The City State of Monaco, nestled along a stretch of coastline in Southern France known as the Cote d'Azur, has long been associated with the helicopter and is home to one of the world's long-running helicopter airlines.
Since 1297 when Francesco Grimaldi and his companions (dressed as monks) invaded the town from Genoa, the Grimaldi family have ruled this tiny Principality.
Prince Rainier III, known as the 'builder Prince', was one of the initial advocates of helicopter services and was responsible for the development of what is now the Fontvieille Quarter (developed from reclaimed land) and which harbours the city's national heliport.
Heli Air Monaco (HAM) The Beginning
Heli-Monaco Enstrom F-28A 3A-MJC
'Heli-Monaco' commenced services with a sole Enstrom F-28 in 1976. During the first year of operations, 3A-MJC carries 747 passengers.
In 1978 the now 'Heli Air Monaco' added a second aircraft:
Agusta-Bell 206 JetRanger II 3A-MRG becomes the second aircraft in the Heli Air Monaco (HAM) fleet
In 1980 the Fontvieille Heliport is opened (previous operations utilised a helipad in the same area). In 1980 HAM flew 15,237 passengers.
Fontvieille Heliport in 1980
By 1983 the fleet had expanded to four helicopters and the passengers flown that year were 39,673.
HAM's 1983 fleet consisting of two JetRangers, one LongRanger and their first Ecureuil
HAM's 'official' account of their history indicates that their first 206 arrived in 1978 but .. a contact of mine believes their first 206 arrived in 1977. We shall see.
Heli Air Monaco's first Agusta-Bell 206A 3A-MCC arriving at the helipad at Fontvieille c.1977 (Photo: Jean-Paul Bascoul)
Early HAM publicity depicting 3A-MCC over the Principality (Courtesy of Zishelix)