21-Jan-2025Source: HeliHub.com
The newly inaugurated 47th President of the US (“POTUS”) has signed an Executive Order to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America. The relevant text follows:- Sec. 4. Gulf of America. (a) The area formerly known as the Gulf of Mexico has long been an integral asset to our once burgeoning Nation... Read more
21-Dec-2021Source: Bristow
Through the ongoing pandemic and an exceptionally active hurricane season, Bristow’s Gulf of Mexico search and rescue (SAR) team has remained at the ready to assist customers in the Gulf of Mexico. The team reached 1,000 missions for the year on November 8, 2021. Operations for 2021 far exceed pre-pandemic missions. In 2018, they flew... Read more
8-Jun-2021Source: US Dept Interior
The Department of the Interior today announced its intent to assess potential opportunities to advance clean energy development on the Gulf of Mexico Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). This significant milestone is part of the Biden-Harris administration’s goal to create thousands of jobs through the deployment of 30 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind by 2030. “The Interior... Read more
15-Feb-2021Source: Airbus
International energy group Shell has selected leading US offshore helicopter operator PHI to operate four Airbus H160s to service a support contract in the Gulf of Mexico. The contract marks the entry into the oil and gas market of the H160 with a wealth of design features promising new levels of safety, comfort and schedule... Read more
6-Aug-2020Source: OPEIU
More than 150 helicopter pilots and mechanics represented by the Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) Locals 107 and 407 at Bristow Helicopters are shocked by the company’s unilateral decision, announced Wednesday afternoon, to close two Louisiana facilities in both New Iberia and Galliano, resulting in the loss of more than 350 good-paying, family-sustaining jobs. In June, Bristow completed a... Read more
3-Jul-2019Source: Leonardo
Leonardo announced that its new Gulf of Mexico Helicopter Support Center has now achieved full operational capability. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) authorized the Company’s new Part 145 Gulf of Mexico Support Center, allowing the 21,000 square foot facility in Broussard, Louisiana to provide full helicopter blade repair, spare parts, and technical support to customers across the... Read more
4-Feb-2019Source: Leonardo
Leonardo announced that its comprehensive new Gulf of Mexico Support Center in Broussard, Louisiana is open. The 21,000 square foot facility provides blade repair, spare parts and technical support. Construction began in June 2017 on two acres near Highway 90. To celebrate the opening, Leonardo hosted customers and local government for a ribbon cutting ceremony.... Read more
9-Jul-2018Source: Bristow Group
Bristow Group Inc. today celebrated the grand opening of its new passenger terminal in Galliano, Louisiana. The new terminal, located at Bristow’s largest base in the Gulf of Mexico, will allow Bristow to respond to client demand while providing passengers a safe secure best-in-class facility. Bristow’s new Galliano terminal features five self-service check-in kiosks (with... Read more
20-Nov-2017Source: HeliHub.com
In the recent Q3 earnings call with financial analysts, Era Helicopters President and CEO Chris Bradshaw provided the following commentary as part of his introduction:- “The next topic is an update on the status of H225 and AS332 L2 model helicopters following the fatal accidents off the coast of Norway in April 2016, and resultant... Read more
5-Nov-2017
Bird strike en route to offshore rig... Read more
18-Aug-2017Source: DVIDS
As a pilot stands in a forest, seemingly devoid of human life, he is watched – by friend and foe. The quiet serenity of the woodlands erupts with the whirling of helicopter blades and the incoming of simulated opposing forces, his rescue or his demise still uncertain. Through a partnership between Moody and Tyndall Air... Read more
10-May-2017Source: Bristow
Bristow U.S. LLC today announced that it has been awarded a contract with Shell Offshore, Inc., a subsidiary of Royal Dutch Shell (Shell), for medevac and search and rescue (SAR) services in the Gulf of Mexico. We are drawing on our years of experience of safely and efficiently operating SAR around the world to deliver... Read more
2-May-2017
On May 2, 2017, about 0635 central daylight time, a Bell 407 made a precautionary landing at Grand Bay receiving station in the Gulf of Mexico, near Boothville, Louisiana, after the pilot noticed a vibration in-flight. VMC prevailed at the time of the accident.The non-scheduled domestic passenger flight was being conducted under the provisions of... Read more
22-Mar-2017Source: Bristow Group
Bristow U.S. LLC today announced that it has been awarded a contract with Shell Offshore, Inc., a subsidiary of Royal Dutch Shell (Shell), for medevac and search and rescue (SAR) services in the Gulf of Mexico. “We are drawing on our years of experience of safely and efficiently operating SAR around the world to deliver... Read more
4-Nov-2016Source: HeliOffshore
On October 25, 2016, we hosted two ‘All Member’ conference calls to update members around the world about the association’s progress. Speakers included our CEO, Gretchen Haskins, and topics included the reciprocal membership between HeliOffshore and IOGP, a progress update from Leonardo Helicopters on the AW139 FCOM and the HUMS workstream. Each call also included a... Read more
30-Sep-2016Source: Era Group
Era Group Inc. (NYSE:ERA), one of the largest helicopter operators in the world and the longest serving helicopter transport operator in the U.S., announced today that it has entered into a new contract with the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE), a division of the U.S. Department of the Interior, for an initial term... Read more
13-Sep-2016Source: HeliHub.com
Baker Hughes has issued rig counts as a service to the petroleum industry since 1944, when Hughes Tool Company began weekly counts of U.S. and Canadian drilling activity. Hughes initiated the monthly international rig count in 1975. The North American rig count is released weekly at noon central time on the last day of the... Read more
22-Aug-2016Source: Bristow
On August 15, 2016, an Antonov 124, one of the largest aircraft in the world, arrived at Bristow’s New Iberia base to transport two Sikorsky S-92s to Norway. In preparation of the aircraft movement, Bristow’s maintenance crew in Galliano completed the Bristow Continuous Airworthiness Maintenance Program tasks on one of the S-92s and also ensured... Read more
12-Jul-2016Source: Sikorsky
Sikorsky and Bristow Helicopters today signed a 10-year agreement providing Bristow’s S-92® fleet with extended support for its aftermarket material needs. Sikorsky’s Total Assurance Program provides Bristow continued aftermarket support to operate its S-92 fleet within a known budget, reducing the risk of unplanned costs. The contract was signed in a ceremony at the 2016... Read more
24-May-2016Source: Era Group
Era Group Inc. (NYSE: ERA) (“Era”) is pleased to announce its Search and Rescue (SAR) Program has successfully completed 1,000 missions in the Gulf of Mexico. Collaborating with Priority 1 Air Rescue (“P1AR”), an internationally recognized leader of SAR services, Era pioneered the establishment of its commercial air ambulance and search and rescue offering in... Read more
23-Mar-2016Source: Charles Boustany
Congressman Charles W. Boustany, Jr., MD, (R-Lafayette) sent a letter with his colleagues calling for an official U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) investigation into illegal practices by the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) in the Gulf of Mexico. BSEE has historically entered into contract agreements with helicopter service providers to obtain helicopter fuel... Read more
2-Mar-2016Source: Finmeccanica
The Helicopter Division of Finmeccanica celebrated today with the Era Group, the longest serving helicopter provider in the industry and the largest civil operator of AgustaWestland helicopters, their tremendous operational success and achievement of 100,000 flight hours with their fleet of 40 AW139 helicopters operated across their group. Era operates and leases the aircraft in... Read more
1-Mar-2016Source: Rockwell Collins
Rockwell Collins’ latest solutions for helicopters will be playing a key role in the Gulf of Mexico as Era Group Inc., a leading helicopter transport operator based in the United States, has taken delivery of its first two Finmecannica AW189 heavy helicopters. “We congratulate Era – the first operator of the AW189 in the Americas... Read more
25-Jan-2016Source: HAI
The Helicopter Safety Advisory Committee (HSAC) is an opportunity for the stakeholders in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) to come together and work on safety issues that affect the Oil and Gas industry. HAI Director of Safety Outreach Stan Rose joined helicopter operators, the energy companies, the regulators and other who operate in and around... Read more
22-Oct-2015Source: Era Group
Era Group Inc. (NYSE: ERA) (“Era”), a leading helicopter transport operator based in the United States, today announced that it has placed into service its first Sikorsky S92 heavy helicopter in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. The first revenue flight occurred today as flight operations commenced under a contract with a large independent oil and gas company.... Read more
29-Jun-2015Source: Sikorsky
Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. announced today that Era Group Inc. continues to expand its S-92® helicopter fleet with acceptance of a second S-92 helicopter baseline delivery. Sikorsky Aircraft is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX). In January 2014, Era signed a multi-year contract with Sikorsky for S-92 helicopters. Sikorsky and Era celebrated the first... Read more
26-Jun-2015Source: Sikorsky
Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. announced today that Era Group Inc. continues to expand its S-92® helicopter fleet with acceptance of a second S-92 helicopter baseline delivery. Sikorsky Aircraft is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX). In January 2014, Era signed a multi-year contract with Sikorsky for S-92 helicopters. Sikorsky and Era celebrated the first... Read more
5-Jun-2015Source: Bristow
Bristow Group Inc. (NYSE: BRS), the leading provider of helicopter services to the offshore energy industry, today announced that the Company will be attending the 35th Annual William Blair Annual Growth Stock Conference to be held in Chicago on June 9 – 11, 2015. Jonathan E. Baliff, President and Chief Executive Officer, is scheduled to... Read more
6-May-2015Source: Era Group
Era Group Inc. (NYSE: ERA) today reported break-even net earnings for its first quarter ended March 31, 2015 (“current quarter”) on operating revenues of $67.4 million. Net income for the quarter ended March 31, 2014 (“prior year quarter”) was $4.4 million, or $0.22 per diluted share, on operating revenues of $79.4 million. Earnings before interest,... Read more
8-Apr-2015Source: The Louisiana Record
Two global maritime enterprises have sued a helicopter company, citing nonpayment of a 2013 rescue operation. See Full Story... Read more
18-Mar-2015Source: Airbus
The H175 has embarked upon a three-month demo-tour in Mexico, the United States and Brazil following its appearance at the Heli-Expo 2015 industry show in Orlando, Florida, earlier this month.... Read more
17-Mar-2015Source: Bell
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT), announced the final delivery of four Bell 412EPs to Heliservicio Campeche to support their oil and gas operations in the Gulf of Mexico. “Heliservicio has been an operator of the Bell 412 for nearly 25 years, so we know it has the superior performance capabilities that fit... Read more
5-Mar-2015Source: The Southeast Texas Record
A woman has sued a Galveston County helicopter transport company in the death of her husband. See Full Story... Read more
4-Mar-2015Source: AgustaWestland
AgustaWestland announced today that PHI’s AW139 fleet has passed a key milestone of 25,000 flight hours. The important result was achieved by a fleet of ten helicopters performing offshore transportation missions in the Gulf of Mexico since 2011, with the PHI AW139 fleet leader aircraft having accrued more than 3,500 flight hours in less than... Read more
13-Feb-2015Source: AgustaWestland
AgustaWestland announced today the approval of the FlightSafety International Learning Centre in Lafayette, Louisiana, USA as an AgustaWestland Authorised Training Centre. FlightSafety International has been providing AW139 Training since May, 2013. Courses for the popular AW139 intermediate helicopter delivered from the Learning Centre benefit from an AW139 Level D qualified Full Flight Simulator which features... Read more
11-Feb-2015Source: Waypoint
Waypoint Leasing (Ireland) Limited (“Waypoint”), the largest independent global helicopter leasing company, today announced that it has closed on a multi-aircraft agreement with RLC, the largest privately held helicopter operator in the Gulf of Mexico. The initial transaction includes the purchase and leaseback of 10 helicopters, including the Bell 407 and Bell 206L4, supporting near-shore... Read more
28-Jan-2015Source: Dailycomet
In spite of the recent downturn in oil prices, officials said service expansions planned for the Houma-Terrebonne Airport should move forward as planned. See Full Story... Read more
15-Jan-2015Source: ERA
Era Group Inc. (NYSE: ERA) today announced that it has secured contracts for three additional medium helicopters in the Gulf of Mexico. The helicopters, which include two Sikorsky S-76s and one AgustaWestland AW139, will be used to support drilling programs and various projects for three of the Company’s oil and gas partners. “Era’s proven ability... Read more
4-Dec-2014Source: LQT
LQT Industries, LLC, a full-service provider of high quality accommodation facilities, design-build construction services, and support services to the oil and gas industry, has provided a newly designed modular helideck to support helicopter refueling operations and an eleven (11) aluminum building package that will accommodate 60 personnel on an oil and gas platform in the... Read more
2-Oct-2014Source: offshore
CHI Aviation has won a five-year contract to provide search and rescue services, and helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) using a Sikorsky S-92 for a major oil and gas producer in the Gulf of Mexico. See Full Story... Read more
19-Sep-2014Source: FAA
Federal Aviation Administration Deputy Administrator Mike Whitaker announced to a group of aviation leaders at the NextGen Institute today that the FAA will hold a “Call to Action” summit to engage the aviation industry in meeting the January 1, 2020 deadline to equip aircraft with new avionics technology. The all-day session will be held on... Read more
14-Aug-2014Source: PHi
PHI, Inc. announced today that the company has achieved the highest level (Level 4) of the Federal Aviation Administration’s voluntary Safety Management System (SMS) pilot program. SMS is rapidly becoming a worldwide standard throughout the aviation industry and is recognized by the Joint Planning and Development Office (JPDO), International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), and Civil... Read more
1-Aug-2014Source: OPITO
With 2.3 million passengers travelling to work on offshore installations by helicopter in the Gulf of Mexico every year, OPITO is making sure every worker has the necessary training to get to work and return home safely every trip. The oil and gas industry’s training standards body has set new and higher standards for Tropical... Read more
13-Jun-2014Source: KPLC
A dive team assisting the U.S. Coast Guard in the search found two bodies Thursday morning near the crash site – See full story See also HeliHub.com page for this accident – 11-Jun-14 N207MY Bell 206L4 Terrebonne Bay, US-Gulf of Mexico (2F)... Read more
11-Jun-2014
Helicopter ditched in Gulf of Mexico. US Coast Guard found two bodies and helicopter appears to have sunk. The two victims were identified as George Leloup, the pilot of the helicopter, and Rory Bourgeois, a technician with BNA Marine Services.... Read more
30-May-2014Source: The Advertiser
Broussard-based Rotorcraft Leasing Co. LLC has laid off about 50 employees, the company confirmed Thursday. See full story... Read more
30-May-2014
Contolled landing close to rig. Floats deployed and helicopter remained upright on floats on calm seas, 6 POB safely evacuated by liferaft... Read more
29-May-2014Source: Arnold & Itkin LLP
The nearly $1.7 million verdict won by Houston civil litigation firm Arnold & Itkin LLP for an offshore worker who was injured in a helicopter accident is being recognized as the top aviation verdict in Texas during 2013, according to the legal reporting service VerdictSearch. Arnold & Itkin attorneys Cory Itkin and Caj Boatright represented... Read more
8-May-2014Source: HAI
Multiple Safety Briefings for all helicopter pilots, and a free lunch! Attention all helicopter pilots! Don’t miss this event featuring the latest information on the safety issues facing the rotorcraft industry. Presented by top industry experts in their field, discussions inlcude accident trends, Next-Gen for helicopters, medical qualifications, and more! May 15, 9:00 am, 1940... Read more
6-May-2014Source: Raytheon
Raytheon Professional Services LLC, (RPS), a subsidiary of Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN), and Petrofac Training Services announced a first-of-its-kind offering under their jointly owned Hi-Con Training program. The new Tropical Helicopter Underwater Escape Training (THUET) course is being launched at the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) in Houston, May 5-8, 2014. Approved by OPITO, an accreditation... Read more
9-Apr-2014Source: Reuters
CHC will enter the GOM market either by applying for an air operator certificate or through an acquisition, CEO William Amelio said in an interview See full story... Read more
27-Feb-2014Source: AgustaWestland
AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce that the new generation medium twin helicopter AW189 will depart for a demo tour among US Oil & Gas operators in the Gulf of Mexico region, from March 4th to the 7th. After been showcased at Heli Expo in Anaheim, California and a few days after the... Read more
26-Feb-2014Source: Amur HFS
Amur Helicopter Financial Services (Amur HFS) is pleased to announce that the company has entered into an agreement to complete a major fleet transaction with Bristow Group Inc. The transaction involves purchasing the entire Bristow fleet of twenty-eight (28) Bell 206-L4 helicopters. As part of completing this transaction, Amur HFS provided short-term operating leases to Bristow... Read more
6-Jan-2014Source: Sikorsky
Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. announced today that it delivered its first fully configured S-76D™ helicopter, the latest in the long and highly successful Sikorsky S-76® commercial aircraft family, to the Bristow Group Inc. in December. Sikorsky is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX). The delivery follows an announcement in March 2013 that Bristow would acquire up to... Read more
12-Nov-2013Source: PHi
-PHI, Inc. (The Nasdaq Global Market: PHII (voting) PHIIK (non-voting)) today reported financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2013. Operating revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2013 were $200.8 million, compared to $170.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012, an increase of $29.9 million. Consolidated net income for... Read more
9-Oct-2013
Helicopter took off from platform Main Pass 107 and crashed straight into the water. Pilot (named here as Patrick Becnel) fatally injured, three passengers (employees of Wood Group) rescued by USCG helicopter – two seriously injured and one uninjured. Popout floats were deployed but helicopter turned over and was suspended under water by the floats... Read more
11-Sep-2013Source: Bristow Group
Bristow Group Inc. (NYSE: BRS), a leading provider of helicopter services to the offshore energy industry, announced today that it has secured several new multi-year oil and gas contracts for the provision of a total of 12 large and three medium helicopters that are expected to generate up to $850 million in revenue. Six of the 12 large... Read more
13-Aug-2013
Ditched near offshore rig – the pilot and two passengers had minor injuries and were airlifted to Thibodaux General Medical Center for treatment. Helicopter destroyed – see photo after recovery onto ship... Read more
24-Jun-2013Source: Houma Today
Following the floods brought by Hurricane Katrina, many oilfield transport companies began relocating their aircraft to areas less prone to flooding – Houma-Terrebonne Airport has benefitted and is now the 4th busiest airport in Louisiana – see full story... Read more
20-Jun-2013Source: AgustaWestland
AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce that Era Group Inc. (“Era”) has signed a contract for ten AW189 helicopters plus options. This contract confirms and increases Era’s commitment to the AW189 following the signing of a preliminary sales contract for five aircraft in July 2012. The aircraft will be used to perform long... Read more
19-Mar-2013
Vertical fin contacted pipe on landing on offshore platform... Read more
12-Mar-2013Source: Eurocopter
Eurocopter and American Eurocopter are bringing a new EC175 helicopter, configured for offshore oil and gas industry transport, to the Houston area for demonstrations on Thursday and Friday, March 14-15. As part of the demonstration tour news media are invited to come see and fly in the EC175 on March 14 at Western Airways, 100... Read more
8-Mar-2013Source: Eurocopter
On the final day of the Heli-Expo air show in Las Vegas, Mexican operator Transportes Aéreos Pegaso, the largest oil and gas transportation provider in the Gulf of Mexico, signed on for two EC155s. Live from the Eurocopter booth, Transportes Aéreos Pegaso CEO Enrique Zepeda and Eurocopter President and CEO Lutz Bertling celebrated the signature,... Read more
8-Mar-2013Source: American Eurocopter
American Eurocopter is pleased to announce that All American Aviation LLC will be the first helicopter operator to provide offshore oil and gas transport service in the Gulf of Mexico using new Eurocopter AS350B3e AStar helicopters. All American has leased two AS350B3e aircraft from Rainier Heli International, an affiliate of Papillon Helicopters, and plans to... Read more
7-Mar-2013Source: Sikorsky
Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. today announced the signing of a contract with ASESA (Aeroservicios Especializados, S.A. de C.V.), a Mexican helicopter service provider, for the purchase of six S-76D™ helicopters to serve the offshore oil transport mission. Sikorsky, a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX), announced the sale at the 2013 Heli-Expo Industry Show. The sale... Read more
5-Mar-2013Source: Bristow Group
Bristow Group Inc., a leading provider of helicopter services to the offshore energy industry, announced today that working with Aviation Design Management, it has been awarded an FAA Supplemental Type Certificate for the installation of a fully rule compliant 1090ES DO-260B ADS-B Out solution for the Sikorsky S-76C+ and S-76C++ helicopters as the required first... Read more
4-Mar-2013Source: SkyCharts
SkyCharts LLC released the first available iOS mobile app of FAA navigational charts for helicopter pilots, SkyCharts Heli. This moving map has current aviation charts, including normal sectional & WAC merged charts, TAC & FLY charts and low en route charts. Users simply double tap anywhere on the maps to bring A/FD and instrument approaches.... Read more
2-Mar-2013Source: ASU
ASU has completed their second night vision modification for a ASU aircraft owned and operated by PHI, Inc, headquartered in Lafayette, LA. The aircraft is a new aircraft that has been specifically designed to serve the oil and gas industry offshore. The aircraft is equipped with cardiac monitors with 12-lead EKG capability, transport ventilators and intravenous... Read more
3-Feb-2013Source: Transwest Helicopters
Transwest Helicopters Ltd, who in October 2011 relocated from the Chilliwack Airport in Southwest British Columbia to the Oliver Airport in the Southern Interior, is pleased to announce that the company has won a contract to overhaul two Bell 412 helicopters at its brand new hangar facility in Oliver British Columbia Canada this winter. These... Read more
18-Dec-2012Source: Blue Sky Network
Blue Sky Network, a leading, global provider of satellite tracking and communication solutions for aviation, land, and marine, announced today that its fleet management portal, New SkyRouter, has been selected by RLC, the largest privately-held helicopter operator in the Gulf of Mexico. New SkyRouter is a feature rich, cloud-based solution designed to enable constant connectivity with remotely dispersed mobile assets.... Read more
13-Nov-2012Source: IEA
The global energy map is changing in dramatic fashion, the International Energy Agency said as it launched the 2012 edition of the World Energy Outlook (WEO). The Agency’s flagship publication, released today in London, said these changes will recast expectations about the role of different countries, regions and fuels in the global energy system over the coming decades. “North... Read more
8-Nov-2012Source: HeliHub.com
In an extract from the Q2 results notice, Bristow announced the following when commenting on the current EC225 situation:- “In order to minimize or eliminate the impact on our clients, we have increased utilization of other in-region aircraft and have implemented contingency plans designed to mobilize additional available aircraft, including entering into an agreement on... Read more
5-Oct-2012
From a Bristow press release:- A Bristow Bell 407 operating near Intracoastal City, Louisiana was involved in a fatal accident at approximately 8:00 a.m. CDT . Local press reported poor visibility. The pilot was the only person onboard – later named as Carl Amos, from Corpus Christi, Texas... Read more
20-Aug-2012Source: FreeFlight Systems
FreeFlight Systems announced today that Bristow Group Inc. (NYSE: BRS), a leading provider of helicopter services to the offshore energy industry, has selected FreeFlight Systems RANGR FDL-978TX ADS-B Out solution for its AW139 helicopters serving Bristow’s customers in the Gulf of Mexico. The FreeFlight Systems RANGR FDL-978TX system for the AW139 is the first certified,... Read more
16-Aug-2012Source: RLC
RLC, the largest privately held helicopter operator in the Gulf of Mexico, has earned the Helicopter Association International (HAI) 2011 Operator Safety Award. The 2011 award marks the second year in a row RLC has been recognized by HAI for operator safety. The new award honors a total of over 115,000 accident-free flight hours over... Read more