Skyway Helicopters (Scotland) gone bust?

[Ecosse flyer]

Hi all,

I am a charter agent in Scotland.

After the demise of Lothian Helicopters (http://www.lothianhelicopters.co.uk/) last year it looks like another helicopter has bitten the dust, Skyway Helicopters (http://www.skywayhelicopters.co.uk/) of Dalry, Ayrshire, Scotland.

Their website is still up and running but all available flights have been removed and despite multiple calls to them there is no response and no messages or returned calls?

I have heard on the Rumour mill that they flew on HJS Helicopters AOC but that was revoked on unspecified grounds) and they then flew into a castle in the highlands that belonged to the owners of HG Helicopters. They were reported to the CAA as this flight was non-AOC and as such uninsured and illegal. This looks to have been the icing on the cake at Skyway?

Anyone have any insight as to what is going on here? I know they have a lot of voucher customers. Looks like PDG will be the only heli-tour operator left in Scotland! Not been a good month for heliops north of the border.

Ecosse Flyer

[Whirlygig]

I don't think the companies are related but it's obviously not a good time to be called Skyways :eek:

Sweden regional airline Skyways to file bankruptcy - MarketWatch (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/sweden-regional-airline-skyways-to-file-bankruptcy-2012-05-22)

Cheers

Whirls

[TiPwEiGhT]

They were an umbrella operation of HJSs AOC.

[cjbiz]

I have heard on the Rumour mill that they flew on HJS Helicopters AOC but that was revoked on unspecified grounds)

Ecosse Flyer

Just to clarify your post, Skyway WERE operating under HJS Helicopters Ltd AOC approval but the agreement has lapsed and has not been renewed.

HJS are still operating out of Aberdeen and Fife.

I couldn't tell you what Skyway are doing at the moment. I guess they could go down the route of seeking their own approval but imho that's a hell of a lot of work and hassle just to operate one R44. Good luck to them.

[Ecosse flyer]

I guess they could go down the route of seeking their own approval but imho that's a hell of a lot of work and hassle just to operate one R44. Good luck to them.

Sounds like a nightmare as you say. What are the chances of them getting this in the short term?

From what I know, they have got a LOT of tour customers waiting to be flown. We wanted to give them a charter flight out of Marr Hall Hotel but looks like we'll need to get someone else to quote.

I've just tried to call again and just rings out until a blank voicemail message. Nothing on their Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/skyway) either.

Will wait to see what comes of it. :sad:

Ecosse Flyer

[cjbiz]

No such thing as a short term AOC approval. It will be a long drawn out process of manual writing, application filing, interviewing and auditing before the CAA will consider them, if at all. They'll also need to find suitably qualified, able and willing folks to be their nominated postholders...it's a big step.

Unless another operator is willing to allow them to piggyback their operation for the time being, it may be a while before we see them.

Best advice would be to contact HJS, HG or PDG in the meantime.

[duncanstanners]

To all of you rumour mongers out there,
I own skyway helicopters and my name is Duncan Stanners.
I have just read some basic crap that some of you are so eager to publish so let me make it clear.
Those of you who like to spread lies can be found very quickly.
Secondly we operated under the AOC of HJS Helicopters in Aberdeen for that last two years until Mr Sydney Simpson informed us that he was having his company HJS Helicopters bought over by a third party in january of this year (this did not transpire). I then found out that HJS was bought over by a third party who I have been in discussions with regarding flying on the same AOC. After some negotiations with the third party and a request from them for £10k upfront I have decided not to go down that route.
We are in the process of applying for our own A - B restricted AOC which will take until the end of July of this year to have approved so all of our flights have been cancelled until then. We will have our pleasure flights flown through another AOC operator in the mean time but sorry not by HJS.
As for any illegal flights Ecosse Flyer you are talking rubbish and I would ask you to specify the date, time, pilot etc as this is a pack of lies.
As for offering us flights from other locations we are not aware of this either.
If you want to contact me direct send an Email to [email protected] and I will be glad to furnish you with any further information required.
Until all of you know the truth or facts do not post rumours about anyone or company as it could end up in court and cost you a few bob.

Happy flying

Duncan :=

[duncanstanners]

:=What do you know about a lot of flights to be flown, you really know nothing do you. Get your facts right before spreading rumours.

[duncanstanners]

Sorry but we are two different companies and we have not gone bust:=

Skyway Helicopters are on hold thanks to the liars at HJS Helicopters but not bust in any way shape or form.

[duncanstanners]

After checking our telephone call list and answer machine it seems that you Mr Ecosse Flyer have not left a message for us at Skyway to call you back as we have returned every call this evening, so where does this flight from Marr Hall come in to the equation, and as for the reporting to the CAA re such an illegal flight, why have they not contacted us, or is this yet another of your assumptions?

So please tell us all, which charter agent are you?

I would be ever so happy to find out exactly where you heard the rumour below from as I am sure that a short call to the offender would be right up our street.

I have heard on the Rumour mill that they flew on HJS Helicopters AOC but that was revoked on unspecified grounds) and they then flew into a castle in the highlands that belonged to the owners of HG Helicopters. They were reported to the CAA as this flight was non-AOC and as such uninsured and illegal. This looks to have been the icing on the cake at Skyway?

The above is a rumour and a rumour only so once again get the facts before casting accusations.:D

[Ecosse flyer]

Hi Duncan,

If you are the owner, then glad to hear that the business is still running, although not flying which must be frustrating for you and customers.

The castle in question is Knock Castle in Crieff which belongs to the owners of HG helicopters in Inverness. It is rumoured that you flew an AOC flight to the venue this year after the HJS agreement ended and that you were reported to the CAA. Can you disprove this?

Come back here and give us your CAA AOC number once you've got it and we'll contact you for future charter quotes. In the meantime another company will fly it.

Ecosse Flyer.

[TiPwEiGhT]

You dont wish people to bad mouth your own company, but you are happy to call HJS liars...

[Bondu121]

I can see why Duncan might be a bit pissed off, and HJS reputation for honesty isn't the best.
And, as companies are being named, who are you Ecosse Flyer?

[duncanstanners]

I dont need to hide behind funny names and make comments about others as I am man enough to tell it how it is.

The rumour re the illegal flight started with ****** of ******* who is a profound 5 star guilt egded liar who will not take my phone calls because he knows he is wrong. I sat in company with two other pilots recently and was informed that ******* had told one of them that it was me who flew the flight. He does not even know where Knock Castle is or could you even land there.
I have stayed overnight in Knock Castle on a couple of occassions courtesy of Chic Henderson owner and accountable manager of HG Helicopters. We also flew on his AOC for 2 years until a new chief pilot was employed.
Now tell me this one, you cant land at Knock Castle or at the site nearby as Mr Henderson gets the permission to land there. We were not on an AOC at the time of an alledged flight, so do you think we or I would fly into the site.
Sorry guys its just another lie by *******.
I dont mind furnishing you with the facts but I do not carry stories or spread mallishus gossip

I can be contacted either on our office phone or through our website.

Happy flying:ok:

[duncanstanners]

I dont need to hide behind funny names and make comments about others as I am man enough to tell it how it is.

The rumour re the illegal flight started with ****** of ******* who is a profound 5 star guilt egded liar who will not take my phone calls because he knows he is wrong. I sat in company with two other pilots recently and was informed that ******* had told one of them that it was me who flew the flight. He does not even know where Knock Castle is or could you even land there.
I have stayed overnight in Knock Castle on a couple of occassions courtesy of Chic Henderson owner and accountable manager of HG Helicopters. We also flew on his AOC for 2 years until a new chief pilot was employed.
Now tell me this one, you cant land at Knock Castle or at the site nearby as Mr Henderson gets the permission to land there. We were not on an AOC at the time of an alledged flight, so do you think we or I would fly into the site.
Sorry guys its just another lie by *******.
I dont mind furnishing you with the facts but I do not carry stories or spread mallishus gossip

I can be contacted either on our office phone or through our website.

Happy flying:ok:

[duncanstanners]

How can you disprove something that did not happen, surely it would be better to have those who have made the allegation to prove it with customer name, pax numbers, times, landing sites etc. I can show anyone who wants our SRP from the techlog but what does that prove.

As I have said it is a rumour started in Aberdeen and can stay in Aberdeen.

Once our restricted A-B AOC is up and running I will be the very first to let all of you know but until then I will enjoy my flying.

:DSorry about some of the spelling in previous posts

[TiPwEiGhT]

Duncan,

You have obviously had a bad experience with HJS, but bad mouthing individuals publicly is not very professional in my opinion.

Ecosse Flyer could have re-phrased their post minus the rumors, but it would seem they were simply seeking clarification regarding the status of your company, as they were unable to get the information directly from yourself.

I wish you the best of luck with your AOC application.

[Bondu121]

Don't think so:

"I have heard on the Rumour mill that they flew on HJS Helicopters AOC but that was revoked on unspecified grounds) and they then flew into a castle in the highlands that belonged to the owners of HG Helicopters. They were reported to the CAA as this flight was non-AOC and as such uninsured and illegal. This looks to have been the icing on the cake at Skyway?"

How do you re-phrase this?

:=

[TiPwEiGhT]

Ecosse Flyer could have re-phrased their post minus the rumors

That would be a rumor Bondu.

[8021123]

Just to set the record straight, there is no such thing as someone else/a company operating 'under' an AOC. All public transport/commercial air transport flights are operated by the AOC holder, and the approved Accountable Manager and his postholder team (also approved) are directly responsible for safety.

[paco]

Wrong. It's been going on since Pontius was a Pilot. It happens when a separate entity who should have its own AOC (and for whatever reason can't or won't get one) uses the facilities of another company, who must base & line check the former's pilot's to its standards. It should also do the billing to the customer, but it often doesn't happen. It's a very crude form of franchising.

For AOC purposes, I suppose everything is done "by the AOC Holder", but not necessarily otherwise.

Phil

[8021123]

A discussion for another thread perhaps, but armed with knowledge of the regs & legal advice.

[Lyn Munro]

Hi, I have tried to contact u by telephone (no longer in use) and email (returned - undelivered). Can u please email me direct at [email protected] ([email protected]) with a contact tel. no. or email address so that I can contact u to find out when I can use my two gift vouchers which expire Sept. 2013. Many thanks. Lyn Munro

[cockney steve]

Mr. Stammers (see posts 14/15 :p ) A word or two of advice from an old, retired bloke.

IF you want to be treated like a Professional, ACT like one!

COMMUNICATE with your customers/creditors. every business fears the "uncontactable"....the one who keeps in touch, even if it's not good news, gets the respect!- the "run away and hide" mentality should be left in the juvenile playground.

Proof read your "professional" communications before hitting "send"

then you won't send such howlers as "guilt-edged" ((the expression is "GILT-edged", something VERY different!)

ALLEDGED.....try "alleged"

MALLISHUS....try "malicious"

Spitting your dummy out is not going to do you any favours here.

Another piece of advice that stood me in good stead..."Never knock the opposition, you don't know when you may be wanting/needing to work for them"


@ Lyn Munro....Don't hold your breath!