Helicopter Association International

2013 AAMS Safety Management Training Academy

News Staff — Tue, 14 May 2013 19:25:00 GMT

The AAMS Safety Management Training Academy, June 9-13 at the Omni Dallas Hotel at Park West, Dallas, Texas, is a robust training program on safety management for the air medical and critical care community.

NTSB Issues PED Safety Guidelines

News Staff — Fri, 10 May 2013 16:12:00 GMT

Rotor & Wing - The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board has published a total of nine new recommendations following the investigation of an August 2011 Eurocopter AS350 B2 crash in Mosby, Mo. Four people died in the accident. NTSB determined that four factors contributed to the crash — training; fatigue; pilot being distracted, including sending personal text messages; taking off with less fuel than needed.

United for Safety: 1st Annual Joint Safety Summit

News Staff — Mon, 06 May 2013 21:11:00 GMT

Take part in the 1st annual Care Flight mulit-state safety summit, promoting safe and effective air medical and rescue operations in California and Nevada, with a focus on just culture and air medical resource management.

Airline Safety System Comes to Helicopter Sector

News Staff — Fri, 03 May 2013 21:22:00 GMT

AINonline - The FAA is planning to expand a new safety data collection and analysis system beyond scheduled air carriers to all elements of the aviation community, including helicopters.

Feds Issue Helmet Safety Guideline Reminder

News Staff — Wed, 01 May 2013 18:40:00 GMT

With the fire season approaching and interagency aviation operations gearing up, the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) this week issued an accident prevention bulletin reminding helicopter flight crews to ensure their helmets meet interagency guidelines and, more importantly, offer adequate protection.

Anchorage Helicopter Pilot Workshop

News Staff — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 17:10:00 GMT

On Thursday, May 2, 2013, join HAI, the FAASTeam, and a diverse panel of industry experts as they discuss regional issues affecting helicopter pilots, accident trends, personal risk assessment, safety initiatives, and more.

Helicopter Safety Requires Fresh Outreach

News Staff — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 18:58:00 GMT

AIN - For 2012, the International Helicopter Safety Team (IHST) reported 148 rotorcraft accidents in the U.S. The 39 fatalities from those events were spread among three of the most consistently difficult sectors of helicopter operations to monitor: personal/private; instructional/training flights; and aerial application.

Anchorage Helicopter Pilot Workshop

News Staff — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 19:54:00 GMT

On May 2, 2013, join HAI, the FAASTeam, and a diverse panel of industry experts in Anchorage, Alaska, as they discuss regional issues affecting helicopter pilots, accident trends, personal risk assessment, safety initiatives, and more.

Take Your iPad Flying: Safety, Policies, and Procedures

News Staff — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 18:31:00 GMT

iPads, GPS, and their smart phone cousins have become a familiar part of our daily lives including airplane and helicopter cockpits. Much can be said for the advantages that these devices can bring to our operations. Technically, they can replace our paper charts, display weather, file flight plans, and provide real time GPS data and more. Unfortunately, the addition of these new devices can present a steep learning curve and should be approached carefully in order to prevent it from becoming a fatal distraction rather than an asset.

Australia to Ground R44s that Lack Tank Upgrade

News Staff — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 20:09:00 GMT

Flightglobal - Australia's safety watchdog has warned that Robinson R44 helicopters that do not receive a fuel tank upgrade will be grounded from 30 April.

Risk Management in Training for Helicopter Pilots and Instructors

News Staff — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 13:41:00 GMT

The European helicopter Safety Team published on March 22nd their latest Safety Leaflet "HE5 - Risk Management in Training for Helicopter Pilots and Instructors."

GWBAA 2013 Safety Standdown

News Staff — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 18:55:00 GMT

The Greater Washington Business Aviation Association is pleased to announce that its 7th annual safety standdown will be held on Thursday, May 16, at the NTSB Training Center in Ashburn, Virginia.

Helicopter Manuals 'Need Amending'

News Staff — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 21:00:00 GMT

pressassociation.com - Air accident investigators have urged helicopter manufacturers to amend flight manuals to include details of features that could hamper any crash locator system. The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) made the recommendation following an inquiry into two helicopter ditchings in the North Sea less than six months apart.

Helicopter Forced to Make Precautionary Landing

News Staff — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 16:54:00 GMT

news.stv.tv - A North Sea helicopter was shutdown on a Shell oil platform after an alarm in the cockpit was activated.

Urgent Winter Helicopter Operations Bulletin

News Staff — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 15:17:51 GMT

As a continued emphasis on rotorcraft and icing conditions, the FAA has issued a Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin alerting owners and operators of turboshaft-powered rotorcraft of the possibility of inflight engine loss of power due to the ingestion of ice and/or snow.

Change in Rating: Repair Stations that Maintain NVGs

News Staff — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 20:59:26 GMT

The FAA has issued a change in rating for repair stations that maintain night vision goggles. This notice explains to airworthiness aviation safety inspectors a different rating.

SAFO 13002, Manual Flight Operations

News Staff — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 19:10:51 GMT

A recent analysis of flight operations data identified an increase in manual handling errors. The Federal Aviation Administration believes maintaining and improving the knowledge and skills for manual flight operations is necessary for safe flight operations.

ATSAP Briefing Sheet to Pilots

News Staff — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 14:11:46 GMT

ATC is sharing a Briefing Sheet, normally issued only to airline pilots, to General Aviation pilots as well. ATC wishes that pilots are aware of the problems caused by not reading back their call sign.

SAIB: Robinson Tank Bladder

News Staff — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 17:20:40 GMT

A new Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin alerts owners and operators of the availability of a fuel tank bladder retrofit program for enhanced safety on Robinson Model R44 and R44 II helicopters.

SAIB: Aspen Avionics Multifunction Displays

News Staff — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 22:21:42 GMT

A new Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin advises owners and operators of Aspen Avionics EFD1000 and EFD500 Multifunction Displays of an unintentional reset occurring in certain display modes when there are a large number of Temporary Flight Restrictions.

Night vision Goggles Show New World to Helicopter Pilots

News Staff — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 20:25:49 GMT

Kansas City, Mo. (The Kansas City Star) - Kansas City police helicopter pilots had gotten used to flying blind at night. But when they started training this month with night vision goggles, a whole new world emerged.

Helicopter Safety Advisory Conference October Meeting

News Staff — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 15:29:48 GMT

The next meeting of the Helicopter Safety Advisory Conference will be held Oct. 3-4, 2012, in Houston, Texas.

PFDs: Helicopter Water Bucket & Snorkel Operations

News Staff — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 18:33:29 GMT

Recent contract compliance audits and ASTAT visits revealed that Personal Floatation Devices are not being worn during operations that would require an approved flotation device.

Robinson Pilot Safety Training: Essential for Reducing Risks

News Staff — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 14:57:45 GMT

Rotor & Wing safety columnist visits Robinson plant for a first-hand look at the facilities in Torrance, Calif.

Clearance from Obstacles During External Load Operations

News Staff — Thu, 06 Sep 2012 16:38:02 GMT

During the last two seasons there have been several rotor blade strikes involving longline or water delivery operations. Consistent with each of these blade strikes was the presence of trees, snags, brush, or other obstacles within the safety circle of the aircraft.

Aviation Fuel Contamination

News Staff — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 21:09:48 GMT

In June of this year, an engine failed as the pilot was taxiing a float configured aircraft for takeoff. Unable to restart the engine, the pilot sumped one wing drain and found the sump cup to be full of water.

Decision Making for Single-Pilot Helicopter Operations

News Staff — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 15:54:46 GMT

The European Helicopter Safety Implementation Team, a component of the European Helicopter Safety Team, has developed a new leaflet on rotorcraft decision making.

Aerial Supervision: Wildland Fire Aviation Operations

News Staff — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 15:25:14 GMT

Several areas are experiencing significant fire activity requiring multiple types of aircraft within confined Fire Traffic Areas. As a result, many challenges face proper aerial supervision during initial and extended attack incidents.

Safety Alert: Aviation Radio Frequencies

News Staff — Fri, 17 Aug 2012 20:25:42 GMT

The demand for aviation radio frequencies is exceeding the available supply in various geographic areas. The NIFC National Interagency Incident Communications Division, Communications Duty Officer is often unable to fill some requests due to the limited availability of frequencies within a specific area.

2nd Annual LifeFlight Eagle Safety Symposium

News Staff — Fri, 17 Aug 2012 15:22:08 GMT

LifeFlight Eagle will host a free two-day symposium from Sept. 19-20 covering a range of relevant topics for pilots, medical crew members, communication center employees, as well as management team members.

Osprey Flights over Japan to be Minimized

News Staff — Fri, 17 Aug 2012 13:00:30 GMT

MSNBC - The U.S. Marine Corps' top uniformed officer plans to curb MV-22 Osprey transport flights over heavily populated parts of Japan in deference to local concerns over the hybrid aircraft's safety.

Seeing Beneath the Surface: NDT for Helicopters

News Staff — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 13:29:34 GMT

Rotor & Wing - Nondestructive testing (NDT) of helicopters via ultrasonics is an essential facet of any maintenance and manufacturing program. NDT is a cost-effective way to quality check rotorcraft components and structures for defects, thickness, cracks, flaws and other problems without tearing apart your helicopter to access them.

ASRS Reports Sought for Safety Studies

News Staff — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 20:12:51 GMT

AOPA - NASA has asked general aviation pilots to participate in two special studies (the Meteorological and Aeronautical Information Services Data Link and Applications Study, and the Wake Vortex Encounter Study) it is conducting with the FAA based on data collected through the Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS).

Keep Cloud Height and Visibility Sensor Lenses Clean!

News Staff — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 14:17:13 GMT

Automated Weather Observation Station equipment installed under the FAA's Automatic Dependent Surveillance—Broadcast (ADS-B) program consists of a number of major system components. Ceilometer and visibility sensors require periodic cleaning of the glass lenses.

Bell Helicopter: Passenger Door "Push Out" Window

News Staff — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 13:15:26 GMT

The FAA has issued a Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin to inform owners and operators of Bell Helicopter Model 205A-1, 205B, 212, 412/EP, 412CF and all restricted category UH-1B, UH-1H helicopters of the potential risk of the in-flight loss of an emergency "push out" window from the passenger doors.

SAFO 12003, SOP for 14 CFR Part 135 and Part 91K

News Staff — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 20:19:46 GMT

SAFO 12003, Standard Operating Procedures for Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 Certificate Holders and Part 91K Program Managers, is now published.

Lights Help Prevent Birdstrikes

News Staff — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 13:38:34 GMT

AVweb - Aircraft lights make it easier for birds to see and avoid aircraft, possibly helping to reduce the risk of bird strikes, according to a report recently published in the Journal of Applied Ecology.

Arizona Copter Crash: Downed Cable Line Found

News Staff — Thu, 05 Jul 2012 17:12:45 GMT

The Republic - Federal investigators found a downed cable line at the scene of a helicopter crash in the Verde River that killed all four people aboard.

Fatigue in Aviation Operations

News Staff — Thu, 05 Jul 2012 15:34:21 GMT

Indications from SAFECOM submissions, and interviews with pilots and air operations personnel have surfaced concerns regarding fatigue which requires risk management. During times of increased operational tem-po, it is important for everyone to keep in mind how fatigue can affect personal performance.

IHST Offering 11 “Toolkits” to Curtail Helicopter Accidents

News Staff — Mon, 02 Jul 2012 14:41:01 GMT

The International Helicopter Safety Team (IHST), a worldwide organization leading a multi-year effort to reduce the civil helicopter accident rate, has increased its library of safety tools, with 11 documents now available to operators, pilots, instructors, and mechanics.

Safety Concerns Regarding Firefighting Heliwells

News Staff — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 21:38:13 GMT

With the wildfire season in full swing, the U.S. Department of the Interior and the U.S. Forest Service have issued an Interagency Aviation Technical Bulletin regarding the use of heliwells to refill helicopters being used for aerial firefighting. The technical bulletin deals with the hazard of snorkels used in the refilling operation snagging on the portable sites.

Limitations of In-Cockpit Weather Radar Displays

News Staff — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 20:16:13 GMT

The NTSB has issued a safety alert warning pilots using in-cockpit FIS-B and Satellite Weather display systems that the NEXRAD "age indicator" can be misleading.

Helicopter Cargo Hauling Equipment

News Staff — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 13:47:24 GMT

Some helicopter cargo hauling equipment may fail to meet strength standards, compromising safety. During an external cargo operation, an empty net and swivel dislodged during flight, resulting in an uncommanded dropped load.

Vibrations from Rooftop Helipads

News Staff — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 16:39:34 GMT

Healthcare Building Ideas - In buildings with rooftop heliports, there is a possibility that vibrations induced by helicopters could affect sensitive equipment on the uppermost floors of the building. If one wants to predict the helicopter-induced vibrations to evaluate potential disturbance, then the dynamic forces exerted by the helicopter’s downwash need to be known.

Lithium Batteries: Thermal Runaway

News Staff — Tue, 05 Jun 2012 19:57:00 GMT

Lithium batteries fall under hazardous materials regulations due to their potential to overheat and ignite in certain conditions, and the difficulty to extinguish fire.

Bourdon Snap Hooks Model 1210 BE

News Staff — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 17:44:40 GMT

Beginning in March of 2012, the USDA Forest Service Helicopter Rappel Program initi-ated a global replacement of its inventory of Bourdon 1210 BH locking snap hooks with a new model of snap hook, the Bourdon 1210 BE.

Wind Effects on Idling Rotorcraft

News Staff — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 20:24:11 GMT

In September, 2011 a Eurocopter AS-350BA sustained substantial damage after winds caused the aircraft to lift up and roll over on a ridgeline despite the engine operating at idle RPM.