Bristow Group signed a contract to procure six AW139 intermediate twin engine helicopters to support the Second-Generation Search and Rescue Aviation programme by the U.K. Maritime and Coastguard Agency. Aircraft’s deliveries are expected to start in 2023 and to be completed in 2024, joining an existing fleet of nine AW189 super medium twin engine SAR helicopters as part of the UKSAR2G...
The Helicopter Company (THC), established by the Public Investment Fund (PIF) as the first helicopter services provider licensed to operate commercial flights in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, has signed an HCare In-Service contract to cover its future fleet of six ACH160 helicopters.When delivered, the ACH160s will be deployed across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for corporate transportation ser...
Swiss Air-Rescue Service Rega has ordered a second batch of 12 five-bladed H145 helicopters to be operated from its mountain bases. They will replace the current fleet of AW109SP helicopters. This new order follows an initial contract for nine H145s, announced in March this year. By 2026, Rega will operate an all-Airbus fleet consisting of 21 five-bladed H145s. Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus He...
Airbus unveiled its DisruptiveLab, a new flying laboratory designed to test technologies destined to improve aircraft performance and to reduce helicopters’ CO2 emissions. The DisruptiveLab will evaluate a new aerodynamic architecture intended to reduce fuel consumption, as well as pursuing the implementation of hybridisation with a fully parallel hybrid propulsion system tha...
CHC Helicopter has successfully completed a trial collaboration with Priority 1 Air Rescue to deliver ground-breaking Virtual Reality training for its Search and Rescue technical crew members. The trial involved winch operators from CHC’s operations in Ireland. With the trial successfully completed, CHC will roll out Priority 1’s VR training for all new Winch Operat...
Swiss Helicopter signed an agreement to upgrade the avionics systems for their H120 helicopters. The new avionics will modernise the aircraft, provide new safety and performance functionalities and equip it with a more digitally-connected system. This upgrade is one of the continuous improvement programmes offered in the new HCare Classics package – a suite of flexible services dedicated to...
Leonardo is strengthing the level of support & maintenance services offered to its customer base in Germany and Europe through the appointment of HeliService as an Excellent Service Centre. The ‘Excellent’ ranking is assigned to selected Service Centres focused on maintaining third party fleets with the largest scope of service capabilities, while guaranteeing Leonar...
The second EUROPEAN ROTORS has ended in Cologne, Germany, following four lively days of business deals, networking, training, and reconnecting with colleagues. The European Helicopter Association and EASA produced the VTOL show and safety conference with service and support from Helicopter Association International. Four thousand exhibitors and attendees attended the event, which fe...
Air Zermatt signed a purchase agreement for a Bell429. This marks the third Bell HEMS-configured aircraft to operate in the Swiss transportation and rescue company active fleet. Air Zermatt has continually evolved through its more than 50-year history, growing its rescue operations from one aircraft to a fleet of eleven helicopters. Transport and tourist flights and rescue operations from th...
During European Rotors, Airbus announced the delivery of a five-bladed H145 to the German Operator HTM Helicopters – a year on, we sat down with the operator to check how the helicopter has proven itself in this industry. Helicopters are an important tool for the offshore wind industry – whenever maintenance of a wind park is necessary, whether it is planned or unplanned, he...
The AW169 light intermediate twin engine helicopter’s operational capabilities and configuration options grow further with the recent EASA (European Aviation Safety Agency) certification of the skid undercarriage and unique IFR, single pilot, Advanced Search and Rescue Modes. These latest achievements follow additional enhancements, such as the introduction of the Phase 8 core avionics...
Safran Helicopter Engines has signed a contract with The Helicopter and Jet Company to support Arrano and Arriel engines powering its H160, H125 and H145 fleets. This Support-By-the-Hour contract formalizes a long-term Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul and services agreement supporting more than 60 engines. The Helicopter and Jet Company currently operates a fleet of 30 helicopt...
