Sandel Avionics has delivered its first HeliTAWS helicopter terrain safety system to MSP Aero of Minneapolis, for installation in a fleet of Agusta A109 helicopters operated by North Memorial Medical Center of Robbinsdale, MN. Incorporating Sandel’s TrueAlert nuisance-alert elimination technology, off-airport landing capability, high-resolution 3-D terrain display and Class A HTAWS functions,...

With the installation of cabinetry and technician benches complete, the Avionics Services division of Olympia, WA-based Soloy Aviation is fully ramped up and operating. Headed by three of the Northwest region’s most experienced installation and repair technicians, Soloy can now offer virtually any configuration or avionics package piston and turbine pilots can dream up. Soloy’s Quality Assurance...

On Oct. 12, 2010, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) proposed broad new rules for helicopter operators, including air ambulances, which, if finalized, would require stricter flight rules and procedures, improved communications and training, and additional on-board safety equipment. “This is a significant proposal that will improve the safety of many...

Shadin Avionics announces the approval of an STC for the installation of a Shadin Fuel Management Kit into Bell 212 and 412 model helicopters. The Bell 212/412 STC is the latest addition to Shadin’s portfolio of fuel management system STCs that includes installations for other Bell, Eurocopter and McDonnell Douglas Helicopters. The new STC enables the installation of the Shadin fuel flow...

Associated Aviation Inc., a British Columbia, Canada-based aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) company, announces the acquisition of Timber Wolf Aviation, a helicopter MRO organization based near Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Timber Wolf Aviation that has provided services to the Canadian and United States helicopter markets since May 2004. “The acquisition and integration of the technical...

Vector Aerospace Helicopter Services-North America, a subsidiary of Vector Aerospace Corporation, was recently granted a Transport Canada Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for an Integrated Cockpit Display System (ICDS, or “glass cockpit installation”) for the Bell 205 series helicopter. The STC applies to the following Bell Helicopter models: Bell 205A, 205 A-1, 205A-1 (H1SW) Bell 205B, 205B (...

DART Helicopter Services is pleased to announces that its subsidiary partner Apical Industries has received EASA approval of its Cable Cutters Kit for the EC145 (MBB-BK 117 C-2). FAA approval has been previously received. Transport Canada approval is pending. The Cable Cutters Kit provides a means of protecting the helicopter during a wire strike by providing the capability to cut a cable or wire...

The Helicopter Foundation International (HFI) is planning its second annual scholarship fundraising golf tournament at HELI-EXPO 2011. The tournament is set for Friday, March 4th, 2011 at the Grande Pines Golf Course in Orlando, Florida. There will be a 12:30 p.m. Shotgun Start with a scramble format. Put together your own foursome or sign up as an individual and you will be put in a group. The...

R. Fred Polak | Editor Visit an operator or an MRO, and you will hear talk from flight crew and maintenance specialists about the proposed Safety Management System (SMS), and how it will affect their responsibilities and how they perform them. Since SMS is essentially a done deal, now is a good time to highlight just what SMS is and get everyone on board with its basics. According to the FAA, the...