History of Okanagan Helicopters

[sierra foxtrot]

A friend is in the process of researching the history of Okanagan Helicopters and the companies that where purchased to be included into Okanagan, ie Haida, Associated,Dominion Pegasis, Bow,etc. so that he can write a non-profit book on the company. He is after stories and photos.
I think anyone involved with Okie would enjoy reading a book like this.
SF

[Senior Pilot]

SF,

There was some discussion here a few years ago: Okie re-union/remember those orange helicopters.

But I'm sure there will be plenty of ex O'Kanagan drivers/fixers around to contribute here

[farsouth]

Helicopters in the High Country - 40 years of Mountain Flying,
by Peter Corley-Smith and David N Parker (ISBN 1-55039-061-9) has a good section on Okanagan, as well as Vancouver Island Helicopters.

[peter manktelow]

Dave Whyte has a ton of stuff ...photos , many tales etc etc.

For me ???...many fond memories and an entree into a fascinating and rewarding industry.

Peter

[SASless]

I recall the story of the huge sign over the Bow Hangar doors.....

"Happiness is a Bow Job!"

Wonder if it is true....the sign that is.

[GmbH]

and .......... "Shirley" did it better, but if you really wanted to get scr....wed, fly "Okanagan". That's what was on the T Shirt anyways.

[sierra foxtrot]

sierra foxtrott

Peter- good to hear from you. India and china where fun.

SASless - Ya Bow Helicopters had happyness in a bow job painted on the nose of there 212's. A few other companies tried to follow with tricky little slogans,but none toppled that one.
Included is the list of companies Okie aquired:

Associated Helicopters
Canadian Helicopters Ltd /Helicopteres Canadien Ltd
Sept Illes Helicopters Services
Lac-St-Jean Aviation Ltd
Dominion Pegasus Helicopters
Universal Helicopters ( Nfld )

SF

[John Eacott]

Okanagan Australia was a great time, as was India and sorting out those wild Colonial Canadians

Plenty of photos, and one or two stories, if the author is interested? Peter M may remember Sgt Major Bhattia's (sp?) introduction to Supaglue

[twinstar_ca]

i don't think i have any pics, but i sure got a few stories about okie... will be very interested in seeing the book when it's done!!

[sierra foxtrot]

sierra foxtrot

John / Peter M.

I sure remember Capt Steve and his super glue and Mr. Bhatta ( Spl) and the fireworks. I guess we better wait for the book....

SF

[John Eacott]

I thought Dave was responsible for the Supaglue: remember the ashtray in the bar

I'd (selectively) forgotten the fireworks, and being blamed for setting one off on the hotel swimming pool at 01:00. No sense of humour, those Canadian management oiks

Then there was the Jewish co-pilot who wore my Santa suit flying around the rigs on Christmas Day, which puzzled most of the locals

[peter manktelow]

sorry John.......it was me....but did'nt you offer technical advice?! Poor old Al Eustice thought it was the start of a coup and as I was such a young pup at the time , he was not want to put the blame on me and I was not wanting to own up.....seeing as how I was to later follow/further my career with the humming bird. Heady days.

I hear Vic Corrie is organizing another OHL re-union this year ??????

For my very small part in OHAL and then later OHL , I would be very happy to contribute. Many happy days...a few sad but what a ride.

Peter

[Walt554]

I would be in terested in the book on OK

I would be interested in getting the book about OK. I flew out of YVR from about 1969-70 to about 1979 (I’ll have to get my logs out for more accurate dates.) I worked under Al Eustice, thought he was the salt of the earth, hell of a great guy.

Spent most of my time “up North”, I was a ‘yank” contract pilot. Flew from Queen Charlottes in the West to Gander NFL in the East and from YVR in the South to Alert NWT in the north. Loved every (well most every) minute. The best years of my flying career and the best company I have ever worked for.

Walt Lasher

[albatross]

You might also want to try on Verticalmag forms in Canada.
There is a thread there. This may be a start.

[Beryck]

Old photos

Hi there,

I have just joined the site to see if you are still after old photos.
I have a few given to me in the mid 80's by a family friend who was a mechanic for Okanagan. He worked in New Zealand with both my parents and my grandfather in the late 60's and later in New Plymouth on the oil rigs.
Look forward to hearing from you.
Regards,
Beryck

[Zishelix]

I didn't know for a Rotodyne outside of the UK
Annual Report 1958 Okanagan Helicopters Booklet Aviation History | eBay

[bobbivojtko]

Hello,

I am looking for information on my late Grandfather Derrick Ellis. Unfortunately when he passed back in 1972 in a helicopter accident not much information was passed onto my mother by my grandmother and now she has passed as well.

He was a helicopter Pilot for Bow helicopters and he lived in Golden BC. I am having a hard time finding any information at all online and was wondering if anyone would be able to help me out researching my Grandfather.

Thank you.

[Outwest]

I used to sweep the snow off your grandfathers Globe Swift at the Golden airport in the late 70's.....

[carholme]

bobbivojtko;

In the late '60s, early '70s, I used to travel to Golden to service the Bell 47J2A that Derrick flew for Bow.Knew him and his girlfriend and used to look after Tony when he was just a little one. Remember when Tony got his first motorbike. Will never forget the accident that took Derrick, shook me to my bones as he always looked after me when I was there. A lot of booze consumed in that little shack down by the water. He was an incredible mountain pilot.

Gerry

[albatross]

there is also an okanagan old timers site on facebook.
"God Bless Orange!"