4th August 2005
Finance helps helicopters UK reach heights

A new flying company is aiming for greater heights after receiving a £15,000 boost from a fund specifically set up for small businesses operating in Devon's Objective 2 area.

The finance from the Devon Business Support Fund will help Helicopters UK, founded only nine months ago, become a fully self-contained operation.

The company, which organises leisure flights at venues all over the UK, is using the funding from South West Investment Group to purchase fire and rescue equipment and a fire support vehicle.

It will also be used to help the company obtain its own Air Operators Certificate enabling it to operate public transport flights.

In addition to the funding, Helicopters UK has also benefited from pre and post funding support from Business Link as part of the new fund which is also supported by Lloyds TSB.

According to Helicopters UK director Jasper Trumble, the combination of Business Link's business advice and the SWIG funding will help the company to secure its own Air Operators certificate - a key factor in the development of the company.

"It's an expensive and complicated process to obtain one's own certificate", says Jasper Trumble, a commercial helicopter pilot who heads the firm with his brother Toby, an aviation insurance broker, "but once we have it we will be truly self-contained.

"The aviation industry is a very difficult business to be successful in and we need to be in complete control of our own affairs and become totally self-reliant if we are to achieve our potential."

Target market for the company, which will have its mainoperational base at Exeter Airport and furtheroffices in Kingsbridge, is the pleasure flying sector as well as Helicopter Charter .

"It's a niche market where the competition in the South West of England is relatively limited ", says Jasper.

"It has great growth potential, too. Lots of people have flown on holiday but not many have experienced the distinct thrill of going aloft in a helicopter. It is an experience you never forget and this has been confirmed by some real positive feedback from passengers that have already flown with us.

"Along with the flights we will soonalso beoffering a brand new service involving a photographic and downloadable video package, providing passengers with a permanent record of their memorable experience."

Jasper carried out the majority of his training in the States before completing his commercial flying course and the required 15 Airline Transport Pilot Licence theory exams back in the UK. Up until the formation of Helicopters UK Ltd he has been flying for a Hotel based in the Westcountry.

"The Devon Business Support Fund is going to help us significantly ", he adds. "It is not easy to get financial backing for a business where the risks are high, and we are extremely grateful for the faith SWIG and Business Link have shown in us." For further information on Helicopters UK visit www.flyhuk.com.

Richard Knight - financial advisor for Business Link who provides the pre and post funding support for the Objective 2 Devon fund said Helicopters UK was a business with great potential which would benefit greatly from the new funding.

"From the outset Jasper and Toby have had a clear vision for the company. Central to that vision is achieving the Air Operators Certificate so we are delighted that the funding will be go towards this and essential infrastructure in the fire and rescue equipment," said Richard.