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.

HNZ Group Expands in Northern Canada with Acasta HeliFlight

HNZ Group is pleased to announce it has enhanced its presence North of 60 through the creation of Acasta HeliFlight Inc. Acasta will be based in Yellowknife, NT and will provide specialized Northern Canadian VFR helicopter transportation services throughout the region. Acasta will be primarily under the leadership of President Adam Bembridge, a local aviation executive with experience in the North.

“We are very pleased to be expanding our onshore operations in Northern Canada”, said Don Wall, President and Chief Executive Officer of HNZ Group. “Acasta is a promising partnership which combines the technical expertise, financial strength and economies of scale of HNZ with the Northern know-how of a proven innovator like Adam Bembridge, who has deep ties in all corners of the North.”

Bembridge personally owns an equity share in Acasta. According to Bembridge, “I’m extremely proud to not only be a part of this investment in the North personally, I’m thrilled to have a such a dynamic partner like HNZ Group making this significant investment in the future of my home community of Yellowknife.”

View full press release

HNZ Group Wins US Department of Defense North Warning System Contract

HNZ Group is pleased to announce it has received a notice of intent to award a contract from the United States Department of Defense in support of the North Warning System (“NWS”). The NWS is an early warning radar system, comprised of 47 radar sites spanning the Canadian Arctic.

HNZ Group, operating under brand Canadian Helicopters, has been selected as the “successful offeror”, subject to customary U.S. government approval of operational funding for each fiscal year and conclusion of definitive contracts. The Department of Defense decision was taken following a competitive bidding process.

A total of nine owned IFR medium and heavy helicopters, including some redeployed fleet from Afghanistan, will be used for the contract. The contract includes a year-round service employing five aircraft on the Operations and Maintenance component, and four aircraft in a seasonal capacity servicing the Bulk Fuel and Supplemental components with various commencement dates. Canadian Helicopters is the current service provider for both the Bulk Fuel transfer and Supplemental components.

The contract is for a six-month base period with four one-year and one six-month extensions, each exercisable at the option of the Department of Defense, for a total of five years with expected aggregate revenues of approximately US$61 million. The prime contractor is the Canadian Commercial Corporation, Canada’s international contracting agency, which focuses on government-to-government contracting and procurement.

“These agreements represent a continuation of our long term relationship with the U.S. military,” said Don Wall, President and CEO of HNZ Group. “We are pleased with the ongoing confidence that the United States Department of Defense has placed in the quality of our services and operations.”

Please see full release.

HNZ Group Annouces Investment in Norsk Helikopterservice AS

Don Wall (left), President and Chief Executive Officer of HNZ Group, with Bjorn Veum Seljevold, Chairman of Norsk Helikopterservice (NHS) at the NHS Hangar in Stavanger, Norway.

HNZ Group Inc. announced today it has acquired an interest in Norsk Helikopterservice AS (“NHS”), an offshore helicopter provider based in Stavanger, Norway.

NHS’s offshore operations provide crew transport to oil and gas customers within the Norwegian continental shelf. It currently operates one Sikorsky S-92 heavy aircraft in support of Lundin Petroleum’s offshore facilities and performs ad hoc work for other oil and gas operators. NHS employs approximately 25 people and has leased offices and hangar space at Stavanger Airport.

As one of the largest offshore helicopter markets in the world, the Norwegian offshore market consists of approximately 60 aircraft operated by four helicopter companies (including NHS), and exclusively employs heavy aircraft due to the distances and environmental conditions involved.

HNZ’s investment in NHS and Norway represents its first in the European market and complements its operations in North America and the Asia-Pacific region.

Please see full release.

HNZ Group to acquire an Airbus Helicopters AS350B2/B3E Level 7 Flight Training Device

HNZ Group Inc. has entered into an agreement to purchase a state-of-the-art Airbus Helicopters AS350 B2/B3E Level 7 Flight Training Device (“FTD”) from Frasca International, Inc. The FTD is to be housed at the Edmonton International Airport (“EIA”) main terminal building, and will be the first of its kind in Canada.

Upon certification of the FTD, HNZ’s training course will be the first in North America to receive regulatory credit for in-aircraft flight hours on a single engine helicopter FTD and represents a unique training offering. In addition to HNZ crews, the FTD will be available to the broader helicopter industry for third party training.

The device will allow pilots to simulate inadvertent entry into deteriorating weather, night flying, platform and rooftop landings, confined area procedures and emergency procedures training including failures not possible to practice safely in the aircraft. The device will be used in completing Airbus Helicopters AS350 B2/B3E type endorsements, initial and recurrency training.

Features of the FTD include Frasca TruVision™ Global visual system with projection display in a totally enclosed spherical screen (200° x 70° field of view). Databases including the Edmonton area and specialized training scenarios at various locations in Canada will be provided. The FTD will also include a vibration platform, Graphical Instructor Station (GISt™), and cargo mirror simulation.

Delivery, installation and certification of the device is expected to be completed in May 2016.

HNZ Group is Awarded a New Nova Scotia Offshore Oil and Gas Support Contract

HNZ Group has been awarded a contract by Shell Canada Energy (“Shell”) to provide offshore personnel and cargo transport, medevac and search and rescue services from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. The services will be delivered by HNZ’s subsidiary Canadian Helicopters Ltd, which has provided emergency medical services support to Nova Scotia’s Emergency Health Services from the Halifax Stanfield International Airport since 1999.

The contract, was awarded in support of Shell’s “Shelburne Basin Venture Exploration Drilling Project” which is expected to commence mid-year of 2015 for a duration of approximately 260 days. The contract will utilize two leased Sikorsky S-92 aircraft for offshore personnel, cargo and medevac transport and a third leased Sikorsky S-92 for dedicated search and rescue operations. Over the term of the initial contract period, revenues are expected to be approximately CAD$20 million dollars.

HNZ’s President and CEO, Don Wall, said “we are excited to expand our current aviation operations in Halifax to include this important step in supporting Shell’s exploration operations offshore Nova Scotia and we appreciate the continuing confidence Shell has placed in HNZ. We look forward to providing a safe and efficient service, while expanding our capabilities in Nova Scotia into heavy offshore helicopters including a full, all weather search and rescue service, in the North Atlantic. This contract indicates success in executing our expansion and diversification strategy post-Afghanistan, and as a Canadian owned Corporation, marks the natural next step of entering the Canadian offshore oil and gas market.”

This contract is HNZ’s third offshore oil and gas support contract with Shell globally and represents its first offshore contract in Atlantic Canada.

Nampa Valley Receives Airbus Keycopter Award

Joe Gray from Airbus Helicopters, awards Chris Rekemeyer, Chief Exchange Officer at Nampa Valley Helicopters, a Keycopter Award at the Airbus Helicopters Customer Service Symposium held in Grapevine, Texas in September. Chris received the award for “Most Improved Ordering” as Nampa Valley Helicopters had the biggest change in E-Commerce ordering from 2013 to 2014 for organizations ordering over 300 line items per year.

HNZ Celebrates One Year Anniversary of Shell Philippines Contract

MANILA, PHILIPPINES – September 2014 – Shell Philippines management is presented with a picture of the AW139 helicopter in commemoration of the first anniversary of the start of HNZ’s contract with Shell Philippines.   The contract involves the provision of crew change helicopter services in support of the Shell Philippines Malampaya Deep Water Gas-to-Power Project.

From Left:  Scott Low – Contracts & Procurement Manager, Shell Philippines; Marma Limgenco – Logistics Manager, Shell Philippines; Brian Currie – Philippines Base Manager, HNZ;  Don Wall, President & CEO, HNZ

Funds Raised for Regions Affected by Typhoon Haiyan

L to R: Marie-Josée Vendette - Human Resources Manager, Canadian Helicopters; Don Wall - President & CEO, HNZ Group; Marie Andrée Chaurette – Human Resources Coordinator, Canadian Helicopters.

HNZ Group recently concluded an internal fund raising effort in support of those affected by Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines.    A combination of employee contributions, company contributions, and government matching raised a total of $21,210.  The funds will be donated towards ongoing aid for those affected by the typhoon.

HNZ Group has operations in the Philippines, but fortunately no employees were hurt and no aircraft were damaged.

Grand Opening of Canadian Helicopters’ Terrace Base

L to R: Randall Findlay, Director; Carmen Loberg, Director; Chad Sallenback, Supervisory Base AME; Don Wall, President & CEO; Craig Kendell, Base Manager; and Larry Pollock, Director & Chair. Photo courtesy of Erin Bowker, Terrace Standard.

February 6, 2014 – Canadian Helicopters recently hosted a Grand Opening and Open House of its newly built hangar and office facility in Terrace,British Columbia,Canada.    The event was well attended by various customers, suppliers, local media, and the HNZ Board of Directors.

The 13,000 square foot facility includes areas for reception, offices, pilot lounge, flight planning and debriefing rooms, and hangar space for 12 aircraft.  Canadian Helicopters moved into the new facility in May of 2013 and is now comfortably positioned to accommodate the growth of the region.

Ribbon Cutting at Edmonton International Airport

L to R: Reg Milley, President & CEO, Edmonton Airports; Randall Findlay, Director & Chair, HNZ Group; Don Wall, President & CEO, HNZ Group; Carmen Loberg, Director, HNZ Group; Larry Pollock, Director, HNZ Group; John Whaley, Mayor of Leduc County

On October 1, Canadian Helicopters and HNZ Group celebrated the Edmonton branch’s relocation from the soon-to-be decommissioned City Centre Airport to the Edmonton International Airport (EIA). An Open House/Ribbon Cutting Ceremony was organized to mark the occasion

The event drew a crowd of over 150 clients, vendors, EIA employees and neighbouring businesses who were treated to tours of the office space, food & drinks, and live entertainment. The event was commemorated by a ribbon cutting ceremony officiated by Don Wall, President & CEO, HNZ Group; Reg Milley, President & CEO, Edmonton Airports; and John Whaley, Mayor of Leduc County. Local TV, newspaper, and radio provided media coverage of the event.

A highlight for many attendees was the unique opportunity to experience an aerial helicopter tour of the airport and surrounding communities. Guests were encouraged to make a donation in support of Youth Empowerment & Support Services (YESS.org), an Edmonton based youth emergency shelter. A total of $1,122 was raised in support of YESS.

Canadian Helicopters is very excited to be at Edmonton’s vibrant and growing International Airport. The fourth level of EIA’s iconic Central Tower is now home to HNZ executive offices, and Canadian Helicopters’ administrative and pilot training facilities.

Nampa Valley Helicopters

Based in Meridian, Idaho, Nampa Valley Helicopters is an Airbus Helicopters “D Level” Service Center, specializing in the Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) of the AIRBUS Dynamic Components for the AS350, H125, AS355 and EC130, H130 helicopters

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