Reef/Marine now Australian Helicopters
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: 48 Deg South
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AUSTRALIAN HELICOPTERS TAKES TO THE SKY
A new helicopter company that will be the largest locally owned operator has landed on the Australian aviation scene.
Australian Helicopters unites three previously separate operators into a cohesive national force.
Company Chairman Don McLay said Australian Helicopters would have the size and expertise to compete with foreign owned entities for lucrative public and private contracts.
“Traditionally, the Australian helicopter industry has been fragmented into small, regional operators, allowing foreign owned giants such as Canada’s CHC and UK’s Bristow Helicopters to secure cream contracts with State and Federal Governments and the offshore oil and gas industries,” Mr McLay said.
“Our mission is to unite previously separate businesses so they can compete on a national level and land major contracts.”
Australian Helicopters was officially launched at a function in Mackay last night, where the Company will have a base and also a new helicopter maintenance and service centre, to service the Australian Helicopters fleet and other aircraft from North Queensland and Papua New Guinea.
The company brings together three operators, Queensland based Reef Helicopters and Marine Helicopters and Sydney based Helicopter Film Services. The three companies decided to merge at the end of 2003, but continued to operate under their existing names until the new corporate identity, Australian Helicopters was secured.
Australian Helicopters CEO David Earley said the company was proud of its heritage.
“While Australian Helicopters is a new image, it’s drawing on the traditions of existing operators and we also expect more operators to join the group,” Mr Earley said.
“Both Marine Helicopters and Reef Helicopters are very well respected names in the aviation industry. However we needed a single, unifying corporate identity for our company to move ahead and we were also keen to communicate the message that we are Australian owned.”
Directors and staff own approximately 70% of the new Group, with the balance held by Australian superannuation funds through private equity manager, Nanyang Ventures.
Australian Helicopters’ head office and management team is based in Brisbane and it has more than 20 helicopters and 70 staff in bases in the Torres Strait, Cairns, Mackay, Gladstone, Newcastle and Sydney.
Through its predecessor companies, Australian Helicopters has extensive experience in operations over water and in remote localities, specialising in surveillance, emergency rescue, tourism and charter operations. The Company will also continue to conduct marine pilot transfers both for its sister company, Australian Reef Pilots and other pilotage providers.
Australian Helicopters will also hold the Federal Government Customs Coastwatch contract for the Torres Strait and provide helicopters and crew for various clients including the Queensland Department of Emergency Services, BHP, Telstra and Ergon Energy.
“We are looking forward to making Australian Helicopters synonymous with all that our predecessors stood for; excellent and reliable service from a dedicated and highly professional team, with an unwavering approach to standards and safety,” Mr Earley said.
“We believe we can capitalise on this merger and establish Australian Helicopters position as the leading helicopter company in Australia.”
A new helicopter company that will be the largest locally owned operator has landed on the Australian aviation scene.
Australian Helicopters unites three previously separate operators into a cohesive national force.
Company Chairman Don McLay said Australian Helicopters would have the size and expertise to compete with foreign owned entities for lucrative public and private contracts.
“Traditionally, the Australian helicopter industry has been fragmented into small, regional operators, allowing foreign owned giants such as Canada’s CHC and UK’s Bristow Helicopters to secure cream contracts with State and Federal Governments and the offshore oil and gas industries,” Mr McLay said.
“Our mission is to unite previously separate businesses so they can compete on a national level and land major contracts.”
Australian Helicopters was officially launched at a function in Mackay last night, where the Company will have a base and also a new helicopter maintenance and service centre, to service the Australian Helicopters fleet and other aircraft from North Queensland and Papua New Guinea.
The company brings together three operators, Queensland based Reef Helicopters and Marine Helicopters and Sydney based Helicopter Film Services. The three companies decided to merge at the end of 2003, but continued to operate under their existing names until the new corporate identity, Australian Helicopters was secured.
Australian Helicopters CEO David Earley said the company was proud of its heritage.
“While Australian Helicopters is a new image, it’s drawing on the traditions of existing operators and we also expect more operators to join the group,” Mr Earley said.
“Both Marine Helicopters and Reef Helicopters are very well respected names in the aviation industry. However we needed a single, unifying corporate identity for our company to move ahead and we were also keen to communicate the message that we are Australian owned.”
Directors and staff own approximately 70% of the new Group, with the balance held by Australian superannuation funds through private equity manager, Nanyang Ventures.
Australian Helicopters’ head office and management team is based in Brisbane and it has more than 20 helicopters and 70 staff in bases in the Torres Strait, Cairns, Mackay, Gladstone, Newcastle and Sydney.
Through its predecessor companies, Australian Helicopters has extensive experience in operations over water and in remote localities, specialising in surveillance, emergency rescue, tourism and charter operations. The Company will also continue to conduct marine pilot transfers both for its sister company, Australian Reef Pilots and other pilotage providers.
Australian Helicopters will also hold the Federal Government Customs Coastwatch contract for the Torres Strait and provide helicopters and crew for various clients including the Queensland Department of Emergency Services, BHP, Telstra and Ergon Energy.
“We are looking forward to making Australian Helicopters synonymous with all that our predecessors stood for; excellent and reliable service from a dedicated and highly professional team, with an unwavering approach to standards and safety,” Mr Earley said.
“We believe we can capitalise on this merger and establish Australian Helicopters position as the leading helicopter company in Australia.”
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Australia
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I believe you have a totally different operation in mind. Neither Reef nor Marine have carried out what you refer to as "single pilot mercy flights offshore". If you are referring to accidents involving single pilot night ops offshore on the same coast, they were other Helicopter service providers.
Check the new Australian Helicopters website (under construction) for links to all group companies. These sites will give you the history and operation of Reef, Marine, and HeliFilm.
They have had no accidents in the last 7 years.
Check the new Australian Helicopters website (under construction) for links to all group companies. These sites will give you the history and operation of Reef, Marine, and HeliFilm.
They have had no accidents in the last 7 years.
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: AUS
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Good and bad. I know guys that are happy with them. I know thay have lost a lot of pilots recently. It seems to depend where you are based, how far up the ladder you are AND who does your check and training.
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: All over the place
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Customs Machine
After a bit of ferreting around, it appears that the tie down worked its way out of the boot somehow and streamed aft wrapping itself around the tail rotor pitch links.
Said pilot then did a good job of running it along the beach with no other damage. The 206L was then slung back to base with the 412!
Said pilot then did a good job of running it along the beach with no other damage. The 206L was then slung back to base with the 412!
