North American News [Archive]

Hell Man

27th Aug 2010, 00:50

http://images.dawgsports.com/images/admin/cartoon_newspaper_extra.gif

ST. JOHN'S, N.L. - A lawsuit claiming damages of almost $27 million accuses Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. of "reckless behaviour and wilful misconduct" in the Cougar helicopter crash that killed 17 people off Newfoundland. See: Cougar Helicopters sues manufacturer and feds over fatal N.L. chopper crash - Winnipeg Free Press (http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/canada/breakingnews/cougar-helicopters-sues-manufacturer-and-feds-over-fatal-nl-chopper-crash-101565343.html)

STRATFORD, Conn., Aug. 26 (UPI) -- Sikorsky Aircraft says the CH-53K Heavy Lift Helicopter Program is "Ready to Load" with the successful light-off of its first Auxiliary Power Unit engine. See: Sikorsky says CH-53K moves forward - UPI.com (http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Security-Industry/2010/08/26/Sikorsky-says-CH-53K-moves-forward/UPI-97121282833789/)

COLUMBUS, Ohio — A camera mounted to a police helicopter in Ohio fell off mid-flight, striking at least three vehicles in a parking lot. See: The Associated Press: Ohio police chopper camera falls off, smashes cars (http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5g2Qn3g8MssxYTROqkEIspOLFg1IAD9HR5I6G0)

SAN DIEGO — The Coast Guard said Tuesday that a failure by the Navy to follow standard air traffic control procedures contributed to a midair collision that killed seven Coast Guard members and two Marines last year, while the Navy insisted the pilots were responsible. See: The Associated Press: Navy, Coast Guard trade blame for midair crash (http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gCJN2Wyd01AZIxooIYmr3QOOzBAAD9HQ7O200)

ORANGE CO. - The Orange County Fire Authority has finally cleared the way to using its $25 million night-flying helicopters to, well, fly at night. It's been more than two years since the OCFA decided to invest in night-vision technology - not that we're keeping track or anything. The first of two helicopters arrived in December 2008, but instead of deploying the copters, union officials and department management have been fighting over how the program should be run. See: http://www.fireengineering.com/index/articles/Wire_News_Display/1249169232.html

Canuck Guy

27th Aug 2010, 04:56

ps: Quite why Azerbaijan Airlines wanted to paint the aircraft's construction number above the cockpit .. I don't know. An Azerbaijani tradition perhaps!

Nothing the Azerbaijani people do makes much sense :}

Gordy

27th Aug 2010, 06:55

Hey Hellman....

Seeing as you work for the Forest service.....How come you do not choose to help the guy asking about becoming a fire-pilot...? Just wondering....?

Hell Man

27th Aug 2010, 12:31

I've responded to the rookie's request and complimented your fine summary of information (which is perhaps what you wanted!).

In future I don't think I need assistance in deciding which threads to reply to.

fly911

27th Aug 2010, 14:42

"The pilot has minor scratches, but is in good shape"
Pretty lucky pilot, I'd say.

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q140/fly911/KIOWA.jpg

Hell Man

1st Sep 2010, 12:47

http://www.destination360.com/north-america/us/alaska/images/s/alaska-heli-skiing.jpg

Heli-Skiing Operation to Open in Lake Tahoe | Skiing Magazine (http://www.skinet.com/skiing/backcountry/destinations/2010/08/heli-skiing-operation-to-open-in-lake-tahoe)

* * *

911: That was a close call for the Kiowa jock. Damn!

rotornut

1st Sep 2010, 14:17

Re: Kiowa crash

Hard landing, M/R blade flapped down cutting off forward part of fuselage?

helisdw

1st Sep 2010, 17:43

From what I read elsewhere, and the NTSB Preliminary Report itself, it appears the pilot hadn't even got airborne when disaster struck...

ERA10LA379 (http://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/brief.asp?ev_id=20100728X51747&key=1)

Simon

SASless

1st Sep 2010, 21:25

The Coast Guard is on a real life SAR mission....but has no NVG's.

The Marines are doing a combat training mission....blacked out but using NVG's.

The USCG aircraft has been in contact with the USN Air Traffic Controller responsible for the airspace for over two hours.

The finger pointing begins.

The Marines say the Coasties could have prevented the mid-air if they had used NVG's.....but skip over the fact their crew was using NVG's.

The Coasties are doing a night time SAR mission....and did not have NVG's?

Both aircraft were in contact with the Air Traffic Controller and neither were told of the other or heard the other talking to ATC?

OH....there's a lot of finger pointing that can and should be done!

Some Colonels and Captains (navy/coastie colonels) need to be relieved of command is what needs to happen here!

Canuck Guy

1st Sep 2010, 23:11

Call me naive as I have zero military experience, but don't those aircraft have TCAS or something like it?

rotornut

1st Sep 2010, 23:29

helisdw:
Thank you for that. When I got my 206 endorsement my instructor told me about a 206 accident where the blade flapped down and cut off the pilot's feet!:eek:

helisdw

1st Sep 2010, 23:58

rotornut: no problem.

Blade flapping sufficient to amputate one's feet is a sobering thought indeed... Although probably the type of thought that is best not dwelt on for too long!

Simon

Hell Man

25th Oct 2010, 09:24

http://www.rotor.com/rotornews/Oct%2010/AmericanEurocopterSCPD.jpg

American Eurocopter has announced that the company has delivered an AS350 B2 helicopter to the Aviation Section of the Suffolk County Police Department (SCPD), located on Long Island, east of New York City.

This is the third AS350 B2 in the SCPD’s fleet of four that also includes an EC145. The new helicopter replaces another that was sold in order to upgrade to the AS350 B2. This aircraft will go into service immediately and marks the Aviation Section’s transition to an all-Eurocopter fleet.

Hell Man

29th Oct 2010, 05:21

Helijet Wins 8 Year Medical Contract

VANCOUVER — Richmond-based Helijet International has secured a $94.7 million contract with the BC Ambulance Service, the company announced today.

http://www.aopa.org/images/aircraft/100104helijet.jpg

The contract begins April 1, 2011 and runs eight years, but also includes a four-year extension option.

Under the deal, Helijet will provide three dedicated helicopters on call for 24 hour a day, seven days a week service 365 days a year. Two of the helicopters will be based at Helijet's company headquarters at Vancouver International Airport in Richmond. One helicopter will be based in Prince Rupert.

More: //www.vancouversun.com/health/Helijet+awarded+eight+year+ambulance+contract/3741918/story.html#ixzz13iloveQl (http://www.vancouversun.com/health/Helijet+awarded+eight+year+ambulance+contract/3741918/story.html#ixzz13iloveQl)

Helipad unveiled in Kelowna

The Okanagan now has its first-ever roof top helipad. The helipad is a 12-ton steel and aluminum structure on top of the new tower being built at Kelowna General Hospital. The new $5 million landing pad could be a life-saving difference in providing health care to critical care patients.

More: Helipad unveiled in Kelowna (http://www.globaltvedmonton.com/Helipad+unveiled+Kelowna/3742714/story.html)

US to donate helicopters to Lebanon

NICOSIA — The administration of President Barack Obama, despite an aid freeze by Congress and concerns about Iran's presence in the country via the dominant Hizbullah organization, has pledged to re-build Lebanon's Air Force.

Officials said the U.S. military and Defense Department have been drafting options to enhance Lebanon's military in 2011. They said the plans envision U.S. assistance to build the Lebanese Air Force, particularly its helicopter fleet.

More: Administration plans helicopter upgrades for Lebanese Air Force despite aid freeze (http://www.worldtribune.com/worldtribune/WTARC/2010/me_lebanon1067_10_28.asp)

Hell Man

29th Oct 2010, 15:20

USFS Welcomes New DRF in CA.

http://www.helihub.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/101025-usfs-150x150.jpg

Regional Forester Randy Moore is proud to welcome Jeanne Wade Evans, who will serve as Deputy Regional Forester for the National Forests in California.

Jeanne Wade Evans, Supervisor on the San Bernardino National Forest since October of 2005, will move to the regional level to oversee Fire and Aviation Management as well as State and Private Forestry. Prior to her assignment in California, she held three positions in the Forest Service Washington Office, including Policy Specialist for Fire Management (Hazardous Fuels), Deputy Director for Forest and Rangelands, and Natural Resource Specialist for Rangeland Stewardship. Wade Evans also served as a District Ranger and Range Conservationist on the Coronado National Forest in Arizona. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Resources and Agriculture from Arizona State University in 1977.

Wade Evans replaces Jim Peña who left in August to become Associate Deputy Chief of the National Forest System in Washington, D.C.

Go Jeanne! ;)

Sureflight Opens New Mutli-Million $ Paint Facility
http://www.helihub.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/101025-sureflight-150x150.jpg
The aviation refinishing company, SureFlight, LLC celebrates the opening of its new 18,000 sq ft aviation paint facility. As part of the fivefold expansion, SureFlight constructed a new state-of-the-art Double Down Draft paint booth capable of accommodating a large size helicopter such as the Sikorsky S-92 with main rotor blades installed, or two helicopters side by side without blades. SureFlight can also accommodate mid-size fixed wing aircraft up to the size of a Hawker 800.

Dan Watkins, CEO of SureFlight said, “The facility expansion will allow SureFlight to increase the quantity of work we are capable of accommodating. Our manager, DeWitte Binkley, already has an established 32 year reputation in the Northeast US rotorcraft industry for exceptional quality paint finishes. Building a multimillion dollar paint facility just by itself is worthless. When we combine DeWitte and his team with our state-of-the-art facility, we create the highest quality refinishing company available. The first helicopter painted in our new paint hangar was Donald Trump’s S-76B. Mr. Trump and his aviation team recognized that such a high profile helicopter required the finest paint shop available.”

PHI Settles Claims Over Louisiana S76 Crash

http://www.helihub.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/s76-phi-150x150.jpg

Plaintiffs’ attorneys and a lawyer for PHI Inc. said Thursday that confidential terms of the settlements will be filed. More: Helicopter owner settles claims over La. crash - Florida AP - MiamiHerald.com (http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/10/21/1884578/helicopter-owner-settles-claims.html)

Cougar Drops Claim Against Sikorsky Subsidiary in $27m Lawsuit

http://www.helihub.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/s92-cougar-150x150.jpg

Cougar launched the lawsuit in June against both Sikorsky and its subsidiary Helicopter Services Inc. (HSI), but has recently served notice it was discontinuing the civil action against HSI. More: Legal wrangling - Business - The Telegram (http://www.thetelegram.com/Business/2010-10-27/article-1894009/Legal-wrangling-/1)

Agusta Wins Maryland State Police Contract

http://www.helihub.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/aw139-law-enforcement1-150x150.jpg

AgustaWestland has annouced that it has been awarded the contract by the Maryland State Police Aviation Command for 6 medium helicopters for their Medevac program. The $71 million contract calls for the first of 6 AW139 to be delivered 18 months from now. These aircraft will be produced at AgustaWestland’s Philadelphia facility.

Hell Man

1st Nov 2010, 08:08

Helicopter Crash in Tucker County
MetroNews

One person is dead and three more victims are at Ruby Memorial Hospital with unknown injuries after a helicopter crashed in Tucker County. The incident happened Saturday morning when the crew was working on power lines, according to Allegheny Power spokesperson Doug Colafella. The cause of the crash is still being investigated. More: Helicopter Crash in Tucker County - West Virginia Headline News and Talk Radio (http://www.wvmetronews.com/index.cfm?func=displayfullstory&storyid=40727)

Presidential Choppers may be Canibalized to Support Rescue Ships
Ottawa

The Canadian Defence Department is looking at the possibility of buying U.S. President Barack Obama’s helicopter cast-offs as spare parts for the Canadian air force’s Cormorant search-and-rescue helicopters.

Preliminary discussions are underway on the possible sale of the US101 helicopters to Canada. The aircraft, which were originally destined to form the new fleet of “Marine One” presidential helicopters, are similar to Canada’s CH-149 Cormorant search-and-rescue choppers which, at times, have been grounded because of a lack of spare parts. More: Canadian Forces eye Obama?s chopper cast-offs (http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Canadian+Forces+Obama+chopper+cast+offs/3755855/story.html)

zalt

1st Nov 2010, 21:48

Does the Helijet contract not replace a VIH / Cougar 222?

Hell Man

12th Nov 2010, 04:42

Does the Helijet contract not replace a VIH / Cougar 222?

I believe so but perhaps there is a Canadian-based member who can confirm this!

PETITION TO RE-OPEN SOUTH CAPITOL STREET HELIPORT

WASHINGTON, DC — November 11

The Office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today released a letter to Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) Administrator John Pistole requesting that the TSA re-open the South Capitol Street Heliport (SCSH), the only publicly accessible heliport in the city, which the TSA shut down to public access in 2005 after permitting the heliport to operate with limited public access for several years after 9/11.

In her letter she argued that shutting down the very heliport that government agencies used as a command center on September 11 2001 was an affront to common sense, service, commercial necessity, and basic justice. Every heliport in the country opened shortly after 9/11, including those in New York City where the terrorist attacks occurred.

The new proposal includes a two-hour advance notice for requests to land here, limited to only non-stop flights initially, and only from five heliports. Opened in 1998, the heliport brought significant business to the District and region, peaking at 41 corporate operators, including motion picture industry helicopters, many business aviation clients, emergency management operators and the Metropolitan Police Department, which still uses SCSH as its aircraft base. In the aftermath of 9/11, TSA imposed a waiver program, significantly reducing the number of helicopter flights to the District by requiring that pilots get waivers and report all passengers, crew and security personnel aboard all flights whenever they sought to fly to the District.

Then, without any warning or explanation, the TSA abruptly halted even the limited waiver program flights and prohibited all commercial operations altogether, without any due process, input in the decision from the heliport or its users, means to appeal, or even so much as an explanation. Norton wrote, “Despite SCSH’s generous and vital assistance to first responders and others on and after 9/11, and its steadfast pursuit of an appeal, SCSH remains closed nearly ten years after 9/11 except for use by law enforcement, military and medical evacuation traffic.” She said that, “it amounted to a government takeover of a private facility without compensation, and should have been unthinkable for our government to adopt practices characteristic of authoritarian government, despite the willingness of the heliport to submit to whatever structures and regulations the government chose to impose on them, and then to turn around and use the facility for its own government purposes.”
Norton is particularly pressing now to reopen the heliport in light of the economic downturn. With the region improving economically, she believes that the heliport could boost recovery of the city and the region. She intends to enlist her colleagues as well in this effort.

Hell Man

13th Nov 2010, 17:38

LOS ANGELES - NOV 13th

KCAL ASTAR DOWN

A Los Angeles news helicopter had to make an emergency landing in Pacoima Friday.

The helicopter suffered engine failure shortly after takeoff from Whiteman Airport.

The aircraft, which was headed to a news story in Van Nuys, barely made it over a fence while returning to the airport.

The chopper landed safely around 8 a.m. The pilot and a cameraman escaped unharmed, according to fire officials.

During the hard landing, the tail section of the chopper struck the runway and broke off. The tail portion was seen resting several feet away from the aircraft.

The helicopter services KCAL-TV.

http://media.trb.com/media/photo/2010-11/57583568.jpg

Los Angeles based KCAL TV news helicopter has been damaged in an emergency landing but the pilot and cameraman are uninjured.

Sister stations KCAL9 and CBS2 report that an engine failure forced the crash landing at about 8 a.m. yesterday morning at Whiteman Airpark in the San Fernando Valley.

Pilot Derek Bell says that the Eurocopter engine failed requiring him to initiate an autorotation. The helicopter's tail struck the ground and broke off at the end of the autorotation but the craft landed upright on its skids.

Video here: News Helicopter Down: Los Angeles News Station Helicopter Makes Emergency Landing in Pacoima - ktla.com (http://www.ktla.com/news/landing/ktla-news-helicopter-down,0,6829934.story)

Brilliant Stuff

13th Nov 2010, 21:10

Very well done that chap. Pop a new tail on and a new engine and she will be ready by tomorrow night.:D

Hell Man

22nd Nov 2010, 06:23

http://afs.ku.edu/images/40-years-badge.png

HAPPY 40th ANNIVERSARY

This goes to Tom Runyan and the entire Houston City Police Dept. who this year celebrate the 40th anniversary of their air support division.

“The dreams of yesterday have become today’s reality. Police aircrews now use night vision technology, moving map systems, gyro-stabilized binoculars, video downlink systems and thermal imaging. Current technology will improve and new technology not yet envisioned will find its way to the aerial police platform.

“Maintaining a constant vision of excellence, the Houston Police Department's Air Support Division will continue to thrive, providing an ever-increasing level of service and improving the quality of life for the citizens of Houston and surrounding areas.”

- Capt. Tom Runyan

http://www.flightglobal.com/airspace/media/galleries/images/36338/500x400/houston-police-department-md-500e.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3186/2670334156_25964606d1.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2397/2346291827_74a5b768ab.jpg?v=0

Houston was one of the first US cities to have a dedicated airborne law enforcement program. It was established January 1, 1970 as part of the Traffic Enforcement Division. The original fleet consisted of three Hughes 269B helicopters. Houston's current fleet is made up of ten MD 500E’s, three Schweizer 300-C’s and one Cessna 182.

Houston's Air Support Division flies in excess of 6,000 flight hours per year in support of law enforcement and homeland security missions and has accumulated close to 180,000 hours on MD500 series alone.

Well done to the entire Houston ASD crew. :ok:

HM

zalt

22nd Nov 2010, 19:26

Chevron buy 2 B429s for the GOM.
The Bell 429 enters the oil & gas segment | Shephard Group (http://www.shephard.co.uk/news/rotorhub/the-bell-429-enters-the-oil-amp-gas-segment/7770/)

zalt

22nd Nov 2010, 19:29

NTSB issue reommendations on Appical floats.
http://www.ntsb.gov/Recs/letters/2010/A-10-132-135.pdf

National Transportation Safety Board

Washington, DC 20594

November 17, 2010

************************************************************

NTSB Safety Recommendations A-10-132 through -135

************************************************************

The National Transportation Safety Board recommends that the

Federal Aviation Administration do the following:

Require Apical Industries Inc., to redesign the emergency

float system for helicopters such that the mid and aft

floats can no longer be interchanged and installed

incorrectly to the port fitting. (A-10-132)

Once the redesigned Apical emergency float system described

in Safety Recommendation A-10-132 is available, require

operators of all helicopters currently equipped with Apical

emergency float systems to install the redesigned system.

(A-10-133)

Require operators of helicopters equipped with Apical

emergency float systems to immediately conduct a one-time,

two-person, visual inspection to ensure that the hoses from

the mid and aft floats are properly installed to the port

fitting. (A-10-134)

Until the redesigned Apical emergency float system is

installed as described in Safety Recommendation A-10-133, at

every maintenance activity that requires disconnection of

the hoses, require a two-person inspection of the re-

installation of the hoses from the mid and aft floats to the

port fitting and to sign a maintenance checklist attesting

to proper installation. (A-10-135)

Hell Man

24th Nov 2010, 14:18

http://www.eurocopter.com/publications/img_wsw//130LB_web02.jpg

LONG BEACH PD TO SWAP OUT EC 130's FOR LESS COSTLY USED ASTARS

According to Lt. Richard Rocchi of the Long Beach Police Dept, it may not be long before the unit receives two AS350B2 Astar helicopters from the neighboring Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

Rocchie said the 'swap' would address the LA County Sheriff's Dept. requirement for increased payloads on specific-role missions while enabling Long Beach to return lower annual operating costs for their mainly patrol related duties.

Yellow & Blue Baron

26th Nov 2010, 02:39

The Associated Press
Friday, November 26, 2010; 00:15 AM

BALDWIN PARK, Calif.

A pigeon has crashed through the windshield of a California police helicopter and slammed into the pilot's face.

The pilot of the El Monte police helicopter, a Robinson model R-44, was forced to make an emergency landing Tuesday evening at Holland Middle School in Baldwin Park.

El Monte police Lt. Robert Roach told City News Service that the pilot had minor injuries and he was released after treatment at a Los Angeles hospital.

The pilot and another police officer on the helicopter were responding to a robbery call when the pigeon crashed through the windshield.

Pigeon strikes SoCal police chopper pilot in face (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/24/AR2010112402224.html)

mickjoebill

2nd Dec 2010, 21:11

The Houston Police MD 500 helicopter pictured has an interesting looking flood? light comprising 4 x lamp heads.

Any comments on the utility of this system compared to a pan tilt and zoomable unit like a nitesun?

Mickjoebill

Hell Man

6th Jan 2011, 06:03

Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT)’s Owego plant has won $249 million in new U.S. Navy contracts

The company will improve the H-60 helicopter fleets and cull advances from the defunct presidential helicopter project. The Owego site will receive $179 million as part of a joint contract with Sikorsky Aircraft that will support the helicopter fleet.

According to U.S. Rep. Maurice Hinchey’s office, Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT)’s work will help the Navy sustain current aircraft and avoid a more costly replacement of the fleet.

Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT) Updates Helicopter Fleet (http://www.stockbriefings.com/lockheed-martin-nyselmt-updates-helicopter-fleet/3179824)

Hell Man

12th Jan 2011, 15:44

Channel 5 Helicopter Makes Emergency Landing

http://cache.boston.com/resize/bonzai-fba/Globe_Photo/2011/01/11/1294806090_8681/539w.jpg

WCVB-TV (Channel 5) said their helicopter made what is called a 'precautionary landing' and there were no injuries. The pilot landed it in an area near Beacon and Charles streets where there are few trees. A witness said he heard no engine noise when the craft was landing.

Channel 5 helicopter makes emergency landing - The Boston Globe (http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2011/01/12/channel_5_helicopter_makes_emergency_landing/?rss_id=Boston.com+--+Local+news)

A WCVB-TV (Channel 5) news helicopter made an emergency landing yesterday evening on Boston Common.The red helicopter with “Sky5’’ on it could be seen apparently undamaged on a bed of icy snow on the Common near Beacon and Charles streets shortly after 6 p.m.
The station said the helicopter made what is called a precautionary landing and there were no injuries to the pilot or passenger. The Boston Fire Department said firefighters were called to the scene at 6:02 p.m. and no injuries were reported.

Swarms of police and firefighters surrounded the scene shortly after the incident. A small crowd of spectators also gathered.

Thomas Golden, 21, of Pembroke, was driving the Zamboni machine at the Frog Pond skating rink when, he said, he saw the lights of the helicopter come over a building on Tremont Street. He said the craft flew around the Common, on the Boylston Street side, and then over to the area near Beacon and Charles, which is one of the few sections where there are no trees.

“It maybe took 15 seconds to get down a thousand feet,’’ he said. “He was wicked low, wicked fast.

“He went down hard. I thought he crashed. Props to that pilot. That was incredible.’’

Golden said there was no engine noise from the helicopter shortly before the landing.

“My co-workers thought I was lying. It was quiet. No one else heard it,’’ he said.

He said he and several other Frog Pond workers ran over to the scene to see what happened. They were told by a park ranger that the pilot and passenger were OK.

A spokesman for the TV station did not immediately return a message seeking comment.

Hell Man

15th Jan 2011, 05:04

MINERAL WELLS, Texas — A private helicopter made a safe landing in a state park in North Texas before the pilot was found dead in the cockpit.

Parker County Sheriff Larry Fowler says foul play is not suspected and the chopper did not crash. The helicopter was discovered Friday morning at Mineral Wells State Park, about 45 miles west of Fort Worth.

Fowler told The Associated Press that his office Thursday night received a report of a helicopter, based in nearby Weatherford, that was overdue.

Radar tracking helped guide searchers to the last known area of the four-seat helicopter.

Fowler says there was no sign of a hard landing or trauma on the pilot, who owned the aircraft.

The name of the pilot was not immediately released. An autopsy has been ordered.

:sad:

Update here: Pilot of downed helicopter found in Parker County has been identified | Local News | New... (http://www.star-telegram.com/2011/01/14/2768983/1-person-found-dead-after-downed.html)

cayuse365

15th Jan 2011, 17:43

Wheatherstone Air's relatively new AW139 makes a recent visit to NYs West 30th Street Heliport with news that the Teterboro operator's operations are 'going strong' and with no reported problems on the 139

Hellman, you posted this comment on 31 July 10, it's a bold statement for someone who has no knowledge of that operation. The simple fact that you spelled their company name wrong speaks volumes. Your post are good but please stick to the facts. Yes, I know it is a rumor network!

Hell Man

16th Jan 2011, 06:10

Cayuse; with all due respect I can't accept responsibility for any inaccuracies resulting from news people send me and I generally don't quiz those who mail me items because PPRuNe is not an aviation publication but an aviation forum!

The great thing about it is that those with more up-to-date or accurate information are able to post this - and which input is most welcome.

HM

zalt

16th Jan 2011, 22:10

Flight school wants city help | floridatoday.com | FLORIDA TODAY (http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20110111/BUSINESS/101110315/1006/NEWS01/Flight+school+wants+city+help)

TITUSVILLE — A Titusville helicopter pilot training school will ask the city council for discounts on its building permit fees, as it seeks to expand its local operations and add nearly 100 employees.

Bristow Academy previously announced plans to build a 40,000-square-foot maintenance facility, a 13,500-square-foot flight operations center and a concrete aircraft ramp at its complex at Space Coast Regional Airport in Titusville.

The total proposed capital improvements exceed $10 million.

The new facilities would allow Bristol to add 97 full-time employees to its Titusville staff of 160. Most of the employees would be flight instructors, generally earning between $35,000 and $45,000 a year, depending on their experience, according to Nick Mayhew, Bristol Academy's Titusville general manager.

Bristow and the airport are seeking council approval for waiving about $33,085, which represents half of the costs of three fees: building permits, utility construction and site.

Mayhew said the incentives "will help us maintain flexibility and allow us to grow."

With its current staff levels and its current 250 students taking classes at any one time, Mayhew estimates that the company brings about $100 million a year into the local economy. That figure takes into account spending by students and their families while they live in Brevard County, tuition payments and spending by Bristow employees, as well as various spinoff economic impacts.

Many of Bristow's students are from other parts of the country or from other countries.

The planned expansion could increase local student enrollment by up to 125 at any one time, Mayhew said.

Titusville-based Bristow Academy is the world's largest civilian helicopter school.

Mayhew said the expansion also could result in Bristow adding as many as 20 helicopters to its 55-helicopter fleet in Titusville.

Gordy

16th Jan 2011, 23:52

With its current staff levels and its current 250 students taking classes at any one time, Mayhew estimates that the company brings about $100 million a year into the local economy.

Not sure what kind of math someone is using.....but lets assume each student spends $100,000, oh and even assume that 500 students spend that in one year, it still only adds up to $50 million. A vast portion of that money goes to paying for fuel and aircraft which do not come from the local economy.

I am guessing that Nick was either mis-quoted, or I am in the wrong business. What am I missing?

zalt

20th Feb 2011, 16:23

Shell apparently threaten to pull out of Gaslveston and move to a grass strip at Alvin to avoid paying tax.

Officials seek moratorium on airport tax
By Laura Elder
The Daily News
Published February 18, 2011

GALVESTON — With the hovering threat of losing major customers at Scholes International Airport, island officials last week traveled to Washington, D.C., seeking a five-year moratorium on the so-called helicopter passenger tax.

Among the several reasons Mayor Joe Jaworski, City Manager Steve LeBlanc and airport Director Hud Hopkins traveled to Washington was to keep Shell Oil from leaving the island, where it pays helicopter transportation company PHI Inc. to fly crews to offshore rigs.

Shell wants to avoid the federal tax of $3 a passenger. The tax is assessed on helicopter transportation companies such as PHI, who pass it on to customers.

Shell, each year, pays about $1.5 million in the federal tax by using Scholes International Airport. The taxes are imposed on passengers flying on large helicopters such as Sikorsky S-92s and S-76s, which PHI operates at Scholes.

To avoid the tax, Shell has asked PHI to move its base from the island to a non-airport field in Alvin. Despite persistent rumors, PHI has said it had no plans to leave the island. PHI officials earlier this month confirmed it had expansion plans but declined to elaborate. A PHI representative traveled to Washington with city officials.

The loss of offshore transportation would be a huge blow to Scholes International Airport, which doesn’t have airline service to generate revenues. The airport, which last year reported $924,507 in revenues on expenses of $924,415, makes money leasing its land to several tourist operations and other business. But about 61 percent of operations comes from offshore transportation, Hopkins said.

Along with PHI, the airport is landlord to Air Logistics, Era Helicopters and Rotorcraft Leasing Co. ExxonMobil has its own helicopter transportation operations at the airport.

Helicopter transportation companies pay rent and a “fuel flowage charge,” of 4 cents on every gallon of fuel they bring to the airport. Shell, for example, will pay $49,418 in rent and $33,019 for fuel flowage to the airport this year.

But the economic repercussions of helicopter transportation companies leaving is much broader. Thousands of offshore workers who catch helicopter rides from the island airport also stay in local hotels and eat at local restaurants. The helicopter services companies also employ mechanics and fuelers on the island.

So far, Shell is the only company that has publicly said it wanted to leave because of the tax. But others are paying attention, Hopkins said.

“They’re all kind of watching,” he said.

When it comes to the helicopter passenger tax, federal law generally exempts air transportation by helicopter for the purpose of transporting crews, equipment or supplies in the exploration for oil and gas unless the helicopter takes off or lands at an airport. But the tax is imposed at airports eligible for federal grants and assistance, which Scholes and most airports are.

The city doesn’t want to lose eligibility for federal money. So, officials last week met with representatives to seek a five-year moratorium on the tax at airports on the Gulf Coast hurt by hurricanes Rita, Gustav and Ike and where efforts to rebuild economic bases to pre-disaster levels is a challenge. Aside from Scholes, other Texas airports would include Brazoria County Airport and Aransas County Airport. Five airports in Louisiana also would be included in the moratorium on the helicopter tax.

Without the moratorium, hurricane-damaged airports and the communities they serve likely would see a continued erosion of their economic base as helicopter service providers burdened by the tax moved their operations to remain competitive, officials said.

If it were up to the city and the airport, there would be no such tax, Hopkins said.

Officials don’t yet know how successful their Washington trip was. But they said U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison and U.S. Rep. Ron Paul committed their help in drafting language to achieve the moratorium.

“We’re hoping they move pretty quickly,” Hopkins said.

Officials seek moratorium on airport tax (http://galvestondailynews.com/story/212314)

Savoia

13th May 2011, 05:48

.
Crop Duster Crashes

NEW ATHENS , ILLINOIS

The pilot of a crop dusting helicopter is dead after a "mechanical failure" caused him to crash into a St. Clair County, Illinois field. It happened about three miles north of New Athens, just of Illinois Highway 13.

St. Clair deputies say the chopper had been working in the area for much of the day. It set down in the field it was spraying, likely to refuel, Thursday afternoon. It was about 3:15 when he took off again, and something went terribly wrong.

"He had just taken off from that field and they were spraying the wheat out there with some kind of herbicide," Sgt. Mike Humbelt of the St. Clair Sheriff's Department said. "After takeoff they had some kind of mechanical problem and the helicopter crashed."

New Athens' mayor, who is also a pilot, said crop dusting aircraft have been plentiful in the area in recent weeks.

"For about the last three weeks there's been six crop dusting planes at the Sparta Airport and then these helicopters, so it's been a lot of activity," Mayor Gary Kearns said.

The helicopter, made by the Bell company, is registered to Couch Helicopters of northeast Arkansas.

The name and hometown of the pilot have not yet been released.

Federal investigators remained in the area Thursday night looking for clues as to why the helicopter crashed.

Photos (http://www.fox2now.com/kplr-pictures-helicopter-crash-new-athens-illinois-051211-pg,0,7396479.photogallery)

Savoia

27th Apr 2012, 22:17

Another Crop Duster Crashes

SOUTH LONDONDERRY, VERMONT

A helicopter spraying herbicides on a farm field near Gingrich Road in South Londonderry Twp. crashed Friday morning, but the pilot did not appear to be seriously injured.

http://media.pennlive.com/patriot-news/photo/2012/04/10901103-standard.jpg

The pilot, Thomas Green, 59, of Gettysburg, told police he was flying about five feet off the ground spraying a farm field belonging to James Hershey of Elizabethtown about 8:30 a.m. when he got too close to the ground and the landing gear caught, causing the helicopter to flip over to its side. The rotor blades broke off, and the tail separated from the rest of the craft, police said.

Police chief Jeffrey Arnold said gusty winds might have been a factor. The FAA has been brought in to do an investigation.

Arnold said the Bell Jet Ranger Rotocraft was owned by Ag Air, LLC, of Thomasville, York County. He said it is a total loss. Green was lucky to walk away from the crash relatively unscathed, Arnold said. He was taken to Hershey Medical Center for observation.

According to Lawn Fire Dept. Chief Jim Hess, the pilot was able to get out of the helicopter and walk away from the crash. Emergency personnel who were in the helicopter’s spray-zone had to be decontaminated.Arnold said the Lebanon Haz-Mat team was brought in, but the herbicides being used should cause no problem to the environment.

Helicopter Crash Near Turnpike in Lebanon County | PennLive.com (http://photos.pennlive.com/patriot-news/2012/04/helicopter_crash_near_turnpike.html)

Savoia

1st May 2012, 04:59

Sikorsky offers city link service

http://www.flyaag.com/ui/images/img_S-76.jpg
An Associated Aircraft S76C

Sikorsky Aircraft's charter subsidiary Associated Aircraft Group (http://www.flyaag.com/index.html) has launched a service linking New Jersey's Teterboro Airport with Manhattan New York.

Associated Aircraft Group announced Monday it has an aircraft at Teterboro to take executives into New York in less than 10 minutes.

Carolyn Marino, director of AAG's sales and marketing, said the company has reached agreements with the airport that, along with the designated aircraft, will allow faster response times to meet clients' needs.

"We're seeing a slow increase," she said of business travel. "Our fractional ownership program is continuing to expand.

"AAG, acquired by Sikorsky more than a decade ago, manages a fleet of S-76 executive helicopters. Some are owned by one customer for whom AAG manages and maintains the aircraft. It also offers fractional ownership in the helicopters and manages those, too.

It appears to be a good time to expand service, according to one veteran Fairfield County travel agent.

"Business travel has been picking up for us with increased air bookings," said Nancy Yale, owner and president of Fairfield-based Cruise Resorts and World Travel Inc. "Our clients don't use as much of the Internet conferencing they had been doing over the past few years. The value of personal meetings has certainly led to increased business travel.

"She said the demand for business travel is heating up enough to prompt midsized companies to begin booking with travel agents again.But, so far, helicopter service remains a fairly exclusive service and has not reached into the larger business community, she said.

Sikorsky's helicopter chartering business lands in Teterboro - GreenwichTime (http://www.greenwichtime.com/sports/article/Sikorsky-s-helicopter-chartering-business-lands-3522697.php)

Savoia

9th Jul 2012, 19:18

Instead of Upgrading Helicopters, Army Wants to Upgrade Pilots

http://www.wired.com/images_blogs/dangerroom/2012/07/all_seeing_pilot-660x388.jpg (http://www.wired.com/images_blogs/dangerroom/2012/07/all_seeing_pilot.jpg)

The Army has found a solution to fixing its aging helicopter fleet. It doesn’t even require upgrading the helicopters very much, or designing new and more modern ones. Indeed, the helicopters will remain largely the same. It’s the pilots who are getting upgraded.

On Monday, Raytheon received a $4.7 million contract from the Army’s wing for Engineering and Manufacturing Development to develop a wearable computer system for helicopter pilots. Called the Air Soldier system, which the Army hopes to field by 2015, it includes smartphone-sized devices attached to pilots’ wrists and is envisioned as a way to share battlefield information between pilots and troops on the ground. Those devices are then linked to a detachable tablet mounted to an aircraft dashboard.

Behind it all is a brain called the Soldier Computer Module, which is itself planned to be only a quarter of an inch thick and slightly larger than a pack of cigarettes. This comes the same day the military announced it’s spending $7.3 billion on new Black Hawks, which have served as the workhorses of the U.S. helo force since the 1970s.In other words: keep the helicopters, but improve the pilots. Instead of ripping out and redesigning consoles for existing aircraft, and going though costly re-certification, you simply redesign the airmen.

Air Soldier is envisioned as a personal communication and information tool. That could mean tracking where friendly troops are operating, or the location of bad guys an attack chopper needs to destroy, or which areas to avoid if a pilot is forced to abandon his or her aircraft.

More (http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2012/07/air-soldier/)

Rolls-Royce lands $183m US Army helicopter contract

http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/02271/helicopter_2271193b.jpg

The US Army contract, to support 500 M250 engines on more than 300 OH-58D Kiowa Warrior scout helicopters, will last a year, with the military having the option to extend it for another four years.

Rolls-Royce has supported the Kiowa Warrior fleet for 13 years, with the Kiowa Warriors completing more than 2m flight hours, including more than 750,000 hours in combat.

More (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/industry/defence/9385790/Rolls-Royce-lands-183m-US-Army-helicopter-contract.html)

Savoia

24th Aug 2012, 21:45

Bell Helicopter Ranked No.1 in Product Support Survey for Seventh Consecutive Year

Bell Helicopter has been named number one in product support in a survey sponsored by Aviation International News. Bell Helicopter topped the scores in 9 out of 10 categories surveyed and strengthened its position by 4% from 2011. Consistently named the industry leader in customer support, Bell Helicopter also received top honors for the 18th consecutive year from the readers of Professional Pilot in their annual independent customer support survey.

Customers ranked Bell Helicopter first in terms of authorized service centers, parts availability, cost of parts, aircraft on ground (AOG) response, warranty fulfillment, technical manuals, technical representatives, maintenance tracking programs and overall aircraft reliability.

More (http://rotor.com/Publications/RotorNewssupregsup/tabid/177/newsid1237/76424/mid/1237/Default.aspx)

Sir Korsky

25th Aug 2012, 00:29

Associated Aircraft Group announced Monday it has an aircraft at Teterboro to take executives into New York in less than 10 minutes.

Anything more than 5 will be the long way round:eek:

tottigol

25th Aug 2012, 00:30

The older they get the more you have to support them.

Savoia

11th Oct 2012, 15:46

PHI Hit With $120m Claim

A fixed-wing flight instructor and his student were flying in the wrong traffic pattern before being hit by a PHI Air Medical EC135 near Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport. The certificated commercial pilot and passenger on board the airplane were fatally injured. The families of the two victims have filed a $120 million lawsuit against PHI and the helicopter’s pilot, Paul Weve.

Source: HH (http://helihub.com/2012/10/11/phi-air-medical-and-pilot-face-120m-lawsuit/)

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-dvefwz326Fc/UHbofp_7i6I/AAAAAAAAJ2k/dd2bgc2HTcs/s639/PHI%2520EC135.png

SASless

11th Oct 2012, 17:01

VFR.....See and Avoid!

The Accident Report shows the Pilot wouid lose sight of the airplane as the Helicopter turned left in preparation for landing. That placed the airplane below and ahead of the Helicopter.

There was no discussion in the Accident Report about what the Non-Pilot Flight Nurse in the Co-Pilot seat could have seen....and limited its review to only the Pilot.

Normally, the PHI Operation employs the Nurses as well as providing the Aircraft and Pilot.....thus PHI (if that is the case here) has no out by blaming the Flight Nurse.

The Accident Report correctly states the fact that there is no restriction on making a Right Hand Traffic Pattern beyond it being a Recommended Practice to make a Left Hand Pattern unless a Right Hand Pattern is required and so indicated by Signs, Signals, etc.

Eight Hundred feet AGL is considered Traffic Pattern Height.

So...as I read it....the airport was busy, Pilots were making standard radio calls, the accident airplane was in a non-standard pattern, was at 500 feet AGL, was tardy in turning its Transponder on, and as there was no mention by witnesses of any radio calls by the accident airplane....the Helicopter Crew would have been forced to rely purely upon Visual Separation.

A Jury will have a tough time deciding who is the most negligent here. Neither crew did anything illegal or in direct contravention of the FAR's as I see it.

This is an unusual Mid-Air between a Helicopter and Airplane....usually it is the Airplane crew being interviewed and the helicopter crew that goes to the Morque.

Savoia

9th Jan 2013, 09:20

Another Duster Down: This Time Fresno

http://ww3.hdnux.com/photos/17/21/23/4003070/3/628x471.jpg
Fresno County firefighters work to remove a pilot whose Bell 206 crop-dusting helicopter crashed in a field east of Riverdale, California in Fresno County on Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013. Authorities say the pilot suffered moderate injuries when the helicopter crashed.

FRESNO, Calif. (AP) — Authorities say the pilot of a crop-dusting helicopter suffered moderate injuries when his helicopter crashed in a field outside of
Fresno Tuesday afternoon.

Fresno County sheriff's Deputy Chris Curtice says the helicopter went down around 12:45 p.m. in an open field east of the community of Riverdale.

The pilot was trapped inside the wreckage, but Curtice says rescue crews were able to extricate him and take him to a hospital. The name of the pilot has not been released.

Curtice says the helicopter was in the process of spraying the field with pesticide when the aircraft went down.

The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the crash.

Pilot survives Fresno County helicopter crash - SFGate (http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Pilot-survives-Fresno-County-helicopter-crash-4177329.php)

Savoia

12th Mar 2013, 12:33

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-o5SrFW8kl-M/UT8eyxnAk6I/AAAAAAAAMTA/s_j3HFm4F5g/s771/Kirsten+Brazier+Trinity+407.jpg
Trinity Helicopters Bell 407 with Kirsten Brazier at the controls

In Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada, 27 local businesses as well as the Canadian military rallied around helicopter pilot Kirsten Brazier to provide static displays as well as funds and logistics to allow four of Trinity Helicopters’ pilots Kirsten Brazier, Megan Tyler, Derrick Robinson and Robert Ferlisi, to take over 400 local girls and women on their first small aircraft flight and, in doing so, earned the Yellowknife Airport the coveted “Most Female-Pilot-Friendly Airport Worldwide” title!

Heli-News

5th Aug 2013, 07:48

GONZALES, Calif. Aug 04, 2013 — A helicopter that had just finished spraying pesticides crashed into a lettuce field in the 1000 block of River Road near Gonzales on Sunday, officials said.

Power cut out on the helicopter so the pilot was forced to make the crash-landing, according to the Monterey County Sheriff's Department.

The pilot walked away without injuries.

http://bcdownload.gannett.edgesuite.net/salinas/44238091001/201308/2552/44238091001_2584751606001_Screen-Shot-2013-08-04-at-1-02-22-PM.jpg?pubId=44238091001

Helicopter spraying pesticides crashes near Gonzales | Monterey News - KSBW Home (http://www.ksbw.com/news/central-california/monterey/helicopter-spraying-pesticides-crashes-near-gonzales/-/5738820/21326742/-/151b8jaz/-/index.html)

Heli-News

8th Aug 2013, 10:19

Volusia Sheriff's helicopter makes emergency landing on beach

http://www.news-journalonline.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=DN&Date=20130807&Category=NEWS&ArtNo=130809601&Ref=AR&Profile=1040&MaxW=728&logo=/images/watermark.gif&logoxpos=0&logoypos=0

A Volusia County sheriff's helicopter has made a forced landing on the beach Wednesday after the crew experienced a shudder in the engine a sheriff's spokesman said.

The helicopter, one of several in the fleet referred to as Air One by the Sheriff's Office, was on a routine flight when the crew felt a shudder in the engine and decided to make an emergency landing as a precaution, said Davidson.

Volusia sheriff's helicopter makes emergency landing on beach | News-JournalOnline.com (http://www.news-journalonline.com/article/20130807/NEWS/130809601?Title=Volusia-sheriff-s-helicopter-makes-emergency-landing-on-beach-&tc=ar)

Heli-News

8th Aug 2013, 10:32

The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington DC shall be hosting a Super Science Saturday on August 10th 2013:

Real helicopters, flying in just for the occasion, will be on display outside the Center, while demonstrations and hands-on activities will be offered inside. Visitors of all ages will become immersed in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics topics in a fun and engaging way.

Helicopter fans will have the opportunity to see a variety of helicopters including:

• Bell 429 (Fairfax County Police)
• A-Star AS 350B (WBAL-TV)
• Bell 427
• R-44 Rescue

In addition, attendees can learn about how helicopters work at interactive Discovery Stations, enjoy a RC helicopter demo with vertical flight curator Roger Connor, and listen to presentations from helicopter associations, including the Virginia Airborne Search and Rescue and the Whirly Girls. The team of University of Maryland students who set a world record with Gamera II, a human-powered helicopter, will also staff a display inside the Center.

Helicopters | National Air and Space Museum (http://airandspace.si.edu/events/detail.cfm?id=4794)

Heli-News

8th Aug 2013, 19:17

Man recovering after being hit by helicopter blade

LA LOCHE, Sask. – A man is recovering in a Edmonton hospital after being hit by a helicopter blade while carrying out geological work north of La Loche, Sask.

On Tuesday morning, the man was one of three people arriving at an exploration site near Forrest Lake.

The helicopter, an AS-350, touched down on a soft muskeg heli-pad.

According to the Transportation Safety Board, the man and one of his colleagues then exited the craft while the rotor-blades were still spinning.

The man walked to the cargo bay, and then around to the front of the helicopter where he was hit.

Chris Krepski of the Transportation Safety Board says it appears the front skids of the helicopter may have sunk down into the soft ground, causing it to be lower than it normally would have been.

Man recovering after being hit by helicopter blade | Globalnews.ca (http://globalnews.ca/news/768722/man-recovering-after-being-hit-by-helicopter-blade/)

From the http://www.pprune.org/rotorheads/519593-ec-120-crash-near-murmansk-russia-2.html thread:

Originally posted by Anthony Supplebottom
There is a tendency in many of the northern territories - Alaska, Canada, Scandinavia - to request pax to crouch down next to the helicopter after disembarking and remain so until the heli leaves.

Originally posted by nigelh
The practice , as you put it , is not screwed up !! It is a standard way of disembarking pax with kit , or in uneven terrain.

Heli-News

9th Aug 2013, 07:27

Memorial marks spot of helicopter crash deaths

VENTURA — A cross bearing the names of those killed in the January crash of a Mercy Air Med helicopter has been placed near the crash site.

Paramedic Russ Piehl, pilot Gene Grell and flight (http://www.surfcanyon.com/search?f=slc&q=flight&p=acp) nurse Shelly Lair-Langenbau were killed Jan. 2 when the helicopter crashed in a field shortly after take-off.

The memorial is located on 260th Street about three-quarters of a mile west of County Road S14.

http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/globegazette.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/a/f0/af047f74-f76e-54ed-bab7-0c12b854a017/5203ef02124b5.preview-620.jpg

http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/globegazette.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/a/ed/aedf73f1-b572-5869-bf09-c7d4c6c69246/5203ef06629d7.preview-620.jpg

Memorial marks spot of helicopter crash deaths (http://globegazette.com/news/local/memorial-marks-spot-of-helicopter-crash-deaths/article_5f729d44-00ad-11e3-afcc-001a4bcf887a.html)

Heli-News

13th Aug 2013, 07:40

Carson Helicopters moving

August 13, 2013

HAMPTON — A helicopter parts manufacturer that had operated in Pennsylvania for 50 years is moving to Fort Monroe.

http://www.solidpartners.com.my/sites/default/files/carson.jpg

Carson Helicopters rebuilds and updates the Sikorsky S61 transport helicopter and other aircraft while also researching, designing and developing aircraft parts.

The Carson Composite Main Rotor Blade is used on Marine One, the helicopter that carries the president, according to a news release from the Fort Monroe Authority and city of Hampton.

The company will occupy an existing building along Fenwick Road in Fort Monroe's Wherry Quarter. No aircraft will land or take off from the property.

Carson Helicopters moving to Fort Monroe - dailypress.com (http://www.dailypress.com/news/hampton/dp-nws-fort-monroe-helicopters-20130813,0,1194772.story)

Heli-News

13th Aug 2013, 21:23

Helicopter crew looking for pot gardens crashes in Oregon

BURNS, Ore. (KPTV) – A helicopter crew looking for illegal marijuana gardens crashed on a Forest Service road in eastern Oregon on Monday afternoon.

http://tribkcpq.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/helicopter-crash-oregon.jpg?w=640&h=357

The U.S. Department of Justice leased the helicopter for marijuana eradication efforts in northern Harney County. Large outdoor marijuana growing operations are often found in rural Oregon; in fact, a smoke jumper fighting a wildfire found a pot garden belonging to Mexican drug traffickers earlier this year.

On Monday around 1:30 p.m., the helicopter was 400 feet off the ground when the engine failed, causing the pilot to auto rotate down to a narrow road near Calamity Butte.

The pilot, 29-year-old Thomas Levanger, of Redding, CA, and passenger, Harney County Deputy Sheriff Chris Nisbet, both survived the crash and did not suffer any significant injuries.

Helicopter crew looking for pot gardens crashes in Oregon | Q13 FOX News (http://q13fox.com/2013/08/13/helicopter-crew-looking-for-pot-gardens-crashes-in-oregon/#axzz2bt0LKj8p)

More details from US MD500 crash

Engine failure caused a helicopter looking for illegal marijuana to crash in eastern Oregon Monday afternoon, authorities said.

The McDonnell Douglas 369E was being leased by the U.S. Department of Justice from PJ Helicopters of Red Bluff, Calif.

http://ww3.hdnux.com/photos/23/15/67/5037558/3/628x471.jpg

Additional crash photo (http://media.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/photo/dscn1238jpg-38a4e33415360063.jpg)

SASless

13th Aug 2013, 21:36

Excellent bit of piloting.....Well Done!

The rest of the story.....this is the third accident for PJ in the past three years.

One was a MD that had some sort of malfunction while doing a powerline survey.....no injuries but a bent up Bird.

The second was a MD that collided with a Truck while slinging Christmas Trees injuring the pilot and damaging the aircraft.

Then this one.....where the aircraft had an engine failure, damaged the aircraft and injured the pilot and passenger.

Their web site claims an Accident free history.....you reckon they will get around to changing that claim after this latest event?:oh:

As a recognized leader in the helicopter utility world of powerline construction and fire, PJ Helicopters has become the number one innovator and designer of a variety of specialized methods and procedures involving powerline construction. With Safety being the single most important consideration in successful utility operations and procedures, PJ Helicopters has taken an industry lead role in developing and implementing a Safety Management System (SMS) specifically designed for a utility helicopter operator.

Four years ago, PJ Helicopter staff personnel studied and reviewed numerous SMS programs developed by the Airline Industry as well as guidelines from the FAA and HAI (Helicopter Association International) to design and tailor a program that fitted the needs of the company and that would actually work and be accepted by employees of PJ Helicopters. The driving force behind this innovative approach began with the guidance and direction the owners of PJ Helicopters and staff personnel holding a Bachelors Degree from the Embry – Riddle School of Aeronautics specializing in Aircraft Safety and Pilot Psychology and the company check pilot and safety officer with over 18,000 hours of utility flying . The resultant SMS Program developed by PJ Helicopters has proven itself to be invaluable and accepted by Federal and State Agencies such as the California Department of Forestry, Department of Interior, Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service.

With nineteen aircraft and about 15,000 hours of utility flying each year, PJ Helicopters has enjoyed an accident free safety record in the most hazardous flight environment in the industry. In instituting the SMS Program at PJ Helicopters, it has ensured that safety objectives are met as set forth in the PJ Helicopters Safety Policy. The policies, procedures, controls, and process measures as well as other safety attributes are designed into the SMS Program to reduce human error while permitting personnel at all levels within the organization to effectively manage both safety and quality of work completed.

Safety is NO accident! PJ Helicopters will always provide the highest reasonable standard of safety for all procedures, systems, and activities coupled with identifying and minimizing the risks which could contribute to incidents, accidents, or injury to persons or property.

Heli-News

14th Aug 2013, 07:39

NIMBY news from the US

A request from a Louisiana-based company to locate a charter helicopter business in Elkhart Lake has raised the ire of village residents.

The business, Mustang Helicopters, submitted a request to the village in June to locate a helipad at 610 Aero Drive.

Many in the village became upset when they got wind of the plan with more than 100 people showing up for the Aug. 5 public hearing on the rezoning request, said Village Board president Alan Rudnick.

http://www.sheboyganpress.com/article/20130813/SHE0101/308130389/Residents-up-air-over-Elkhart-Lake-helicopter-proposal-video-?nclick_check=1

Complaint lodged on helicopter landings - Dyersville Commercial: News (http://www.dyersvillecommercial.com/news/complaint-lodged-on-helicopter-landings/article_28c9e432-04ef-11e3-a14f-001a4bcf6878.html)

Savoia

8th Oct 2013, 16:21

Boeing Delivers 5th Canadian CH-147F Chinook Helicopter

Boeing has delivered the Royal Canadian Air Force's (RCAF) fifth CH-147F Chinook helicopter one month ahead of schedule and only three months after the arrival of the first in June.

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3773/9154548934_9a5377a3bf_z.jpg

Boeing Delivers 5th Canadian CH-147F Chinook Helicopter | Canadian Aviation News (http://skiesmag.com/news/articles/20059-boeing-delivers-5th-canadian-ch-147f-chinook-helicopter-.html)

Sounds very similar to the kind of service the Canadians are experiencing from another American manufacturer! ;)

500guy

8th Oct 2013, 22:10

PJ had a UH-1 crash in 2011 as well. That being said, I believe everyone walked away in all four accidents with only minor injuries.

Savoia

31st Oct 2013, 15:34

Reduction in Hudson River movements agreed

JERSEY CITY, New Jersey — An agreement has been reached to reduce the hours and number of helicopter tours operating out of a heliport in Jersey City.

U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez and Rep. Albio Sires asked the Federal Aviation Administration to examine the issue after residents had complained that the low-flying aircraft create constant noise and safety issues.

Helicopter flights at the Paulus Hook Helipad will be limited to one at a time instead of three. Hours of operation will take place between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays.

The operations conform to the helipad's agreement with the state.

Sires says he expects the FAA to begin looking for ways to ease flight patterns along the New Jersey side of the Hudson River.

Agreement reached to limit helicopter flights on NJ side of Hudson River - Daily Journal (http://www.dailyjournal.net/view/story/2c41afd5744a46d19046493e436dd597/NJ--Helicopters-on-Hudson/#.UnJ35nBkPpw)

skadi

10th Nov 2013, 07:36

Any more info about this "incident" ?

http://www.shreveporttimes.com/article/20131109/NEWS01/311090037/Three-injured-Shreveport-helicopter-crash

skadi

Savoia

10th Dec 2013, 15:43

Defective blade caused November 2011 crash of Bell 206L in Kapuskasing, Ontario

RICHMOND HILL, ON, Dec. 10, 2013 /CNW/ - The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) today released its investigation report (A11O0205) into the November 2011 collision with terrain of a Bell 206L helicopter in Kapuskasing, Ontario.

On 2 November 2011, a Bell 206L helicopter, operated by Sunrise Helicopters Inc., departed Kapuskasing, Ontario. The aircraft was chartered by a forestry company for a local timber survey flight. On board were the pilot and 2 passengers employed by the forestry company. At 10:48 Eastern Daylight Time, the helicopter experienced an in-flight separation of a main rotor blade and the helicopter crashed. All occupants were fatally injured and the helicopter was destroyed. There was no post-impact fire.

The investigation found that the main rotor blades were manufactured with defects. As several fatigue cracks developed, one of them progressed until the occurrence main rotor blade separated in flight. A similar accident occurred in August 2008. After that accident, Bell Helicopter implemented a damage tolerance approach for the main rotor blades. This approach did not provide adequate inspection criteria to prevent this accident. As a result, a fatigue crack progressed undetected until the blade failed.

In February 2012, Transport Canada mandated a life limit of 1400 hours air time for all affected main rotor blades, regardless of previous inspections performed. Consequently, all affected main rotor blades were to be removed from service prior to the accumulation of 1400 hours air time.

Defective blade caused November 2011 crash of a Bell 206L helicopter in Kapuskasing, Ontario - Press Release - Digital Journal (http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/1632956)

Savoia

14th Dec 2013, 07:23

Feds lighten-up on US helicopter pilot medical requirements

A bill introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2013, has the potential to significantly lower one of the barriers for prospective pilots. The General Aviation Pilot Protection Act (H.R. 3708), introduced by Rep. Todd Rokita (R-N.Y.) and Rep. Sam Graves (R-Mo.), and co-sponsored by four additional members of the House General Aviation Caucus, would direct the FAA to revise or issue new regulations that would allow pilots to fly aircraft up to six-place aircraft weighing less than 6,000 lbs. using the same driver’s license standard for medical certification that currently applies only to Sport Pilot certificate holders. (The four additional co-sponsors are Rep. Bill Flores (R-Texas), Rep. Richard Hanna (R-N.Y.), Rep. Collin Peterson (D-Minn.), and Rep. Mike Pompeo (R-Kansas).)

“This bill addresses the advanced state of the general aviation operating environment, reduces cost for GA pilots, and recognizes the historical data which indicates medical incapacitation has not been a significant safety issue,” said Matt Zuccaro, president of the Helicopter Association International. “This legislation will promote more individuals pursuing helicopter pilot certification, which is good for our industry and our nation's economy. We strongly support this legislation.”

The bill would give the FAA no more than 180 days from its enactment to change medical certification requirements so that a pilot flying an aircraft authorized to carry no more than six occupants and with a maximum certified takeoff weight of no more than 6,000 lbs. would only need a valid State driver’s license as evidence of adequate health. The bill makes no distinction between fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft.

The pilot would be required to comply with any medical requirements associated with that license.

A pilot choosing to use the driver’s license medical certification standard would only be permitted to fly under visual flight rules (VFR), could not carry more than five passengers or fly for compensation, and would be required to remain at or below 14,000’ above sea level and below 250 knots airspeed. The pilot would also not be allowed to fly outside the United States (unless authorized by the country in which the flight would take place).

“Historically the FAA has taken an overly cautious approach to changing medical certification standards, and caution where safety’s concerned is a good thing,” concluded Zuccaro. “However we believe the time has come for the FAA to acknowledge that there is no significant data indicating that the driver's license option will compromise safety in the general aviation community.

“Accordingly we appreciate Congressional General Aviation Caucus members sponsoring this legislative initiative directing the FAA to take action on this matter.”

HAI: General Aviation Pilot Protection Act good for growing the pilot population | Vertical Magazine - The Pulse of the Helicopter Industry (http://www.verticalmag.com/news/article/HAI:-General-Aviation-Pilot-Protection-Act-good-for-growing-#.UqwPstIW0nk)

New helicopter landing system successfully tested

A new aviation landing system is lighting the way to the future of helicopter landings aboard air-capable and amphibious assault ships.

Test pilots from Naval Air Station Patuxent River successfully employed the Advanced Stabilized Glide Slope Indicator (ASGSI) to approach and land on the USS Fort Worth (LCS 3) in San Diego this fall. This first-ever operational flight test granted the system an interim certification, clearing the way for use on two other ships currently equipped with ASGSI, the USS Coronado (LCS 4) and USNS Dahl (T-AKR-312).

http://www.thebaynet.com/images/news/E7F4C27468F2C9D6D421CBEF27B40AA9.jpg
During helicopter approach and landing, the Advanced Stabilized Glide Slope Indicator (ASGSI) projects a single beam of green light when the aircraft is above the correct glide slope, a red beam when below and amber when at the perfect glide slope. Similar to the color cues, pilots utilizing Night Vision Devices see slow flashes when the aircraft is above the correct glide slope, fast rapid flashes when below, and a solid beam at the accurate angle. The Aircraft Launch and Recovery Equipment Program Office (PMA-251) Visual Landing Aids team installed this ASGSI unit aboard the USNS Dahl in September. (U.S. Navy photo)

“The testing went extremely well,” said Kurt Hartig,Aircraft Launch and Recovery Equipment Program Office (PMA-251)Next GenerationVisual Landing Aidsteam lead. “The system performed as designed with only minor adjustments necessary, which will be resolved in preparation for a full rate production determination.”

ASGSI provides helicopter pilots with stabilized visual information relating to the correct approach angle to flight decks on air-capable and amphibious assault ships.

Approximately 55 future construction ships are slated to receive the system, with more anticipated. Hartig said there are currently no plans to retrofit the system on ships utilizing the current legacy Stabilized Slope Indicator (SGSI) technology.

Compared to SGSI, ASGSI provides night vision device (NVD) compatibility with the addition of pulse coding. Because NVDs eliminate color distinction, ASGSI indicates approach slope with pulsing or flashing beams of light; fast rapid flashes signal a low approach, slow flashes signal a high approach and a solid beam appears with a perfect glide slope, Hartig said.

“The intent of this night vision capability system is to provide greater operational availability and an improved level of accuracy for pilots,” said Cmdr. Tony Hernandez,PMA-251fleet liaison officer. “I think fleet pilots will find this a welcomed addition, one that provides enhanced visual cues that will only increase safe landings.”

Located on a platform just above the hangar, ASGSI uses electromechanical stabilization that automatically adjusts to the ship’s pitch and roll. The system replaces hydraulic powered stabilization with enhanced electromechanical technology that reduces environmental and maintenance hazards.

Hartig said ASGSI also utilizes LED lighting that can be adjusted based on pilot requirements via the Aviation Lighting System Control Panel Set (ALS-CPS) located in the helicopter control station. This allows operators to adjust lighting brightness for adverse weather to allow for a smooth landing.

Helicopter landing system successfully tested - Southern Maryland News (http://www.thebaynet.com/news/index.cfm/fa/viewstory/story_ID/34712)

Ian Corrigible

8th Aug 2014, 13:25

Arkansas man tries to recreate scene from Die Hard: Live Free or Die Hard, drives car into not one but three sheriff's department helicopters:

http://media.arkansasonline.com/img/photos/2014/08/07/10497121_863646316979707_7934582129354535267_o_t630.jpg?3000 4eeab9fb5f824ff65e51d525728c55cf3980 (http://www.ky3.com/news/local/car-crashes-into-sheriffs-departments-helicopters/21048998_27366440)
(OH-58s)

I/C

PANews

8th Aug 2014, 20:14

SawMan

9th Aug 2014, 12:33

I like the news story and its slight twist on the truth. Apparently these 'recently bought' gems, a couple of old DoD surplus OH-58s, were worth $50,000 even though they had paid a measly $1,300 for them in an auction!

looks like the old feller in the car is faced with a big insurance claim when he gets better!

So why would Baxter County leave such expensive equipment rotting in a field for two years and three months [yes the purchase was that recent] if it was worth as much?:)

It's Arkansas, what do you expect? (Americans will understand the humor). The delay between purchase and use of equipment is commom here, usually due to current budget constraints and as a way to justify requests for more money in the next fiscal year. Even when the extra funding is given it often doesn't go toward the things which it was supposed to be paying for; it's the American SOP of governmental Departments. Our second Police helicopter here was a similar purchase, but when the proposal was made, the after-purchase funding was also included and a timeline presented of when it would be expected to be airworthy. Target was met a bit late but better that then doing nothing like those guys did.

Under and over valuation is another tactic. You tell the potential funders "Look how cheap we can buy these, just $1300!" and you tell the insurer "These were nearly airworthy and very valuable machines!" The car insurance will pay no more than $30K (if they don't deny the claim) and the Department's insurer pays the rest. From the $50K settlement another ~$1300 will be spent on replacements at the next auction with those machines sitting around rotting just the same. There will be found more pressing uses for the left-over money. It's all about greed over here anymore, and if I could afford it I'd be going south about as far as one can go in that direction to escape. I love my land and it's people but the rest has deteriorated so badly there's no way to fix it.