3-May-2013Source: East Anglian Air Ambulance
The East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA) has passed its most recent inspection by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), which confirms that everyone helped by the Charity receives care of the highest quality. The EAAA, which provides the air ambulance service across Bedfordshire, Cambridge, Norfolk and Suffolk, operates from bases at Cambridge and Norwich. It has... Read more
3-May-2013Source: Step Change in Safety
Step Change in Safety has received a prestigious commendation by the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work for its efforts to improve workforce engagement in the offshore oil and gas industry. Step Change in Safety’s Workforce Engagement Toolkit – which promises to positively transform the way oil and gas companies interact with staff... Read more
3-May-2013Source: Yorkshire Air Ambulance
Paramedics and doctors at Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) have helped design their own medical kit bags that are now being used to treat patients both on the ground and inflight. The medical teams have worked with manufacturers to produce the revolutionary pouch design bags already attracting interest from other helicopter emergency services. The new bags,... Read more
2-May-2013
Tail boom broke off from the cabin area – which in turn came to rest on the vertical rear of the engine cover with the nose pointing to the sky.... Read more
1-May-2013Source: The London Helicopter
The UK’s first public helicopter service to sell individual seats online launches on 1st May when The London Helicopter introduces regular sightseeing flights from The Barclays London Heliport in Battersea. This innovative offering at www.thelondonhelicopter.com allows passengers to pre-book seats for helicopter sightseeing trips over the Capital taking off from London’s only commercially licensed Heliport. The new... Read more
1-May-2013Source: HeliHub.com
UK’s Royal Air Force has reduced its fleet of VVIP AgustaWestland 109E Powers from two to one from the end of March 2013, two years after taking another of the original three away. The remaining aircraft is expected to fly 500 hours a year The unexpected move of serial ZR323 back to the UK civil... Read more
1-May-2013Source: Isle of Wight radio
The first test flight for St Mary’s Hospital’s new helipad has taken place (see full story)... Read more
30-Apr-2013Source: Serco
Serco has been awarded a contract extension by AgustaWestland Ltd to assist them in maintaining the fleet of Sea King aircraft for the Ministry of Defence under their Integrated Operational Support Contract. The extension, which will run from April 2013 until December 2015, is worth over £7m for the two and a half year period... Read more
29-Apr-2013Source: HeliHub.com
It has come to our notice by scanning property websites that the new 4,000 sq.ft (371 m²) are rent-free, courtesy of landlords Land Securities. That fact was missed from the press release issued by London’s Air Ambulance, which merely said “the office move has been prompted by continuous growth”. Checking the report on the CoStar... Read more
29-Apr-2013Source: Birmingham Mail
West Midlands Police’s eye-in-the sky helicopter helped cops snare more than 500 suspects last year. The aircraft spent 1,175 hours in the sky and was also responsible for finding 27 people who had been reported missing. (See Full Story)... Read more
26-Apr-2013Source: Bond
Bond Offshore Helicopters Ltd (Bond), one of the UK’s leading providers of energy support services, is delighted to announce that it has been awarded a new contract with EnQuest PLC, the largest UK independent oil producer in the UK North Sea. The contract is for up to ten years and it will provide crew change... Read more
26-Apr-2013Source: This Is Cornwall
Helicopters could return to the skies of west Cornwall by next summer after an international company backed plans for a new transport link. (See Full Story)... Read more
25-Apr-2013Source: Eurocopter
With a series of deliveries, Eurocopter has further extended its lead in Britain’s private/VIP market and once more confirmed the company’s role as Britain’s civil helicopter hub. Two of the rotorcraft are the AS350 B3e evolved members of Eurocopter’s Ecureuil family, while the third is an EC120 B. [Editor note – Eurocopter has already issued... Read more
25-Apr-2013Source: BBC News
They help save lives and can get to anywhere in Greater London within six minutes, but 25 years ago London’s Air Ambulance did not even exist except as an idea in the mind of A&E consultant Alastair Wilson. (See Full Story)... Read more
24-Apr-2013Source: HeliHub.com
British manufacturer Dyson has added a second AgustaWestland AW139 to its corporate fleet. HeliHub.com understands this will replace their Dauphin G-DOLF and joins their first AW139 G-OAWL. The new aircraft carries registration G-DCOI which reflects the original vacuum cleaner which Dyson produced – the DC-01 – which launched the success of the company after James... Read more
24-Apr-2013Source: Yorkshire Air Ambulance
Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) paramedics treating trauma patients in severe pain can now administer the powerful analgesic drug ketamine. The helicopter medics, who provide a life-saving service to over five million people in Yorkshire and the Humber, have been given the green light to use the very strong painkiller. Until recently, only doctors were able... Read more
24-Apr-2013Source: London’s Air Ambulance
London’s Air Ambulance, the charity that delivers an advanced trauma team to critically injured people in London, has formed a strategic partnership with mobile operator EE, to develop new systems that will use 4G technology to enhance its service and cut vital minutes off mission times to benefit its patients. London’s Air Ambulance has already... Read more
23-Apr-2013Source: RAF
The RAF Cosford 75th Anniversary Air Show team is excited to announce that a Chinook and an Apache helicopter from the MOD Joint Helicopter Command (JHC) will be coming to the event on Sunday 9th June. The Chinook helicopter, operated by the Royal Air Force primarily to support troop movements, will be joined by an... Read more
23-Apr-2013Source: RAF
A Qualified Helicopter Instructor with the Central Flying School (Helicopters) at RAF Shawbury has achieved a flying milestone in passing an incredible 6000 hours of flying. Flight Lieutenant Jim Hobkirk is a Qualified Helicopter Instructor with Central Flying School (Helicopters) at the unit. He spends his days training future Qualified Helicopter Instructor pilots on the... Read more
23-Apr-2013Source: London’s Air Ambulance
London’s Air Ambulance is delighted to announce that our charity office is moving to the City of London on 29th April 2013. After many years of residency at The Royal London Hospital, our charity team is to relocate to 7/8 Philpot Lane, EC3M 8AA. Telephone 020 7220 5470 The office move has been prompted by... Read more
22-Apr-2013Source: Helicopter Museum
The Helicopter Museum in Weston-super-Mare received a very special guest this week when World Speed Record Holder Trevor Egginton visited the museum to give a unique talk to members of the Empire Test Pilots School in the museums lecture facilities. Piloting the Lynx helicopter, registered G-LYNX, he flew a 15km course across the Somerset Levels... Read more
22-Apr-2013Source: HeliHub.com
Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance is making good progress and last week had their Eurocopter Bo105 at Perth’s Scone Airport to show off its colour scheme. It’s visit was only for a few days as it still needs some further equipment fitted before going live, but it did provide the charity the opportunity to announce that... Read more
22-Apr-2013Source: Helicentre Aviation
With just over a week to go until the application deadline for Helicentre Aviation’s 2013 Professional Helicopter Pilot Scholarships, the training academy has announced the launch of at least two further scholarship places to be awarded in 2014. The announcement comes as exciting news for this year’s scholarship hopefuls, who will get a second chance... Read more
19-Apr-2013Source: Bond Aviation
Bond Aviation (Bond), the UK’s largest independent emergency and mission critical helicopter operator, is proud to announce that it has been awarded the inaugural Moral Courage Safety Award by the US Department of Transportation. The award was created to celebrate helicopter companies and crew who put safety first, even when that means taking the difficult... Read more
18-Apr-2013Source: Lucy Air Ambulance for Children
Lucy Air Ambulance for Children has joined the Association of Air Ambulances (AAA), the representative body for Air Ambulance Services in the UK, as an Associate Member. The charity funds life-saving medical air transfers for critically ill children from local hospitals to the relevant centres of excellence with the co-operation and assistance of regional air... Read more
17-Apr-2013Source: London’s Air Ambulance
International SOS and London’s Air Ambulance today announced a strategic partnership for 2013. The partnership will focus on securing additional funding for London’s Air Ambulance to sustain the vital life-saving services it delivers across the capital and support a number of key enhancements being made by the charity. London’s Air Ambulance, the charity that delivers... Read more
17-Apr-2013Source: CAA
As part of a process to improve the way it handles official transactions with the aviation industry, the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) will from today accept more applications online, including secure online payments. UK based aircraft maintenance organisations, for example, can now apply for, or apply for variations to their ‘Part 145’ approval electronically,... Read more
16-Apr-2013Source: Boeing
Boeing recently completed the first flight of the newest CH-47 Chinook heavy-lift helicopter for the United Kingdom’s Royal Air Force. The March 15 flight, at the Boeing helicopter facility near Philadelphia, happened ahead of schedule and confirmed initial airworthiness for the Mk6 Chinook. “This is a truly impressive achievement for both Boeing and the project... Read more
12-Apr-2013Source: Pirate FM
Pirate FM has learnt an announcement on a new air link to the Isles of Scilly could be just weeks away (see full story).... Read more
12-Apr-2013
Aircraft grounded after problem involving netting across an astroturf sports field at a school. Needed engineer before it could fly, stayed overnight and departed next morning.... Read more
11-Apr-2013Source: AAIB
The monthly bulletin from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been released. This month’s issue covers the accident(s) of:- Hiller UH-12 B (N38763), tail struck ground during landing, Elstree Aerodrome, Hertfordshire, 4 August 2012... Read more
11-Apr-2013
Substantially damaged – solo student training flight... Read more
10-Apr-2013Source: ExecuJet Europe
ExecuJet Europe, the leading global business aviation organisation, is adding the first helicopter to its managed fleet, the Eurocopter EC155, based at Cambridge Airport. The EC155 helicopter has capacity for eight VIP passengers and two pilots. With a range of more than 500 miles, the aircraft will primarily be used for transfers to the City... Read more
10-Apr-2013Source: London's Air Ambulance
Our team will be followed in Channel 5’s Trauma Doctors in four 60 minute programmes, beginning on Thursday 11th April 2013 at 9pm. Shadowing London’s Air Ambulance and the UK’s leading trauma centre, The Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel, Trauma Doctors allows the audience to witness this specialist group of clinicians making the split second... Read more
9-Apr-2013Source: HeliHub.com
British operator Air Harrods is currently unable to fly their helicopters commercially. The company has never been able to operate public transport flights in their own right – which we understand is due to the company being majority owned outside the UK/Europe. In the past, Air Harrods entered into commercial partnerships with a series of... Read more
7-Apr-2013Source: HeliHub.com
Capital Air Services of Oxford have taken on two Sikorsky S76 helicopters recently on a management contract. Previously under the control of Premiair Aviation Services at Blackbushe, HeliHub.com expects that the recent significant changes there have led the owner to move his S76A+ and S76C++ to Capital. Both have been re-listed on the CAA website... Read more
5-Apr-2013Source: Sloane Helicopters
The Sloane Helicopters app is now available to download on iPad/iPhone and Android mobile devices. Please click on the link below for your respective devices. You will find detailed information on Sloane together with helicopter news items, Sywell Airfield status and NOTAMS for this area. We hope you enjoy this new facility and welcome any comments. iPad/iPhone https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/sloane-helicopters/id623857718?mt=8 Android... Read more
5-Apr-2013Source: Londonist
London’s solitary air ambulance could gain a companion if plans to seek funding from the City are successful.Unlike our urban counterparts, Paris, New York and Sydney who have at least four air ambulances each, we rely on just one (see full story).... Read more
5-Apr-2013Source: Unity4
Not for profit organisations count on donations to further their cause and extend much needed help to the communities they serve. As a non-government funded charity, Wales Air Ambulance (WAA) needs the necessary financial support and selected Unity4, the global home agent contact centre outsourcer and technology provider, to carry out this key function noting... Read more
5-Apr-2013Source: Scottish Crown Office
On 1 April 2009 Super Puma helicopter AS332 L2 G-REDL crashed into the North Sea resulting in the deaths of all 16 men on board. Having carefully considered all the circumstances of this incident, Crown Counsel have decided that there is insufficient evidence for a prosecution and as result no criminal proceedings are instructed. The... Read more
5-Apr-2013Source: Bond Air Services
Bond Air Services (Bond), the largest operator of air ambulance aviation units in the UK, has been awarded a new seven-year contract by North West Air Ambulance (NWAA). The contract, worth just over £10 million, is to provide air ambulance support across five counties in North West England. Under the new contract, Bond will continue... Read more
4-Apr-2013Source: Step Change
Step Change in Safety has published its 2013 Annual Update report and has called on the UK oil and gas industry to continue its focus on improving safety performance. The report reviews the organisation’s achievements over the last year and identifies where it will focus its attention in future. Highlights include: The launch of the Workforce Engagement Toolkit –... Read more
2-Apr-2013Source: Eurocopter UK
The AS350B3e, the newest version of Eurocopter’s successful Ecureuil family, is the latest addition to the UK’s important single engine helicopter fleet in Private/Business Aviation. After its entry into service in September 2011, the AS350B3e, the latest version of the powerful 7 seat, 2,3 ton AS350 single engine helicopter family was delivered for the first... Read more
28-Mar-2013Source: Bond Offshore Helicopters
Bond Offshore Helicopters Ltd (Bond), one of the UK’s leading providers of energy support services, is delighted to announce that it has been awarded a new contract with Premier Oil plc. The contract is to provide crew change flights for the independent exploration and production company. Services started on the 4th of March and the... Read more
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
27-Mar-2013Source: GKN Aerospace
GKN Aerospace has been contracted by Eurocopter UK to develop upgraded fuel tanks as part of the UK RAF’s life extension programme (LEP) for its fleet of Puma helicopters. The new self-sealing fuel tanks will enhance the helicopter’s survivability in today’s theatres of operation, providing extended protection for the crew against weapons such as heavy... Read more
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
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
26-Mar-2013Source: RAF
He is among a total of 27 RAF personnel named in the latest Armed Forces Operational Awards and Joint Commanders Commendations for their service in Afghanistan, Britain and around the world. Flight Lieutenant Christopher Gordon used his helicopter to shield the troops as they boarded the aircraft, resulting in the loss of one of his... Read more
25-Mar-2013Source: Royal Navy
The 3,074ft Beinn Sgulaird is approximately 10 miles north east of Oban and it turned out to be a formidable foe during the course of this rescue. Lieutenant Commander Sweeney brought years of Commando Helicopter Force experience in similar conditions in the Arctic and Afghanistan to bear, allowing him not only to reassure his crew,... Read more
22-Mar-2013Source: Crown Office
On 1 April 2009 Super Puma helicopter AS332 L2 G-REDL crashed into the North Sea resulting in the deaths of all 16 men on board. Having carefully considered all the circumstances of this incident, Crown Counsel have decided that there is insufficient evidence for a prosecution and as result no criminal proceedings are instructed. The... Read more
20-Mar-2013Source: HeliHub.com
Cornwall Air Ambulance, one of the early pioneers of EMS helicopters in the UK, will move away from Bond Air Services after working with them for 27 years. From December 2014, the charity will stop flying a red EC135 and move over to a pair of MD Explorers, operated for them by Medical Aviation Services.... Read more
20-Mar-2013Source: AgustaWestland
AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, welcomes the UK Government’s announcement of further significant investments in the aerospace industry. A joint Government and industry research and technology investment valued at over 2 billion pound in the next seven years has been announced through the Aerospace Growth Parthership (AGP) involving a number of aerospace companies. An official ceremony... Read more
20-Mar-2013Source: HeliHub.com
Hayward & Green made a very short announcement on their website – “We are pleased to announce the launch of our A109A/C and E model component support program. Please enquire for the level of support we can offer across a large range of A109 components. All stock is available with Full trace and EASAF1/8130-3 Release... Read more
19-Mar-2013Source: Decoded Science
… reports about North Sea oil workers being put on slimming diets because their average weight over the last few years had increased so much (see full story)... Read more
18-Mar-2013Source: AAIB
This Special Bulletin contains information on the progress of the investigation into the emergency lubrication systems and the Crash Position Indicators (CPI) for the accidents to G-REDW on 10 May 2012 and to G-CHCN on 22 October 2012. This follows the publication of previous Special Bulletins S2/2012, S3/2012, S5/2012, S6/2012 and S7/2012. Download report: S2-2013... Read more
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
18-Mar-2013Source: St George's Healthcare
St George’s Hospital has scrapped plans to reduce the size of a new helipad which was too small for Search and Rescue helicopters. The proposed £4m helipad, approved last year, was reduced by 5 sq m in another application withdrawn last week, making it too small for larger helicopters used by Search and Rescue teams.... Read more
15-Mar-2013Source: Eurocopter
The acquisition of an EC145 by the Police Service of Northern Ireland will add another helicopter to this agency’s all-Eurocopter fleet, and reinforces the company’s impressive presence with law enforcement agencies in the British Isles. This latest rotary-wing aircraft is to be delivered in the first half of 2013, joining the Police Service of Northern... Read more
14-Mar-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-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
12-Mar-2013Source: Heli UK
Heli UK Expo will provide an event platform within a traditional airfield setting, where exhibitors and visitors can meet, mingle and do business in a flexible and relaxed environment. Both exhibitors and visitors will be able to fly-in and out of the event, and with demo flights simple and straightforward, visitors will be able to see... Read more
11-Mar-2013Source: HeliHub.com
Here in the UK we have had some recent high-profile general media stories about huge international organisations avoiding tax. Household names including Amazon, Google and Starbucks were splashed across the headlines – each of them using various legal tactics to minimise their UK tax payment. While these activities may be ethically dubious, they are all perfectly... Read more
11-Mar-2013Source: Royal Navy
Roger Bigden read about the trip to Borneo and made contact with the Squadron through the ‘Junglie Association’ on their website www.junglies.org.uk. He came to visit 845 NAS at RNAS Yeovilton to share his experiences of the 1960s Borneo campaign, and to present the Squadron with a map and photographs from his time there. Roger... Read more
11-Mar-2013Source: Royal Navy
A dozen-strong team from 217 Flight – observer/flight commander Lt Mike Curd, pilot Lt Chris Southworth, senior maintenance rating CPO Matthew ‘Cakey’ Eccles and seven technicians, plus two Royal Marines snipers – return to base at RNAS Yeovilton just before mid-day on Friday (8 March). The highlight of the deployment – for the ship and... Read more
9-Mar-2013Source: PR Week
Eurocopter has created a new top PR role to help drive comms efforts amid a Civil Aviation Authority ban on its EC225 Super Puma helicopters following North Sea ditching incidents last year (see full story)... Read more
7-Mar-2013Source: Sloane Helicopters
Sloane Helicopters, the UK and Ireland Robinson Dealer since the mid 1970’s has, along with many other potential European buyers, been frustrated at the delays to EASA certification of the R66. During the original FAA certification of the R66, the FAA granted Robinson an exemption from the redundant control valve regulation. Several non US countries... Read more
7-Mar-2013Source: AgustaWestland
AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce that Sloane Helicopters Ltd of the United Kingdom has signed a contract for the purchase of two GrandNew light twin and two AW169 light intermediate helicopters. This contract demonstrates the continuing success achieved by the AgustaWestland range of light twin helicopters in the UK market as well... Read more
4-Mar-2013Source: Yorkshire Air Ambulance
Specialist child doctors have praised the work of Yorkshire Air Ambulance in helping to save the lives of critically ill babies and children across the county. Over the last year Yorkshire Air Ambulance has worked with Embrace – the Yorkshire and Humber infant and children’s transport service – to rapidly get specialist medical teams and... Read more
28-Feb-2013Source: Isle of Wight County Press
THE construction of a new helipad at St Mary’s Hospital is well underway, with the work due to be completed by the end of March. l.(see full story)... Read more
28-Feb-2013Source: HeliHub.com
Cotswold Helicopters have placed an order with the French manufacturer Guimbal for the fourth UK Cabri. The helicopter is due for delivery in July 2013 and will be operated by Helicentre at Leicester alongside their first example G-CHAG. Helicentre have been very pleased with the Cabri and have flown around 60 hours a month (yes,... Read more
28-Feb-2013Source: Devon Air Ambulance
Imagine being miles from anywhere on deepest Dartmoor when you suddenly find yourself in the middle of a horrific accident. Now, thanks to the new Devon Air Ambulance Trust iPhone App, you can not only alert the authorities of your plight, but with the most accurate coordinates available, your chances of a speedy rescue are... Read more
27-Feb-2013Source: Wales Air Ambulance
Wales Air Ambulance is celebrating its 12th birthday this week with the launch of a series of trials that could see the lifesaving helicopters flying at night. The trials form part of a string of clinical and hi-tech advances at the charity, including new equipment for paediatric missions and specialist paramedic training. WAA chief executive... Read more
26-Feb-2013Source: HeliHub.com
Bond Offshore will be changing the livery of its helicopters to dark blue to match the rest of the Avincis Group’s global offshore fleet, but the aircraft will still be branded with the Bond name. This change is designed to allow Avincis to more efficiently direct resources to where they’re most needed, such as bringing... Read more
