14-Nov-2013Source: 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
13-Nov-2013Source: Herts Air Ambulance
Herts Air Ambulance celebrates 5 years of being in operation and saving lives across Hertfordshire. To mark this very special milestone the Charity hosted a celebration evening for its supporters at the prestigious Haileybury College in Hertford with special guest Ray Winstone our new celebrity patron! Guests enjoyed a drinks reception and dinner followed by... Read more
10-Nov-2013Source: DLRAA
Derbyshire, Leicestershire & Rutland Air Ambulance (DLRAA) have begun operating with their brand new state of the art helicopter. The Agusta Westland AW109SP Grand New is one of the fastest civilian helicopters in the country and can reach speeds of 185mph. The helicopter was handed over to DLRAA by Sloane Helicopters, who provide all three... Read more
10-Nov-2013Source: Unite
Unite’s Back Home Safe campaign was formally launched in Aberdeen by Tommy Campbell, Unite Regional Officer, and Chris Gordon from Thompson’s Solicitors. In attendance were Unite representatives from throughout the Oil & Gas Industry. The importance of the campaign was emphasised by Tommy who demanded that Oil and Gas UK take immediate and meaningful action.... Read more
8-Nov-2013Source: Belfast Telegraph
A drone aircraft has been used in a security operation for the first time in Northern Ireland policing since the G8 summit. The PSNI confirmed that the technology was used to help public safety as a “small, viable device” was defused in the Ardoyne area of north Belfast. see full story... Read more
6-Nov-2013Source: RAeS
The European Rotorcraft Forum (ERF) is one of the premier events in the rotorcraft community’s calendar, bringing together manufacturers, research centres, academia, operators and regulatory agencies to discuss advances in research, development, design, manufacturing, testing and operation of rotorcraft. The International Committee invites prospective authors to submit abstracts of papers for presentation at the forum.... Read more
6-Nov-2013Source: Wales Air Ambulance
Lifesaving charity Wales Air Ambulance has installed portable incubators in its three aircraft, helping seriously ill infants receive the critical care they need by air. The ‘Babypod’ is the first of its kind in Wales and can be installed on each helicopter within minutes, saving precious time in a paediatric emergency. Wales Air Ambulance airlifts... Read more
6-Nov-2013Source: HeliHub.com
Unite the union have invited media to the launch on Wednesday 6th November of their ‘Back Home Safe’ campaign which calls for immediate improvements to the safety of offshore helicopter flights on the North Sea. The union’s demands which reflect the wishes and concerns of Unite members and the wider offshore workforce call for; Safer emergency... Read more
6-Nov-2013
Shortly after takeoff from an off-shore platform at night, the helicopter entered a series of extreme pitch excursions which resulted in the airspeed reducing below 20 kt, followed by a descent. The flight crew were eventually able to recover to normal flight. The helicopter had descended to within approximately 50 feet of the sea surface.... Read more
3-Nov-2013Source: Midlands Air Ambulance
Leading regional charity, Midlands Air Ambulance, has made a strategic decision to purchase outright the service’s first helicopter, which will be based at the RAF Cosford airbase in Shropshire. As the UK’s largest and busiest air ambulance service, Midlands Air Ambulance currently leases three EC135 helicopters from Bond Air Services, but will be replacing the... Read more
3-Nov-2013Source: Helicentre Aviation
Helicentre Aviation Academy announced earlier this year that five Professional Helicopter Pilot Scholarships will be awarded in summer 2014, but for the second year running application numbers are set to be very low. Between the five scholarships, there is an opportunity for anyone able to meet the pre-requisites before the deadline to apply, from complete... Read more
3-Nov-2013Source: Helicopter Museum
The hard work and professionalism of the Volunteers and Staff of Weston-super-Mare’s Helicopter Museum has been acknowledged by The Arts Council of England, with the aviation attraction being awarded a new National Accreditation Status. The Accreditation Scheme sets nationally agreed standards for museums in the UK. The Helicopter Museum was originally accredited in 1997 but... Read more
30-Oct-2013Source: BBC
BBC believes their new kit will “transform the way TV news looks in the future.”. See full story... Read more
30-Oct-2013Source: Royal Navy
A special trials version of Wildcat – replacement for the trusty Lynx which has been in service since the 1970s – has joined aviation training/casualty treatment ship RFA Argus to gather crucial data to allow the helicopter fly from large Royal Navy warships. Wildcat will spend the bulk of its time operating from Royal Navy... Read more
29-Oct-2013Source: Heli UK Expo
The Heli UK Expo has begun the registration process for pilots to select their desired fly-in slots and further enhance the on-going experience as a Fly-In Helicopter Show. Free Entry will automatically be granted to pilots and passengers flying into the show on the3rd and 4th of June 2014. The Sywell Aerodrome ATC online booking... Read more
29-Oct-2013Source: CAA
The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has appointed Tim Johnson as its new Head of Policy. He will lead a new team formed by drawing together existing functions in the CAA, to strengthen policy development, improve co-ordination (particularly in Europe and internationally), and facilitate better sharing of skills across the organisation. Iain Osborne, Group Director... Read more
29-Oct-2013Source: London’s Air Ambulance
London’s Air Ambulance, the charity that delivers an advanced trauma team to critically injured people in London, is the proud winner of the ‘Outstanding Contribution to London’ award in the London Lifestyle Awards 2013. This recognition comes shortly after the service reached a milestone in treating 30,000 patients. Due to celebrate its 25th anniversary in January... Read more
29-Oct-2013Source: Selex ES
Selex ES, a Finmeccanica company, has been awarded a contract worth €8.1M (£6.8M) from the UK Ministry of Defence to supply further Titan 385ES-HD electro-optic turrets for the Royal Air Force’s fleet of CH-47 Chinook transport helicopters. The contract follows the successful delivery of 45 Titan turrets procured under previous contracts and will see 15... Read more
28-Oct-2013Source: Irwin Mitchell
An offshore oil worker seriously injured in a fatal Super Puma helicopter crash off the coast of Shetland in August has spoken of his need for answers about the cause of the tragedy, as a memorial service is held to remember those who died in the incident. James Nugent, 41, from Newquay, suffered a spinal... Read more
28-Oct-2013Source: Wales Online
Plans for an SAR base have been given the go-ahead by councillors. The helicopter base can now be created at the former RAF St Athan base after the Vale of Glamorgan council awarded planning permission. See full story... Read more
28-Oct-2013Source: BBC
Nearly 150 new homes are being bought by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) in south Somerset for military personnel moving to RNAS Yeovilton. It comes as 600 soldiers prepare to join the Yeovilton base from 1 Regiment Army Air Corps. See full story... Read more
24-Oct-2013Source: London’s Air Ambulance
London’s Air Ambulance has reached a significant milestone in treating 30,000 trauma patients since it began in 1989. Thanks to the generous support of the London community, our charity has been able to save the lives of many people with time-critical medical interventions delivered at the scene of the incident. Trauma is... Read more
22-Oct-2013Source: Milestone Aviation Group
Milestone Aviation Group, the global leader in helicopter leasing, announced today that it has financed the delivery of an AgustaWestland AW109 GrandNew to Sloane Helicopters. Sloane, a UK-based provider of helicopter sales and services, will use the helicopter for the UK’s East Midland Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS), the Derbyshire, Leicestershire & Rutland Air Ambulance... Read more
21-Oct-2013Source: Bond Air Services
Gloucestershire-based Bond Air Services (Bond) is delighted to announce the start of a new air ambulance operation for North West Air Ambulance in the Merseyside area. The new service will be provided by a Eurocopter EC135T2 aircraft, which has been modified for Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) operations [Editor note – not specifically modified for... Read more
21-Oct-2013Source: Oil & Gas UK
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) has issued Special Bulletin S7/2013 as part of its on-going investigation into the tragic L2 helicopter accident on 23 August 2013 off Sumburgh Head, Shetland. The bulletin states that “to date, the wreckage examination and analysis of the recorded data have not found any evidence of a technical fault... Read more
21-Oct-2013Source: Step Change in Safety
The AAIB has issued a second special bulletin as part of its on-going investigation into the tragic helicopter accident on 23rd August off Sumburgh Head. Step Change in Safety’s Helicopter Steering Group (HSSG) welcomes this second bulletin and acknowledges the additional information that it contains. The first bulletin from the AAIB issued on 5th September... Read more
21-Oct-2013Source: HeliHub.com
The crash of a CHC Eurocopter AS332L2 Super Puma 1.5 nm west of Sumburgh Airport on 23 August 2013 as drawn a lot of comment and speculation. The British aircraft investigators – the Air Accicent Investigation Branch (AAIB) have issued a second bulletin on the accident – S7/2013 – AS332 L2 Super Puma, G-WNSB – now come... Read more
18-Oct-2013Source: HAI
During the week of September 23, Ed DiCampli, executive vice president of HAI; and Dave Green, health and usage monitoring systems (HUMS) program manager for HAI, traveled to London to attend Helitech and meet with safety experts, HUMS design engineers, and regulatory personnel. Prominent in this group were Bob Sheffield, AgustaWestland senior advisor, safety and... Read more
18-Oct-2013Source: NASA
NASA and its international partners have appointed future crew members for the International Space Station. NASA astronaut Tim Kopra and European Space Agency astronaut Tim Peake are scheduled to launch in December 2015 and return to Earth in spring 2016. They will join the Expedition 45 crew members in orbit and will remain aboard as... Read more
17-Oct-2013Source: DTV Airport
The National Police Air Service (NPAS) will soon have a new ‘home’ thanks to investment by Durham Tees Valley Airport. Under a new five-year agreement the airport is funding a new purpose-built hangar for Air Service’s Eurocopter EC135 aircraft which is based at Durham Tees Valley. Work on the new 320 square metre facility is... Read more
15-Oct-2013Source: East Anglian Air Ambulance
A life saving charity has appointed a new Director of Fundraising following its recent development in operations. The East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA) has welcomed Melanie Nightingale to the role now that fundraising targets have increased following the Charity’s recent development in to night flying. On appointment Tim Page, Chief Executive of EAAA, said: “Now... Read more
15-Oct-2013Source: East Anglian Air Ambulance
A highly respected member of the NHS has joined a life saving charity to shape the development of the organisation now it has embarked on a new chapter in its history. Lorna Garner joins the East Anglian Air Ambulance as Director of Corporate Services shortly after it began completing missions at night, becoming the first... Read more
15-Oct-2013Source: Herts Air Ambulance
Herts Air Ambulance celebrates 5 years of being in operation and saving lives across the region. To mark this very special milestone the Charity is inviting its supporters to join them at an exclusive celebration evening on Friday 25th October with special celebrity guest Ray Winstone! Join the Herts Air Ambulance Team and popular British... Read more
15-Oct-2013Source: HeliHub.com
INAER, part of the Avincis Group, has sold its UK helicopter maintenance and component overhaul business to a management buy-out. Led by Managing Director Marc-Anton Corominas, the business will continue in its current form under the name Heliwork Services Ltd in the same premises at Thruxton Airport. The Heliwork name brings the operation round in a... Read more
15-Oct-2013Source: Evening News 24
The helipad has been officially opened at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital which means patients will be able to receive treatment whether they become sick or injured during the day or night. See full story... Read more
14-Oct-2013Source: Reportstack
Reportstack has announced a new market report on The Military Rotorcraft Market in the United Kingdom to 2023which provides a top-level, category specific view of the forecast market value of Military Rotorcraft expenditure in United Kingdom. “The Military Rotorcraft Market in the United Kingdom to 2023: Market Brief”, provides a top-level, quantitative view of forecast expenditure of... Read more
10-Oct-2013Source: CAA
People looking to take specially chartered air taxi flights to meetings, conferences and events have been advised to check the operator of their flight has been approved before booking their trip. Any UK-based individual, organisation or company offering flights in return for payment must have an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) issued by the CAA. This... Read more
10-Oct-2013Source: 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-Oct-2013
S92 returned to airport after burning smell in cabin. Safe landing... Read more
7-Oct-2013Source: HeliHub.com
On 21st September 2012, HeliHub.com broke the story to the industry that Helitech was moving from Duxford to London’s ExCeL conference centre, and being renamed “Helitech International”. It was not until 4th October, some 13 days later, that Helitech organisers Reed issued a press release to confirm the HeliHub.com scoop, some four days earlier than their planned date. When... Read more
6-Oct-2013Source: DSTL
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is looking to industry for innovative ways to develop simulation and field trial capability to counter potential threats to UK military helicopters from ground-based man-in-the-loop (MITL) operated weapons. This is to meet future requirements to assess how aircraft manoeuvres, threat warning systems and countermeasures can mitigate the effects of hostile... Read more
6-Oct-2013Source: HeliHub.com
HeliServices (Hong Kong) Ltd has bought an MD Explorer, their first of the type, although they do have long experience of MD500 and MD520 single-engine MD types, along with Eurocopter SA315B Lama and AS350 Squirrel. The Explorer has been purchased from a private owner in the UK (who flew it as G-SIVR), and is close... Read more
4-Oct-2013
The pilot noticed that the engine turbine temperature had increased to close to its maximum limit and prepared to make a precautionary landing. During the approach the indication returned to normal, so he decided to continue the short distance to his destination. As the helicopter climbed away, the engine failed. The pilot carried out a... Read more
3-Oct-2013Source: HeliHub.com
The HeliHub.com team have been contacting a number of people who attended Helitech International last week – both while we were on the show floor and remotely by phone and email over the week since the event. The question we were asking was “Is Helitech a better show in a city centre location compared to... Read more
3-Oct-2013Source: HeliHub.com
Yesterday, the UK Civil Aviation Authority issued the registration G-ODSA to a Bell 429, serial 57139. The operator is listed as Starspeed. Starspeed are based at Fairoaks, just south-west of London and within the Heathrow control zone. They operate a number of twin-engined helicopters for high net worth owners, and have a good deal of... Read more
3-Oct-2013
Details unknown but reported as a training flight. Photo of recovery shows tail blades bent round... Read more
2-Oct-2013Source: GAPAN
The Master’s Commendation (Awarded at the discretion of the Master for commendable achievement in any sector of aviation.) – The British Helicopter Team The British Helicopter Team returned from the 2012 FAI World Helicopter Championships in Moscow, with the team Silver Medal. This was the best ever placing by a British Team at that level... Read more
2-Oct-2013Source: GAPAN
The Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators Award for Aviation Journalism (Awarded to an individual journalist, publication or organisation for an outstanding contribution to the promotion or public awareness of aviation in general or of any important aspect of aviation activity) – Pat Malone Pat Malone is an aviation journalist who writes with a... Read more
1-Oct-2013Source: Bond Offshore Helicopters
A Bond Offshore Helicopters (Bond) Search and Rescue (SAR) crew has received an award for its key role in a dramatic North Sea rescue last December. The Edward and Maisie Lewis award honours SAR winchmen, winch operators and pilots who have shown outstanding skill and courage in carrying out an air/sea rescue. As part of... Read more
1-Oct-2013Source: CAA
The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has announced details of a series of seminars designed to inform flight training schools of the transition process they will need to follow to achieve ‘Approved Training Organisation’ status. Those training schools currently referred to as Registered Training Facilities (RTF), have to become Approved Training Organisations (ATO) over the... Read more
29-Sep-2013Source: CAA
As part of a process to improve the way it handles official transactions, the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) will from today accept more applications online, including secure online payments. Pilots, aircraft maintenance engineers and air traffic personnel can now apply for a replacement licence or certificate online. The first licensing form to be available on the... Read more
27-Sep-2013Source: RAF
The RAF Merlin Force is celebrating its return from 10 years of continual operational deployments following the withdrawal from Afghanistan. The RAF Merlins, which are based at RAF Benson, Oxfordshire first deployed to Bosnia in 2003 and have since provided essential helicopter lift for land forces in Iraq and Afghanistan. With the first Merlin helicopters... Read more
27-Sep-2013Source: Helitech International
AgustaWestland, Bell Helicopter and PremiAir were amongst a broad range of exhibitors that utilised the new-look Helitech International as a platform for an array of significant contract signings and service launches. Taking place at ExCeL, London between 24 – 26 September, the exhibition is run in conjunction with the European Helicopter Association. AgustaWestland announced the... Read more
27-Sep-2013Source: Bond/Bristow/CHC
Offshore helicopter operators Avincis Group, Bristow Group and CHC Helicopter announced today they have launched a review of safety practices that will deepen their commitment to share best practices and consistently operate at the highest possible level of safety. The three companies leading this effort will reach out to other helicopter operators to encourage them... Read more
27-Sep-2013Source: Helicentre Aviation
On the second day of Helitech, Helicentre Aviation have announced the order has been placed for the fourth addition to the Helicentre Aviation Academy Cabri G2 fleet. The announcement was made at Helitech today where Helicentre Aviation are exhibiting with Cotswold Helicopter Centre, the UK distributor for Guimbal Helicopters. Bruno Guimbal was in attendance when... Read more
27-Sep-2013Source: Helicentre Aviation
Helicentre Aviation have been awarded an eight year contract to provide aerial surveillance services to National Grid Transco. The contract is for the surveillance of gas pipelines in the UK using Bell 206 helicopters for an estimated 2,000 flying hours per year. Helicentre Aviation are specialists in aerial survey and currently provide on-shore services to... Read more
27-Sep-2013Source: Helicentre Aviation
Helicentre Aviation Academy have awarded two professional ground training scholarships. The ATPL(H) theoretical knowledge (TK) scholarship has been awarded to Mike Standen from Coventry and the CPL(H) TK scholarship to Neil Stewart from Derby. Both scholarship winners have been awarded the full cost of the professional ground training courses they have enrolled on. Mike says... Read more
26-Sep-2013Source: Eurocopter
The expanding Squirrel fleet in service with PDG Helicopters has reached a combined flight time of 200,000 hours, demonstrating the rotorcraft family’s reliability for the most demanding service and its flexibility across a full range of on-shore operations throughout Ireland and the United Kingdom. The milestone was celebrated today on Eurocopter’s exhibit stand at the... Read more
25-Sep-2013Source: Yorkshire Air Ambulance
Paramedics and doctors at Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) have worked with the UK’s leading safety company to design new flight suits. The customised salopettes and jackets have been produced by Arco, the Hull-based provider of workwear, personal protective equipment and workplace safety products. The company’s designers worked closely with YAA medics to ensure the new... Read more
25-Sep-2013Source: PremiAir
PremiAir Aviation International, under new ownership since December last year, confirmed today at HeliTech International (Stand G30) that it has rebranded its Blackbushe Airport facility in Surrey as The West London Heliport and will offer Land, Park and Go services for visiting helicopter arrivals headed for the South East of England. With only one recognized... Read more
25-Sep-2013Source: ExecuJet Europe
ExecuJet Europe, the leading business aircraft organisation, will be launching commercial helicopter charter operations from the company’s London Cambridge FBO later this year. ExecuJet Europe is scheduled to receive a global helicopter Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) from the UK Civil Aviation Authority in December 2013. The company’s managed fleet already includes two Eurocopter EC155 helicopters... Read more
25-Sep-2013Source: BALPA
Please see below a comment from the British Airline Pilots’ Association (BALPA) on today’s announcement that the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) will be conducting a review into North Sea aviation safety. ‘We will consult with those members currently operating in the North Sea as to their views on the effectiveness of a CAA-led review, but... Read more
25-Sep-2013Source: Oil & Gas UK
Robert Paterson, Oil & Gas UK’s health, safety and employment issues director, said: “Oil & Gas UK welcomes the CAA’s review of offshore helicopter operations in the North Sea and we and our members stand ready to engage fully in the process. As the CAA highlights in its announcement, considerable efforts have already been made... Read more
25-Sep-2013Source: UK CAA
The CAA is undertaking a review of North Sea helicopter operations. It will be a joint review with the Norwegian CAA and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and advised by a panel of independent experts. It will study current operations, previous incidents and accidents and offshore helicopter flying in other countries to make recommendations... Read more
25-Sep-2013Source: Turbomeca
Turbomeca (Safran) will support the fleet of RTM 322 engines powering the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) Merlin and Apache helicopters under an innovative service contract, worth £367 million (around Euro 425 million). The six-year contract provides the UK MOD with a guaranteed level of availability for its RTM 322 engines, consolidating a number of... Read more
24-Sep-2013
[another Bell Press release story for Helitech that HeliHub.com has already covered last week] Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT), announced today the delivery of the first VIP-configured Bell 429 to be flown in the United Kingdom to TJ Morris Ltd. TJ Morris will take advantage of the Bell 429’s Instrument Flight Rules... Read more
24-Sep-2013Source: Bell
[this is an official Bell press release for Helitech, but HeliHub.com did release this news three months ago…..] Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT), announced the first Bell 429 in Great Britain is now fully operational. The aircraft was recently delivered to National Grid for inspection and maintenance of power lines. National Grid’s... Read more
23-Sep-2013Source: Royal Navy
Flown by the United States Marine Corps and U.S. Air Force, it is mainly a heavy lift troop carrier, and has been deployed in both combat and rescue operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya. Six years ago HMS Illustrious became the first non-US ship to fly an Osprey and was pleased to welcome one back... Read more
23-Sep-2013Source: Bell
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT), announced today a signed agreement with Heli-Charter Ltd for the first Bell 429configured for Helicopter Air Ambulance (HAA) operations in the United Kingdom. The recently appointed Bell Helicopter Customer Support Facility and Independent Representative held the grand opening of its new facility adjacent to Manston International Airport in Kent on September 21.... Read more
23-Sep-2013Source: Helitech
Helitech International 2013 is proud to announce that it will be supporting both the East Anglian Air Ambulance and London’s Air Ambulance as part of National Air Ambulance Week (NAAW) which runs from 23 – 29 September. Both charities will be participating at the exhibition which is being staged for the first time at ExCeL, London... Read more
23-Sep-2013Source: BBC
Plans for a new helipad at Plymouth’s Derriford Hospital have been put forward by the region’s NHS bosses. See full story... Read more
20-Sep-2013
Precautionary landing after bird strike with a goose. 16 hours later it was flown to Lossiemouth for more detailed examination... Read more
19-Sep-2013Source: Eurocopter
A series of United Kingdom demonstrations with the EC130 T2 and EC145 T2 are providing first-hand experience with these enhanced versions of Eurocopter’s helicopter family for some 100 invitees taking part in flights conducted this week. [The EC145T2 demonstrator arrived Thursday 19th from Germany via an unscheduled night in Belgium due to the weather en... Read more
19-Sep-2013Source: HeliHub.com
Discount retailer Home Bargains, based in the city of Liverpool in the north-west of the UK, has taken delivery of a Bell 429. This is believed to replace their Eurocopter AS350B3 G-GMCM, which is five years old and has under 750 hours on the airframe. The new aircraft was seen at Blackpool airport on Wednesday... Read more
19-Sep-2013Source: Cotswold
Cotswold Helicopter Centre, the sole UK agents for Guimbal Helicopters, are exhibiting at Helitech International being held at London’s ExCeL exhibition and conference centre next week. They will have an example of the Guimbal Cabri G2 as a static display,and Bruno Guimbal, the designer of the Cabri G2 will be joining them on their stand.... Read more
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