What's going on at Heli Air?
 

Quentin Smith ('Q') has gone after countless years of providing great service and PR (he of landing a 44 at the North Pole and on top of a moving car in Top Gear fame). I also hear several maintenance and admin folk have also suddenly gone, but now two more instructors, including the CFI?! :\

I've been hearing (and seeing) similar things too... Don't know whats happening.
Might not be helping that R44 sales are down 90% on last year!!!

MADY

I'm sure all those R44 private owners buying an R66 will save them. An extra few hundred grand just to hear a turbine noise, is surely a good deal.

who knows... bit of a gamble! Robinson have a good record but turbine/belt driven systems dont.
With an economic downturn surely private owners wont be buying anything for a while yet...

MADY

Apart from the odd "more money than sense" private owner, I am struggling to see a market in the UK for the R66, sure Heliair will use them for filming, but police/EMS? - not enough engines. Charter? Very small 5th seat, and the aircraft just looks plain ugly.

If they had made it look more attractive and gave it a proper cyclic/5th seat then maybe it will be a rival to the EC120/206/AS350.

I agree, but it's still a great value aircraft and although the third seat in the back is only just big enough for children, it's no worse than, say a 500.

Back on topic, I'm sure the R66's lack of style isn't behind the sudden mass exodus from Heli Air..

Did "Q" have any running or ownership in the company or just operate as an instructor/pilot?

Have these people actually gone or are they moving to a new setup?

MADY

HeliAir Woes
 

In addition to Q (who was a director and son of the founder), the Ops mgr of 20 years and another instructor also pushed. The CFI and at least two other instructors have since quit. Moral at a record low. Not nice at all for those involved.

toptobottom: Suddenly? How do you know it is in fact 'sudden'. Perhaps it is nothing other than a 'normal' departure discussed following a need to tighten belts due to lack of training custom etcetera. Times are hard and becoming more so for everyone. Seems to me nothing sinister, just a common response to market forces. But you never know, do tell more if you have it.


I am not connected with them at all nor have I ever been and I don't know anything about what is going on there.

Frank

'sudden' is a fact by definition; it was without warning :}

6+ key personnel leaving within a month or so, a couple of whom have 20+ years in the saddle, would indicate to me that this is more than just market pressures. I've heard rumours of nepotism and bullying... shame on the management if that's true...

And regarding 'going to a new set up', my undestanding is that some, including the CFI, have nowhere to go to - it's that bad.

toptobottom

Thanks for posting. :ok:
Seems odd to me too.


Heliport

Heli Air/Silverstone 2011
 

Spent the day at Heli Services the other day, only thing that was flying from Heliair was a 500D, I suppose at least they are flying proper helicopters !!!!!!

It would be good to know what the hell is happening with the GP this year. No landing fees yet, and very large rumours in the industry that the FATO will not exist this year and that the "off circuit" scenario is going to happen.

nowhere to go? Well the maintenance folk will have a few opportunities (granted they will have to move) especially if they are licenced.

But I suppose instructing is finally feeling the bite of the downturn?

MADY

Plain English PPRuNe....dont make me laugh...its always cryptic here.!;) We have to keep some pride.!

I am guessing that Heliair are experieincing the same financial hardship that everyone else in our community is. Tough decisions have to be made during tough times.....and not everyone likes or wishes to stay with companies during these times.

That said, i hope that their R66 Launch goes well, and that the market place improves for all those involved with sales - afterall, sales keeps the cogs turning in our community............

RE: Grand Prix. - Yes it would be nice to have pricing, but hey, simply add 10% margin nto last years costs, and you will be safe i am sure..............most operators will have laready done this, and will already be selling their shuttle tickets like hot cakes.!!!

It will all become clearer in due course.
GO.

I wonder what Sir Charles thinks of the lack of man/woman management being displayed by his appointed leader??

Strictly...
Now that's proper cryptic.......:ok:

Very Sad to hear that Q has left/is leaving Heliair. Hasn't really been the same since MJHS left.

Where has Q gone? Does he have something else yet?

CF