Rotorcraft Report: Civil Contracts

Honeywell entered into a teaming agreement with LOM PRAHA s.p. of the Czech Republic to provide platform logistics-helicopter overhaul and maintenance, inspections, parts supply chain management, pilot training, and aftermarket services. More than 12,000 Mi-8/Mi-17 turboshaft multi-mission helicopters have been delivered throughout the world.

DART Helicopter Services acquired Canam Aerospace Inc and purchased a 50 percent interest in Cargo Net Innovations. The global helicopter accessories provider will leverage the companies’ combined cargo hook/net and long line expertise to develop and introduce new products. President Bruce Fraser will continue to provide leadership for the two Vancouver-based companies.

Vislink plc, parent of Microwave Radio Communications, has reached an agreement to acquire 100 percent of the issued share capital of Pacific Microwave Research Inc, a Vista, Calif.-based developer of analog and digital microwave video transmission solutions for law enforcement, homeland security and military applications. The acquisition of PMR was expected to be completed before the end of September.

The U.K.’s Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Trust has signed a contract for its own aircraft to serve as an air ambulance in Hertfordshire. It is leasing an MD902 Explorer from Medical Aviation Services Ltd. The lease was signed by trustee Rob Forsyth and Henk Schaeken, managing director of Medical Aviation Services. The trust still needs to raise £80,000 a month to pay for the aircraft’s operating costs.

Victoria, British Columbia-based VIH Helicopters Ltd won a six-month, multi-million-dollar contract to help Angola hold its first national elections in 16 years. Six VIH helicopters were to be used for pre-election and post-election transportation work in the southwestern African nation, where elections were scheduled for Sept. 5. The helicopters were to be used to fly international observers throughout the country and to help set up polling booths before the election. Some helicopters were to be used as mobile polling stations during the election, flying to remote communities and offshore oil rigs.