Flying diploma coming soon

A WESTERN Australian-based aviation company is close to bringing its dreams of an advanced diploma in aviation studies to fruition.

Heliwest, a company formed by two former aviation engineers David Grimes and Alan Bailey has been working with the WA Aviation College for the past six months to create the course.

The 48-week diploma course, which will have its first intake in early 2004, will have international recognition.

Graduates will be certified to have achieved the licence category of commercial pilot along with the theoretical requirements for a command instrument rating. Both certifications are granted by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and are recognised worldwide by the International Civil Aviation Organisation.

The course will cover both fixed wing aircraft and helicopters and be open to both Australian and international students.

Mr Bailey said the diploma course was the most significant thing the company had been working on.

This year it has also managed to conclude a merger with well-known helicopter charter operation Preston Helicopters.

Preston Helicopters co-owners Jo and Mike Firth have both agreed to stay on with Heliwest for at least 12 months to oversee the change over.

They ran the business along with Bruce McVee.

Besides its flight training operations Heliwest’s main focuses were aircraft spare parts and helicopter and aircraft leasing.

It did have a charter operation but Mr Bailey said that had been largely dormant.

Preston, on the other hand, had a strong charter operation operating scenic tourist lights, private charters and held several Government contracts including those with the Fire and Emergency Service Authority and Western Power.

Indeed, the bulk of the company’s work was from government and local government authorities.

The business was started in 1990 and became a staple around the city with its flights from a site on the Perth City Council side of the Swan River.

One of its most high profile customers was former Jackson Five singer Jermaine Jackson who chartered one of Preston’s helicopters during his visit to WA in 2000 to look at business and property opportunities.

Ms Firth said the decision to sell Preston to Heliwest had been easy to make.

"I guess it was an opportunity that was too good to refuse," she said.

With the acquisition, Preston’s government contracts continue over to Heliwest.

It also expands Heliwest’s seven helicopter fleet that includes two Bell 47 training helicopters – the style of helicopter used in the television series MASH – four Bell Jetrangers and a Hughes 500D.

Mr Bailey said with the integration of Preston into Heliwest close to complete, it would be time to concentrate on marketing the new business.

Besides its helicopter and aeroplane operations in WA, Heliwest also has three fixed wing aircraft on lease to operators in Queensland.

Mr Bailey said that was a set and forget type of operation.

"However, we handle the maintenance and the insurance of the aircraft and keep the spare parts up to them," he said.