Helicopter Association International

FAA Administrator Reminds GA Pilots: Fly Safe

News Staff — Fri, 24 May 2013 17:14:00 GMT

Following a meeting earlier in May with a coalition of general aviation (GA) leaders on the issue of GA safety, FAA Administrator Michael Huerta sent a letter to the entire GA community in advance of the Memorial Day weekend and summer flying season.

Factual Accident Report: Lanesboro, Iowa

News Staff — Fri, 24 May 2013 17:08:00 GMT

The National Transportation Safety Board has issued a factual report for the April 23 accident involving an Enstrom F-28C in Lanesboro, Iowa.

Telluride Regional Airport Now Offering Avfuel Contract Fuel

News Staff — Fri, 24 May 2013 16:56:00 GMT

Telluride, Colo. - For the first time in its history as an Avfuel-branded FBO, Telluride Regional Airport (KTEX) is offering Avfuel Contract Fuel. Avfuel Contract Fuel and Cessna Avfuel Contract Fuel cardholders can now access cost-plus rates on jet fuel and take advantage of easy, hassle-free pre-authorization and billing processes, all while experiencing in the FBO’s breathtaking views and first-rate service.

Senate Democrats Air Small Business Concerns to White House

News Staff — Fri, 24 May 2013 16:48:00 GMT

(POLITICO) - Several Senate Democrats voiced concerns about small business, part time workers and the health law at a meeting with two key administration officials on May 23. The senators said that they conveyed to Small Business Administrator Karen Mills and White House health policy adviser Jeanne Lambrew the worries they are hearing from small businesses, including restaurants, about the requirement that employees working a 30 hour week be considered full time and must be covered.

Student Loan Bill Clears House

News Staff — Fri, 24 May 2013 16:46:00 GMT

The House of Representatives on May 23 passed a bill to overhaul student-loan interest rates, flouting a veto threat from the White House and setting in motion a countdown to July 1 when rates for need-based loans are set to double. Both Democrats and Republicans on both sides of the aisle agree something needs to be done to keep interest rates from doubling; just how to go about doing it remains the sticking point.

DART Launches Redesigned iPad App to Better Support its Customers

News Staff — Fri, 24 May 2013 16:43:00 GMT

Hawkesbury, Ont., Canada – DART Aerospace announces the launch of the redesigned DART iPad App, now featuring improved navigation and multiple annotations tools. DART’s enhanced iPad app improves the customer’s experience and transforms each catalog into a dynamic tool.

Transwest Helicopters Expands Into Northern BC

News Staff — Fri, 24 May 2013 16:36:00 GMT

Vancouver – Transwest Helicopters Ltd., who in October 2011 relocated from the Chilliwack, BC, airport to a larger facility at the Oliver, BC, airport, is pleased to announce that the company has expanded its operations again to include offices in Vancouver, BC, and Terrace, BC.

President of Universal Helicopters receives Honorary Doctorate Degree

News Staff — Fri, 24 May 2013 16:28:00 GMT

Gordon Jiroux, President of Universal Helicopters received an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Aviation Science with all of the Rights, Honors, Privileges and Responsibilities from Dodge City Community College on May 4, 2013. Mr. Jiroux has been a partner to Dodge City Community College in helicopter flight training for more than five years.

Prince Charles Helicopter Makes Emergency Landing

News Staff — Fri, 24 May 2013 15:59:00 GMT

ABC News - Prince Charles and his wife, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, had a mid-air scare today when their helicopter was forced to make an emergency landing. Charles and Camilla were 15 minutes into their flight from London to the Hay Literary Festival in Powys when a "technical fault" aboard the chopper forced the pilot to divert the flight to Denham Aerodrome in Buckinghamshire

Eurocopter Deutschland: IFR/VFR when Autotrim Inoperative

News Staff — Fri, 24 May 2013 15:54:00 GMT

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive for Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH Model MBB-BK 117 C-2 helicopters. This AD requires revising the operating limitations to prohibit flights under instrument flight rules or under night visual flight rules when the autotrim is inoperative.

NOTAM Issued for Oklahoma City/Moore, Okla.

News Staff — Fri, 24 May 2013 15:51:00 GMT

The FAA has issued a NOTAM for temporary flight restrictions in the Oklahoma City/Moore, Okla., areas for May 26. Remember, always get an updated briefing immediately prior to departure.

HAI Exhibits at EBACE

News Staff — Fri, 24 May 2013 15:15:00 GMT

From May 21–23, HAI was present at the 2013 European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition in Geneva.

Police Helicopter Crashes in Venezuela

News Staff — Fri, 24 May 2013 15:01:00 GMT

Caracas, Venezuela (Edmonton Journal) - Venezuelan authorities say a police helicopter has crashed while pursuing suspects in a kidnapping, and all five people aboard have been killed.

Foxx Sails Through Confirmation Hearing

News Staff — Thu, 23 May 2013 19:59:00 GMT

Sen. Thune Wants Answers on Sequester

Transportation Secretary-designate Anthony Foxx came out of his confirmation hearing May 22 looking like a surefire bet to get through the Commerce Committee and onto the full Senate with few complaints.During the hearing, he committed to study a series of issues and to visit lawmakers' home states to work on region-specific projects. Senators on both sides of the aisle noted the good feelings in the hearing room.

House Approves Keystone Bill for 7th time

News Staff — Thu, 23 May 2013 19:52:00 GMT

The U.S. House of Representatives approved legislation authored by Rep. Lee Terry (R-Neb.) on a 241-175 vote Wednesday, green-lighting the Keystone XL oil pipeline. Despite the numerous pro-Keystone House votes, it is unlikely that the legislation will gain traction in the Senate. And on Tuesday, the White House threatened to veto the bill.

House Immigration Bill Continues to Hit Snags

News Staff — Thu, 23 May 2013 19:48:00 GMT

Border security is emerging as the biggest challenge to passing immigration reform in the House after receiving the Senate-passed immigration bill on May 21. Republicans will demand strong enforcement measures as part of any immigration bill, and many on the House Judiciary Committee made clear Wednesday that they don’t feel the Senate bill does that right now.

Interagency Aviation Reminds Pilots, "Restricted" Means Restricted

News Staff — Thu, 23 May 2013 18:46:00 GMT

As the wildfire season cranks up, the U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Forest Service, and Bureau of Land Management Interagency Aviation have issued an accident prevention bulletin, reminding pilots that when a firefighting TFR is established, except for very specific circumstances outlined in 14 CFR 91.137(c), pilots must remain clear of the area.

News from Rockwell Collins

News Staff — Thu, 23 May 2013 16:37:00 GMT

Rockwell Collins has unveiled new features for its Ascend Flight Operations System. As Rockwell Collins expands its presence in Canada, the company plans to make several news announcements at CANSEC 2013 regarding important capabilities that the company is developing for the Canadian military market.

Preliminary Accident Report: Shepherd, Mont.

News Staff — Thu, 23 May 2013 16:15:00 GMT

The National Transportation Safety Board has issued its preliminary report for the accident involving a Bell 206B used during a Part 91 personal flight in Shepherd, Mont., on April 27.

Enstrom Breaks Ground for New Expansion

News Staff — Thu, 23 May 2013 15:59:00 GMT

Enstrom Helicopter Corporation held their groundbreaking ceremony Friday, May 10, 2013 for their new expansion. This expansion will nearly double the size of the current facility.

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.

Preliminary Accident Report: Buffalo, S.D.

News Staff — Thu, 23 May 2013 15:45:00 GMT

The National Transportation Safety Board has issued its preliminary report for the accident involving a Robinson R44 used during a Part 91 flight in Buffalo, S.D., on April 13.

Helicopter Brace for Impact Positions

News Staff — Thu, 23 May 2013 15:41:00 GMT

"BRACE FOR IMPACT" These are three words that you never want to hear when flying in an aircraft, but will assist you in preparing yourself for a crash sequence if one were to occur. This communique was developed due to inaccurate and inconsistent information within various manuals and training materials.

Giving up Cushy Gigs to Save Lives in Mid-Air

News Staff — Thu, 23 May 2013 15:36:00 GMT

management.fortune.cnn.com - Joshua Sparks and Ed Shoemaker postponed their first interview with Fortune because they had to get in a helicopter and save someone's life. It was, perhaps, the most valid reason for rescheduling.