Selected by the CAB to operate local mail routes in the Windy City area, HAS, the nation’s second helicopter mail shuttle, is founded at Midway airport in the summer of 1949.
Employing 6 Bell Model 47s, the rotary-wing operator commences scheduled flights on August 20 linking its base 18 times per day with the downtown Post Office. In addition, 3 roundtrips per day are flown to upwards of 34 suburban heliports. Over the next 5 years, a total of some
700,000 tons of mail is transported.
After seven years service, it is decided, with CAB backing, that the company should expand into the transport of passengers. Reorganized and upgraded with three Sikorsky S-55s, the operator is renamed Chicago Helicopter Airways on August 20, 1956.
HELICOPTER FLIGHT SERVICES: 421 East 60th Street, New York, New York 10022, United States; Phone (212) 355-0801; Fax (212) 355-0950; Http://www. hfiavserv. rotor. com; Year Founded 1993. This rotary-wing concern is established in 1993 to provide flights from the local heliport to the city’s major airports and a few other commercial destinations. By 2000, the company employs three pilots and operates one each Bell 206B JetRanger and Bell 206L LongRanger.
THE HELICOPTER LINE, LTD.: P. O. Box 16, Dunedin, New Zealand; Phone 64 (24) 776829; Fax 64 (24) 779987; Http://www. discover. co. nz/thlintro. html; Year Founded 1965.
The charter operator Alpine Helicopters, Ltd. is formed by Walter Reid Jackson at Queenstown in 1965 to provide on-demand flights into the bush for deer hunters. Operations begin in 1966 with 2 Bell Model 47s and 1 Hiller H-12E. As demand increases during 1967-1984, the company, during the latter year, elects to join with Whirl-Wide Helicopters, Ltd. (in which it holds a 50% stake) and its Wishart Helicopters, Ltd. subsidiary in the formation of a holding company named The Helicopter Line, Ltd. The new entity coordinates operations through three divisions, which retain the names of the three formerly independent operations, under the direction of Chairman Jackson and the new managing director, Graham Gosney of Whirl-Wide Helicopters, Ltd. A fleet of 14 Hughes 500Cs, 18 Bell 206B JetRangers, and 2 Aerospatiale AS-350B Ecureuils is assembled as the company employs an overall logo in marketing, management, and maintenance from three bases at Queenstown, Wanaka, and Te Anau.
During 1985-1986, operations are increased to include mineral and mine location surveys, sight-seeing over the mountain ranges of the South Island, airlift of Skiers Queenstown-Cardrona and Coronet Peak, agricultural spraying, etc. Airline employment climbs to 120, a Cessna 182, 206, and 210, a Mitsubishi MU-2, and a Piper PA-31-310 Navajo are acquired for internal services among the branches, the Navajo also being employed for charters under the name of a new subsidiary, Air Timaru, Ltd. During the latter year, the joint venture officially becomes a single corporate entity and increases capitalization through the issuance of 8 million shares of common stock.
A total of 62,000 passengers are flown.
In late 1987, two Bell 212s are leased from the Australian subsidiary of Bristow Helicopters, Ltd. by the Whirlwind Division; they are employed to operate contract services in support of New Zealand’s oil company, Petra Corporation.
Enplanements climb to 80,000 and revenues for the year total NZ$5.9 million.
The fleet in 1988 includes 4 Ecureuils, 5 McDonnell Douglas 500Ds, 4 Soloy/Hiller UH-12Es, and 20 Bell 206B JetRangers.
To assist its tourist and transport business, the company purchases 54% interest in the Treble Cone Ski Field, at Wanaka, on the South Island. Operations continue apace without incident over the remainder of the decade and into the 1990s.
By 1994, Managing Director Graham Gosney oversees operations from bases at Auckland, Timaru, and Queenstown. His fleet includes 12 Eurocopter AS-350Bs, 2 AS-355s, 2 Bell 206B JetRangers, 3 McDonnell Douglas MD-500Ds, and 2 MBB BK-117s. In October, the company suffers two fatal crashes during sight-seeing flights. The first occurs on October 11 when a Eurocopter AS-350 crashes into the sea off the Coromandel Peninsula (two dead). Seven are killed when another AS-350 smashes into a mountain on the South Island on October 29.
Flights continue largely without incident or fleet change during the remainder of the decade. A homepage, opened on the World Wide Web in 1997, is updated on October 12, 2000.
HELICOPTER RESOURCES (PTY.), LTD.: Western Port Airfield, 110 Stuart Road, Tyabb, Victoria, 3913, Australia; Phone 59 774506; Fax 59 774491; Year Founded 1970.
Established at Tyabb, south of Melbourne, in 1970, this rotary-wing operator will win its niche as a specialist in helicopter services ranging from construction and agriculture to support of offshore oil and gas exploration ventures. Like Helicopters (NZ), Ltd., it will become known for its work in Antarctica.
The company makes its first visit to Antarctica in 1975. In the 30 years thereafter, the company returns during every southern summer to support the work of government and private expeditions, not only from Australia, but from China, Germany, Italy, and Pakistan as well.
By 1994, Managing Director William J. English and his chief pilot, Leigh Hornsby, oversee the work of 7 Aerospatiale AS-350Bs, 5 Bell 206B JetRangers, and 4 Sikorsky S-76s. In July, the company contracts to provide S-76 support for the annual expedition of the Australian National Antarctic Research Expedition (ANARE); this will be the company’s first use of twin-turbine helicopters in on behalf of ANARE. Following several weeks of trials aboard ANARE’s mother ship RSV Aurora Australia, Hornsby and two float-equipped Sikorskys sail south from Hobart on August 31.
After a 10-day voyage, the ship arrives in Antarctic waters. From points offshore, the two helicopters begin a process of resupplying the three ANARE bases. On scene, they are based at Davis, on Prydz Bay on the Davis Coast, from which they fly various resupply missions.
The most spectacular use of the S-76s comes in November when both are taken back aboard the RSV Aurora Australia, which steams 760 nm. to retrieve a stricken worker from the Casey base. The helicopters cut a day off the mission by flying to land from the ship.
After seven months work, the ANARE expedition is completed and returns to Hobart.
The company continues its domestic services in 1995-2000, including air taxi, charter, air ambulance, marine pilot transfer, forest fire control, and offshore energy support. Although one S-76 is withdrawn, the company and its 40 employees continue to accept contracts that take many of them on summer trips to Antarctica.
HELICOPTER SERVICE OF ICELAND, H. F.: P. O. Box 3146, By Skeljana Roads, Hangar 14, Reykjavik Airport, Reykjavik, 123, Iceland; Phone 354-561-6100; Fax 354-561-6122; Http://www. helicopter. is; Year Founded 1988. HIS is established at Reykjavik in 1988 to provide sight-seeing, air taxi, aerial filming, air ambulance, and sling work. Additionally, scientific and exploration teams visiting the nation’s geysers are also accommodated. By 2000, the fleet includes both Bell 206L LongRangers and Schweizer 300Cs.
HELICOPTER SERVICES (BOP), LTD.: Tempo, New Zealand; Phone 64 (7) 378-8074; Fax 64 (7) 378-0468; Http://www. heliserv. co. nx; Year Founded 1984. Former Helicopters (NZ), Ltd. pilot John Funnell establishes this company in 1984 and is soon involved as search controller in the Turangi area, seeking a missing aircraft transporting the managing director and another official of Philips (NZ), Ltd. After a week, the official search ends; however, Funnell and others continue the effort privately in what would become the most comprehensive private search in New Zealand history. Eventually, when weather over the area clears, the aircraft is found. In appreciation of the dedication of all concerned, Philips creates the Philips Search and Rescue Trust (PSRT), which will contract with Helicopter Services (BOP), Ltd. to supply helicopters as needed. A total of 30 calls for assistance are answered during the remainder of the year.
In the years that follow, Funnel’s helicopters operate frequent search and rescue (SAR) missions and air ambulance flights. In October 1987, the PSRT is asked to fund a fully dedicated medevac air ambulance helicopter for Hamilton’s Waikato Hospital to provide patient lift from the communities of Taupo, Taumarunui, Thames, Gisborne, and New Plymouth. The successful implementation of this service encourages Palmerston North Hospital to seek funding for a helicopter of its own, which begins flying in November 1989. Two part-time helicopter services will later operate from Taupo and within a decade, over 2,700 missions will have been completed.
In addition to its air ambulance flights, Helicopter Services (BOP), Ltd. now becomes involve in the provision of selective heli-logging services throughout the country. In an effort to provide creative logging without the environmental destruction caused by traditional logging roads, a revolutionary proposal is made to the state-owned Tim-berlands West Coast, Ltd. on the South Island. The approved idea sees Heli Harvest, Ltd., a new joint-venture concern owned on a fifty-fifty basis by Helicopter Services (BOP), Ltd. and Rural Aviation (1963), Ltd. The operation takes out trees from approved areas employing two wet-leased Mi-17s, closely monitored by the Mil Design Bureau from Moscow.
Both the air ambulance and heli-logging activities continue into the new millennium and are reviewed on the company’s new homepage on the World Wide Web.
HELICOPTER SERVICES OF NEVADA. See SUNDANCE HELICOPTERS
HELICOPTER SEYCHELLES, LTD.: P. O. Box 595, Victoria, Seychelles; Phone 375400; Fax 373792; Http://helico. seychelles. com; Year Founded 1992. The idea of a helicopter service in the Seychelles comes from Frederic Kelley, the South African owner of Cousine Island and several other local concerns, such as the Seychelles Shipping Line, Ltd. and Gondwana Granite. In June 1992, he hires Capt. Vic Davies to deliver a single Bell 206B JetRanger III with which to begin a helicopter service named for the islands.
With backing from Dr. Selwyn Gendron’s Gondwana Enterprises, Ltd., Capt. Davies is able to gradually attract business, beginning with helicopter transfers to the tourist establishments at Silhouette, La Digue, and Fe-licite Islands. Over the next eight years, an expatriate pilot and engineer corps is appointed, along with a Seychelles staff. The company purchases a second JetRanger and offers air taxi and flight-seeing to any of the nation’s 87 islands. It also engages in the support of aerial photography, construction in remote areas (principally through out-sized load lifts), the provision of medevac and air ambulance flights, and search and rescue at sea.
Employment stands at 19 at the beginning of 2000 and a third Bell 206B JetRanger III is delivered in February to accommodate demand created by the new Fregate Island Private Lemuria Resort. On March 1, Capt. Davies and his wife retire to Ireland. He is succeeded by Capt. Rick Dooley. By now, the company has become sufficiently prominent for its profile to appear in The Seychelles Review 5 (February-March 2000).
HELICOPTER TRANSPORT SERVICES: 701 Wilson Point Road, Box E, Martin State Airport, Baltimore, Maryland 21220, United States; Phone (410) 391-7722; Fax (410) 686-4507; Http://www. htsc. ca; Year Founded 1998. The trans-border HTS is established at Baltimore’s Martin State Airport in the spring of 1998 to coordinate the activities of divisions in both the U. S. and Canada. In the U. S., divisions are established at Chicago (ORD), Cleveland’s Lake Burkfront Airport, the airport at Norfolk, Virginia, and at Northeast Philadelphia Airport. The Canadian unit, built around recently acquired Huisson Aviation (1989), Ltd., maintains bases at Carp, Kenora, Moosonee, Timmins, Sudbury, and Markham in Ontario and Sept-Iles, Quebec.
Services provided by the various units include executive passenger charters, sight-seeing, medevac/air ambulance flights (including service from Carp, Moosonee, and Kenora for the Ontario Ministry of Health), aerial photography, heavy lift and general crane activities, forestry reconnaissance and airborne geophysical surveys, police aviation, and electronic news gathering. The various units are dealers and/or authorized maintenance centers for all the major helicopter manufacturers and provides training at several locations.
Michael Aslaksen is executive vice president/chief operating officer in 2000 and oversees the activities of a large fleet that includes a mix of Sikorsky S-76s, Bell 222s, Bell 212s, Bell 205A-1s, Bell 407s, and Eurocopter AS-350B-1 Astars. In addition, one each Sikorsky S-61N and S-61 provide heavy lift and corporate charter services and three Schweizer 300 helicopters are operated for the Baltimore Police Department.
HELICOPTEROS, S. A. (HELICSA): Musgo 3, Urbanizacion La Florida (Aravaca), Madrid, 28023, Spain; Phone 34 (1) 307-6768; Fax 34 (1) 307-6049; Year Founded 1988. Helicopteros is established at Madrid in 1988 to provide aerial work and charters, including passenger and cargo flights, aerial photography, agricultural applications, construction, fire fighting, search and rescue (SAR), medevac, and other activities. It also becomes an authorized service center for Aerospatiale, Bell, and Sikorsky helicopters employed throughout Spain.
By 1990, the concern is a market leader in Spain and owns 40 helicopters. Ownership is divided between Spanish shareholders (66%) and Schreiner Aviation Group of the Netherlands.
During the summer of 1992, the Spanish journal Expansion reports that Helikopter Services, A. S. will acquire a 66% majority stake. In fact, the October 16 issue notes that the stake taken will be 33% — equal to Schreiner’s share.
Jaime Arque is general manager in 1994 and his fleet includes 3 SA-365C Dauphins, 2 each SA-319Bs and SA-316Bs, 5 Agusta-Bell 47Gs, 2 Sikorsky S-58Ts, 7 Bell 204s, and 3 Bell 212s.
Service continues apace in 1995-1999, during which years the SA-319Bs, SA-316Bs, Bell 204s, and S-58s, plus five Bell 204s and two Agusta-Bell 47Gs, are replaced with two more Dauphins, seven AS-350Bs, five Sikorsky S-61Ns, and four Eurocopter BO-105s.
On January 28, 2000, Canadian Helicopter Corporation (CHC) sells the 33% stake acquired by Helikopter Services, A. S. in 1992 back to Helicoptereros, S. A. and Schriener Airways, B. V. for C$6.8 million.
HELICOPTEROS DEL SURESTE, S. A.: Urbanization La Font-1, San Juan Alicante, 03550, Spain; Phone (6) 566-3835; Fax (6) 5665924; Http://www. helisureste. com; Code UV; Year Founded 1973.
Originally established in 1973 as Trabajos Aereos Bonny, S. A., and a part of the Office of Civil Aviation for Private Air Operations, Sureste is reformed into a public firm and renamed 10 years later. During its pioneering years and throughout the 1980s, the carrier engages in a wide variety of aerial work, beginning with agricultural insecticide spraying, crop sowing, and forest fertilization. Other activities soon added include aerial photography, flight training, and passenger charters. Beginning in 1982, the company undertakes rescue services for the provinces of Alicante, Murcia, Valencia, and in Extremadura. In the years following, the company will be applauded for its emergency rescue work carried out during floods in Alicante, Murcia, Valencia, and Badajoz.
Sling-load forest fire control contracts are undertaken annually after 1984. The first forest-fire flights are made in the Valencian community and over the next 16 years, company Bells will clock over
25,000 flight hours and release over 60 million liters of water while battling blazes.
Luis Minano San Valero is managing director as the 1990s begin and his fleet includes 3 Augusta/Bell AB 206B III JetRangers, 4 August A-109s, 6 Bell 206L LongRangers, 2 Bell 412s, and 1 Bell 212.
On behalf of various Spanish government agencies, the company, in 1990, develops a system of geo-referenced aerial photographs that allows it to monitor and survey the state or development of forest fires from a central control center in real time. Long-range helicopters or light aircraft can be outfitted with this equipment.
In 1992, a modern base is set up at Alicante. Provision is made there for helicopter parking, hangars, workshops, operations offices, and training facilities. During the year, the Secretaria General de Pesca Mar-itima of the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, Fishing, and Foods awards a contract to Helicopteros del Sureste to maintain and operate its fleet of three Agusta 109Cs. Over the next 18 years, Sureste will log over 6,500 flight hours for this government body, including 3,200 fishery patrol operations along the Spanish coast.
On January 1, 1993, the maintenance shops are certified for JAR-145 repair work. On April 1, 1996, the company inaugurates four-times-a-day scheduled Bell 412 return service between Ceuta, an enclave on the North African coast, and Malaga. Enplanements on the route will average 12,000 per year.
Flights continue during the remainder of the decade as the operator becomes one of the largest helicopter operators in Spain. In 1997, a Beech Super King Air 200 is acquired and in collaboration with Seville-based Transportes Aereos del Sur, S. A., flies organ transplant missions around the country. The Beech is also employed for patient transfers. A Bell 206 is equipped with the Wescam System that allows it to provide television images, particularly of sporting events.
In 1998, Sureste becomes the first Spanish aerial company to accept foreign contracts. In July, a Bell 212 is stationed in South Portugal to perform to provide EMS flights. A Kamov Ka-32 helicopter is leased from Russia and is employed to provide heavy-lift for various construction projects.
On December 31, the company operates its 85,000th flying hour.
During the spring of 1999, two new bases are opened in Portugal (Lisbon and Porto) and aerial ambulance service is provided under contract to the Instituto Nacional de Emergencias Medicas. Also during the year, Sureste is contracted by the Spanish Emergency Medical Services to establish a nationwide 24-hour, 7-days-a-week air ambulance service. A total of 14 Bell helicopters equipped with the latest medical instruments are assigned to this important duty.
The fleet in 2000 includes 6 Bell 412s, 4 Bell 212s, 10 Agusta 109s, 7 Bell 206L LongRangers, 1 Bell 205, and 1 Ka-32.
On October 1, plans are announced for the introduction in February of scheduled Bell 412 roundtrips between Gran Canaria and Santa Cruz de Tenerife. One-way fares will be about $180.
HELICOPTEROS MARINOS, S. A.: Panamericana y Cno Moron, Cno Real L 54, Boulogne, Buenos Aires, 1605, Argentina; Phone 54 (1) 741-4718; Fax 54 (1) 748-6886; Year Founded 1985. HM is formed during 1985 to provide aerial support services to the offshore oil exploration industry from a base at Tierra del Fuego island. Minority financial control (40%) is held by the French rotary-wing giant Heli-Union, S. A., which also holds a management contract.
The carrier acquires a pair of Sikorsky S-61Ns and six Aerospatiale AS-318C Alouette IIs. The French provide pilots, maintenance personnel, and spare parts under a wet-lease arrangement that also wet-leases the company two AS-350B Ecureuils, two SA-365 Dauphins, and an SA-315B Lama.
Operations continue apace over the next 15 years, during which time Raul van Sanchez becomes president and his fleet includes 3 Lamas and 3 Dauphins.
HELICOPTERS AUSTRALIA (PTY.), LTD.: P. O. Box 263, Belmont, Western Australia, 6984, Australia; Phone (09) 9277 8399; Fax (09) 9479 1008; Http://www. helicopters. com. au; Year Founded 1980. HA is incorporated at Perth on August 11, 1980 to provide passenger and cargo charters in and around the city. The first contract, started in November, is with STW Channel 9 television news.
During the next three years, the company, employing 4 Bell 206B Jet-Rangers, is engaged by the State Emergency Commission of Western Australia to provide helicopter support and transportation service for the construction and maintenance of a gas pipeline from Dampier to Perth. The contract will be retained.
Beginning under an April 1984 contract, Helicopters Australia provides marine pilot transfer service at Port Walcott, near Karratha, in Western Australia. From the time it is formed in 1985 until it is disbanded in 1988, the company provides lift for Perth’s Surf Lifesaving Helicopter Rescue Service. Simultaneously, the company undertakes to fly Perth’s Police Westpac Rescue Helicopter (PWRH) service.
At the end of the 1980s, the company is merged with Helicopters (NZ), Ltd. in order to consolidate the two companies’ activities in Indochina and to allow Helicopters Australia access to Helicopters (NZ)’s offshore experience and expertise.
The PWRH service is concluded in May 1992.
The contract to operate marine pilot transfer service at Port Walcott ends in February 1993. In December, the company is awarded a five-year contract to supply aircrew to act as copilots for Esso Australia, Ltd. in the Bass Strait.
A new five-year contract to operate marine pilot transfer service at Port Walcott is secured in June 1995. Also during the year, the company receives a five-year contract to support the Australian Antarctic Division, Department of the Environment, Sport and Territories on the frozen continent with a Sikorsky S-76A+ and two Aerospatiale AS350B Ecureuils.
In 1996, the company begins a forest and timber inventory on behalf of the Department of Conservation and Land Management of Western Australia. The service complements a long-standing contract with the bureau for fire spotting and reporting, aerial mapping, and aerial photography.
Flights continue in 1997-2000. Managing Director Dennis Troup’s fleet now includes 4 JetRangers, 2 Ecureuils, and 1 Sikorsky S-76A+.
HELICOPTERS HONG KONG, LTD. (HELI HONG KONG): Penthouse 39F, Shun Tak Centre, 200 Connaught Rd. C, Hong Kong; Phone (852) 2573-8882; Fax (852) 2573-3878; Http://www. helihongkong. com/hhkhome. htm; Year Founded 1996. HHK is incorporated in 1996 to provide charter helicopter services in Hong Kong. Revenue flights commence with a single Bell 206B JetRanger.
In May 1997, HHK receives an air operator’s certificate for scheduled public transport; it is only the seventh such document issued in Hong Kong over the past 50 years. During the remainder of the month through the changeover in sovereignty of the British crown colony to China in July, the Bell is in demand by news organizations from China and the U. S.
With most of Hong Kong’s helicopter passengers flying with East Asia Airlines (Pty.), Ltd., Heli Hong Kong, after the political change and through 1998, continues to emphasize its expertise with aerial surveying, corporate and other charters, and helicopter tours. Particular destinations favored by flight-seeing clients are The Great Buddah, the Outlying Islands, Victoria Harbour, and the Tsing Ma Bridge.
Early in 1999, HHK acquires East Asia, which it will continue to operate as an affiliate under its own name. The two companies join together to open a homepage on the World Wide Web and HHK takes over one of East Asia’s new Sikorsky S-76C+s.
HELICOPTERS (NZ), LTD.: Private Bag 9, Nelson, New Zealand; Phone 64 (3) 547-5598; Http://www. icair. iac. org. nz/logistics/hnz. helo. html; Year Founded 1955. Originally established with Bell 47Gs at Nelson in 1955, Helicopters (NZ) will win its niche as a specialist in rotary-wing services ranging from construction and agriculture to support of offshore oil and gas exploration ventures. Like Helicopter Resources (Pty.), Ltd. in Australia, it will become known for its work in Antarctica.
The company makes its first visit to Antarctica in 1979. In the 30 years thereafter, the company returns during every southern summer to support the work of government and private expeditions. Eurocopter AS350B Squirrels, Bell 206B JetRangers, and Bell 212s are regularly disassembled and sent to the frozen continent aboard ships or Lockheed Hercules transport aircraft.
Services continue apace during the 1980s and into the 1990s. At the end of the 1980s, the company is merged with Helicopters Australia (Pty.), Ltd. in order that the Australian firm might access the NZ operator’s offshore experience and expertise.
P. Tait is managing director in 1997-2000 and he deploys a fleet of 12 Squirrels, 2 each Bell 212s and JetRangers, and 1 SA-315B.
Service is maintained in Antarctica while a contract is obtained to supply helicopters to Shell for that energy firm’s Maui field activities.
HELICOPTERS VICTORIA (PTY.), LTD.: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Phone 61 396295542; Fax 61 394847522; Http://www. helivic. com. au; Year Founded 1989. Capt. David Sewell establishes this small concern at Melbourne in 1989 to provide corporate air transport and search and rescue facilities. Over the next 11 years, contracts are accepted to provide Agusta 109C flights on behalf of local and federal government, corporate, and private sector agencies and groups to a variety of destinations in Victoria, New South Wales, Tasmania, and South Australia.
When participants in the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race are caught in bad weather in the spring of 1999, Capt. Sewell is one of the first to respond. His life-saving intervention will result in a special award in May from American Helicopter Society International.
HELIFRANCE, S. A.: Heliport de Paris, 4 Ave. de la Porte de Sevres, Paris, F-75015, France; Phone 33 (01) 4554 9511; Fax 33 (01) 4554 0107; Http://www.; Year Founded 1982. With support from Air France, Air Inter, and Aeroports de Paris, HeliFrance, S. A. is formed by Joel Bastien in 1982 to provide scheduled city-to-airport shuttle service, the only such link in France. Simultaneously, rotary-wing charters are inaugurated. A slight $200,000 profit belies the fiscal difficulties to follow when scheduled flights are inaugurated. Service launch is held up in 1983 as government units consider noise and environmental implications.
With two Aerospatiale SA-365C Dauphins leased from their manufacturer, Paris (CDG and ORY) service is begun by President Bastien’s carrier on March 23, 1984. The commuter is only authorized to operate visual flight rules (VFR) flights and, unhappily, weather causes He-liFrance, S. A. to stand down on 83 of 310 days through year’s end.
Still, a total of 8,361 passengers are carried. Total revenues of $298,000 are earned, but expenses are $894,000, resulting in a $596,000 loss. Services continue as does the search effort to find additional subsidy sources.
Four AS-350B Ecureuils and an AS-355F TwinStar are acquired and placed in service in 1985-1986 alongside of the carrier’s two replacement Aerospatiale AS-365N Dauphins. A total of 11,000 passengers are flown in 800 revenue hours during the former year. Having served as the company’s handling agent for two years, Air France breaks its agreement in March of the latter year.
HeliPrance, S. A. is able to start all-weather, half-hour instrument flight rules (IFR) roundtrips between the city’s two major airports in
1987. Beginning on May 3, 1988, the company offers a twice-daily Ecureuil service from Paris (CDG) to La Evry, La Defense, and St. Quentin en Yvelines, high-rise business districts south and west of Paris. An agreement is signed with Pan American World Airways (1), which joins Air France and several other European airlines in providing complimentary tickets to first - and business-class passengers.
The company continues to provide air taxi, pilot training, survey flights, and photography opportunities into the 1990s. President Bastien’s fleet in 1994 includes 2 AS-355Fs, 9 AS-350Bs, and 2 each AS-355F1s, AS-318Cs, Bell 47Gs, and Robinson R-22s.
In May, the company, employing a British-registered Sikorsky S-76A, inaugurates a joint venture with Air Hanson, Ltd., linking Issy-les-Moulineaux Heliport at Paris with London’s Battersea Heliport.
Flights continue apace during the remainder of the decade without significant fleet changes.
In addition to providing its regularly scheduled services, HeliFrance gains new media exposure and public respect in the period after the December 26, 1999 blizzards that do immense damage to the national infrastructure because of so much ice. Company helicopters perform various rescue missions and are instrumental in assisting in the restoration of electrical power in black-out areas.
In early July 2000, the company, as it has for several years, provides support for the Grand Prix de France.
HELIJET AIR SERVICES (PTY.), LTD.: P. O. Box 5719, McKay Mail Centre, Queensland, 4740, Australia; Phone (79) 577400; Fax (79) 577858; Year Founded 1992. Helijet Seaplanes is formed at Whitsunday Airport, Whitsunday, Queensland, in 1992 to offer flights along the Great Barrier Reef. Gregory M. Schweikert is named managing director with R. W. Pickett as administrative manager. Services are inaugurated with a fleet made up of 2 de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beavers and 2 Lake Buccaneers.
Flights continue and the company, with the addition of rotary-wing aircraft, is renamed Helijet Air Services (Pty.), Ltd. By 2000, Managing Director Schweikert not only operates the original fixed-wing planes, but 2 Bell 206JR JetRangers, 4 LongRangers, and 2 Bell 222s.
HELIJET AIRWAYS, INC.: Canada (1986-2000). This helicopter service is opened in 1986 to offer scheduled passenger flights linking Vancouver Harbor and Victoria Harbor with Vancouver International Airport. Shares in President Daniel Sitnam’s publicly owned carrier are traded on the Vancouver Stock Exchange. Operations commence in November employing a fleet of 3 Sikorsky S-76A Mk. IIs and continue apace for the remainder of the decade.
A fourth S-76A is added to the fleet during the first quarter of 1990 and the number of daily flights is increased from 32 to 41.
In December 1991, the 83-employee firm begins flying to Whistler, some 65 miles north of Vancouver.
For the year, it enplanes 97,300 passengers and earns an undisclosed net profit.
The fleet at the beginning of 1992 includes 5 S-76As. These provide 43 daily scheduled roundtrips between Vancouver Harbor and Victoria Harbor. On June 1, the company places Canada’s first S-76A+ into service and, by month’s end, it is being employed to offer thrice-daily roundtrips from Vancouver International Airport to Whistler.
In 1993, Chairman Alistair MacLennan and President/CEO Sitnam oversee a workforce of 100 and a fleet of 6 S-76A Mk. IIs. A total of 47 daily flights are made between the carrier’s destinations.
In honor of the Commonwealth Games held in Victoria in August 1994, an S-76A Mk. II is painted as Spirit of the Commonwealth, taking the motif of the mascot orca Klee Wyck (Laughing One).
Operations continue apace in 1995, during which year the company receives the “Operator Safety Award” from the Helicopter Association International.
In July 1996, Vancouver Helicopters, Ltd. is purchased. During these years, marketing alliances are entered into with Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, British Airways, Ltd. (2), and Canadian Airlines International, Ltd.
Enplanements for the route between Vancouver and Victoria almost reach 100,000. Revenues are C$13.4 million and net income of C$613,000.
On May 22, 1997, thrice-daily roundtrips are inaugurated from Victoria, British Columbia, to Boeing Field in downtown Seattle. The $92 one-way fare allows journey completion in 34 min. instead of the 120 min. required for a hydrofoil trip between the two cities. Seattle becomes the first U. S. city to receive scheduled helicopter service from Canada and is, indeed, one of the few in America to have scheduled services at all.
Helijet Airways joins the Canadian Plus frequent flyer program of Canadian Airlines International, Ltd. (CDN) on October 6. Passengers of the helicopter line are able to earn loyalty points on Helijet scheduled flights between Vancouver, Victoria, and Seattle.
Also in October, the company opens a new 25,000-sq.-ft. facility on the south side of Vancouver International Airport; the site includes a 1,000-sq.-ft. terminal and lounge.
To celebrate the opening of the major league baseball season in April 1998, a company S-76A Mk. II is painted in the logo and colors of the Seattle Mariners. The aircraft will fly promotions, but few, if any, players.
A collaborative joint venture is entered into with Kahului, British Columbia-based Hawaii Helicopters on July 9. Under its terms, Hawaii is able to lease a 12-passenger Sikorsky S-76A+ all-weather, medium twin-engine, dual pilot helicopter. When it arrives painted in Hawaii livery, it becomes the first of its type to serve with one of the state’s tour operators. It is employed to operate four flights daily from Maui to view Haleakala and Kilauea volcanoes on the Big Island.
A new code-sharing partnership is announced on September 29 with CDN. Effective October 14, CDN passengers with premium-fare tickets will have the option to travel on one of 10 daily Helijet-operated shuttles between Vancouver’s South Airport and Victoria’s downtown inner harbor.
The company enters the paramedical field in October when it secures a five-year air medical service contract with British Columbia Ambulance Services. The new service will begin in January. Revenues for the year total C$13.16 million.
Airline employment stands at 120 at the beginning of 1999 and Heli-Jet is now North America’s largest and most profitable scheduled helicopter service. Code-sharing continues with the renamed Canadian Airlines, Ltd., as HeliJet’s 6 S-76+s provide return services from Vancouver International Airport to downtown, 10 times a day.
In late April, the carrier, which trades on the Vancouver Stock Exchange, launches a radio and print communications advertising campaign, “You First,” which stresses HeliJet’s service ethic.
The joint venture with Hawaii Helicopters is expanded during the summer when the partners receive a subcontract to transport men and equipment from Maui to an adjacent island reserve that for 50 years has been used as a military weapons range. During an unspecified period, clean-up teams will undertake a large-scale ordnance clean-up and environmental restoration.
On July 11, a Helijet Sikorsky S-61N, painted in Hawaii colors, is reconfigured, disassembled, shrink-wrapped, and placed on a freighter from Vancouver to Honolulu. There it is reassembled and flown to Maui, where it begins its new contract on August 15. At least initially, the S-76A+, which remains under lease from Helijet, is also employed to transfer workers and their supplies to the reserve.
Also during the year, the television and motion picture production industry in British Columbia becomes a billion-dollar industry. Helijet continues to be Hollywood’s first choice for helicopter services when filming in British Columbia and during the year, the carrier participates in the motion pictures Romeo Must Die (Jet Li), Along Came a Spider (Morgan Freeman), The Sixth Day (Arnold Schwartznegger), North Face (Antonio Sabato Jr.), and Shutterspeed (Daisy Fuentes). It also films the famous “car driving off the ferry” scene, among others, in Double Jeopardy (Tommy Lee Jones and Ashley Judd). The television series Seven Days and Secret Agent Man are also supported.
Revenues for the year rise to C$17.24 million and allow a net gain of C$855,445. During the year, overall fleet time has increased by 5% over 1998 to more than 10,000 hours. The two major growth areas held to be responsible for this boost are the British Columbia Ambulance Service contract and increased business by the carrier’s charter division.
On January 11, 2000, the board of directors authorizes the amalgamation of Helijet Airways and its parent, WM Helijet Airways, Inc., into the unified company Helijet International, Inc.
HELIJET INTERNATIONAL, INC.: 4520 Agar Drive, Vancouver International Airport, Richmond, British Columbia V7B 1A3, Canada; Phone (604) 273-4688; Fax (604) 273-5301; Http://www. helijet. com; Code JB; Year Founded 2000. On January 11, 2000, the
Board of directors authorizes the amalgamation of Helijet Airways and its parent, WM Helijet Airways, Inc., into the unified company Helijet International, Inc. Daniel Sitnam remains president/CEO and his Sikorsky S-76A+ fleet offers between 200 and 255 scheduled weekly passenger flights, depending on the season, to Victoria and Seattle. The code-share with Canadian Airlines, Ltd. is maintained.
The airline, together with Cougar Helicopters, Ltd., becomes a launch customer for the new 190-seat Sikorsky S-92A Helibus, signing a contract with Sikorsky on January 24 for the delivery of several machines by the end of 2002.
Also in January, the S-61, having successfully completed its contract to fly workers from Maui, is returned to Vancouver. Plans now call for the machine to be placed on Helijet’s scheduled route between Vancouver and Victoria, but six months is required to clear the paperwork for service introduction that finally starts in mid-June.
During the spring and summer, the company once again provides support to the province’s motion picture and television industry, taking a role in the filming of 11 new projects. Meanwhile, the on-going joint venture with Hawaii Helicopters continues.
On September 7, the Vancouver Whistler 2010 Bid Corporation and Helijet International proudly unveil a Sikorsky S-76A wearing the Vancouver Whistler Olympic Bid logo. The Bid Corporation is preparing an offer to host the Olympic Winter Games and Paralympic Games in 2010.
At this point, the concern—the largest scheduled helicopter operator in North America—has transported over 1.25 million passengers since its founding.
HELIJET SEAPLANES (PTY.), LTD. See HELIJET AIR SERVICES (PTY.), LTD.
HELIJET WHITSUNDAY (PTY.), LTD.: Airport, Hamilton Island, Queensland, 4551, Australia; Phone 61 79-468249; Fax 61 79468280; Year Founded 1985. Helijet Whitsunday is established on Hamilton Island in 1985 to provide both fixed-wing and rotary-wing services, including passenger and cargo charters. By 2000, the company employs 15 full-time pilots and operates 1 each Britten-Norman BN-2 Islander, Cessna 206 Stationaire, C-402 Business/Utiliner, Bell 206B Je-tRanger, Bell 206L LongRanger, Bell 222, and Hughes 500.
HELIKOPTER AIR SERVICE. See TYROLEAN AIRWAYS, A. G.
HELIKOPTER SERVICE, A. S.: Norway (1956-2000). Morton H. Hancke founds Scancopter Service, A. S. on February 20, 1956 to provide a wide range of services entailing almost every commercial aspect for which helicopters can be adapted.
When President Hancke’s company, by now given its current name, inaugurates offshore oil exploration support work and acquires its first two Sikorsky S-61Ns in 1966, company activities are divided into two categories: offshore, for service to North Sea rigs and domestic, including long - and short-haul charter and air taxi service. Flights originate from bases at Forus Heliport near Stavanger, Bergen, Bodo, Trondheim, and Oslo.
Among the energy firms contracting with the company are Mobile Exploration Norway, Phillips Petroleum Company (Norway), Elf Aqui-tane Norge, A. S., Amoco Norway Oil Company, Esso Exploration and Production Norway, Inc., and a number of smaller operators. The fleet grows to include 11 Sikorsky S-61Ns, 1 Bell 214B, 4 Bell 47Js, 4 Bell 206Bs, and 1 Bell 204B, plus 1 Piper PA-31 Navajo Chieftain.
In the years 1977-1982, HS becomes the largest helicopter airline in Scandinavia, continuing to operate charter and contract flights from its six Norwegian bases. The basic division of operations into offshore and domestic segments does not change; however, a fixed-wing subsidiary, Helikopter Service Ski-og, is created to handle air taxi work and is equipped with Cessna 185s and 206s. Two Boeing Vertol Model 234 Civil Chinooks are ordered in April of the latter year, by which point the fleet has come to comprise the following rotary-wing aircraft: 4 Aerospatiale AS-332 Super Pumas, 17 Sikorsky S-61Ns, 4 Bell 206s, 7 Bell 202s, and 3 Bell 214s.
During these years, HS provides 17 daily S-61N flights from Forus Heliport to the Statfjord field platforms of Mobil Exploration Norway. At this point, HS Sikorskys fly over 100,000 passengers per year on behalf of Phillips Petroleum Company (Norway) from the mainland to this firm’s 27 permanent Ekofisk field platforms. Additionally, upwards of
400,000 passengers are transported on the company’s Bell 214 thrice-daily interplatform shuttle flights.
Upwards of 25 weekly S-61N and AS-332L Super Puma roundtrips are flown from Stavanger to the 6 permanent platforms of Elf Aquitane Norge, A. S.’s Frigg field, the world’s largest natural gas field. Eleven weekly Super Puma roundtrips connect the three platforms of Amoco Norway Oil Company’s Valhall field with Stavanger. S-61Ns from Bergen also service Esso Exploration and Production Norway’s Odin Platform 10 mi. N of the Frigg field. The Norwegian state oil company, Statoil, employs the carrier’s S-61Ns to perform flights from Kristian-sund to a rig in the Haltenbanken, as well as two drilling rigs west of Bergen. Also from Bergen, S-61Ns fly the Treasure Saga rig of Saga Petroleum, A. S.
Super Pumas and S-61Ns also fly on behalf of A. S. Norske Shell, providing transport to a drilling rig in the Haltenbanken north of Kristian-sund, one in the Troll field north of Bergen, and a third near the Ekofisk field to the south. The Haltenbanken drilling rig of Conoco Norway, Inc. is also served by an S-61N.
A longtime policy of buying up competitors and merging them into its own activities begins quietly in 1980 with the acquisition of Fred Olsen’s Offshore Helikopters, A. S.
When, during the summer of 1983, British Caledonian Helicopters, Ltd. receives permission to fly Bell 214STs from Aberdeen to a pipelaying barge north of Stavanger, HS protests the move to aviation authorities in both the U. K. and Norway. In October, the BCHL permission is withdrawn and HS takes over the Elf Aquitane Norge, A. S. contract.
Early in 1984, Mobil Exploration Norway grants Tromso-based new entrant Luftransport, A. S. a contract to fly eight-times-per-week AS-332L supply flights from Bergen to its platforms in the Statfjord field. The contract ends the HS near-monopoly on Norwegian offshore operations.
Shortly thereafter, Esso Norge A. S. contracts with HS to operate flights from Tromso to the exploratory Zapata Ugland rig. Phillips Petroleum Company (Norway) signs a five-year contract with the company in late spring to operate S-61Ns and Civil Chinooks from Forus Heliport to its Ekofisk fields. To support this enterprise, which will come to represent 45% of company business, as well as other contracts, a Boeing Vertol Model 234L Civil Chinook is leased from its manufacturer in July.
Beginning on August 25, the company inaugurates 5 Boeing 234LR and 12 S-61N weekly flights to participate in aerial transport support of the platforms in the Heimdal field, south of the Frigg field platforms of Elf Aquitane Norge, A. S. The Esso Norge A. S. operation begins in September.
Following its purchase of the chartered Civil Chinook in April 1985, ERA Aviation of the U. S. sends pilots to Stavanger to receive HS training. In June, a contract bid to the Swedish state power board for external-lift assistance on its tower-construction project in the southern part of the country is lost to British Airways Helicopters, Ltd.
In Norway, the company undertakes the unusual mission of lifting out a 17,000-lb. historic schoolhouse (ca. 1870s) from its island base to a university in Stavanger in an 8-minute, 20-mile flight. In Norway, the company maintains a fleet of two Bell 214Bs, a Bell 205, and a Bell 204 to work on power lines for that country’s utilities under a long-term contract that creates an $8-million annual turnover.
On August 1, the operator begins flying its Super Pumas from Stavanger to fixed and mobile rigs in the Valhall-Hod field under a two-year contract with Amoco Norway Oil Company. From Andenes, two AS-332L Super Pumas are dedicated, in mid-August, to supporting AS Norske Shell’s exploration in the Tromsoflaket field off northern Norway. Another two-year contract, this one with BP Petroleum Development, Ltd. begins on September 1 as HS inaugurates services on behalf of that explorer to sites in the Ula oil field. Late in the year, company experts perform a feasibility study in Thailand to assist Thai Airways Company, Ltd. (THAI) to establish an offshore helicopter service.
Revenues for the year increase by 12.5% to $98.4 million and net gain swells to $2.5 million.
The fleet in 1986 includes 3 Model 234Ls, 19 S-61Ns, 7 AS-332Ls, 8 Bell 212s, and 1 leased Bell 214ST. Over the past 20 years, HS has accomplished over 350,000 S-61N hours, more than that for all other operators of the type combined. During the first quarter, an S-61N is sold to KLM Helikopters, B. V. Bases are located not only at Stavanger and Bergen, but also at Kristiansund, Bodo, Andenes, and Tromso. After Bristow Helicopters, Ltd., HS is now the second largest operator in the North Sea.
Early in the year, Marketing Director Emil Gamborg is appointed the company’s new general manager, a Super Puma is leased to Maersk Air, A. S., and an S-61N is sold to KLM Helicopters, B. V. The Elf Aquitane Norge, A. S. contract ends during the spring; however, the number of support flights on behalf of Phillips Petroleum increases to thrice daily. Although holding few overseas contracts, HS does undertake a mission in Sudan, flying supplies on behalf of the UN. A strike by caterers working on offshore oil production platforms begins in May; it results in the removal of workers from the platforms and a downturn in company lift requirements (and income).
Undertaken as a civic responsibility for many years, a daily helicopter passenger shuttle between Bodo and the islands of Vaeroy and Rost ends in July when fixed-wing aircraft begin landing at their new airstrips.
The Norwegian government revokes the HS license to operate out of the company’s Forus field base at Stavanger, preferring that it move its flight operations to Sola Airport. The transfer is made during the remainder of the year and into the next, although heavy maintenance and training remains at the company facility. During the year, the Helicopter Service Reinsurance, S. A. subsidiary is set up in Luxembourg.
HS experiences two problems with its Civil Chinooks during the second quarter of 1987. The first occurs on April 23 when an engine power loss results in an engine shutdown. A more serious event occurs on May 1 when, following an engine failure, the Model 234LR in question suffers a frightening pitch-up and control loss. The crew is able to make a safe onshore precautionary landing, after which the engine is replaced.
Following these incidents, the company’s Model 234Ls are grounded and replaced, temporarily, by S-61Ns. The Civil Chinook difficulties are resolved and the company’s three machines are returned to service on November 30, following reauthorization by prime contractor Phillips Petroleum.
After two years of increasing its HS stock, Andenaes, a real estate conglomerate, assumes 90% shareholding in January 1988, with General Manager Gamborg named president.
Outbound from Stavanger to the North Sea’s Cod field with 15 passengers aboard on March 1, an AS-332L Super Puma encounters a sudden and severe vibration; as a precaution, the helicopter is landed aboard a Polish bulk carrier. On July 15, another Super Puma, with 18 aboard, also encounters severe vibration. It ditches in the North Sea and all evacuate, remaining afloat 10 hours before rescue.
The AS-332L fleet is grounded for inspection and requirements are filled with S-61Ns and Civil Chinooks. A Super Puma is now leased, long-term, to British International Helicopters, Ltd. (BIH).
When the oil rig Ocean Odyssey, located 138 nm. E of Aberdeen, Scotland, takes fire on September 22 following a gas blowout, a company Bell 212 joins units from the British military and Bond Helicopters, Ltd. in rescuing the 67 survivors from supply boats to a nearby platform. In October, three local unions stage a wildcat strike in objection to a proposed merger of the carrier with chief shareholder Ande-naes. Although company officials promise to look at the amalgamation plans carefully, the merger is completed on schedule in November, leading to employee unrest that continues.
After more than two decades, HS’s final offshore helicopter flight from Forus is made by an S-61N on February 11, 1989. Since operations from the facility began in 1966, more than three million passengers have passed through its terminal. As of February 13, all offshore support flights from the mainland and the installations in the southern North Sea are offered from a new terminal at Stavanger Airport, Sola. In reaction to a new pay and conditions package, company pilots stage a three-day walkout at the end of the first quarter.
American multimillionaire Donald Trump, owner of Trump Air, purchases a Model 234 Civil Chinook from HS during May, planning to introduce it during December. At the Paris Air Show, company officials discuss a joint venture operation with executives from Louisiana-based Air Logistics. During the spring and into the summer, company officials continue to negotiate new contracts with employees.
On June 20, a Spitsbergen-based AS-332L Super Puma joins three Norwegian Air Force Sea Kings and two Aeroflot Soviet Airlines Arctic division Mil Mi-8s in evacuating passengers from the Russian cruise ship Maxim Gorky, which has struck an iceberg while sailing in the Barents Sea north of Norway.
Boardings for the first half total 318,489.
When contract talks with HS fail on July 2, pilots, having given notice of a potential for a job action a month earlier via the Norwegian ALPA, again walk out. The strike continues for a week and costs the company $360,000 a day in lost revenues. Possible termination notices are sent to all remaining 600 employees.
Later in the month, the company is reorganized into four divisions: offshore, industry, training, and property. Christian Brinch is appointed the new HS president and onshore operations are assigned to A. S. Luft-transport.
In the wake of a downturn in offshore oil support activities and its earlier strike, HS begins to trim its fleet in the fourth quarter. The B-234 for the Trump Organization is handed over in the U. S. in mid-November. Two Super Pumas are dry-leased to Bond Helicopters, Ltd. and a third is chartered to the government of Togo, which will use it for presidential travel.
Airline employment stands at 700 in 1990 and a total of 34 aircraft are now active in offshore support roles. A joint 50% venture, HS Logistics, Inc. is established with the Lafayette, Louisiana-based firm Air Logistics in February; the new operation is announced during the Helicopter Association International’s Heli Expo ‘90 at Dallas, Texas. To manage the new joint subsidiary, an executive council is established with representatives from both companies.
In May, HS Logistics acquires its first contract when it takes over an Air Logistics contract with the U. S. Department of State for Bell 206L LongRanger helitransport in Honduras. While searching for a small fishing vessel in bad weather at night along the Norwegian coast north of Bergen on October 4, a Bell 214ST crashes at sea (five dead).
The company takes a 44.5% interest in A. S. Morefly late in the fourth quarter and a $17.26-million net profit is generated on the year, atop operating revenues of $193.5 million.
Following an incident aboard a KLM Helikopter S-61N late in December, HS’s 15 S-61Ns are grounded during the first week of January 1991 for an approved inspection program, which allows them to return to service at month’s end. Under contract for the Shell Oil subsidiary Pecten, three HS Logistics helicopters, a Bell 212 and two Bell 214Bs, commence offshore support flights in Papua New Guinea in February. The former ship is American-registered and the latter two Norwegian.
At the same time, HS Logistics places an AS-332L Super Puma in service to two oil rigs in the Bay of Bengal under contract to Amoco. During the first quarter, long-term maintenance contracts are signed to service the power plants of the rotary-wing fleets of British International Helicopters, Ltd. (BIH), Maersk Air, A. S., and A/S Morefly, in addition to the Royal Swedish Air Force.
On April 6, an HS Logistics Bell 212, leased from Air Logistics, begins flying offshore support missions for Pecten at Trinidad. Two more Bell 212s chartered from the American partner are dispatched to Kuwait during July on a two-year medevac contract. At the same time, the company goes public and begins to trade its shares on the Oslo Stock Exchange. The move reduces the previous owner’s share from 80% to 30% and brings in Nkr 385 million ($59.6 million).
The A/S Morefly subsidiary begins operation of an AS-332L Super Puma during the summer. The company begins to upgrade its 17 S-61Ns, providing them with new avionics, interior layouts, pushout windows, cargo-hold smoke detectors, and new life rafts. Meanwhile, three Super Pumas are leased to Bond Helicopters, Ltd. and a fourth to Maersk Air, A. S. Late in the year, the company tests an FLIR-equipped AS-365N Dauphin 2 as a possible Bell 212 replacement.
Revenues for the year increase 51% to Nkr 1.21 billion ($190 million), granting a Nkr 176.4-million ($25.3-million) net profit.
The fleet at the beginning of 1992 includes 17 S-61Ns and 12 Super Pumas, plus 2 Civil Chinooks and Bell 212s. Offshore Logistics General Manager Harris Albert announces in February that Air Logistics has redeemed the stock in HS Logistics held by HS, primarily because work cannot be found for the partnership’s larger helicopters outside of the North Sea. The joint venture becomes a wholly owned subsidiary of the American firm. The ongoing contracts of HS Logistics in Brazil and Trinidad will be completed by Air Logistics machines under that company’s direction.
A Eurocopter (formerly Aerospatiale) AS-365N Dauphin 2 is leased for a trial period at month’s end. At the beginning of March, the concern receives an Nkr 6 million contract from British Petroleum to transport its personnel between Kristiansund and the Ross Isle mobile drilling platform. The award begins when BP starts drilling an exploratory well on Haltenbanken at month’s end.
During the spring, plans are made to move maintenance and administrative staff from Forus to Sola during the next year.
On July 1, a $73-million order is placed for four Eurocopter AS-332L Super Puma Mk. Ils. The contract includes pilot training and technical maintenance.
As the result of increased North Sea competition costs, a total of 120 staff are laid off by November. Also during the year, a 33% interest is acquired in Helicopteros, S. A. (Helicsa) of Spain.
A pretax profit of Nkr 208 million ($28.5 million) is reported on top of operating revenues of $150 million.
In late January 1993, HS is awarded a $6-million contract by Heliv-ifra, a joint venture of the French operator Heli-Union, S. A., the Vietnamese national helicopter company Service Flight Corporation (SFC), and Petrol Vietnam. Under its terms, HS dispatches a wet-leased AS-332L in February to Vung Tau, 62 nm. SE of Ho Chi Minh City, to support a BP-Statoil drilling ship and rig operating 200 nm offshore in the South China Sea. The number of AS-332Ls participating in this contract will later be increased to five. During the spring, Helivifra begins to support a second HS Super Puma, which flies from Vung Tau on a $5-million, yearlong contract with the Japanese-controlled Arabian Energy Development Corporation (AEDC).
Another new $31-million, three-year contract begins on May 1; the Elf Petroleum Norge arrangement includes crew-change S-61N flights from Stavanger to the Frigg and Heimdal fields and shuttle and SAR services employing a Dauphin 2.
The outstanding shares of A/S Morefly are meanwhile purchased and that company will become a wholly owned HS subsidiary at the end of the fourth quarter.
In May, the Ministry of Social Affairs awards HS a five-year, $59-million contract to provide some 65% of the nation’s emergency medical service (EMS) airlift. The contract is divided between the company’s subsidiaries, A/S Morefly and Lufttransport, A. S.
In June, a management contract is signed with Sweden’s largest helicopter operator, Heliflyg A. B.; the arrangement also gives the Norwegian operator an option to purchase.
The company, on August 23, becomes the first helicopter line to take delivery of the Eurocopter AS-332L Super Puma Mk. II. It will be based at Stavanger to join five other Mk. Is on offshore work. Also in August, a $5-million contract is signed between Helivifra and Australia’s BHPP. With maintenance support from Heli-Union, S. A. and ground support from SFC, an HS AS-332L Super Puma is dispatched to support the Australian drilling efforts in the Dai Hung field off the Vietnamese coast.
On September 1, Braathens Helikopter A. S. is purchased from Braa-thens Group. The merger leaves HS without domestic competition in Norway, a workforce increased to 900, and a fleet of 66 aircraft, including 7 Eurocopter Super Pumas. The move comes under the scrutiny of the national Monopolies and Mergers Commission (MMC) at month’s end. Also in September, an offshore support arrangement similar to the BHPP deal is entered into by the Vietnamese, Norwegian, and French partners with the Korea Petroleum Development Corporation. Another HS Super Puma begins flying this support from Vung Tau in October.
During October and November, the U. K.’s Bristow Helicopters, Ltd. becomes minority shareholder in a new Stavanger-based operation, United Helicopters, Ltd. The new entrant, which will operate under the name Norsk Helikopter, A. S., will directly challenge HS’s growing monopoly of offshore work in its portion of the North Sea. As a result, the MMC, on November 19, informs HS that it will not intervene in its Braathens acquisition. The same day, HS increases its outstanding common shares through the issue of 2.2 million shares to the stakeholders in Braathens Helikopter, A. S.
Revenues for the year climb almost 20% to $179 million and pretax profit accelerates by 12% to $32 million.
The workforce in 1994 totals 942 and President Brinch’s fleet now includes 68 helicopters and 10 fixed-wing aircraft, including: 23 Eurocopter AS332L Super Pumas, 16 Sikorsky S-61Ns, 2 Civil Chinooks, 9 Bell 212s, 1 Bell 214ST, 2 Eurocopter SA 315B Lamas, 5 Bell 214B-1s, 1 Partenavia AP-68TP Spartacus, 2 AS 332L.2 Super Puma IIs, 6 AS 350B1 Ecureuils, 3 AS 365N Dauphin 2s, 2 Bell 205s, and 10 Beech Super King Air 200s.
In addition to the main headquarters at Stavanger, as well as other offices at Oslo, Bergen, and Kirstiansund, the company also maintains bases at Sola, Alesund, Bronnoysund, Tromso, Longyearbyen, Mo i Rana, Bergen, Hammerfest, Svalbard, and Gaupne.
Acquisition of Braathens Helikopter, A. S. is concluded on January 1 and leaves HS, briefly, unchallenged in offshore helicopter services in its portion of the North Sea until Norsk Helikopter, A. S. appears later in the first quarter.
The carrier’s wholly owned subsidiaries now include A. S. Luft-transport, Heliwest, A. S., Helimatic, A. S., and A. S. Helicopter Service Reinsurance, S. A. of Luxembourg. In addition to the Spanish operator Helicopters S. A. (Helicsa), the company also maintains minority interest in Avicopter, S. A. (25%) and Wiking Helicopter Service, GmbH. of Germany (49%).
During the first quarter, the company receives two, five-year contracts to provide the Norwegian state-owned company Statoil with offshore support. One contract is for offshore-based infield shuttle and SAR services in the Veslefrikk, Statfjord, and Gullfaks fields. The other is for crew change operations from the carrier’s Bergen base to Statfjord, Veslefrikk, and Gullfaks. Under the arrangement, one Bell 214ST and two S-61Ns will be fully committed.
Through two June purchases, HS assumes a 42% share of the North Sea offshore support market. First is the exercise of the option to take over Sweden’s largest helicopter operator, Heliflyg, A. B. Second, and far more significant, is the June 27 (effective July 1) two-phase merger with the U. K.’s Bond Helicopters, Ltd.
The British transaction calls for the Norwegian line to assume an immediate ?32.4 million, 49.4% stake and increase its holding over the next three years. Meanwhile, Bond’s ownership (Managing Director Stephen and his brother Peter) will retain the largest individual shareholding with a 12% stake in the merged operation until the 43-million share, 50.6% takeover is accomplished.
World History
