Heli-Union commenced an operation providing helicopter transport and 24/7 medevac services for a client in French Guiana

Heli-Union has yet again awarded another contract to operate in a new territory by one of its clients. This time, Heli-Union opens its new base in Felix-Eboué Airport, Cayenne.

The operation started in the beginning of December 2018 and is expected to complete in 2019. Heli-Union supports the exploratory work off French Guiana’s coast using two medium type helicopters as primary and back-up helicopters.

Jonathan Cosson, Deputy Managing Director of Heli-Union, commented “As a French helicopter service provider, we are proud to be able to operate within French overseas territories and to contribute to the development of the French energy industry. This includes conducting operations responsibly while constantly seeking to minimise environmental risk with full transparency. ”

The two helicopters were transported with an II-76 from Heli-Union’s base in Cameroun, to Heli-Union’s local base in Felix-Eboué Airport, Cayenne.

Fully compliant with the IOGP standards and requirements, Heli-Union is able to provide a turnkey helicopter service from aircraft preparation, mobilisation to utilisation.

 

My name is Cedric Bernard and I took my commercial pilot training courses in HUTC 4 years ago.

Ever since my childhood, I have always been fascinated by helicopters flying across my parents’ house and through the mountains. I dreamed of one day becoming a helicopter pilot. Being brought in a family with no background in the avionic field, it was not easy for me to plan and find the right way to make this dream comes true. For many years I tried to keep this dream deep inside my head while continuing my study in Civil Engineering. Until one day I met a retiring pilot who changed my mind through a short discovery flight…I have then at that moment decided to give up everything and to chase after my dream!

After long consideration, I have decided to become a pilot in the civil market. The civil market is richer in diversity and more open to young pilots. However, the training course does not come cheap. Which is why it is extremely crucial to choose the right school.

During my research in finding the right school to pursue my dream, I received a valuable advice from my experienced “mentor”, who directed me to a professional and personalised course in Héli-Union Training Center. He believes strongly in the teaching quality and the outlook of development proposed by HUTC. The training course was not the cheapest in the market, but the price matches the top-notch training quality and experience that come with it.  This profession could be ruthless for those who do not choose to integrate the concepts of precaution, safety and professionalism in their training.

Furthermore, HUTC has a good reputation and is very well-known in the industry. The training center is well equipped and allows great pilot networking opportunities.

With 2 other pupils, we started our private training course with 14 modules of ATPL(H) theory course which were taught with great passion, teaching, and accuracy. The course brought us towards big progression, with nothing was left to chance. This teaching method allowed me to learn effectively and led me to my academic success, whereas I had no knowledge on how to fly a helicopter just 8 months earlier.

After succeeding my theory course, I can finally learn practical lessons through the simulator and HUTC mono-turbine helicopter: Cabri G2. The instructors were very professional and most of them even used to be the pilot instructors in the French Army!

The first flights required a lot of energy that at one point we started to ask ourselves if we can ever get through this!  But all was made possible with the supports and advices from our instructors. Their patience, experience and rigor have brought out our best in a limited amount of time. This part is the most memorable time during our courses. Within a few month I metamorphosed from a mere passenger to a licensed commercial pilot with lots of success on my firsts:  first takeoff, first solo, first night flight, …  These are unforgettable moments that have been enhanced by HUTC coaching quality!

 

 

The new contract is for the provision of crew change and medevac flights to the client’s onshore and offshore facilities in Port Gentil, Gabon.

Operations commenced from Port Gentil airport in October 2018, with two medium type helicopters as primary and back-up helicopters.

The new contract is for the provision of crew change and medevac flights to the client’s facilities in onshore and offshore Port Gentil, Gabon. Operations commenced from Port Gentil airport in October 2018.

Jonathan Cosson, Deputy Managing Director of Heli-Union, said “Heli-Union has been operating in Gabon for more than 40 years, delivering excellent offshore helicopter transport services to Oil and Gas clients in Africa. This new win of a long term contract reflects Heli-Union’s strong grasp of the market and reflects the hard work of our team. We very much look forward to an even further growth in order to maintain our significant presence in the area.”

Heli Union has been operating in Gabon since 1975, providing offshore helicopter services to Oil and Gas customers. Its long-standing expertise in providing offshore helicopter services through its permanent base in Gabon makes Heli Union the leading helicopter services provider in the country.

 

First of all, Heli-Union and team would like to wish you all and your closed ones the best for this new year 2019.

The year 2018 in Heli-Union marked by the achievement of several new Oil and Gas projects, which were the results of determined efforts made by all contributors. We planted our footprint for the first time in Bulgaria, made a return to French Guiana, and secured new contracts in Myanmar, Gabon, and Angola.

The business environment in 2019 still presents some economic challenges in our Oil & Gas and MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul) activities. Nevertheless, 2019 remains promising, with several projects currently in preparation phase. These projects fit into Heli-Union’s development strategy. Hence we will be able to progress towards more modern and consistent aircraft, whilst working on the repurposing of the older generation aircraft.

To withstand this difficult moment which has now lasted for more than 4 years, Heli-Union continues to undertake optimisation actions. The dynamism and professionalism of our team are being recognised by our customers and the Authorities. This recognition gave us a good reputation amongst the other helicopter operators and maintenance centres.

With our two maintenance centres in Toussus and Pau, our MRO activity is in continuous growth for the years ahead. The MRO project for Cougar/Caracal fleet along with other major tenders are expected to punctuate the daily activity of our team in the MRO sector soon.

 

 

Heli-Union was invited to the Myanmar National Airlines’ 70^th Anniversary Gala Dinner Myanmar. More than 900 guests were invited to the celebration. Heli-Union also received a Certificate of Appreciation for its involvement.

 

Heli-Union, offshore helicopter provider was awarded a contract from TOTAL E&P BULGARIA in the support of their exploration campaign in Bulgaria. The 2 month project started the beginning of November 2018.

Following the contract, Heli-Union provided two medium type helicopters for crew transfers and 24/7 Medevac services. The helicopters flew from Varna international airport to TOTAL’s deepwater offshore block located in the Bulgarian Exclusive Economic Zone of the Black sea, approximately 60nm away from the coastline.

Jean-Baptiste Olry, Sales and Operations Director of Heli-Union commented, “We are honoured to be selected by an international Oil and Gas company as their aviation partner for this project. Bulgaria is an entirely new territory for Heli-Union. Heli-Union readiness to operate in a new country underlines our commitment to the future of oil and gas industry.

“Today’s challenging market demands a clear commitment to safe and flexible helicopter operations combined with a dedication to excellent customer service. Heli-Union is prepared to meet clients’ expectations without compromising on its international safety standards.” He added.

On 29th-30th August 2018, Heli-Union and Bestfly held a demonstration show in Bestfly premises, located in Luanda Airport, Angola, gathering both the local authorities and Oil and Gas companies operating in the country. The participants showed great interests in this latest industrial revolution in Angola.
The demonstration was with an aim to present the strong business partnership between Heli-Union and Bestfly, and their intention to bring forward not only top-notch helicopter services for Oil and Gas Company in Angola, but also determination to contribute to the country’s industrial development.
With 57 years of expertise providing helicopter services to Oil and Gas companies, a past experience operating in more than 60 countries worldwide, and a fleet of more than 40 aircraft located throughout four continents, Heli-Union is a major helicopter service provider. After 20 years of operation in Angola, Heli-Union has decided to consolidate its position by partnering with one of the main Angolan aviation providers and together set a new standard for the industry.
Established in 2009, Bestfly is an Angola-based Aviation services provider. By identifying the room of improvement in the local market, Bestfly is able to create a unique service, where competence, professionalism and efficiency are combined to meet and exceed customers’ expectations. Bestfly is known for its competences in aircraft management, handling, provision of hangarage, operational and flight planning support services.
“We are proud of and strongly believe in this new partnership with Bestfly”, said Jonathan COSSON, Deputy Managing Director of Heli-Union. “With Bestfly’s local knowledge and experience, Heli-Union will be able to reinforce its presence in Africa, especially in a massive oil and gas market like Angola. Together, we thrive on being the best aviation service provider in Angola.”
“We are very excited to collaborate with a world-known aviation actor like Heli-Union. I have the utmost confidence that with Heli-Union’s indepth proficiency of the helicopter industry and our domestic know-how of the Angolan market, we will certainly be able to exceed the expectation of the international Oil and Gas operators in Angola.”, commented Nuno Pereira, Chairman of Bestfly.
Heli-Union and Bestfly intend to deliver several helicopters in the near future to meet the operational needs of the Oil and Gas industry in Angola and to start operations as soon as possible.

Following the request of a non-profit organisation “ART ET VISION”, HELI-UNION went to a rural area in Port Gentil to meet the local children.

The main objective of this encounter is to explain to the children, the profession and the responsabilities of a helicopter pilot.  The children have also learned on how to access this type of profession.

A lot of questions were raised by the curious children regarding the profession, the different types of helicopters that it operates in Gabon, and many others.

Heli-Union spent an interesting and instructive afternoon. Heli-Union hopes that this opportunity to discover basic education in piloting could motivate these children to pursue career opportunities and take part in the development of aviation and rotorcraft industry in Gabon

Since the end of 2017, Heli-Union decided to strengthen its structure by combining its Quality and HSE Department. By combining the expertise and brilliant brains from both teams, Heli Union is able to create a new department, Quality and Safety, led by Veronique Milliat who previously held the position of Heli-Union Quality Director. Below is Veronique explaining briefly Heli-Union QHSE Department.

According to the IOGP (International Association of Oil and Gas Producers) requirements, there are four components identified as the key functional elements of Safety Management System. These are Safety Policy (based on a “Just Culture”), Safety Risk Management, Safety Assurance (Quality Assurance) and Safety Promotion. Until the end of 2017, the responsibilities towards these elements were divided between the Quality Department and the HSE Department. The two departments have then been merged to ensure activities and actions complement one another and support the effectiveness of the SMS as a whole.

Our main mission is to implement, develop and maintain the Safety Management System. Our roles within the company evolve around 3 main sectors: Compliance (continuous improvement to ensure global safety), risks management, and Safety Culture encouragement. Our team consists of a group of experts located at the headquarters in Toussus le Noble (see pictures below) that communicates regularly with HSSE coordinators on remote bases and Quality Controllers for the MRO services. We are also able to rely on the expertise of Regis Godvin, the Flight Safety Officer and HFDM Manager.

The permanent objectives of our department are to encourage a safety and risk culture, to continuously improve the level of safety and the working conditions, to promote actions on the environment and its conservation. All of these have to be in accordance with applicable regulatory and legal requirements while taking into accounts all best practices available for Heli-Union’s scope of activities. These contextualised objectives are defined, reviewed and analysed annually in a way to continuously improve the performance of our Safety management System. This year we will continue to encourage safety to create a positive and “just safety” culture within all levels of the workforce.

Heli-Union has been awarded a recognition award by Total E&P Myanmar during TEPM annual QHSE meeting in Yangon, Myanmar. The recognition award was granted to Heli Union in appreciation of no personnel injury and no incident within the 12 rolling months (May 2017 to April 2018) for its offshore helicopter services in Myanmar.

Thierry Festucci, the appointed Base Manager, said: “Heli Union is very honoured to receive this award from Total. The crew work so hard to ensure that high safety standards remain at the forefront of its operations everywhere in the world. This award highlights the effort, determination and dedication of our team and it will only encourage us to keep on improving our services.”

Heli-Union’s history in Myanmar dates back to the 1990 when Heli-Union first entered the Myanmar market with its Alouette helicopters for a seismic operation. Heli-Union continued to provide its service for the oil and gas companies operating in the country until 1998. In 2008, Heli-Union decided to return and strengthened its presence in South East Asia by establishing a dedicated office in Yangon, Myanmar. Today, the company’s presence in Myanmar has grown continuously throughout the years. Heli-Union Myanmar has excelled for the last 10 years of its full integration in Myanmar and shall continue on providing the best, efficient and safe services for its clients.