Helicopter Association International

Airworthy Autogas for General Aviation?

News Staff — Thu, 23 May 2013 15:54:00 GMT

AVweb - An Arizona-based company plans this year to produce and distribute a 93-octane premium unleaded, ethanol-free fuel as an avgas alternative for aircraft that do not require 100LL.

Korea Unveils First Indigenous Utility Helicopter

News Staff — Thu, 23 May 2013 15:50:00 GMT

english.chosun.com - Korea's first indigenous utility helicopter, the KUH-1, was finally unveiled to the public on May 22 at a ceremony held with President Park Geun-hye and other high-ranking officials in attendance, showing the results of a six-year project.

Helicopters Bring Viewers Vivid Images of Tornado

News Staff — Wed, 22 May 2013 14:11:00 GMT

(New York Times) - As noted in an article on the New York Times website, news helicopters' ability to show the enormity of the damage immediately after Monday's tornado in Moore, Okla., "contributed to a collective sense of shock in the country."

Helicopter Drones Taking Aim at Rhino Poachers

News Staff — Tue, 21 May 2013 14:39:00 GMT

(The Times - Johannesburg, South Africa) A Port Alfred family has splashed out millions on hi-tech helicopter drones to try to save the African rhino from poachers. What started out as a fun idea by businessman Anton Kieser to attach a digital camera to his remote-controlled helicopter has turned into a R3-million investment with brother Leon and father Kees.

Helicopters Bring Water to the Driest Parts of the World

News Staff — Mon, 20 May 2013 21:09:00 GMT

co.exist - Millions of people lack access to safe water, and some don't have water at all. When wells and lakes dry up, or natural disaster strikes, they are forced to rely on truck deliveries, or air-drops.

Signature Restarts Gatwick "Helicopter Aiming Point"

News Staff — Mon, 20 May 2013 20:45:00 GMT

AINonline - Signature Flight Support is again handling all helicopter traffic in and out of London's Gatwick Airport after the helicopter aiming point re-opened earlier this month.

CQHI Sells Nine Helicopters

News Staff — Mon, 20 May 2013 19:55:00 GMT

Chongqing, China (CQNEWS) - Chongqing Helicopter Investment Co., Ltd signed nine agreements on the China International Investment and Global Sourcing Fair on May 16, 2013 and successfully sold nine helicopters "made in Chongqing."

British International Helicopter Services Snapped Up

News Staff — Tue, 14 May 2013 21:14:00 GMT

insidermedia.com - British International Helicopter Services in Dorset has been bought by Patriot Aerospace. The purchase of the Sherborne-headquartered company's interests will make Patriot Aerospace one of the UK's largest helicopter operations. Launched in 1986, BIH is an operator of medium and large helicopters with particular emphasis on offshore operations and in the defence sector.

Apple Farmer Fights off Frost with Helicopter

News Staff — Tue, 14 May 2013 19:52:00 GMT

The Telegraph - A Canadian apple farmer fought off an approaching frost warning by hovering over his orchard overnight with a helicopter.

Helicopters Flown in to Tackle Oak Processionary Moth

News Staff — Tue, 14 May 2013 19:33:00 GMT

Pangbourne, England (getreading.co.uk) - Helicopters are to spray woodland in Pangbourne to kill an infestation of the caterpillars of a foreign toxic oak moth.

Future of RACQ-CQ Rescue Staff in the Air

News Staff — Mon, 13 May 2013 14:33:00 GMT

Australia (Central Telegraph) - The futures of some RACQ-CQ Rescue staff are still up in the air after CHC Helicopters lost their contract with the rescue service last month.

U.S. Army Decision on New Armed Helicopter Delayed Again

News Staff — Mon, 13 May 2013 14:13:00 GMT

Washington, D.C. (Reuters) - U.S. Army officials on May 8 said they do not expect to decide until later this year whether to start a multibillion-dollar program to develop a new armed scout helicopter, or extend the life of the current Vietnam-era OH-58 Kiowa Warrior.

Police Copter Helps Stop Speeding Cars on Highway

News Staff — Fri, 10 May 2013 16:23:00 GMT

Vancouver (theprovince.com) - Eight drivers were ticketed and their vehicles impounded after they were caught going nearly double the posted speed limit on the Sea to Sky Highway. Both West Vancouver Police and Squamish RCMP received calls May 3, reporting a caravan of cars speeding southbound on Highway 99 near Furry Creek. As both agencies worked to respond on the ground, the RCMP’s regional traffic patrol helicopter Air One began tracking the cars by air.

Terrafugia's Next Flying Car Envisioned as Tilt-Rotor

News Staff — Thu, 09 May 2013 15:35:00 GMT

delawareonline.com - Even though its first flying car is still at least two years away, a Massachusetts aerospace firm has unveiled a new design for a future product after that, one more akin to a helicopter than a plane.

Credible Successor to Kiowa Begins to Emerge

News Staff — Wed, 08 May 2013 20:52:00 GMT

defense-aerospace.com - Over the last dozen years, rotorcraft have been the most successful part of the U.S. Army's modernization program. Despite occasional mis-steps, the service has achieved major gains in performance at modest cost by upgrading proven airframes. However, there comes a time when even the most respected rotorcraft need to be retired, and that point is approaching for the OH-58 Kiowa.

U.S. Navy Moves Ahead on New Presidential Helicopter Program

News Staff — Wed, 08 May 2013 16:48:00 GMT

Reuters - The U.S. Navy has posted the final rules for a long-delayed, multibillion dollar competition for a new fleet of presidential helicopters, saying it planned to award a contract about a year from now despite looming U.S. defense budget cuts.

USMC Presidential Helicopter Squadron Starts Flying MV-22

News Staff — Tue, 07 May 2013 19:12:00 GMT

Flightglobal - The U.S. Marine Corps's HMX-1 presidential helicopter squadron has started flying the Bell Boeing MV-22 Osprey. The unit received its first tiltrotor aircraft on 5 April at MCB Quantico, Virginia, and started flying on 26 April.

Drone Helicopters Prove Worth in Afghanistan

News Staff — Tue, 07 May 2013 13:42:00 GMT

The Miami Herald - Over the past 16 months, two K-MAX drone helicopters sent to Afghanistan as an experiment have delivered 3.2 millions of pounds of cargo and flown more than 1,000 missions. This has reduced the number of supply convoys needed on bomb-infested roads, eased the workload and risk for helicopter crews, and saved money. In the fast-growing world of unmanned aircraft, the K-MAX's success is a significant step toward what is expected to be a host of new military and civilian roles for cargo drones.

Floating Above London's Stellar Skyline on a Helicopter Tour

News Staff — Fri, 03 May 2013 21:27:00 GMT

Daily Mail - From 1250ft up, the view of the capital is entirely unfettered, and for every iconic tourist snapshot - Big Ben, the London Eye, the Olympic Park - there are some equally beguiling workaday views.

East Valley Girls Fly Toward Aviation Goals

News Staff — Fri, 03 May 2013 20:46:00 GMT

East Valley Tribune - A helicopter took off one recent Wednesday morning from Mesa's Falcon Field for a nearly two-hour flight around Arizona. Aboard it was Gilbert's Emma Allinger, who would celebrate her 18th birthday the next day. But she didn't get a chance to sight-see during the flight. She was too busy at the controls, flying the helicopter.

AgustaWestland To Produce AW169s in Philadelphia

News Staff — Wed, 01 May 2013 14:14:00 GMT

Aviation International News - AgustaWestland announced on Tuesday that it will open a second production line for the new AW169 medium-twin helicopter at its manufacturing facility in Philadelphia.

Rolls-Royce to make new drone helicopter engines

News Staff — Wed, 01 May 2013 14:14:00 GMT

Louisville Courier-Journal - Rolls-Royce has won the contract to produce engines for an upgraded drone helicopter that the U.S. Navy will use. The engines will be produced in Indianapolis, Ind.

Dream becoming reality for growing numbers

News Staff — Wed, 01 May 2013 14:13:00 GMT

China Daily - Piloting an aircraft is becoming more than just a dream for many Chinese, as flying schools report a sharp increase in the number of people applying for private pilot licenses. Any Chinese resident, aged between 17- and 60-years-old, with a middle school degree or above, can apply for private license training after passing a physical examination.

Post-quake Rescue Operations Expose China's Aircraft Weaknesses

News Staff — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 14:10:00 GMT

South China Morning Post - The widespread use of US- and Russian-made helicopters during rescue missions in the quake zone in Sichuan's Yaan city has again exposed weaknesses in China's home-made rescue aircraft.

Meet New York's Only Female State Police Pilot

News Staff — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 21:34:00 GMT

Albany, N.Y. (WABC) - In the air and on the record books, Sgt. Kathy Humphries is the only female pilot in the New York State Police Aviation Unit.

Cal Fire and National Guard Train for Fire Season

News Staff — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 19:15:00 GMT

Amador County, Calif. (Mountain Democrat) - The risk of wildfires has already increased due this year's dry conditions, and in preparation Cal Fire and the California National Guard held their annual fire aviation training. The annual joint helicopter training went from April 12-14 at the Cal Fire Academy in Ione in addition to Lake Pardee in Amador County.

HAI Hosts Int'l Working Group on Heliport Design

News Staff — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 16:04:00 GMT

The International Civil Aviation Organization's (ICAO) Heliport Design Working Group (HDWG) is gathered at HAI headquarters this week, considering a range of proposed amendments to ICAO Annex 14, Chapter 2 which sets out the fundamental requirements for heliports and helidecks.

Chinook Carries Gloster Meteor Jet to New Home

News Staff — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 19:10:00 GMT

Gloucestershire, England (BBC) - A historic Gloster Meteor T7 jet aircraft has been carried by a Chinook helicopter from Imjin Barracks, Innsworth 1.5 miles to Gloucestershire Airport's Jet Age Museum.

Hagel Announces Sale of V-22s to Israel

News Staff — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 18:55:00 GMT

star-telegram.com - The U.S. plans to provide Israel with advanced weapons, including the first export of Bell Helicopter's tilt-rotor V-22 Osprey, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said.

Helicopter Used in Construction of Heartland Transmission Line

News Staff — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 20:43:00 GMT

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada (Global News) - Work on the Heartland Transmission Project made for quite the sight for motorists in northeast Edmonton.

China's Copters Fly Under the Radar

News Staff — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 20:29:00 GMT

Online Asia Times - While much attention has been given to Chinese development of fixed-wing aircraft like the J-20 and J-31, relatively little has been devoted to China's helicopter development.

Helicopter Market in China Set to Take Off

News Staff — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 19:38:00 GMT

China Daily Europe - In the next five years, the number of civilian helicopters in China is expected to triple to 600, with as many as 2,000 needed by 2032.

Dhruv Copter Aims for FAA Tag

News Staff — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 19:15:00 GMT

The Hindu - The Indian advanced light helicopter (ALH) Dhruv is set to go in for the coveted U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification, its virtual passport to a large global aviation market.

Mind-Controlled Helicopter Takes Some Serious Brain Power

News Staff — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 12:59:00 GMT

pcworld.com - Puzzlebox Productions and its mind-controlled helicopter are easy to spot at tech events. After all, the company's Puzzlebox Orbit is the device that’s whirling above everybody's heads - provided the person controlling it is concentrating hard enough.

Malian Soldiers Killed in Helicopter Crash

News Staff — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 21:47:00 GMT

globalpost.com - Five Malian soldiers died April 12 when their helicopter crashed in the centre of the war-torn west African nation.

Russia to Complete Helicopter Deliveries to Brazil

News Staff — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 20:33:00 GMT

Rio De Janeiro (en.ria.ru) – Russia will complete the delivery to Brazil of 12 Mi-35 (AH-2 Sabre) attack helicopters worth $150 million by this fall, the head of the Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation said.

Marines Forward-Arm, Refuel Helicopters During FARP Exercise

News Staff — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 19:44:00 GMT

Okinawa, Japan (dvidshub.net) - "Five minutes out!" With that warning, Marines rush to refueling points and wait for the signature sound of rotors slicing through the air as aircraft near their position for an expedient pit stop.

U.S. Navy Unmanned Helicopter Reaches Another Milestone

News Staff — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 20:17:00 GMT

ottawacitizen.com - The U.S. Navy's MQ-8B Fire Scout unmanned helicopter surpassed another milestone in March when the MQ-8B Fire Scout helicopter completed its 600th deployed flight hour while embarked on USS Robert G. Bradley (FFG 49).

Government of Canada Seeks Bids for Light Helicopter Renewal

News Staff — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 18:50:00 GMT

Gatineau, Quebec (dcnonl.com) - Public Works and Government Services Canada, on behalf of the Canadian Coast Guard, has issued a Request for Proposals for the procurement of light helicopters, under the Coast Guard helicopter fleet renewal procurement.

Helicopter Engines Drill for Gas, with Gas

News Staff — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 20:59:00 GMT

tradearabia.com - Helicopter jet turbines that once flew for the U.S. military are on a final, earthbound mission - pumping gas on home soil as part of an assault on costs in the shale drilling industry.

Man Accused of Shining Laser at Police Helicopter

News Staff — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 19:58:00 GMT

Azusa, Calif. (sgvtribune.com) - Police arrested an Azusa man April 4 for repeatedly pointing a laser at a police helicopter.

Cornwall Air Ambulance Not for Sale

News Staff — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 20:18:00 GMT

Cornwall, England (thisiscornwall.co.uk) - "The Cornwall Air Ambulance is now, and will always be, funded by the people of Cornwall, for the people of Cornwall and Isles of Scilly."

Giant Indian Helicopter Deal Faces Delays

News Staff — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 19:25:00 GMT

New Delhi (AFP) — A giant contract to supply 197 light helicopters to the Indian army which is being sought by European and Russian firms faces more delays due to corruption fears.

UK Police Reorganization Promises Efficiency, Savings

News Staff — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 17:22:00 GMT

Aviation International News - Reorganization of Great Britain's police helicopter bases is well under way, in a campaign to provide "more efficient and accessible" air support to police forces in England and Wales.

Helicopter Fights West Blaze

News Staff — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 16:17:00 GMT

Lochaber, Scotland (The Press and Journal) - A helicopter waterbombed woodland in Lochaber, April 1, set alight by one of the dozens of wildfires plaguing the Highlands and islands.

Jail Time for Pointing Laser at Pilots

News Staff — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 16:06:00 GMT

AVweb - A 19-year-old man who pointed a powerful laser at a Netjets Cessna Citation and then at a police helicopter that responded to the pilot's complaints in Burbank, Calif., was sentenced April 1 to 30 months in prison.

Military Helicopter Production to Decline

News Staff — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 20:25:00 GMT

upi.com - According to a study conducted by market research and analysis company Forecast International, the production of medium/heavy-lift military helicopters will continue its growth into this year and then decline.

Helicopter Dropping Eggs at Oak Hills

News Staff — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 21:13:00 GMT

Green Township, Ohio (cincinnati.com) — Easter eggs will fall from the sky above the football field at Oak Hills High School. Velocity Church is sponsoring a helicopter egg drop at the school Saturday, March 30.

Future Vertical Lift Takes Step Forward

News Staff — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 18:45:00 GMT

National Defense Magazine - U.S. Army officials have been talking for almost a decade about new vertical takeoff and landing aircraft to replace its aging fleets of helicopters. The recent kickoff of a technical demonstrator program marks a transition from dialogue to actually putting an aircraft in the sky.

NPPD to Patrol Power Lines for Vegetation

News Staff — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 19:06:00 GMT

Columbus, Neb. (journaldemocrat.com) - While tree trimming and removal have always been part of Nebraska Public Power District’s operations, patrols of over 4,300 miles of high-voltage transmission lines are conducted annually across the state to identify and eliminate potential hazards. The patrols, done by helicopter or on foot, include trimming and removal of trees within the power line right-of-way.