12-Jul-2021Source: HeliSpeed
BIH extends partnership with global aviation support specialists, HeliSpeed, supporting its search and rescue (SAR) operations in the Falkland Islands. The extended five-year agreement cements a long-term partnership between global aviation business, HeliSpeed, and BIH. HeliSpeed will continue to provide helicopter pilots, engineers and technical crew from their growing network of over 2,500 aviation professionals.... Read more
30-Apr-2021Source: HeliHub.com
The UK Ministry of Defence has confirmed to HeliHub.com that the Royal Navy has extended the helicopter support contract for their Fleet Operational Sea Training (widely known by its “FOST” initials, and previously called Flag Officer Sea Training). This support programme for the Royal Navy is managed through the training establishment known as HMS Raleigh,... Read more
4-Aug-2020Source: HeliSpeed
Blackpool-based aviation support specialists, HeliSpeed, has signed an agreement with BIH to support its search and rescue (SAR) operations in the Falkland Islands. Through the agreement, global aviation business, HeliSpeed, will provide BIH with pilots from its HeliTrax database of over 1,500 highly-trained helicopter pilots and engineers, supporting operations in the Falkland Islands. British International... Read more
20-Jan-2015Source: AAR
AAR (NYSE: AIR) announces its Airlift division has been awarded a contract by the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence for Search & Rescue (SAR) and Support Helicopter services in the Falkland Islands. The contract is valued at approximately $275 million (approximately £180 million). AAR Airlift, together with British International Helicopters (BIH) and Air Rescue Systems... Read more
28-Jun-2013Source: Plymouth Herald
Patriot Aerospace, the main aviation company within the Rigby Group plc, has had outline discussions with airport leaseholder the Sutton Harbour Group to reopen Plymouth Airport as a Heliport. Patriot have a particular interest given they own British International who hold the Royal Navy FOST (Flag Officer Sea Training) contract operating two Dauphins see full story... Read more
27-Jun-2013Source: The Telegraph
Balfour Beatty has sold its 60% stake in Exeter International Airport to Patriot Aerospace after expectations of passenger growth were dashed by the UK’s recession and weak recovery. Patriot also owns Coventry Airport, British International and London Helicopter Centres. see full story... Read more
13-May-2013Source: Patriot Aerospace
Patriot Aerospace has acquired the interests of British International Helicopter Services (BIH), making the aviation group the UK’s largest domestically owned helicopter operator. The deal will see Sir Peter Rigby’s aviation company take over BIH’s military support contracts in the UK and overseas. Representing a significant move towards realising the group’s plan to create a... Read more
12-Apr-2013Source: Pirate FM
Pirate FM has learnt an announcement on a new air link to the Isles of Scilly could be just weeks away (see full story).... Read more
1-Nov-2012Source: HeliHub.com
It is with sadness we record the closure yesterday of the helicopter link between the UK mainland and the Scilly Isles, following the sale of Penzance Heliport to a retail supermarket as the site of a future store. Scheduled services began on 1st May 1964 and have continued for forty eight and a half years,... Read more
3-Aug-2012
British International Helicopters is to end its service from Penzance, which has run since 1964, in November. The company blamed the decision on uncertainty created by legal challenges to its sale of land to supermarket giant Sainsbury’s (see full story)... Read more
1-Aug-2012Source: HeliHub.com
After the huge debacle of the previous round of bids (see £6bn UK SAR privatisation deal on hold – police investigate), the UK Government has announced the short-list of bidders going forward to provide SAR services around the British coastline for a 25 year period. The successful bidder(s) will take over roles currently provided by... Read more
25-Jun-2012
Emergency landing at St Mary’s, Scilly Isles, on a flight out of Tresco after a warning light came on. Apparently a ‘spurious fire warning’... Read more
1-May-2012Source: Royal Navy
The Torpoint base stepped in when Plymouth Airport closed and now serves as a ‘lily pad’ for helicopters working for the Flag Officer Sea Training. In their distinctive blue livery, two Dauphin helicopters which serve the RN’s premier training organisation are parked on new landing pads at HMS Raleigh. This is the new and improved... Read more
18-Jan-2012Source: HeliHub.com
British International Helicopters (BIH) has announced that Penzance Heliport will be available to them until the end of October this year, rather than June/July as previously thought. The move has been welcomed as it allows a complete summer season to be operated. BIH had planned on moving to St Erth, but withdrew their application there... Read more
17-Nov-2011Source: Cornish Guardian
BIH managing director, Tony Jones, said flights would continue from Penzance until June next year and the firm would continue to look for a site in West Cornwall. If necessary, flights would continue after that date from Newquay Cornwall airport to ensure the service was not disrupted.... Read more
22-Sep-2011Source: HeliHub.com
The subject of the planning application for the future of Penzance Heliport was put back at today’s meeting of the Strategic Planning Committee of Cornwall Council. It is not known whether this item will be scheduled for their next meeting on 20th October, or an additional meeting on 6th October which has been convened at... Read more
16-Sep-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Penzance Town Council has voted by 7 to 6 in favour of the plans submitted to redevelop the site as a Sainbury’s supermarket as well as a petrol station, car park, park-and-ride scheme and other business units. The debate lasted almost two hours as town councillors discussed the plan. Arguments against the plan focused on... Read more
8-Aug-2011Source: Scilly Today
British International Helicopters intends moving their helicopter base from Penzance to a site within walking distance of the St Erth railway station. The plans will be put on public display 18-19th August and are expected to go before planners in September (Full story)... Read more
27-Jul-2011Source: HeliHub.com
British International have recently sold a third Sikorsky S61 this year to Vector Aerospace, this being serial 61721 and registered G-BCEA, Managing Director Tony Jones has confirmed to HeliHub.com. Previously operating on a military contract in the Falkland Islands, ‘EA had reached time for a major inspection and has thus been swapped with another example. ... Read more
16-Jun-2011
Nose wheel collapse on runway landing on training flight. Runway blocked for period of time which necessitated diversion of one airline flight. Civil owned, Military Registered aircraft, operated by British International for Royal Navy “Flag Officer Sea Training” unit... Read more
6-Jun-2011Source: Cornishman
The company confirmed that it had reached an agreement with a landowner for a new heliport adjacent to the St Erth industrial estate off the A30, subject to planning permission and the successful sale of the current heliport in Penzance to Sainsburys. If successful, it will create a transport hub enabling passengers easy access to... Read more
14-Apr-2011Source: HeliHub.com
British International have sold two of their Sikorsky S61N helicopters to Vector Aerospace. The pair are currently at Southampton Docks awaiting shipment across the Atlantic, destination British Columbia for work at Vector’s Vancouver International Airport base. Both airframes need extensive work to get them airworthy, one having not flown for 10 years. The particular airframes... Read more
26-Oct-2010Source: This is the West Country
The firm which owns Land’s End termintes talks with British International Helicopters (BIH) over plans to move services to the Scilly Isles to its airport. Photo shows current base – Penzance HP... Read more
4-Aug-2010Source: BBC
Noise protestors at Land’s End Aerodrome raise concerns. Operator British International says there will be more concerns over tourism if they can’t operate a service from Cornwall to the Isles of Scilly. {Photo shows the current arrangement at Penzance HP]... Read more
31-Oct-2009Source: British International
The event coincided with a break in President Barack Obama’s public engagements, leading to speculation about an impromptu visit to Cornwal... Read more
