Airbus Helicopters to feature industry-leading H145 and H130 helicopters at AMTC

Airbus is no.1 in 5 out of 6 North American market segments, including air medical

GRAND PRAIRIE, TX. (19 October 2018) – Airbus Helicopters Inc. will highlight its role as the U.S. market leader for air medical transport rotorcraft at the Air Medical Transport Conference Oct. 22-24 in Phoenix, Arizona. Two of the most powerful and modern aircraft used by air medical transport providers , the twin-engine H145 and a single-engine H130, will be on display at the Phoenix Convention Center, Booth #429.

The featured H145 is the third aircraft from the proven H145 family to be operated by Avera McKennan Hospital and University Health Center, a South Dakota-based integrated health system offering the Careflight service.

provide the most advanced care during our patient transports as it encompasses state-of-the-art aviation technology and the latest safety standards," said Avera Program Manager Lee Bollock. "With this multi-faceted aircraft, Careflight continues to build the Avera brand promise and places patient care and safety at the forefront of our day-to-day operations."

Offering full-spectrum, mission-fit capabilities, the H145 is the leading twin-engine choice for EMS operators in the U.S. and worldwide. The latest model in the proven H145 family incorporates Airbus Helicopters’ advanced cockpit design and innovative Helionix avionics suite. Payload and range, along with a large cabin, allow for superior transport of medical teams and special medical care equipment. The aircraft’s low sound levels enable neighborhood-friendly operations in urban areas.

The H130 on display will highlight this aircraft’s capability of accommodating up to three medical crew and specialty team equipment required to care for complex patients. Equipped with a LifePort EMS interior, the wide, unobstructed cabin allows full-body patient access as well as ergonomic and efficient movement of the patient through the large sliding doors. Considered the global reference for single-engine, critical care air ambulance missions, the H130 is redefining single-engine critical care air transport by combining a twin-engine size cabin with single-engine economy.

Following AMTC, the displayed H130 will perform a Western U.S. demo tour to demonstrate its outstanding performance in high and hot conditions.

Aerial law enforcement: in service of their communities

Las Vegas Metropolitan Police H145, ©Jérôme Deulin (Airbus Helicopters)

Among the H125, H135 and H145, around 810 helicopters are in service in law enforcement, contributing to Airbus’ nearly 60 percent share of the global law enforcement fleet over the last 10 years. Below, a look at the airborne police units of Las Vegas, Japan and Germany, who are at the service of community and country in specially-equipped helicopters. 

Up on the mountain The helicopter’s shadow flits across the desert, where Joshua trees stand like old men over clumps of creosote. It’s still cool and snow lies in valleys on Mount Charleston. The crew of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department’s air unit, or Metro, point the nose of their H145 toward the area where a hiker has slipped and sustained injuries.

“We transfer from the scene to medical transport,” says Steve Morris, Jr., Metro chief pilot. “The medevac companies won’t go back in the canyons. And they don’t have a hoisting ability, so we’re called to transfer from the scene.”

The canyon where the hiker is waiting lies in shadow, its 90-foot walls V-shaped. The H145 hovers while the hoist operator lowers his crewmate to the canyon floor. Wind bends the trunks of junipers, their branches an obstacle for the orange-suited officer; he tugs the yellow rescue sling out of their way as he descends.

"The medevac companies won’t go back in the canyons, and they don’t have a hoisting ability, so we’re called to transfer from the scene."

Steve Morris, Jr., Las Vegas Metropolitan Police chief pilot

Las Vegas Metro operates six helicopters, deployed 80% of the time on patrols in support of ground officers. In August 2017, they became the US’s first police agency to take delivery of an H145, for mountain rescues. It’s also used for quick reaction force deployment, as during the 2017 Rock ’n Roll Marathon, where “we had it ready, staffed and staged,” says Morris. “We flew overwatch over the events with the team in the back ready to deploy.”

A few minutes pass, with everyone concentrated – the pilot on the instruments, the hoist operator’s gloved hand on the line to guide his crewmate in. The altimeter reads 9,047 feet mean sea level (MSL), with the H145’s twin engines maintaining a steady hover. The rescuer rises into view, supporting the hiker in the sling.

“The rescue at Mount Charleston was high,” says Morris. “We’ll get some higher-density altitude ones in the summer, when it’s over 112o F (44o C).”

Las Vegas Metropolitan Police H145, ©Jérôme Deulin (Airbus Helicopters)

Coast Guard rescues 3 boaters near Big Constance Lake

Photo: Petty Officer 3rd Class Lora Ratliff

An aircrew from Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans rescued three overdue boaters near Big Constance Lake, Louisiana, May 25, 2018. The overdue boaters were located on shore near Big Constance Lake after using an orange shirt tied to a stick to flag down the helicopter crew. The boaters reported that their vessel had sunk 18 hours earlier. U.S. Coast Guard photo.

NEW ORLEANS – The Coast Guard rescued three overdue boaters near Big Constance Lake, Louisiana, Friday.

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector New Orleans received a report of three overdue boaters on a 20-foot commercial shrimping vessel from Rollover Landing, Louisiana. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries confirmed the truck and trailer associated with the overdue vessel was still at the landing.

Watchstanders directed the launch of an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans.

The overdue boaters were located on shore near Big Constance Lake after using an orange shirt tied to a stick to flag down the helicopter crew. The boaters reported that their vessel had sunk 18 hours earlier.

The aircrew returned the boaters to their truck in good condition.

The Coast Guard reminds boaters of the importance of float plans and ensuring that someone staying on land knows your plan. For more details on float plans, including what should be included, visit this website: http://floatplancentral.cgaux.org/classroom/filing.htm

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Lee County, Florida acquires six Airbus H125s to upgrade fleet for airborne mosquito control missions

FAA approved STC allows higher operating weight for aerial spraying.

GRAND PRAIRIE, TX. (15 May 2018) – Lee County Mosquito Control District in Florida is operating six new Airbus H125 helicopters as part of a major upgrade of its aircraft fleet. The new aircraft are being used to support aerial spraying to control the mosquito population in the roughly 1,000 square-mile district in southwest Florida, which includes the city of Fort Myers.

Lee County officials selected the H125 because of its superior performance and ability to carry a heavier load. Each H125 is capable of hauling about 1,000 pounds more equipment and mosquito abatement product than the previous aircraft in certain configurations, allowing the district to cut the number of helicopters it operates from 10 to six.

will improve our fuel efficiency and cut down on maintenance," said Rick O’Neal of the Lee County Mosquito Control District." "Six aircraft will now do the work that 10 used to do."

Airbus Helicopters Inc. received a supplemental type certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration to allow the Lee County aircraft to operate at the higher weight necessary to meet the mission requirements.  

"We take great pride in helping our customers achieve their missions," said Chris Emerson, president of Airbus Helicopters Inc. "The H125 is the leading high-performance single-engine helicopter available, and we are pleased that the Lee County Mosquito Control District selected it to conduct their missions of protecting citizens by fighting disease-carrying mosquitoes."

Created in 1958, the Lee County Mosquito Control District is committed to improving the quality of life, facilitating outdoor activities and protecting public health by implementing environmentally sound practices that control mosquito populations throughout the Gulf Coast county. The district operates both fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters.

The district expects to operate each of the H125s 200 to 250 hours a year, O’Neal said. The peak mosquito-fighting season is May through September.

Airbus Helicopters Inc. produces the H125 at its final assembly plant in Columbus, Miss., by a workforce that includes about 40 percent U.S. military veterans. The H125 is known for its high performance, payload, reliability, and multi-mission flexibility.

Airbus Helicopters Inc. is the leading provider of civil and commercial helicopters in the U.S. The company is based in Grand Prairie, Texas where it operates helicopter completion, paint, and MRO facilities, performs flight test and engineering support, and flight and maintenance training for customers. The Columbus, Miss. plant produces UH-72A Lakota helicopters for the U.S. Army and the H125 for the civil market.

Airbus to offer H135 for U.S. Navy helicopter trainer replacement

Light twin-engine aircraft is leading military trainer globally

GRAND PRAIRIE, TX. (17 May 2018) – Airbus Helicopters Inc. will offer the Airbus H135 helicopter as the solution for the U.S. Navy’s planned helicopter trainer replacement program. An H135 demonstrator aircraft in Navy trainer markings is on display this week at the 2018 Naval Helicopter Association Symposium in Norfolk, Va.

"The H135 is a market leading twin-engine, multi-mission helicopter performing the primary training mission for some of the finest militaries in the world," said Chris Emerson, President of Airbus Helicopters Inc. and Head of the North America Region. 

global leader in rotorcraft technology, offering a full range of modern and affordable training helicopters that have been proven in the U.S. and around the globe. The U.S. Army operates Airbus Helicopters' twin-engine UH-72A Lakota as its initial entry rotary wing trainer at Fort Rucker, Ala.

"When paired with Airbus unrivaled support for the lifetime of the airframe, the H135 is the right solution both technically and economically for the U.S. Navy,” Emerson said.  “As a twin-engine helicopter, the H135 provides a training environment most similar to the Navy’s warfighting rotorcraft fleet, creating opportunities for cost and operational synergies compared to a single engine trainer."

The H135 is the rotorcraft of choice for military pilot training due to its maneuverability, high visibility, and low vibration levels. The aircraft is equipped with the most advanced technologies available, providing instructor pilots with an ideal platform for training missions for the U.S. Navy. 

One of the safest aircraft in its class, the H135 is fitted with a Glass Cockpit, a crash-resistant fuel system, energy absorbing seats, fuselage and landing gear. The H135 has a proven record of unrivaled operational costs as result of continuous technological improvements.  The H135 is the preeminent military training helicopter in the world, currently providing pilot training for military pilots in over 13 countries around the world.

Easily recognized by its trademarked Fenestron® tail rotor system, the H135 combines Airbus Helicopters Helionix® technologies, including an advanced cockpit with one of the most modern Human Machine Interface (HMI) available in this light multi-purpose helicopter class.

With an accumulation of more than 4.5 million flight hours, the H135’s operational training readiness has consistently averaged greater than 90 percent further highlighting the platform’s viability for U.S. Navy pilot training.

Airbus Helicopters Inc. is the leading provider of civil and commercial helicopters in the U.S. The company is based in Grand Prairie, Texas where it operates helicopter completion, paint, and MRO facilities, performs flight test and engineering support, and flight and maintenance training for customers. The Columbus, Miss. plant, with a workforce consisting of more than 40 percent U.S. military veterans, produces UH-72A Lakota helicopters for the U.S. Army and the H125 for the civil market.

Coast Guard medevacs disoriented, diabetic man from grounded boat near Little Egg Inlet, NJ

PHILADELPHIA – The Coast Guard medevaced a diabetic man, who had become disoriented and grounded his boat near Little Egg Inlet, Saturday.

The man’s daughter contacted watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay and reported that her father was disoriented on the rocks near Golden Nugget Hotel and possibly required insulin.

The watchstanders issued an urgent marine information broadcast and launched an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Air Station Atlantic City to search.

After not being able to locate the man where he was reported, watchstanders worked with the cell phone company to identify his possible location, leading the aircrew to find him on the southern side of Little Egg Inlet.

They hoisted him aboard and took him to Air Station Atlantic City to meet EMS for potential treatment.

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Coast Guard rescues mariner from sinking sailing vessel 60 miles east of Charleston

Photo: U.S. Coast Guard District 7th

Coast Guard crews rescued a mariner after their vessel sank 60 miles east of Charleston.

The mariner reported his 56-foot sailing vessel, Fine Ally, struck an unknown object causing flooding and had to abandon ship into his life raft.

Coast Guard 7th District Command Center watchstanders were notified by an emergency position indicating radio beacon activation and later received a call via satellite phone from the mariner stating his situation at 8:40 p.m. A Coast Guard Air Station Savannah MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew launched and hoisted the mariner from his life raft at approximately 10:00 p.m. He was taken to the Coast Guard Air Facility in Charleston where EMS was waiting.

CHARLESTON, S.C. — Coast Guard crews rescued a mariner Friday after their vessel sank 60 miles east of Charleston.

The mariner reported his 56-foot sailing vessel, Fine Ally, struck an unknown object causing flooding and had to abandon ship into his life raft.

Coast Guard 7th District Command Center watchstanders were notified by an emergency position indicating radio beacon activation and later received a call via satellite phone from the mariner stating his situation at 8:40 p.m. A Coast Guard Air Station Savannah MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew launched and hoisted the mariner from his life raft at approximately 10:00 p.m. He was taken to the Coast Guard Air Facility in Charleston where EMS was waiting.

"This is a great example of why we stress safety equipment," said Lt. J.G. Nathan Brock, the Coast Guard rescue helicopter pilot. "We were able to quickly obtain the mariner's position with his EPIRB when he needed us most."

The mariner was reported to be in good condition.

The cause of the sailing vessel sinking in under investigation.

For more breaking news follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

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Coast Guard medevacs 57-year-old man 97 miles east of St. Catherines Sound

Photo: Petty Officer 3rd Class Eric Woodall

A Coast Guard Air Station Borinquen MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew flies towards Las Marias, Puerto Rico, on Oct. 5, 2017, to deliver relief supplies to victims of Hurricane Maria. Air Station Borinquen has been helping deliver food and water to people stranded by mudslides and washed out roads.

SAVANNAH, Ga. — The Coast Guard medevaced a 57-year-old man Friday from a fishing vessel 97 miles east of St. Catherines Sound.

Watchstanders at the Coast Guard's Sector Charleston Command Center received notification from a crewmember aboard the 72-foot fishing vessel Lady Helena stating a crewmember was suffering from chest pains.

A Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Air Station Savannah arrived on scene at 9:12 a.m., hoisted the crewmember and transported him back to the air station at 9:46 a.m. where EMS was waiting.

For more breaking news follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

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Coast Guard assists boaters stranded on island in Chesapeake Bay

Photo: Petty Officer 2nd Class Kensuke Caldwell, U.S. Coast Guard District 5

A Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin helicopter aircrew from Air Station Atlantic City, New Jersey, arrives to assist two boaters stranded on Adam Island in the Chesapeake Bay, April 29, 2018. The men intentionally grounded their vessel the previous evening when they became overwhelmed by foul weather conditions.

BALTIMORE — A Coast Guard aircrew safely recovered two men stranded on Adam Island in the Chesapeake Bay this morning.

The men intentionally ran their 17-foot vessel aground on the marshy, unpopulated island after becoming beset by foul weather Saturday night.

One of the boaters' fathers notified watchstanders in the Sector Maryland-National Capital Region’s command center at 9:45 a.m. today that the two men were still stranded and soaking wet on the island.

An already-airborne MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Air Station Atlantic City, New Jersey, diverted from a training flight to assist. The crew landed on Adam Island, recovered the two men and transported them to Salisbury Regional Airport in Salisbury, Maryland.

The boaters are scheduled to retrieve their vessel as soon as possible.

"Adverse weather conditions can suddenly emerge and impact anyone's underway voyage at any time," said Petty Officer 2nd Class Terrence Young, operations unit controller for the case. "That's why it's vital to continuously check weather forecasts in your area and prepare for the worst-case scenario by bringing appropriate safety gear and dressing for harsh conditions."

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Coast Guard medevacs 5 injured boaters

Photo: US Coast Guard, MH-65 Dolphin helicopter

NEW ORLEANS – The Coast Guard medevaced five injured boaters 23 nautical miles southeast of Venice, Louisiana, Sunday.

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector New Orleans received a Mayday call on VHF-FM Channel 16 at 12:03 a.m. from a boater stating they had struck a decommissioned rig and multiple persons on board had suffered injuries.

Watchstanders directed the launch of a Response Boat – Medium boatcrew from Coast Guard Station Venice and an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter aircrew from Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans.

The Air Station New Orleans aircrew hoisted two patients, one suffering a broken leg and the other suffering a broken arm and possible collapsed lung. The aircrew transferred the patients to University Medical Center New Orleans in unknown condition.

The Station Venice boatcrew medevaced three patients with minor injuries and transferred them to waiting emergency medical services at Station Venice. The patients were reported to be in stable condition.

The cause of the incident is under investigation.

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Coast Guard rescues kayaker near Bulls Bay

A Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Facility Charleston takes a photo with Robert Horan, 52, after rescucing him Sunday, April 29, 2018, near Bulls Bay, Soth Carolina. oran stated his kayak capsized and he sustained a shoulder injury preventing him from returning to shore safely.

Photo: U.S. Coast Guard District 7 PADET Jacksonville

CHARLESTON, S.C. — The Coast Guard rescued a kayaker Sunday after his kayak capsized near Bulls Bay.

Rescued was Robert Horan, 52, from Mount Pleasant.

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Charleston received a call from Horan's wife at 11:00 p.m. stating he had not returned from kayaking.

A Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Air Facility Charleston and a Station Charleston 45-foot Response Boat – Medium crew launched at 12:45 a.m.

The Dolphin crew located Horan at 1:58 a.m., hoisted and transported him to Air Facility Charleston where awaiting EMS transported him to Roper St. Francis Mount Pleasant Hospital. No injuries were reported.

Horan stated his kayak capsized and he sustained a shoulder injury preventing him from returning to shore safely.

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