Helifix to operate fixed-wing aircraft

By BOSORINA ROBBY
HELICOPTER provider Helifix will introduce fixed-wing aircraft to its fleet.
Chief executive Robert Agarobe announced this at the arrival of the company’s 13th helicopter and the third Bell 407 unit last Friday.
The aircraft of choice for the company were the grand caravans, such as the popular Cessna.
Joining the other light and medium helicopters, this Bell 407 was bought in Germany and shipped to Australia for assembling before being flown to Port Moresby by Capt Sam Onno.
Agarobe said with the demand for helicopter services on the rise, the company had decided to bring in two specially modified and designed fixed wing caravans this year to assist in their work.
Agarobe said the past years had been very good for the company in terms of safety and standards with no accidents.
He said they would concentrate on promoting safety this year with an upgrade to all their aircraft, as well as on marketing their brand and colours.
Agarobe said the successful expansion of the company was to show other Papua New Guineans that they too could achieve success.
“We were set up to prove a point, not to make a profit.
“With the LNG project and other joint ventures we are undertaking, we have done everything right and have become a household name,” he said.
Agarobe said the growth in the resource sector and the election preparations for this year had seen Helifix increase its helicopter fleet to cater for the increased demands.
During the past 18 months, Helifix hired highly experienced and professional staff, including a quality and safety manager, flight operations manager, engineer manager, chief engineer and a maintenance controller.
The company’s profile said that Helifix had been audited by the following resources companies: Oil Search Ltd, Harmony Gold, Barrick, Talisman, BHP Billiton, Highlands Pacific, Xstrata and SAE Exploration and was found to satisfy their standards.