An addition to local Helifix chopper fleet

By SHEILA LASIBORI
A LOCALLY owned helicopter company, Helifix Investments Ltd, has successfully brought into the country another helicopter, bringing its total fleet to three.
And the latest inclusion has reportedly shown the continued assistance and partnership between the company and Telikom PNG Ltd, which had over the years relied on Helifix to transport its technicians to some of its towers, most of them situated in some of the country’s rugged terrains.
The Canadian-made Bell 206 L3 long ranger bearing the Telikom logo, arrived in Port Moresby last Friday after it was airlifted from Switzerland to Brisbane, Australia.
Capt James Pima flew the aircraft from Brisbane to Cairns before arriving at Laloki in Central province, where the two waiting helicopters escorted it to NCD.
Helifix chief executive officer Robert Agarobe said the aircraft was purchased at more than K4.4 million (US$1.5 million), and while in Brisbane, it was certified and put under the PNG registration and was also painted with the Telikom logo.
Independent Public Business Corporation (IPBC) chairman Sumasy Singin acknowledged Helifix’s partnership with the Defence Force and police, in providing training to PNGDF aircraft engineers and the technical checks on “Eye in the Sky”.
Also present during the occasion were police commissioner Gari Baki, PNGDF commander Commodore Peter Ilau, electoral commissioner Andrew Trawen, and Nasfund joint CEO Ian Tarutia.