Canadian Helicopters is a Canadian company whose head office is based in Quebec. With a fleet of 128 helicopters, the company is the fifth largest helicopter operator in the world. Rotor Journal met up with Jean-Pierre Blais, the company president.

You are no longer part of CHC Helicopters. What changes took place in September 2005?
Jean-Pierre Blais: On 9 September 2005, we became a public company, registered on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) under the code CHL.UN (see photo on the right). This initial public issue allowed us to buy back all of the shares in our company held by CHC Helicopters. Consequently, we became an independent company, completely separate from CHC Helicopters.

And now you are one of the biggest helicopter operators in the world…
J.-.P.B.: We are the fifth biggest helicopter operator to be precise - with 128 aircraft in service including 49 Eurocopter helicopters. We have always been very big fans of the Ecureuil/AStar and our 49 Eurocopter aircraft all come from this range (AS350 D, B, BA, B2, AS355 F1, F2).

Why did you opt for Ecureuil/AStar aircraft?
J.-.P.B.: We are a long-standing Eurocopter customer and, when the first Ecureuils arrived in Quebec at the end of the 1970s, we were naturally the first to snap these aircraft up. Moreover, it was love at first sight for one of our biggest customers, Hydro Quebec. This company insisted we buy these helicopters, which we did, and we are very pleased with this decision.
Even then, Eurocopter aircraft were a cut above the rest of the competition.
At the time, the Ecureuil/AStars had a very open cabin, which was a major advantage over the Bell 206, for example.
Generally speaking, Eurocopter aircraft match the needs and requirements of our customers perfectly: they are reliable, great performers when it comes to lifting heavy loads, and… they look great!

In which sectors do you operate?
J.-.P.B.: We propose a very wide range of missions and helicopter services in different sectors of activity such as infrastructure maintenance, utilities, oil and gas, logging, mining and construction. In the oil sector, for example, we take part in geophysical exploration, prospecting for oil and gas throughout North America.
We are also very active in pipeline planning, construction, and operating. Silviculture is another sector in which we work, performing reforestation with our helicopters. We also spray herbicides and fight forest fires and, occasionally, we are asked to perform aerial ignition, infrared scanning, cone collection, aerial seeding and fertilizing, and GPS and video mapping.
Another field of activity is to facilitate access to isolated regions for environmental programs, hydrometric surveys, geotechnical and engineering studies, and aerial support to construction projects such as hydro-electric power stations and TV transmission towers. We also inspect and maintain high voltage power lines. In the mining sector, we offer helicopter support to mining exploration programs in some of Canada’s most remote regions.
We take geologists there, bring back mineral samples, relocate drilling machines, and provide logistic support to mining industry field camps.
Finally, a major part of our operations consists in performing EMS (Emergency Medical Services) missions.
Our aim is to be responsive and to offer the best possible comfort to all of our passengers.
We fly in very inhospitable environments. Both personnel and aircraft are equipped to work in what are often extreme conditions where the onus is always on maximum safety and efficiency, and minimum damage to the environment.

What are your future projects?
J.-.P.B.: Our strategy is based on three factors: organic growth, growth through acquisition, and growth through related activities. Canada is a vast country, where we have 43 bases and, every year, we perform thousands of missions from the Atlantic to the Pacific oceans. Our growth will therefore be adapted to the demand from our current and potential customers and the analysis of their requirements. There is no doubt that our expansion will also be closely related to the acquisition of other companies, meeting very precise selection criteria. Concerning related activities, we run three flying schools and have just signed a military aircraft maintenance and training contract worth almost 195 million dollars over 22 years. Seize the day…