Heliport
12th Aug 2005, 10:19
Hoover's Business News Clear vision helps lever funding for helicopter operator
A leisure flying business which is looking to grow its customer base on the thrill of riding in a helicopter has received a much-needed funding boost.
Exeter International Airport-based Helicopters UK, which was founded just nine months ago, will purchase fire and rescue equipment and a fire support vehicle thanks to a GBP15,000 loan.
Some of the money will also be used to help the company obtain its own Air Operators Certificate enabling it to operate public transport flights.
The money has come from the Devon Business Support Fund - a fund specifically set up for small businesses operating in Devon's Objective 2 area - which is run by the South West Investment Group.
Jasper Trumble, director of Helicopters UK, said the combination of Business Link's advice and the SWIG funding will help the company to secure its own Air Operators Certificate - a key factor in the development of the business.
Mr Trumble, a commercial helicopter pilot who heads the firm with his brother Toby, an aviation insurance broker, said: "It's an expensive and complicated process to obtain one's own certificate, but once we have it we will be truly self-contained.
"The aviation industry is a very difficult business to be successful in and we need to be in complete control of our own affairs and become totally self-reliant if we are to achieve our potential." The target market for the company, which will have further offices in Kingsbridge, is the pleasure flying sector as well as helicopter charter.
"It's a niche market where the competition in the South West of England is relatively limited," said Mr Trumble.
Richard Knight, financial advisor for Business Link who provides support for the Objective 2 Devon fund, said Helicopters UK was a business with great potential which would benefit greatly from the new funding.
He said: "From the outset Jasper and Toby have had a clear vision for the company.
"Central to that vision is achieving the Air Operators Certificate so we are delighted that the funding will be going towards this and essential infrastructure in the fire and rescue equipment."
© 2005 Northcliffe Newspapers Limited
A leisure flying business which is looking to grow its customer base on the thrill of riding in a helicopter has received a much-needed funding boost.
Exeter International Airport-based Helicopters UK, which was founded just nine months ago, will purchase fire and rescue equipment and a fire support vehicle thanks to a GBP15,000 loan.
Some of the money will also be used to help the company obtain its own Air Operators Certificate enabling it to operate public transport flights.
The money has come from the Devon Business Support Fund - a fund specifically set up for small businesses operating in Devon's Objective 2 area - which is run by the South West Investment Group.
Jasper Trumble, director of Helicopters UK, said the combination of Business Link's advice and the SWIG funding will help the company to secure its own Air Operators Certificate - a key factor in the development of the business.
Mr Trumble, a commercial helicopter pilot who heads the firm with his brother Toby, an aviation insurance broker, said: "It's an expensive and complicated process to obtain one's own certificate, but once we have it we will be truly self-contained.
"The aviation industry is a very difficult business to be successful in and we need to be in complete control of our own affairs and become totally self-reliant if we are to achieve our potential." The target market for the company, which will have further offices in Kingsbridge, is the pleasure flying sector as well as helicopter charter.
"It's a niche market where the competition in the South West of England is relatively limited," said Mr Trumble.
Richard Knight, financial advisor for Business Link who provides support for the Objective 2 Devon fund, said Helicopters UK was a business with great potential which would benefit greatly from the new funding.
He said: "From the outset Jasper and Toby have had a clear vision for the company.
"Central to that vision is achieving the Air Operators Certificate so we are delighted that the funding will be going towards this and essential infrastructure in the fire and rescue equipment."
© 2005 Northcliffe Newspapers Limited