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Elite Helicopters Company Profile

Elite Helicopters & Aviation Services was first created in November 1994, when two of the current Directors made the decision to leave a well established Helicopter Charter and Training Organisation, join forces with a third partner and to set up an AOC Operation of their own. In what is a fiercely competitive and protective industry, and at a time when new business ventures were still struggling through the ‘Recession’, many people thought the decision was ‘foolhardy and risky’, but Sharon and Glenn still say it was ‘courageous and inspired’.

White Waltham Airfield became the base for the new Company, this venue being chosen due to its superb location West of London and the very Helicopter pro-active attitude of its owners, West London Aero Club. In March 1995 the Company had its application for an Air Operators Certificate approved by the Civil Aviation Authority, an AOC Certificate was issued and the Company immediately commenced Commercial Operations. For the first year the Company concentrated on the activities that Sharon and Glenn were the most experienced with, Charter, Helipad Operations and Pleasure Flying, initially the Company only had one Bell JetRanger helicopter to operate, however within a very short period of time the fleet of aircraft operated expanded and has continued to do so over the years.

Elite’s reputation for quality of service soon became well established. Business boomed as the company became one of the biggest operators at the 1997 British Grand Prix, moving over 400 people to and from the Circuit on the main race day. This figure continued to grow year by year, eventually peaking in 2002 when the Company flew in excess of 600 passengers to and from the event.

In 2001 Elite Helicopters took over the Helicopter Operations and Training School at Goodwood Aerodrome, West Sussex from Stephenson Aviation. Over the next two years both the Charter and Training divisions were restructured and a solid base of operation founded at Goodwood to compliment the White Waltham base. Today we have four Bell JetRanger helicopters, one Bell LongRanger and four Eurocopter AS350 Squirrel Helicopters available for Charter with Robinson R22 & R44 helicopters operated by the training school. We specialise in the management and leaseback of aircraft for private owners offering a complete package incorporating any requirements they may have such as pilot services, hangarage, insurance, etc.

Elite Helicopters also establishes and runs Temporary Licensed Heliports and Aerodromes in conjunction with Special Events such as the British Grand Prix, the 1999 Eclipse and various HeliFest events and currently holds the contract for the provision of Heliport Services at both the ‘Helitech’ and ‘Farnborough International’ exhibitions.

To enable the company to continue to provide the high level of service expected by its clientele, a total of 15 freelance pilots are on line during the summer season. This ensures that the company can have an aircraft and pilot available, usually within an hour of a client’s initial contact. All Elite company pilots are extremely experienced, many having backgrounds in the forces or with the major airlines, and nearly all hold instructor ratings. The flexibility of the pilots and their willingness to have a hands-on approach when dealing with clients is essential in our sector of the industry and has helped us to develop the friendly, approachable and professional business that Elite Helicopters has become.