Caribbean deal for Blackpool aviation specialist

It has teamed up with Cobham Aviation Services to support its search and rescue operations in Curacao.

Through the agreement, HeliSpeed, will provide Cobham with pilots from its HeliTrax database of over 1,200 highly-trained helicopter pilots.

They will support the Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard.

Cobham is a global provider of operational readiness, special mission training and operational delivery solutions to military and government agencies worldwide.

In Curacao, it has successfully delivered a helicopter search and rescue service for many years. Helispeed will assist Cobham by providing experienced crews and instructors across the world.

HeliSpeed aims to bring the expertise of pilots and operators closer together by matching the skills of experienced pilots with the needs and preferences of operators.

They are experts in the diverse skill sets required for offshore, construction, utility, SAR, EMS, disaster relief and VIP missions and support ferry flights, aircraft repositioning, ground and flight tests, and training across every platform.

HeliSpeed can supply specialist contract pilots for both short and long-term global missions on more than 83 types of helicopters.

Gemma Walker, operations director at HeliSpeed said: “We are proud to be able to support Cobham with their requirements for flexible, qualified pilots and this agreement reflects HeliSpeed capacity to support a diverse operations worldwide.”

Spike Jepson, VP Flight Operations, Cobham Aviation Services said: “We are looking forward to working in partnership with HeliSpeed and are confident in receiving pilots which meet the same high levels of skill, experience and certification as our own crews.