The Irish Department of Transport has selected CHC Helicopter as the “preferred bidder” for a commercial search and rescue (SAR) contract on behalf of the Irish Coast Guard. The company, through its Dublin-based subsidiary, already provides SAR and emergency helicopter services to the coastguard. Services are scheduled to begin on 1 July next year. CHC will also provide SAR services, it says, to the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency from bases in the UK.
Source: Flight International
Airbus Helicopters and partner PHI Aviation will shortly begin route-proving trials with the former’s H160 medium-twin in the Gulf of Mexico.
Piasecki Aircraft has secured new work for its ‘Heliplex’ facility in Coatesville, Pennsylvania, signing a collaboration agreement with Columbia Helicopters to upgrade Model 107 tandem-rotor helicopters to a new more fuel-efficient standard.
MD Helicopters has promoted Ryan Weeks to the role of president, overseeing the day-to-day operations of the rotorcraft manufacturer.
