Helicopter Association International

Six Days and Counting: What Will the Lame Duck Accomplish?

News Staff — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 18:50:19 GMT

Even though the next U.S. president will not take office until late January, the outcome of next week’s election will have a monumental effect on how Congress deals with budgetary, financial, and taxation issues during its lame duck session. Furthermore, the winner of the presidential election might not be known the morning after Election Day, particularly if initial tallies are so tight that absentee and military ballots could be deciding factors.

Brevard Co., Fla., Purchases 2 Eurocopter AS350 B3es

News Staff — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 18:38:39 GMT

Brevard County, Florida, has purchased two AS350 B3e helicopters. The aircraft will be utilized for mosquito control, firefighting and herbicide application throughout the county.

Japan to Accept Last Delivery of 2012 from Enstrom Helicopter

News Staff — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 18:29:00 GMT

Representatives from Japan visited Enstrom the week of October 22, 2012 to accept their last delivery for the year. This delivery marks eight aircraft for the year, completing a total 10 out of a contracted 30 TH-480B helicopters that have been delivered.

Red Barn Machine to Manufacture Canam Product Line

News Staff — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 18:19:53 GMT

DART Helicopter Services (DHS) announces it has moved the manufacturing and repair operations of its external load product line from its Oceanside facility to Red Barn Machine, a business partner of DART located in Eugene, Oregon.

Latitude Technologies to Exhibit at NBAA

News Staff — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 18:12:16 GMT

Latitude Technologies Corporation will exhibit at the National Business Aviation Association’s (NBAA) annual trade show and convention in Orlando, Florida, October 30-November 1 at booth 4389.

AAG adds S-76C+ to managed helicopter fleet

News Staff — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 18:06:18 GMT

Associated Aircraft Group, the East Coast?'s premier executive helicopter service is pleased to announce the addition of a Sikorsky S-76C+? to its managed fleet. The addition of this helicopter will increase the AAG fleet to a total of nine aircraft. AAG has the largest fleet of Sikorsky S-76C aircraft in the Northeast available for charter.

JSfirm.com & D.O.M. Magazine Create "D.O.M. JOBS"

News Staff — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 18:02:52 GMT

JSfirm.com and D.O.M. Magazine have partnered to integrate the latest real aviation maintenance jobs from JSfirm.com direct to the D.O.M. Magazine website."We created D.O.M. JOBS because D.O.M. Magazine is a great place to reach the top talent at maintenance departments," JSfirm.com manager Jeff Richards confirmed.

American Eurocopter Showcases VIP EC145 at NBAA 2012

News Staff — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 17:54:50 GMT

American Eurocopter, one of the nation’s leading providers of helicopters for the corporate and VIP market in the U.S., will be showcasing a Lewis Energy EC145 on its booth (#2546) and performing demonstrations with an EC135 and EC155 at this year’s NBAA show October 30-November 1 in Orlando.

AAG Achieves IS-BAO Stage 1 Certification

News Staff — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 17:46:47 GMT

Associated Aircraft Group, the Northeast's largest premier executive Sikorsky S-76® helicopter service, is proud to announce that it has earned IS-BAO (International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations) Stage 1 Certification, demonstrating its ongoing commitment to safety and its Safety Management System . AAG® is a subsidiary of Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp.

Halloween Jump Jet for Helicopter Museum

News Staff — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 17:33:57 GMT

An experimental Harrier Jump-Jet used by Rolls-Royce in the 1980s to test a modified engine for a potential supersonic version, has become the first fixed-wing aeroplane to join the vertical flight collection at The Helicopter Museum in Weston-super-Mare.

Sharkey's and SkyTrac Take VIP Charters to New Level

News Staff — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 21:08:05 GMT

Sharkey's Helicopters has utilized the SkyWeb fleet management system from SkyTrac Systems on all six of its helicopters to provide premium service to VIP charter clients and to add to overall safety.

Preliminary Accident Report: Crowley, La.

News Staff — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 19:40:09 GMT

The National Transportation Safety Board has issued its preliminary report for the accident involving a Bell 206 used during a personal flight, Crowley, La.

AMS Offers Better Traceability to Critical Documents

News Staff — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 19:07:07 GMT

AMS introduces its Document Manager software, a paperless solution that can attach essential documents in the Aircraft Maintenance Manager, Component Repair Module, and Inventory Manager of AMS software.

Preliminary Accident Report: Intracoastal City, La.

News Staff — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 18:00:18 GMT

The National Transportation Safety Board has issued its preliminary report for the accident involving a Bell 407 used during a post-maintenance flight, Intracoastal City, La.

Senate Republicans Seek Joint Hearing on Calif. Gas Prices

News Staff — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 16:30:34 GMT

Top U.S. Senate energy and environmental committee Republicans are asking Democrats for a joint hearing on the recent record increase of gasoline prices in California, including a per-gallon hike of 50 cents in just one week.

Preliminary Accident Report: Coolbaugh Township, Pa.

News Staff — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 15:58:07 GMT

The National Transportation Safety Board has issued its preliminary report for the accident involving a Bell 407 used during a Part 91 flight, Coolbaugh Township, Pa.

CAE Bell 412 Simulator Receives FAA Level D Approval

News Staff — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 15:57:17 GMT

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration National Simulation has qualified the CAE Bell 412 full-flight simulator in Toluca, Mexico to Level D - the highest standard for flight simulation training devices.

Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion Enters New Market

News Staff — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 12:10:46 GMT

The selection of Pro Line Fusion integrated avionics for AgustaWestland's AW609 TiltRotor marks new territory for Rockwell Collins.

News from American Eurocopter

News Staff — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 21:31:29 GMT

The University of Pennsylvania Health System is boosting its PennSTAR AMS fleet with the purchase of a new EC145. ProMedica Air is adding a new EC135 P2e to its fleet. OSF Aviation has added four new EC145s to their fleet.

Helicopter Crewman Takes to Hill to Rescue Walkers

News Staff — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 21:01:28 GMT

Crianlarich, Scotland (Grough) - A crew member from a Royal Navy rescue helicopter walked 600ft up a Scottish mountain to rescue three walkers trying to navigate in thick cloud with only a smartphone.

Helicopters to the Rescue of Moscow's Traffic-Bound Commuters

News Staff — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 20:49:20 GMT

The Moscow News - As Moscow's notorious traffic jams spread their road-clogging reach into the city's surrounding regions, authorities have looked to the skies for new transport options. Helipads may appear alongside the Moscow Region's planned Central Ring Road starting next year.

White House Quiet on Sequester Details

News Staff — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 20:28:12 GMT

When it comes to the details of the impending $1.2 trillion cut to their budgets, agency officials often find themselves unable to explain just how those cuts would affect the myriad programs on the ground, offering instead a unified message: talk to the Office of Management and Budget.

Sikorsky Awarded Distribution of Aero Dynamix NVIS for S-76

News Staff — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 20:18:33 GMT

Sikorsky Aerospace Services announces an exclusive international sales and distribution agreement with Aero Dynamix, Inc. to equip Sikorsky S-76 helicopters with ADI’s Night Vision Imaging System lighting solutions.

Electricity Rescue Helicopter Appeal Underway

News Staff — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 19:50:10 GMT

Whangarei, New Zealand (Voxy) - November 15 marks the anniversary of the first flight by the Northland Emergency Services Trust back in 1988. Since then the service has completed over 15,000 flights and saved hundreds of lives in and around Northland, and offshore.

U.S. Senators Seek Hearing on California Gas Prices

News Staff — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 19:37:20 GMT

Sens. Lisa Murkowski and James Inhofe write to Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chairman Jeff Bingaman and Environment and Public Works Chairwoman Barbara Boxer, requesting joint committee hearing on cause of surge in California gas prices.

AMSTAT Releases latest Market Update Report

News Staff — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 19:28:01 GMT

The third quarter of 2012 was a mixed bag of results indicating that a broad based business aircraft resale market recovery still remains elusive.

U.S. Navy Rescues Philippine Fishermen from Sinking Craft

News Staff — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 18:15:13 GMT

Yokosuka Naval Base, Japan (Stars And Stripes) — As their boat sank in the South China Sea, five Philippine fishermen climbed to the roof of their cabin, lit a T-shirt on fire and wrapped it around a pole. About 1,500 feet above, Petty Officer 3rd Class Stanislav Oros thought he saw a faint light.

R³ Announces First ADS-B Autonomous Collision Avoidance

News Staff — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 21:01:31 GMT

R³ Engineering LLC announces the first ADS-B based, fully autonomous collision avoidance sequence, executed by a sense and avoid system installed on an unmanned aircraft system.

Firefighters Stage Helicopter Rescue

News Staff — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 20:38:21 GMT

Oak Mountain State Park, Ala. (Shelby County Reporter) - A gray, blue and yellow helicopter hovered over Oak Mountain State Park’s Peavine Falls on Oct. 23 as an Alabama state trooper dangled more than 100 feet below the chopper on a retractable line.

Rep. Waxman: Speed Up Avgas Transition

News Staff — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 20:17:47 GMT

A top U.S. House of Representatives Democrat wants the Obama administration to speed up its plans to remove the lead from fuel used by small aircraft, citing concerns with lead emissions – particularly at airports near populous areas.

News from American Eurocopter

News Staff — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 19:35:46 GMT

American Eurocopter continues to maintain its position as the leader in the U.S. air medical services industry with a market share of 60 percent and more than 630 of its aircraft currently in air medical service across the country. ShandsCair has purchased an EC155 B1. American Eurocopter has delivered three EC135s to Med-Trans with a fourth scheduled for delivery in November. STAT MedEvac continues the upgrade of its fleet with the addition of three EC135s and two EC145s.

IRS Preps for "Fiscal Cliff" as Senators Work to Avoid Scenario

News Staff — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 17:05:06 GMT

According to a new Tax Policy Center analysis, if all of the tax provisions as part of the "fiscal cliff" are allowed to expire, every income group would see taxes rise by at least 3.5 percent, and each household could face an average tax hike of almost $3,500.

Vector Aerospace Engine Services - Atlantic Exhibiting at NBAA

News Staff — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 17:04:45 GMT

Vector Aerospace Engine Services - Atlantic will highlight its broad range of business aviation engine services at the National Business Aviation Association's 65th Annual Convention and Tradeshow taking place in Orlando, Fla.

HAI Attends Air Medical Transport Conference (AMTC)

News Staff — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 16:15:52 GMT

From October 22-24, HAI staff represented the interests of the international helicopter community at the 2012 Air Medical Transport Conference at the Washington State Convention Center in Seattle, Wash.

Federal Reserve Stands Firm on Monetary Policy

News Staff — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 15:55:39 GMT

The U.S. Federal Reserve concluded its latest two-day policy-setting meeting Oct. 24, deciding to take no new monetary policy actions.

L.J. Walch Announces Distribution Agreement with Ontic

News Staff — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 15:30:30 GMT

L.J. Walch Co., Inc. announce its exclusive distribution agreement with Ontic Engineering and Manufacturing, Inc. of Chatsworth, California, for the Sikorsky S61 Motor Generator.

NOTAM Issued for Tampa, Fla.

News Staff — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 15:26:56 GMT

The FAA has issued a NOTAM for a temporary flight restriction in the Tampa, Fla. area for Thurs., Oct. 25. Remember to get an updated briefing immediately prior to departure.

USAF Releases Combat Rescue Helicopter RfP

News Staff — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 15:24:56 GMT

Rotorhub - The United States Air Force has officially begun its search to replace the HH-60G Pave Hawk CSAR helicopter.

HALO-Flight Signs Agreement with Flight Vector

News Staff — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 15:22:12 GMT

We have signed an agreement with Softtech, LLC, producer of Flight Vector software, which is a custom created data management system designed to fulfill the needs of the modern-age flight communication center.

NOTAM Issued for Cleveland, Ohio

News Staff — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 15:07:02 GMT

The FAA has issued a NOTAM for a temporary flight restriction in the Cleveland, Ohio area for Thurs., Oct. 25, 2012. Remember to get an updated briefing immediately prior to departure.

Agusta: Pilot's Collective Stick, Pilot's/Co-Pilot's Cyclic Stick

News Staff — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 15:05:49 GMT

The European Aviation Safety Agency has issued EASA AD No. 2012-0213-E, dated October 16, 2012, to correct an unsafe condition for certain Agusta Model AW139 helicopters. EASA advises that an incident of an incorrectly installed pilot’s collective stick, pilot’s cyclic stick, and co-pilot’s cyclic stick was reported.

Calling all Maintenance Students!

News Staff — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 14:50:41 GMT

HFI is accepting applications for the Maintenance Technician Certificate Scholarship, geared towards students enrolled in an FAA Part 147 school (or international equivalent) who plan to become certified helicopter maintenance technicians.

Hillsboro Aviation Awarded Military Friendly Schools Title

News Staff — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 20:37:42 GMT

Hillsboro Aviation has been named to Victory Media's Military Friendly Schools list, honoring 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.

NOTAM Issued for Chicago, Ill.

News Staff — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 20:24:49 GMT

The FAA has issued a NOTAM for a temporary flight restriction in the Chicago, Ill. area for Thurs., Oct. 25, 2012. Remember to get an updated briefing immediately prior to departure.

MD Helicopters: Main Rotor Lower Hub Assembly

News Staff — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 20:22:59 GMT

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive to supersede an existing for MD Helicopters MD900s. The existing AD requires a visual inspection, and if necessary, an eddy current inspection of the main rotor lower hub assembly (lower hub) for a crack.

Congress Prepares Sequester Backup Plan

News Staff — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 20:17:45 GMT

An idea percolating in the U.S. Congress, aimed at helping avoid the "fiscal cliff," would scrap the steep across-the-board spending cuts of $109 billion set to start on January 2, and replace them with more targeted savings of approx. $55 billion.

Wysong Delivers 5th EMS Equipped Bell 407 in 2012

News Staff — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 17:05:16 GMT

Wysong Enterprises have completed their 5th EMS Equipped Bell 407 this year and signed contracts for four more 407 aircraft completions this week.

NOTAM Re-Issued for Palm Beach to Boca Raton, Fla.

News Staff — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 16:00:57 GMT

The FAA has re-issued a NOTAM for a temporary flight restriction in the Palm Beach to Boca Raton, Fla. areas for Mon. and Tues., Oct. 22-23, 2012. Remember to get an updated briefing immediately prior to departure.

Agusta: Electrical Power Distribution System

News Staff — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 15:59:00 GMT

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive for Agusta S.p.A. Model A109S helicopters to require modifying the electrical power distribution system to carry a higher electrical load.

Helicopter Service for Greater Gabbard Wind Farm a UK First

News Staff — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 15:54:18 GMT

Suffolk, England (EADT24) - The very first helicopter operation of its kind in the UK - with technicians flown in by hoist to provide maintenance for the giant turbines at the offshore wind farm.