30-Jul-2010Source: Royal Air Force
After several weeks providing support to troops on the ground in Helmand province, the Merlin helicopter crews from 28 (Army Cooperation) Squadron’s B Flight, based at RAF Benson in Oxfordshire, are coming home. B Flight arrived at Bastion Airfield in late May 2010. Following multiple detachments in Iraq over the past five years, this was... Read more
30-Jul-2010Source: This is Bristol
Having run the event for 20 years on the seafront at Weston-super-Mare, organisers are facing higher costs. Additinally, both North Somerset Council (on which event director Elfan ap Rees is a councillor) and the local Weston Parish Council have withdrawn their sponsorship.... Read more
30-Jul-2010Source: British Army
Army helicopter pilots, ground crew and technicians who have served in Afghanistan were presented with campaign medals by His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales yesterday. 3 Regiment Army Air Corps (3 AAC), based at Wattisham Flying Station, Suffolk, was also awarded the Honorary Freedom of St Edmundsbury, at the presentation in Bury St Edmunds.... Read more
29-Jul-2010Source: Jet Booking Direct
In partnership with Ham Polo Club we are very pleased to announce that we can offer Helicopter Landings at Ham Polo Club in Richmond with immediate effect. Only 8 miles from Hyde Park Corner and with great road and river links to Westminster and The City, Ham is very well positioned for all of your... Read more
29-Jul-2010Source: HeliFlite Shares
HeliFlite Shares, LLC has announced that a group of investors made an equity investment in exchange for 60 percent interest in the Company. “HeliFlite has posted impressive results over the past 18 months in a period that has been very difficult for general aviation,†commented a spokesman for the investor group. “We are delighted to... Read more
29-Jul-2010Source: Stroud Life
Bond Aviation Group, Britain’s fastest growing privately owned helicopter service provider, has unveiled a new £1 million Design and Completions Department at its UK headquarters... Read more
29-Jul-2010Source: ilsole24ore
Employee relations at AgustaWestland’s Polish plant in Swidnik are at a low after 500 redundancies were reported. Employees are pointing to a union agreement which safeguarded jbos for six years after AW parent Finmeccanica bought the plant... Read more
29-Jul-2010Source: KION
Three new pairs of night vision goggles were bought with money from a private donation. They’re worth $15,000 each.... Read more
29-Jul-2010Source: BBC
A man has been cautioned by police after admitting shining a laser beam at the Thames Valley Police EC135 helicopter.... Read more
29-Jul-2010Source: AVE
For the first time in the history of aviation representatives of the Russian airline “Vertical-T” on the MI-8P flew from Chukotka to Alaska.... Read more
29-Jul-2010Source: ABC
ATSB spokesman Ian Sangston says the pilot’s limited helicopter experience may have contributed to the accident, although there was not enough evidence to conclusively identify the cause.... Read more
29-Jul-2010
The proposed South East Air Support Unit would bring together an MD Explorer from Shoreham and an EC135 from Odiham. Note, neither operate the AS355 featured in the BBC story!... Read more
29-Jul-2010Source: PHPA
FLYING HIGHER – AL BROUSSARD, PHPA MEMBER, AND BELL 47 PILOT EXTRA ORDINAIRE On Saturday, July 25, 2010, the PHPA lost a long time, true and valued member, Al Broussard from Granada Hills, CA. in a helicopter accident in Minnesota. Al got his wings in 1966 and has been flying and fixing aircraft ever since. ... Read more
29-Jul-2010Source: Sikorsky
Event: â€Project Firefly†Press Briefing When: Thursday, July 29, 11:30 a.m. CDT Where: Sikorsky Innovations Booth in the GE Learning Center at the EAA AirVenture exhibition on Wittman Road Background: Chris VanBuiten, Director of Sikorsky Innovations, will introduce “Project Firefly,†an all-electric helicopter technology demonstrator. The demonstrator will be on static display at the booth,... Read more
29-Jul-2010Source: ARINC
John M. Belcher, Chairman and CEO of ARINC Incorporated, today announced the creation of a new International Division to lead the company’s operations in Asia-Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. The International Division will be based in the United Kingdom, and will also include ARINC’s Airport Technology Center. In addition to managing most of... Read more
29-Jul-2010Source: FreeFlight Systems
FreeFlight Systems, a global provider of high quality navigation management systems, radar altimeters and other critical avionics, announces its line of RANGR 978 MHz ADS-B products including ADS-B transmitters, transmitters with WAAS GPS, transceivers, and transceivers with WAAS GPS. The final FAA rule dictates an ADS-B compliant system must have a high integrity position source... Read more
29-Jul-2010Source: Aviation Week
The key issue, since late last year, has been the recognition that helicopters due for delivery this year in an interim standard would not meet the anticipated performance level.... Read more
29-Jul-2010Source: Flightglobal
Australia has discovered that an engine failure on an NH90 transport helicopter was caused by the compressor blades fracturing after coming into contact with the engine casing.... Read more
29-Jul-2010Source: Connecticut Post
It’s not official, but a Sikorsky experimental aircraft is the fastest aircraft of its type in the world, achieving a top speed of 225 knots, or 259Â mph.... Read more
29-Jul-2010Source: DART Helicopter Services
DART Helicopter Services is pleased to announce that their affiliated partner, DART Aerospace Ltd., has received EASA approval for their Vertical Reference Bubble Window and Replacement Crew Door Flat Window for the A119/AW119MKII. Transport Canada and FAA approvals have been previously received. Replacement Window Kits, bubble or flat, require no permanent modification to the crew... Read more
29-Jul-2010Source: MD Helicopters
Mesa, Arizona, July 28, 2010… On June 29, MD Helicopters delivered a brand new MD 500E to the Hawaii County Fire Department. The Department covers 4000 square miles and operates approximately 300 missions a year, with half fire and half rescue. The unit flies 1000 hours a year. The new MD 500E will replace an... Read more
28-Jul-2010Source: UK MoD
Royal Navy Sea King helicopter pilots and their crews from the Commando Helicopter Force (CHF) have been training for their deployment to Afghanistan in the Californian desert. The pilots and aircrew from 845 and 846 Naval Air Squadrons have been undergoing environmental qualification training at the Naval Air Facility El Centro, just north of the... Read more
27-Jul-2010Source: HeliHub.com
British operator Tiger Helicopters are to lease two AB206 JetRangers from Castle Air. The lease commences 1st October 2010 for an initial period of two years, with each JetRanger expected to fly 1,000 hours during that time on an intensive training contract. Tiger are providing ab initio training for Algerian military pilots who will then... Read more
27-Jul-2010Source: UK MoD
After nearly two months of being operational in Afghanistan, the world’s fastest helicopter, the Lynx Mark 9A, has proved to be a vital boost to the UK’s battlefield capability. The crews from the Army Air Corps that fly the aircraft say it has massively enhanced capability, as it is light and agile and perfect for... Read more
26-Jul-2010
Contracts were signed on 22nd July for six Mi-171Sh Hip transport and two Mi-35P Hind attack helicopters... Read more
26-Jul-2010
On Friday, Health Services Minister Kevin Falcon launched an eight-week pilot project for a dedicated helicopter air ambulance that will transport critically ill or injured patients in the southern Interior. “Whether by ground or air, we want to get patients to the care they need as quickly as possible,†said Falcon. “We are excited about... Read more
26-Jul-2010Source: Aerospace Filtration Systems
Aerospace Filtration Systems, Inc. (AFS), a wholly owned subsidiary of Donaldson Company, Inc. (NYSE:DCI) and a division of the Aerospace & Defense group, continues to see growing demand for its high-performance engine Inlet Barrier Filter (IBF) for the AgustaWestland AW139 series helicopter. Certified in late 2009, operators worldwide in offshore energy, corporate, rescue, firefighting and... Read more
26-Jul-2010Source: Royal Navy
HMS Ocean is currently participating in Exercise Kearsarge – a US led exercise being conducted off the coast of North Carolina, in support of the deployment training package for the United States Navy’s Amphibious Ready Group. As a result, the Royal Navy’s largest helicopter carrier has been operating with some of the US Marine Corp’s... Read more
26-Jul-2010
But about 70 people turned out at Torrance Municipal Airport for the meeting, indicating that helicopters is a noticeable issue. Those attending the meeting included residents of Torrance, Redondo Beach and the Palos Verdes Peninsula. Apart from various operators, Torrance is also home to the Robinson Helicopter Co factory... Read more
26-Jul-2010
Trials are underway for an Indian Air Force order for 22 attack helicopters with two contenders in the fray – the US’ Boeing AH-64D Apache and Russia’s Mi-28.... Read more
26-Jul-2010Source: Latitude Technologies
Latitude Technologies, a leading provider of satellite based communication, tracking and onboard aircraft data systems announced that their SkyNode S100-001 satellite based tracking/messaging device has received EASA Supplemental Type Certificate number “10030644† covering Bell Helicopter Textron models 206, 206A, 206A1, 206B, 206B1, 206L, 206L1, 206L3, 206L4 and 407. Certificate numbers “10030640†and “10030765†cover Eurocopter... Read more
25-Jul-2010Source: Experimental Helo
Experimental Helo magazine is going Electronic. With the November issue you will be able to access, read as often as you like, download a copy and print a copy from the Subscriber’s Only section of the web site at www.experimentalhelo.com For those of you who have wondered why we weren’t in this mode earlier, the move... Read more
25-Jul-2010Source: HeliHub.com
One of the most well-known and long-running onshore operators in the UK, Alan Mann Helicopters, has had its operating licence withdrawn by the CAA. In a published announcement in their “Official Record Series 2” document, issue 1961 dated 20th July 2010, it confirms in a terse and formal statement “Alan Mann Helicopters Limited – This... Read more
24-Jul-2010Source: Koninklkijke Luchmacht
(electronic translation from the Dutch press release) The second NH90 helicopter arrived yesterday afternoon at Maritime Air Station De Kooy. Defence purchased this helicopter type to replace both the Lynx maritime helicopters and the AB-412 rescue helicopters. The Operational Test & Evaluation (OT & E) team flew the aircraft from Italy to the Netherlands. The... Read more
24-Jul-2010Source: Chicago Tribune
Police have arrested an 18-year-old southern Indiana man accused of aiming a laser pointer at an Indiana State Police helicopter.... Read more
23-Jul-2010Source: Aero Dynamix
Aero Dynamix, Inc., the industry leader in Night Vision Imaging Systems (NVIS), is pleased to announce that they have applied for two more European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) STC approvals to add to their current EASA STC 10028376 for the MD900. These approvals are based on validation of FAA STC (SR09519RC) for the installation of... Read more
23-Jul-2010Source: Turbomeca
The Arrius 2B engines, powering the 27 ÖAMTC’s EC 135T helicopters, clock up today 200,000 flight hours. These twin engine-helicopters’ missions, EMS type, have very important operational constraints. “This is an important milestone for our EC 135T fleet, which 100% of it is equipped with the Arrius 2B engine, as our entire fleet is powered... Read more
23-Jul-2010Source: IslaCanaria.net
A new EMS contract starts in the Canary Islands on 1st August, with two AgustaWestland AW109s based at Reina Sofia on Tenerife and Gando Airport on Gran Canaria... Read more
23-Jul-2010Source: ABC
Queensland Opposition emergency services spokesman Ted Malone says responsibility was shifted from the Emergency Services Department to Queensland Health on July 1, without the operators being told.... Read more
23-Jul-2010Source: HeliDays
International HeliDays 2010 will launch this year at midday on Friday 23rd July with a demonstration of helicopter in flight refuelling by the US Air Force over the bay at Weston-super-Mare. Following the demonstration the USAF Pave Hawk search and rescue helicopter will land on the Beach Lawns where it will be on static display... Read more
23-Jul-2010
Dart Helicopter Services’ affiliated partner, DART Aerospace Ltd., has received FAA approval to add certain UH-1 model aircraft to their existing STC’s covering landing gear components. The UH-1 models included are those that have been FAA certified per FAR21.25(a)(2) for civil use. The STC currently lists the following models as approved: UH-1A UH-1B UH-1E UH-1F... Read more
23-Jul-2010Source: Bristow Group
Bristow Helicopters has named its new director who will drive forward the company’s European growth plans. Mike Imlach, who was previously Director of Bristow’s Nigerian Business Unit, has been appointed as the Director of European Operations. He will oversee all commercial and operational aspects of the company’s activities in the UK, Norway and Holland. Mike,... Read more
23-Jul-2010Source: Milton Ulladulla Times
The Westpac Lifesaver helicopter will conduct surveillance, shark patrols and search and rescue operations from Mollymook south to the Victorian border. The trial is proposed to begin in December through February and then again for the same period each year until 2013.... Read more
23-Jul-2010Source: ABC
Accident referred to is recorded in HeliHub.com Safety section here... Read more
23-Jul-2010Source: Rockwell Collins
AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, recently delivered the first AW101 helicopter featuring Rockwell Collins latest generation cockpit display system. This new cockpit first flew on the AW101 in October 2009 and achieved Instrument Flight Rule (IFR) certification in June 2010. “This new cockpit display system provides pilots with enhanced situational awareness while decreasing their workload,” said... Read more
23-Jul-2010Source: Orlando Sentinel
An Orange County man accused of shooting at a Sheriff’s Office helicopter earlier this year was indicted by a federal grand jury Wednesday.... Read more
23-Jul-2010Source: Shephard
AgustaWestland is displaying one of the first A109 LUH (NZ) TrainingLight Utility Helicopters for the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) at Farnborough... Read more
23-Jul-2010Source: Eurocopter
Australian Aerospace Limited, which assembles the Army’s and Navy’s MRH90 helicopters in Brisbane, has welcomed the imminent return to flying operations by the Australian Defence Force (ADF) world leading and most advanced multi-role helicopter. The ADF announced today that the MRH90s will recommence flying operations later this week. The ADF ceased flying their MRH90 fleet... Read more
23-Jul-2010Source: CHC
CHC Helicopter has been awarded a 10-year, €500 million contract to provide Search and Rescue services on behalf of the Irish Coast Guard. Ireland’s Minister for Transport, Noel Dempsey, will join senior representatives from the Irish Coast Guard and CHC Ireland to officially sign the contract later today. The contract, will provide SAR services from... Read more
23-Jul-2010Source: Aero Dynamix
Aero Dynamix, Inc., your only true one-stop-shop for Night Vision Systems is proud to be a full line distributor of L-3 M949 Generation III Night Vision Goggles including the L-3 M949 Infinity line. L-3 M949 Infinity NVGs are manufactured to the highest quality standards and meet all specifications of DO-275 with Class “B†filters. They... Read more
23-Jul-2010Source: Defense News
Boeing is still working to improve the V-22 Osprey to keep dust, dirt and other debris out of the tilt-rotor’s engines.... Read more
23-Jul-2010Source: Wired
The company announced Project Firefly at the Farnborough Airshow outside London and says the electric helicopter will be unveiled at EAA Airventure in Oshkosh next week.... Read more
23-Jul-2010Source: Star-Telegram
Bell has landed only 22 confirmed “money-in-the-bank” orders since the Bell 429 light twin-engine helicopter was certified by U.S. and Canadian regulators a year ago... Read more
23-Jul-2010Source: SkyTrac
SkyTrac Systems is pleased to announce that it has been chosen by VIH Helicopters Ltd (formerly Vancouver Island Helicopters) to provide its next generation flight following and SatCom solutions. VIH Helicopters will equip its diverse fleet of Sikorsky, Kamov, Eurocopter, and Bell helicopters with SkyTrac’s next generation ISAT-200 system. SkyTrac Systems will provide VIH Helicopters... Read more
22-Jul-2010Source: Washington Post
Michael E. Promisel, 18, was charged after officers on the ground were called to search for the source of the laser allegedly aimed at the helicopter as it passed over Mantua Elementary School on Horner Court shortly before midnight July 15, police said.... Read more
22-Jul-2010Source: AgustaWestland
AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica Company, is pleased to announce that Sloane Helicopters Ltd has signed a contract for ten additional helicopters comprising AW109 Power and GrandNew light twin engine models. This latest order extends to 2012 the multi-year multi-aircraft contract and distribution agreement signed in February 2006. This purchase marks the entrance of the GrandNew light... Read more
22-Jul-2010Source: El Universo
Ecuador’s Defense Minister Javier Ponce announced that the country will buy seven Gazelle helicopters to reinforce the Army’s operations on the border with Colombia... Read more
22-Jul-2010Source: Defense News
The military equivalent of an iPad for pilots’ mission planning will be among the features included in the avionics upgrade of 46 Royal Air Force Chinooks to the Mk.4 standard, said Peter Hitchcock, Avionics VP at Thales UK... Read more
22-Jul-2010Source: Bloomberg
Mori Building City Air Services Co., the operator of a helicopter service between downtown Tokyo and Narita airport, may add a third aircraft after tie-ups with airlines boosted traffic.... Read more
22-Jul-2010Source: Aviation Specialties Unlimited
Irish Defense Forces Air Coprs based at Casement Aerodome, Baldonnel Co. Dublin Ireland recently completed Night Vision Goggle Training conducted by Aviation Specialties Unlimited, (ASU). The Irish Air Corps chose ASU as their sole source provider for 21 sets of ITT F4949 Night Vision Goggles and Pilot and Crewmember Training. The Air Corps operates four... Read more
22-Jul-2010Source: Press and Journal
Crews onboard the Sikorsky S-92 helicopter had told air traffic control they would be carrying out a winching exercise in West Voe, flying at what air traffic controllers “assumed†would be no higher than 100ft.... Read more
22-Jul-2010Source: L-3 Avionics Systems
L-3 Avionics Systems announced today the release of a new, higher performing version of the company’s TACAN Tactical Airborne Navigation System unit, the TACAN+. With more power and increased functionality, TACAN+ is a feature-rich navigation system that remains the smallest and lightest TACAN available. TACAN+, which is available immediately, will be on display at the... Read more
22-Jul-2010Source: Absolute Fire Solutions
Absolute Fire Solutions, (AFS) announced today that the innovative actuator and control technology that allows cockpit volume control and multi-drop capabilities with no weight penalty, which was previously patented in Australia, has now received patents in both Canada and the United States. The proprietary control system design distinguishes FAST Bucket from older technology bucket products because... Read more
22-Jul-2010Source: Max-Viz
Max-Viz and One Sky Aviation completed a successful series of tests on the performance of the Max-Viz EVS-1500 dual optical field of view sensor on wildfires in central Alaska. “This important testing was necessary to confirm performance expectations of the EVS-1500 sensor over its predecessor, the EVS-1000, specifically in a fire environment†states Bob Yerex,... Read more
22-Jul-2010Source: Becker Avionics
Becker Avionics’ DVCS6100 Digital Audio System was recently selected by Broward County Sheriff’s Office for integration into their new multi-mission EC135 helicopter. The aircraft will soon undergo completion at Southeast Aerospace and will be specifically tailored to the needs of Broward’s Air Support Unit. The DVCS6100 was chosen due to its unique ability to effectively... Read more
22-Jul-2010Source: KOLD
Using both aerial and land-based, highly-sensitive cameras Ohio-based company Persistent Surveillance Systems is able to monitor 16 square miles at any given time.... Read more
22-Jul-2010Source: Your Nabe
Joseph Purdon, 46, has been arrested after he went out into his backyard around 1 a.m. on Thursday, July 1 and shined a huge, “twenty-five million candle power spotlight†at the chopper, according to a police report.... Read more
22-Jul-2010Source: Live Mint
Ratan Tata, head of the Tata group, is set to be the chairman of the country’s first private helicopter assembly line, Indian Rotorcraft Ltd. The firm is a joint venture (JV) between holding company Tata Sons Ltd and Italy-based Finmeccanica SpA’s helicopter unit AgustaWestland. The Tata group has a 74% stake.... Read more
22-Jul-2010Source: Boeing
Boeing [NYSE: BA] on July 22 will celebrate the 100th CH-47F Chinook helicopter built at the company’s Ridley Township facility. “This is an incredible milestone,” said Leanne Caret, Boeing vice president, H-47 Programs. “More than 2,000 Boeing employees work on the Chinook program, and they all share in this exceptional accomplishment with the rest of... Read more
22-Jul-2010Source: Pratt & Whitney Canada
Pratt & Whitney Canada Customer Service Centre Europe GmbH (P&WC CSC Europe), a joint venture of Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) and MTU Maintenance Berlin-Brandenburg GmbH, significantly expanded a Fleet Management Program (FMP® program) contract with INAER Aviation. P&WC is a United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX) company. Under a new, 13-year event cost plan (ECP) contract,... Read more
22-Jul-2010Source: Outerlink
Outerlink Corporation, a leading provider of satellite-based mobile asset management solutions, announced today that it has received a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for the installation of their Flight Data System in the Eurocopter EC135 helicopter series aircraft. The Flight Data System satisfies two of the top four recent NTSB... Read more
22-Jul-2010Source: AgustaWestland
AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica Company, is pleased to announce that it has sold one AW119Ke single engine and one Grand light twin helicopter in Chile. These two contracts mark the entrance of the AW119Ke and the Grand into the Chilean helicopter market. Both the AW119Ke and Grand will be used by private customers for corporate transport... Read more
22-Jul-2010Source: AgustaWestland
AgustaWestland is pleased to announce that the AW119Ke single engine helicopter has been awarded civil certification in Russia. This adds to the civil certification already received for the AW109 Power and the Grand light twin models in Russia. Orders for nine AW119Ke helicopters have been placed by Russian customers so far and significant further opportunities... Read more
22-Jul-2010Source: AgustaWestland
AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica Company, and Osprey Training of Sweden are pleased to announce that they have signed an agreement for the establishment of a fully integrated Search and Rescue Training Centre in Sweden, based on the AW139 medium twin turbine helicopter. Under this agreement, the Centre will provide AgustaWestland accredited training services to pilots, crewmen... Read more
21-Jul-2010Source: Bell
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, working in cooperation with Esterline CMC Electronics, has developed and flight tested a new generation global positioning system (GPS) sensor to replace existing high-cost Doppler or inertial velocity sensors used in automated approach-to-hover and hover-hold systems. This new product is anticipated to be available for installation on... Read more
