Houston Helicopters

Holden · December 12, 2006

So does anybody know what the deal is with the fleet of JetRangers/LongRangers for sale on Ebay? They have Houston Helicopters painted on them. Anybody konw anything about these ships? I think they are asking like around $620k for the LongRangers. Doesn't have any component times listed so who knows if that's a good deal or not. I think they are only L1's too. Any info appreciated. Thanks.

Jeff · December 12, 2006

Maybe they got some new helicopters and are selling the old ones.

Gomer Pylot · December 13, 2006

Houston Helicopters isn't likely to buy any new equipment. And what it has may or may not have been maintained at all. The FAA pulled their 135 certificate, and the personal pilot certificate of Felton Baker, the owner, a few years ago over maintenance issues. They weren't logging the flight time in the maintenance records, and were doing paper mainenance. They eventually got the 135 certificate back after Felton promised to never have anything to do with the company again. Much of its fleet was leased out to his brother-in-law who ran Industrial Helicopters. My company bought some of their S76s, which had been flying customers the day before our inspectors checked them out, and wouldn't even issue a ferry permit - they were trucked out. I wouldn't touch any of their equipment with a very, very long pole. Plan to spend the purchase price again, or close to that, to get them flyable. They're all very, very old, early 80s at the newest. Junk, junk, junk.

Edited December 13, 2006 by Gomer Pylot

oldcobrapilot · December 15, 2006

GOM,

Would you tell me what you know about Air Logistics LLC , New Iberia, La.

Solid co. ? Good rep. ?

Thanks,

Cobra

Gomer Pylot · December 16, 2006

Yes. Solid company, good rep, good union.

gmsemel · December 16, 2006

As Gomer Pylot said, real junk and I mean real junk, I was dumb enough to spend a week there. I just walked away. Air Log is a good place to be. Never worked for them. But I have friends that have and do. If the helicopters for sale were in any kind of reasonable shape, he sure would not try to sell them on E-bay. They are looking for some sap with money and no brains.

oldcobrapilot · December 16, 2006

Thanks for the quick reply.

The low flight hour requirements caught my attention.

Would the new hires with low flight hours and no gulf experience be doing some of the

less demanding flying? Pipeline patrol, etc.?

Thanks,

Cobra

"A book never flew a helicopter, candidate!!!" Some Old Crusty IP At Ft. Rucker,Al.

Turboshaft · December 16, 2006

Holden,

Do you still have the URL for the Houston Helos sale? Couldn't locate the ships on eBay. Just interested to see a fleet sale being handled in this way.

Thanks.

Gomer Pylot · December 17, 2006

Generally new hires start out flying 206s in the Gulf. That's pretty much standard throughout the industry. However, there are opportunities for upgrading, depending on experience and preferences.