Eastern Helicopters -Essex
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Sunny Side Up :)
Age: 60
Posts: 220
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Eastern Helicopters -Essex
Hi,
Does anyone know anything concerning the company Eastern Helicopters Ltd of Colchester Essex ?
Someone locally to me at SEN had a pleasure flight booked with them recently, but on arriving at SEN they didnt turn up.
Any info would be great.
Thanks
Jamie
Does anyone know anything concerning the company Eastern Helicopters Ltd of Colchester Essex ?
Someone locally to me at SEN had a pleasure flight booked with them recently, but on arriving at SEN they didnt turn up.
Any info would be great.
Thanks
Jamie
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Harwich
Age: 65
Posts: 777
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
But don't do what I did and turn up (last month), only to find certain changes in legal status had happened the day before. We did not fly, or even see any helicopters. Luckily no money had changed hands; unluckily I had promised my daughter we would be going flying.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Sunny Side Up :)
Age: 60
Posts: 220
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The people concerned booked a £250 jolly with them some time ago as a gift, and turned up at SEN recently on the booked date.
Also the telephone number gets transfered to a Vodafone Mobile Answerphone.
Also the telephone number gets transfered to a Vodafone Mobile Answerphone.
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: South of the North Pole
Posts: 472
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Jamie, you need to do something, not just present problems
Jamie - you sounding like someone who wants all the work done for him - perhaps you could let us know what you (or your mates) have done so far in investigating this, rather than just presenting problems.
(1) This company uses 0845 and 0870 phone numbers eg 0870 350 2410 and 0845 230 0504. These are "non-geographic numbers" and when you dial them will automatically translate to a geographical (eg. 01702 for Southend, 01787 for Earls Colne, etc) or a mobile number. This gives them the flexibility to be out of the office and still answer the phone - and not have to give their mobile number out. So the fact you get Vodafone voicemail is NOT a problem - they could just be busy on another call.
(2) Presumably you have a receipt for the £250 and details provided in writing by the company of the date/location of the flight and where to turn up to at Southend and at what time. Without this evidence you may not even have a case! Caveat Emptor!
(3) Have you been to Earls Colne in person (on a weekday in office hours) and sort it out - just as Blind Bob suggested? If no joy at their hangar, find the airfield manager and ask.
(1) This company uses 0845 and 0870 phone numbers eg 0870 350 2410 and 0845 230 0504. These are "non-geographic numbers" and when you dial them will automatically translate to a geographical (eg. 01702 for Southend, 01787 for Earls Colne, etc) or a mobile number. This gives them the flexibility to be out of the office and still answer the phone - and not have to give their mobile number out. So the fact you get Vodafone voicemail is NOT a problem - they could just be busy on another call.
(2) Presumably you have a receipt for the £250 and details provided in writing by the company of the date/location of the flight and where to turn up to at Southend and at what time. Without this evidence you may not even have a case! Caveat Emptor!
(3) Have you been to Earls Colne in person (on a weekday in office hours) and sort it out - just as Blind Bob suggested? If no joy at their hangar, find the airfield manager and ask.
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Harwich
Age: 65
Posts: 777
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If I wasn't sure the post would get 'terminated', I would explain exactly what I meant by 'changed their legal status' in my earlier post.
But by way of illustration, imagine a pair of breasts facing the sky - what's a shorter expression for that position? That's what they've gone.
But by way of illustration, imagine a pair of breasts facing the sky - what's a shorter expression for that position? That's what they've gone.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Sunny Side Up :)
Age: 60
Posts: 220
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Interesting Hilico 
With regard to PPHeli `s reply.......
Firsty "they" are not mates, just people local to me who "appear" to have lost out.
(1) This company uses 0845 and 0870 phone numbers eg 0870 350 2410 and 0845 230 0504. These are "non-geographic numbers" and when you dial them will automatically translate to a geographical (eg. 01702 for Southend, 01787 for Earls Colne, etc) or a mobile number. This gives them the flexibility to be out of the office and still answer the phone - and not have to give their mobile number out. So the fact you get Vodafone voicemail is NOT a problem - they could just be busy on another call.
Fair enough - although they have not been contactable late yesterday or today.
(2) Presumably you have a receipt for the £250 and details provided in writing by the company of the date/location of the flight and where to turn up to at Southend and at what time. Without this evidence you may not even have a case! Caveat Emptor!
Not just receipts lovley printedtickets, dated etc !
(3) Have you been to Earls Colne in person (on a weekday in office hours) and sort it out - just as Blind Bob suggested? If no joy at their hangar, find the airfield manager and ask.
Not Yet
With regard to PPHeli `s reply.......
Firsty "they" are not mates, just people local to me who "appear" to have lost out.
(1) This company uses 0845 and 0870 phone numbers eg 0870 350 2410 and 0845 230 0504. These are "non-geographic numbers" and when you dial them will automatically translate to a geographical (eg. 01702 for Southend, 01787 for Earls Colne, etc) or a mobile number. This gives them the flexibility to be out of the office and still answer the phone - and not have to give their mobile number out. So the fact you get Vodafone voicemail is NOT a problem - they could just be busy on another call.
Fair enough - although they have not been contactable late yesterday or today.
(2) Presumably you have a receipt for the £250 and details provided in writing by the company of the date/location of the flight and where to turn up to at Southend and at what time. Without this evidence you may not even have a case! Caveat Emptor!
Not just receipts lovley printedtickets, dated etc !
(3) Have you been to Earls Colne in person (on a weekday in office hours) and sort it out - just as Blind Bob suggested? If no joy at their hangar, find the airfield manager and ask.
Not Yet
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: UK
Posts: 123
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If they paid by credit card it is simple, just contact the card issuer and tell them that the goods/services paid for were not supplied.Most CC companies have the ability to refund the money from there account. If that does not exist anymore, hold the CC card company responsible for allowing them to be a merchant ! Be prepared to have to give them details and backup paperwork- or statements from those concerned.
Regards
HB
Regards
HB
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: UK
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Demise of Eastern Helicopters Ltd
There has been various enquiries regarding Eastern Helicopters, down at the club house at Earls Colne and for the now elusive former MD of the company.
Eastern Helicopters was until recently based at Earls Colne and seemed to be quite busy, however a few weeks ago aircraft started to disappear and then the pilots and staff.
I caught up with one of their clients recently whom informed me that it would appear that the company has ceased trading. According to this source, who was not all that clear on all the details himself, but was hopping mad
because not only was he owed money but the pilots he knew and former staff were too, he told me that it would appear that no one could get in contact with the former MD (MH) as he has ceased answering calls or returning any messages, and worst still had not even bothered to inform anyone of what was going on, he himself had found out through other sources and had gone down to see for himself.
It would also appear that the CAA are having great deal of difficulty in getting in contact MH as they have rung through to the club house on a number of occassions trying to get hold of him.
From all accounts the rumour is that the former MD may have miss managed the accounts / company and that when cheques started to bounce and funds were unaccounted for, support was taken away when the scale of it became apparent. I was told that the silent financial partner along with the pilots did try to rescue the company on the basis of what they were told the debts were by the MD, but after the figures were questioned and insistance given for a full audit by an accountant, the MD simply disappeared and they have struggled to get any tangable answers or even get hold of him ever since.
I believe that a couple of the pilots along with some of Eastern's former customers are working together to pick up some of the pieces and move forward, but not entielry sure of these details.
A lot of peolpe seem to have been let down, clients, suppliers, pilots and staff.
Eastern Helicopters was until recently based at Earls Colne and seemed to be quite busy, however a few weeks ago aircraft started to disappear and then the pilots and staff.
I caught up with one of their clients recently whom informed me that it would appear that the company has ceased trading. According to this source, who was not all that clear on all the details himself, but was hopping mad
because not only was he owed money but the pilots he knew and former staff were too, he told me that it would appear that no one could get in contact with the former MD (MH) as he has ceased answering calls or returning any messages, and worst still had not even bothered to inform anyone of what was going on, he himself had found out through other sources and had gone down to see for himself.It would also appear that the CAA are having great deal of difficulty in getting in contact MH as they have rung through to the club house on a number of occassions trying to get hold of him.
From all accounts the rumour is that the former MD may have miss managed the accounts / company and that when cheques started to bounce and funds were unaccounted for, support was taken away when the scale of it became apparent. I was told that the silent financial partner along with the pilots did try to rescue the company on the basis of what they were told the debts were by the MD, but after the figures were questioned and insistance given for a full audit by an accountant, the MD simply disappeared and they have struggled to get any tangable answers or even get hold of him ever since.
I believe that a couple of the pilots along with some of Eastern's former customers are working together to pick up some of the pieces and move forward, but not entielry sure of these details.
A lot of peolpe seem to have been let down, clients, suppliers, pilots and staff.
I understand that the 'assets' and goodwill have been bought out by another company that is now commencing trading at Southend, and will be operating under the control and AOC of another company. Various owners of aircraft used by Eastern at Earls Colne have moved their aircraft to Southend.
Eastern's AOC etc were suspended a few weeks or more ago.
Eastern's AOC etc were suspended a few weeks or more ago.
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: essex
Age: 65
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
demise of eastern helicopters
a freind and i own a R44 which was being operated through eastern helicopers,at first all was going well,we then found out that a number of people were owed money,we could also not get our final payment,the silent partner did try very hard to rescue EH but it was not to be,most of us have moved over to southend in the hope to move forwards,its a real shame for the people who have lost money,like the guy who paid upfront for his PPL,it was also a nice set up down at earls colne with a good atmosphere,a very sad story.i am sure MH will have to answer some difficult questions soon.
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: nayland
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Small claims time !
Really annoyed with this company, couldn't organise a piss up in a brewery, let alone have any commitment to teach anyone to fly! going through with a small claims to get the remains of my account back. Companies house still show this company as active. Might be a waste of £80 but has to be done.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Sunny Side Up :)
Age: 60
Posts: 220
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I started this thread a few weeks ago, i have also herd of two other couples who had booked and paid for Jollies and then herd nothing, quite sad really.
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: south east england
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Eastern Helicopters
I believe there was alot going on that only the MD and silent partner truely know all the details about and it's a shame that all the clients have been messed about so badly. I was led to believe that the deal between MD and SP went sour hence ending up having to shut down but as I said we all don't know all the details.
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Out there some where?
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Eastern Helicopters - Essex!
Jamie,
I'm not sure how reliable this information is however, I was recently informed by a friend in the helicopter corporate world that "Eastern Helicopters" are still operating under a new name called "Kudos Aviation Helicopters" from Southend Airport, Essex.
Apparantly they have links with a company called "AV8 Helicopters"
based at Rochester Airport, Kent.
Whether the same management and partners are involved under the
new name, that I do know?
Give them a bell and see what they say?
Captain Cop!
I'm not sure how reliable this information is however, I was recently informed by a friend in the helicopter corporate world that "Eastern Helicopters" are still operating under a new name called "Kudos Aviation Helicopters" from Southend Airport, Essex.
Apparantly they have links with a company called "AV8 Helicopters"
based at Rochester Airport, Kent.
Whether the same management and partners are involved under the
new name, that I do know?
Give them a bell and see what they say?
Captain Cop!
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Out there some where?
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
vital actions.
I'm sorry I offended you however, I did state "apparantly has links with AV8 Helicopters" and if this information is incorrect, I apologise.
The information I received was second hand, hence the reason why I
said give them a call and see what they say?????
In other words find out the facts from the "horses mouth?"
Captain Cop!
The information I received was second hand, hence the reason why I
said give them a call and see what they say?????
In other words find out the facts from the "horses mouth?"
Captain Cop!
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: south east england
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Eastern Helicopters
'Kudos' do not have the same management and CAA say that Easterns AOC is void so they couldn't be working corporately under their name anyway!
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Kent
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
So which AOC do Kudos operate on?
Is there not a connection between Kudos, G-WUSH, G-EYRE and AV8?
The kudos website would suggest that there is!
Is there not a connection between Kudos, G-WUSH, G-EYRE and AV8?
The kudos website would suggest that there is!
Last edited by Xavier Dosh; 15th Jun 2007 at 11:09.