Safety begins with operating the best equipment and maintaining it to the highest standards.  All of our helicopters are modern, twin-engine aircraft. Both the Bell 430 and Sikorsky S-76 are “Category A” aircraft, capable of single-engine flight in the unlikely event of engine failure.

Safety Systems, Maintenance, Pilot Selection, and Safety Ratings

Each model of aircraft is equipped with advanced safety systems, including TCAS collision avoidance systems, GPS navigation equipment and state-of-the-art digital cockpits.

Maintenance is performed in house and all of our technicians are Airframe and Powerplant certified by the FAA. All aircraft receive rigorous and regular maintenance as recommended by Bell and Sikorsky.

Our pilot selection criteria are exceedingly high. Captains must have a minimum of 3,000 flight hours, a first class medical certificate and an Airline Transport Rating. On average, our captains have more than 7,000 flight hours. First officers are required to have a minimum of 1,000 flight hours. Actual average flight time for our first officers is 5,000 hours.

All of our pilots receive recurrent training at FlightSafety International, the world’s leading simulator-based training organization. This training is supplemented by HeliFlite’s own in-house training that includes additional modules on the use of TCAS, weather radar and GPS equipment. Flight crews are also instructed in security situational awareness.

HeliFlite is a member of the Helicopter Association International (HAI) and was the first recipient of the association’s Platinum Program of Safety award in 2002 and has maintained its platinum status since.

HeliFlite has received the Wyvern Seal of Approval and ARG/US Platinum Rating, having met and continuing to adhere to these safety auditing firms' most rigorous standards. Read our March 2010 press release to learn more about the prestigious ARG/US Platinum Rating.