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
2-Feb-2012Source: BBC
A memorial for seven men who died in a helicopter crash in Morecambe Bay more than five years ago has been unveiled. Five gas rig workers and two pilots were killed when the Eurocopter SA365N went down 25 miles off the coast after leaving Blackpool Airport. (see full story)... Read more
2-Feb-2012Source: Corporate Jet Investor
The second annual International Corporate Jet and Helicopter Finance Conference will play host to some 200 delegates and speakers from the global aviation industry next week (7-8th February). Organised by Corporate Jet Investor, this event. to be held at The Hilton, London Tower Bridge, is growing in significance given that that 70% of all business... Read more
1-Feb-2012Source: UK CAA
To enhance safety, to enable the more efficient use of airspace, and to align the management of airspace more closely with other nations, the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has today launched a consultation on its intention to raise and harmonise the Transition Altitude in UK airspace to 18,000ft. At lower levels, it is important... Read more
1-Feb-2012Source: Multiflight
Leading UK private aviation company Multiflight has added another Dauphin helicopter to its fleet of charter helicopters. The Eurocopter 365 N2, G-CGGD, has been fully converted and refurbished at Multiflight’s in-house engineering and maintenance facility at Leeds Bradford International Airport. The Dauphin has undergone an extensive refurbishment, inspection and validation programme, including the installation of... Read more
31-Jan-2012Source: HeliHub.com
Wiltshire Police operate an MD902 Explorer throughout their county for law enforcement operations. They also operate it on a contract with the Great Western Ambulance Service to make the aircraft more cost effective by virtue of more flying hours per year – it currently flies around 600 hours per year, roughly half the UK average... Read more
31-Jan-2012Source: HeliHub.com
Saxonair continue to expand their fleet, with both a Robinson R44 added in the last week and a Hawker 900XP jet reported on order for the Norwich-based operator. The company’s rotary wing fleet sees the addition of a low-time R44 Raven II from Belgium, previously OO-PVZ and now registered G-KLNJ. Anna Loake of Saxonair declined... Read more
30-Jan-2012Source: London's Air Ambulance
We are pleased to announce the appointment of Dr Julian Thompson as an Executive Director of the Charity. Julian previously worked as a doctor on London’s Air Ambulance in 2010 and has returned to lead an enhancement of the capacity and funding of the service in partnership with senior figures in the City of London.... Read more
30-Jan-2012Source: Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance
Welcome everyone, to the new member of our team…. Our cheeky little cartoon helicopter was given the name ‘Dasher’ at 5.00 pm this evening. Dasher was created by Dave Hindson, a paramedic and friend of the Charity and the naming competition was launched in our ‘Beeline’ magazine last November. We had some really great entries which we... Read more
30-Jan-2012Source: HeliHub.com
British operator Castle Air already leases four AgustaWestland AW109E back to the manufacturer for their Operational Flight Training Centre at Newquay. Last week, Castle Air registered serial number 11084 on the British Register, having bought it from a distressed sale in Ireland. The previous owner was the Quinn Group of companies, whose boss Sean Quinn... Read more
30-Jan-2012Source: HeliHub.com
The following post from a public-access online forum is self-explanatory:- Hello All, Firstly any opinions expressed in this post are entirely my own and do not necessarily reflect those of the Administrators, the management or other staff of FAST. I am Paul Curtis the Operations Manager of FAST Helicopters, and can confirm that the company... Read more
30-Jan-2012Source: The Helicopter Museum
The Helicopter Museum at Weston-super-Mare in Somerset has put on display an early turboshaft engine, whose design dates from the 1950’s. The engine, a Napier Gazelle, is one of several held by the museum, and has recently been restored for static display by volunteers at the Rolls-Royce Heritage Trust at Patchway, Bristol. Kathryn Tucker, the... Read more
29-Jan-2012Source: EAAA
A unique collaboration between the East of England’s two Air Ambulance Charities, Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Trust (EHAAT) and East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA) to provide an extended service during the longer summer days has been shown to be successful with an additional 75 missions flown by the charities’ helicopters during the period. Our... Read more
29-Jan-2012Source: Step Change In Safety
The popular Helicopter Safety Awareness Courses for Safety Representatives are to continue in 2012. Step Change’s Helicopter Safety Steering Group has given its support to continue these well received courses, which are open to offshore safety representatives and other personnel who would like to find out more about offshore flight operations and safety. The full-day events are run by... Read more
27-Jan-2012Source: Gloucestershire Airport
A Cheltenham Schoolboy celebrated his 16th birthday today, 26 January 2012, with a helicopter flight from Gloucestershire Airport – with a difference! Ollie Chadwick made two unaccompanied ‘solo’ flights, one in a jet turbine helicopter and one in a piston engine helicopter – believed to be a ‘record’. 16 is the youngest permitted age for... Read more
25-Jan-2012Source: HeliHub.com
David McRobert is no longer the Managing Director of Premair Aviation Group Ltd, or of related companies Premiair Aviation Services Ltd or The London Heliport Ltd. The official notificiations were filed with regulator Companies House in the last 4-5 weeks, and Christopher Forrest of Premair has today confirmed McRobert’s departure to HeliHub.com.  No reason was... Read more
24-Jan-2012Source: Bristow Helicopters
Captain Tim Glasspool, Head of Flight Operations for the European Business Unit at Bristow Helicopters Ltd, has been appointed co-chairman of the Step Change in Safety’s Helicopter Safety Steering Group (HSSG). Step Change in Safety is a UK based partnership with the goal of making the UK the safest oil and gas exploration and production... Read more
18-Jan-2012Source: HeliHub.com
British International Helicopters (BIH) has announced that Penzance Heliport will be available to them until the end of October this year, rather than June/July as previously thought. The move has been welcomed as it allows a complete summer season to be operated. BIH had planned on moving to St Erth, but withdrew their application there... Read more
16-Jan-2012Source: Vector Aerospace
Vector Aerospace UK – Recently announced that is has successfully gained certification to the revised aerospace AS9100 Rev C and AS9110 Rev A quality standards for its sites at Fleetlands, Hampshire and Almondbank, Perthshire. AS9100 Rev C sets the quality levels expected in all areas of aerospace, from commercial to defence aviation and is developed... Read more
16-Jan-2012Source: HeliHub.com
There is a long term plan for the UK Police air support units to rationalise, and originally there was a target date of April 2012 put on this (see story). In September 2011 we published a story reporting South Yorkshire Police were unhappy with the plans as they would lose their MD Explorer and airborne... Read more
13-Jan-2012Source: HeliHub.com
The UK’s Special Air Service (SAS), the elite unit of the Army Air Corps, has taken delivery of a fifth Eurocopter AS365N3 Dauphin. Industry sources tell HeliHub.com that the upcoming Olympics in London has inter alia placed additional responsibilities on the SAS, hence the need for the extra aircraft. It is expected to take up... Read more
12-Jan-2012Source: UK MoD
Wildcat, the Navy’s next-generation helicopter, has begun its most extensive trials yet, joining a frigate at sea for the first time. The successor to the trusty Lynx, which has served the Navy and the Army admirably since the 1970s, will spend the next month flying on and off HMS Iron Duke in the English Channel... Read more
12-Jan-2012Source: AAIB
The monthly bulletin from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been released. This month’s issue does not refer to any helicopters and this update is included in HeliHub.com for completeness.... Read more
12-Jan-2012Source: Selex Galileo
SELEX Galileo, a Finmeccanica Company, has signed an agreement to provide Electronic Warfare (EW) training for Greek Army technicians and flight crew operating out of the Hellenic Army Aviation base at Megara. Following the comprehensive 6 month training programme SELEX Galileo will field personnel to support Hellenic Army crews on-site at the base in Megara.... Read more
10-Jan-2012Source: HeliHub.com
Gazelle specialists MW Helicopters yesterday registered three more ex-military Gazelles. The three are now registered G-CHBJ, CHBN and CHBR – previously XX440, XZ307 and ZA733 respectively. All three were previously stored at the Fleetlands depot near Portsmouth and had been allocated instructional airframe serials A2702/3/4 respectively, but departed by road during December 2011 – the... Read more
7-Jan-2012Source: The Helicopter Museum
To tie in with the 30th Anniversary of The Falklands Conflict, West Country Artist Rachael Lomas will be exhibiting a brand new selection of artwork at The Helicopter Museum in Weston-super-Mare. The exhibition, entitled ‘Inscape Landscape’, will reflect upon the environment of the Falkland Islands and how it may have affected the progress of the... Read more
6-Jan-2012Source: Children's Air Ambulance
The Children’s Air Ambulance carried out its first rescue using its sister service Warwickshire & Northamptonshire Air Ambulance (WNAA). At around midday WNAA was called to assist a one month old baby who had been taken with breathing difficulties to see a GP at Stratford-upon-Avon Hospital. The baby had subsequently stopped breathing and the helicopter... Read more
6-Jan-2012Source: South Yorkshire Police
South Yorkshire Police has today released performance results for their Air Operations Unit providing an insight into the valuable work of the Force’s single most recognisable resource, the helicopter named SY99. In 2011, the South Yorkshire Police Air Operations Unit completed 4,832 separate tasks, made 319 arrests and assisted with the apprehension of a further... Read more
6-Jan-2012Source: Transport Broker Group
The Transport Broker Group is delighted to announce the launch of a brand new helicopter hire service, Wow Jets. The exciting new venture will be add another string to the bow of the Transport Broker Group which specialises in affordable transportation rental services throughout the UK. Wow Jets will offer helicopter hire and private jet... Read more
5-Jan-2012Source: Bristow Helicopters
Bristow Helicopters Ltd has reported a boost in registrations for its training programs following its high profile presence at Europe’s largest helicopter exhibition, Helitech 2011. Since the event, which took place in the Imperial War Museum in Duxford, UK, on 27-29 September, Bristow has experienced a rise in enquiries for its training programmes held both... Read more
5-Jan-2012Source: Bristow Helicopters
Bristow Helicopters Ltd has invested around £4 million in a third flight simulator for its Aberdeen training facility. The S76C++ device, which will sit alongside the S92 and EC225 simulators, will be operational in April 2013. The CAA approved S76C++ full flight simulator duplicates all relevant aspects of the aircraft and its environment. It features... Read more
4-Jan-2012Source: National Maritime Museum
Search and Rescue, the new blockbuster exhibition from National Maritime Museum Cornwall invites you to enter the world of the rescue services where ordinary people lead extraordinary lives, risking their life to save yours. Opening on 16 March 2012, the exhibition takes you on an interactive, stimulating and emotive journey into the role of the... Read more
4-Jan-2012Source: HeliHub.com
Yesterday, Bond Offshore Helicopters registered a new Eurocopter EC225LP helicopter with the UK Civil Aviation Authority. Going by other similar activity in recent years, this likely means the delivery flight from the factory in Marignane started yesterday or is expected to today. Registered G-PUMR and with Eurocopter serial 2818, this example takes the current Bond... Read more
4-Jan-2012Source: UKSPA
Pegasus Helicopter Group PLC has announced plans to base its UK management headquarters at Tamar Science Park in Plymouth, Devon. Pegasus is an international company that is developing revolutionary two- and five-seat helicopters, employing a unique pressure jet technology which negates the need for a tail and tail rotor. Pegasus intends to market and sell... Read more
3-Jan-2012Source: CAA
To help pilots prepare for flying in south east England during the 2012 London Olympics the Royal Institute of Navigation (RIN) and the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), through the Airspace and Safety Initiative (ASI), have joined forces to host a free briefing day in central London on Saturday 10 March 2012. The event will... Read more
27-Dec-2011Source: Frimley Park Hospital
Frimley Park Hospital has taken delivery of an early Christmas present in the form of a new helicopter landing pad for its £22m emergency department development. Sections of the helipad are now going into place on the roof of what will be one of the biggest and most modern emergency departments in the country when... Read more
23-Dec-2011Source: Royal Navy
Being guided down on to the flight deck of HMS Iron Duke, this is the first appearance of the Fleet Air Arm’s next-generation helicopter on the back of a Royal Navy warship. On a very wet December day, a Wildcat landed aboard the frigate in Portsmouth Harbour for three days of trials in and out... Read more
23-Dec-2011Source: Versapak
When it comes to saving lives, having the best preparation and equipment available is paramount to a successful rescue. For London’s Air Ambulance, the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) charity that provides 24-hour specialist trauma care to the people of London, this understanding is what allows them to provide their patients with the best possible... Read more
23-Dec-2011
Police Service of Northern Ireland say that having a helipad in County Fermanagh will mean the aircraft can be refuelled at any time without having to return to its base. Two other remote landing pads are in operation – at Mahon Road in Portadown and Maydown, near Londonderry. (see full story) CAA photo... Read more
21-Dec-2011Source: Eurocopter
Three months ago, HeliHub.com recorded in this article that Eurocopter had produced just four Hermes edition EC135s, and sold three of them. In this latest press release reproduced below, it is now known that Eurocopter have sold the fourth one, which had been imported into the UK “on spec” in early September 2009, just prior... Read more
20-Dec-2011Source: Yorkshire Air Ambulance
“The Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) can confirm that they will be relocating one of their air ambulances in the North area of Yorkshire to RAF Topcliffe. RAF Topcliffe offers the YAA an established airfield and infrastructure in North Yorkshire, providing a stable and long term future for one of their air ambulances and crew members.... Read more
20-Dec-2011Source: The Air Ambulance Service
The Children’s Air Ambulance is delighted to announce to all our supporters that our dream of providing a national bespoke helicopter transfer service for seriously ill children is soon to be a reality. Nicola Howkins said: “This progress is really exciting news and thanks to a new partnership with the team behind the Warwickshire &... Read more
20-Dec-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Bell took one of their demonstrator aircraft to the Dubai airshow, and started a demo tour from there on. The helicopter entered UK airspace at Manston on Friday and is understood to be carrying out a demo flight for one specific potential customer in the Oxford area. Bell have confirmed to HeliHub.com that the aircraft... Read more
20-Dec-2011Source: Herts Air Ambulance
More lives are being saved in Hertfordshire thanks to the Herts Air Ambulance (HAA). Since its launch in November 2008 this vital Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) has flown over 900 life-saving missions. The landmark call-out was on Tuesday 13th December to a road traffic collision involving three vehicles on the QE2 Bridge in Thurrock. The... Read more
19-Dec-2011Source: The Helicopter Museum
This week we have taken delivery of a Mk1 Seaspray Radar system, comprising of a scanner, transmitter, receiver, signal processor and control indicator, for our Navy Lynx prototype XX910. Now all we need to do is decide how to use it. Ideally we would like to exhibit it next to the aircraft but our ever... Read more
17-Dec-2011Source: Convio
Design consultancy Convio has completed a rebrand and website design project for charity The Children’s Air Ambulance. The Children’s Air Ambulance provides helicopter transfer sevice and life-saving treatment to critically ill children thorughout the UK. The rebranding is in line with the recent takeover of the charity by the umbrella organisation The Air Ambulance Service.... Read more
16-Dec-2011Source: Yorkshire Air Ambulance
The Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) have launched an official iPhone App to enable supporters to keep even more up to date with the latest news and activity from the life-saving Charity. The brand-new App, which is now available to download via the iTunes App store for £1.99, enables supporters to track HM98 & HM99 across... Read more
16-Dec-2011Source: UK MoD
The extent to which Britain’s Armed Forces will support the security effort for next year’s Olympic and Paralympic Games in London was announced today by the Defence Secretary, Philip Hammond. While the safety and security operation for the Games remains for the police to lead on, the Government has agreed that the Ministry of Defence... Read more
16-Dec-2011Source: AgustaWestland
A ceremony was held today at AgustaWestland’s Yeovil facility to mark the completion of the Lynx Mk9A programme and the scheduled delivery of the 22nd and final Lynx AH Mk9A helicopter to the British Army Air Corps in December 2011. The twenty-two aircraft programme was the result of Urgent Operational Requirement contracts placed in November... Read more
15-Dec-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Yesterday, Schweizer 333 G-TAME departed Shoreham Airport by road after being purchased by Fuchs Helicopter, the Swiss operator. The UK fleet of five Schwiezer 333s has not flown for some time and originally numbered five. In May this year we reported G-TAMB had been bought by Fuchs, and now G-TAME has followed the same route.... Read more
15-Dec-2011Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-16186665
AgustaWestland said it was withdrawing the Lynx and Sea King work from Vector Aerospace’s Almondbank site so it could bring the work in-house at their Yeovil plant by April 2012. (see full story)... Read more
15-Dec-2011Source: HeliHub.com
CHC has processed a registration transfer to allow it to operate an AW139 in Kazakhstan. Operating until recently from North Denes in the UK, G-CHCV was noted in early November being worked on in Stavangar, Norway – perhaps in preparation for its new role. C-CHCV is serial 41005, a 2007 manufactured aircraft which had 3,007... Read more
15-Dec-2011Source: London's Air Ambulance
Today marked a moment in history when London’s Air Ambulance, the world’s leading air ambulance, began operating from its new home on top of the new Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel. The helicopter landed at 8.05am for service. At 284ft high, the helipad is one of the highest in Europe and is almost the same... Read more
15-Dec-2011Source: UK MoD
An officer who helped keep the British Army’s Apache attack helicopters flying in the demanding environments of Afghanistan and Libya has been named Young Woman Engineer of the Year. Aircraft engineering officer Captain Charlotte Joyce, of 4 Regiment Army Air Corps (4 Regt AAC), was honoured by the Institution of Engineering and Technology. Captain Joyce’s... Read more
15-Dec-2011Source: AAIB
The monthly bulletin from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been released. This month’s issue does not refer to any helicopters and this update is included in HeliHub.com for completeness.... Read more
9-Dec-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Late on Wednesday this week, a Sikorsky S92 from Cougar Helicopters completed its ferry flight from Newfoundland to Aberdeen in the UK. This delivery flight is the initial stage of the helicopter being leased to Bristow for operations on the North Sea. We are awaiting Cougar’s response to our enquiries regarding the length of the... Read more
9-Dec-2011Source: HeliHub.com
WPD Helicopter Unit have now registered their first EC135P1 as G-WPDB. Previously D-HAIT with German EMS operator ADAC, it is expected to be joined by sister ship G-WPDA from the same source within days. As recently as 22nd November, the helicopter was still in its ADAC yellow scheme at Bonn-Hangelar airport, but it is expected... Read more
9-Dec-2011Source: British Army
Army Apache crews are returning to the UK this week having completed a major exercise in the United States as part of the Apache Conversion To Role course. Exercise Crimson Eagle is a challenging two-month exercise, split between Naval Air Facility El Centro in California and the Gila Bend Air Force Auxiliary Field in Arizona.... Read more
7-Dec-2011Source: Cambridge Airport
Effective 2 January, Cambridge Aero Club will take over all the handling of most private General Aviation and helicopters at Cambridge Airport. The move follows the arrival of ExecuJet Europe, which takes over the Marshall Business Aviation FBO in an exclusive arrangement from 1 January to take responsibility for all arriving and departing business jets.  The... Read more
6-Dec-2011Source: Heli Air
Heli Air, the UK’s leading helicopter company is very pleased to confirm its new base at Thruxton Aerodrome. Shaun Byam heads-up the newly refurbished Heli Air facility, soon to be fully equipped with R22 and R44 helicopters for pilot training. Heli Air Thruxton at Hangar 2 within the aerodrome has full access to the huge... Read more
5-Dec-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Accountancy firm PKF, appointed as liquidators to Sterling Helicopters, have announced that they have disposed of Hangar 14 – the main hangar used by the now-defunct operator. Partner Matt Howard announced that Bond Air Services has bought the leasehold of hangar 14, which is next to the current air ambulance operation that they operate. PKF... Read more
30-Nov-2011Source: Multiflight
Multiflight’s desire to be as green as possible has seen the company sign up for an electricity supply from 100% renewable sources. “Multiflight is always looking at ways to be as green as possible and to do its bit for the environment and our new green electricity supply is the latest step towards this aim,â€... Read more
30-Nov-2011Source: Western Telegraph
The Wales Air Ambulance has received a massive lift with the news Valero’s Pembroke Refinery has donated £100,000 to the lifesaving charity, after it was elected “charity of the year” by employees (see full story)... Read more
30-Nov-2011Source: InCumbria
GNAA has so far sold more than 80,000 tickets for the fundraiser, which will be drawn on December 14. (see full story)... Read more
29-Nov-2011Source: Evening Times
The heliport will move from its current base at Stobcross Road over the River Clyde to Govan (see full story). The heliport is base to the local police and air ambulance EC135 helicopters, apart from others.... Read more
29-Nov-2011Source: Cobham
Cobham plc announces that Andy Stevens has informed the Board that he is unable to continue as Cobham’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) due to the recurrence of a long term serious back injury and has therefore decided to take early retirement. The Chairman, John Devaney, will temporarily assume the position of Executive Chairman while a... Read more
29-Nov-2011Source: Oil & Gas UK
Oil & Gas UK welcomes the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) report published on November 24 on the tragic crash of helicopter Flight 85N which took place off the Aberdeenshire coast on 1 April 2009. Robert Paterson, Oil & Gas UK’s health and safety director, said: “With today’s publication of the report, we remember, first... Read more
29-Nov-2011Source: The Journal
Claire Jobling, an accountant by trade who worked for the Co-operative before spending five years at globally-successful Eutechnyx, has acquired Newcastle Airport-based Northumbria Helicopters for an undisclosed sum. (see full story)... Read more
29-Nov-2011Source: Bristow
Bristow Helicopters Ltd. has appointed Ian Taylor as the company’s new quality and safety manager for its European business unit. With more than 20 years experience in the aviation industry, Taylor joins Bristow from its affiliate group FB Heliservices Ltd (FBH) where he held the same role. Taylor will relocate from Dubai to the company’s... Read more
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
25-Nov-2011Source: HeliHub.com
CHC yesterday registered a new Sikorsky S92 on the British Register as G-WNSA. Given their previous use of the G-SNSx series for Southern North Sea ops, it is assumed that the new S92 is for Western North Sea flights. The helicopter is fresh from the production line – ship #152 This is CHC’s fourth offshore... Read more
22-Nov-2011Source: Isle of Man.com
Fans of the TT Races will be able to get a different view of the track this year with the return of helicopter pleasure flights. (see full story)... Read more
21-Nov-2011Source: AAIB
The monthly bulletin from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been released. This month’s issue covers the accidents of:- Agusta A109A II, N2NR at Mourne Mountains, Northern Ireland on 23 October 2010 Robinson R22 Beta, G-JERS at Cumbernauld Airport on 15 July 2011 Robinson R44 II Raven, G-GDJF at Skegness, Lincolnshire on 31 May 2011... Read more
21-Nov-2011Source: EDP
Bristow has Southern North Sea contracts with Shell, Conoco Phillips and BP which see an average of 480 flights a month from Norwich in the peak period, dropping to about 300 in the quieter winter season. (see full story)... Read more
18-Nov-2011Source: HeliHub.com
In an incredulous decision, Hambleton District Council has served an enforcement notice on Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) to move off Bagby Airfield due to noise issues – hands up those who genuinely think MD Explorers are noisy…Â YAA has also been served with a notice to dismantle its flight crew room, toilet and shower block.... Read more
