becomes obscured. The Army plans to acquire five high-tech, 94 Gigahertz millimeter wave radar systems called Helicopter Autonomous Landing Systems, service officials said April 3 at the [...]
British Gazelle pilot sparks anti-terrorist alert
Source: HeliHub.com, 15-Apr-12
A badly reported story in the UK on Saturday needs clearing up! According to the Ministry of Defence, “two QRA Typhoons were scrambled from RAF Coningsby when a small civilian aircraft was transmitting inadvertently on an emergency frequency and was out of radio communication with Air Traffic Control. Authorisation was given for one of the [...]
FAA proposes changes to guidance on terrain warning systems
Source: FAA, 13-Apr-12
The FAA has issued a Proposed Change to ACs 27-1 & 29-2, Miscellaneous Guidance (MG) 18, Helicopter Terrain Awareness and Warning System (HTAWS) The following draft documents have been issued Draft Document (AC 27-1) (PDF) Draft Document Comment Grid (AC 27-1) (MS Word) Draft Document (AC 29-2) (PDF) Draft Document Comment Grid (AC 29-2) (MS Word) Comments need to [...]
Fatal MV-22 accident in Morocco
Source: HeliHub.com, 12-Apr-12
This news item is part of the accident data provided by HeliHub.com on this site. Information provided in this update may potentially be incomplete or inaccurate as we frequently post these stories only a very short time after the accident has occurred. Users of HeliHub.com are advised to carry out their own checks and searches, [...]
ARSA suggests changes to NTSB certificate review actions
Source: ARSA, 11-Apr-12
ARSA submitted comments to a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) regarding the rules of practice in air safety proceedings. ARSA’s comments propose changes that would bring balance to FAA certificate actions by giving a repair station greater ability to defend itself in the face of agency actions, when appealed to the NTSB. [...]
US Navy grounds MQ-8B Fire Scout after two crashes
Source: US Navy, 11-Apr-12
The Navy recently experienced two unrelated operational mishaps with the MQ-8B Fire Scout unmanned helicopter. There were no injuries to personnel and no damage to other aircraft. On March 30, an MQ-8B Fire Scout operating off USS Simpson (FFG-56) was ditched at sea upon returning from a maritime surveillance mission in support of Africa Partnership [...]
Lawsuit filed for September 2011 fatal R44 accident in Michigan
Source: HeliHub.com, 11-Apr-12
The estate of a Michigan man killed in an R44 accident last September have filed a lawsuit claiming negligence contributed to the accident. Relatives of passenger Mark May initiated the claim, accusing the estate of the late pilot Dan Logghe of negligence, and that company Logghe Stamping Co – founded by Logghe’s grandfather Morris Logghe [...]
Robinson discontinues stainless steel main blades for R44 Astro and Raven I
Source: Rotorcorp, 11-Apr-12
As of April 1st 2012, Robinson Helicopter Company has discontinued sales of and is no longer filling orders for the older-style stainless steel MR blades for R44 Astro and Raven I helicopters. Per AD 2011-12-10 and R44 Service Letter 37- Robinson introduced new C016-7 aluminum-skinned blades to increase dent resistance and reduce corrosion that resulted in instances of debonding [...]
UK CAA launch self-assessment test for laser dazzled pilots
Source: CAA, 11-Apr-12
The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has developed a self-assessment tool for flight crew, to determine the likelihood of pilots having sustained eye damage following a laser attack on their aircraft. Over recent years, the deliberate targeting of aeroplanes and helicopters in flight with lasers by individuals on the ground has become a major global [...]
New obstructions near Paris Heliport
Source: HeliHub.com, 10-Apr-12
New obstructions at a shipyard on the River Seine near Paris Heliport have led to new instructions being issued by an AIP supplement. The new instructions for Pilots can be found at https://www.sia.aviation-civile.gouv.fr/dossier/supaipmetro/SUP_2012_045_FR.pdf Jeremy Parkin – HeliHub.com
Robinson revises need for shielded aux fuel pump in ENG R44s
Source: Rotorcorp, 10-Apr-12
Due to continued supply shortages and spotty availability, Rotorcorp recently checked on availabilty of the KI-206-4 Auxillary Fuel Pump for use in ENG aircraft on a customer order. We were advised by our Customer Service Representative that the shielded KI-206-4 is now being replaced by the non-shielded KI-206-3 version of the pump. Robinson Technical Service Representative [...]
HAI and FAASTeam Safety Seminar: Pilots and CFIs
Source: HAI, 10-Apr-12
On Sat., April 14 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in West Palm Beach, Fla., HAI Director of Safety Stan Rose and the FAA Safety Team (FAASTeam) will present a day filled with informative topics such as: HAI Safety Initiatives, Human Factors in R/W Accidents, Spatial Disorientation, Inadvertent IMC, building safety programs and more. Lunch [...]
FAASafety.gov adds helicopter options
Source: PHPA, 09-Apr-12
Important changes from the FAASafety.gov web site. –PHPA New Email Notification Choice – Helicopter Operations Notice Number: NOTC3642 We are beginning to realize that we need the ability to send pertinent information to helicopter operators who fly low-altitude operations. Included in this group are EMS operations, helicopters that may be used for construction, utility, law enforcement, news media, [...]
Obama nominates new FAA administrator
Source: The White House, 29-Mar-12
President Barack Obama announced his intent to nominate various individuals to key Administration posts yesterday. These included Michael Peter Huerta as FAA Administrator. Michael Peter Huerta is currently Deputy Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and has been serving as Acting Administrator of the FAA since December 2011. Previously, Mr. Huerta was group president [...]
Australia – Heliflite announces Robinson safety courses for May/June
Source: Heliflite, 28-Mar-12
Heliflite, Australasia’s longest serving authorised Robinson distributor are holding Robinson Factory Pilot Safety Courses in Sydney, Melbourne & Wanaka (NZ) during late May/ early June. All three courses will be conducted by Robinson’s Chief Instructor and Test Pilot, Tim Tucker. The Wanaka course will be held at the Edgewater Resort, Sargood Drive, Wanaka from Thursday [...]
CHC Safety & Quality Summit wins award
Source: Transport Canada, 28-Mar-12
Transport Canada proudly celebrated air transportation safety in Canada by announcing the winner of the 2012 Aviation Safety Award. This year, the award was presented to the Canadian Helicopter Corporation (CHC) Safety & Quality Summit. “The CHC Safety & Quality Summit provides a valuable opportunity for those working in the field of aviation to come [...]
AAG celebrates 40,000 safe flying hour milestone
Source: Sikorsky, 27-Mar-12
Associated Aircraft Group (AAG), the East Coast’s premier executive helicopter service, is celebrating its achievement of more than 40,000 hours of safe flying in its fleet of Sikorsky S-76® helicopters. The company’s achievement encompasses more than 17 years of operating the S-76 helicopter. “Forty-thousand safe flying hours is an exceptional achievement for our entire AAG [...]
Second AgustaWestland window pops out in two months
Source: HeliHub.com, 26-Mar-12
This news item is part of the accident data provided by HeliHub.com on this site. Information provided in this update may potentially be incomplete or inaccurate as we frequently post these stories only a very short time after the accident has occurred. Users of HeliHub.com are advised to carry out their own checks and searches, [...]
Dutch R44 ditches in lake next to hotel
Source: HeliHub.com, 26-Mar-12
This news item is part of the accident data provided by HeliHub.com on this site. Information provided in this update may potentially be incomplete or inaccurate as we frequently post these stories only a very short time after the accident has occurred. Users of HeliHub.com are advised to carry out their own checks and searches, [...]
Fatal R22 accident in Italy
Source: HeliHub.com, 25-Mar-12
This news item is part of the accident data provided by HeliHub.com on this site. Information provided in this update may potentially be incomplete or inaccurate as we frequently post these stories only a very short time after the accident has occurred. Users of HeliHub.com are advised to carry out their own checks and searches, [...]
HAI’s Safety Committee looking for new members
Source: HAI, 22-Mar-12
HAI’s Safety Committee is looking for new members to join its ranks. The primary objective of the Safety Committee is to improve hazard and risk identification, assessment and mitigation with the result of eliminating fatalities, accidents and incidents in the helicopter industry. Also to advise, educate and consult with HAI members and the helicopter industry [...]
Canada’s TSB highlights helmets again in Bell 212 accident report
Source: TSB, 20-Mar-12
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) released its final investigation report (A11W0070) into the loss of control and collision with the water involving a helicopter operated by Campbell Helicopters Ltd. that occurred on Lesser Slave Lake, Alberta, on 20 May 2011. The pilot, who was the sole occupant of the helicopter, died in the crash. Mid–afternoon on the 20 of May [...]
US Coast Guard warns of crew complacency in July 2010 accident report
Source: US Coast Guard, 20-Mar-12
A failure to observe altitude restrictions and maintain situational awareness at low altitudes and high speeds are among six factors the Coast Guard says contributed to the fatal crash of a MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter near La Push, Wash., July 7, 2010, according to a final action memo drafted here and released Monday that summarizes the key findings [...]
HAI Award recognizes safe operators
Source: HAI, 20-Mar-12
Attention All Smooth Operators! Did you fly accident free in 2011? HAI’s Operator Safety Award recognizes operators who concluded 2011 accident-free. HAI provides an engraved commemorative plaque and medallion at no cost to first-time recipients who qualify. Members who previously received an Operator Safety Award and submit an application affirming they had no accidents will [...]
9,000th image filed in HeliHub.com gallery
Source: HeliHub.com, 19-Mar-12
HeliHub.com is having increasing success with its “Gallery” feature, recording over 9,000 images in its main Gallery, and around 210 photographers have joined as members of the Gallery. The Flickr gallery provides users of HeliHub.com the opportunity to upload their own photos, and the early success is demonstrating just how valuable this will become over [...]
Eurocopter Canada name “Innovation in Safety” award winner
Source: Eurocopter Canada, 18-Mar-12
Eurocopter Canada presents the first “Innovation in Safety” award to Mr. Geoff Goodyear, President and Chief Operating Officer, Universal Helicopters Newfoundland Limited (UHNL). Committee members have selected an outstanding individual in Mr. Geoff Goodyear who personifies what Eurocopter Canada’s Innovation in Safety Award is all about. Active in the industry for over 33 years, Geoff [...]
Don’t Be Surprised–Be Prepared
Source: FAA, 16-Mar-12
The March/April 2012 issue of FAA Safety Briefing supports the great safety outreach efforts of the FAA Safety Team’s (FAASTeam) 3rd Annual Safety Standdown. While the main Standdown event is on March 31 in Lakeland, Fla., (in conjunction with the 2012 Sun ’n Fun International Fly-in and Expo), FAASTeam members around the country are hosting nearly 90 [...]
HAI and FAASTeam Safety Seminar: Professional Pilots
Source: HAI, 15-Mar-12
On Fri., March 23, from 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., at the Kibby Executive Terminal of the Salt Lake Intl. Airport, Utah, HAI Director of Safety Stan Rose and members of the FAA Safety Team (FAASTeam) will bring a day filled with a variety of informative topics such as: HAI Safety Initiatives, MET towers, ATC, [...]
HAI and FAASTeam Safety Seminar: GA and Student Pilots
Source: HAI, 15-Mar-12
On Sat., March 24, from 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., at the Kibby Executive Terminal of the Salt Lake Intl. Airport, Utah, HAI Director of Safety Stan Rose and members of the FAASaftey Team (FAASTeam) will bring a day filled with a variety of informative topics to make your flying safer and to help with [...]
Bristow employees receive industry, government awards for safety
Source: Bristow Group, 15-Mar-12
Employees in Bristow’s operations in the U.S. and U.K. have been recognized recently for their leadership in safety by industry and government organizations. Captain Jay Slagle from Bristow’s North American business unit was awarded the Helicopter Association International 2012 Salute to Excellence Award of Pilot of the Year. The Association’s awards honor those who maintain [...]
FAA Asks for Public Input on UAS Test Site Selection
Source: FAA, 07-Mar-12
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) today asked for public input on the agency’s selection process for six unmanned aircraft system (UAS) test sites. Once the pilot program is established, the agency expects it will provide valuable data to help the FAA safely and efficiently integrate UAS into the same airspace with manned airplanes. “Unmanned aircraft [...]
Helmet mounted display for safer helicopter flight
Source: DLR, 06-Mar-12
Helicopter flights and landings in poor visibility conditions always present pilots with special challenges. The German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR) has now completed a series of tests with a new helmet mounted display and has brought it into use a flight simulator. In future, this display will assist helicopter pilots [...]
UK CAA release 22 page “Quick Guide” to EASA pilot licensing
Source: HeliHub.com, 06-Mar-12
The Civil Aviation Authority in the UK has produced a very useful guide to EASA pilot licensing regulations. In summary, they tell us this: “From 1 July 2012, EU rules for licence validations will apply to pilots with licences issued outside of the EASA Member States who are engaged in commercial flights in UK-registered EASA [...]
NTSB Chairman supports National Sleep Awareness Week
Source: NTSB, 06-Mar-12
For decades, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has investigated accidents and incidents, across all modes of transportation where fatigue was a causal or contributory factor. National Sleep Awareness Week (March 5-9) and the start of daylight savings time on Sunday, reminds transportation operators and the public to focus on fatigue. “While alcohol is often [...]
Settlement reached in fatal Kittitas County R44 crash
Source: Yakima Herald, 04-Mar-12
A confidential settlement has been reached in the case of a helicopter crash in Kittitas County that killed four people and ignited a 485-acre forest fire. The settlement comes just days before jury selection in the lawsuit had been scheduled to start Monday in a King County Superior Court. (see full story) File photo
Sikorsky sponsors major industry safety summit
04-Mar-12
Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. today announced its Platinum-level sponsorship of one of the industry’s largest and most important safety conferences, the annual CHC Safety & Quality Summit. The three-day, internationally recognized event focuses on the human side of aviation safety, with last year’s summit attracting more than 700 delegates from throughout the world. Sikorsky is a [...]
IHST adds to executive board
Source: IHST, 01-Mar-12
The International Helicopter Safety Team (IHST), a worldwide organization leading a multi-year effort to reduce the civil helicopter accident rate, has added two new members to its Executive Committee – Bill Chiles, president and chief executive officer of Bristow Group, and Capt. John Steel of the Irish Aviation Authority. Chiles heads Bristow Group Inc. (NYSE: [...]
HAI’s “Operator Safety Award”
Source: HAI, 29-Feb-12
To recognize the safe operation of helicopters by its Regular members, HAI provides the “Operator Safety Award” to operators who have not had an accident for the just-concluded year of 2011. Information provided in the Helicopter Operating Statistics (Part 2) will be used to determine eligibility for the Operator Safety Award. Plaques will be engraved [...]
Cabri returns to UK and prepares for sales tour
Source: HeliHub.com, 27-Feb-12
The Guimbal Cabri G2 first arrived in the UK just before Helitech, and generated a lot of attention. Designer Bruno Guimbal flew in from France for the event, and the aircraft was presented by exclusive UK distributor Cotswold Helicopter Centre. The Cabri is receiving increased interest from various countries, and the manufacturer has in recent [...]
Commonwealth of Independent States joins IHST
Source: IHST, 24-Feb-12
The International Helicopter Safety Team (IHST), a worldwide organization leading a multi-year effort to reduce the civil helicopter accident rate, has reached a tentative agreement of cooperation with the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) to enhance the safety of helicopter operations. The Commonwealth of Independent States includes the countries of Russia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, [...]
Legal cases start on fatal UK A109 accident as inquest hears GPWS was switched off
Source: HeliHub.com, 20-Feb-12
An inquest in Belfast into the fatal crash of an A109A, registered N2NR, heard today that the GPWS (Ground Proximity Warning System) was not switched on. A lawyer for the inquiry, Ronan Daly, told the inquest in Belfast that the GPWS “was not actually in use (and that) it was not the requirement for a [...]
2012 FAASTeam Safety Standdown to Debut during Sun-n-Fun
Source: SAFE, 20-Feb-12
The General Aviation Joint Steering Committee identified loss of control–inflight (LOC-I) as the number one cause of fatal general aviation accidents over the last decade. Consequently, this year’s FAASTeam Safety Standdown offers a multi-layered approach to help pilots reduce the risk of an inflight loss of control. The recently videotaped program is hosted by FAA Research Psychologist [...]
Families want Cougar 491 memorial to be built
Source: CBC, 17-Feb-12
The Newfoundland and Labrador government has already committed to spend $400,000 on a memorial to mark the crash, which killed 15 workers heading to their jobs at offshore oil platforms and the two Cougar Helicopters pilots who were transporting them. (see full story)
Air Methods Selects EtQ Safety Management System
Source: EtQ, 17-Feb-12
EtQ, Inc. is pleased to announce the implementation of EtQ Reliance Safety Management System (SMS) at Air Methods—an air medical emergency transport organization. Air Methods selected EtQ Reliance in order to fully automate its SMS and move away from its previous paper system. Collecting, analyzing, trending and reporting of safety events are priorities for Air [...]
Sandel HeliTAWS™ selected for Sikorsky S-70i
Source: Sandel Avionics, 12-Feb-12
Sandel Avionics has announced it has been selected by the Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, Stratford, CT, to provide a new MIL-STD version of its Sandel HeliTAWS wire and terrain alerting system, the model ST3453H, for forward-fit installation aboard the new S-70i Black Hawk helicopter in mid-2012. The commercial model ST3400H Sandel HeliTAWS is the industry’s first [...]
Helicopter Flight Services joins Helicopter Tour Operators Program of Safety
Source: TOPS, 11-Feb-12
Helicopter Flight Services (HFS) of New York City will be welcomed into the helicopter Tour Operators Program of Safety(TOPS) (Booth #4105) at the TOPS meeting at HELI-EXPO in Dallas. “We’re thrilled to welcome HFS to TOPS and commend their commitment to helicopter tour operation safety,” said TOPS Chair Tim Cudney. “Choosing to become a member of [...]
Sandel’s Gerry Block receives HAI’s 2012 Safety Award
Source: Sandel Avionics, 11-Feb-12
Sandel Avionics Inc. has announced that its President and CEO, Gerry Block, has been awarded the Helicopter Association International (HAI) Salute to Excellence AgustaWestland Safety Award, honoring his work in advancing the state of terrain avoidance and warning systems (TAWS) and, in particular, developing the Sandel ST3400H HeliTAWS™ wire and terrain avoidance system. In announcing [...]
