18-Mar-2011Source: ATSB
On 4 February 2011, a Robinson Helicopter Company R44 Astro helicopter (R44), registered VH‑HFH, was conducting circuit operations at Cessnock Aerodrome, New South Wales. On board the helicopter were an instructor, a pilot undergoing a helicopter flight review and a passenger. Following the completion of a sequence involving the simulated failure of the helicopter’s hydraulic‑boost... Read more
18-Mar-2011
Passenger struck fatally on head by main rotor when disembarking on sloping site. Pilot listed as Pablo Blanco Venegas... Read more
18-Mar-2011
Pilot named as Leonardo Gomes Leal, 29, and co-pilot was James Tavares Bastos, 18... Read more
17-Mar-2011Source: HeliHub.com
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 or monthly, although some... Read more
17-Mar-2011Source: HeliHub.com
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 or monthly, although some... Read more
17-Mar-2011Source: HAI
Helicopter Association International and other leaders of the Alliance for Aviation Across America are applauding New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch for declaring March “General Aviation Appreciation Month” in that state. “The helicopter’s unique capabilities provide lifesaving services to the citizens of New Hampshire, along with many other missions conducted on behalf of the greater good,”... Read more
17-Mar-2011Source: HeliHub.com
One of two Experimental A600N Talon helicopters registered to manufacturer Rotorway International has had an accident. The FAA preliminary report indicates that the pilot noticed a jolt while in cruise flight, but the ensuing autorotation ended up with the helicopter on its side. N602RW is registered with an Experimental airworthiness certificate, with the category listed... Read more
17-Mar-2011Source: Eurocopter
American Eurocopter is pleased to announce that the Ontario (CA) Police Department has ordered its third AS350 B2. The aircraft, which will enter service in late spring, will primarily be used for aerial patrol and special operations surveillance throughout the department’s service area in and around Ontario, California. The single-engine AS350 B2 offers the best... Read more
17-Mar-2011
The current government guidelines for priority responding aircraft stipulate that a twin engine helicopter is needed in order for an intensive care paramedic to travel to a medical emergency.... Read more
17-Mar-2011Source: Absolute Fire Solutions
Absolute Fire Solutions (AFS) and Kawak Aviation Technologies (Kawak) announced today the co-development of a new bucket mounted powered fill solution for heavy helicopter operators. The new product, called FAST Fill Hydraulic, provides operators with a high-volume, ultra-lightweight powered fill option weighing only 32 pounds, and uses the proven Kawak auxiliary hydraulic technology to provide... Read more
17-Mar-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Arif Mammadov, Azerbaijan’s Director of the State Civil Aviation Administration has announced this week that the country is to allow individuals and organizations to own their own aircraft. Demand from the private sector has driven this decision, and will require various changes in regulations. Due to hostilities in the recent past years, private ownership of... Read more
17-Mar-2011Source: Whistler Question
But the helipad will be shut down for six to eight weeks starting in late April to facilitate the construction. During the shut-down period, patients requiring helicopter medivacs will be transported to the municipal heliport and then transferred to the health care centre by ground ambulance.... Read more
17-Mar-2011Source: Buffalo News
When a helicopter hovers over Buffalo General Hospital on Monday, Kaleida Health officials hope the test flight will convince neighborhood residents that a proposed helipad won’t be a noise nuisance.... Read more
17-Mar-2011Source: HeliHub.com
The FAA has dropped its Part 145 de-certification case against Phoenix Heliparts in return for the withdrawal of its appeal to the NTSB of the FAA’s revocation of Phoenix Heliparts’ Part 145 repair station certificate last August. This enables Phoenix to start the re-certification process immediately. Company president Tina Cannon said, “The case is now... Read more
17-Mar-2011Source: Ministry Health Care
Ministry Health Care announced that its Ministry Spirit Medical Transportation Service (Spirit) will begin to operate a helicopter ambulance from a Ministry Saint Mary’s Hospital base in Rhinelander in June, 2011. In 2010, Spirit was unable to respond to 190 requests for air transport services due to other transports being already in process or to... Read more
17-Mar-2011
According to Business Development Bank of Canada, a 407 secured loans totaling $2,404,636 that it made in 2007 and 2008 to Allied Aircraft Sales Inc. and CC Helicopters Ltd. The bank filed a petition in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas on Tuesday, asserting its interest in the helicopter. [file photo]... Read more
17-Mar-2011Source: Sikorsky
Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. today announced the appointments of Anthony Moreland as Vice President-Americas and Christophe Nurit as Vice President-Asia. Both have responsibility for the company’s commercial and foreign military sales in their regions along with all related strategic activities. They report to Carey Bond, President of Sikorsky Global Helicopters and Chief Marketing Officer for all... Read more
17-Mar-2011Source: HeliDolli.com
Helidolli.com released several new products at the HAI show in Orlando. The Robidolli is a small dolly designed specifically for the R66, R44 and R22 helicopters. Simple at last! No straps to the skids, no fancy electric motor or hydraulic lift. Just lock to the RHC supplied tow ball on the belly of the Robi... Read more
17-Mar-2011Source: Aero Dynamix
Aero Dynamix, Inc., located in Euless, Texas, (DFW area) has been awarded the first Supplemental Type Certification (STC) approval by the FAA for the installation of a Night Vision Lighting System in an Erickson Air-Crane S-64F helicopter on July 28, 2010. This issuance is Aero Dynamix’s twenty-fourth FAA-STC certificate in addition to two EASA-STC certificates.... Read more
17-Mar-2011
Bird strike on approach to land at base... Read more
17-Mar-2011
Lost control during ramp area manoeuvring.... Read more
17-Mar-2011
Gusty winds caught helicopter while in a low level hover and it ended up on its side. Pilot was Charles Williams, 42, of Anacoco, and passenger was Pat Austin, 39, of Leesville... Read more
17-Mar-2011
Tail rotor strike during landing... Read more
16-Mar-2011Source: Laselec
Laselec has recently developed a marking process specially designed for aluminum wire. Produced at the request of Airbus, this new process uses laser technology to pre-mark dots. Because the crimp contacts for aluminum wire are waterproof and have no openings, the dots are required to ensure that the crimping operation took place correctly. A high... Read more
16-Mar-2011Source: HAI
General aviation flights account for the highest number of helicopter accidents in the U.S. Striving to lower the rate of those accidents, the FAA Safety Team (FAASTeam) and HAI have joined forces to provide safety seminars tailored for general aviation helicopter instructors and pilots. The next is scheduled for Portland, Ore. on the evening of... Read more
16-Mar-2011Source: Helinet Technologies
Helinet Technologies, an international provider of aviation technology solutions to the law enforcement, government and military markets, announced today its selection by the Orange County Sheriff’s Department (OCSD) to implement and support an integrated video downlink system for the department’s Aviation Support Unit (ASU). Designed to meet the OCSD’s need for a comprehensive, tactical downlink... Read more
16-Mar-2011Source: PremiAir
PremiAir, the award winning UK-based aviation services company, has appointed Mike Preston as Director of Engineering & Maintenance. The appointment is effective immediately, with Mike taking responsibility for fixed-wing and rotary maintenance at the Group’s Oxford, Biggin Hill and Blackbushe facilities. Mike has more than 35 years’ professional experience in the aircraft maintenance and engineering... Read more
16-Mar-2011Source: Canadian Helicopers
Canadian Helicopters Group Inc. (“Canadian Helicopters”) (TSX: CHL.A CHL.B) will release its fourth quarter results ending December 31, 2010, on Tuesday March 22, 2011, after market close. The Canadian Helicopters Group Inc. conference call will take place Wednesday March 23, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. (ET) to review the financial results. To participate in this conference... Read more
16-Mar-2011Source: Sikorsky
Sikorsky Aerospace Services’ (SAS) commercial maintenance facility in Coatesville, Penn., announced today completion of comprehensive modifications to a Sikorsky S-76B(TM) helicopter for export to Germany’s Heliservice International GmbH. Originally designed for VIP transport missions, the aircraft has been reconfigured and is currently equipped to perform specialty maintenance operations on windmill farms throughout Germany. The SAS’... Read more
16-Mar-2011Source: Rolls-Royce
Rolls-Royce, the global power systems company, today forecast long-term growth in demand for new turbine helicopters. Over the ten-year period beginning 2011, total helicopter deliveries are predicted to be more than 16,900 units as the market responds to improving economic fundamentals and the world’s military operators continue to require increased vertical lift capability. In both... Read more
16-Mar-2011Source: Onboard Systems
Onboard Systems, a leading provider of innovative helicopter cargo hook equipment, introduced its new cargo hook suspension system for the AgustaWestland A109/119 helicopter models at the Heli-Expo Convention in Orlando, Florida. The new A109/119 system is pending FAA approval and is expected to be available for installation by the summer. EASA and Transport Canada approvals... Read more
16-Mar-2011Source: Sikorsky
The Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. X2 Technologyâ„¢ demonstrator team has been named the winner of the 2010 Robert J. Collier Trophy, awarded annually to recognize the greatest achievements in aeronautics or astronautics in America. It is the 100th Collier Trophy to be awarded since the inception of the prize. Sikorsky is a subsidiary of United Technologies... Read more
16-Mar-2011Source: EMTEQ
EMTEQ has developed a Modulated Rotor Tip Light (MRTL) system as the Phase I preliminary design concept for a U.S. Navy Small Business Innovative Research grant (SBIR). Position lights for rotary-wing aircraft can be made more visible and effective by using rotor tip mounted lights. Similar to fixed-wing aircraft that use wing tip mounted lights;... Read more
16-Mar-2011
A Jet Ranger was damaged during a minor training mishap at Axamo Airport in Jönköping. The occupants were unharmed, and the cause of the incident is unknown... Read more
16-Mar-2011
EMS flight. Clipped and snapped telephone wire on take-off damaging blade tips. Landed safely in adjacent field. No injuries. CADAORS ref 2011P0343... Read more
16-Mar-2011
Uneventful approach and landing on the helideck where it was intended to embark ten passengers and some equipment. After nine passengers had boarded, the aircraft suddenly settled and adopted a nose high attitude. The engines were shut down and the passengers and crew disembarked. Subsequent examination of the aircraft by the crew showed that the... Read more
15-Mar-2011Source: MD Helicopters
MD Helicopters, Inc. (MDHI), a leading manufacturer of commercial and military helicopters, has completed the delivery of a new MD 530F to the Kauai Fire Department. The delivery of the MD 530F marks an important milestone in the history of the Kauai Fire Department, as it is the first aircraft they have owned. Prior to... Read more
15-Mar-2011Source: MD Helicopters
MD Helicopters, Inc (MDHI), a leading manufacturer of commercial and military helicopters, and Sagem are demonstrating the Sagem ICGS Display System in Booths 1618 (MDHI) and 1937 (Sagem) at Heli-Expo 2011, held March 5th – 8th at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando,Florida. MD Helicopters will feature the Sagem unit in its MD 530F®... Read more
15-Mar-2011Source: MD Helicopters
[Editor note – This is one in a long series MD Helicopters puts out every time this airframe passes the next 1000 figure – see here] Aircraft Number 078 Surpasses All Other MD Explorers in the Fleet MESA, AZ, March 6, 2011 – MD Helicopters, Inc (MDHI), a leading manufacturer of commercial and military helicopters,... Read more
15-Mar-2011Source: Omniflight
Building on its commitment to safety and quality, Omniflight Helicopters, Inc., a leading national provider of air medical services, has completed Level 1 of the Federal Aviation Administration’s Safety Management System (SMS) program and has now started on Level 2. Omniflight announced its achievement today, calling its SMS participation a natural extension of its “true safety-first... Read more
15-Mar-2011Source: MD Helicopters
MD Helicopters, Inc (MDHI), a leading manufacturer of commercial and military helicopters, has completed the sale of a new MD 530F to Fuchs Helicopter of Schindellegi, Switzerland. Fuchs will deliver the aircraft to a large corporate customer, who already owns an MD 500D. The new MD 530F ordered from Fuchs features state-of-the-art avionics, including the... Read more
15-Mar-2011Source: Horizon International
Horizon International Flight Academy have announced the appointment of its new Chief Executive Officer, Hareb Thani Al Dhaheri. Retired Brigardier Pilot Mr. Al Dhaheri began his career as a helicopter pilot in UAE Armed Forces and he went on to hold a number of senior positions in the military. Prior to joining Horizon, he spent... Read more
15-Mar-2011Source: MD Helicopters
MD Helicopters, Inc. (MDHI), a leading manufacturer of commercial and military helicopters, and Van Horn Aviation, L.L.C. (Van Horn) are demonstrating co-developed composite main rotor blades for the MD 530F® aircraft in Booths 1618 (MDHI) and 1521 at Heli-Expo 2011, held March 5th – 8th at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. The... Read more
15-Mar-2011Source: MD Helicopters
MESA, Arizona, March 6, 2011 – MD Helicopters, Inc. (MDHI), a leading manufacturer of commercial and military helicopters, along with Garmin, will be demonstrating the G500H Avionics in Booths 1618 (MDHI) and 1632 (Garmin) at Heli-Expo being held March 5th – 8th in the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. MD Helicopters is featuring... Read more
15-Mar-2011Source: PHI
PHI, Inc. (“PHIâ€) (The Nasdaq Global Market: PHII (voting) PHIIK (non-voting)) today reported financial results for the year ended December 31, 2010. Oil and Gas segment revenues for 2010 were $345.4 million, compared to $316.2 million for 2009, an increase of $29.2 million or 9%. Segment operating profit was $55.3 million for 2010, compared to... Read more
15-Mar-2011Source: Associated Aviation
Associated Aviation’s (Associated) Chief Executive Officer, Adrienne Robinson announces that based on discussions held at Heli-Expo 2011, Associated has entered into a teaming agreement with electronics and avionics specialty firm; 3S Certification and Engineering (3S). ‘’3S is a dynamic and growing aviation engineering organization that offers Associated and our customers more than 30 years of... Read more
15-Mar-2011Source: EMTEQ
EMTEQ will begin delivery of FC Exterior Lighting to be installed on MD Helicopters’ MD 900 and MD 500 series helicopter production programs in 2Q2011. Lighting for the MD 600 series helicopter will follow later this year. MD Helicopters selected EMTEQ to design and manufacture LED exterior lighting provisions including dual mode anti-collision, position and... Read more
15-Mar-2011
Development aircraft – report of jolt while in cruise flight – entered autorotation but heavy landing and helicopter ended up on its side.... Read more
15-Mar-2011
Landed on helipad, rolled over to one side and burst into flames... Read more
14-Mar-2011Source: Aviation Specialties Unlimited
Aviation Specialties Unlimited, (ASU) honored the first annual Night Vision Award winners at a luncheon this afternoon during Heli-Expo in Orlando, Florida. This is the first of three ceremonies that will be held in 2011. The next award reception will be held in New Orleans at the ALEA and in St. Louis at AMTC. “It... Read more
14-Mar-2011Source: HeliHub.com
The second Robinson R66 is flying in Europe, serial 0017, arrived last week with Sloane Helicopters and is now flying after the usual uncrating and airtesting. It is appropriately registered N66UK and is painted dark blue in common with their corporate colours and their past landmark aircraft – both the 1000th R22 as G-OSHL and... Read more
14-Mar-2011Source: Universal Avionics
Universal Avionics Systems Corporation is pleased to announce that the EFI-890R Flat Panel Display System was recently tested and successfully qualified for several helicopter-specific vibration profiles covering 13 known models, signifying a new installation platform for the product. The high-vibration environment in which rotorcraft operate presents a unique challenge to avionics manufacturers. Equipment proven rugged... Read more
14-Mar-2011Source: EMTEQ
Working with Eurocopter in Germany, EMTEQ has developed an LED map light holder to replace older technology. The LED version offers many advantages over previous bulb versions including lower power consumption, extended reliability, lower weight, robust design resistant to vibration, and elimination of NVG filters. The dual mode map light is suitable for both civil... Read more
14-Mar-2011Source: Trakka Corp
Trakka Corp, a leading manufacturer of high intensity searchlight technology, has recently signed a contract as a certified Supplier to Eurocopter to supply its innovative Trakkabeam® A800 searchlight to the helicopter giant worldwide. “This contract is the direct result of an enormous investment in man-hours and over 24 months from both Eurocopter and Trakka Corp.... Read more
14-Mar-2011Source: Bell
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, today announced the introduction of the 407GX, a new version of the Bell 407 equipped with the innovative Garmin G1000H Integrated Flight Deck. The Garmin G1000H glass flight deck provides critical flight information at a glance for greater situational awareness, improved operational capability and increased safety. The... Read more
14-Mar-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Bidding is underway on the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office auctions off its Robinson R44 – see earlier stories on this operation on HeliHub.com here The auction opened in the last week on the website govdeals.com starting at $150,000. It is currently showing 7 bids with the highest at $350,000. see http://www.govdeals.com/index.cfm?fa=Main.Item&itemID=268&acctID=359 Sheriff Ed McMahon... Read more
14-Mar-2011Source: Washington State DNR
The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is making improvements to its wildland firefighting helicopter program that are estimated to save taxpayers at least $300,000 annually, following the recommendations of a recently completed legislative audit. DNR will retire four AH-1 “Cobra†helicopters from duty and has secured federal funding to replace them with two... Read more
14-Mar-2011Source: Night Flight Concepts
At HELI-EXPO 2011, Night Flight Concepts, a leading provider of comprehensive night vision goggle solutions, unveiled a Night Vision Goggle (NVG) Orientation Kit to introduce the basics of NVG operations. This complimentary webinar series will help organizations accelerate learning of NVG solutions and development time for night vision (NVIS) program planning. As Night Flight Concepts... Read more
14-Mar-2011
Senok Aviation has got the approval of Sri Lanka’s Civil Aviation Authority to import two Eurocopter AS350B3 Squirrels... Read more
14-Mar-2011Source: AC&S
AC&S Ltd, an aerospace consulting and services company based in the north west of England have received an order from the Metropolitan Police for a number of mission computer and symbol generators for use in their EC145 helicopters. The Mission Computer and Symbol Generator (MCSG) is an extensible mini PC for use in non-essential airborne... Read more
14-Mar-2011Source: NatWest
Wiltshire Air Ambulance paramedic, Bruce Jarvis, paid a flying visit to NatWest’s Chippenham branch today to collect £3000, after the charity was announced as the winner of a NatWest Community Fund award In August NatWest launched a new fund, as part of its customer charter, to support local charities and projects, and invited customers and... Read more
14-Mar-2011
Emergency landing in market square. See also second link where pilot falls foul of the CAA and gets fined for this incident... Read more
14-Mar-2011
“They made a precautionary emergency landing due to an equipment malfunction, and they had a patient on board,” said Cpl. Kelly Matthews with the Wicomico Sheriff’s Office.... Read more
14-Mar-2011
AGL Action Rescue had been over Moura, en route to Rockhampton, when their aircraft experienced a hydraulics malfunction and they were forced to land at Moura sports oval.  (AGL operates BK117s VH-EHQ/VH-BKV, and Longranger VH-ZOW)... Read more
13-Mar-2011Source: Bell
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, announced today its received Level 6 certification from the Federal Aviation Administration for its 429 flight training device. Certification of this simulator is a critical element of the flight training curriculum and clears the way for final regulatory approval of the overall 429 flight training program. “This... Read more
13-Mar-2011Source: Bell
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, today launched an armed version of its best-selling 407 helicopter. The new 407AH is the first Bell-qualified armed commercial aircraft across the market and is designed to support a wide range of law enforcement and paramilitary missions worldwide. The announcement took place at Heli-Expo 2011. The 407AH,... Read more
13-Mar-2011Source: NTSB
The National Transportation Safety Board has issued a Safety Alert to warn pilots of low-flying aircraft about the dangers associated with unmarked towers built to record weather observations. The Meteorological Evaluation Towers (METs), many of which fall just below the 200-foot Federal Aviation Administration threshold for obstruction markings, can be difficult to see from the... Read more
13-Mar-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Tristate Careflight thinks it’s 2015, so perhaps we can ask them what’s going to be in the news between now and then? In a gaff on their website, they have not only shown an inablility to produce a proper Copyright sign – using (c) instead of © – but the date shows as 2015. see... Read more
13-Mar-2011
“the pilot and crew heard a strange noise coming from the aircraft and made the decision to land.” Orange County Sheriff fly three OH-58Cs and one Bell 407... Read more
13-Mar-2011
On short final the pilot elected to change the touchdown point. During manoeuvre, the tail rotor struck a large rock. The tail rotor drive shaft sheared and the tail rotor sustained substantial damage; helicopter remained upright on landing. Sole occupant pilot was not injured. CADAORS ref 2011C0797... Read more
13-Mar-2011
Inflight damage to tail rotor... Read more
13-Mar-2011
Involved in lifting task putting aircon unit on roof. Helicopter crashed, colliding with building and causing building to catch fire.... Read more
12-Mar-2011Source: Mountain Ridge Helicopters
Mountain Ridge Helicopters, a flight school in Logan, Utah is proud to announce it’s approval as a CATS testing facility! Computer Assisted Testing Service (CATS) delivers computer-based examinations for Sponsors and Agencies involved in educational, licensing, or certification testing. Being the Cache Valley’s only public testing facility to offer FAA written exams, Mountain Ridge provides... Read more
12-Mar-2011Source: CAA
The Civil Avaition Authority in the UK issued their latest update on charges for registering aircraft, valid from 1 April 2011 until at least 31 March 2012. Charge for the registration of a balloon, unpowered glider, microlight, small light aircraft, or any other aircraft having a maximum weight not exceeding 15,000kg. £62 Charge for the... Read more
12-Mar-2011Source: Janes
Eurocopter Indonesia is looking to expand its industrial partnership with PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI) to enable the state-owned aerospace manufacturer to undertake substantial production of EC225 and EC725 models... Read more
