Australia's HM Air sells 14-strong R22 fleet

[AnotherFSO]

It has also acquired Alice Springs Helicopters.

"Northern Territory-based company HM Air, formerly known as Heli-Muster NT, has sold its fleet of Robinson R22 helicopters for an undisclosed sum, as it diversifies the business.Owner Sam Chisholm said the company sold all 14 of its R22s, plus its main hangar and base at Victoria River Downs cattle station, to Ord Valley Helicopters.

He said the company was still doing aerial mustering for clients, but using Cabri G2 helicopters instead."

https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/20...tory/106021962

[helispotter]

There are some other interesting points in the article:

• HM Air will still do aerial mustering for clients, but using Cabri G2 helicopters instead.
• Discusses "an incredible safety rating" and "good support from the factory in France" regarding the G2.
• Mustering had been 90% of their business in the past, it will now be less so as they diversity.
• I didn't follow the point about "...the business grew, became more accountable..."?
• Excluding the R22's that have been sold, the company now has 7 turbine and 8 piston helicopters but 20 fixed-wing aircraft. So actually more a fixed-wing operation now, if based purely on the numbers of aircraft they operate.
• More aircraft maintenance being brought in-house but wasn't clear if that applies to the helicopters as well as fixed-wing aircraft?
• The increased scrutiny on the north's aviation sector is mentioned, and is seen by Sam Chisholm as a good thing.

[[email protected]]

They are going to have to adjust to a relatively small fenestron and be a bit more proactive with pedal in the mustering flying then

[RVDT]

Originally Posted by [email protected]

They are going to have to adjust to a relatively small fenestron and be a bit more proactive with pedal in the mustering flying then

Probably take about 10 minutes.

[HeliHenri]

Originally Posted by [email protected]

They are going to have to adjust to a relatively small fenestron and be a bit more proactive with pedal in the mustering flying then

They already know the g2 very well in this role.
.

[heli kiwi]

You Tube

[[email protected]]

It's a great video and insight to the mustering role but they do emphasise the handling differences from TR to Fenestron so I think '10 minutes' is understating the different way the Fenstron produces its thrust across the pedal range compared to a conventional TR ie it is more of an 'S' curve than a straight line.

Interesting that they all seem to feel safer in the G2 and prefer the responsive handling of the 3-blade system.