Metro Aviation, the Shreveport, La., EMS provider and completions facility, is celebrating its 30th anniversary. The company was launched at Baton Rouge Municipal Airport, then moved to Shreveport. Metro Aviation initially provided aircraft maintenance services and flew aeromedical and news gathering missions in a Hughes 500. The missions were unique, in that while gathering news, the helicopter was on standby for EMS calls.
HAI Convention News » February 10, 2012
February 12, 2012 - 5:00pm
Component repair services provider Able Aerospace Services of Phoenix, Arizona (Booth No. 2106) is here at Heli-Expo 2012 celebrating the recent groundbreaking of its new headquarters at Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport. With a 191,000-square-foot complex including offices and a purpose-built hangar, Able will become the airport’s largest tenant among a roster that includes Boeing, Cessna, Embraer and Hawker Beechcraft.
February 12, 2012 - 4:45pm
Becker Avionics is in Dallas celebrating several new contracts. The first is to provide DVCS 6100 digital audio and intercom systems to OSF HealthCare, Peoria, Ill. for its four new EC145 air medical helicopters. The German avionics maker will also serve the U.S. Army as part of the UH-72A Lakota mission equipment package (MEP), and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) with their new PC-12s.
February 11, 2012 - 5:50pm
The U.S. Army has extended its contract with Rockwell Collins for additional Transportable Black Hawk [helicopter] Operations Simulators (T-BOS) to meet a growing need for bringing training to where soldiers are operating.
The $35 million extension calls for deliveries through 2015. LeAnn Ridgeway, Rockwell Collins v-p and general manager for simulation and training, said, “T-BOS’s mobile nature saves time and resources by taking training to pilots in the field. It is the only U.S. Army-accredited flight training device for the UH-60M aircraft.”
February 11, 2012 - 5:40pm
Enstrom Helicopter (Booth No. 4800) recently signed the Zuhai Business Aviation Center as its authorized dealer in China. Located in Guandong Province, Zuhai will sell, service and operate Entroms along with their fixed-wing businessZuhai has ordered one 480B turbine single and a 280FX piston helicopter to serve as demonstrators. The helicopters will be delivered soon. Enstrom first sold helicopters into China in the 1990s, delivering a trio of Model 480s for powerline patrol and agricultural spraying and two Model 280FX helicopters for police duty.
February 11, 2012 - 5:20pm
It is most definitely a social event, and one that every pilot who has soloed a helicopter at least 20 years ago is eligible to attend. The Twirly Birds annual meeting kicks off with a reception at 5 p.m. Sunday, February 12, in Ballroom A, Section 1 of the Dallas Convention Center. The membership meeting follows, including an awards ceremony and silent auction. The group, founded more than 60 years ago, welcomes pilots and helicopter industry notables (associate memberships do exist for non-pilots) willing to share their stories and camaraderie.
February 11, 2012 - 5:10pm
A high-definition (HD) camera system deserves an HD display and DVR to fully achieve the sensor’s full capability. So says Atlanta-area-based Flight Displays Systems, at Booth No. 2811 to demonstrate its line of HD cockpit monitors. They function with FLIR, L-3 Wescam, Axsys and other camera systems.
February 11, 2012 - 2:23pm
After making its debut at Heli-Expo last year, Swiss startup helicopter manufacturer Marenco is back with its SKYe SH09 light single mockup at this year’s show. The company has made several improvements to the design since then, so we stopped by its booth on the eve of Heli-Expo to get an update on the budding project from Marenco commercial director Mathias Sénès.
February 11, 2012 - 2:00pm
Donaldson Aerospace presentation “Engine Protection–Realizing Return on Investment Quickly” today at 10 a.m. in Room C-145 plans to cover the care and preservation of your helicopter investments, highlighting the benefits of keeping your engine’s internal systems clean.
February 11, 2012 - 1:50pm
Kaman Helicopters continues to write new chapters in its history, including the un-manned K-Max, subcontract manufacturing and rotor-blade development and production.
At Heli-Expo’12, Kaman is showcasing its products and services at Booth No. 5222 with executives and technical experts available for the duration of the show.
