SAR

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

Egypt takes delivery of two SAR AW139s

Egypt takes delivery of two SAR AW139s

11-Apr-2012Source: HeliHub.com

Following the announcement in April 2011 of $37M in funding, and AgustaWestland’s press release the next month, we can now report that two AW139s have been delivered from the AgustaWestland North American (AWNA) factory in Pennsylvania to the Egyptian Air Force.  Painted in a white and red scheme, the two were last week cancelled from... Read more

VX-31 SAR crew recognized for rescue

VX-31 SAR crew recognized for rescue

11-Apr-2012Source: US Navy

The Naval Test Wing Pacific commander presented Air Medals to members of Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 31 for a recent search and rescue (SAR) mission in the Eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains during a ceremony April 2 at Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division China Lake. The rescue mission was significant because at 11,300... Read more

AgustaWestland congratulates Canadian SAR crew for winning international award

AgustaWestland congratulates Canadian SAR crew for winning international award

10-Apr-2012Source: AgustaWestland

AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica Company, extends congratulations to the members of Royal Canadian Air Force 442 Squadron at CFB Comox, on winning the SAR Award for Operational Rescue Excellence at the 2012 Shephard’s Search and Rescue Conference in Dublin. “The crew of Royal Canadian Air Force Cormorant, call sign “Rescue 907” of 442 Squadron were the... Read more

26-Mar-12 Sikorsky S70C Orchid Island, Taiwan (5F)

26-Mar-12 Sikorsky S70C Orchid Island, Taiwan (5F)

26-Mar-2012

Black Hawk with 6 POB – one rescued, five missing presumed perished... Read more

Irish Coast Guard selects Wescam MX-15 turrets for S92 SAR missions

Irish Coast Guard selects Wescam MX-15 turrets for S92 SAR missions

20-Mar-2012Source: L-3 Wescam

L-3 WESCAM announced that it has received an order from CHC Ireland Ltd to provide MXâ„¢-15 electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) imaging systems for installation on S-92® search and rescue (SAR) aircraft. Installation of the turrets will be completed by Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation and deployed to Ireland in support of the Irish Coast Guard’s fleet replacement... Read more

SkyTrac Systems to Exhibit at SAR 2012 Conference and Exhibition

SkyTrac Systems to Exhibit at SAR 2012 Conference and Exhibition

14-Mar-2012Source: SkyTrac Systems

SkyTrac Systems will be attending Shephard’s 15th annual Search and Rescue Conference and Exhibition (SAR 2012) in Dublin, Ireland from March 15th-16th, 2012. SkyTrac representative Kim Bagnall will be on hand to demonstrate SkyTrac’s industry leading, next generation hardware and software products at booth #10. SkyTrac is excited to show its continuing support of the SAR industry, and... Read more

Norway pre-selects NH90 for future SAR capability

Norway pre-selects NH90 for future SAR capability

6-Mar-2012Source: NH Industries

NHIndustries is pleased to announce that Norway has preselected the NH90 helicopter for the ongoing NAWSARH (Norwegian All Weather Search And Rescue Helicopter) competition aiming at replacing Search and Rescue helicopters operated by the RnoAF 330 th Squadron. “We are proud and honored to have been pre selected by the norwegian Ministry of Justice for... Read more

UK – National Maritime Museum Cornwall takes delivery of Sea King

UK – National Maritime Museum Cornwall takes delivery of Sea King

28-Feb-2012Source: National Maritime Museum

National Maritime Museum Cornwall has just installed its biggest object to date as part of the forthcoming blockbuster Search & Rescue exhibition – a 70ft long, 16ft high, 6 tonne Sea King helicopter which had just 1½ inches of clearance through the Museum’s doors. National Maritime Museum Cornwall’s new Search & Rescue exhibition is just... Read more

UK MoD report 2011 military SAR statistics

UK MoD report 2011 military SAR statistics

26-Feb-2012Source: UK MoD

HMS Gannet was the UK’s busiest Search and Rescue unit of 2011, while RAF Valley saved the most number of people, new government statistics show. During the past 12 months, the data from the Defence Analytical Services Agency shows that the personnel at HMS Gannet in Prestwick, Ayrshire, have responded to 298 call-outs, rescuing 240... Read more

Priority 1 Air Rescue signs agreement with AW on Rear Crew Training Courses

Priority 1 Air Rescue signs agreement with AW on Rear Crew Training Courses

14-Feb-2012Source: AgustaWestland

AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce it has signed a Collaboration Agreement with Priority 1 Air Rescue for the delivery of helicopter rear crew training courses to AgustaWestland customers. The agreement was signed today at Heli Expo 2012 in Dallas by John Ponsonby, Senior VP Training, AgustaWestland and Brad Matheson, President of Priority... Read more

Japan Coast Guard selects S-76D for SAR

Japan Coast Guard selects S-76D for SAR

14-Feb-2012Source: Sikorsky

Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX), and Mitsubishi Corporation have announced a contract with the Japan Coast Guard (JCG) for four S-76Dâ„¢ helicopters, which will replace several JCG helicopters that were damaged in the tsunami of 2011. The Japan Coast Guard has flown various legacy models of the Sikorsky S-76® helicopter... Read more

Korea Coast Guard signs for S-92

Korea Coast Guard signs for S-92

14-Feb-2012Source: Sikorsky

Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX), has announced a contract with the Korea Coast Guard for one S-92® helicopter for operation with their Multi-Purpose Helicopter Program. The aircraft will become the newest addition to the growing worldwide fleet of S-92 search and rescue and multi-mission helicopters. The aircraft is scheduled to... Read more

CHC issue statement on UK SAR contract

CHC issue statement on UK SAR contract

8-Feb-2012Source: CHC

The following press release was released by CHC today, following publication of the UK Government press release. However, HeliHub.com was the first aviation press outlet in the world to release this story – five days ago – here. Nick Mair, regional vice president for Western North Sea at CHC Helicopter, was in London for the... Read more

Bristow announces new UK SAR contract

Bristow announces new UK SAR contract

8-Feb-2012Source: Bristow Group

The following press release was released by Bristow Group today, following publication of the UK Government press release. However, HeliHub.com was the first aviation press outlet in the world to release this story – five days ago – here. Bristow Group Inc. (NYSE: BRS), a leading provider of helicopter services to the offshore energy industry,... Read more

UK Government announces UK SAR contractors for 2013-2017

UK Government announces UK SAR contractors for 2013-2017

8-Feb-2012Source: UK Dept for Transport

The following press release was released by UK Government today. However, HeliHub.com was the first aviation press outlet in the world to release this story – five days ago – here. On 13 July 2011 the Department for Transport commenced a procurement competition for search and rescue helicopter services to replace the existing contracted Maritime... Read more

Icelandic Coast Guard lease in a Super Puma

Icelandic Coast Guard lease in a Super Puma

6-Feb-2012Source: HeliHub.com

On 19 January 2012 the Icelandic Coast Guard signed a 12 month lease on a Eurocopter AS332L1 Super Puma.  The aircraft was delivered ex Stavangar on 1st February from where it was previously operated by Bristow Norway as LN-OBA – it is now registered TF-SYN and is serial number 2384 – and will be used... Read more

Bristow takes back some of UK SAR from 2013

Bristow takes back some of UK SAR from 2013

3-Feb-2012Source: HeliHub.com

The BBC has announced that Bristow Helicopters are to take back the two Scottish bases of the British SAR service from 2013 to 2017 – the “GAP SAR” contract as it has been known.  CHC are understood to retain the southern bases at Lee-on-Solent and Portland for the same period of time – The BBC... Read more

Mesa County Colorado add loan LongRanger 3

Mesa County Colorado add loan LongRanger 3

30-Jan-2012Source: HeliHub.com

Mesa County Search and Rescue have recently added a second loan helicopter to their resources, thanks to a local telecom company.  Based in the city of Grand Junction, Mesa County have struck a deal with CenturyLink, the third largest telecom company in the US following its combination with QWest.  CenturyLink see the donation of their... Read more

Atlantic Airways signs new 4 year contract with Faroe Islands Government

Atlantic Airways signs new 4 year contract with Faroe Islands Government

12-Jan-2012Source: Atlantic Airways

Atlantic Airways has signed a four-year contract with the Faroese Ministry of Fishery and Ministry of Industry to provide helicopter search and rescue (SAR) and domestic transport to the most remote islands. The helicopter service will be provided by two Bell 412 helicopters and the contract includes considerable upgrade to the standard of SAR and crisis support. The agreement is worth a total... Read more

Polish military plans for 26 new helicopters

Polish military plans for 26 new helicopters

6-Jan-2012Source: Flightglobal

Poland’s Ministry of National Defence has detailed its plans to acquire a new fleet of helicopters for multiple tasks, and is expected to issue a request for proposals early this year. (see full story) Image of AW149 is for one of the expected contenders, per the article... Read more

Cougar prepare to open dedicated SAR S92 facility

Cougar prepare to open dedicated SAR S92 facility

6-Jan-2012Source: The Telegram

With the completion of the new hangar at St. John’s International Airport in the coming weeks, Cougar Helicopters will have its own SAR facility. The hangar will house the already-available, dedicated SAR helicopter, providing a 24-7 service for Eastern Newfoundland and Labrador’s offshore oil projects (see full story)... Read more

120-day SAR helicopter contract approved in Wyoming

120-day SAR helicopter contract approved in Wyoming

6-Jan-2012Source: Pinedale Roundup

Sublette County Board of Commissioners at its regular meeting Tuesday approved a request for a 120-day helicopter contract for the 2012 season – starting 15th June (see full story)... Read more

Nelson Marlborough Rescue Helicopter Trust adds BK117

Nelson Marlborough Rescue Helicopter Trust adds BK117

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

AW101 in pre-qualification phase for Norwegian SAR

AW101 in pre-qualification phase for Norwegian SAR

30-Dec-2011Source: AgustaWestland

AW101 is included in the pre-qualification to tender to submit the new generation of rescue helicopters in Norway. The documents were handed over to the Selection Committee on Monday 19 December. AgustaWestland took no chances. Already the day before the deadline expired, met regional director Steve Powell in Selection Committee’s offices at Sola near Stavanger... Read more

Sikorsky completes S92 for Irish SAR

Sikorsky completes S92 for Irish SAR

22-Dec-2011Source: Sikorsky

Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX), has completed production of an S-92® helicopter for operation by CHC Helicopter on behalf of the Irish Coast Guard. Equipped for dedicated search and rescue (SAR) operations, the helicopter will provide coverage for deep Atlantic Ocean missions, service Ireland’s offshore islands, and provide rescue cover... Read more

France’s NH90 Caiman Marine completes first SAR mission – 19 rescued

France’s NH90 Caiman Marine completes first SAR mission – 19 rescued

17-Dec-2011Source: HeliHub.com

At 2am on Friday morning, 16th September 2011, the cargo ship TK Bremen ran aground 2km south of the mouth of the Etel river on the Brittany coast of France. The ship had left the port of Lorient in the afternoon, intending to anchor north of the island of Groix to await better weather and... Read more

“Most Challenging” Mountainside Rescue wins 2011 Cormorant Trophy

“Most Challenging” Mountainside Rescue wins 2011 Cormorant Trophy

5-Dec-2011Source: AgustaWestland

The daring cliff-side rescue of a lucky British Columbia which pushed both the rescue crew and their search and rescue helicopter to the limits has been selected for this year’s winner of the Cormorant Trophy for Helicopter Rescue. Members of 442 Squadron stationed at Canadian Forces Base Comox – Capt. Jean Leroux, Aircraft Commander; Maj.... Read more

UK relaunches procurement process for new national SAR service

UK relaunches procurement process for new national SAR service

28-Nov-2011Source: UK MoD

The Department for Transport has started the procurement process for a new UK-wide Search and Rescue helicopter service to be provided by civilian crews, it has been announced today. The Secretary of State for Transport, Justine Greening, announced to Parliament in a written statement that she wished to inform the House of the Government’s intentions... Read more

Swedish Government takes over SAR from Norrlandsflyg

Swedish Government takes over SAR from Norrlandsflyg

27-Oct-2011Source: Nordic Rotors

On Tuesday, 1 November, the Swedish Maritime Administration will take over the operational responsibility for the search and rescue helicopters in Sweden. The take-over will be executed through a governmental acquisition of all the stocks in Norrlandsflyg’s parent company Scandinavian Helicopter Invest (SHI) through the national Maritime Administration. The acquisition is made in order to ensure... Read more

FB Heliservices wins 8-year SAR contract

FB Heliservices wins 8-year SAR contract

24-Oct-2011Source: FB Heliservices

FB Heliservices Ltd, a joint venture of Cobham and Bristow Helicopters, has been awarded an eight year contract by the Netherlands Ministry of Defence to provide helicopter air reconnaissance capacity to the Dutch Caribbean Coastguard. The contract is worth approximately €45 million. “This contract breaks new ground for FB Heliservices and we’re very pleased with... Read more

Canadian SAR technician to get bravery award

Canadian SAR technician to get bravery award

23-Oct-2011Source: HeliHub.com

The man who rescued the only survivor from the Cougar S92 crash in March 2009 is getting the Governor General’s Medal of Bravery award. Ian Wheeler is an SAR technician with Cougar Helicopters. Cougar Flight 491 was heading to an offshore installation when it crashed into the Atlantic.  Robert Decker escaped the aircraft, severely injured... Read more

Spain orders EC225 for pollution control and SAR

Spain orders EC225 for pollution control and SAR

12-Sep-2011Source: Eurocopter

Eurocopter has signed a contract to supply an EC225 helicopter for Spain following its recent success in the country’s competition to select a new rotary-wing aircraft for maritime search & rescue (SAR) and pollution control operations. This marks one of the first stages in a national rescue plan to be implemented by the Spanish Maritime... Read more

Air Greenland orders two EC225s

Air Greenland orders two EC225s

12-Sep-2011Source: Eurocopter

Air Greenland has placed its first order for Eurocopter’s EC225 medium twin-engine helicopter, acquiring two of these rotary-wing aircraft for duties that are to include all-weather search and rescue (SAR) and all-weather passenger transportation missions. With the challenging operational environment faced in Greenland, Air Greenland’s decision validates the EC225’s role as a preferred helicopter for... Read more

Royal Air Force SAR teams honoured

Royal Air Force SAR teams honoured

29-Aug-2011Source: UK MoD

Awards were presented to a Sea King pilot and civilian engineers of the RAF’s 202 Squadron at Leconfield in Yorkshire last week, in recognition of their outstanding performance. The Arthur Barratt Memorial Prize, consisting of a silver salver and cheque, was presented to Flight Lieutenant Andy ‘Spacer’ Johnston by Air Vice-Marshal Barry North, Assistant Chief... Read more

Japan Coast Guard orders three more EC225s

Japan Coast Guard orders three more EC225s

21-Aug-2011Source: Eurocopter

Following intensive relief operations after the Great East Japan Earthquake in March, the Japan Coast Guard, Eurocopter Group and Eurocopter Japan have signed a tripartite contract for the supply of three additional EC225 helicopters to the Japan Coast Guard. These aircraft will be the first civilian helicopters to be equipped with the most advanced mission... Read more

Eurocopter delivers fourth EC225 to China for offshore SAR

Eurocopter delivers fourth EC225 to China for offshore SAR

7-Aug-2011Source: Eurocopter

The delivery of the latest EC225 to the China Ministry of Transport’s Rescue and Salvage Bureau completes the fulfilment of the contract signed in 2009 for the supply of two EC225 for offshore search and rescue missions, with the earlier unit being delivered end of June this year. The Ministry of Transport (MOT) signed on... Read more

Waypoint AirMed & Rescue conference postponed to 2012

Waypoint AirMed & Rescue conference postponed to 2012

3-Aug-2011Source: HeliHub.com

The Waypoint AirMed & Rescue conference, airshow and exhibition that was due to take place in September has been rescheduled to May 2012. The venue remains unchanged as London Oxford Airport, UK.  The official line from Ian Cameron, event chairman and Waypoint magazine editor-in-chief, is:  “We want the event to be the best we can... Read more

Accident Board criticizes Swedish SAR

Accident Board criticizes Swedish SAR

22-Jul-2011Source: Nordic Rotors

In a recently published incident report the Swedish Accident Investigation Board (Statens Haverikommission, SHK) aims criticism at the Swedish helicopter search and rescue (SAR) organization. The report itself deals with a ship incident that occurred on 2 December 2008. The RORO cargo/passenger vessel M/S Sea Wind was en-route from Turku (Finlad) to Stockholm (Sweden) when... Read more

UK Government issue statement on future SAR options

UK Government issue statement on future SAR options

19-Jul-2011Source: UK Dept for Transport

The Secretary of State for Transport (Philip Hammond): On 8 February I informed the House that, owing to irregularities in the bidding process, the Government had concluded that it was not appropriate to proceed with the previously planned joint MOD/DfT PFI procurement for future search and rescue capability. The investigation into the circumstances that led... Read more

Italy completes multi-agency SAR exercise “SATER 02/2011”

Italy completes multi-agency SAR exercise “SATER 02/2011”

6-Jul-2011Source: Italian Defence Dept

[automated translation from local language] Tuesday 28 and Wednesday, June 29, 2011 the Air Force conducted air rescue exercise ‘SATER 02/2011’ Triveneto Alps. The activity is part of a cycle of operations annually organized in order to train Air Force personnel involved in SAR (Search And Rescue – Search and Rescue) by the Air Force... Read more

Netherlands stops using Lynx helicopters for SAR work

Netherlands stops using Lynx helicopters for SAR work

4-Jul-2011Source: HeliHub.com

From Friday 1st July, full responsibility for SAR work in the Netherlands passed from 860 Sqn in the Navy to 303 Sqn in the Air Force. 860 Squadron has operated Westland Lynx helicopters in this role since the late 1970s, when they superceded Wasps. The Lynx helicopters will continue with 860 Squadron in other roles,... Read more

Shephard to hold European SAR 2012 event in Dublin

Shephard to hold European SAR 2012 event in Dublin

29-Jun-2011Source: Shephard events

We are pleased to announce that Shephards European Search & Rescue 2012 Event will take place at the Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel in Dublin on the 15th & 16th of March – the week leading up to St Patricks Day. The conference program is now being developed.... Read more

UK: Eastbourne hospital extends helipad

UK: Eastbourne hospital extends helipad

28-Jun-2011Source: Eastbourne Herald

Eastbourne District General Hospital is the most-used landing site for air ambulance and other emergency helicopters of any hospital in Sussex.  The new pad can now accept helicopters both day and night from Air Ambulance, Police, Coast Guard, Air-sea Rescue and the military.  The largest it generally takes is the Coast Guard AW139, but it... Read more

AW139 Coastguard crew win British bravery award

AW139 Coastguard crew win British bravery award

28-Jun-2011Source: MCA

The Billy Deacon Search and Rescue (SAR) Memorial Trophy has recently been presented at the Air Leagues Annual Awards Ceremony at St. Jamess Palace by His Royal Highness, The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. The Billy Deacon SAR Memorial Trophy is awarded to winchmen and winch operators from the Coastguard, Royal Air Force and Royal... Read more

Ten new Canadian SAR Techs receive their wings

Ten new Canadian SAR Techs receive their wings

23-Jun-2011Source: Canadian Forces

After 11 months of intensive training, the newest generation of Search and Rescue Technicians (SAR Techs) is ready to take their place in an operational unit as ten new members have received their SAR Tech Wings and distinctive orange berets today. Two will be posted to 442 Transport and Rescue Squadron. Master Corporals George Beatteay... Read more

NYPD Bell 412 arrives at Hunter Westpac Rescue for EMS work

NYPD Bell 412 arrives at Hunter Westpac Rescue for EMS work

17-Jun-2011

A Bell 412 previously operated by New York Police Department has completed the trip from New York via Korea to Australia – See article... Read more

Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant participates in Kazakhstan rescue exercise “Kazspas-2011”

Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant participates in Kazakhstan rescue exercise “Kazspas-2011”

14-Jun-2011Source: Ulan-Ude

Mi-171 helicopters of Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant (UUAP) production that is part of helicopter holding company “Russian Helicopters”, participated in exercise “Kazspas-2011” of Kazakhstan’s rescue teams. XVI international discussion and training camp of the rescuers took place in Kazakhstan’s EMERCOM training base “Rocky city – Astana”. The goal of the exercise held is improvement of rescuers... Read more

Provincial government of Bali adds SAR Bo105

Provincial government of Bali adds SAR Bo105

30-May-2011

The Bo105 was handed over on May 26th following an MOU between and the provincial government of Bali and Basarnas (the National Search and Rescue Agency – local name “Badan SAR Nasional”)... Read more

AS350B3 proves high-altitude performance with rescue on Mt. McKinley

AS350B3 proves high-altitude performance with rescue on Mt. McKinley

24-May-2011Source: Eurocopter

This is Eurocopter’s formal press release.  HeliHub.com ran this story on 16th May… see Temsco AS350B3 rescue at 19,500 feet ties McKinley record The AStar family of helicopters has become the platform of choice for a variety of missions throughout the world. From law enforcement to utility and from tour to air medical and Search... Read more

CHC Ireland wins safety accreditation

CHC Ireland wins safety accreditation

4-May-2011Source: CHC

CHC (Ireland) Ltd is proud to announce that it has become an ISO 9001: 2008, 14001 and OHSAS 18001:2007 certified company after passing a rigorous quality, environment, health and safety management system audit. The company has built an unparallel reputation for excellence in Search and Rescue (SAR) aviation over the last decade of operations for... Read more

USCG hosts 4th annual SAR Conference in Baltimore

USCG hosts 4th annual SAR Conference in Baltimore

1-May-2011Source: US Coast Guard

BALTIMORE – The Coast Guard hosted the 2011 Search and Rescue Conference at Coast Guard Sector Baltimore to improve cooperation between search and rescue agencies in the upper Chesapeake Bay and the Potomac River, Friday. Approximately 100 members from the Coast Guard, Maryland Natural Resources Police, Maryland State Police, and supervisors from more than 25... Read more

The Helicopter Line accepts New Zealand SAR award

The Helicopter Line accepts New Zealand SAR award

1-May-2011Source: Timaru Herald

Search and rescue operations in Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park have been part of the Helicopter Line’s role for more than 30 years.  Lead pilot Tony Delaney accepted the New Zealand SAR certificate of achievement on Thursday at a reception in Wellington marking the achievement.... Read more

Irish Government shifts SAR responsibility

Irish Government shifts SAR responsibility

23-Mar-2011Source: Irish Times

The transfer of the Irish Coast Guard from the Department of Transport to the Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Food has not yet been confirmed officially, but is expected to take place in a number of weeks... Read more

Swedish military to take over SAR – civil S76 contract with Norrlandsflyg ending

Swedish military to take over SAR – civil S76 contract with Norrlandsflyg ending

21-Mar-2011Source: Nordic Rotors

The Swedish Maritime Administration has now decided how to ensure a long-term national sea and air rescue service. This means that the helicopter operations will be gradually incorporated into the Maritime Administration. The reason is to safeguard the availability of rescue helicopters for sea and land operations on a longer term. The Maritime Administration is... Read more

Canada’s search for SAR helicopter flight engineers: Will it be successful?

Canada’s search for SAR helicopter flight engineers: Will it be successful?

19-Mar-2011Source: Ottawa Citizen

“The current Rotary Wing Search and Rescue Flight Engineer operational manning level is such that it has the potential to become seriously affected and render the overall SAR level of service uncertain,” an Air Force report in April 2010 warned.... Read more

Advanced all-weather system enhances S-92 SAR capabilities

Advanced all-weather system enhances S-92 SAR capabilities

8-Mar-2011Source: Sikorsky

ORLANDO, Fla. – Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. announced at the Heli-Expo trade show today that the Federal Aviation Administration has approved an advanced and highly integrated, all-weather operating system that enhances the S-92® helicopter’s already proven search and rescue (SAR) capabilities. Sikorsky is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX). The approval follows previous certification of... Read more

International award for Queensland flood helicopter crews

International award for Queensland flood helicopter crews

6-Mar-2011Source: http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/international-award-for-qld-flood-saviours-20110306-1bja8.html

Helicopter crews who plucked dozens of people from roofs, cars and trees after the “inland tsunami” struck Grantham in southeast Queensland have been recognised with an international “Rescue of the Year” award.... Read more

SRT completes China’s Rescue Salvage Bureau training program

SRT completes China’s Rescue Salvage Bureau training program

5-Mar-2011Source: SRT Helicopters

BAKERSFIELD, Calif., March 5, 2011 – SRT Helicopters, a leading provider of high-risk operational services and training for rotorcraft users and aviation organizations, has successfully completed a major contract, implemented in February 2009, to provide advanced aerial search and rescue (SAR) training for the Chinese Ministry of Transport’s Rescue & Salvage Bureau (MOT/SRB).  SRT delivered... Read more

Breeze-Eastern’s next-generation Reactive Overload Clutch released

Breeze-Eastern’s next-generation Reactive Overload Clutch released

3-Mar-2011Source: Breeze-Eastern

The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) is upgrading the hoists of more than 100 H-65 Multi-Mission Cutter Helicopters with a unique safety-enhancing product available exclusively from Breeze-Eastern Corporation (Heli-Expo Exhibit 3631). The USCG installation of the Reactive Overload Clutch is nearly complete and many of the upgraded hoists are already operational. The Reactive Overload Clutch is... Read more

Canadian military report says “risky” to use Bell 412 for SAR

Canadian military report says “risky” to use Bell 412 for SAR

3-Mar-2011

A study by the Department of Defense maintains that it is risky for the Air Force to maintain the use of Griffon helicopters for search and rescue, especially in Quebec and Ontario.... Read more

DCI trains Royal Saudi Naval Forces Panther SAR crews

DCI trains Royal Saudi Naval Forces Panther SAR crews

25-Feb-2011Source: DCI

The Royal Saudi Naval Forces (RSNF) has entrusted  DCI-NAVFCO, the naval branch of DCI group, with the training of its flight crews for the use of the helicopters PANTHER N3 Search and Rescue. This training takes place in Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) and in Toulon (France). DCI-NAVFCO has sent 6 instructors and provided operational means in... Read more

CHC releases statement on UK SAR-H program

CHC releases statement on UK SAR-H program

10-Feb-2011Source: CHC

CHC Helicopter wishes to express its disappointment at the government’s decision to cancel the SAR-H programme. CHC wishes to make it a matter of public record that in November of last year CHC became aware that a small number of its employees acting without its knowledge or authorization of the company’s senior management may have... Read more

UK Government considering new options for SAR future

UK Government considering new options for SAR future

9-Feb-2011Source: UK Dept of Transport

Statement from Philip Hammond MP, Secretary of State for Transport On 16 December I and my Rt Hon Friend the Secretary of State for Defence announced that information had come to light regarding the preferred bid in the Search and Rescue Helicopter competition which required clarification. In mid December, the Preferred Bidder in the SAR-H... Read more

Royal Air Force SAR celebrates 70 years

Royal Air Force SAR celebrates 70 years

8-Feb-2011Source: Royal Air Force

On the 6th February 2011, the RAF Search and Rescue Force (SARF) commemorate seventy years of saving lives. Born out of the Battle of Britain, its predecessor, the Directorate of Air Sea Rescue (ASR) was formed at the HQ of RAF Coastal Command in 1941, with a mandate to form a combined and effective rescue service... Read more

Irish Coast Guard crews gain paramedic status 14 months ahead of schedule

Irish Coast Guard crews gain paramedic status 14 months ahead of schedule

8-Feb-2011Source: Irish Times

Paramedic status is several stages up from first aid, allowing trained ambulance or air ambulance crews to give injections, administer cardiac and advanced airway management, and treat asthmatics, diabetics and people in anaphylactic shock.... Read more

FB Heliservices brings third SAR AW139 online to train new customer

FB Heliservices brings third SAR AW139 online to train new customer

7-Feb-2011Source: HeliHub.com

FB Heliservices are well known in the UK as the lead supplier of MRCOA (Military Registered Civil Owned Aircraft), specifically including the Squirrel and Griffon fleets.  They also operate some of these aircraft on contract to other overseas governments, and readers may recall one of their AW139s resplendent in black/yellow colours on the AgustaWestland exhibitor... Read more

British MP calls for re-run of SAR privatisation competition

British MP calls for re-run of SAR privatisation competition

7-Feb-2011Source: HeliHub.com

David Laws, the Liberal-Democrat Member for Parliament has called on the British Government to re-run the SAR privatisation competition following the recent debacle when the previous tender fell apart after “irregularities” were found some 11 months after the Soteria consortium were named “preferred bidder”.  Royal Bank of Scotland, one of the consortium members, pulled out. ... Read more

CHC Ireland makes €1.5m operating loss

CHC Ireland makes €1.5m operating loss

3-Feb-2011Source: Independent

CHC Ireland, the Canadian-owned firm that provides SAR helicopter services here on behalf of the Coast Guard, made a €1.5m operating loss in the 12 months to April 2010 according to accounts just filed for the company’s Irish arm. The previous financial year marked a €3.2m loss... Read more

AgustaWestland disputes Irish Coast Guard claim

AgustaWestland disputes Irish Coast Guard claim

31-Jan-2011Source: Independent

AgustaWestland has disputed claims made by the Irish Coast Guard that the Air Corps does not have the equipment to carry out SAR missions after the Government signed a controversial €500m contract with CHC. [file photo]... Read more

£6bn UK SAR privatisation deal on hold – police investigate

£6bn UK SAR privatisation deal on hold – police investigate

28-Jan-2011Source: HeliHub.com

Two different news sources in the UK have tonight gone public with their investigations into the suspended British SAR privatisation deal.  In Spring 2010, the UK Government announced that the Soteria consortium were the preferred bidders, and it was assumed that this just meant that the contractual aspects had to be sorted and some months... Read more

Hong Kong CAD releases preliminary report on Government Flying Service 332L2 accident

Hong Kong CAD releases preliminary report on Government Flying Service 332L2 accident

27-Jan-2011Source: Hong Kong CAD

In accordance with Hong Kong Civil Aviation (Investigation of Accidents) Regulations, an inspector’s investigation is in progress to determine the circumstances and causes relating to the accident involving a Eurocopter AS332 L2 helicopter (registration mark B-HRN) operated by Government Flying Service that made an emergency landing in Shing Mun Reservoir on December 27, 2010. The... Read more

Italian Air Force prepares for ten AW139s and twelve AW101s

Italian Air Force prepares for ten AW139s and twelve AW101s

21-Dec-2010Source: HeliHub.com

The Italian Air Force has launched an ambitious program to replace some its fleet of SAR helicopters, in particular its Agusta-Bell 212s.  Valued at 1.2 billion euros, the plan calls for a total of twenty-two new helicopters from AgustaWestland.  The existence of this large order has been not been officially publicised, but Italian journalists at... Read more

UK SAR contract on hold after bidding consortium “has issues”

UK SAR contract on hold after bidding consortium “has issues”

17-Dec-2010Source: Reuters

“The preferred bidder has informed the Ministry of Defence within the last 48 hours that it has become aware of a possible issue in connection with its bid to provide the UK Search and Rescue capability”... Read more

UK: Stornoway Coastguard S92 reaches 200th mission of 2010

UK: Stornoway Coastguard S92 reaches 200th mission of 2010

14-Dec-2010Source: Maritime & Coastguard Agency

At 18.44 pm on Saturday 11th December, Stornoway Coastguard rescue helicopter “Rescue 100” was scrambled by Stornoway Coastguard after they had received a request for assistance from the NHS. The helicopter was sent to evacuate a fifty seven year old lady who was being seen by a doctor, who requested that she be evacuated to... Read more

Copyright © 2024 HeliHub

Website by Design Inc

Helihub logo

X