18-Sep-2011Source: US Army
MICHAEL ARMY AIRFIELD, Utah — The Project Offices for Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Apache Attack Helicopter and Armed Scout Helicopter conducted an exercise showcasing advancements made in aircraft interoperability, referred to as the Manned Unmanned System Integration Capability Exercise at Michael Army Airfield, Dugway Proving Ground, Utah, on Sept. 16. The MUSIC exercise is the largest... Read more
18-Sep-2011
Helicopter from Germany involved in filming came down in street in Spanish town. Report says that pilot was trying to make a forced landing in an empty lot after engine failure. Three occupants injured.... Read more
16-Sep-2011Source: HeliHub.com
SCOOP! OSF Life Flight, run by St Francis Medical Center in the Illinois city of Peoria, is set to move from using Bell 230s. Â Currently they fly four of the type, registered N830SF, N840SF, M870SF and N880SF, two registered to OSF Aviation LLC in 2002 and two in 2007. In recent days, four Eurocopter... Read more
16-Sep-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Onondaga County Sheriff Kevin Walsh is to petition County Executive Joanie Mahoney to get their “Air-1” Bell 407 put back in the county budget for next year. The budget Mahoney presented to the county Legislature on Wednesday assumes that the sheriff will raise all of the money for Air-1 through donations and by charging fees... Read more
16-Sep-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Heliswiss is celebrating one of its JetRangers passing 18,000 flight hours on 31st August. Delivered new in 1980 from the Agusta production line, and serialled 8606, this aircraft was flown in Austria as OE-DXV until purchased by Heliswiss in March 1986. Later the same year they passed it to their Spanish associate Heliswiss Iberica for... Read more
15-Sep-2011
Photo shows B206 on its starboard side in a field. The pilot was up and walking around near the crash site, while his passenger was transported to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries, investigators said.... Read more
13-Sep-2011Source: El Dorado Sheriff
On Saturday, August 20, Sheriff John D’Agostini unveiled the newest member of the Sheriff’s fleet – a Jet Ranger helicopter, call sign “EAGLE ONE.â€Â The presentation of EAGLE ONE was conducted at the Annual Sheriff’s Posse Picnic at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds when the helicopter, complete with El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office decals, landed... Read more
13-Sep-2011Source: ESCC
“The Alabama Aviation Center in Ozark, a unit of Enterprise State Community College, has formed a partnership with Bell Helicopter-Ozark to develop the Aviation Maintenance Training Program,” says Dr. Nancy Chandler, ESCC president. “This program provides paid, part-time work experiences where AAC students can gain practical skills and knowledge while they complete their Associate in... Read more
13-Sep-2011
All six occupants – Eskom CEO Brian Dames and colleagues Steve Lennon, Louis Maleka, and Kerseri Pather plsu the two pilots (Hilton Atherstone plus one) – suffered minor injuries in the crash and managed to get clear of the wreckage before it caught fire and burnt out... Read more
12-Sep-2011Source: Metro News
Slave Lake in northern Alberta will honour Bell 212 pilot Jean-Luc Deba of Montreal, who was killed while fighting the wildfires that whipped through the town in May. (See full story) . Helihub.com page for this accident – 20-May-11 C-FJUR Bell 212 Slave Lake, Canada (1F). File photo... Read more
11-Sep-2011
Bird strike, returned to base. After thorough inspection of the helicopter no significant damage was found and it was returned to service.... Read more
10-Sep-2011
Bell 412 with five on board lost contact with ATC while on mission to locate missing Cessna 208 aircraft of Susi Air. The following day the helicopter arrived in nearby town of Wamena, reporting that it had had to make an emergency landing due to fog. Jungle location had led media to assume the worst,... Read more
8-Sep-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Bell Helicopter Textron, Fort Worth, Texas, has been assigned a patent (8,014,909) developed by five co-inventors for a “control system for vehicles.” The co-inventors are Kenneth E. Builta, Euless, Texas, James E. Harris, Dalworthington Gardens, Texas, Bryan P. Honza, Grapevine, Texas, Jeffrey W. Epp, Bedford, Texas, and Kynn J. Schulte, Arlington, Texas. The abstract of... Read more
7-Sep-2011Source: Bell
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, today celebrated its long standing partnership with the Canadian Department of National Defense (DND) during a ceremony at the company’s Mirabel, Canada facilities. Members from the Canadian Forces were on hand to be recognized and thanked by Bell Helicopter leadership for their continued dedication to defending national... Read more
4-Sep-2011
commercial pilot sustained minor injuries; the helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tail boom from impact forces... Read more
1-Sep-2011Source: Scott’s Bell 47
Scott’s – Bell 47, Inc., is excited to announce the addition of a new member to their leadership team, Mr. Don Maguire, as Director of Customer Support & Services effective immediately. Don brings extensive experience in the aerospace business, including over 30 years of rotorcraft experience. Don started his career in helicopter maintenance with a... Read more
1-Sep-2011Source: US DoD
Lockheed Martin Corporation Missiles and Fire Control, Orlando, Fla., is being awarded a $49,950,000 firm-fixed-price contract for procurement of 18 AN/AAQ-30 target sight systems (TSS) that will be integrated into the AH-1Z Cobra attack helicopter. This integration is part of the USMC H-1 upgrade program to remanufacture legacy aircraft with state of the art designs... Read more
1-Sep-2011
Landed hard on uneven terrain and rolled onto its left side... Read more
31-Aug-2011Source: Bell
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, announced it has received FAA approval for new vision and lighting accessory kits for Bell 407 helicopter models. The Aeronautical Accessories branded, STC certified kits are available for immediate shipment. The new Aeronautical Accessories vision and lighting kits are available in four configurations designed to improve visibility.... Read more
30-Aug-2011Source: US Marine Corps
CAMP BASTION, Afghanistan — Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 267 awarded 18 Marines with combat aircrew wings at Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, Aug. 26. The combat wings signify service in a combat environment, compared to the basic wings all aircrew receive when their initial training is complete. The crew chiefs of HMLA-267 who received their combat... Read more
29-Aug-2011Source: US Navy
USS NEW ORLEANS, At Sea – Amphibious transport dock ship USS New Orleans (LPD 18) hosted deck-landing qualifications (DLQs) for Marine Corps AH-1Z Cobra attack helicopters during a pre-deployment exercise, Aug. 11. Declared combat-ready by the U.S. Marine Corps in September 2010, the AH-1Z Cobra will undergo its first operational deployment as part of Amphibious... Read more
29-Aug-2011Source: Rebtech
As the result of a competitive bid award by the Virginia State Police Aviation Unit, REBTECH has teamed with Paradigm Aerospace Corporation (PAC) to provide the first night vision compatible cockpit and cabins for the agency’s Bell 407 helicopters. Installation of the REBTECH night vision Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) was completed at the PAC facility... Read more
27-Aug-2011
Helicopter ditched in the Gulf of Mexico, 10 miles off Sabine Pass, TX. Emergency floats deployed and photos show helicopter upright floating on the water.... Read more
26-Aug-2011Source: US Marine Corps
Sgt. Zachary Lucas, a UH-1Y crew chief with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 367, was recognized for his technical innovation with a $5,000 check Aug. 19 at Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton. Lucas, 26, from St. Louis, Mo., was awarded with a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal and a check for Department of... Read more
26-Aug-2011Source: Air Evac Lifeteam
Marion, IL – Todd Test, flight paramedic for the Marion, Ill. Air Evac Lifeteam base, has been honored with the company’s 2011 Region 1 Flight Paramedic of the Year award. Test’s region consists of Air Evac Lifeteam bases in Illinois, Missouri and Indiana. The Flight Paramedic of the Year is presented to the paramedic who... Read more
24-Aug-2011Source: Air Evac Lifeteam
The Evansville, Ind. Air Evac Lifeteam base has been selected as the company’s 2011 Region 1 Base of the Year. Region 1 consists of Air Evac Lifeteam bases in Illinois, Iowa, Indiana and Missouri. The Base of the Year Award is presented to the base in the Air Evac Lifeteam system that best exemplifies the... Read more
23-Aug-2011Source: GES
Global Experience Specialists (GES) a leader in exhibition, event and retail marketing services announced that it completed another successful product launch for long-time client Bell Helicopter. The most recent product launch was at Heli-Expo 2011, the largest trade show dedicated to the international helicopter community. GES delivered a sophisticated, high-impact experience to showcase and debut two new... Read more
23-Aug-2011Source: Scott’s – Bell 47
Scott’s – Bell 47, Inc. (SB47), OEM for the Model 47 helicopter, today announced a reduction of their Main Rotor Blade spares pricing to $45,000 per blade, -13 & -21, and $45,500 for the -23. This reduction is driven by the customer survey responses received over the past 6 months and is afforded by their... Read more
23-Aug-2011Source: Canadian Forces
The Joint Task Force Afghanistan (JTF-Afg) Air Wing officially ended its operations today at Kandahar Airfield in a ceremony attended by key leaders of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), as well as the Canadian Forces (CF) members currently deployed at Kandahar Airfield. This comes on the heels of the end of the CF’s combat... Read more
23-Aug-2011Source: Aero Dynamix
Aero Dynamix Inc. is very proud to announce the completion and delivery of the Howard County Police night vision goggle modified Bell 407 aircraft. ’We are very pleased to be working with a large number of law enforcement agencies on the conversion of their aircraft for night vision goggle operations’ stated General Manager Dennis Trout.... Read more
21-Aug-2011Source: Boeing
Boeing [NYSE: BA] today announced that it will use a Helimod helicopter simulator leased from Ryan Aerospace to help train Australian Army pilots to fly Bell 206B-1 Kiowa helicopters. Delivery is expected before the end of this year. “Under our Army Aviation Training and Training Support (AATTS) contract, Boeing has traditionally taught students to fly... Read more
21-Aug-2011Source: San Juan Regional Medical Center
Four Corners residents might have noticed an unfamiliar sound and object in the air as San Juan Regional Medical Center’s new Bell 429 air ambulance landed at the hospital over the past weekend and its pilots began training flights. The Bell 429 AirCare helicopter replaces the hospital’s previous Bell 222 model, which was leased for... Read more
21-Aug-2011
Struck powerline during agricultural ops... Read more
18-Aug-2011
Fell into river while trying to rescue people trapped in car by flood waters... Read more
18-Aug-2011
Fatality was Captain Erhan Kind, survivor named as Kamuran Sönmezay... Read more
18-Aug-2011
Fuel pressure warning light and one engine shut-down on final approach. Fuel line between the fuel valve and the fuel management module was not properly torqued and came loose allowing air into the system... Read more
17-Aug-2011Source: US DoD
PKL Services, Inc.*, Poway, Calif., is being awarded a $15,876,931 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00421-09-C-0023) to exercise an option for organizational level maintenance on the following Marine Corp aircraft platforms: AH-1W, UH-1N, CH-53D/E, and CH-46E. Work will be performed in Camp Pendleton, San Diego, Calif. (30 percent); Jacksonville, Fla. (25 percent); Iraq/Afghanistan... Read more
17-Aug-2011
Crashed into the sea, one survivor... Read more
15-Aug-2011
A helicopter was damaged in an accident near the Aitik mine in Gällivare this afternoon. The pilot, who was the only one onboard, escaped without injuries. The cause of the outcome is unknown, but it will be examined by the Swedish Accident Investigation Board.... Read more
14-Aug-2011
Crashed in orchard during agricultural ops... Read more
12-Aug-2011Source: Canadian DND
The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence, today announced that in response to a request from the Government of Jamaica, Canada is deploying three CH-146 Griffon tactical helicopters and 65 Canadian Forces personnel to support the Jamaica Defence Force during the 2011 hurricane season. “Our government is committed to ensuring that our Canadian Forces are... Read more
11-Aug-2011Source: Bell
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT), announced today that Patrick Moulay has been selected as the new Managing Director for Commercial Business for the Europe and Russia regions. Moulay’s selection was the result of a broad search to find the right talent in terms of knowledge, commitment and energy to represent Bell Helicopter in... Read more
10-Aug-2011Source: Aerosonic
Aerosonic Corporation, a leading supplier of precision flight products for commercial, business and military aircraft, today announced that it has received a new contract award from Defense Logistics Agency in support of the US Army Aviation Command. The contract is to supply AAU/32A Encoding Altimeters used on the UH60 Blackhawk and OH58 Helicopter Fleet. The... Read more
10-Aug-2011Source: FlightSafety
FlightSafety International is pleased to announce that Mitch Alexander has been promoted to Manager of the company’s Learning Center in Daleville, Alabama. “Mitch’s proven leadership experience, in-depth knowledge of training center operations, and commitment to provide our Customers with high quality training programs and services, made him the ideal choice for this important role.†said... Read more
10-Aug-2011
Public Security reported that it learned of this incident that injured the pilot, copilot and mechanic, who were admitted to General Hospital Xpujil... Read more
8-Aug-2011Source: Bell Boeing
The Bell Boeing V-22 Program, a strategic alliance between Bell Helicopter – Textron [NYSE: TXT] and the Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] announced today that it has submitted its proposal to the U.S. government for a second multiyear procurement (MYP II) contract for the production and delivery of V-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft.  The five-year, fixed price... Read more
7-Aug-2011Source: Bell
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, has been named number one in product support in Aviation International News’ 2011 Product Support Survey for the sixth consecutive year. As the top scorer in eight of the 10 categories surveyed, Bell Helicopter strengthened its position as the industry leader in customer support. Earlier this year,... Read more
5-Aug-2011Source: HeliHub.com
In recent months we have charted the lack of progress of helicopter operations by the Longmint Group, particularly focusing on Sterling Helicopters. In one article, we noted that a private company Toby Blackwell Ltd had commenced legal proceedings against Sterling Helicopters, noting that they had bought three JetRangers from Sterling and then opened a leaseback... Read more
4-Aug-2011Source: DART Helicopter Services
DART is pleased to announce they have received Brazilian approval for their Heli-Rappel™ Kit for the Medium Bell aircraft models. Transport Canada and FAA approvals have been previously received. Installed in the roof structure of the cabin, the Heli‑Rappel™ provides a secure and safe system for deploying personnel into the field from a hover position... Read more
4-Aug-2011Source: US DoD
Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc., Fort Worth, Texas, was awarded a $54,490,905 firm-fixed-price contract. The award will provide for the production of the OH-58D Kiowa Warrior control display system version cabin conversion. Work will be performed in Amarillo, Texas, with an estimated completion date of July 31, 2012. One bid was solicited, with one bid received. ... Read more
4-Aug-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Local sources in the capital Colombo are reporting that that Sri Lankan Air Force are to buy two Bell 412s. The report states that representatives are already with Bell in Texas discussing details of the acquisition. The SLAF already operates eight Bell 412s. Unusually, the Air Force also operates pseudo civil flights under the operating... Read more
3-Aug-2011Source: DART Helicopter Services
DART is pleased to announce that they have received Transport Canada, FAA and EASA certification for their Vertical Reference Door Kit for Bell 204/205/210/212//214/412 model of aircraft. DART’s Vertical Reference Door improves visibility and allows the pilot to maneuver with precision when conducting any sort of vertical reference work. In addition to offering a complete... Read more
3-Aug-2011
The Bell 412, carrying two Australians, two South Africans and six Indonesians, lost contact with authorities Wednesday afternoon minutes after takeoff from the city of Manado on Sulawesi island. It was later found after impacting terrain... Read more
3-Aug-2011
Emergency landing beside road. No apparent external damage... Read more
2-Aug-2011
Force landed; damage unknown... Read more
2-Aug-2011
Force landing on a construction site following inflight loss of power. Landing was very heavy – skids collapsed and fuselage ended up on the ground. Pilot named as Boarini Bojikian Marcelo... Read more
1-Aug-2011Source: US DoD
Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc., Hurst, Texas, is being awarded a $12,507,896 firm-fixed price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract to provide for the repair coverage of seven items required to support the H-1 aircraft. Work will be performed in Hurst, Texas, and is expected to be completed Nov. 30, 2013.  Contract funds are Navy Working Capital Funds and will... Read more
1-Aug-2011
Wire strike during agricultural ops. 25 year old pilot Joseph Sailer of Shakopee Minnesota never saw the power line across the corn field. Press reported operated by Northland Helicopters but helicopter is registered to Scotts Helicopter Service... Read more
1-Aug-2011
Contacted wires on take off with patient from road accident site... Read more
31-Jul-2011
Fatal crash while on geological mission on Nelson Glacier. Aircraft remains found at 5,100ft altitude. Victims later named by RCMP as 35 year old pilot Randy Lambert from Abbotsford, 40 year old Colin Dionne from Powell River and 32 year old Mathieu Lefebvre-Masse from Lund BC... Read more
31-Jul-2011
Precautionary stop after indication of mechanical problems, while en route from EAA AirVenture back to its base in Indiana. Landed at 9.45am and after being checked over and cleared to fly, departed 3.45pm... Read more
28-Jul-2011Source: Erlanger Health System
Erlanger Health System’s air medical program, LIFE FORCE, has received a three-year accreditation for achieving high priority in patient care and safety from the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems (CAMTS). As of July 15, 148 accredited medical services are through CAMTS. LIFE FORCE is one of three air medical services in Tennessee that... Read more
28-Jul-2011
The current Group Captain, ‘Jock’ Brown is leaving RAF Shawbury after 2 years to take up a vital and exciting role in Afghanistan. His replacement is Captain Paul Shawcross from the Royal Navy who arrives from the same role. (full story)... Read more
28-Jul-2011Source: DART Helicopter Services
DART is pleased to announce FAA, Transport Canada and EASA approval of their Quick Release Heli-Utility-Basketâ„¢ for the Bell 206L/L1/L3/L4 and 407 series of aircraft. The new PATENT PENDING DART Quick Release Heli-Utility-Basketsâ„¢ for light Bell aircraft feature an innovative mounting system that allows one person to quickly install or remove the basket in less... Read more
28-Jul-2011
Crop dusting accident. Pilot Matt Aubuchon was not hurt.... Read more
27-Jul-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Russia’s Interstate Aviation Committee has this week announced the completion of the certification process for Bell’s light twin model 429. This will open the way for sales Jet Transfer, Bell’s distributor for in Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan. Shortly after this achievement, and the handover of certificate number PT325 to the manufacturer, Jet Transfer announced the... Read more
27-Jul-2011Source: US DoD
Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded a $549,999,711 firm-fixed-price modification to a previously awarded advance acquisition contract (N00019-10-C-0015) for long lead materials and components associated with the manufacture and delivery of 19 lot eight UH-1Y build new aircraft; eight AH-1Z remanufactured aircraft; and six lot eight AH-1Z build new aircraft. This... Read more
27-Jul-2011Source: Lexington Institute
The U.S. Army has been seeking a successor to the OH-58 Kiowa reconnaissance helicopter for over a decade, and it has been a frustrating experience. The first attempt, called the RAH-66 Comanche, was canceled after it ran up $7 billion in development bills on a design that was too costly and complicated. The Army then... Read more
27-Jul-2011
The pilot was landing the helicopter on a helicopter cart. He said that the helicopter’s skid got caught on the cart and the helicopter subsequently rolled over. There were no mechanical malfunctions with the helicopter during the flight. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to its tailboom when it rolled.... Read more
25-Jul-2011Source: HeliHub.com
At the Air Medical Transport Conference in Ft. Lauderdale last October, Bell announced that Air Evac Lifeteam had placed an order for sixteen Bell LongRanger IV helicopters. HeliHub.com has heard that one of these has been allocated to their base at Woodward in Oklahoma, whch opened in May 2007, and went live on 1st July. ... Read more
25-Jul-2011Source: Air Evac Lifeteam
Air Evac Lifeteam announced they will be opening an air ambulance base in McAllen, Texas, this fall. The base, scheduled to begin operations in October, will be located on the campus of McAllen Medical Center, but will serve all hospitals and communities within a 70-mile radius. Air Evac Lifeteam, the largest independently owned air medical... Read more
25-Jul-2011Source: US DoD
Federal Program Integrators, Indian Island, Maine, was awarded a $15,300,000 firm-fixed-price contract. The award will provide for the procurement of two flexible test modules for the transmission test systems to test transmissions and gearboxes on AH-1, AH-64, CH-47, OH-58, UH-1N and UH-60 aircraft. Work will be performed in Indian Island, Maine, and Corpus Christi, Texas,... Read more