21-May-2013Source: CALSTAR
Marcus Isbill, a veteran pilot of nearly 30 years, has been named chief pilot for CALSTAR, Jim Arthur, director of flight operations, has announced. Isbill’s aviation career started in 1985 with the U.S. Army. Prior to retiring in 2001, he served in multiple roles in the military, including UH-1 chief of standardization and instrument examiner.... Read more
17-May-2013Source: Kaweah Delta
Kaweah Delta Health Care District will celebrate the completion of its helipad on Thursday, May 16, in Visalia. The event will take place from 10-11:30 a.m. under the helipad in the main parking lot at Kaweah Delta Medical Center, 400 W. Mineral King Ave. The $2.7 million helipad is expected to be fully operational by... Read more
13-May-2013Source: Noozhawk
Officials air concerns about the fleet’s soaring expenses, which have already exceeded the budget available. (See Full Story)... Read more
10-May-2013
Sheriff helicopter made emergency field landing after reporting engine problems... Read more
7-May-2013Source: Los Angeles Helicopters
Los Angeles Helicopters, LLC (LAH), a leading helicopter flight training operator, is pleased to announce that after completing FAA commercial license and Instrument rating training for 6 pilots from Rwanda in 2012, LAH was invited to travel to Rwanda and provide additional Mountain training as well as Emergency Procedures training and a refresher course for... Read more
4-May-2013
Spraying accident at night... Read more
3-May-2013Source: ChicoER
A new helipad will be constructed in the industrial park adjacent to the Chico Municipal Airport. The project was approved Tuesday night by the Chico Airport Commission, at the request of DigitalPath, which already operates the helicopter at the airport for service purposes.(See Full Story)... Read more
3-May-2013Source: U~T San Diego
A proposal to station an emergency air ambulance helicopter in Oceanside was put on hold by the City Council Wednesday pending further negotiations. (See Full Story)... Read more
30-Apr-2013Source: ChicoER
The Chico Airport Commission has a full agenda at its next meeting, including the matter of a private helipad, a new location for the Chico Air Museum, and developing a work plan. (See Full Story)... Read more
24-Apr-2013Source: CAE
CAE USA today announced that the United States Navy has declared an updated MH-60S “Sierra” operational flight trainer (OFT) as ready-for-training at Naval Air Station (NAS) North Island near San Diego, California. This MH-60S OFT, originally manufactured by Lockheed Martin, was completely upgraded by CAE to add new technologies and ensure concurrency with other MH-60S... Read more
19-Apr-2013Source: CALSTAR
january was a historic month for CALSTAR as we transported our 50,000th patient, CALSTAR CEO Lynn Malmstrom announced. “Surpassing 50,000 patient transports is a significant accomplishment and we would like to recognize our dedicated CALSTAR team members, past and present, as well as our many industry partners who have made it possible,” Malmstrom said. CALSTAR... Read more
18-Apr-2013Source: The Ukiah Daily Journal
After completing approximately 7,000 flights, the CALSTAR base in Ukiah marked its 15th anniversary Monday. The base, known as CALSTAR-4, serves the diverse and largely remote areas of Mendocino and Lake Counties (see full story).... Read more
18-Apr-2013Source: Metro Aviation
Metro Aviation recently delivered the third of eight new EC135s to California Shock Trauma Air Rescue (CALSTAR). The new aircraft are part of a comprehensive fleet upgrade and standardization plan for the helicopter emergency medical service based in McClellan, CA. Metro will provide eight EC135s to replace the program’s older fleet, making it an all-Eurocopter... Read more
17-Apr-2013Source: CALSTAR
Sacramento based CALSTAR, the largest nonprofit air ambulance on the west coast, is the first air ambulance in the United States to introduce a new “clot stabilizing” treatment to its arsenal of medications. Tranexamic acid (TXA) could save hundreds of lives in California and thousands across the country, according to Dr. David Duncan, CALSTAR’s medical... Read more
16-Apr-2013Source: PHPA
The Board of Airport Commissioners is meeting on Tuesday, April 16 at 12:00 pm (tomorrow) to hear LAWA (the agency that runs the L.A. Airports) propose the closure of one of the only two public use heliports in California. The Executive Director of LAWA will make a report to the Board of Directors of the Airport Commissioners regarding the... Read more
12-Apr-2013Source: Daily Pilot
A 20-year law enforcement partnership that provided police helicopter patrols to Costa Mesa and Newport Beach touched down for the last time Thursday morning. (see full story)... Read more
28-Mar-2013Source: REACH
REACH Air Medical Services has just been awarded the prestigious Diamond Certified® symbol for the third consecutive year. This is the result of being rated highest in quality in a patient and customer satisfaction rating performed by American Ratings Corporation. In order to earn Diamond Certified, a company must apply to be rated by American... Read more
19-Mar-2013Source: Sen. Ted W. Lieu
Sen. Ted W. Lieu introduced today a resolution urging President Obama and Congress to approve the pending Los Angeles Residential Helicopter Noise Relief Act. “Los Angeles County residents who have endured the cacophony of seemingly endless helicopter flights over their homes need relief,” Lieu said about a bill that would ask the Federal Aviation Administration... Read more
11-Mar-2013Source: Times Heraldonline
Work on the 54-foot helipad began last August. Officials said it’s the largest hospital-based helipad in Solano County and one of the many new achievements at the Vacaville Kaiser facility (see full story).... Read more
7-Mar-2013Source: AgustaWestland
AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce the handover of an AW109 Power to Executive HeliShares, a Briles Wing & Helicopter, Inc. Company, located in Van Nuys, California. Executive HeliShares has selected the AW109 Power and GrandNew product lines as the VIP platforms of choice for their exclusive Fractional Ownership Program on the West... Read more
6-Mar-2013Source: StandardAero
StandardAero announced that it has signed Rotorcraft Support Inc. (RSI) of Van Nuys, Calif., as an Authorized Support Center. The agreement is a one year extension to the current contract and includes optional one-year extensions at the end of each expiry date. “Today’s announcement reflects our continued presence and growth throughout the U.S. and reinforces... Read more
6-Mar-2013Source: Becker Avionics
The Sacramento Metro Fire Air Operations unit recently received a grant to upgrade its avionics and selected the Becker Avionics DVCS6100 digital airborne audio control system for one of its UH-1 multi-mission helicopters. The aircraft is currently undergoing an avionics upgrade at Advanced Helicopter Services (AHS) facility in Woodland, CA-near Sacramento. The popular Becker DVCS6100... Read more
5-Mar-2013Source: AgustaWestland
During a ceremony at Heli-Expo today AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, recognized REACH Air Medical Services for passing the 10,000 flight hour milestone with one of its Agusta A109A helicopters. The 10,000 flight hour milestone was recently passed by aircraft N21RX during a flight training mission with pilots Tim Karwal, Jason Dykstra and Director of Operations... Read more
3-Mar-2013Source: Universal Helicopters
Universal Helicopters (UHI), a leader in helicopter flight training, Night Flight Concepts (NFC), the leading provider of comprehensive night vision solutions, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, the world’s oldest and most prestigious aeronautical university and Dodge City Community College (DC3) are pleased to announce new training alliance to bring collegiate level NVG programs to the southwest.... Read more
27-Feb-2013Source: US Forest Service
The United States Forest Service announced Thursday it would contract a full-time night-flying firefighting helicopter beginning next year. The helicopter will be used for dropping water and flame-retardant on fires. The Forest Service plans to use the helicopter in the future to also include emergency medical transport and aerial management of controlled burns and wildfires... Read more
25-Feb-2013Source: Advanced Helicopter Services
Northern California helicopter maintenance and completions provider, Advanced Helicopter Services (AHS) will for the first time this year be an exhibiter at the upcoming Helicopter Association International (HAI) Heli-Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada. The world-wide helicopter showcase will run from 4-7 MAR 2013 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Based at the Watts-Woodland Airport in... Read more
22-Feb-2013Source: Wired
Alameda County, just east of San Francisco, is closing in on becoming one of dozens of local law enforcement agencies nationwide to deploy the unmanned crafts. (see full story)... Read more
21-Feb-2013Source: LA Times
The pilot of a helicopter that crashed in Acton this month had his pilot privileges suspended twice in the last decade, according to FAA records (see full story). Details on the accident referred to can be found at 10-Feb-13 N59518 Bell 206B Acton, US-California (3F)... Read more
20-Feb-2013Source: Rebtech
REBTECH, one the first civil and military aviation night vision lighting providers in the world has announced the initial night vision compatible conversion of an AS350B3 owned and operated by longtime helicopter training provider, HeliStream. Based in Costa Mesa, California at the John Wayne airport, HeliStream has been offering comprehensive flight training, FAR Part 133,... Read more
16-Feb-2013
Helicopter was powered-up but still on the ground, when the engineer reached in through the open door and hit a lever, causing it to take off to a few feet altitude and then crash onto its side away from the engineer. A second person was present, but it is unclear from the press report whether they... Read more
11-Feb-2013Source: PHPA
Topic: Jam Packed Helicopter SAFETY Workshop with National & Local Safety Items Addressed. (Held at Robinson Helo Facility) On Saturday, February 23, 2013 at 8:00 AM Location: Robinson Helicopter Company, 2901 Airport Dr., Torrance, CA 90505 Select Number: WP0548604 Description: HAI (Helicopter Association International), So Cal PHPA (Professional Helicopter Pilots Association), and FAAST (FAA Safety Team) invite you to a day... Read more
10-Feb-2013
Three killed when a JetRanger went down at 3.42am on a reality TV shoot on a remote ranch. Helicopter had been supplied via Crossbow Helicopters, who act as brokers between film companies and helicopter operators. Photos posted of this 206 on Orbic Air’s website (example) in the last few weeks indicate that it carried their... Read more
10-Feb-2013
Helicopter destroyed per FAA data... Read more
5-Feb-2013Source: Congressman Schiff
Today, Congressman Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) introduced legislation today that would require the Federal Aviation Administration to provide Los Angeles County residents relief from the noise and safety concerns caused by low-flying helicopters above residential neighborhoods. The Los Angeles Residential Helicopter Noise Relief Act would establish regulations... Read more
28-Jan-2013Source: Lompoc Record
Central Coast residents had the opportunity Friday night to check out two new air ambulances that recently started serving the area and have the capability to whisk them to safety in an emergency (see full story)... Read more
20-Jan-2013Source: Victorville Daily Press
Desert Valley, owned by Prime Healthcare Services, is ready to build the $150,000 helipad as soon as the City of Victorville approves the plan (see full story)... Read more
15-Jan-2013Source: US Coast Guard
Coast Guard Air Station Los Angeles personnel will be completing Their annual standardization flight crew checks from Jan. 28th through Feb. 7 th . Residents living near the Torrance Airport can expect to see and hear the air station’s MH-65 Dolphin helicopters more Frequently During That Time period. In an effort to reduce the frequency of flights near... Read more
9-Jan-2013Source: Wines & Vines
Professors at the University of California, Davis, recently demonstrated an unmanned helicopter that could have numerous vineyard uses including spraying liquid and granular pesticides, seeding cover crops and sensing and implementing precision agriculture. (see full story)... Read more
8-Jan-2013
Helicopter on agricultural ops crashed near HWY 41 and Harlan Ave. near the Fresno Co and Kings Co border... Read more
7-Jan-2013Source: CHC
Accident/Incident Response Preparedness March 21-23 (2.5 days) Course Description: This course is designed for individuals who are involved in either preparing for an accident or responding to one as a representative of their organization. It is based on the premise that accidents are relatively rare events and organizations may have little experience in dealing with them. ... Read more
7-Jan-2013Source: HeliHub.com
Specialist Aviation Services have imported a pair of MD Explorers from California, which have been purchased from EMS operator CALSTAR. The two have been registered as G-HMDX and G-KSSA and are serials 900-00121 (previously N902RN) and 900-00123 (previously N902CS) respectively. G-HMDX is for Magpas Helimedix, a more recent addition to the UK EMS scene. Magpas... Read more
7-Jan-2013Source: Becker Avionics
Becker Avionics announced today that Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in California, selected the Becker DVCS6100 digital airborne audio control panel system to upgrade their four Eurocopter AS350 multi-mission helicopters and single Cessna 182P surveillance fixed wing platform. During the next few months the Riverside Air Unit aircraft will undergo avionics upgrades, to include Becker’s Digital... Read more
4-Jan-2013
Helispot 120 in Diamond Bar is located just above Pantera Park, next to the water tanks off of Eastgate Drive, and has been undergoing a series of maintenance improvements (see full story)... Read more
3-Jan-2013Source: Contra Costa Times
As part of the city’s ongoing measures to address budget difficulties, officials have negotiated a new contract for their Air Ambulance program. (see full story)... Read more
3-Jan-2013Source: HeliHub.com
Wednesday 2nd January saw a bad start to 2013 with no fewer than four helicopter accidents in the US already recorded on the HeliHub.com accident pages. Two of these were EMS helicopters, a Med-Trans Bell 407 in Iowa and an Air Methods EC130 in Oklahoma. The former occurred after night fall and took the lives... Read more
3-Jan-2013
Hit powerlines (note, reg assumed correct but FAA accident report states it is a 47J whereas register and MSN suggest G5A)... Read more
2-Jan-2013
Helicopter was one of a pair on low level frost control flight over a vineyard. Weather reported as foggy. Pilot named as Karen L. Johnson, age 62... Read more
17-Dec-2012
Star Helicopters, one of the leading helicopter tour operators in Los Angeles, is proud to begin operating charter and air taxi helicopter rides with an FAA Part 135 certification. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires that all aircraft operators carrying passengers for hire in point-to-point helicopter rides or charters and commuter flights must carry this... Read more
12-Dec-2012
Commissioned into service Monday at Santa Ynez Airport, state-of-the-art Copter 3 is able to provide law enforcement functions as well as aerial firefighting, search and rescue, air ambulance service, and the transport of Special Enforcement Team (SET) members. (see full story) File photo... Read more
12-Dec-2012
Heavy landing, all 4 POB hospitalized, post crash fire, live ammunition on board... Read more
11-Dec-2012Source: Los Angeles Helicopters
Los Angeles Helicopters, LLC (LAH), a leading helicopter flight training operator, is pleased to announce that they have been awarded a GSA Schedule 874 contract (GS-02F-004AA) and are now certified to provide goods and services to the Federal Government. Federal agencies establish Government-wide contracts to simplify the procurement process. Through the General Services Administration (GSA) Schedules... Read more
10-Dec-2012Source: LA Times
John D. Silva was the chief engineer for KTLA-TV in 1958 when he outfitted a helicopter with a TV camera and changed television news coverage forever. (see full story)... Read more
7-Dec-2012Source: HAI
On Dec. 5, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) announced plans to take up legislation to regulate low-flying helicopters above residential neighborhoods in Los Angeles, California, saying voluntary controls for “persistent fly-overs” were insufficient. The announcement comes amid longstanding complaints from residents regarding low-flying police and news helicopters. Schiff said he would take up stalled legislation introduced... Read more
7-Dec-2012
Substantial damage after unsecured item from cabin struck aircraft... Read more
6-Dec-2012Source: REACH
This is the press release confirming the story HeliHub.com ran FIVE WEEKS ago! – see California’s REACH sold to AMGH REACH Medical Holdings LLC, parent company of REACH Air Medical Services with headquarters in Santa Rosa, has been wholly acquired by Air Medical Group Holdings, Inc. (AMGH). As of December 5, 2012 REACH joins a... Read more
25-Nov-2012
Helicopter exploded after striking fuel bay canopy. Sole occupant pilot was killed. Occurred at 11.08pm local time. The casualty was later named as owner James Belcher... Read more
19-Nov-2012Source: Becker Avionics
Becker Avionics is pleased to announce the selection of its new airborne BD406 Beacon Decoder by Sequoia Helicopters for their MD 530F Helicopter. Sequoia Helicopters, located in El Dorado County, CA volunteers its MD 530F Helicopter for use in conjunction with the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Department Aero Squadron, under the command of Sheriff John... Read more
19-Nov-2012
Post flight inspection revealed damage following bird strike... Read more
18-Nov-2012Source: HeliHub.com
A pair of law enforcement Bell OH-58s came into contact with each other on Saturday, just as one was in the process of landing and the other taking off. Pasadena Police are now two helicopters down, but still have four others immediately available according to a local television interview. Both helicopters ended up on their... Read more
17-Nov-2012
Low level collision between one helicopter landing and the other taking off from the adjacent pad. N911FA ended up on its skids, main blades missing and damage to rear cabin area after apparently being hit by main blades of N98BM. Boom of N911FA still attached (just) but fallen to ground at tail. Six to hospital,... Read more
17-Nov-2012
Low level collision between one helicopter landing and the other taking off from the adjacent pad. N98BM ended up on its skids, main blades missing and damage to front cabin area after apparently being hit by main blades of N911FA. Six to hospital, two in each helicopter plus two on the ground. On Monday 19th,... Read more
11-Nov-2012
Out of control fixed wing veered off runway and struck parked/unattended helicopter... Read more
31-Oct-2012Source: San Bernardino Sun
Two forces – one with a Robinson R44 (and expanding to R66) and one with a Cessna fixed-wing – to merge aviation operations (see full story)... Read more
30-Oct-2012Source: HeliHub.com
Word is reaching the HeliHub.com office that Air Medical Group Holdings have bought REACH Mediplane in California. Air Medical Group Holdings refers to itself as “the largest independent provider of air medical services in the world”, operating through subsidiaries Air Evac Lifeteam, Med-Trans and EagleMed We are expecting a formal press release today, or possibly... Read more
29-Oct-2012
Blade delamination caused unusual vibration levels which prompted crew to investigate and then change aircraft before they took off... Read more
24-Oct-2012Source: Hillsboro Aviation
Hillsboro Aviation was named to Victory Media’s coveted Military Friendly Schools® list. The 2013 Military Friendly Schools list honors the top 15 percent of colleges, universities and trade schools in the country that are doing the most to embrace America’s military service members, veterans and spouses as students and ensure their success on campus. “Inclusion on... Read more
19-Oct-2012Source: United Rotorcraft
United Rotorcraft announces it was awarded the contract by Enloe Medical Center of Chico, Calif., to complete the medical center’s new Eurocopter EC130 T2 aircraft. The contract includes the manufacture and integration of a new Federal Aviation Administration (STC’d) approved medical EMS interior and avionics suite. The aircraft is slated to be delivered during the... Read more
18-Oct-2012Source: Night Flight Concepts
Night Flight Concepts, the leading provider of night vision solutions, is pleased to announce it has completed delivery of a comprehensive night vision goggle training solution for SkyLife Air Ambulance. The new training enhances operational readiness for SkyLife to perform safe, efficient critical care transport services at night. “Although we are committed to excellence in... Read more
15-Oct-2012Source: KMPH-KFRE
The patients and staff at Children’s Hospital Central California on Thursday welcomed a new addition — a new “Air George” helicopter. (see full story)... Read more
12-Oct-2012Source: KEYT
Santa Barbara County Supervisor Janet Wolf is standing by the newly combined Aviation Unit despite some critics who say crews from the fire and sheriff’s department’s are not working well together. (see full story)... Read more
12-Oct-2012Source: KABC
A 20-year-old man has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for firing a gun at a Los Angeles Police Department helicopter while it was in flight. He was 18 at the time of the incident (see full story) File Photo... Read more
7-Oct-2012Source: Erickson Air-Crane
Erickson Air-Crane, a leading operator and the manufacturer of the powerful heavy-lift helicopter, the Erickson S-64 Aircrane, today announced its purchase of the Sun Bird Aircraft (“Sun Bird”) and associated spare parts inventory and accessories from San Diego Gas & Electric Company (“SDG&E”). The Sun Bird is an Erickson model S-64F Aircrane that was originally... Read more
7-Oct-2012Source: EasyReader
Torrance-based Robinson Helicopter Co. donated $15,000 each to Palos Verdes and Torrance school districts. In PV the funds went toward building fabrication labs at each of three area middle schools. (see full story)... Read more
5-Oct-2012Source: The Beach Report
Federal legislation aimed at reducing helicopter noise over residential neighborhoods in Los Angeles has been unanimously backed by the Redondo Beach City Council. The Los Angles Residential Helicopter Noise Relief Act was introduced on July 28, 2011, by Rep. Howard Berman, D-Van Nuys (see full story)... Read more
