24-Jan-2013Source: TVACAA
The Thames Valley and Chiltern Air Ambulance reached another important landmark, flying its 14,000th mission to attend to a fallen horse rider out on the Lambourn Gallops. Sarah Williamson, Head of Fundraising for the Trust said: “Because of the rural location, Air Ambulance BOB received the ‘shout’ to Lambourn Gallops to assist a rider who... Read more
24-Jan-2013Source: Eurocopter
23rd January – This morning a ceremony was held for the maiden flight of the first NH90 to be assembled by Eurocopter España at its facility in Albacete. The event was attended by María Dolores de Cospedal, President of the Regional Government of Castile-La Mancha, Spanish Defense Minister Pedro Morenés, Eurocopter CEO Lutz Bertling and... Read more
23-Jan-2013Source: ADAC
(electronic translation) The rescue and intensive care transport helicopter of the ADAC air rescue in 2012 had so many missions flying like never before. Overall, the “Yellow Angel” moved out of the sky 49 243 times, in 2011 there were approximately 47 000 operations. This represents an increase of four per cent compared to 2011. Here, a... Read more
23-Jan-2013Source: Nationwide Children’s Hospital
Nationwide Children’s Hospital is expanding their critical care transport services by establishing a fully dedicated helicopter for neonatal and pediatric transports. The state-of-the-art EC145 helicopter, named Monarch 1, features the best in size, performance and technology allowing for the safe transportation of critically ill patients. With approximately 30 percent of all neonatal admissions to Nationwide... Read more
21-Jan-2013Source: Alberta Health Services
Patients living in northern Alberta will continue to have access to rapid, reliable, and safe emergency care when the new air ambulance base is relocated to the Edmonton International Airport (EIA) in March. Alberta Health Services air ambulance operations are moving to a new 3,600 square-metre hangar at the Edmonton International Airport, immediately adjacent to... Read more
20-Jan-2013Source: WFW
Watson, Farley & Williams (“WFW”), a leading international law firm, is pleased to announce that it has advised CHC Helicopter on an operating lease facility of up to US$202m with Milestone Aviation, for up to 12 helicopters (including Sikorsky, Eurocopter and AgustaWestland helicopters), its third facility with Milestone. The team, led by partner Nicola Davies,... Read more
20-Jan-2013Source: Step Change in Safety
Helicopter operators are maintaining readiness for the return to service of EC225s. An element of this are short maintenance flights over land. The 20-minute flights will take place without passengers and are intended to keep the aircraft within their maintenance certification, meaning they won’t have to be placed for long periods in storage. As these... Read more
18-Jan-2013Source: Eurocopter
For the past weeks, Eurocopter has continued to regularly communicate with oil and gas customers/operators and industry representatives concerning the EC225 main gearbox shaft failures, while respecting the confidentiality of the official accident investigation. The company has provided an overview of its approach to the root cause analysis performed during the past several weeks and... Read more
18-Jan-2013Source: Cobham
Cobham has been granted Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) approval for its HeliSAS™ Stability Augmentation System and Autopilot by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). STC #10049171 allows installation of HeliSAS on a significant new range of Eurocopter helicopters, including: AS350B, B1, B2, B3, BA, D, and EC130B4 models across the European Union. With more than... Read more
17-Jan-2013Source: Turbomeca
The Turbomeca (Safran) Arriel 2E engine, has-been certified by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). The Arriel 2E, with a take-off power of 950 shp, will power the Eurocopter EC 145T2 helicopter. The first entry into engines service is scheduled end of 2013. This follows the certification of the Arriel 2D in May 2011, to... Read more
17-Jan-2013Source: Eurocopter
Beijing Capital Helicopter has expanded its Eurocopter-built rotorcraft inventory with the addition of a VIP-configured EC135 P2+ for passenger transport, tourism and emergency medical services operations. A ceremony was held on January 15th in Beijing, where the President of Beijing Capital Helicopter, Mr. Xu Li Dong, accepted the Eurocopter EC135 P2+. Beijing Capital Helicopter will... Read more
17-Jan-2013Source: HeliHub.com
Nigerian operator OAS Helicopters have recently bought a Eurocopter AS355N from Spain. The red and white aircraft is serial 5746 and previously registered EC-JXP with Sky Helicopters. This brings the OAS fleet to three helicopters and one jet – the others are as follows 5N-BLI AS350B2 (serial 3840) 5N-BPD AS355N (serial 5641) 5N-BOZ EMB145 jet... Read more
17-Jan-2013
Pilot lost visual reference when landing on a snowy surface. Heavy landing, damaged skids and tail boom... Read more
16-Jan-2013Source: Uralhelicom
[electronic translation] At the end of December 2012 “Ural helicopter company – URALHELICOM» send to the client first Russian EC135T2 helicopter, Eurocopter in the medical version. Customer helicopter was government of Krasnodar region in the face of KSU QC “Kubanavia” in preparation for the Winter Olympic Games 2014 in Sochi. In addition, the new helicopter... Read more
15-Jan-2013Source: HeliHub.com
The Peruvian Ministry of the Interior have ordered four Eurocopter EC145s from local distributor Eurocopter Cono Sur (located in Chile). Contract value is 93,718,765 Nuevo Sol (approx $36.8M), and the contract requires all four to be delivered by 20th December 2013. The helicopters will be used to provide a range of law enforcement roles in... Read more
15-Jan-2013Source: US Coast Guard
Coast Guard Air Station Los Angeles personnel will be completing Their annual standardization flight crew checks from Jan. 28th through Feb. 7 th . Residents living near the Torrance Airport can expect to see and hear the air station’s MH-65 Dolphin helicopters more Frequently During That Time period. In an effort to reduce the frequency of flights near... Read more
14-Jan-2013Source: HeliHub.com
The West Africa nation of Mali is currently going through a significant period of unrest – and France is the only foreign nation involved in the problem of Islamists invading the northern part of the country. French special forces lost helicopter co-pilot Damien Boiteux after he was hit by shrapnel on the ground – while... Read more
13-Jan-2013Source: HeliHub.com
The Boston Globe reported Friday that Boston MedFlight, a not-for-profit organization that provides critical care transport service, is to replace one of its three helicopters with a new EC145. Delivery is slated for August 2013. The report does not state which helicopter is being replaced, but Boston MedFlight currently operate the following rotary wing aircraft:-... Read more
13-Jan-2013Source: Royal Air Force
Warrants Officer Dave Woodhead, 7 Squadron Warrant Officer Engineering, was awarded an MBE in the New Years Honours. Warrant Officer Woodhead has shown over 35 years of exceptional dedication, leadership and devotion to duty. During this time he has deployed to numerous operations and has been previously recognised with various Commendations. Due to his innovative... Read more
13-Jan-2013Source: SaxonAir
As part of their continued expansion, Norwich based air charter operator and flight support services company SaxonAir announces the appointment of a new CEO, Alex Durand, who takes up his new position within the company in early January 2013. Mr Durand, 43, brings to the role over 20 years of experience in the Business Aviation... Read more
10-Jan-2013Source: Helihub.com
Omsk Flight & Technical College have taken delivery of two Eurocopter AS350B2 helicopters just prior to Christmas from Eurocopter Vostok. These are the first two helicopters in their fleet from non-Russian manufacturers, having previously exclusively used Mi-8s. They also fly An-2 fixed wing aircraft. The primary motivator for the purchase was to reduce costs, said... Read more
10-Jan-2013Source: BBC
The jury found the instructor guilty of making a false representation with intent to deceive the Civil Aviation Authority. He will be sentenced next month. (see full story). File photo... Read more
9-Jan-2013Source: East Texas Medical Center
The East Texas Medical Center Regional Healthcare System unveiled today two new emergency transport helicopters, valued at over $9 million, to provide patients in East Texas with critical, fast access to the region’s only level 1 trauma center at ETMC Tyler. The Eurocopter, EC135 P2+ helicopters will be stationed at ETMC Tyler and Titus Regional... Read more
7-Jan-2013Source: HeliHub.com
British Formula 1 driver Dr Jonathan Palmer has recently upgraded from a Eurocopter AS355NP Twin Squirrel to an AgustaWestland AW109S Grand – buying a 2006 aircraft previously owned by Sir Peter Ogden – joint owner with Palmer of MotorSport Vision “MSV”. (Mr Ogden has replaced the Grand with a new GrandNew – see article) Palmer... Read more
7-Jan-2013Source: ÖAMTC
On average, about every 34 minutes 2012 to the injured and ill patients was treated by an emergency physician the ÖAMTC Air Ambulance. Overall, the emergency helicopter launched to 15,589 operations. More than 500 specially trained paramedics, air ambulance of the Red Cross, the mountain rescue and the Vienna Ambulance and 48 pilots ensured a comprehensive emergency... Read more
7-Jan-2013Source: West Midlands Police
MORE than 500 people were arrested in 2012 – who would otherwise have got away had it not been for the West Midlands Police helicopter. The helicopter, known to officers on the street by its call sign ‘Alpha Oscar 1’, has taken off 1,362 times this year and has been involved in 3,698 incidents. Using a... Read more
7-Jan-2013Source: HeliHub.com
A ceremony was held on 20th December to mark the arrival of the Bolivian Air Force’s second Eurocopter EC145 of the two they ordered, carrying local serial FAB-004. The event was attended by President Evo Morales, Defense Minister Ruben Saavedra and other high-ranking military officials. It will be operated by Air Group 31 from El... Read more
7-Jan-2013Source: Fox11
With a multi-million dollar life-saving tool sitting in the hanger at Theda Clark Hospital, it’s vital for flight crews to know when to use the ThedaStar helicopter and when they have to just say no. (see full story)... Read more
7-Jan-2013Source: Grenzmuseum
(electronic translation) On the occasion of the commemoration of the 23rd Anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall on Sunday gave the Air Mobile Brigade 1 and a helicopter gunship Regiment 36 of the pattern BO 105 at the border Schifflersgrund / Thuringia. Colonel Kraß presented this officially on behalf of the associations to... Read more
7-Jan-2013Source: Becker Avionics
Becker Avionics announced today that Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in California, selected the Becker DVCS6100 digital airborne audio control panel system to upgrade their four Eurocopter AS350 multi-mission helicopters and single Cessna 182P surveillance fixed wing platform. During the next few months the Riverside Air Unit aircraft will undergo avionics upgrades, to include Becker’s Digital... Read more
7-Jan-2013Source: Oklahoma ANG
The Oklahoma Army National Guard announced today they will receive four UH-72A “Lakota” helicopters this year. The helicopters will replace four OH-58C “Kiowa” helicopters that have been in service for more than 30 years. The first two Lakotas are scheduled to arrive in Oklahoma in April with the final two following in May. The UH-72A... Read more
6-Jan-2013Source: Kitchener Aero
Kitchener Aero Avionics (KAAV) – one of Canada’s premiere avionics and special missions modifiers – is pleased to announce another STC “first” with the completion of a “Glass-Cockpit” upgrade for the Eurocopter EC-120 helicopter. The heart of this mod is the Garmin G500H Flight Display system with Helicopter Synthetic Vision (HSVT), an Altitude Heading Reference... Read more
6-Jan-2013Source: American Eurocopter
American Eurocopter announced today that Geisinger Health System, in Danville, Penn. has ordered a fifth EC145 for its Life Flight® program. The new helicopter acquisition is part of Geisinger’s fleet modernization and upgrade plan based on the proven and popular EC145 platform. Geisinger Life Flight is a long-time Eurocopter operator and in 1983 became the... Read more
5-Jan-2013
Word reaching us that a Baltimore Police EC120 has made an emergency landing near the junction of Hanover Street and Reedbird Avenue in Baltimore at 0025 local time. Later flew back to base.... Read more
4-Jan-2013Source: US DoD
EADS North America Inc., Herndon, Va., was awarded a $26,298,512 firm-fixed-price contract. The award will provide for the modification of an existing contract to procure contractor logistics support for Mission Equipment Packages for the Light Utility Helicopter program. Work will be performed in Columbus, Miss., with an estimated completion date of June 30, 2016. One... Read more
4-Jan-2013
While carrying out taxi after the main rotor blade change, main rotor blades hit the tail boom damaging main and tail rotor blades including tail boom.... Read more
4-Jan-2013
Force landing on highway... Read more
3-Jan-2013Source: Nordic Rotors
The Norwegian company Lufttransport has been awarded the new Search and Rescue (SAR) / Transport contract for Sysselmannen on Svalbard Island in the northernmost part of Norway. The contract will be effective from 1 April 2014, and the new operator will be replacing Airlift that has been on the island since 1 April 1996 (with... Read more
3-Jan-2013Source: HeliHub.com
The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand has recently taken delivery of a new Eurocopter EC130B4, serial 7461. Now registered HS-YHF, the aircraft was prepared by Eurocopter South East Asia in Singapore and test flown there as 9V-HBC. The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand also operates a Eurocopter AS350B2 which was delivered in 2007, and a... Read more
3-Jan-2013Source: Queensland Government
Increased funding for community-based emergency helicopter operators has been granted as the Newman Government considers plans for lasting change in their financial support. A new funding model for these essential services is detailed in the Summary Report of the Review of Aeromedical Helicopter Services in Queensland – November 2012, released for consultation by Health Minister... Read more
3-Jan-2013Source: Contra Costa Times
As part of the city’s ongoing measures to address budget difficulties, officials have negotiated a new contract for their Air Ambulance program. (see full story)... Read more
3-Jan-2013
Helicopter went tech at highway landing site... Read more
2-Jan-2013Source: KSL
In choosing a new helicopter, the team took test rides up to Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort, fully loaded with crew, equipment and fuel, said pilot Jeff Dansie. (see full story)... Read more
2-Jan-2013
Very heavy field landing of an EMS helicopter – helicopter was headed from Seminole Airport to the Creek Nation Community Hospital in Okemah. Skids collapsed, main blades sliced tail boom. All four POB injured, noting that no patient was on board.... Read more
1-Jan-2013Source: Eurocopter
Eurocopter achieved a new milestone on 21st December in its NH90 program with two ceremonies held at its Marignane facility near Marseille in the south of France, during which the manufacturer delivered Belgium’s first NH90 Tactical Transport Helicopter (TTH) in the presence of the Belgian Defense Minister Pieter de Crem; along with the French DGA... Read more
1-Jan-2013Source: Air Methods
Air Methods Corporation (NASDAQ: AIRM), the global leader in air medical transportation, announced today that it has entered into a definitive stock purchase agreement to acquire all of the outstanding shares of capital stock of Sundance Helicopters, Inc. (Sundance), a helicopter tour operator based in Las Vegas, Nevada. Sundance is a leader in helicopter tour... Read more
1-Jan-2013Source: American Eurocopter
Air Methods Corp., the U.S. largest operator of helicopters for emergency air medical transport services, has placed an order with American Eurocopter Corp. for 22 new helicopters valued at more than $80 million. With the order Air Methods, based in Englewood, Colo., continues to equip its fleet with new aircraft incorporating the latest in safety... Read more
29-Dec-2012
Crashed into the sea while trying to rescue a swimmer – helicopter had approached to a low hover and then appears to suddenly lose height into the water (see YouTube video)... Read more
29-Dec-2012
Helicopter fell onto its side after pilot aborted take-off... Read more
21-Dec-2012Source: Eurocopter
The Finnish Border Guard is to expand its Eurocopter fleet with the acquisition of two additional AS332 L1 Super Puma helicopters fully equipped for maritime search and rescue missions in the country’s challenging conditions. With deliveries scheduled for 2015, the rotorcraft will be configured as the AS332 L1e version, incorporating the integrated advanced cockpit and... Read more
20-Dec-2012Source: Eurocopter
Eurocopter’s EC145 Mercedes-Benz Style helicopter will soon fly over Germany: Meravo, one of the country’s most experienced commercial helicopter operators, ordered one of the elegant high-end aircraft in order to enhance its corporate and charter services. The new EC145 Mercedes-Benz Style will join Meravo’s fleet of 25 helicopters, which already includes the proven Eurocopter EC120,... Read more
20-Dec-2012Source: Mercy Springfield Missouri
With an investment of $12 million, Mercy Springfield Communities is bringing faster, safer health care to those who need it in an emergency. Life Line is now operating three new EC135 P2+ helicopters with upgraded technology which will allow pilots to fly in weather conditions they previously could not have faced. Father Alexander Inke, a... Read more
20-Dec-2012Source: Aftenbladet
The huge contracts mean the company has ensured most of the employees work until 2023. This is the first time-ever CHC Helikopter Service has secured nine different assignments in the course of one calendar year. (see full story)... Read more
20-Dec-2012Source: EADS
Cassidian has been awarded a contract from OCCAR Tiger Division to provide a turnkey test system to support the maintenance of opto-electronic equipment used on the German version of the Tiger helicopter. A key factor in the decision to use the Cassidian solution was its expertise in opto-electronic test engineering which has successfully supported many... Read more
19-Dec-2012Source: Indra
In September, Indra became the first company in the world to be certified by the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) for the implementation of a Full Flight Simulator (FFS) for helicopters. The company implemented its EC-225 Level B simulator at Airbus’ pilot training centre in Beijing. This helicopter simulator is the first to ‘fly’... Read more
18-Dec-2012Source: Geisinger Life Flight
After an extensive two-year application and development process, Geisinger Life Flight has been awarded an air carrier certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The air carrier certificate will allow Geisinger Health System (GHS) to directly operate the aircraft assets it leases and owns. In addition, GHS will directly employ its own pilots, mechanics and... Read more
18-Dec-2012
Bird strike – turkey vulture broke windshield and injured pilot – the only person on board. Safe landing in a parking lot... Read more
17-Dec-2012Source: Helibras
[Electronic translation from local language] Helibras has held the official handover of another helicopter for Public Security of the Government of Bahia, when the aircraft was presented to the people soteropolitano. This is the first EC145 marketed in the country by the company to operate in that state police missions. ‘s contract acquisition of new... Read more
17-Dec-2012Source: Cornwall Air Ambulance
The Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust has been rewarded for its commitment to the environment by winning the New Build category at the Cornwall Sustainability Awards. Chief Executive Paula Martin, who collected the award, said, “We at the charity are both honoured and proud to have won this category, the competition was very strong indeed this... Read more
17-Dec-2012
The Air Ambulance Service based out of Custume Barracks in Athlone has performed over 100 missions since the service was established last June. (see full report)... Read more
17-Dec-2012Source: Eurocopter
On 27 November at an award ceremony in Ministry of Defence Main Building, Whitehall, London, Eurocopter UK was presented with a “Recognition of Achievement Award”. Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology (DEST) Philip Dunne MP handed over the award to the Team. These awards recognise and celebrate specific areas of procurement and included for... Read more
16-Dec-2012
Bird strike – windshield broken... Read more
15-Dec-2012
Collision with trees during load lift operation. Pilot injured. CADAORS ref 2012P2046... Read more
13-Dec-2012Source: Cornwall Air Ambulance
Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust is very sad to confirm the news of the tragic death of our former Chairman, Mr Harold Chapman. Harold and his wife Pamela, who was also a trustee, had recently emigrated to Australia, to take up their retirement ambition and become reunited with close family members. In the past few days,... Read more
13-Dec-2012Source: Helibras
[electronic translation] The workshop Helibras located on the Champ de Mars, in São Paulo, received a certification from the Directorate of Army Aviation Material (DMAvEx), sectoral support body responsible for managing the helicopters Avex, to perform repairs and inspections on airframe AS350 and AS550 L1 military A2, and maintenance and repair of aircraft equipment supplied... Read more
12-Dec-2012Source: Eurocopter
Eurocopter has conducted the first flight of its no. 1 series-production EC175, and confirmed the excellent performance of this next-generation multi-role helicopter. The maiden flight occurred last week at Eurocopter’s Marignane, France headquarters facility, with company pilot Augustin Dupuis at the controls. “With this first production series aircraft now airborne, the EC175 helicopter is a... Read more
12-Dec-2012Source: Eurocopter
The fast-paced deliveries of four new EC135s to Skärgårdshavets Helikoptertjänst Ab (SHT) during the fourth quarter of 2012 is enabling this Finnish operator of emergency medical airlift services and air ambulance flights to modernize its helicopter fleet. These rotorcrafts are replacing three older EC135s operated by SHT, bringing its total inventory to five of these... Read more
11-Dec-2012
Flight aimed at demonstrating a landing with hydraulic failure. With the hydraulic control was disconnected, the pilot made the approach to the runway, and attempted to make a vertical landing (zero speed with the helicopter hovering). With the aircraft hovering, the pilot lost control of the helicopter, and the tail boom hit the ground. The... Read more
10-Dec-2012
Three killed in an EMS helicopter accident – en route from Rockford base to Mendota to pick up a patient. Weather reported as a factor. Pilot later named as Andy Olesen, and the two flight nurses were Jim Dillow and Karen Hollis... Read more
5-Dec-2012Source: EADS
The EADS Board of Directors and the company’s core shareholders have agreed on a far-reaching change of the company’s shareholding structure and governance. This agreement aims at normalising and simplifying the governance of EADS while securing a shareholding structure that allows France, Germany and Spain to protect their legitimate strategic interests. Subject to customary regulatory... Read more
5-Dec-2012Source: DART Helicopter Services
DART Helicopter Services is pleased to announce their receipt Mexican approval (DGAC) for Vertical Reference Floor Window Kits fitted for AS350 and AS355 series of helicopters. The DART Vertical Reference Floor Window Kits are available in three sizes to fit various operational requirements. You can now look through the floor window with ease for vertical... Read more
5-Dec-2012Source: Oil & Gas UK
Members of Oil & Gas UK’s Board today (Wednesday 5 December) met with senior representatives from Eurocopter in Aberdeen. Eurocopter had been invited to update the group on their investigation into the main bevel gear shaft failures, which led to two ditching incidents earlier in the year. Eurocopter has been carrying out extensive testing of... Read more
5-Dec-2012Source: News Corp
Dozens of Australian Army pilots have conducted a mini-mutiny by refusing to fly new Tiger attack helicopters after aircrew were hit by cockpit fumes for the third time this year. The fleet was not grounded after the third incident. (see full story)... Read more
5-Dec-2012Source: HeliHub.com
A new arrival on the British aircraft register yesterday was a new Eurocopter EC135P2e for Devon Air Ambulance. Serial 1080 has recently been completed at the Donauworth factory and is now registered as G-DAAN. This normally signifies arrival in the UK, and the aircraft is currently registered to Eurocopter UK at Oxford,. who are doing... Read more
