Coast Guard continues to search for downed aircraft 110 miles east of Charleston

A Coast Guard rescue helicopter takes off from the deck of the Cutter Hamilton to continue searching for a downed civilian aircraft Oct. 27, 2018, 110 miles east of Charleston, South Carolina. The aircraft, a Piper PA-31, was en route to the Bahamas from South Carolina on when they declared an in-flight emergency and were lost on radar. (U.S. Coast Guard photo courtesy of Coast Guard Cutter Hamilton)

CHARLESTON, S.C. — The Coast Guard is continuing to search Saturday for a downed aircraft approximately 110 miles east of Charleston.

Coast Guard crews have searched approximately 3,000 square miles.The Air Force Rescue Coordination Center (AFRCC) notified Coast Guard 7th Districtwatchstanders Thursday of a civilian aircraft emergency at 11:33 a.m. 

The Jacksonville Air Route Traffic Control Center received a report from the aircraft of an in-flight emergency, lost contact on radar and notified the AFRCC. The aircraft, a Piper PA-31, was leaving from South Carolina to the Bahamas.

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Coast Guard searching for man overboard near Ambrose Channel, N.Y.

MH-60 Air Station Cape Cod ©USCG (archive)

NEW YORK – The Coast Guard is searching for a man who reportedly fell overboard from a container ship in Ambrose Channel, New York, Saturday morning.

Missing is a 35-year-old man reportedly wearing an orange jumpsuit and no life jacket.

At approximately 8:30 a.m., watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector New York received a mayday call from the container ship Northern Jaguar reporting that a crewmember had fallen overboard while arranging a pilot ladder in heavy sea conditions.

Assets involved in the search are:

-Coast Guard Cutter Shrike, an 87-foot cutter homeported in Sandy Hook, New Jersey.

-An MH-65 Dolphin helicopter from Air Station Atlantic City, New Jersey.

-An MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter from Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod, Massachusetts.

The Coast Guard is requesting that all mariners in the area keep an eye out for this missing person, and please call the Coast Guard at 718-354-4353 if you have any information.

Cutter + MH-65 Dolphin ©USCG (archive)

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Coast Guard responds to vessel collision with 29 people aboard near California - Mexico maritime border

Coast Guardsmen and emergency medical services personnel assist a person who was injured in a vessel collision and medevaced to Sector San Diego Oct. 26, 2018. In all, 18 people were rescued by the Coast Guard from the motor vessel Prowler. Coast Guard photo by Fireman Taylor Bacon.

SAN DIEGO — The Coast Guard medevaced an injured person via helicopter and rescued 17 passengers, after a vessel collision near the maritime boundary line.

The crew of the 332-foot yacht, Attessa IV, contacted Coast Guard Sector San Diego's Joint Harbor Operations Center watchstanders at approximately 7:50 p.m. reporting a collision with the 65-foot sportfisher, Prowler, approximately nine miles offshore of Imperial Beach that resulted in extensive damage to the starboard quarter of the sportfisher and multiple injuries.

A Coast Guard Sector San Diego MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew and a Coast Guard Station San Diego 45-foot Response Boat-Medium crew were dispatched to respond. The Coast Guard Cutter Sea Otter was also diverted to assist.

Crews arrived on scene at approximately 8:45 p.m. The Jayhawk crew hoisted a critically injured passenger and returned to Sector San Diego where awaiting EMS took the man toUC San Diego Medical Center – Hillcrest in critical condition.

The RB-M crew transferred 17 passengers, 2 reporting injuries, from the Prowler and took them to Sector San Diego.

The remaining ten passengers were transferred to the Attessa IV and are scheduled to return to San Diego, while the captain remained aboard the Prowler.

The Sea Otter remained on-scene with the Prowler awaiting commercial salvage.

The cause of the collision is under investigation.

Coast Guardsmen from Station San Diego and Sector San Diego and emergency medical services personnel assist people who were involved in a vessel collision and transported by the Coast Guard to Sector San Diego Oct. 26, 2018. In all, 18 people were rescued by the Coast Guard from the motor vessel Prowler.

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Coast Guard medevacs hiker after bear attack near Kodiak, Alaska

The Coast Guard medevacs a hiker Oct. 26, 2018, after he was mauled by a bear on Afognak Island, just north of Kodiak Island. The MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Air Station Kodiak hoisted the 31-year-old man who sustained multiple lacerations to his leg and brought him to Air Station Kodiak where he was placed in the care of awaiting EMS. U.S. Coast Guard video by Air Station Kodiak

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — The Coast Guard medevaced a hiker Friday after he was mauled by a bear on Afognak Island, just north of Kodiak Island.

A MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Air Station Kodiak hoisted the 31-year-old man who sustained multiple lacerations to his leg and brought him to Air Station Kodiak where he was placed in the care of awaiting EMS.

Watchstanders in the Coast Guard District 17 command center in Juneau received a call via satellite phone from a member of the hiking party requesting the medevac at approximately 1 p.m.

Watchstanders in the Sector Anchorage command center in Anchorage assumed the role of search and rescue mission coordinators and requested the launch of the helicopter crew.

"The Coast Guard in Alaska is best known for maritime search and rescue," said Coast Guard Ens. Scott Peters, Sector Anchorage command duty officer for the case. "But our helicopter crews often conduct inland search and rescue operations as well. Urgent situations like today require swift response from properly trained people, with assets capable of responding to persons in distress. Today that was us."

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BELL’S FLIGHT RESEARCH CENTER PROVIDES GLIMPSE INTO FUTURE TECHNOLOGY

The expansion of the Flight Research Center (FRC) means more innovation and new progress for Bell.

On October 25, Bell revealed our expanded Flight Research Center (FRC) in Arlington, TX. This state-of-the-art facility houses many of our newest technology and innovations including the Bell V-280 Valor, 525 Relentless, V-247 Vigilant and the Autonomous Pod Transport (APT).

During the ceremony, attendees were able to see the Bell V-280 in action:

Our new innovation hub provides a unique setting for Bell’s commercial and military customers, partners and stakeholders to interact with technology that is defining the future of flight.

"FOR MORE THAN 65 YEARS, BELL HAS PRODUCED STATE-OF-THE-ART AIRCRAFT AND INNOVATIONS IN NORTH TEXAS’ BACKYARD. WE ARE PROUD TO SHOWCASE OUR INVESTMENT IN THIS FACILITY, VERSATILE AIRCRAFT AND THE TALENTED TEAM WORKING ON THE NEXT GENERATION OF PRODUCTS.

SAID ROBERT HASTINGS, BELL’S EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS.

THEN:

To go back 65 years earlier, let’s take a look at some of the numerous aviation milestones that our Bell pioneers completed right at this very site.

The FRC was the focal point for early tiltrotor research aircraft – an innovative concept that combined the best features of the helicopter and the airplane. The first production Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey, the first tiltrotor aircraft to have operational military capabilities, was delivered to the U.S. Marine Corps in 1998. This monumental delivery was celebrated at the FRC just 10 years after the V-22 achieved first flight at this same location.

Bell’s history of advanced military aircraft had milestone moments at the FRC. The Bell AH-1T+ SuperCobra, the backbone of the U.S. Marine Corps attack helicopter fleet for decades, made its first flight in 1983. That same year the Bell OH-58-Armed Kiowa Warrior prototype, designated for the U.S. Army, also achieved first flight.

NOW:

The FRC is a state-of-the-art facility that houses many of our newest technology and innovations including the 525, V-247, APT and Hydra.
The facility also includes the Bell 525 RASIL (Relentless Advanced Systems Integration Laboratory.), Bell’s next-generation lab with a high level of automation, enabling superior testing and learning with better control and functionality than ever before.

The V-247 simulator is also in work in the facility and will be installed over the next couple of years.

Bell invested in the newly remodeled 5,000 square feet customer area to showcase our aircraft capabilities.

Thank you to everyone for joining us at this great event and a special thank you to Arlington Mayor Jeff Williams, State Representative Chris Turner and Congresswoman Kay Granger for addressing the crowd during the event.

Coast Guard responds to downed aircraft 110 miles east of Charleston

MH-60 Jayhawk ©USCG (archive)

CHARLESTON, S.C. — The Coast Guard is responding to a downed aircraft Thursday approximately 110 miles east of Charleston.

The Air Force Rescue Coordination Center (AFRCC) notified Coast Guard 7th District watchstanders of a civilian aircraft emergency at 11:33 a.m. The Jacksonville Air Route Traffic Control Center received a report from the aircraft of an in-flight emergency, lost contact on radar and notified the AFRCC. The aircraft, a Piper PA-31, was leaving from South Carolina to the Bahamas. 

Assisting in the response are:

• Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City HC-130 Hercules aircraft
• Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter
• Coast Guard Cutter Hamilton
• Coast Guard Cutter Nathan Bruckenthal
• Commercial vessel Seabulk Challenge
• Navy P-3 Orion

USCG Cutter Nathan Bruckenthal ©USCG (archive)

HC-130J Hercules ©USCG (archive)

USCG Cutter Hamilton ©USCG (archive)

US Navy P-3 Orion ©United States Navy

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Northrop Grumman E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aerial refueling program and initiative to rapidly integrate a new sensor into the Global Hawk system also recognized

Northrop Grumman E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aerial refueling program and initiative to rapidly integrate a new sensor into the Global Hawk system also recognized

FALLS CHURCH, Va. – Oct. 25, 2018 – The Global Adaptive Planning Collaborative Information Environment (GAP CIE), developed by Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) with the U.S. Air Force, has received the Aviation Week Program Excellence Award in the supplier aftermarket category.

The annual awards honor global aerospace and defense programs “for going beyond meeting requirements to exemplify the best in value creation, leadership, adapting to complexity and executing with excellence,” Aviation Week said. During the evaluation process, more than 300 program management representatives from across industry and government score each application, resulting in the widespread sharing of innovative practices and processes.

GAP CIE offers a web-enabled, net-centric environment for contingency and crisis action planning at the combatant commander (COCOM) and strategic level. The system allows multiple COCOM staffs, subordinate commands and other agencies in multiple security enclaves to collaborate online for mission planning and providing analysis to senior decision-makers.

 “The award acknowledges our focus on excellence and continued partnership with the Air Force to enhance and sustain a crucial capability for collaboration among global combatant commands,” said Dan Verwiel, vice president and general manager, missile defense and protective systems, Northrop Grumman Mission Systems. “We created a continuous improvement culture and emphasized technical innovation, affordability, quality and schedule performance to enable exceptional program execution.”

Two other Northrop Grumman programs were also recognized as award finalists.

The U.S. Navy’s E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, carrier-based airborne early warning and control aircraft program team was recognized for the design and development of the aerial refueling capability for the aircraft. The aerial refueling system modification contains several upgrades to accommodate the refueling capability including adding the fuel probe plumbing, formation lighting, long-endurance seats, as well as flight control software and hardware changes.

The Northrop Grumman Global Hawk MS-177 Sensor Integration Team were recognized for rapidly integrating the new intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance sensor on a legacy platform under a significantly compressed timeline. The sensor gives Department of Defense stakeholders a platform that is more rapidly adaptable to changing mission needs within their planning cycles.

Airbus Helicopters delivers the world’s first ACH145 Line to a Brazilian customer

São Paulo, Airbus Helicopters’ Brazilian customer centre, Helibras has just delivered the world's first ACH145 Line to the Brazilian company Bodepan Empreendimentos Agropecuários e Imobiliários. This is the fourth Airbus aircraft acquired over the last 26 years by Bodepan, which has already operated several models, including the EC135. With more than 220 aircraft operating worldwide, the H145 has consolidated worldwide and is strongly reaching the Brazilian market with a proposal of comfort, technology and versatility. "Inquiries about the aircraft have been growing, especially after the last LABACE, when we presented the first H145 in Brazil. This helicopter is the best biturbine in its category”, says Jean-Luc Alfonsi, Helibras Vice-President of Business and Services. "We are very pleased with the acquisition of this new model in terms of performance, space and design. The ACH145 will enable us to make our journeys more comfortable and carrying more passengers. As operators since 1992, we have full confidence in the brand", states Mr. Odílio Bergamini.

The ACH145 Line, previously known as ACH Stylence, features increased ergonomic comfort, acoustic insulation and innovative design. Its sliding doors provide easy  passenger access and its spacious cabin allows for a variety of internal configurations. The luxurious interior of the delivered aircraft features 9 or 10 seats in perforated leather in tonal harmony with the carpets, special painting in the cabin and state-of-the-art digitally-controlled air conditioning. In addition to the shrouded tail rotor (Fenestron) and new engines (Arriel 2E), one of the big advances compared to the previous version of the aircraft (EC145) is the new concept of man/machine interface optimized through the Helionix™ digital avionics package,4-axis autopilot linked to the Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC), which significantly reduces the crew's workload.

Since its launch in 2017, Airbus Corporate Helicopters is setting new standards in corporate and VIP helicopter aviation focusing on quality, exclusivity and customer –experience supported by a global network of wholly-owned and approved service centres.

Airbus Helicopters reinforces air medical market leadership in North America with orders for six new aircraft

Three H125s and three H130s will help customers save lives across the U.S.

Marignane, Airbus Helicopters is expanding its presence in the North American emergency medical services (EMS) market with the sale of six helicopters for two customers at the 2018 Air Medical Transport Conference, which took place in Phoenix, AZ from October 22-24.

“Airbus Helicopters has been supporting the air medical market in North America since its creation, and we are proud to further our partnership with customers to help save lives in the safest and most modern aircraft,” said Chris Emerson, president of Airbus Helicopters, Inc. and head of the North America region. 

REACH Air Medical Services will add three H125s and two H130s to its current fleet. The new aircraft slated for delivery later this year, will allow REACH to expand its service area while modernizing its fleet. Headquartered in Sacramento, Calif., REACH is a subsidiary of Global Medical Response (GMR), which provides critical care air transport service to communities throughout California, Oregon, Nevada, Montana, Texas, and Colorado.

Also at the show, Airbus welcomed a new customer – Medical Air Rescue Company (MARC) –which signed for its first Airbus helicopter, the H130. The acquisition is part of the company’s long-term plan to modernize its fleet and expand its operations into the challenging mountainous regions in Wyoming, where the aircraft will be based. Scheduled for delivery in December, the new aircraft will help the growing organization serve roughly 2,400 patients a year across South Dakota, Wyoming, Montana, Nebraska and Texas.

These orders come on the heels of two milestones for the twin-engine H145 in North America’s EMS market. In March 2018, Boston MedFlight took delivery of its first of three H145s. And in 2019, the H145 will begin EMS flights in Canada for the first time with Alberta-based STARS air ambulance, which was selected as the preferred aircraft type for their fleet renewal.

Airbus Helicopters remains the leading provider of emergency medical helicopters for North American operators. In the past decade alone, nearly two-thirds of all new EMS helicopters sold in the United States were produced by Airbus Helicopters. Today, more than 90 EMS operators in North America rely on more than 1,230 Airbus helicopters for their emergency care transport needs.

Airbus to deliver Canada’s first H145 in HEMS configuration to STARS air ambulance

STARS’ initial H145s will be delivered in 2019 and will be based in Calgary, Alberta

Fort Erie, Ontario, Following an extensive RFP process, Airbus’ H145 was selected as the fleet replacement aircraft for STARS air ambulance’s aging fleet, becoming the first H145s in HEMS configuration to enter Canada.

The twin-engine H145 was chosen thanks to its exceptional HEMS heritage and safety record with its BK117 and EC145 predecessors. Offering the largest cabin in its class and unbeatable payload, the H145 is perfectly suited for STARS’ mission requirements.

The H145, with HEMS interior, will support STARS’ highly skilled professionals in providing a safe, rapid, highly specialized emergency medical transport for the critically ill and injured, many of which are located in rural areas.

“The impressive new H145 fleet is a generational investment in our future, helping us continue to provide critical care services for decades to come,” said Andrea Robertson, President and Chief Executive Officer of STARS. “A unified fleet is considered best practice in terms of safety, fleet management, dispatch flexibility, and cost-effectiveness.”

The first tranche of H145s will be delivered in 2019 and will be based out of STARS’ Calgary, Alberta base.

“STARS air ambulance has set a fantastic record and example for EMS operations, not only in Western Canada but across the country,” said Romain Trapp, President of Airbus Helicopters Canada. “We thank STARS for entrusting Airbus and the H145 to support their life-saving operations. We look forward to accompanying STARS on their journey to serve patients in Western Canada for generations to come.”

Airbus’ H145 is Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA) certified and is the latest member of its 4-ton-class twin-engine rotorcraft product range. To date, the global H145 fleet has achieved more than 100,000 flight hours since entry into service in 2015, with more than 200 units delivered.

The helicopter is easily customized for intensive care transport, due to its easy and safe loading/unloading of patients through wide side sliding doors and large rear clamshell doors. The H145’s spacious, unobstructed cabin provides full body access and greater comfort for the medical crew, and its extremely low external sound levels allow neighbourhood-friendly operations around hospitals and in urban areas.

Qingdao Airlines Takes Delivery of First A320neo Aircraft Powered by Pratt & Whitney GTF™ Engines

HAMBURG, Germany, Oct. 25, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Pratt & Whitney, a division of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX) and Qingdao Airlines celebrated delivery of the airline's first A320neo aircraft powered by Pratt & Whitney GTF™ engines.  Pratt & Whitney will also provide Qingdao Airlines with engine maintenance through a long-term EngineWise® Comprehensive service agreement. Qingdao Airlines is the eighth GTF engine operator in China.

"Today is an exciting milestone for Qingdao Airlines as we take delivery of our first A320neo aircraft," said Mr. Wu LongXue, President of Nanshan Aviation Industry Group & President of Qingdao Airlines Co.,Ltd.  "We believe the GTF engines will deliver the fuel savings, reduced environmental footprint, and quieter flight experience for our passengers that we have been looking forward to."

Qingdao Airlines, founded in 2013 and headquartered in Qingdao, Shangdong, China, announced its selection of the GTF engine to power an order of 18 firm A320neo family aircraft in November 2016.  The airline offers domestic and international flight services to destinations across China and Northeast Asia. 

"It is our pleasure to welcome Qingdao Airlines to the Pratt & Whitney family," said Rick Deurloo, senior vice president of sales, marketing and customer support at Pratt & Whitney. "The GTF engines offer proven economic benefits to support Qingdao's operations, and we are honored to be a part of their growing fleet.  We look forward to a long and bright future ahead."

Since entering into service in early 2016, the GTF engine has demonstrated its promised ability to reduce fuel burn by 16 percent, to reduce NOx emissions by 50 percent to the regulatory standard and to lower the noise footprint by 75 percent.

Coast Guard searches for person in the water

MH-65 Dolphin Air Station New Orleans ©USCG (archive)

NEW ORLEANS – The Coast Guard is searching for a person in the water near Caillou Bay approximately 15 miles southwest of Cocodrie, Louisiana, Wednesday.

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector New Orleans received a report at 11:25 a.m. of a missing 60-year-old man who was last seen aboard the vessel Miss Trudy. There were two people aboard the vessel.

Sector watchstanders directed the launch of a Coast Guard boatcrew and two aircrews to search for the man.

Sector watchstanders later received a report at approximately 12:30 p.m. from Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office that the Miss Trudy sank and a Good Samaritan vessel recovered one of the people from the water.

Involved in the search are:

• An MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans
• A 24-foot Shallow Water boat crew from Coast Guard Station Grand Isle
• An HC-144 Ocean Sentry airplane crew from the Coast Guard Aviation Training Center in Mobile, Alabama
• Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries
• Terrebonne Parish sheriff’s office

HC-144 Coast Guard Training Center Mobile ©USCG (archive)

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Coast Guard medevacs shark bite victim near Farallon Islands, California

A Coast Guard Air Station San Francisco helicopter crew medevacs a man who was bitten by a shark near the Farallon Islands off the Coast of San Francisco, Oct. 23, 2018. The air crew transferred the man to medical personnel at Stanford University Medial Center. (U.S. Coast Guard courtesy video/released)

SAN FRANCISCO — The Coast Guard medevaced a man who was bitten by a shark while diving near the Farallon Islands off the coast of San Francisco, Tuesday morning.  

The crew of the research vessel NorCal 1 notified Coast Guard Sector San Francisco watchstanders that one of the divers aboard was bitten by a shark around 10 a.m. and required medical attention. 

The shark reportedly bit the man's arm, wrist and hand. 

The NorCal 1 made way toward San Francisco and met the crew of San Francisco Police Department Marine 7, who took the man aboard and began administering first aid. A Coast Guard Air Station San Francisco Dolphin crew arrived on scene and hoisted the man into the helicopter via a rescue basket.

The Dolphin crew transported the man to Stanford University Medical Center in Palo Alto in stable condition. 

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MARC chose the H130 to help grow its operations in the air medical transport segment

PHOENIX, AZ. (23 October 2018) – In keeping with its commitment to provide exceptional patient care, Medical Air Rescue Company (MARC) will soon operate its first Airbus helicopter, the versatile single-engine H130, following a signature ceremony at the 2018 Air Medical Transport Conference in Phoenix, AZ.

The acquisition is part of a long-term plan by the provider to modernize its fleet and expand its operations into the challenging mountainous regions in Wyoming, where the aircraft will be based. Scheduled for delivery in December, the new aircraft will help the growing organization serve roughly 2,400 patients a year through its rotary and fixed wing operations across South Dakota, Wyoming, Montana, Nebraska and Texas.

"When selecting our new aircraft, we considered two major factors — patient care and safety,” said Paul “Monty” Renfro, CEO of MARC. “The H130 delivers on both of those aspects and more, and will help us achieve our main mission - to provide excellent, affordable patient care. We are confident that our new H130 will allow us to best serve the communities that depend on us."

The H130’s superior high altitude and the large cabin size will help medical personnel effectively treat patients in challenging environments, and the aircraft’s low operating costs will allow MARC to provide safe, comfortable and worry-free medical transportation, per its mission statement.

"We are happy to welcome MARC to the Airbus family, and look forward to a strong partnership with this patient-centered provider, as it prepares for growth," said Chris Emerson, President of Airbus Helicopters Inc. and Head of the North America region. "Its selection of the H130 is further evidence that air medical providers trust our aircraft to help them achieve their demanding missions. We know they have a choice and we are proud that they choose Airbus."

The H130 is recognized as the global reference for single-engine helicopter ambulance missions, offering a twin-engine size with single-engine economy.

The wide, unobstructed cabin allows easy access to care for patients, while large hinged and sliding doors make it easy to load and unload stretchers. The low interior sound levels and flat floor of the H130 provide a flexible cabin environment capable of accommodating up to three medical crew and specialty team equipment required to care for complex patients.

Airbus Helicopters Inc. is the leading provider of helicopters to the U.S. air medical transport industry. In the past decade alone, nearly two-thirds of all new EMS helicopters sold in the United States were produced by Airbus Helicopters. Today, more than 90 EMS operators in North America rely on more than 1,230 Airbus helicopters for their emergency care transport needs.

Be sure to visit Airbus Helicopters at booth Booth #429 and follow us on @AirbusHC_USA for more news and updates from the show.