29-Jan-2012Source: EAAA
A unique collaboration between the East of England’s two Air Ambulance Charities, Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Trust (EHAAT) and East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA) to provide an extended service during the longer summer days has been shown to be successful with an additional 75 missions flown by the charities’ helicopters during the period. Our... Read more
27-Jan-2012Source: Boeing
Boeing [NYSE: BA] subsidiary Boeing Defence Australia (BDA) and Thales Australia today named the Eurocopter EC135 as the preferred platform for their bid on the Australian Defence Force (ADF) Project AIR 9000 Phase 7 – Helicopter Aircrew Training System (HATS). “Boeing and Thales’ individual expertise and shared strengths, as well as a strong working relationship... Read more
27-Jan-2012Source: Eurocopter
Eurocopter’s Mexican subsidiary, Eurocopter de México S.A. (EMSA), delivered a single-engine AS350 B2 helicopter to the Quito Aerial Police Service, of the Ecuadorian National Police Force, for use on public security missions. The new aircraft was presented during a ceremony at the customer’s facilities in Quito which was attended by senior officials from Ecuador’s Ministry... Read more
26-Jan-2012Source: Tanis Aircraft Products
Tanis Aircraft Products has announced the availability of its aircraft preheat systems for the Eurocopter line of helicopters, a manufacturer of civilian and military models. Eurocopter manufactures the EC155 helicopter, a long-range twin-engine medium-lift passenger transport helicopter, along with many other models. Collaborating with Metro Aviation, Inc. at their corporate headquarters in Shreveport, Louisiana, representatives... Read more
26-Jan-2012Source: Becker Avionics
Becker Avionics is pleased to announce that their state-of-the-art Digital Voice Communication System (DVCS 6100) is included in the avionics package on the U.S. Army’s new UH-72A Lakota Mission Equipment Package (MEP) aircraft, a variant of this highly successful Light Utility Helicopter (LUH). Program plans call for 100 MEP variants of the UH-72A, which are... Read more
24-Jan-2012Source: PSAC
The Petroleum Services Association of Canada (PSAC) today announced it has helped raise a total of more than $5.3 million for the Shock Trauma Air Rescue Society (STARS) over 18 years of presenting the annual STARS & Spurs Gala. This year’s gala brought in the highest total ever raised in the history of the event... Read more
24-Jan-2012Source: Flightglobal
Eurocopter will resume test flights of its X3 high speed technology demonstrator next month as it advances the concept towards a potential launch. (see full story)... Read more
24-Jan-2012Source: Eurocopter
Eurocopter generated a record high annual turnover in 2011 as the company benefitted from long-term strategies of investing in innovation to keep its helicopter product line at the forefront, growing the international footprint, developing services businesses and optimizing internal operations. The deliveries of 503 rotary-wing aircraft in 2011, along with Eurocopter’s enhanced support and services... Read more
24-Jan-2012Source: Rakiura Helicopters
Rakiura Helicopters, the only helicopter company with a concession for operations out of Stewart Island’s Fern Gully, and Bluff’s Ocean Beach, has purchased an AS350 BA Squirrel helicopter that adds capacity for travelers, hunters and commercial operators and also vital medivac facilities for the island. The Squirrel is capable of carrying a stretcher and local... Read more
24-Jan-2012Source: DART Helicopter Services
DART Helicopter Services (DHS) is pleased to announce Transport Canada, FAA, EASA and Brazilian approval of DART Aerospace Ltd.’s (DAS) Deluxe Skidtube for Eurocopter AS350/AS355 aircraft. DART’s Deluxe Round-I-Beam™ Skidtubes come straight from the factory with the most popular options pre-installed to save installation time and increase customer convenience. The Deluxe Skidtube feature DAS’s patented... Read more
23-Jan-2012Source: Dell Children's Medical Center
On Thursday, Jan. 19, Seton Health Care Family, STAR Flight and Central Texas community leaders gathered at Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas for a grand opening celebration of STAR Flight’s first on-site, live-in accommodations at the hospital. With its completion, “home” for STAR Flight now carries new meaning. The 1,175-square-foot, specialized accommodations include... Read more
23-Jan-2012Source: HeliHub.com
Swiss operator Swift Copters have added two helicopters to their fleet in the last week. HB-ZPM is a Eurocopter AS350BA leased in from French operator Mont Blanc Helicopteres – serial number 1833 and previously F-GFPM. HB-ZMS is a Sikorsky S76B owned by Sikornir SA – and was featured at Helitech in the UK in September... Read more
22-Jan-2012Source: Poudre Valley Health System
Poudre Valley Health System announced today that it plans to offer an air ambulance program from Medical Center of the Rockies in Loveland beginning mid-March. The program would feature a B3 helicopter designed to safely transfer patients in high-altitude areas. “We are proud to bring to the community an air ambulance service built around three... Read more
22-Jan-2012Source: Helicopter Specialties
Helicopter Specialties, Inc. Introduces: the first Modular Aircraft Floor that is “truly†mechanic friendly for the EC135 and EC145 aircraft. We were motivated to design and build this floor after many years of maintaining EMS helicopters. Our new floors’ access panels can be removed within minutes to gain access to the aircraft without pulling the whole floor.... Read more
22-Jan-2012
In flight fire, emergency landing.... Read more
19-Jan-2012Source: CALSTAR
California Shock Trauma Air Rescue (CALSTAR), a not-for-profit air ambulance company serving northern and central California announced two changes today in its base operations. The organization has suspended operations of its helicopter base located in Jackson, Amador County (CALSTAR 10). The company will also relocate its helicopter base operations, formerly known as CALSTAR 11, from... Read more
19-Jan-2012Source: HAI
Dave Huntzinger, former vice president of Safety for Eurocopter, recently joined Professional Resources In System Management, LLC (PRISM) as senior vice president of Helicopter Aviation Services and the team of instructors for the Advanced Safety Management Systems (SMS) Course at HELI-EXPO 2012. Huntzinger teams with Guido Fuentes, PRISM’s safety program manager and HELI-EXPO veteran instructor,... Read more
18-Jan-2012Source: EADS
EADS turned 2011 into a year of growth and remarkably improved performance: The Group reached a record order intake thanks to the strong commercial aircraft momentum – particularly due to the A320neo’s astounding market reception – and solid performance in Astrium, Cassidian and Eurocopter. At a joint New Year’s press conference with Airbus, EADS CEO... Read more
18-Jan-2012
Emergency landing made after a transmission temperature indicator came on.... Read more
17-Jan-2012Source: American Eurocopter
American Eurocopter announced today that it has been officially recognized as the regional hub for maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) for Eurocopter EC135 and EC145 customers in North and Latin America. This certification covers D-level MRO activities for all EC135 and EC145 airframes, blades and dynamic components. “We continually strive to enhance our repair and... Read more
17-Jan-2012Source: STARS
The 19th annual STARS Lottery officially launches today with 3,200 prizes worth over $5.2 million retail. The STARS Lottery raised over $10 million net during the 2011 campaign and continues to be the single largest source of funding to keep STARS in the sky. “STARS flies an average of four missions a day in Alberta,... Read more
17-Jan-2012Source: Eurocopter Rotor Link
The preliminary results of the flight test campaign are quite promising, and even show that the initial theoretical estimations (based on simulation models) were rather conservative. The flight test crew appreciated the general performance of the aircraft, especially in hover mode and its OEI performances. Following its flight tests in the U.S, the EC145 T2... Read more
17-Jan-2012Source: Eurocopter Rotor Link
The helicopter will initially be used for passenger transportation for AJET, a helicopter services company that until now operated only Russian-made helicopters. AJET chose the EC145 for its low operating and maintenance costs as well as the comfort of its spacious interior. This aircraft is at the top of its class in the medium-sized, twin-engine... Read more
17-Jan-2012Source: CBS Denver
The helicopter is based in Gypsum, quite a few miles down the road. But because of a partnership with the hospital in Vail, it’s stationed there, right along Interstate 70 every day, drastically reducing response times. (see full story)... Read more
17-Jan-2012
Reports say the pilot has suffered cardiac arrest and the aircraft crashed. Pilot airlifted to Chilliwack Hospital, but BCAS later reported pilot deceased. RCMP named pilot as Dave Brolin. CADORS ref 2012P0085... Read more
16-Jan-2012Source: Eurocopter
Eurocopter recognized the German Federal Police for reaching the 100,000 total flight hour mark with its EC135 fleet, which performs thousands of operations annually across Germany for law enforcement, home security and Helicopter Emergency Medical Services missions. “The flight time logged by the German Federal Police marks a true milestone for the EC135, as this... Read more
16-Jan-2012Source: Research and Markets
Research and Markets has announced the addition of the “Key Global Helicopter Manufacturers – Strategic Initiatives, Developments, SWOT, Key Trends & Outlook for 2012” report to their offering. “Key Global Helicopter Manufacturers – Strategic Initiatives, Developments, SWOT, Key Trends & Outlook for 2012†The report brings to forefront & provides key insights as well as... Read more
13-Jan-2012Source: HeliHub.com
The UK’s Special Air Service (SAS), the elite unit of the Army Air Corps, has taken delivery of a fifth Eurocopter AS365N3 Dauphin. Industry sources tell HeliHub.com that the upcoming Olympics in London has inter alia placed additional responsibilities on the SAS, hence the need for the extra aircraft. It is expected to take up... Read more
13-Jan-2012Source: Statoil
A scheduled helicopter en route from the Deepsea Bergen drilling rig to Kristiansund made a controlled emergency landing on Ã…sgard B at 16.45 on Thursday afternoon. The incident happened when the helicopter alarm system alerted the pilots of loss of pressure in the left hydraulic system. After the landing, the helicopter came into motion due... Read more
13-Jan-2012Source: Sagem
Sagem (Safran group) signed a contract with SIMMAD to provide life-cycle support for the STRIX turret-mounted, gyrostabilized observation and sighting systems on Tiger HAP combat and fire support helicopters deployed by the French army’s air arm (ALAT). The five-year contract covers 50 STRIX systems and associated logistics. It includes support by the hour for curative... Read more
13-Jan-2012Source: Gloucestershire Echo
There are plans for the helicopter pad at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital to be extended so it can be fully used, hospital bosses say. Air ambulances have not touched down at the landing site in Gloucester since construction started on a new multi-storey car park in April 2010. (see full story)... Read more
12-Jan-2012Source: Metro Aviation
Metro Aviation, Inc. delivered the first of three EC145’s to Sanford Health at the end of last week. On hand for delivery was Kerry Berg, Director of Operations, Thomas Kitterman, Director of Maintenance and Orlen Tschetter, Vice President of Facilities & Planning from the Sanford Health-Sioux Falls Region. The aircraft is complete with a full... Read more
12-Jan-2012Source: HeliHub.com
Sri Lankan start-up operator Air Senok has taken delivery of two Eurocopter AS350B3 helicopters from Eurocopter South East Asia in Singapore- as we predicted in our article 14 months ago. One black and one dark grey, these two helicopters with gold stripes feature high skids with courtesy steps, night navigation lights, high-visibility panels in the... Read more
12-Jan-2012Source: Eurocopter
UTair Aviation has received its initial three Eurocopter AS350 B3e enhanced helicopters as this leading Russian and CIS operator builds up the largest fleet of Ecureuil family rotary-wing aircraft in the region. These AS350 B3s are among 20 aircraft ordered from the Eurocopter Ecureuil product line in 2010 by UTair, marking the biggest contract for... Read more
12-Jan-2012Source: Eurocopter
The Kenya Police Air-Wing is expanding its airborne law enforcement and crime prevention unit with the delivery of a Eurocopter AS350 B3e Ecureuil helicopter. Kenya’s selection of the AS350 B3e, which is the enhanced version of Eurocopter’s successful AS350 model, follows an open and competitive tender won earlier this year by Eurocopter Southern Africa (Pty)... Read more
12-Jan-2012Source: Metropolitan Police
London’s residents can now find out what the MPS Helicopters are up to, thanks to the launch of the Air Support Unit’s official Twitter account. @MPSinthesky got off the ground last Tuesday and captured 1,000 followers within hours of going live. Since then, the Twitter account has propelled higher and higher with over 3,000 people... Read more
12-Jan-2012
An Orange County Sheriff’s probe into allegations that a department helicopter was used for a joy-ride is focusing on a Nov. 10 trip taken by supervising Sgt. Han O and a female deputy assigned to the Central Court. (see full story)... Read more
12-Jan-2012Source: CAE
The Helicopter Academy to Train by Simulation of Flying (HATSOFF), the joint venture owned equally by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and CAE, today announced that its simulator cockpit for the Eurocopter AS365 N3 Dauphin helicopter has been certified to Level D, the highest qualification for flight simulators, by India’s Directorate General Civil Aviation (DGCA) as... Read more
12-Jan-2012Source: EADS North America
HeliHub.com editor note – this is the official press release from EADS – we have, of course, already run this story back on 27th December announcing the order. Herndon, Virginia and Huntsville, Alabama, January 10, 2012 — The U.S. Army has awarded EADS North America a $212.7 million contract to deliver 39 UH-72A Lakota Light Utility... Read more
12-Jan-2012
The incident happened when the helicopter alarm system alerted the pilots of loss of pressure in the left hydraulic system.... Read more
11-Jan-2012Source: Broward Palm Beach
​The Broward Commission are deciding whether the Broward Sheriff’s Office gets $6,505,593 for a new helicopter (see full story)... Read more
10-Jan-2012Source: EADS North America
EADS North America Chief Executive Officer Sean O’Keefe has been appointed Chairman of the company’s Board of Directors, replacing Ralph D. Crosby, Jr., who has retired. O’Keefe has been serving jointly as Chairman and CEO since Jan. 1. “EADS North America just concluded a remarkable year in 2011, having successfully expanded our product portfolio in... Read more
10-Jan-2012Source: HeliHub.com
Gazelle specialists MW Helicopters yesterday registered three more ex-military Gazelles. The three are now registered G-CHBJ, CHBN and CHBR – previously XX440, XZ307 and ZA733 respectively. All three were previously stored at the Fleetlands depot near Portsmouth and had been allocated instructional airframe serials A2702/3/4 respectively, but departed by road during December 2011 – the... Read more
10-Jan-2012Source: Metro Aviation
Metro Aviation, Inc. received an FAA Supplemental Type Certificate SR09591RC (STC) for a complete Emergency Medical System kit and associated options for the Eurocopter EC155B1. This is the first EC155B1 to be equipped with an EMS package in the United States. Metro Aviation, Inc. received approval late December after five months of completing the STC... Read more
10-Jan-2012
Helicopter down in wooded area. 3POB – owner/pilot Andy Ridings was airlifted to Southampton General Hospital with chest and head injuries, along with another man who was suffering from back pain and head injuries. The third is believed to have suffered a dislocated ankle. Second/third POB were Mike Rosser and Ian Sutton... Read more
9-Jan-2012Source: Democrat and Chronicle
Mercy Flight Central officials are planning to purchase several pairs of night-vision goggles to expand where they can fly to help in emergencies. (see full story)... Read more
7-Jan-2012
Cable break during a hoist exercise at night... Read more
6-Jan-2012Source: HeliHub.com
Everett Aviation has added a Eurocopter EC155B1 in support of the Offshore Oil and Gas industry in Tanzania. The company’s website is still advertising for Captains and Co-Pilots The particular aircraft – serial 6662 and registration 5H-EXO – has been bought from Blueway who have operated it for the last four years. It was originally... Read more
6-Jan-2012Source: Eurocopter
The next-generation Eurocopter EC175 will incorporate significantly increased range and payload capacity when it enters service at the end of this year, and will be the first seven metric ton-category helicopter delivered with such capabilities. In releasing EC175 enhanced performance specifications today, Eurocopter announced a baseline payload/radius-of-action capacity with 16 passengers at 135 nautical miles... Read more
5-Jan-2012Source: Eurocopter
The Helibras subsidiary of Eurocopter will supply and manage all spare parts, stocks and related technical support for the Brazilian armed forces’ fleet of 50 EC725 helicopters, offering significant savings and operational synergies for the country’s three military services operating the twin-engine rotary-wing aircraft. This responsibility is being assigned to Helibras under terms of a... Read more
5-Jan-2012Source: Views and News from Norway
Oslo won’t be getting its second police helicopter, promised and funded after last July’s terrorist attacks, for several more months because of delays tied to mandatory bidding processes. (see full story). The country currently operates an Ec135, and we assume (but have not confirmed) that the second aircraft will also be a 135. We also... Read more
5-Jan-2012Source: HeliHub.com
CHC has registered a new Eurocopter EC225 with the British CAA yesterday, serial number 2822 and registration G-JSKN. CAA records also show that an Export CofA has already been applied for with an expected processing date of 24th January, so it will not stay long before moving to another CHC base. This is not unusual. ... Read more
4-Jan-2012Source: HeliHub.com
Yesterday, Bond Offshore Helicopters registered a new Eurocopter EC225LP helicopter with the UK Civil Aviation Authority. Going by other similar activity in recent years, this likely means the delivery flight from the factory in Marignane started yesterday or is expected to today. Registered G-PUMR and with Eurocopter serial 2818, this example takes the current Bond... Read more
4-Jan-2012Source: Voxy
The Nelson Marlborough Rescue Helicopter Trust has taken delivery of a BK117 rescue helicopter just as the region moves into the busiest time of the year. It joins the AS350 they already operate, more than doubling their capabilities (see full story)... Read more
3-Jan-2012Source: HeliHub.com
French operator SAF Helicopters has bought a Eurocopter AS355N Twin Squirrel from Greek operator Interjet. Serial number 5586, and previously flown in Greece as SX-HIG, the helicopter is now registered in France as F-HJFD. Jeremy Parkin – HeliHub.com... Read more
3-Jan-2012
Captain Abera told the weekly Capital Ethiopia newspaper that his company has imported an AS350 model helicopter and they plan to increase their numbers in the future (see full story)... Read more
30-Dec-2011Source: HeliHub.com
On 29th December, the Austrian OAMTC organisation flew the 10,000th mission from its base at Salzburg. A 44 year old female driver skidded on icy roads and ended up against a tree, resulting in the milestone call-out 10 minutes flight from Salzburg for “Christoph 6”, a Eurocopter EC135. The team involved were emergency physician Josef... Read more
30-Dec-2011Source: Las Vegas Review-Journal
A second wrongful death lawsuit was filed Thursday in a Nevada court against the Las Vegas-based operator of a sightseeing tour helicopter that crashed and killed five people earlier this month (see full story)... Read more
30-Dec-2011
Helicopter destroyed by arson attack at 2.45am when parked. Helicopter was operated by INAER Chile for CONAF (Chilean national fire service) in support of forest firefightingm, which is what it is currently actively involved in. Slogans were left nearby suggesting the perpetrators were campaigning for the freedom of “political prisoners”.... Read more
27-Dec-2011Source: HeliHub.com
A ceremony was held yesterday at Vung Tau Airport to mark the start of the Eurocopter EC225 as a new helicopter type for the Vietnam Navy. Commander of the Vietnamese Navy Admiral Nguyen Van Hien and Deputy Chief of General Staff of the Vietnamese People’s Army Lieutenant General Tran Quang Khue attended the event, It... Read more
27-Dec-2011Source: US DoD
EADS North America, Inc., Arlington, Va., was awarded a $212,703,701 firm-fixed-price contract. The award will provide for the modification of an existing contract to procure 39 production aircraft in support of the Army’s Light Utility Helicopter Program. Work will be performed in Columbus, Miss., with an estimated completion date of Nov. 30, 2013. One bid... Read more
27-Dec-2011Source: Eurocopter Vostok
(electronic translation) In December 2011, the Interstate Aviation Committee (IAC) has certified the helicopter AS350 B3e, thereby approving the operation of this new modification of the popular helicopter AS350 in Russia and CIS countries. “Helicopter AS350 has proven himself in the world and is of high demand in Russia and CIS. On receipt of the certificate... Read more
27-Dec-2011Source: HeliHub.com
The Suffolk County legislature has approved $7.5 million for a new helicopter for rescues on the east end, according to media reports. HeliHub.com believes this would equate to a Eurocopter EC145 to match the existing aircraft on EMS duties, although it is likely they will go through the expected procurement process with multiple types before... Read more
23-Dec-2011Source: Brazilian Air Force
(electronic translation from local language press release) The agreement of five years, provides for the supply of materials and services and will have a budget of $ 149 million The Brazilian Air Force signed on Wednesday (21/12) in Brasilia, the logistics support contract for the fleet of EC-725 helicopters of the Armed Forces. The deal,... Read more
23-Dec-2011
Police Service of Northern Ireland say that having a helipad in County Fermanagh will mean the aircraft can be refuelled at any time without having to return to its base. Two other remote landing pads are in operation – at Mahon Road in Portadown and Maydown, near Londonderry. (see full story) CAA photo... Read more
23-Dec-2011Source: Eurocopter
Eurocopter delivered today two EC225s to Héli-Union, a leading provider of commercial air transportation services worldwide. The new helicopters are the first EC225s to join the company’s fleet of some 30 rotary-wing aircraft. The two new EC225s are configured for offshore operations and will be deployed for transportation services for oil and gas companies. “With... Read more
23-Dec-2011Source: Eurocopter
The Tokyo Fire Department has ordered a second EC225 helicopter to further expand its Eurocopter-built rotary-wing fleet, which already has seen significant operational service in Japan – including rescue and recovery efforts following the country’s earthquake and tsunami in March. This latest order was placed after an open competition, and will lead to delivery of... Read more
22-Dec-2011Source: Eurocopter
CITIC Offshore Helicopter Co., Ltd. (COHC) has ordered seven EC225 LP long-range helicopters in a new agreement with Eurocopter that also paves the way for future joint ventures involving the two companies in training and maintenance services to serve China’s rapidly-developing rotary-wing market. The EC225 LP Super Pumas acquired in this latest order will be... Read more
21-Dec-2011Source: Eurocopter
Eurocopter has delivered the first two Ecureuil AS350 B2 of nine helicopters contracted by the Ecuadorian Armed Forces in July 2010 under its extensive modernization program. The two Ecureuil AS350 B2s were delivered to the Army Aviation Brigade at La Balvina, Sangolquà in the presence of the Ecuadorian Defense Minister Javier Ponce, the Head of... Read more
21-Dec-2011Source: Eurocopter
Three months ago, HeliHub.com recorded in this article that Eurocopter had produced just four Hermes edition EC135s, and sold three of them. In this latest press release reproduced below, it is now known that Eurocopter have sold the fourth one, which had been imported into the UK “on spec” in early September 2009, just prior... Read more
21-Dec-2011
Precautionary landing made on road, no injuries, no damage... Read more
20-Dec-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Lawrence Municipal Airport is the location of a new base for Boston Medflight, a satellite location to help provide a better service from Eastern Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire. The airport is located off Route 125 in North Andover, and operations began there on 21st November with a helicopter moving in from Hancom Field in... Read more
20-Dec-2011Source: Eurosafety
EuroSafetys iSafety App is ESI’s latest effort in their goal to improve airframe knowledge and safety in the helicopter community. The iSafety App is designed to provide a method to review caution panel emergency procedures from various aircraft. The first version of the app contains the caution panel procedures for the AS350B2, AS350B3, EC120B, EC130B4,... Read more
19-Dec-2011Source: HeliHub.com
The first full-flight simulator for helicopters made in Brazil has gone live – and it’s known as SHEFE (Simulador para Helicópteros Esquilo e Fennec), picking up the names given to the AS350 in Brazilian Naval and Army roles. Given the local Helibras production line, it seems likely that the simulator will be fully employed just... Read more
