SAR

FAA approves Rig Approach system for S92

FAA approves Rig Approach system for S92

7-May-2013Source: Sikorsky

Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. today announced the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has approved a new functionality on the S-92® helicopter to provide offshore oil operators with an automated approach that reduces cockpit workload by 60 percent and allows safer operations under challenging weather and operating conditions. Sikorsky, a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX), developed... Read more

Portuguese AW101 sets new SAR distance record

Portuguese AW101 sets new SAR distance record

10-Apr-2013Source: AgustaWestland

[Electronic Translation from Norwegian]  A Portuguese AW101 helicopter has set a new record. It saved a man at a distance of 360 nautical mil, which is 670 km. In February this year capsized the Portuguese sailor Javier Sanso when he participated in the Vendee Globe solo race. This happened about the middle of the Atlantic Ocean and... Read more

Bristow to operate SAR AW189s from 2015

Bristow to operate SAR AW189s from 2015

28-Mar-2013Source: AgustaWestland

Editor note – you can’t blame AW for putting this press release out to promote their products, but it’s worth noting that BOTH of the final two bidders included the AW189 in their portfolio AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce that its AW189 Search & Rescue (SAR) helicopter will play a pivotal role... Read more

Avincis responds to losing UK SAR contract

Avincis responds to losing UK SAR contract

27-Mar-2013Source: Avincis Group

Avincis CEO James Drummond said: “We are pleased that Secretary of State has noted the very high quality and credibility of our bid, which drew on our global and UK expertise in providing helicopter emergency services.  Of course we are disappointed, but Bond has had  fantastic success in winning new business this year.  I’m very... Read more

Official – Bristow win UK SAR with ten S92s and ten AW189s

Official – Bristow win UK SAR with ten S92s and ten AW189s

26-Mar-2013Source: UK Dept for Transport

A new £1.6 billion contract for search and rescue helicopter services will see the UK benefit from improved flying times and better coverage of high-risk areas. The Department for Transport has today signed a contract with Bristow Helicopters Ltd to provide search and rescue helicopter services in the UK. Helicopters will be able to reach... Read more

Reports…. Bristow win UK SAR contract worth £3 Billion

Reports…. Bristow win UK SAR contract worth £3 Billion

18-Mar-2013Source: Sunday Times

Ahead of any official announcement, the Sunday Times are reporting that Bristow have won the UK SAR contract worth approximately £3 billion (see full story).  HeliHub.com will run the official announcements as and when they are released in the near future.  Bristow were bidding with Sikorsky S92 and AgustaWestland AW189 helicopters.... Read more

Bond SAR crew win award for courage

Bond SAR crew win award for courage

13-Mar-2013Source: Bond Aviation Group

Two Bond Offshore Helicopters (Bond) Search and Rescue (SAR) crewmen have been awarded the Billy Deacon SAR Memorial Trophy 2012, in recognition of their key role in a dramatic North Sea rescue last December. The award honours SAR winchmen and operators who have shown great skill and courage in carrying out rescues over land or... Read more

Losses widen at CHC Ireland

Losses widen at CHC Ireland

11-Mar-2013

Losses at the private helicopter company that has a €500m state contract for offshore SAR have increased to €2.78m. (see full story)... Read more

China’s Ministry of Transport orders four S76D for SAR work

China’s Ministry of Transport orders four S76D for SAR work

5-Mar-2013Source: Sikorsky

China’s Ministry of Transport’s (MOT) Rescue and Salvage Bureau has signed a contract for the supply of four Sikorsky S-76D™ search and rescue helicopters, with an option for another four next year, to further enhance MOT’s maritime search and rescue capabilities, Sikorsky Aircraft announced today from the Heli-Expo industry show. Sikorsky, a subsidiary of United... Read more

Second S92 arrives UK for Bristow “Gap SAR” contract

Second S92 arrives UK for Bristow “Gap SAR” contract

25-Feb-2013

The “GAP SAR” contract requires Bristow Helicopters to supply four Sikorsky S92s for UK Search and Rescue.  The first arrival (which we reported here) is now stationed at Inverness on a training programme.  Meanwhile the second example G-MCGB was air freighted into Prestwick last week and ferried through to Aberdeen on Saturday.  This is serial... Read more

AW189 beats EC175 in UK SAR contest

AW189 beats EC175 in UK SAR contest

22-Feb-2013Source: FlightGlobal

FlightGlobal are quoting Eurocopter’s EC175 marketing manager admitting that both remaining bidders in the UK SAR contest have the UK-built AW189 in their tenders. (see full story)... Read more

Scottish Ambulance Service trains volunteers to light helipads

Scottish Ambulance Service trains volunteers to light helipads

18-Feb-2013Source: Scottish Ambulance Service

The Scottish Ambulance Service has completed an initiative to create new lit helicopter landing sites on Shetland’s outer isles that will enhance access for medical evacuations. While the Coastguard helicopter has always had 24 hour access to these islands, the new sites will allow access at night by the Jigsaw helicopter, which requires a lit... Read more

RAF appoints new Search And Rescue Force Commander

RAF appoints new Search And Rescue Force Commander

15-Feb-2013Source: Royal Air Force

Group Captain Sara Mackmin has taken over as the RAF Search and Rescue Force Commander from Group Captain Frazer Nicholson The RAF SAR Force is now being commanded by the most senior female aviator within the UK’s Armed Forces. Group Captain Sara Mackmin’s recent appointment as the RAF SAR Force Commander marks the first time... Read more

Bristow unveils first S92 for UK “Gap SAR”

Bristow unveils first S92 for UK “Gap SAR”

4-Feb-2013Source: Bristow Helicopters

Over ten days after HeliHub.com reported the arrival of this aircraft, Bristow issued the following press release which provides more details, including equipment fit. The first of four Sikorsky S-92 helicopters that will service the U.K. GAP SAR contract starting later this year is nearly finished and on track to begin training flights in February.... Read more

Bristow moves S92 to Inverness for SAR training

Bristow moves S92 to Inverness for SAR training

4-Feb-2013Source: HeliHub.com

Last week HeliHub.com announced that the first Sikorsky S92 had arrived in the UK for Bristow to operate in the SAR role.  Today the aircraft moves from Aberdeen to Inverness to begin training ready for going live on 1st June – this is G-MCGA, serial The first of the four Sikorsky S92s arrived at Aberdeen... Read more

Bristow takes delivery of first S92 for UK Interim SAR

Bristow takes delivery of first S92 for UK Interim SAR

22-Jan-2013Source: HeliHub.com

In early February 2012, HeliHub.com broke the news that the “Gap SAR” contract had been split between Bristow running the two northerly bases at Sumburgh and Stornoway, while CHC would continue with the two southerly bases at Portland and Lee-on-Solent.  Not only were we first to announce this, but it took a further five days... Read more

US Coast Guard deploys two MH-60s to St. Paul, Alaska

US Coast Guard deploys two MH-60s to St. Paul, Alaska

16-Jan-2013Source: US Coast Guard

Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak temporarily deployed two MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crews to St. Paul, Alaska, Sunday to safeguard the crab fleet and other fishing vessels engaged in winter fisheries in Southwestern Alaska. With an increased number of vessels operating in the region, the Coast Guard deployed the crews to provide a more rapid response... Read more

UK SAR – CHC were planning new base to avoid using Valley

UK SAR – CHC were planning new base to avoid using Valley

14-Jan-2013Source: HeliHub.com

Last week it emerged that the UK Government has reduced the number of bidding groups for the UK Search And Rescue contract from three to two – and the loser was CHC.  The Canadian based company, who have an established operation on the UK North Sea, are the current contractor operating four Sikorsky S92 and... Read more

Royal Navy launches “60 years of SAR” at London Boat Show

Royal Navy launches “60 years of SAR” at London Boat Show

14-Jan-2013Source: Royal Navy

There is also the opportunity to get up close and personal with an Offshore Raiding Craft (ORC), as used by the Royal Marines. Measuring in at nine metres long and able to travel in excess of 35 knots, these craft were part of the Royal Navy’s commitment to keeping the public safe during the London... Read more

New free online tool for night flight planning

New free online tool for night flight planning

7-Jan-2013Source: www.flyatnight.info

Night flights are challenging. Visual information about the flight environment is greatly reduced as compared to daytime flying and is largely dependent on the amount of celestial illumination encountered throughout the flight. It is therefore of significant importance for the night pilot to know exactly when darkness falls, and if some level of illumination in... Read more

Svalbard selects Lufttransport for SAR

Svalbard selects Lufttransport for SAR

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

29-Dec-12 PP-BRJ Eurocopter AS350B2 Copacabana, Brazil

29-Dec-12 PP-BRJ Eurocopter AS350B2 Copacabana, Brazil

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

Helicopter Rescue Summit in planning for March 2013

Helicopter Rescue Summit in planning for March 2013

21-Dec-2012Source: HRRA

The Helicopter Rescue and Response Association (HRRA) is in the planning phase for the upcoming 2013 Helicopter Rescue Summit. The summit will be held in conjunction with the Helicopter Association International, HELI EXPO, in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Helicopter Rescue Summit is scheduled for March 4, 2013 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, 0800-1700 hrs.... Read more

Azerbaijan Airlines orders eight AW139 and two AW189

Azerbaijan Airlines orders eight AW139 and two AW189

21-Dec-2012Source: AgustaWestland

AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce that Azerbaijan Airlines has ordered ten AgustaWestland helicopters comprising a contract for eight AW139 intermediate twins and a preliminary sales contract for two AW189 medium twins. Six helicopters, four AW139s and the two AW189s, will be used for offshore transport operations; two AW139s for emergency medical services,... Read more

Finland to add two more AS332L1 for SAR missions

Finland to add two more AS332L1 for SAR missions

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

USCG selects Honeywell’s vibration monitoring system for MH-60T fleet

USCG selects Honeywell’s vibration monitoring system for MH-60T fleet

17-Dec-2012Source: Honeywell

Honeywell (NYSE: HON) has been awarded a $4.8 million contract to install health and usage monitoring systems (HUMS) onboard the entire fleet of U.S. Coast Guard MH-60T helicopters. For the U.S. Coast Guard, the installation and use of HUMS is critically important and paramount to the success of its missions. Unscheduled maintenance events can cause mission aborts that... Read more

Place of birth:- 1000ft over Lunna Holm in an S92

Place of birth:- 1000ft over Lunna Holm in an S92

12-Dec-2012Source: MCA

At 4.30am, a doctor on Unst called Shetland Coastguard to ascertain the times of the ferries to the main Island. This was because he was dealing with a woman in labour. After the doctor had spoken with the Scottish ambulance service, ARCC Kinloss tasked the Coastguard Search and Rescue Helicopter Rescue 102. The helicopter was... Read more

AgustaWestland confirms five-week-old HeliHub.com story

AgustaWestland confirms five-week-old HeliHub.com story

21-Nov-2012Source: AgustaWestland

The text of a new press release from AgustaWestland is given below, merely for completeness.  HeliHub.com first ran this story on 16th October – see Seven AW139s for the Swedish SAR AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce that it has signed a contract with the Swedish Maritime Administration for seven AW139 intermediate twin... Read more

Government Flying Service celebrates 10 years of SBH® contract with Turbomeca

Government Flying Service celebrates 10 years of SBH® contract with Turbomeca

15-Nov-2012Source: Turbomeca

During the Air Show China, Turbomeca China (Safran group) and Hong Kong Government Flying Service (GFS), celebrate 10 years of SBH® (Support By the Hour) contract. 100% of GFS helicopter, powered by Turbomeca engines, is under SBH® contract. The main mission accomplished by GFS is Search & Rescue (SAR), GFS providing a 24 hours air... Read more

Turbomeca and Chinese SAR celebrate 10 years of cooperation

Turbomeca and Chinese SAR celebrate 10 years of cooperation

15-Nov-2012Source: Turbomeca

During the Air Show China, Turbomeca is proud to celebrate 10 years of successful cooperation with the China Rescue & Salvage, Ministry of Transport (CRS-MOT). 100% powered by Turbomeca, the helicopter fleet of MOT is dedicated to salvage and rescue missions for the coastline of China. The eight Makila 2 and 16 Arriel 2S Turbomeca... Read more

Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter prepares for 7,000th mission

Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter prepares for 7,000th mission

2-Nov-2012Source: Coffs Coast Advocate

“Please don’t take us for granted” is the plea from Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter as it prepares to fly its 7000th mission. (see full story)... Read more

Canadian Forces members receive International Award for Gallantry

Canadian Forces members receive International Award for Gallantry

2-Nov-2012Source: GAPAN

At a ceremony in London, U.K., Canadian Forces Search and Rescue personnel received the Award of Gallantry from the Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators for their heroic actions in saving the lives of two Inuit hunters stranded in icy waters near Igloolik, Nunavut, on October 27, 2011. “This award highlights the exemplary skill,... Read more

Terma to upgrade EW suite on Danish AW101 fleet

Terma to upgrade EW suite on Danish AW101 fleet

30-Oct-2012Source: Terma

Terma and the Danish Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organization (DALO) recently signed a contract for upgrading the Electronic Warfare (EW) suite on the Air Force’ TTT Westland 101 Merlin helicopters (EH-101). The EW upgrade program will be carried out during 2013 with delivery from Terma to DALO at the end of 2013. The comprehensive system... Read more

US Air Force releases RFP for next SAR helicopter

US Air Force releases RFP for next SAR helicopter

24-Oct-2012Source: US Air Force

The Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition announced today the posting of the Combat Rescue Helicopter (CRH) Request for Proposal (RFP) to the Federal Business Opportunities website, signaling the official launch of this high priority Air Force acquisition program. The RFP defines an integrated, capability-based, best-value approach. It also includes... Read more

Seven AW139s for the Swedish SAR

Seven AW139s for the Swedish SAR

16-Oct-2012Source: Nordic Rotors

The Swedish Maritime Administration has signed an agreement with the Anglo-Italian helicopter manufacturer AgustaWestland SpA to acquire seven new AW139 helicopters for its nation-wide search and rescue (SAR) service. The first delivey is expected in May 2013. The agency states that “[the] AW139 is a proven rescue helicopter that is optimal for Swedish conditions and... Read more

Bond/INAER parent company renames as Avincis; based in UK

Bond/INAER parent company renames as Avincis; based in UK

16-Oct-2012Source: Avincis Group

Avincis Mission Critical Services (Avincis Group) has established itself in the UK today as the world’s leading provider of mission critical aviation services. The Group’s mission is to save lives, protect the environment and provide safe transport for mission critical people and assets for public services and blue chip corporations.  Avincis’ operating companies deliver across... Read more

11-Oct-12 Sikorsky MH-60J Low Cape, US-Alaska

11-Oct-12 Sikorsky MH-60J Low Cape, US-Alaska

11-Oct-2012

Emergency landing made on beach during SAR operation... Read more

Awardees for 32nd annual Salute to the Coast Guard announced

Awardees for 32nd annual Salute to the Coast Guard announced

10-Oct-2012Source: Coast Guard Foundation

The Coast Guard Foundation is proud to announce that the 2012 Coast Guard Foundation Award for Heroism will be presented to Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak, for its rescue of the crews of the fishing vessels Heritage and Kimberly. The award will be presented at the 32nd Annual Salute to the Coast Guard in New... Read more

AgustaWestland marks 10 years of AW101 with Royal Canadian Air Force

AgustaWestland marks 10 years of AW101 with Royal Canadian Air Force

10-Oct-2012Source: AgustaWestland

AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce that its fleet of AW101 (formerly EH101) “Cormorant” search and rescue helicopters has achieved dual milestones of 10 years active service with the Royal Canadian Air Force and 50,000 operating hours. “Canada’s Cormorants are the benchmark for AW101s around the world,” said Jeremy Tracy, AgustaWestland’s Head of... Read more

Treacherous Arctic Rescue Earns “Rescue 915”  the 2012 Cormorant Trophy

Treacherous Arctic Rescue Earns “Rescue 915” the 2012 Cormorant Trophy

4-Oct-2012Source: AgustaWestland

AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce that a treacherous nighttime icy Arctic sea rescue of two hunters by a Canadian Forces Search and Rescue team has been selected as the winner of the 2012 Cormorant Trophy for Helicopter Rescue. This year’s awarding of the Cormorant Trophy for the October 27, 2011 rescue serves... Read more

Eurocopter to supply four SAR EC725 to Royal Thai Air Force

Eurocopter to supply four SAR EC725 to Royal Thai Air Force

19-Sep-2012Source: Eurocopter

[HeliHub.com had already run a story over two weeks ago to say the Thai Government had approved this sale – this is Eurocopter’s press release following the contract signature] A contract was signed today between Eurocopter and the Royal Thai Air Force for the supply of four EC725 helicopters, configured for search and rescue missions.... Read more

Lerwick Harbour pilot boats are key in Bond’s Jigsaw operations

Lerwick Harbour pilot boats are key in Bond’s Jigsaw operations

14-Sep-2012Source: Bond Aviation Group

Crews of Lerwick Harbour pilot boats and Bond Offshore Helicopters’ aircraft are working together to ensure the high level of skill required in Bond’s search-&-rescue operations in Scottish waters. The combination has now reached its 100th exercise since the pilot boats began supporting Bond’s training programme in early 2011. Bond’s offshore search and rescue operation... Read more

Bond’s SAR clinical lead gives insight to medicine in extreme offshore conditions

Bond’s SAR clinical lead gives insight to medicine in extreme offshore conditions

10-Sep-2012Source: Bond Aviation Group

Bond Offshore Helicopters’ clinical lead, Dr. Mark Bloch, today gave insight into the critical work of paramedics on search and rescue (SAR) helicopters, and the challenges they face working in extreme conditions offshore. Bond has been operating the Jigsaw SAR service for BP in the North Sea since 2006.  In that time, Bond’s on-board paramedic... Read more

Thailand orders four EC725s for SAR

Thailand orders four EC725s for SAR

2-Sep-2012Source: HeliHub.com

The Thai Government has in the last week approved the purchase of four Eurocopter EC725 helicopters for SAR work by the Royal Thai Air Force.  These are thought to be the first four of a potential order for ten, with a further batch to be confirmed in later years.  They will certainly modernise the SAR... Read more

Change of Command for Canada’s 442 Squadron

Change of Command for Canada’s 442 Squadron

31-Aug-2012Source: Royal Canadian Air Force

Flanked by yellow and red search and rescue (SAR) aircraft and before the formed ranks of blue-uniformed members of 442 Transport and Rescue Squadron, Lieutenant-Colonel Todd Sharp took command from LCol Jonathan Bouchard in a ceremony held today at 19 Wing, Comox. “Operations are not always easy on our families and I truly appreciated the... Read more

‘Meat stop’ SAR helicopter pilots flying again

‘Meat stop’ SAR helicopter pilots flying again

31-Aug-2012Source: HeliHub.com

The BBC has reported that the two CHC Coastguard pilots  suspended for stopping off to pick up meat from a butchers during a training exercise are back flying again.  Paul Bentley was demoted to co-pilot after the SAR Sikorsky S92 landed in an Orkney field in April, but has now been restored as captain.  They... Read more

Heliworks Queenstown and Southern Lakes Helicopters win rescue contract

Heliworks Queenstown and Southern Lakes Helicopters win rescue contract

30-Aug-2012Source: Otago Daily Times

Sister companies Heliworks and Southern Lakes Helicopters  will provide “semi-dedicated” Squirrel helicopters equipped with NVG, searchlights, beacon search, extended range capability and winch and long-line retrieval systems. (see full story)... Read more

Canadian Coast Guard helicopter fleet to be modernized

Canadian Coast Guard helicopter fleet to be modernized

23-Aug-2012Source: Canadian Government

The Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, and the Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Public Works and Government Services, today announced that the Government of Canada is setting the stage for the purchase of new helicopters for the Canadian Coast Guard. A Letter of Interest to invite aerospace representatives to an Industry Day has been... Read more

21-Aug-12 Eurocopter Bo105C Donsol, Philippines

21-Aug-12 Eurocopter Bo105C Donsol, Philippines

21-Aug-2012

Emergency landing into water 1m deep while on search for light aircraft – one of whose occupants was Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo.   The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) identified the five people on board the helicopter as Navy pilots Lt. Rowene Colita, Lt. Jg. Nelson Alquiza, co-pilot; AD3 (Aviation Machinest-3) Rodrigo Gernale, AD2 Leo Calmante... Read more

UK Government reduces SAR bidders to three

UK Government reduces SAR bidders to three

1-Aug-2012Source: HeliHub.com

After the huge debacle of the previous round of bids (see £6bn UK SAR privatisation deal on hold – police investigate), the UK Government has announced the short-list of bidders going forward to provide SAR services around the British coastline for a 25 year period.  The successful bidder(s) will take over roles currently provided by... Read more

Mustang Surival welcomes new Military Business Development Rep

Mustang Surival welcomes new Military Business Development Rep

10-Jul-2012Source: Mustang Surival

Mustang Survival is pleased to announce that David Hoover has joined Mustang Survival’s military business development team as a Business Development Representative. Working with the Director of Military Business Development, Hoover will manage relationships and develop opportunities with the Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security with a specific focus on providing aviation related... Read more

AgustaWestland exhibits AW189 SAR at Farnborough

AgustaWestland exhibits AW189 SAR at Farnborough

10-Jul-2012Source: AgustaWestland

AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is exhibiting the new generation AW189 8-tonne class helicopter in a search and rescue configuration for the first time ever at the Farnborough International Airshow. Launched in June 2011, the AW189 is designed to meet future  demanding requirements for long range, long endurance SAR operations in all weather conditions and operating... Read more

CHC demotes Coastguard pilot over butcher shop stop

CHC demotes Coastguard pilot over butcher shop stop

27-Jun-2012Source: HeliHub.com

UK Coastguard S92 captain Paul Bentley has been demoted after landing in a field on the Island of Orkney in April to pick up meat from a butchers.  Mr Bentley had been suspended by operators CHC after the incident came to light after a video was posted on YouTube.  Mobile phone footage – which has... Read more

UK – Royal Marines Aircrewman Receives The Billy Deacon Memorial Trophy

UK – Royal Marines Aircrewman Receives The Billy Deacon Memorial Trophy

19-Jun-2012Source: Royal Navy

Sponsored by Bristow Helicopters and Breitling UK, the Trophy has been established to further the memory of Mr Billy Deacon who was tragically lost while carrying out his duty as winchman with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency Search and Rescue helicopter based at Sumburgh in the Shetland Isles in 1997. The Billy Deacon SAR Memorial... Read more

Taiwan to put SAR EC225s into service in July

Taiwan to put SAR EC225s into service in July

19-Jun-2012Source: Taipei Times

The air force will put three SAR helicopters purchased from Europe into service next month, in a move to beef up its disaster relief capabilities, the Ministry of National Defense said yesterday. (see full story).  The three were delivered in-country in November 2011... Read more

Prince William qualifies as an operational Royal Air Force SAR captain

Prince William qualifies as an operational Royal Air Force SAR captain

7-Jun-2012Source: Prince of Wales website

The Duke of Cambridge has qualified as an operational captain within the Royal Air Force Search and Rescue Force. Flight Lieutenant Wales, as he is known in the military, will now command Search and Rescue operations in RAF Sea King helicopters. Until now, Flight Lieutenant Wales has only co-piloted the aircraft. The operational captaincy check... Read more

Raytheon wins $12M contract for MH-60 sonar maintenance

Raytheon wins $12M contract for MH-60 sonar maintenance

1-Jun-2012Source: US DoD

Raytheon Co., Integrated Defense Systems, Portsmouth, R.I., is being awarded a $12,218,916 firm-fixed-price delivery order against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-08-G-0013) for specialized test equipment and “golden units” necessary to perform depot level repairs to identified airborne low frequency sonar components in support of the MH-60 aircraft.  This effort is targeted to augment... Read more

Spain – New helipad for Ayamonte

Spain – New helipad for Ayamonte

31-May-2012Source: Info Ayamonte

With EC funding, this is part of a network of helipads – with six new locations added this year.  New helipads will be built in Almonte, Cumbres Mayores, Puebla de Guzmán, Aroche, Ayamonte and the Hospital Juan Ramón Jiménez in Huelva city. (see full story)... Read more

Team NORDSAR – Eurocopter and Heli-One join forces to bid for Norwegian SAR

Team NORDSAR – Eurocopter and Heli-One join forces to bid for Norwegian SAR

31-May-2012Source: Eurocopter

A capable, mission-tailored solution for Norway’s new search and rescue helicopter acquisition is now available with Team NORDSAR. It brings together the extensive resources of Eurocopter and its EC225 NORDSAR helicopter with the in-country aircraft maintenance and logistic support capabilities of Heli-One Norway AS. The Team NORDSAR (Nordic Search And Rescue) agreement, announced today, responds... Read more

Thailand – new helipads for Phuket Islands

Thailand – new helipads for Phuket Islands

30-May-2012Source: Phuket Wan

The Royal Thai Navy hopes to have a rescue helicopter landing pad ready to operate on Racha island, in June.   Paitoon Panchaiyabhum, of the Phuket Marine Biological Centre, said that the Navy plans to have helipads approved for other islands off Phuket.... Read more

Hawke’s Bay SAR crew recognised for dangerous rescue

Hawke’s Bay SAR crew recognised for dangerous rescue

25-May-2012Source: Hawkes Bay Today

A  Lowe Corporation rescue helicopter crew from Hawke’s Bay has won the NZSAR Gold Award for the most significant contribution to search and rescue in 2011 following a harrowing rescue off Cape Kidnappers.  (see full story)... Read more

Portugal’s 751 Squadron passes landmark 2,751 rescues

Portugal’s 751 Squadron passes landmark 2,751 rescues

24-May-2012Source: HeliHub.com

Portugal’s 751 Squadron, responsible for the country’s SAR helicopters, had achieved a milestone 2,751 rescues.  The key rescue was made in the Azores chain of islands in the Atlantic on 20th May when they transported a pregnant woman from the island of Graciosa to a hospital at Angra do Heroísmo on the island of Terceira. ... Read more

Thermal imager for Westpac Life Saver Rescue

Thermal imager for Westpac Life Saver Rescue

23-May-2012Source: Thales

Sydney’s Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter Service has received a boost with the supply of an advanced thermal imaging camera from Thales Australia. The camera, from the company’s Sophie range of world-leading thermal imagers, will be used to help rescue crews detect and identify people in need of assistance. The camera works by identifying body... Read more

North Slope Borough SAR selects Night Flight Concepts for NVG Maintenance

North Slope Borough SAR selects Night Flight Concepts for NVG Maintenance

21-May-2012Source: Night Flight Concepts

North Slope Borough’s Search and Rescue Aviation Unit has chosen Night Flight Concepts® (NFC) to provide a Night Vision Goggle (NVG) repair and maintenance solution to augment their existing night vision program. The addition of NFC FAA-certified repair and maintenance services, including NVG inspections, will streamline NSB’s NVG sustainment to deliver greater value, performance and... Read more

Irish Coast Guard record 10 years of SAR from Waterford

Irish Coast Guard record 10 years of SAR from Waterford

14-May-2012Source: Irish Government

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Leo Varadkar TD today congratulated the Irish Coast Guard as they mark the 10th anniversary of the Irish Coast Guard search and rescue helicopter base at Waterford Airport (Thursday, May 10). Speaking today, the Minister said: “For the past decade the helicopter team at the Waterford Coast Guard base... Read more

Irish Coast Guard to start S92 operations in June

Irish Coast Guard to start S92 operations in June

14-May-2012

Irish Coast Guard operations manager Declan Geoghegan said the first of the new S-92 Sikorsky helicopters would begin operations at Shannon next month, to be followed in the next year with similar new aircraft at Sligo, Waterford and Dublin. (see full story)... Read more

China – Shandong Province plans 14 SAR helipads along coast

China – Shandong Province plans 14 SAR helipads along coast

8-May-2012Source: HeliHub.com

The coast of Shandong Province should soon see a total of 14 helistops built to provide SAR helicopters with suitably located landing points to bring casualties from maritime emergencies to hospitals.  The will be located at Binzhou, Dongying, Weifang, Weihai, Rizhao, Yantai, and Qingdao, with some of these cities having multiple pads. According to reports,... Read more

Kazakhstan Ministry of Emergency Situations takes delivery of Ka32

Kazakhstan Ministry of Emergency Situations takes delivery of Ka32

7-May-2012Source: Russian Helicopters

Russian Helicopters, a leading global designer and manufacturer of helicopters and part of the Russian state defense industry holding Oboronprom, has delivered to the Emergency Situations Ministry (EMERCOM) of the Republic of Kazakhstan two modified coaxial Ka-32A11BC rescue helicopters. The delivery of the Ka-32A11BC helicopters marks the quick and successful execution of a contract signed... Read more

UK – SAR Training Unit celebrates 50 years

UK – SAR Training Unit celebrates 50 years

6-May-2012Source: Royal Air Force

For the past half century Royal Air Force search and rescue helicopter crews trained by an RAF Valley based unit have saved countless lives. On station to rescue downed arcrew military helicopter crews have been there to pluck to safety all in peril. With search and rescue being, by it’s very nature, often extremely dangerous... Read more

29-Apr-12 OE-XMM MD Helicopters MD902 Großvenediger, Austria (1F)

29-Apr-12 OE-XMM MD Helicopters MD902 Großvenediger, Austria (1F)

29-Apr-2012

Alpine rescue expert and two others were being lowered on a winch to rescue a trapped climber.  Due to poor visibility, the pilot released the winch at too high an altitude – about 10m AGL.  Franz Franzeskon died instantly in the fall while the two others suffered multiple injuries. No technical issues reported with the... Read more

Norway – SAR tender bidding process delayed

Norway – SAR tender bidding process delayed

24-Apr-2012Source: AgustaWestland

The tender announcement in connection with the purchase of new rescue helicopters will go out in the market over the next few weeks, says Justice Minister. Member of Parliament Jan Arild Ellingsen (Progress Party) asked the Minister of Justice a written question before Easter in which he asked the minister confirm or deny that she... Read more

CHC SAR pilot suspended for landing to buy steak

CHC SAR pilot suspended for landing to buy steak

21-Apr-2012Source: Daily Telegraph

Mobile phone footage on YouTube, since removed from the site, showed two crewmen collecting a bag of beef from several butchers who were there to see the landing.  CHC has launched an inquiry and confirmed that the pilot had been suspended. (see video and story)... Read more

INAER pilot awarded Gold Medal for Civil Protection

INAER pilot awarded Gold Medal for Civil Protection

16-Apr-2012Source: INAER

José Luis García Martín, an INAER helicopter captain, has been awarded the Gold Medal for Civil Protection by the “Generalitat Valenciana” (Valencia Regional government) at the 11th Conference on Public Safety and Emergencies, for his complete dedication for more than 20 years to the emergency and civil protection services. Serafín Castellano, the Valencia Regional Government... Read more

Government of Cantabria contracts a 412 from INAER

Government of Cantabria contracts a 412 from INAER

13-Apr-2012Source: HeliHub.com

Not previously reported here on HeliHub.com, INAER picked up a two year contract with the State Government of Cantabria.  Covering the two calendar years of 2012 and 2013, INAER will provide a Bell 412 based at Santander for EMS and SAR work. Jeremy Parkin – HeliHub.com... Read more

Canada adds third Griffon at 5 Wing Goose Bay

Canada adds third Griffon at 5 Wing Goose Bay

12-Apr-2012Source: Canadian National Defence

The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence, today announced that another CH-146 Griffon helicopter will be established at 5 Wing Goose Bay. With this addition, three Griffon helicopters will now provide utility helicopter capability at 5 Wing. “A third Griffon aircraft at 5 Wing Goose Bay will have an immediate positive impact on the... Read more

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