What's going on at Heli Air?
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Texas and UK
Age: 66
Posts: 2,886
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Just had an email from a friend who was also at the display - reminding me (with his tongue in cheek) of CAP 403 - Chapter 4
4.6 Rotorcraft must not be flown in such proximity to spectators' enclosures, buildings or aircraft on the ground as to cause a possible hazard either from downwash or as a result of control difficulties. Similarly, helicopters with underslung loads should only be flown over clear areas.
5 Overflight of Spectators
5.1 Display aircraft are not permitted to overfly the spectator enclosures or Car Parks unless with the specific written permission of CAA FOI (GA). Outside the display area, normal Rules of the Air apply.
Now he says "SB would have known and complied with all the rules and is a great pilot and example to all of us, even Q could learn from him".....
It made me smile anyway 
goldeneaglepilot said
Wrong. The owner and Chairman of Heliair is Charles Peel, who made the first and very short speech before SB took the microphone.
Also, if you want to check out who SB is, see www.xxxxxxxxxxxxr.com. I must admit, I've been trying to think of anyone else in the industry who has a vanity website address like that one!!
Link removed.
The large photograph of Mr Brown has now been removed and replaced by self-promotional blurb and an ad for Heliair.
the pilot and his airmanship, especially when someone mentioned he is an instructor, as well as the owner of heliair
Also, if you want to check out who SB is, see www.xxxxxxxxxxxxr.com. I must admit, I've been trying to think of anyone else in the industry who has a vanity website address like that one!!
Link removed.
The large photograph of Mr Brown has now been removed and replaced by self-promotional blurb and an ad for Heliair.
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: UK
Posts: 5,197
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
helihub
You could be right but I thought Mike Smith sold two-thirds of the company to Charles Peel and then sold the remaining third to SB at a later date. (Round figures.)
As I heard it, Mike introduced SB to Heliair. I bet he regrets that now.
Agree about the big ego website.
Hardy Buck
So let's forget all about minimising risks.
Curious attitude from someone who's only just qualified when many experienced pilots present (including experienced professional pilots) thought it was dangerous showing off and a completely unnecessary risk to take.
I don't know much about the regulators in Ireland but if you plan on working in the UK be warned that the CAA doesn't share your cavalier attitude to bystanders/spectators.
H.
You could be right but I thought Mike Smith sold two-thirds of the company to Charles Peel and then sold the remaining third to SB at a later date. (Round figures.)
As I heard it, Mike introduced SB to Heliair. I bet he regrets that now.
Agree about the big ego website.
Hardy Buck
So let's forget all about minimising risks.
Curious attitude from someone who's only just qualified when many experienced pilots present (including experienced professional pilots) thought it was dangerous showing off and a completely unnecessary risk to take.
I don't know much about the regulators in Ireland but if you plan on working in the UK be warned that the CAA doesn't share your cavalier attitude to bystanders/spectators.
H.
Heliport
My evidence is that Note 20 in Heliair's accounts of the year to March 2010 is titled "Ultimate Controlling Party" and states "The company was controlled throughout the period by Mr C E W Peel".
My evidence is that Note 20 in Heliair's accounts of the year to March 2010 is titled "Ultimate Controlling Party" and states "The company was controlled throughout the period by Mr C E W Peel".
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Texas and UK
Age: 66
Posts: 2,886
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Its hard to seperate rumour from fact, the structure of Heliair is difficult to work out. I have been told that SB claimed to own it..... The reality is somewhat removed from that. Its not a good flying day today so I'm sat here bored. Thought looking at the Companies house website might be interesting. Its good to see that MS and Q are still directors.
The shareholding is complicated.... at face value SB holds significantly less than 30% At face value about 1.3%, in fact less than Wellington Boots ltd at 1.6% - Charles Peel owns 71%
I met MS some years ago, great person, excellent pilot and good instructor who built up a very good company. When he sold his shareholding, I like many others wondered what direction the company would take. Having met and shook the hands of the current MD and watched his display skills I can't help but feel that the ethos MS had built up in Heliair has perhaps gone. Several people have described SB as being like Marmite, you either love him or hate him - and he cares very little either way. If your praising him then he's a great guy, if you level any question or criticism then its another story.
People like Q and MS have little need to showboat in a way that places others at risk, their skills speak for themselves. MS built a very strong company, that spoke for itself.
My opinion of the display remains that it was unsafe and not a sensible demonstration in view of the risk presented to people who expected better from a professional pilot who is the Managing Director of the Company displaying it and selling it.
The shareholding is complicated.... at face value SB holds significantly less than 30% At face value about 1.3%, in fact less than Wellington Boots ltd at 1.6% - Charles Peel owns 71%
I met MS some years ago, great person, excellent pilot and good instructor who built up a very good company. When he sold his shareholding, I like many others wondered what direction the company would take. Having met and shook the hands of the current MD and watched his display skills I can't help but feel that the ethos MS had built up in Heliair has perhaps gone. Several people have described SB as being like Marmite, you either love him or hate him - and he cares very little either way. If your praising him then he's a great guy, if you level any question or criticism then its another story.
People like Q and MS have little need to showboat in a way that places others at risk, their skills speak for themselves. MS built a very strong company, that spoke for itself.
My opinion of the display remains that it was unsafe and not a sensible demonstration in view of the risk presented to people who expected better from a professional pilot who is the Managing Director of the Company displaying it and selling it.
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Head in the sky
Age: 70
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Heliair
TTB. I have been reading your threads & stand corrected, you did not criticise Heliair.
My original thread tried to answer 'what is going on at Heliair ?
A fellow pruner suggested I was praising SB, far from it, I was merely trying to pass on my personal experiences with Heliair.
Its presentations under SB, eg Silverstone brief or 66 launch were very professional. I understand his long term goal for the company, but he is very much 'do it my way' & if you don't like it , tough !, Nepotism ?, almost certainly.
Reading other threads I clearly do not have the experience of the history at Heliair as others, but I do agree there is more to the recent changes than just an economic downturn which is very convenient when you want to shed staff , no matter how dedicated or experienced, who are perhaps resisiting change or do not share the same long term vision.
I reiterate, this is just my opinion, other people's experiences may well be different.
Whether SB is right, only time will tell, maybe he will have to change his website address to wwwallcock&brown@heliair........
My original thread tried to answer 'what is going on at Heliair ?
A fellow pruner suggested I was praising SB, far from it, I was merely trying to pass on my personal experiences with Heliair.
Its presentations under SB, eg Silverstone brief or 66 launch were very professional. I understand his long term goal for the company, but he is very much 'do it my way' & if you don't like it , tough !, Nepotism ?, almost certainly.
Reading other threads I clearly do not have the experience of the history at Heliair as others, but I do agree there is more to the recent changes than just an economic downturn which is very convenient when you want to shed staff , no matter how dedicated or experienced, who are perhaps resisiting change or do not share the same long term vision.
I reiterate, this is just my opinion, other people's experiences may well be different.
Whether SB is right, only time will tell, maybe he will have to change his website address to wwwallcock&brown@heliair........
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Beside the seaside
Posts: 670
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
How about www.helihair.com?
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Texas and UK
Age: 66
Posts: 2,886
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
From a self-promotion website:
Sean Brown Managing Director of Heli Air
Sean is one of the most experienced pilots in the UK having spent most of his career as Captain for British Airways.
Sean now owns Heli Air UK ....
Sean is one of the most experienced pilots in the UK having spent most of his career as Captain for British Airways.
Sean now owns Heli Air UK ....
Last edited by goldeneaglepilot; 21st Feb 2011 at 19:16.
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Texas and UK
Age: 66
Posts: 2,886
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Nor is 1.3%, held by SB (from the annual return to companies house - public domain information)
Maybe 14% is the holding when you count all the family member shares
Maybe 14% is the holding when you count all the family member shares
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: midlands
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Whilst the 66 take off and landings might have been better done further away from onlookers please bear in mind that it was not a public event, everyone was there by invitation and the majority were pilots. Each time we pilots climb into a helicopter we are aware of the risks involved and make an informed decision to continue. Judging by posts on this and the R66 thread some onlookers made an informed decision to leave the scene but the majority decided to stay. An informed decision?
Whilst many have been only to keen to have a go at SB I note that nobody has mentioned the black R44 (at least 3 POB) which took off a few minutes before the hangar doors were opened. Given that everyone else had driven to Booker because of the weather you have to ask yourself - Was that a good decision?
Whilst many have been only to keen to have a go at SB I note that nobody has mentioned the black R44 (at least 3 POB) which took off a few minutes before the hangar doors were opened. Given that everyone else had driven to Booker because of the weather you have to ask yourself - Was that a good decision?
PP
Your argument about being a non public event holds no water if the unfortunate happened. Yes I know the chance's of the donk failing are remote. I am afraid in this day and age you can do what you want when you want and everything is fine until something goes wrong. First question that would be asked did you do a risk assesment ! To give an example we do long line lifting with the 500's. Heli quite often hovering 100 ft above load handler, the CAA insisted that only those involved with the job should be within 50m's incase of engine/ TR failure, so what does that tell you about safety ?
Your argument about being a non public event holds no water if the unfortunate happened. Yes I know the chance's of the donk failing are remote. I am afraid in this day and age you can do what you want when you want and everything is fine until something goes wrong. First question that would be asked did you do a risk assesment ! To give an example we do long line lifting with the 500's. Heli quite often hovering 100 ft above load handler, the CAA insisted that only those involved with the job should be within 50m's incase of engine/ TR failure, so what does that tell you about safety ?