Helicopter Express: Elevating the standard

This sponsored article was ready by Perception journal, the sponsored content material division of MHM Publishing, on behalf of Helicopter Categorical.

Ever since Helicopter Categorical started weighing in with heavy-lift helicopter companies, enterprise has tipped the scales.

The truth is, the final two years have been the busiest on file because the firm was based by pilot Scott Runyan in Atlanta, Georgia, again in 1995.

In the present day, the corporate has relocated to a extra spacious plot of land within the close by neighborhood of Tate. Dubbed “The Farm,” it has been a dream for years — and now it’s lastly actuality.

“We have been based mostly at DeKalb-Peachtree Airport in Atlanta,” stated Runyan, CEO and proprietor of Helicopter Categorical. “We have been operating out of area. We purchased a 250-acre [100-hectare] farm, constructed a 30,000-square-foot [2,800-square-meter] hangar with places of work, and a 30,000-sq.-ft [2,800 sq.-m] upkeep facility, and moved there in June 2023.”  

The complicated is residence to a few of Helicopter Categorical’s mild, medium and heavy helicopters. Others are based mostly in Dallas, Texas; Jackson Gap, Wyoming; Stuart, Florida; and Lancaster, California.

At the moment, Helicopter Categorical operates 31 helicopters — one for each kind of job. 

“We began with Sort 3 mild helicopters, then moved into Sort 2 mediums, after which into Sort 1 heavies about eight years in the past with our first [Kaman] Ok-Max,” Runyan recalled.

Helicopter Categorical flies a spread of sunshine helicopters, together with seven Bell 407HPs, six Airbus Helicopters AS350 B3s, one Bell JetRanger, and one new Bell 429, the corporate’s first mild twin-engine plane.

The corporate’s medium fleet contains six Bell Tremendous 205s. (There are additionally 5 new Subaru Bell 412EPXs being delivered between January 2024 and March 2025.)  

On the heavy aspect, the corporate fields 4 Ok-Max helicopters and 6 Sikorsky S-64 Skycranes (4 F fashions and two E fashions). The primary Skycrane was obtained in October 2022, whereas the remaining 5 have been acquired by means of a deal with Erickson Included in fall 2023. 

“We’re recognized for our heavy-lift and crane companies,” stated Danny Hoss, vice chairman of business companies at Helicopter Categorical. “We do loads of issues with the helicopters that many don’t do, together with precision setting of powerline buildings and maneuvering heavy tools into congested areas.” 

He stated new machines — mixed with the corporate’s present heavy fleet — assist Helicopter Categorical keep forward of its rivals, because it has the appropriate plane for any job.  

“Lots of people have a look at us as the highest of the road; now we have the most effective tools on the market teamed with the best expert workers,” Hoss continued. “Throughout the board, our workers present their dedication not solely to our firm, but in addition to the purchasers.” 

Success for Helicopter Categorical is having the ability to deploy a helicopter when it’s wanted, wherever on the planet. 

“The corporate doesn’t measure success by hours flown; it’s measured by contracts and the way lengthy the plane keep on contract. Our availability charge stays round 99 p.c,” Runyan defined. 

Amongst others, Helicopter Categorical has labored with Duke Vitality, the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), Georgia Energy, the Federal Emergency Administration Company (FEMA), and the Nationwide Park Service. 

It has additionally deployed helicopters to Chile, Haiti, Australia and Canada. One among its most uncommon prospects got here onto the radar about two years in the past, when Hoss dealt with a name from Saudi Arabia.

“Our first Skycrane was acquired for work over there in Saudi Arabia, the place it’s now aiding with constructing their new metropolis, Neom,” Hoss stated. “Now we have been working within the Kingdom since December 2022.” 

As they give the impression of being again over the past two years or so, Runyan and Hoss stated it’s been a whirlwind of exercise. 

“It’s been fairly regular development,” Runyan mirrored. “We purchased one Ok-Max and we then put in orders for 2 new ones. That was large development. Two years in the past, we began engaged on Saudi, and purchased our first Skycrane. Then, we concluded the cope with Erickson for added Skycranes. Whereas doing that deal, the next-gen contracts got here out for USFS — the Subaru Bell 412EPXs.”

Wanting forward, Runyan expects to pursue extra next-gen contracts.

“We like shopping for new plane. We’re very centered on the 429 contracts, and the subsequent spherical of 412EPX contracts.”

Hoss stated prospects all over the world have gotten very thinking about Helicopter Categorical and its diversified fleet.

“The U.S. and international powerline market has at all times been there, and the S-64 is the right machine to deal with the job,” Hoss stated. “With the brand new acquisitions, this can permit us to come back to the contract not solely with mild and medium-lift functionality, but in addition a helicopter for each facet of the powerline sector. We’re the one-stop store.”

Runyan, who began Helicopter Categorical from the bottom up and has flown numerous firefighting missions, stated his expertise helps him perceive the entire image for the corporate’s success.

“We actually respect our workers. I believe now we have the most effective longline building guys within the trade, and an awesome firefighting crew,” he stated. “While you get to heavies and mediums, now we have just about no turnover with workers. I believe our security file and our popularity is second to none, and that we’re by far the most effective utility firm on the market.”

Hoss, who makes a degree to remain linked with all workers, added that Helicopter Categorical nonetheless tries to function like a small household enterprise, though it’s grown larger.

To study extra about Helicopter Categorical, go to https://helicopterexpress.com/contact

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