HeliAir has effectively been sold. A very substantial shareholding has been sold to a City investor and Mike Smith is no longer the majority shareholder. He's agreed to continue running the company and remains Managing Director.
Mike and family have worked hard over many years and have seen HeliAir go from strength to strength. Last year was its best yet.
I'm told the flying schools are busy and that, in the 11 month period from April 2003 to today, HeliAir sold:
68 new Robinsons (80% of which are R44s)
12+ used helicopters.
It seems like a sensible time to sell. Next year might be even better, but there again ............ who knows?
The new owner, a stockbroker, hasn't previously been involved in aviation but is learning to fly.