Helicopter Association International

HAI-APS Auditor Workshop at HELI-EXPO

News Staff — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 22:32:00 GMT

If you are interested in becoming an auditor for the HAI Accreditation Program of Safety (HAI-APS), please plan to attend the HAI-APS Auditor Workshop at HELI-EXPO 2013 on Wednesday, March 6, from 1 pm to 5 pm.

Congress Rejects Alternatives to Sequestration

News Staff — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 22:20:00 GMT

On Feb. 28, the U.S. Senate rejected both Republican and Democratic plans to stop the sequester. The Republican plan – pioneered by Sen. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) – would have let President Barack Obama come up with alternative cuts by March 15. Democrats had a mix of taxes and other spending cuts in their version.

Dual Wheels for R44 & R66

News Staff — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 22:09:00 GMT

Helitowcart is now adding a new product: Dual Wheels compatible with the R44 and R66. Helitowcart wheels for Robinsons are known for their heavy duty construction for long term reliability.

YES Communications Renews Contract with Metro Aviation

News Staff — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 21:50:00 GMT

YES Communications, Inc. has signed a contract extension with Metro Aviation, Inc. YES Communications has provided comprehensive tradeshow, event, advertising, and media planning to the Shreveport, LA based Metro Aviation since 2007.

News from +LifeBlanket

News Staff — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 20:18:00 GMT

The +LifeBlanket company announced that it will have an expanded display at HELI-EXPO in Las Vegas March 5 through 7. Maryland State Police, the oldest publicly funded Emergency Medical Flight Program in the United States, has selected the original +LifeBlanket Patient Packaging Systems for service in their new AgustaWestland 139 helicopters.

Shell Announces Delay in Arctic Drilling

News Staff — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 20:10:00 GMT

U.S. lawmakers on both sides of the aisle welcomed with varying degrees of enthusiasm Shell's announcement Feb. 27 that it was delaying its plans to drill for oil offshore in Alaska this summer.

Gold Coast Helicopters Approved for VA

News Staff — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 20:06:00 GMT

Gold Coast Helicopters announce that they are now approved to accept Qualified Veterans under VA Post 9/11 GI or the Montgomery GI Bill benefits applied toward flight training.

Astronics Max-Viz-1500 Approved for Bell Helicopters in China

News Staff — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 19:43:00 GMT

Astronics Corporation's Max-Viz-1500 enhanced vision system has received approval by the Civil Aviation Administration of China for retrofit installation in Bell B206B/206L-4/407 helicopters.

Sequestration Effects Will Be Gradual, Harsh; No Apparent Effect on HELI-EXPO

News Staff — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 18:04:00 GMT

With sequestration set to kick in on Friday, March 1, the aviation industry received a briefing this week from FAA Administrator Michael Huerta and Deputy Transportation Secretary John Porcari, during which the two said their clear mandate is to minimize effects on the "traveling public" — meaning airline passengers. This is good news for anyone traveling to HELI-EXPO 2013. In addition, the mandatory notification period required before laying off or furloughing federal workers means there will be some lag time before lack of staffing affects domestic aviation.

Twirly Birds Announce 2013 Les Morris Award Recipient

News Staff — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 18:02:00 GMT

Social helicopter pilot group, Twirly Birds has announced the 2013 Les Morris Award recipient as Mr. Jake Hart.

Fuller to Step Down as AOPA President and CEO

News Staff — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 17:55:00 GMT

Craig L. Fuller, president and chief executive officer of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, has notified AOPA's Board of Trustees of his intent to step down from his position and from the Board.

HAI Rotor Safety Challenge

News Staff — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 22:45:00 GMT

At HELI-EXPO 2013 in Las Vegas, HAI and the HAI Safety Committee will debut the Rotor Safety Challenge — a convenient and economical way to learn industry best practices and safety tools and techniques you can apply back on the job.

Aviation Search Group Appoints Sales Manager

News Staff — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 22:39:00 GMT

Aviation Search Group is proud to announce the appointment of Beverly Brown to the position of Sales Manager. Ms. Brown will support the company's expansion by generating new leads and working in conjunction with the existing team to identify business opportunities.

Columbia Announces Acquisition of Ten Heavy-Lift Helicopters

News Staff — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 22:30:00 GMT

Columbia Helicopters is pleased to announce the acquisition of ten helicopters from the Swedish Department of Defense.

Air Tour Industry Meets with Members of Congress

News Staff — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 22:21:00 GMT

Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters and Maverick Helicopters joined Ann Carroll, HAI's vice president of government affairs, for two days of meetings on Capitol Hill this week with Members of Congress from Arizona and Nevada to discuss air tour industry concerns.

Congressional Republicans Skeptical of Sequester's Effects

News Staff — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 22:14:00 GMT

U.S. House of Representatives Republicans are skeptical that the sequester poses a major threat to air travel, even after the Federal Aviation Administration's Administrator Michael Huerta appeared at a congressional hearing to lay out the reasons the Obama administration says it cannot blunt the impacts of the cuts.

Happy 70th Anniversary, AHS!

News Staff — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 22:08:00 GMT

Seventy years ago, on February 25, 1943, twenty-six year old Edward Katzenberger stood up in a high school in Stratford, Connecticut and called a meeting to order. Those in attendance had gathered with an ambitious goal in mind – to establish an organized scientific society capable of attracting and holding the attention of an entire industry in disseminating information on what were then called rotating-wing aircraft. At that meeting, they founded the American Helicopter Society.

HAI President Shares Concerns with House Transportation Leader

News Staff — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 21:49:00 GMT

HAI President Matt Zuccaro traveled to Capitol Hill earlier this week - before heading to Las Vegas for HELI-EXPO - to share the helicopter industry's legislative priorities and concerns for the 113th Congress with the new House Transportation Leader, Chairman Frank LoBiondo (R-N.J.).

Hughes 500 Bladder Cells

News Staff — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 21:36:00 GMT

Certain Hughes 500 bladder cells may or may not have the baffle passage holes included, which allow the gravity flow of the final ounces of fuel into the main fuel chamber.

Leading Edge Composites to Exhibit at HELI-EXPO

News Staff — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 21:26:00 GMT

Leading Edge Composites, Inc. will be exhibiting at HAI's HELI-EXPO 2013 in Las Vegas, March 4-7, at booth N4535. An exciting example of the company’s new composite cabinetry capabilities will be on display.

Air Traffic Controller President Warns of Sequestration's Effects

News Staff — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 19:30:00 GMT

National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) President Paul Rinaldi warned on Feb. 27 that the sequester will affect "every passenger, every general aviation pilot, and every freight hauler" and is "reckless" in its across-the-board nature and in not differentiating between essential and non-essential personnel.

HelicopterBuyer Announces Strategic Business Expansion

News Staff — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 17:40:00 GMT

HelicopterBuyer, Inc. has announced a strategic expansion of their business with the addition of engine brokerage services for Pratt & Whitney, Rolls Royce, Honeywell, and Turbomeca engines.

MedEvac Foundation Welcomes Jane Chittick

News Staff — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 17:32:00 GMT

The MedEvac Foundation International is pleased to announce the hiring of Jane R. Chittick as Chief Development Officer.

Consumers Show Upbeat View on Economy

News Staff — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 17:00:00 GMT

U.S. consumer confidence jumped more than expected in February. The Conference Board’s index climbed to 69.6, exceeding all forecasts in a Bloomberg survey of economists, from a revised 58.4 in January, data from the New York-based private research group showed today.

STS Aviation Group Expands Support to Rotorcraft

News Staff — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 22:09:00 GMT

STS Aviation Group is widely known for serving the aerospace industry with turnkey solutions and providing the talent and supplies necessary for day-to-day operations of commercial aviation and rotorcraft.

Government Shutdown Looms After Sequester

News Staff — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 21:07:00 GMT

U.S. Congressional leaders are already shifting their focus to the next spending battle after the automatic budget sequester takes effect on March 1 — how to keep the government running.

NAASCO to Exhibit at HELI-EXPO

News Staff — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 20:50:00 GMT

NAASCO Northeast Corporation will be exhibiting at HELI-EXPO for the 27th straight year, and 2013 will mark the 18th anniversary of the Patented "Mercury Mod" starter generator improvement program.

Twirly Birds Announce Annual Meeting during HELI-EXPO

News Staff — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 20:37:00 GMT

Social helicopter pilot organization, Twirly Birds, has announced their annual meeting to be held in Las Vegas on Tuesday, 5 March during HAI's HELI-EXPO 2013.

AMS Introduces Penalty Calculator for Agusta 139 Operators

News Staff — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 20:24:00 GMT

Aircraft Maintenance Systems has introduced its Penalty Calculator Software Tool. The calculator improves time management and reduces manual error calculations.

PRISM Seeks Director of Certification Services

News Staff — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 20:16:00 GMT

Professional Resources In System Management, LLC is currently seeking a Director of Certification Services to join our team in Colorado.

Transportation Leaders Want Answers on Sequester

News Staff — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 20:09:00 GMT

U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Rep. Bill Schuster (R-Pa.), Republican leaders of their respective chambers' transportation committees, want some answers regarding the FAA's spending plans before and after the sequester.

Attention Chief Pilots!

News Staff — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 20:03:00 GMT

For the first time at HELI-EXPO, HAI will host a roundtable open forum discussion on March 6 exclusively for helicopter chief pilots.

Scott's - Bell 47 Completes Start-up & Change of Leadership

News Staff — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 18:01:00 GMT

Scott's - Bell 47, Inc. (SB47) announces a change of leadership related to the successful completion of their start-up phase, after acquisition of the Bell 47 Type Certificates in 2010.

HAI Reacts to White House Attack on Corporate Aviation

News Staff — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 17:55:00 GMT

President Obama is once again hammering corporate aviation with calls to end the alternate depreciation tax plan for corporate aircraft.

"I find it unbelievable that such continued initiatives, seemingly aimed at eliminating General Aviation, are being promoted by a President who is one of the most frequent users of corporate aircraft via his travel on the peoples' aircraft, that we pay for," said HAI President Matt Zuccaro.

Helicopter Technology Company at HELI-EXPO 2013

News Staff — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 17:44:00 GMT

Hughes/MDHI Model 369, 500, and 600 Operators are invited to attend a Technical Briefing at HELI-EXPO 2013 hosted by Helicopter Technology Company (HTC).

World's Smallest Satellite Comms & Tracking System

News Staff — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 17:33:00 GMT

In launching its latest DZMx product, aviation innovator Flightcell International Ltd is again leading the world in satellite communication and tracking systems.

Implementation of 'Obamacare' Continues as U.S. Readies for Sequester

News Staff — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 22:26:00 GMT

On Feb. 22, the Obama administration released the final rules on several of the more popular provisions in the Affordable Care Act. The Health and Human Services department finalized rules that will require insurers to cover people with preexisting conditions and would prohibit them from charging higher prices; they also set out new regulations on how to set premiums. Gender and health status are no longer criteria that can be used to vary premiums.

Pratt & Whitney Canada: Turboshaft Engines Borescope Inspections

News Staff — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 22:12:00 GMT

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive for certain Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. PT6C-67C turboshaft engines. This AD requires initial and repetitive borescope inspections to verify the presence of a retaining ring securing the power turbine baffle located near the second stage PT disk.

Advanced Helicopter Services to Exhibit at HELI-EXPO

News Staff — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 21:28:00 GMT

Advanced Helicopter Services will for the first time this year be an exhibiter at the upcoming Helicopter Association International HELI-EXPO in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Canadian Officials Discuss Climate Change and Keystone

News Staff — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 21:09:00 GMT

The Hill reports that as the U.S. State Department prepares to rule on the proposed Keystone XL pipeline, the government of Alberta, Canada, which supports the project, is engaging Washington on the issue of climate change.

HAI President's Message

News Staff — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 21:01:00 GMT

HAI President's Message by Matt Zuccaro – I would be willing to bet money that after reading the average accident report, you ask yourself, "What were they thinking?" Not in a negative or derogatory manner, but in real puzzlement. How could the pilot, operator, or maintenance tech have made such poor choices — choices that resulted in their own deaths or those of their co-workers or customers?

Pratt & Whitney Canada: Power Turbine Disks

News Staff — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 20:51:00 GMT

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive for certain serial number Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. PW206B, PW206B2, PW206C, PW207C, PW207D, PW207D1, PW207D2, and PW207E turboshaft engines.

Sequester Budget Chaos, Federal Furloughs, and Travel Delays

News Staff — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 19:42:00 GMT

Just four days remain until the March 1 start date for federal spending cuts that were supposed to be too painful to ever let happen, and lawmakers return to Washington with little hope for an eleventh-hour deal to avert or reshape them, or a let-up in the fighting over who is to blame.

Still Time to Donate to HFI's Silent Auction!

News Staff — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 21:10:00 GMT

Helicopter Foundation International will once again be holding its fundraising silent auction at HELI-EXPO 2013, which will take place March 4-7 in Las Vegas, Nevada. This year's auction will feature a number of exciting offerings.

Breeze-Eastern Unveils New Leadership and Organizational Changes

News Staff — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 21:08:00 GMT

Brad Pedersen, President and Chief Executive Officer of Breeze-Eastern Corporation, announces a series of changes designed to strengthen key areas of the organization.

Sequester to Delay Air Travel, Force Closure of ATC Facilities

News Staff — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 20:36:00 GMT

The Obama administration is heightening its warnings about gridlock in the skies. Republican Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood on Feb. 22 warned that sequestration would bring a "calamity" to air travel by forcing the FAA to close dozens of control towers and eliminate overnight shifts at others, in turn prompting airlines to cancel or delay flights by as much as 90 minutes.

Vietnam Era Restored Huey Helicopter to Land in Branson

News Staff — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 19:36:00 GMT

Branson, Mo. (ozarksfirst.com) - Despite inclement weather, the Branson Mill Craft Village still plans to welcome a restored Vietnam Era Huey Helicopter on Feb. 22.

Trauma Center Helicopters Make Difference

News Staff — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 19:32:00 GMT

Jacksonville, Fla. (news4jax.com) - Shands Jacksonville Medical Center's trauma center service is getting better. The hospital recently struck a deal with a new flight company that will give it a new helicopter to help save lives.

MV-22 Ospreys Land on Bonhomme Richard

News Staff — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 19:26:00 GMT

USS Bonhomme Richard, At Sea (military.com) - For the first time while forward-deployed, amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) has conducted landing operations with the MV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft.

UTair and Svyaz-Bank Complete Refinancing Deal for Helicopters

News Staff — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 18:12:00 GMT

UTair Aviation and Svyaz-Bank, in partnership with REGION Leasing, have completed the first refinancing acquisition deal for the purchase of three Mi-8AMT helicopters.