Pool, Helicare, Dollar, Talk, Bond & Clyde Helis.

[viscount]

Pool Helicopters, 1981
A Liverpool based operator

You need to be of a certain age, around in the early '80s to recall this one. However, Pool Helicopters deserve coverage here on two counts. Negatively, Pool Helicopters are possibly the shortest lived of all Liverpool based operators that actually commenced operations. More positively, they should go down in the record as the first Liverpool Airport resident helicopter operator.

This account is freshly written for the nwan forum by Brian Jones, using notes and comments written by myself in the MAS local members magazine 'EGGP' at the time, together with company publicity material passed on by Eddie Quinn.

Pool Helicopters

Pool Helicopters was the 'brain child' of Mr Burlinson. As Chairman of the Airport Committee, Councillor Burlinson had fought hard for the retention of the Airport and to raise the image and status of the Airport to both the aviation industry and general public. He was the powerhouse behind organising the first visit by Concorde in 1979, the 1980 C-5A Galaxy visit of the West's largest aircraft, the 1981 Air Display and the formation of the 'Friends of Liverpool Airport' association.

Mr Burlinson observed that there was a vacant niche in the organisations serving the Airport just waiting to be exploited. In a very a practical demonstration of support in the future of the Airport in December 1980 as the Managing Director he registered 'Pool Helicopters Ltd' with Companies House.
After much behind the scenes negotiation and arrangements, in June 1981 the company had in place a CFI, office accommodation in the Terminal Building, staff, hangar space and aircraft. The choice of equipment was the relatively modern 2 or 3 seater, piston engined Enstrom F.28 helicopter - certainly a 'cut above' the Bell 47G or Hiller UH-12 used by most other helicopter pilot training operators. These Enstroms were acquired on lease from agents, Spooner Aviation at Shoreham.

The company was the first Liverpool based helicopter firm and initially offered helicopter training with an intention to move quickly into helicopter charter work and sales. To reflect the company name and enhance its local image, it was thought that the first helicopter in the fleet would be registered G-POOL. In the event Enstrom F.28C, G-BBBZ, arrived at 1825 on Friday 19th June from Shoreham, via Birmingham, wearing the company name below the front windows.

The first operation by Pool Helicopters should have been pleasure flights at the Liverpool Air Display on 21st June, however the small, so unsuitable, Enstrom was replaced by a Jet Ranger G-TKHM of Air Kilroe at the last minute. A second Enstrom for Pool Helicopters arrived early evening on Monday 22nd in the form of F.28A G-BAWI from Shoreham via East Midlands Airport. G-BBBZ was in a shades of green colour scheme, G-BAWI in yellowish tints, only G-BAWI though wore the company title. Training flights commenced on Tuesday 23rd June and continued almost daily subsequently. The helicopters used the hard standings between runway 26/08 and Speke Hall woods boundary, so operating away from other circuit traffic. On 17th July G-BBBZ left Liverpool and was replaced the same day by G-BHTF arriving via Silverstone in a cream and orange scheme. Most flights in July were locally or in the circuit, landings away were made by G-BBBZ on 11th for pleasure flying at Neston and 27th when G-BHTF called at Croxteth Hall, Knowsley. G-BAWI departed for Carlisle on 24th, with G-BHTF departing after two weeks of operation on August 1st. The company were only without a helicopter for a day, as the original F.28C G-BBBZ returned on Monday August 3rd via Birmingham. However, after an inactive week it departed Friday 7th via Birmingham.

The company had suspended operations after just seven weeks and vacated their office in the terminal, but had plans to return in the future. This was not to be and the company ceased trading to fade into the history books. However they had highlighted a niche market at Liverpool Airport for a helicopter operator and it was not long before another operator took up the challenge with greater success.

Helicopters operated:

G-BAWI  Enstrom F.28A  in use  22.5 to 24.7.81
G-BBBZ  Enstrom F.28C  in use 19.6 to 17.7 & 3.8 to 7.8.81
G-BHTF  Enstrom F.28C  in use 17.7 to 1.8.81
G-POOL  Enstrom F.28   never actually allocated, not taken up.
All supplied on lease from agents Spooner Aviation of Shoreham. 

Aside 1: G-POOL was not registered until 28.8.87, and then on an ARV Super 2, formerly G-BNHA. The significance of G-POOL as a registration to agents, ARV Aviation Ltd at Sandown, IoW is not known. This aircraft is currently still on the British Register, with owners living in France.

Aside 2: The Enstrom helicopter, essentially externally unchanged, is still in factory production today.

[viscount]

Helicare Ltd, 1982-1986
A Liverpool based helicopter operator

Following the short life of helicopter training company, Pool Helicopters in June and July 1981, the next helicopter operator had a different function and was based on a firmer financial footing.

This is a fresh account, put together and written by Brian Jones for the nwan forum, using MAS local magazine 'EGGP' which noted activity monthly and an account of a meeting in September 1983 recorded in 'Flypast', at which John Ridings, Chief Pilot and Technical Director, described Helicare's operations.

Helicare Ltd

Initial equipment and operational base established

Helicare Ltd was formed by Trent Valley Grain of Uttoxeter to provide a service to the agricultural industry. Helicare initially purchased three Bell 47Gs from Bristow Helicopters who had used them for 12 years to provide initial helicopter training for the British army under contract. Operations commenced early in 1982 from a 'backyard' in Lymm, Cheshire with G-AXKL, G-AXKR and G-AXLA.

It quickly became apparent that the company needed room to expand. Many possible potential operating bases were considered, Manchester, Barton, Warton, Blackpool and Liverpool. Helicare found Liverpool Airport very welcoming and settled upon it as their new operating base. From 1st October 1982 Helicare took over Building S3, converted barn premises on the South Airfield recently vacated by the Fire Service, positioned beyond the end of Dunlop Road. While G-AXKR was the first of the Company's Bell 47Gs to visit Liverpool, parked on the 'H' beside the apron on the North Airfield 8th to 11th November, the first to visit the new site was G-AXLA arriving on 20th November, followed by G-AXKR on 22nd, both entering a period of winter maintenance. G-AXKL was on C of A check at Lymm, so did not arrive until Tuesday 25th January 1983.

However occupancy of Building S3 only lasted until January as the land on which it was standing was required for the construction of the new South Airfield apron. In January the company moved into the main No.1 Hangar adjacent to the Airport Terminal on the North Airfield. At the CAA's insistence a tall wooden partition was erected during February around Helicare's compound for security during maintenance work.

Agricultural aerial application work

During their first year of operation, 1982, the Bell 47Gs, with spray booms fitted were used for the aerial application of agricultural chemicals to crops. Often detached to various parts of the country. While grain crops require only one or two applications, fields of potatoes are regularly revisited as up to seven applications are required to keep blight under control.

For the second season of operations, 1983, the fleet, in April, was increased to five, with the delivery of G-AXKN and G-AXKZ from Bristows. During the second summer season of operations, over 55,000 acres were treated, although G-AXLA last flew on April 19th and G-AXKL was badly damaged following engine failure lifting off from a field near Frodsham on 30th July. The Bell 47Gs roamed far and wide across the country, from Dorset to Scotland. However jobs were also undertaken close to home in Cheshire and Lancashire, even fields at Hale and around Speke Hall. Not that all the work was on growing crops. Over the Clwyd Range bracken was sprayed to control growth and increase acreage available to sheep. Helicopters also could apply ground rock phosphates to young forests for the Forestry Commission. In late summer '83, a Bell 47G on detachment up at Dumfries found a new task, carrying equipment in support of forestry fire-fighting teams

Diversification and expansion, summer 1983

While agricultural work formed the initial 'core business', in early 1983 the company obtained their Air Operator's Certificate (AOC) permitting public transportation work and purchased a Jet Ranger to expand into commercial charter. Former Talacre and Broxton based Agusta-Bell AB.206B Jet Ranger 2, G-BCWM, was delivered to Liverpool from Kidlington on March 3rd, and by the end of the month had acquired 'Helicare' logos on the rear of the cabin pod. Work for the Jet Ranger quickly built up during the summer. In late March Helicare operated a number of pleasure flights from Liverpool Airport over Easter weekend and again on 1st May Bank Holiday, charging £6.50 per person. Weekend pleasure flying was offered from Promenade at Rhyl in late June and July and locally from Otterspool Prom on 2nd July during the 'Mersey River Festival'. During August G-BCWM required C of A check, so Air Kilroe's Jet Rangers were used on pleasure flying at Butlins, Pwllheli. Other Jet Ranger work included lifting 15 tonnes of piping up Cader Idris helping to redirect streams through conduits rather than down footpaths. Regular water-sampling of the River Ribble was carried out for the N.W. Water Authority while gas pipeline and electricity power-cable inspection flights are another source of work. Helicare are available, along with para-medics to transport private health care scheme patients, G-BCWM having a tip-forward seat to enable a stretcher to be installed.

During September the company had eighteen employees at Liverpool and a fleet of twelve vehicles, including four 4x4 Toyotas for use in supplying chemicals and supporting the agricultural Bell 47Gs. An occasional source of income was found in fixing helicopters for their owners. Bell 47G arrived from Tarvin 7.4.83 with a problem, leaving after being test flown 3.6, while Liverpool regular on pipeline inspection flights, Helicopter Hire's G-BFOH developed a problem 28.10.83 and required the rotor mast to be completely stripped down; air tested 1.12, it was back at work 6.12. Jet Ranger G-HYDE was in the workshop 25.11.83 to 1.12.

Spring and summer 1984

With charter work increasing, a second Jet Ranger was acquired when G-AWLL arrived on loan from its Wrexham based owners on 3rd October 1983. Unusual jobs often made the news, including Weddings, and the transportation of Father Christmas in early December. As winter '83/84 evolved into Spring so the pace of work increased. The Aintree Grand National meeting in late March and Chester Races in May provided plenty of work. For two weeks late May/early June loaned Jet Ranger G-BKDA, with Helicare stickers, was on air ambulance duties for the Manx TT. Pleasure flights continued to bring in income, for example G-AWLL performed 20 plus flights at Liverpool Airport on Bank Holiday 22nd April at £7pp and at Woodford Air Show 30th June on loan to Air Kilroe, while in August G-BAKF on loan from Dollar flew the pleasure flying contract at the Liverpool Air Display. In August G-BCWM was in regular use for the Forestry Commission and conservation groups around Snowdonia, and in December around Bala transporting under-slung loads of cut Christmas Trees. All this work required a full-time second Jet Ranger and G-BEPP was purchased by Helicare Ltd, arriving at Liverpool from Southampton on 18th September '84. It quickly lost its 'Harrier' titles and gained 'Helicare' ones.

winter work indoors

In the hangar G-AXKR, which like all the ex Bristows Bell 47Gs had been in a pale blue with faded day-glo patches colours, was resprayed February 1984 in a two-tone blue scheme. The two damaged Bells G-AXKL and G-AXLA were stripped and by October '84 the bare frames noted covered in protective plastic wrapping. In Early March '85 Jet Ranger G-BEPP had its 'muddy' brown scheme replaced by smart two-tone blue, followed by G-AXKZ in May into the same two-tone blue. In early May Jet Ranger G-BCWM lost its yellow scheme and appeared all white, operating that way all summer, before annual overhaul in August and respray with an orange top in early October. Jet Ranger G-HYDE called for attention briefly in late March. Bell 47G G-AXKR which was last noted departing Liverpool for a spray job at Frodsham on 24.8.84, was sold during the winter and re-registered in January '85 to Robert & Hewitt of Lymm. Before respray G-AXKZ had been noted with 'Robert & Hewitt' titles on the fuel tank, but it continued to operate with Helicare. The two remaining active Bells G-AXKN and G-AXKZ had another busy summer in 1985, mostly operating away from Liverpool, however, in mid December all four were sold, and departed to Heli-Lloyd in West Germany by road.

Summer 1985

The two Jet Rangers had a very busy summer in 1985. G-BEPP worked hard on an Aintree Shuttle (together with Dollar's G-AYMW & G-BKDA) in late March for the Grand National meeting. Pleasure flying including Sunday 28th April at the Manchester Air & Space Museum commemorating Louis Paulham's London-Manchester flight; Saturday 20th at Shawbury; Friday to Sunday 25-27th July at St.Helens Show, 17th August at RAF Valley and Sun 18th August at Halton Show along with G-BAKS. G-BCWM was noted pleasure flying at New Brighton Saturday 6th July, but is thought to have spent the early part of summer on contracts in North Wales and the Lake District. Quite likely Helicare provided medivac for the Manx TT in May/June, certainly G-BEPP covered the Manx Grand Prix meeting in late August/early September.

At some stage the Company had adopted the marketing 'tag' - "Helicare - Special Helicopter Services" reflecting the wide variety of work undertaken.

New winter work and into summer '86

A new contract provided welcome winter daily work. In mid October the freshly repainted G-BCWM acquired 'Radio Picadilly' and 'Swinton Insurance' stickers and from Thursday 17th October each weekday morning operated "eye-in-the-sky" traffic reports for Radio Picadilly over Greater Manchester. These flights continued right through the winter, until Friday 2nd May, when replaced by Rallye G-BFMS.

On the very last day of January G-BCWM was noted training on the South Airfield at Liverpool with under-slung loads. From 3rd until 23rd March G-BCWM was operating on contract in Snowdonia, when skills at flying with under-slung loads would have been utilised. Before then, in early February both Jet Rangers were in the Buxton area following extreme snowfall, operating on behalf of tv camera crews and the electricity supply companies attempting to restore supplies across isolated areas.
April produced the usual flurry of activity around the Grand National Meeting, and both Jet Rangers were pleasure flying at the Barton Air Show on Sunday 4th May. Contract work continued, G-BCWM was away at the Isle of Man covering medevac for the Manx TT meeting 25th May to 6th June. G-BEPP returned after a week with the Forestry Commission at Galashiels on Friday 6th, with G-BCWM off at Galashiels Sunday 8th until Friday 13th, when it returned with a cracked window.

Swift, but unexpected end

As a result both helicopters were at Liverpool on Monday 16th June, when the Helicare staff discovered that their parent company, Trent Valley Grain Ltd., had declared bankruptcy and Price Waterhouse appointed as receivers. G-BEPP departed for Uttoxeter at 1450 on Friday 20th June and G-BCWM was loaded onto a trailer and roaded out. Clearly Helicare had built up a sound customer base operating from Liverpool, this had not gone unnoticed by Coventry based Dollar helicopters who purchased the assets of Helicare from the Receivers and picked up many of their contracts.

Fleet List of Helicopters Operated

Regist  Type        Arr. LPL  Dep. LPL                      Comment
G-AXKL  Bell 47G    25.01.83  17.12.85  Acq 4.82. Dbr 30.7.83. Dep by road to W. Germany
G-AXKN  Bell 47G    28.04.84  17.12.85  Dep by road to W. Germany 
G-AXKR  Bell 47G    30.09.83  24.08.84  Acq 2.82.  Sold to Robert & Hewitt,  winter 84/85
G-AXKZ  Bell 47G    28.04.84  17.12.85  Dep by road to W. Germany
G-AXLA  Bell 47G    15.09.83  17.12.85  Acq 4.82, last flew 19.4.83.  Dep road to Germany.
G-BCWM  Jet Ranger  03.03.83  end.6.86  ISOC, left by road
G-BEPP  Jet Ranger  18.09.84  20.06.86  ISOC
G-AWLL  Jet Ranger  03.10.83  05.07.84  Loaned, when required, from F.LLoyd of Wrexham
G-BAKF  Jet Ranger  06.08.84  20.08.84  Loaned from Dollar Helicopters of Coventry
G-BAKS  Jet Ranger  02.08.85  14.10.85  Loaned from Dollar Helicopters of Coventry
G-BKDA  Jet Ranger  26.05.84  24.08.84  Loaned from Dollar until mid 9.84
Also G-BAKS and G-TKHM loaned from Air Kilroe Helicopters, used 8.73, but not at Liverpool. 

[Beemer]

G-AZRU Bell 206B/Jet Ranger II of Dollar Air Services.


G-AZRU Agusta-Bell 206B Jet Ranger by Beemer328i, on Flickr

G-TKHM Bell 206B/Jet Ranger II of Kilroe Helicopters


G-TKHM Agusta-Bell 206B Jet Ranger III by Beemer328i, on Flickr

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Dollar Helicopter Ltd
Dollar North West

Dollar Helicopters, a well-established Coventry based operator, who had at times leased Jet Rangers to Helicare, stepped in after the demise of Helicare and established a base at Liverpool. It is not my intention here to cover the Coventry operations, although Coventry based helicopters frequently passed through Liverpool, indeed in 6 years around 35 different machines were used as their fleet changed and expanded. Indeed, as I had no contact with Dollar North West, this is much more about the aircraft than the people.
Compiled by Brian Jones for nwan forum, using paper based NWAN magazines of the time.

Dollar Northwest, 1986-1992

Arrival[/b]

In July 1986, Coventry based Dollar Helicopters moved an operating base into Liverpool, filling the vacumn left by the abrupt closure of Helicare. Rather than move into the mid No.1 Hangar compound occupied by Helicare, a new wooden structure was built against the inside of the front doors of No.1 hangar. This was several times the size of that occupied by Helicare and easily capable of taking 3 Jet Rangers and a Squirrel Helicopter.

Dollar were not new to Liverpool, their Jet Rangers particularly passing through on charters infrequently. In summer 1986 they had around 9 UK based helicopters, mostly Jet Rangers, but also a few SA.315B Lama for their lifting ability, with a further 3 Jet Rangers in Pakistan on a UN contract and an Aztec for communications. From Coventry they operated ad hoc and contract charter work, helicopter maintenance and sales along with contract management of helicopters on behalf of their owners.

One previous job around Liverpool that created a stir was a week-long operation in 1982, with a helicopter arriving Sunday 19th September at 1920, until the following Sunday 26th at 1010. SA.315B Lama (Alouette II) G-BCPA, complete with 'golf-ball' camera was based at Liverpool while involved with filming a disguised 'Manxman' along with star Barbara Streisand, at the Pier Head and out into the Irish Sea. Usually between 1 and 3 sorties were flown daily, between a quarter hour and three hours in duration. (My wife could be wrong, but she thinks the film was released as 'Yntl', PM me to confirm/contradict.)

Initial Operations by Dollar North West

The Liverpool operation was known as 'Dollar North West', and became established following the purchase of the assets, contracts and contacts of Helicare from the Receivers, including their two Jet Rangers. Many of the former Helicare contracts, such as IoM motor racing medevac cover, pleasure flying, Grand National Meeting shuttle flying, MANWEB, Forestry and Conservation work continued under the new operator.

Initially the Liverpool base usually had one Jet Ranger and a Squirrel available, although every month 5 or 6 different Dollar helicopters would pass through, sometimes staying for a few days, so boosting the base to three. While the Jet Rangers constantly rotated back to Coventry, AS.350B Squirrel G-BFNC, owned by members of the Pilkington family, managed and operated on their behalf by Dollar, moved to Liverpool on 7th October and became based, right through the six year of Dollar North West. The Squirrel was operated on behalf of the owners, but also used for ad hoc charter work.

Operations followed a pattern much as Helicare did. Jet Ranger G-BKDA operated to the Isle of Man 21st August to 5th September 1986 to cover the IoM Grand Prix, G-BTWW operated to the Lake District frequently 19th October on, for several weeks on forestry and conservation work. Lama G-AZNI was around for a week in November on work that required underslung loads.

A new contract was gained for 'Spy in the Sky' traffic reports for Preston based 'Red Rose Radio' and operated most weekday mornings from 6th March through to late May 1987, usually by Squirrel G-BFNC. For Grand National Meet 1987, the former Helicare G-BCWM re-appeared, while between 19th and 26th June G-BNIS, with 'Manweb' titles added, operated daily out to Queensferry. For long periods during the summer two Jet Rangers and the Squirrel were based at Liverpool. Forestry and ad-hoc work continued, although there was no evidence in 1987 of pleasure flight work at weekends.

Notable Operations continue, 1988 - 1991

Arriving on 3rd May 1988, a former Dollar Jet Ranger, G-BKDA, now owned by Liverpool resident, Mr.J.E.Backhouse, but managed by Dollar, arrived to be based at Liverpool. This helicopter was very active until badly damaged in an accident at a Grasmere hotel 29th January 1989.

Further film work brought Jet Rangers G-BONL and G-BNIS to Liverpool. They were painted in a green 'wash-off' camouflage for a Granada TV film, which was filmed at a Lancashire coast location on 21st and 22nd June 1988. Between July and October Lama G-BNNF called reguarly while on forestry and conservation work in the North West. The late August into September the IoM Grand Prix medevac helicopter cover was provided by Jet Ranger G-BKDA. In November 1988 Dollar inroduced numerical pilot call-signs, 'DAS20', 'DAS21' and 'DAS22' being allocated to the three Liverpool resident pilots. The fleet of Dollar changed considerably during 1988 as the fleet expanded and some long-serving Jet Rangers sold.

Although the resident Jet Rangers occasionally flew training exercises at Liverpool, a new aspect to Dollar NW's operation was a visit from Coventry in January 1989 of a Robinson R.22 G-BSIT. This helicopter returned on 12th April and became resident for helicopter pilot training work. Replaced in May by G-BPTR, this promising additional tasking came to an end when the helicopter returned to Coventry 25th May.

The pattern of operations continued through 1989 much as they had in previous years. Squirrel G-BFNC covered the medevac needs of the IoM TT Race Meet in late May, returning to Liverpool 9th June. In June G-WOSP was employed on pipeline inspection work.

Extensive flooding at Colwyn Bay on 27th February 1990 brought Squirrel G-DOLR into Liverpool, presumably with a TV film crew. Another visit by the same helicopter, flown by 'DAS06' found it calling at the airport base briefly early afternoon Monday 5th March 1990 while on a charter into and out of Asda Hunts Cross.
Resident Squirrel again covered the IoM TT medevac requirement 27th May to 9th June 1990. Although Fords may have used Dollar before, three charters can be traced to Fords, who used G-DOLR as 'DAS03' on 19th July from and to Pontypool, G-BFNC on 7th November and Jet Ranger G-BNXF on 20th November, both to Dagenham. Also in November, on the 1st, G-DOLR positioned from Coventry to meet a party of French nationals who had arrived at Liverpool on Falcon 20 F-GDLU and take them out to Port Meirion, returning with them later.

Not all the work at Liverpool concerned Dollar's own helicopters, on 25th April 1990 Electricity Board Squirrel G-GRID arrived from Valley for engine repairs. Duely fixed, it was off to Connor's Quay on 30th. Such extra work was unfrequent though. By the end of 1990 Dollar operated a fleet of around 12 Jet Rangers, 3 Squirrels, 2 Lama and an Aztec.

The year 1991 saw operations continuing with two Jet Rangers and a Squirrel based, with G-BAKS based throughout the year, and G-BNXF based until June. Throughout the year Squirrels G-DOLR, G-PLAX and G-BPRJ shared duties, however Squirrel G-BFNC was absent until it returned in May, when it went to the IoM to cover the TT Meet once again, and then was based for the rest of the year. Operations continued at a similar pace to previous years, with frequent flights by the resident helicopters, plus frequent visits by others.

Withdrawal from Liverpool

In early January, Dollar announced that they needed to rationalise operations, and that as a result the Liverpool base and Dollar North West would shut-down on 31st January 1992. In the event flying operations ended a week before then. Jet Ranger G-BKAS left for on a job for Chorley 6th January as 'DAS04', not to return, while Twin Squirrel G-PLAX as 'DAS06' left for Coventry on 8th, with Squirrel G-BFNC as 'DAS04' leaving on a job for Cumbernauld on 22nd, presumably returning to Coventry. While Dollar helicopters continued to call at Liverpool, visits were infrequent and used the south airfield.

Today

During 1995 Britain's two largest on-shore helicopter operators PLM Helicopters and Dollar Helicopters joined forces and today form the PLM Dollar Group Ltd, trading as 'PDG Helicopters', with bases at Inverness, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Dublin and Wolverhampton. Unfortunately their website www.pdghelicopters.com says nothing of their history, other than they have 40 years of helicopter flying experienced.

Clearly this account does not cover Dollar North West in complete detail - if you know more, or were involved, do please post further information, memories, photographs etc.

FLEET LISTING

Dollar rotated helicopters based at Liverpool frequently, while Coventry based helicopters visited often, using the base facilities. Compiling a fleet list for Dollar North West is impossible - this list gives an indication of the period various helicopters were used for.

Squirrel/Twin Squirrel:

G-BFNC based & managed on behalf of owners 10.07.86 to 22.01.92
G-BPRJ based for periods 2/91 to 11/91
G-DOLR visited & based for periods 7/89 to 8/91
G-PLAX visited & based for periods 16.5.90 to 8.01.92
Also G-SEBI 4/87, G-ZBAC 8/87 and G-BOPS 4/89 hired in to cover for G-BFNC.

SA.315B Lama:

G-AZNI based 11/86 to 1/87, occasional visitor 3/89 to 11/90.
G-BNNF occasional visitor 7/88 to 1/92

Bell 206B Jet Rangers:

G-AYMW visited 3/88 to 10/91, based 1-2/91. (Data Post red/yellow scheme)
G-BAKF frequent visitor, between 7/86 to 9/88. Op on behalf of owner M.Belmont.
G-BAKS based for a number of periods, or visiting 7/86 to 1/92. Op on behalf of owner Hon.W.Wills
G-BAKT visited 12/87 (loaned from Gleneagles Helicopters)
G-BALC (op by Dollar in Pakistan until '89) visited 1/90 and 4/90
G-BCWM (formerly Helicare) visited 4/87, then visited 8/89 to 5/91, based for short periods.
G-BEPP (formerly Helicare) based 9-10/86. (Became OH-HLK and del. 10.86).
G-BFJW occasional visitor 7/86 to 9/87
G-BKDA visited and based at times 8/86 to 4/88. Owned by Mr.J.Backhouse based Liverpool 3.5.88 until damaged Grasmere 29.01.89. (Repaired and sold as HB-XUI 8.89)
G-BKDD (op by Dollar in Pakistan until '89) visited 3/90 & 4/90.
G-BNIR mainly visiting 11/87 to 1/89
G-BNIS mainly visiting 6/87 to 8/88
G-BNIT visting in period 7/87 to 11/87
G-BNXF often based and frequent visitor 12/87 to 11/91
G-BONL based briefly 6.88, frequent visitor 6/89 to 5/91
G-BTWW visited and briefly based 8/86 to 3/87, resident and frequent visitor 2/88 to 10/91
G-BYSE infrequent visitor in period 8.86 to 1.92 (Owned by Bewise Ltd)
G-CULL visiting in the period 5/89 to 1/92
G-NEEP visited 1/89, then regularly 12/89 to 6/91
G-ORJS visited 4/91
G-ORME visited fairly regularly 3/89 to 4/91
G-WOSP visiting 5/87 to 10/87 (loaned from Gleneagles Helicopters)

PA-23 Aztec 250:

G-BBGE occasional visits through to 7/88
G-BFBB occasional visits late .88 to 10/91

Bell 47G:

G-BEHN visited 9/88

Robinson R.22:

G-BPTR resident for a period 5/89
G-BSIT visited 1/89, resident 4 & 5/89
G-PPLH visited briefly 5/89

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Talk Helicopters

A small Liverpool Airport company, offering helicopter flying tuition at a time when no large enterprise filled this need at Liverpool. Talk may never have been a major GA player at Liverpool, but well deserves not to be forgotten.
Freshly compiled by Brian Jones for the nwan forum using monthly movements in the (then) paper based NWAN magazine.

Talk Helicopters, 1992-1997.

The operation of helicopter flight training by Talk Helicopters can be traced back to May 1992. Clearly realising that there was not the business to sustain a full-time helicopter flight training operation, the company commenced operations cautiously with Robinson R.22s leased in and operated for just a few days in each month. As a result in the first six months of operations, no less than 6 different helicopters were employed, spending a maximium of 25 days, but more usually 4 to 6 days at Liverpool on each visit. When at Liverpool, the Robinson R.22s would fly intensive hover and circuit details on the grass areas of the south airfield. Talk never purchased their own helicopter, or took out a long lease on one.

In 1993 an agreement was reached with Deltair, another Liverpool flying school operator, to use their conveniently Liverpool based Robinson R.22 G-UPCC, which has been purchased to broaden the services available to members. G-UPCC certainly aviated much more frequently in the first six months of '93 than it did during 1992. However this mutually convenient use of G-UPCC came to an end at 1550 hours on 6th June 1994 when it hit the ground infront of the control tower on a training detail. Both occupants exited safely, but the helicopter was damaged beyond repair.

In March 1994 it was reported that Talk expected soon to be licenced for the larger Jet Ranger and Robinson R.44, however regular operations continued with the Robinson R.22. Without Deltair's G-UPCC, for the remaining months of 1994, a couple of different Robinson R.22s were leased in, for 3 or 4 days per month. Throughout 1995 the same Robinson R.22, G-HBMW was used for 2 to 4 days each month, positioning from and to its Barton home. This pattern of operation continued right through 1996 too, although some months were missed during the winter 1996/97. Final use of G-HBMW would appear to be on the 8th and 9th March 1997.

It is to be assumed that Helicentre of Blackpool, who had based a Robinson R.22 at Liverpool for flight training from November 1996, absorbed Talk's customer base and Talk ceased to trade.

HELICOPTERS USED: (In order of use)

G-BPTR  Robinson R.22  03.05.92 through to 28.05.92
G-BOVR  Robinson R.22  06.07.92 through to 19.07.92
G-HIEL  Robinson R.22  used early 8.92, several times 9.92 & again 6.94
G-EGEE  Robinson R.22  used briefly late 8.92
G-ZIGG  Robinson R.22  used briefly mid 10.92
G-ROUT  Robinson R.22  used 10.92, 12.92 & again 9.94, 10.94.  Based Barton.
G-UPCC  Robinson R.22  of Deltair, Liverpool.  Used when required throughout 1993 & 1994,
        until written off 6.6.94.
G-HBMW  Robinson R.22  8.94, 12.94, monthly through 1995, most months of 1996 & 3.97.  Based Barton.

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Bond Helicopters operations from Liverpool Airport

For a period between 1994 and 1998, Bond Helicopters Ltd (BND) operated intensive off-shore oil support flights from Liverpool Airport's South Airfield.
This account compiled by Brian Jones for nwan forum using monthly movements records in NWAN magazines of the time.

Bond Helicopters at Liverpool, 1994 to 1998

Bond Helicopters Ltd was founded in the 1960s by the late David Bond and first entered the off-shore market in 1972 and by the mid 1990s operated primarily in support of the oil and gas industry's offshore operations. By the 1990s worldwide controlled a fleet of around 110 helicopters and fixed wing transports.

Bond Helicopters had an operational base already established at Blackpool in support of the Irish Sea gas industry, however when Hamilton Oil awarded Bond an 11 year contract to support the development of further Irish Sea Rigs in Liverpool Bay, the use of Liverpool Airport as the land terminus was stipulated.

As the first operations would be before purpose built facilities could be developed, Bond took over the Blenheim VIP Lounge to process their passengers. The extra facilities being required as all passengers out to the Rigs need to view safety video before departure and dress in survival suits. A new terminal and hangar was built for Bond Helicopters immediately to the west of the Airport Terminal, between the Terminal and the Post Office sorting building. These facilities became operational mid February 1995.

Liverpool flight operations commenced with the arrival of a 10 passenger SA.365 Dauphin G-NTWO on 7th September. For the first 4 months operations required 60 to 95 flights per month. Between April and August this rose to 100 to 150 flights per month, this requiring a second based Dauphin from early May.

In June 1995 FoLA chartered one of the based Dauphins, G-BLUM, for 2 flights on one rather wet Saturday afternoon and were shown around the new facilities by Chief Pilot Captain Mike Sutton. From what he told us, at that time the seven rigs in Liverpool Bay were essentially complete, however the next phase, connecting each rig to the pipeline system to bring the product ashore requires most helicopter transport would double personnel needing transport. Sure enough in early September a third helicopter arrived at Liverpool, a Sikorsky S-76A and between September and December '95 operations increased to between 310 and near 400 flights per month - the peak being 396 rig flights in November '95. In early December the S-76A left Liverpool. Oil started flowing to shore in January 1996. However, for the period January '96 right through to January '98 operations continued at a rate of 240 to 375 flights per month with two helicopters on station at Liverpool. From February '98 there was only effectively one Dauphin (although at times there was another here for maintenance work) until December '98, so flights scaled down to around 140 to 220 flights per month. With the pace of oil platform flights scaling down, Bond announced that they would be consolidating Irish Sea rig support flights on Blackpool from 1st November 1998. In the event the final off-shore departure from Liverpool was operated at 1911 hours on Friday 11th December 1998 by Dauphin G-BLEZ.

Not every flight was oil related, there were training, air tests, positioning flights and FoLAs two AEFs. There was also a handful of medical charters noted eg G-BLUM from Fazakerley Hospital to Queen's Hospital, Birmingham 15th August 1997, G-BLEZ at Murrayfield 24th August 1997, G-BLUM from Fazakerley to Oswestry 4th August 1998 and G-BLEZ at Murrayfield again 7th September 1998.

Below are details of the helicopters based at Liverpool for longer than a week. Other helicopters from the Bond fleet did call at Liverpool passing through, on substitute flights, or covering during maintenance - but if they did not stay more than 7 days, they are not included, this accounts for short gaps in the record. Also visiting occasionally were Bond's King Air 200s G-BPPM and G-SBAS.

Bond Helicopters based at Liverpool:

G-BHGK  Sikorsky S-76A   04.09.95-08.12.95.
G-BKXD  SA.365N Dauphin  22.03.97-11.04.97.  
G-BKXE  SA.365N Dauphin  15.10.94-15.04.95 (then sold in Switzerland)
G-BLEY  SA.365N Dauphin  15.04.95-09.02.96 (then sold in Republic of Ireland)
G-BLEZ  SA.365N Dauphin  09.02.96-11.09.96, 23.10.96-22.11.97, 08.01.97-26.02.97, 11.03.97-23.04.97, 
                         13-06.97-17.03.98, --.09.98-25.11.98, 02.12.98-06.12.98.
G-BLUM  SA.365N Dauphin  10.05.95-13.06.96, 13.09.96-17.01.97, 23.04.97-05.11.97, 04.12.97-27.12.97, 
                         16.03.98---.09.98.
G-BLUN  SA.365N Dauphin  13.06.96-23.09.96, 20.11.96-08.01.97, 26.02.97-22.03.97, 11.04.97-13.06.97, 
                         27.12.97-05.04.98. 
G-BTNC  SA.365N Dauphin  05.11.97-26.11.97.
G-NTOO  SA.365N Dauphin  14.08.96-28.08.96  (then moved onto a contract with the Royal Navy)
G-NTWO  SA.365N Dauphin  07.09.94-15.10.94, 28.04.97-23.05.97, 26.11.97-04.12.97, 06.02.98-28.02.98.

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Clyde Helicopters Ltd

An unexpected bonus of Bond helicopters establishing a maintenance hangar base at Liverpool was associated company Clyde Helicopters moving into Liverpool with enterprising ideas. Newly researched from paper nwan magazines by Brian Jones for nwan forum.

Clyde Helicopters, 1995-1997.

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During 1995 Clyde's two Jet Rangers G-BRDL and G-OBRU were fairly frequent visitors to Liverpool on pipeline patrol contracts, calling once or twice a month for fuel. This contract also took the pipeline operations to the Newcastle area. The company's Twin Squirrel G-CHLA called 8th December 1995 en route Glasgow to Redhill (subsequent research shows this as likely a delivery to new owners in Jersey).

The company were well known for their operation of helicopter sightseeing trips over the Scottish Cities of Glasgow and Edinburgh. From late November 1995 they hangared one of their Jet Rangers, G-OBRU, with Bond at Liverpool between pipeline inspection flights and advertised flights, marketed as "Liver Bird Aerial Tours" to operate at weekends from January. There may have been press publicity flights in mid December '95. The first traced "Liver Bird" pleasure flights operated on 4th February with 6 flown, with traced further operations on 3rd March (x5), 31st March (x4), 28th April (x5), 12th May (x3), 9th June (x6). Between weekend pleasure flight work, the Jet Ranger operated local pipeline inspection flights and trips once a month across to Newcastle, presumably for pipeline flights there.

After operating from Liverpool for seven months, G-OBRU returned to Glasgow on 9th June after pleasure flying at Liverpool. Future operations brought a Glasgow based helicopter to Liverpool, sometimes combining pipeline and "Liver Bird Aerial Tour" operations. G-OBRU appeared at Liverpool three times in July, three times in August, with G-BRDL appearing once in August - 7 visits in 2 months and 39 "Liver Bird" tourist flights operated from the Airport over the City. The operation continued into the Autumn, with G-BRDL on 1st September (x8), G-OBRU 12th November (x12) which was the last "Liver Bird Aerial Tour" noted.

The Pipeline inspection flights continued too with G-BRDL mid and end of September, G-OBRU end of October and again on 5th December, staying at Liverpool until 20th. Bond MBB.105DBS G-BUXS called on 20th December for pipeline patrol, leaving for Newcastle. Final Clyde Jet Ranger movements traced involved G-BRDL on 3rd January 1997 and again based early February until 29th March.

In fact Bond Helicopters had taken over the Clyde operation during January 1996, and while they retained the Clyde name through 1997, operations were absorbed into Bond Helicopters on-shore operations in early 1998, marking an end to the enterprising "Liver Bird Aerial Tours" and routine pipeline inspection work in the North West.

Clyde's Helicopters at Liverpool

G-BRDL  Bell 206B Jet Ranger   visited 8.96, 9.96, 1.97 & based early 2.97-29.3.97.
G-BUXS  MBB Bo.105DBS          visited 20-21.12.96.
G-CHLA  AS.355F Twin Squirrel  visited 8.12.95
G-OBRU  Bell 206B Jet Ranger   based 29.11.94-9.6.96, visited 7.96, 8.96, 10.96, 11.96, 5-20.12.96.

[Beemer]

Just watching "For your eyes only" on TV,1981 James Bond film starring Roger Moore and used in the stunt flying scene at the beginning is G-BAKS Jet Ranger that is featured in the Helicare thread above. Regards Beemer.

[Deleted]

Sept 5, 2010 16:37:50 GMT 1 Beemer said:

Just watching "For your eyes only" on TV,1981 James Bond film starring Roger Moore and used in the stunt flying scene at the beginning is G-BAKS Jet Ranger that is featured in the Helicare thread above. Regards Beemer.

Well spotted Brian. Some superb stunt flying there. Sadly the frame is no-longer with us having been written off in a fatal accident on 14 November 1997

www.youtube.com/watch?v=DAkfs9Bxxrw

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A few of Bond's helicopters while at Liverpool on rig supply contract.

On 3rd June 1995, Dauphin G-BLUM being readied for departure on a special FoLA 'air experience' charter in rather dismal, wet conditions.



At times other helicopters in the Bond fleet would visit. Here Super Puma G-PUMG in September 1995.



The helicopters would use the approach, just like any other aircraft. Here a Dauphin G-BKXD descends for a mid-point 27 landing and taxi onto the main apron.

[viscount]

Liverpool's first, but shortest lived helicopter operator was Pool Helicopters Ltd, late May to early August 1981.

While I can't locate any pictures of their Enstrom helicopters, here is some of their literature, to give a flavour of what they were about and their operations. My thanks to Eddie Quinn of FoLA for lending me these items to scan: