Juliet Lima November

I can confirm an incident did occur involving a ka32 over the weekend. This was essentially a hard landing in difficult terrain but both pilots are uninjured. Initial assessment indicates that this was an isolated incident, and a complete investigation is underway.

Hi guys - Just wanted to provide a little clarification around the Pilot Competencies for Wildfire Ops as well as the hourly mins you mentioned. The Western Forest Agencies are now phasing in the use of the HAC Pilot Competencies, so Canadian helicopter operators will use the document to ensure their pilots meet the competency expectations of the Customers (being the forest agencies). Operators are now required to complete "Pilot Information" section of Webair to note which of the 8 skill sets described in the Pilot Competencies document their pilots demonstrate to a satisfactory level. These Pilot Competencies are in addition to regulatory requirements. A good example of this, is Low Visibility VFR Flight - CAR 702.17 and CASS 722.17(2) - "Before conducting operations in reduced visibility, pilots shall have achieved at least 500 hours of pilot-in-command experience in helicopters". This regulatory requirement is also referenced in the Pilot Competencies document, and operators must first satisfy this regulatory requirement and then the Pilot Competencies requirements before their pilot goes out flying in the low-vis wildfire environment. Hope that helps! (Also - the Pilot Competencies for Wildfire Operations document can be viewed here: http://www.h-a-c.ca/PQWG-Pilot_Competencies_for_Helicopter_Wildfire_Operations.pdf )

VIH Aviation Group and HelicoptersNZ finalize joint venture to deliver world-class offshore helicopter services in Australia VIH Aviation Group (VIH) with head offices in Canada, and HNZ Group of helicopter companies with head offices in New Zealand, are pleased to announce their joint venture to specialize in the provision of offshore helicopter services in Australia and its coastal regions. This joint venture brings together the expertise and resources of two of the world’s most respected and longest operating full service helicopter companies, to service the rapidly growing offshore oil and gas industry in Australia. “VIH Cougar is globally recognized for its superior all weather, deep water, offshore capabilities developed in North America, while HNZ is renowned for its full range of advanced helicopter services in New Zealand and Australia,” said Mr. Norie, owner of VIH Aviation Group. “The combining of our two brands, our expertise and first-class people and resources, will create a top-tier operator, focused on providing offshore helicopter services in Australia.” VIH thru VIH Cougar Australia Pty, Ltd. and HNZ thru Helicopters (NZ) Limited are the two shareholders in Helicopters (NZ) Pty, Ltd. “Through the joint venture, we will be expanding our new technology fleet to include the Sikorsky S92 helicopter, the Eurocopter EC 225 helicopter and additional Augusta AW 139 helicopters,” said Mr. Hubbard, owner of HNZ. “We are positioning ourselves to provide the best offshore helicopter services in the region.” Helicopters (NZ) Pty, Ltd. is an existing Australian company that holds a CASA commercial air carrier license and currently provides services to Woodside using two new AW 139 helicopters in Australia’s North West offshore oil and gas region. The company will be based in Perth Australia and will provide a full range of services in support of Australia’s coastal and offshore oil and gas activities including, passenger handling, flight following, passenger movement, cargo services, aerial crane services, aerial surveillance, emergency response, air ambulance and search and rescue services. Additionally, Helicopters (NZ) Pty, Ltd. will repair and maintain all helicopters associated with its operations. In the coming months, VIH and HNZ will rename their company to incorporate the HNZ and VIH Cougar brands while establishing itself as a prominent player in the marketplace.

Angola.

I have been preoccupied with other recent events and haven't had a chance to read the updates on this thread until just now, and klw/skids up - By all means, I appreciate the opportunity to tell you what I'd like to accomplish if elected as Chair. If elected as Chair, I would guide and direct the committee and encourage an active committee with discussion between industry counterparts (that includes large and small companies, management, engineers and everyone in between). The committee meetings are a great venue for active discussions and involvement, there seems to be issues that involve all of us that are commonly discussed between friends and coworkers but are rarely brought to the committees - I'd encourage everyone at the meeting to have their say and voice concerns they may have around those issues as well as present their ideas for improvement; which I would then communicate to the HAC board member who is charge of the Air Taxi Committee. Also, I'd like to promote more awareness of the HAC and the air taxi committee in particular - Let people in our industry know that there is a place where they can be heard and make a difference.

Thanks guys, for the encouragement and words of wisdom, greatly appreciated. Nice to know that we're on the same page and pro-active. Looking forward to seeing some of you at the HAC - And yes, "2007", I am part of the VIH Norie family.

Splitpin, I'm saying that everyone's opinion counts, and any ideas you or any of your peers may have that would better the industry for us all are definitely important opinions. The HAC committee meetings are open to all HAC members, and HAC members can be corporate OR individual. If you want to make a difference, there's an avenue to do that - Whether it's contacting me or someone else who has chosen to get involved with the HAC, or whether you choose to join as an individual. Either way, there's an opportunity for your ideas and solutions to be heard.

Thanks guys, for all of your opinions. Everyone is entitled to their own and I appreciate the feedback. That being said, BM is correct in noting that everyone has a vote at the HAC - It's not just for owners but for operators, pilots, engineers alike. The purpose for the HAC is to better the Canadian heli industry as a whole - So everyone's opinion counts, at the HAC as well as in this forum. Jen

Good afternoon everyone, I'm writing this post with regards to the upcoming election for Chair of the Helicopter Association of Canada Air Taxi Committee. This election will take place at the HAC Convention in Vancouver (at the Air Taxi Committee meeting on Sunday, March 29th from 1300 – 1600) and I'm actively campaigning for the position. I believe I'm a strong candidate for this position because I'm hard working and enthusiastic with excellent communicative and leadership skills. If you guys elect me, I'll promote an active committee and together we will all work towards our common goal of improving the Canadian helicopter industry as a whole. Presently I am the GM of YYJ FBO Services Ltd. at the Victoria International Airport; I'm also currently the PR and Marketing Coordinator as well as Facilities Manager for the VIH Aviation Group. In the past I've spent time in Fort Nelson, BC as the Base Manager for VIH Helicopters and have been employed by Hawkair Aviation Ltd. as a Sales and Marketing Coordinator. I've also worked in various accounting firms and as an accounts assistant and an executive assistant for VIH Helicopters. To supplement my work experience, I've enrolled in various courses which include the Canadian Helicopter Operator and AMO Management Course, International Business and Commercial Law courses at the University of Victoria as well as the Bachelor of Business Management program at Dalhousie University. This combination of work and education experience has been very beneficial for my professional roles so far. I've gained communicative, management and leadership experience that has contributed to my growth on both a personal and professional level and I have earned the respect of more experienced peers in the workplace. Most importantly, I've learned that taking on a challenge is an opportunity to learn and grow. If elected, I will act as a facilitator for the Air Taxi Committee and will guide and direct discussions. I really look forward to collaborating with a cross section of Canadian helicopter operators to face industry challenges together and progress towards a mutually successful future. Thanks in advance for your time and consideration of my campaign, hopefully I'll be seeing you at the HAC Convention! Jen Norie

No news yet, 2 seriously injured during an auto rotation exercise, both passengers were trapped inside, the Coast Helicopter College R22 is pretty crushed.

www.vih.com VICTORIA, B.C. – MARCH 8, 2007 On March 7, 2007 the VIH Aviation Group (“VIH”) ended discussions with Discovery Air Inc. (“Discovery”) regarding a possible transaction between the two companies pursuant to an interim agreement signed by them in January 2007. VIH viewed the interim agreement with Discovery as a strategic merger of companies, with VIH joining Great Slave Helicopters and Air Tindi. Discovery, a relatively new public company, lead by experienced financial and banking persons also promised to VIH its expertise in and access to financial and public markets. As such, VIH also viewed the merger as a means to assist in the funding of VIH’s business growth over the years to come. After the signing of the letter of intent, VIH entered discussions regarding the details and the due diligence of the proposed merger. VIH provided Discovery with internal financial statements and budgets, which confirmed in detail the financial basis of the letter of intent and the projections given by VIH to Discovery in the letter of intent. VIH requested Discovery’s current financial information as VIH began its due diligence on Discovery, but Discovery resisted providing such information and as of March 7, 2007 this information still had not been provided to VIH. As VIH waited on the Discovery information it began discussions with Discovery regarding the details of the merger and each company’s respective visions for the management and future growth of the business. Over the course of recent conversations between VIH and David Taylor, CEO of Discovery, it became apparent that both businesses have a different vision of the strategic direction of the companies and their corporate management and governance in both the short term and long term. VIH has not divulged details of how specifically the negotiations broke down, but price was not the issue. Unfortunately, Discovery issued a unilateral statement on March 7, 2007 without the consent of VIH regarding Discovery’s perception of the status of the transaction. VIH believes that the Discovery statement regarding material differences was misleading and inaccurate. Based on Discovery’s unauthorized press release and the growing differences between VIH and Discovery’s vision for the future, VIH decided to terminate the letter of intent with Discovery Air Inc. on March 7, 2007. VIH continues to have great respect for Great Slave Helicopters and Air Tindi. In the future, VIH will look forward to continuing a relationship with both companies as VIH expands its IFR offshore and heavy lift business in the American and Canadian Arctic regions. VIH wishes Great Slave and Air Tindi well in their future endeavors. VIH is excited about its healthy charter business from coast to coast in Canada, its operations in several international markets, its ongoing new helicopter technology program (Sikorsky S92, Sikorsky S76D, and Bell 407 helicopters) and its growing repair, overhaul and manufacturing business. Additionally, VIH is pleased to announce that discussions for a joint venture in China with a major aviation group, as well as VIH sister company’s application for an extended Part 135 operating certificate in the USA for heavy lift transport operation, are expected to receive final approval this spring. Once these initiatives are completed, VIH, in addition to its existing Canadian operations, will be strategically positioned in the worlds largest helicopter market (the Gulf of Mexico) and the worlds largest emerging market (China). The VIH Aviation Group has been in business for over 50 years and is comprised of VIH Helicopters Inc., Cougar Helicopters Inc., VIH Aerospace Inc., and Western Airways Inc. The VIH Group operates a diverse fleet of helicopters consisting of 14 types including Sikorsky, Kamov, Eurocopter and Bell helicopters, and is an approved service centre for most major manufacturers. The VIH Group provides helicopter charters to various markets including: forestry, oil and gas exploration, air ambulance services, offshore oil and gas personnel transport, mining exploration, aerial construction and tourism sectors. VIH operates from several facilities across Canada and the USA with its head offices located at the Victoria International Airport in British Columbia, Canada. VIH has been leading the way in helicopter services for over 50 years and is looking forward to another 50 years of leadership.

Island helicopter takeover hits turbulence Both companies say $167-million deal has been terminated Darron Kloster, Times Colonist Published: Thursday, March 08, 2007 The blockbuster aviation deal to merge Vancouver Island Helicopters with Discovery Air Inc. has been grounded. Both sides announced late yesterday the proposed $167-million cash and share deal was terminated in the due-diligence process. The companies struck the proposal in late January and had expected to sign a formal agreement in May. London, Ont.-based Discovery Air (TSX:DA.A) issued a statement earlier yesterday saying it wanted to either lower the price tag or scrap the deal for VIH after noting "material issues" in a review of the agreement. A few hours later, the VIH Aviation Group formally terminated the interim agreement and both companies said the deal was off. Ken Norie, chief executive and president of Victoria-based VIH Aviation Group, did not divulge details of how specifically the deal broke down. In an interview, Norie said "Price was not the issue," adding the "differences were in the vision of going forward." The deal would have brought together two of Canada's largest helicopter companies and consolidated the fragmented Canadian niche aviation industry. Privately-held VIH Aviation, founded as Vancouver Island Helicopters in 1955, is one of Canada's largest helo companies with 60 aircraft, mostly heavy-lifters that work as aircranes in logging, oil and gas, and construction in Canada's coastal areas. Discovery operates Yellowknife-based Great Slave Helicopters, which dominates the charter market in Eastern and Northern Canada with 70 light and medium aircraft. Discovery Air had agreed to pay $50 million in cash and 65 million class A common shares, or about $117 million worth of stock at the current market price, as well as an option to buy two million Discovery Class A shares at $2 each over 10 years. No changes were planned at VIH, which operates five separate divisions, including a major helo repair centre, fuelling station and terminal at Victoria International Airport. The company, which had revenues of more than $125 million and earnings of $10 million last year, employs 280, about 100 of whom are based in Victoria. Norie would have remained CEO and become the largest shareholder of Discovery Air. In an interview earlier this year, Norie viewed the merger as a "bigger pond to play in" and a way of gaining more access to capital to finance new machines and go after bigger contracts. Norie said he has known the operators of Great Slave for years and there may be a silver lining to the crashed deal. He said there are hopes that the two companies can form a loose partnership involving aircraft, crews and various jobs. Discovery president David Taylor, who is also president and CEO of Pacific & Western Credit Corp. (TSX: PWC), was not immediately available for comment. Discovery Air shares were halted midway through yesterday's trading session, closing at $1.80, down five cents or 2.7 per cent.

The facts are; that this is just a rumor. The thing is though, everything is for sale for the right price