Helicopter Seychelles applies rotor brake

[choppertop]

Sadly, Helicopter Seychelles is no more. We've had to bow to overwhelming invisible forces against us in this seemingly tranquil island paradise. We had a great little operation, a top team, cool machines, supportive clients... but sometimes that's not enough. Heartbreaking, really, but that's life.

So... anyone got a job for a British 800 hour JAR CPL(H) with IR and FI(H)? Inbox me if you can brighten up my day!

Cheers
C-top

[Bravo73]

The UK offshore companies are currently in a 'hiring phase'.

[Savoia]

CT: Am sorry to learn of this news.

When you speak of 'invisible forces' are you in fact referring to the general downtown in tourism experienced in the Seychelles over the past 24 months?

Here; memories of happier times:

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-xaHXUYssP3w/T3q77taO_VI/AAAAAAAAIiY/KL_hDdLYQP0/s737/bell-206b-jetranger-iii-s7-hgn-helicopter-seychelles-mahe-sez-fsia.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-KKgiz6QsFsY/T3q7jVeCWOI/AAAAAAAAIiU/Nt5l-TvOyfI/s766/agusta001.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-N0a9kGMwOkk/T3q8hrTASeI/AAAAAAAAIic/SGxbEr9AnS4/s900/Helicopter-Seychelles-takes-off.jpg

[MartinCh]

choppertop may mean the local CAA, but probably more about the 'deals' the competitor company did with hotels for transfers. That's what I was told by guy connected to Seychelles through his family/past. Stand to be corrected, but there may be reason it's not mentioned directly in the opening post.

Shame to hear that indeed. Good luck job hunting.

[Savoia]

Ah yes you are probably right Martin.

Some of these flightseeing companies also manage to strike deals with the cruise lines - although I'm not sure of the frequency of such visits to the Seycehelles as they are a little off the beaten 'cruise line' path!

[MartinCh]

If unnamed Eurocopter operator gets long term exclusive deal with big hotels, then any high net worth/income visitors staying in those hotels, get directed to said company.
Making it impossible for another operator compete on price or advertising/quality of service. Said friend was surprised when I mentioned renewed ops of SH.

Chopptertop advertised for a pilot hardly year ago for SH on pprune, now himself needing to find another job. :sad:

[Savoia]

.. unnamed Eurocopter ..

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-h3N_m6csRqI/T3rczZfsm6I/AAAAAAAAIi0/u0oRDLOh1Sg/s808/Colibri.jpg

Zil Air: More Than Just A Flight (http://www.zilair.com/)

[Chris P Bacon]

Sorry to hear this news, especially as I was only speaking to the engineer (ex Sloane Helicopters) yesterday.

[MartinCh]

Savoia, I don't mean to ruff any feathers any further.
Anyone involved with Seychelles or with some interest, already knows or can easily find out.
As everyone can see, what you or me wrote DID NOT come from Chopptertop's mouth.

[SASless]

Seychlles to the North Sea.....now that is not an enviable swap of function!:{

[Ready2Fly]

Well, you are still flying primarily over water, don't you... :uhoh:

[Peter-RB]

Chopper Top,

How sad, its a little quiet on the corporate side back here in Lancashire.
I moved the bowser for you from Ches to south and picked a nicer one up for you, Hell that was ages ago, almost in a different life, head down and go for the corner flag is all ya can do whilst its like this.

My regards

Peter R-B
Blackburn
Lancashire

[victor papa]

Despite running a nice operation with nice helicopters, Zilair is also politically well connected especially after the attempted merge and then break away from the merge by Helicopter Seychelles. They were always going to battle once they started again, was hope when they got their AOC but the politics and networking clearly won. If I was helicopter Seychelles i think I would have attempted the restart with a green card playing a EC130, quieter and more range and can do multiple island trips thus lower cost........... Was one of the causes leading to the merge in the first place if my info is correct and it is close info....

Wish all involved well though!

[Savoia]

VP: You've confirmed what I suspected in that these playoffs often involve political 'angles' and which, from experience, tend to favour those operations with 'local content' (ie. ownership involvement by politically connected citizens).

[Thomas coupling]

Don't know if you are reading this Shaun TR, but it seemed you really had found paradise as CP for SH last year. Delivery of the 109C seemed to seal the deal last Summer in what seemed a cornerstone of activity.
Now it seems politics and the funny hand shake brigade have done for you and you will have to return to blighty for some extra drinking vouchers:{
Never mind - one door closes and another...blah blah.

Good luck in your endeavours - whatever.

[BigMike]

Is the company continuing at all, with down sized ops, or folding for good?
The owner was very well "connected" if I remember rightly...
You have to remember though, that HS operated as the sole company in the Seychelles for many years with old 206's, and made a truck load out of it, they could have modernised a long time ago with more up to date aircraft. Was only a matter of time before someone else came along...

[Nigel Osborn]

The islands are a beautiful spot & very popular with tourists.
I wonder how many of you remember the failed 1981 coup attempt to change presidents. Not one of the late Mike Hoare's better efforts.

[Camp Freddie]

Not one of the late Mike Hoare's better efforts.

I don't Believe he is dead

[Nigel Osborn]

Camp Freddie

You're quite right! I've just checked & he is alive & well, 93 years old & still living in Durban.
After all his adventures I am really surprised he is still with us!:ok:

[DauphinDude]

Mad Mike... After visiting the Seychelles when I was 15 I got to know some very interesting facts about a certain shady landowner. Anyone know the story of Mr. Ricci?

[MiKeRoToR]

It´s sad to read,

http://www.helicopterseychelles.com/contact

[Cornish Piskies]

Sorry to hear the news that things have gone belly up. I hope S TR and DL have got back to the UK safe and well.

I really enjoyed my time out in the Seychelles, my wife and I still talk about being on the island.

Good luck to the ex-pats and the hardworking locals who made HSL a great place.