Helicopter Association International

Castleberry Instruments & Avionics Relocates for Growth

News Staff — Tue, 21 May 2013 18:45:00 GMT

In order to accommodate future growth and expansion, Castleberry Instruments & Avionics has moved to a newer and larger building in Pflugerville, TX. This move will allow the company to better serve its customers with improved turn times and added Inventory.

HAI at American Helcopter Society's Forum 69

News Staff — Tue, 21 May 2013 18:08:00 GMT

Whether technical, operational, or governmental, HAI is interested and involved in all aspects of the helicopter industry. That's why HAI Executive Vice President Ed DiCampli is attending the American Helicopter Society's Forum 69 in Phoenix, Ariz., where more than 200 papers will be presented. HAI is one of more than 60 exhibitors showcasing technical disciplines such as unmanned VTOL aircraft and other state-of-the-art technologies and capabilities.

Bell Helicopter Promotes Innovation at AHS Forum 69

News Staff — Tue, 21 May 2013 15:26:00 GMT

Phoenix, AZ (May 21, 2013) – Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT), announced today its participation in the 69th annual AHS Forum and Technology Display held May 21 to May 23 at the Phoenix Convention Center. In addition to sponsorship, Bell Helicopter will have a strong presence at the conference with a pre-forum event, technical presentations, a Bell 525 Relentless™ wind tunnel simulator on display and participation from Bell Helicopter president and CEO John Garrison during the AHS Forum CEO Panel.

Helcopter 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.

Help HAI Make RotorNews Even Better!

News Staff — Tue, 21 May 2013 13:49:00 GMT

RotorNews is already one of your best sources for information about the helicopter industry. But as with anything, there is always room for improvement. You can help HAI make sure your copy of RotorNews is everything you need it to be by taking this short readership survey. The survey should take no more than 5-10 minutes. Help us make RotorNews even better!

Keystone Turbine Services Honeywell-approved for P&WC PT6 Series Accessory Support

News Staff — Tue, 21 May 2013 13:13:00 GMT

Keystone Turbine Services (KTS), an M International Company, has received formal approval from Honeywell and the FAA to provide total maintenance, repair and overhaul services for various PT6A and PT6T series accessories. “We’ve been diligently working towards the goal of further expanding our Honeywell Authorized Warranty and Repair Station (AWARS) accessory capabilities,” said KTS General Manager John Fraser.

Keystone Med-Flight Announces New VP of Operations

News Staff — Mon, 20 May 2013 21:15:00 GMT

Keystone Med-Flight LLC has appointed Christopher Bassett as the company's new Vice President of Operations. Bassett is a well-known and respected aviation professional with over 25 years of experience in rotorcraft flight operations management.

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.

Fracking Rule Met With Criticism in U.S. Congress

News Staff — Mon, 20 May 2013 21:04:00 GMT

The U.S. Department of the Interior's revised proposal for regulating fracking on federal land provides industry with more of the flexibility it asked for, as well as provisions for states to remain in charge if their rules are strict enough.

Police Helicopter Assists in Water Rescue

News Staff — Mon, 20 May 2013 20:57:00 GMT

Winnipeg, Canada (winnipeg.ctvnews.ca) - Emergency crews had to call in the police helicopter Air1 to rescue a woman in the fast-flowing Assiniboine River on May 17.

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.

'Extraordinary Measures' as U.S. Hits Debt Limit

News Staff — Mon, 20 May 2013 20:31:00 GMT

On May 19, the U.S. hit the debt limit. This weekend the Treasury Department stopped issuing State and Local Government securities, part of the agency's "extraordinary measures."

Coast Guard Hoists Distressed Teen from Surf

News Staff — Mon, 20 May 2013 20:22:00 GMT

The U.S. Coast Guard hoisted a person from the water just off Sunset Beach near Warrenton, Ore., on May 17.

News from FlightSafety International

News Staff — Mon, 20 May 2013 20:10:00 GMT

FlightSafety International has received approval from EASA for 49 of its practical maintenance training courses under Regulation 1149/2011 to date; Nigel Warren has joined the company as Regional Sales Manager for Northern Europe; the company's first AgustaWestland AW139 full flight simulator has entered service at the Learning Center in Lafayette, Louisiana.

Congress to Take Up Budget, Keystone, Student Loans

News Staff — Mon, 20 May 2013 20:04:00 GMT

Amid continued focus on the Internal Revenue Service and other controversies that have hit the Obama administration, lawmakers this week will take up items that sputtered in the last Congress, with the House set to address the Keystone XL pipeline and the Senate starting debate on its farm bill.

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."

Associations Support Airstrips in Land Management Planning Rule

News Staff — Mon, 20 May 2013 19:43:00 GMT

HAI, along with the General Aviation Manufacturers Association and National Agricultural Aviation Association, filed comments May 20 in support of the portion of U.S. Forrest Service's land management planning rule that would require the inclusion of airstrips in forest management plans.

Gone West: Charles Cox Remembered for Leadership on Acoustic Issues

News Staff — Mon, 20 May 2013 18:41:00 GMT

Charles Cox, Bell Helicopter's renowned acoustics engineer who oversaw virtually every aspect of that company's efforts to reduce helicopters' sound signatures for 40 years, passed away on May 17. He was 76.

Southwest Heliservices Seeks Utility Pilot

News Staff — Mon, 20 May 2013 18:20:00 GMT

Southwest Heliservices is looking for a Bell 206B & L utility pilot for the Phoenix/Tucson, Arizona area. Must have 2,000 flight hours - of which 500 must be in Bell 206 series - longline and mountain time.

NOTAM Issued for New London, Conn.

News Staff — Mon, 20 May 2013 18:03:00 GMT

The FAA has issued a NOTAM for temporary flight restrictions in the New London, Conn., area for May 22. Remember, always get an updated briefing immediately prior to departure.

U.S. House Moves on Student Loan Legislation

News Staff — Mon, 20 May 2013 17:50:00 GMT

The U.S. House of Representatives Education and the Workforce Committee passed legislation May 16, largely along party lines, that would revamp the system for setting student loan interest rates.

FAA Administrator: Sequestration Not Over Yet

News Staff — Fri, 17 May 2013 20:59:00 GMT

FAA Administrator Michael Huerta said at a hearing that while he is grateful for the law Congress passed to end air traffic controller furloughs and stave off contract tower defunding, it "does not end the sequester. We will not enjoy the benefits or the stability that the FAA reauthorization provides until we find a sensible long-term solution."

House Judiciary Panel Holds UAV Hearing

News Staff — Fri, 17 May 2013 20:54:00 GMT

Lawmakers in the U.S. House of Representatives focused on the Fourth Amendment implications of domestic UAV surveillance at a hearing May 17, but did not get a unified message from witnesses on how to tackle the issue.

News from UTair

News Staff — Fri, 17 May 2013 20:44:00 GMT

The UTair Aviation quarterly report for Q1 2013 reveals positive growth trends in the airline's activities and the strengthening of its position as one of the leaders on the Russian aviation market and the largest global helicopter operator. An agreement signed May 16 gives the green light for operations of 20 Russian built Mil helicopters in the fleet of UTair Group subsidiary Helicopteros del Sur based in Peru.

House Republicans Prepare for Debt Ceiling Fight

News Staff — Fri, 17 May 2013 20:32:00 GMT

Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives held a meeting this week where they discussed what their objective should be in the upcoming debate over the debt ceiling, with plans to introduce a measure before the August recess.