HNZ Group is constantly making news as we continue to grow and deliver world-class service. Learn more about what we’ve been up to lately by reviewing the following news stories and articles.

Canadian Helicopters adds an Airbus H135 to its Fleet

The H135 aircraft has been added to our fleet as a modern, versatile light twin-engine helicopter, capable of performing a full range of missions to meet diverse operational needs from our Terrace Base facility. While its primary focus will be power line maintenance and support missions in Terrace, the H135 will also provide essential services across British Columbia.

The H135 helicopter is well-suited for challenging missions requiring precision and safety. Its single-engine Category A performance makes it ideal for Human External Cargo (HEC) operations, such as power line construction and maintenance tasks, where reliability and stability are critical. Additionally, the H135’s design and capabilities support rescue activities, offering the performance and flexibility needed for efficient and secure operations in demanding environments.

The aircraft will be operational early January 2025.

NVIS and Tank Equipped Sikorsky S-61N Aircraft Battling Fires in Western Canada (UPDATED)

UPDATE (August 23, 2024): BC Wildfire Service have produced a video showcasing Canadian Helicopters’ NVIS firefighting service. Watch: How we use night vision technology

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May 30, 2024:  For the 2024 wildfire season, Canadian Helicopters has upgraded two of its Sikorsky S61N helicopters with enhanced firefighting capabilities.

Both aircraft are now equipped with a Night Vision Imaging System (NVIS) and a belly tank with a carrying capacity of 900 US gallons, which enable the crew to operate at night wearing Night Vision Goggles (NVG).   NVIS/NVG allows the aircraft and crew to continue fighting active wildfires into the overnight period.  Prior to this technology, wildfire suppression activities would have been paused until the daylight hours.

NVGs can also detect heat sources thanks to their sensitivity in the near infrared spectrum which allows pilots to accurately focus their retardant drops at the source of the fire.  Night operations offer enhanced conditions in terms of lighter winds, cooler temperatures, and higher relative humidity which decreases fire activity.  Combined with the near absence of other air traffic, the operation proves effective in protecting critical assets.

Since early May, both aircraft have been working on fire suppression activities in the northern parts of British Columbia and Alberta.

 

Antarctic Support Contracts are Back in Action

Summer has arrived in Antarctica and Canadian Helicopters’ support contracts are back in full swing. We have been providing helicopter service in support of scientific research activities in Antarctica for over 30 years.    Activities take place during Antarctica’s summer months and may include ship-to-shore shuttles, radar and LIDAR surveys, meteorite hunting, ice reconnaissance, aerial filming/photography, and slinging cargo for camp deployments.    Pictured here are members of the French Polar Institute Paul-Émile Victor (IPEV).

Topflight Assists with Rescue of Hiker Cornered by a Wildfire

When a hiker was trapped by the Crater Creek wildfire in Cathedral Park, BC, Canadian Helicopters’ sister company Topflight Elite Training and Charters was called upon to assist.  Topflight Instructor Adam Sloan and two members of Penticton Search and Rescue took approximately four hours to complete the rescue using an Airbus AS350B3e.   The rescue took place in late August.

Details of the challenging rescue can be found in an article released by Helicopters Magazine: Heroic fire rescue in the face of flames – Helicopters Magazine.

Congratulations to the SkyAlyne Team!

It was recently announced that SkyAlyne was selected as the preferred bidder to deliver the Government of Canada’s Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) Program. The FAcT Program is mandated to provide military pilot and aircrew training for the Royal Canadian Airforce and will replace and expand on two existing training programs: The NATO Flying Training in Canada (NFTC) Program and the Contracted Flying Training and Support (CFTS) Program.

SkyAlyne is an alliance of Canadian companies and was formed for the purpose of bidding on the FAcT program. Canadian Helicopters is a sub-contractor to SkyAlyne and worked with the bidding group to present a collaborative training solution.

Under the FAcT program, Canadian Helicopters would be responsible for supplying aircraft maintenance and ground handling, material and supply chain management, and flight instruction (in-flight, classroom and simulator).  Canadian Helicopters currently provides similar service to the CFTS Program in Southport, Manitoba.

Contract award is anticipated in 2024 for a 26-year term and will result in approximately 75 full-time positions for Canadian Helicopters’ staff.    Canadian Helicopters is excited to be a part of a team of professionals dedicated to providing world-class training to RCAF aircrew.

View the SkyAlyne press release here.

Fleet Updates

Canadian Helicopters’ engineers have been hard at work this past winter working on upgrades to the company’s fleet.   Pictured above is GOKL (Bell 212) after undergoing some major aircraft and avionics upgrades.   The fleet is looking good and is ready for a busy summer season ahead.

Humanitarian Support for Families in Ukraine.

When Canadian Helicopters’ employees donated to the Red Cross Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal Fund, the company matched the donation to make a total donation of $15,170.00 to help those affected by the war in Ukraine.  As we head into winter, our thoughts remain with the families and communities impacted during these troubling times.

Celebrating 75 Years (1947-2022)

 

2022 is a monumental year in Canadian Helicopters’ history.  On April 18th of this year, Canadian Helicopters celebrated the 75th Anniversary of its incorporation.

Our story began in 1947 when three Royal Canadian Air Force veterans (Barney Bent, Carl Agar, and Alf Stringer) purchased a Bell 47B3 helicopter, call sign CF-FZX, and founded Okanagan Air Services Ltd. Their vision was to provide orchards and farmland in British Columbia with an innovative form of pest control by way of aerial spraying and dusting.  Little did they know, their modest concept would grow into a remarkable legacy.

From those humble beginnings, the company transformed and grew.   A series of mergers, acquisitions (and at times disposals) involved some notable Canadian and international helicopter companies: Viking, Associated, Sealand, and Helicopters New Zealand, to name a few.  The company also grew to include a maintenance, repair and support business which forms a substantial part of its activities today. Canadian Helicopters developed and mastered safe mountain flying techniques as well as advanced operational and Night Vision Goggle training, now delivered though its sister company, Topflight Elite Training and Charter. Ownership of Canadian Helicopters has changed throughout its history including both public and private ownership.  Canadian Helicopters, in its recent form, has provided services in many parts of the world including Canada, Asia, Asia Pacific, Antarctica and the United States.

Today, Canadian Helicopters is privately owned and employs over 400 employees through its subsidiaries.  The enduring success of the company can largely be attributed to the dedication of those employees, both past and present, and the support of our customers, some of whom have been with us since the very early years. Thank you for your ongoing support through the decades.

Please join me in celebrating a significant year in Canadian Helicopters’ history.

Don Wall
President and CEO
Canadian Helicopters Limited

Antarctic Operations Makes the News

Canadian Helicopters and its subsidiaries have been providing helicopter transportation service to Antarctic scientific research expeditions for the past four decades.    The research projects involve a variety of activities including base building, ship support, a variety of LIDAR and Aeromagnetic surveys,  Meteorite hunting and ice reconnaissance.    Canadian Helicopters has worked with a number of research programs including the national  polar programs of South Korea, France, Germany, Italy and Japan.

Recently, CBC News did a short feature on the Thwaites “Doomsday” Glacier and one of Canadian Helicopters’ aircraft appeared briefly in the clip.   Visit CBC News to view.

Sikorsky S-61N Aircraft Ready for Service in Canada

Two of Canadian Helicopters’ Sikorsky S-61N helicopters recently returned to Canada at the conclusion of an overseas contract.  Pictured above, GJQN is being offloaded at the Edmonton International Airport.    The aircraft have undergone maintenance updates and are ready for service in Canada; one has already been busy supporting fire suppression activities in Quebec.  The S-61N is the largest helicopter type in Canadian Helicopters’ fleet.  The company now has three S-61N helicopters operating in Canada.

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