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News Releases News Letter Archives
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SOLOY CESSNA 207 FERRIED TO CHILE
For many months, Rodrigo Noriega, Chief Pilot, for a conservation foundation, worked diligently with Soloy’s Art Gunderson to search for a turbine powered aircraft to add to the foundation’s fleet. A turbine was needed because Avgas was getting scarce and expensive in Patagonia where the foundation’s property is located. The original private property known as the Renihue Ranch consisted of 42,000 acres of pristine evergreen temperate rain forest. Later, the Conservation Land Trust added 700,000 acres to form the Pumalin Park.
Rodrigo selected a Soloy Cessna 207, which was prepared in accordance with his configuration requirements and prepared for the long ferry flight home.
Dave Stauffer wishes Rodrigo farewell (top photo) and Rodrigo prepares to leave for Chile (bottom photo).
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Once complete, the aircraft was test flown and inspected by visiting Chilean maintenance personnel and airworthiness authorities and received a Chilean Airworthiness Certificate. Rodrigo received a flight type rating with Soloy’s Chief Pilot, Paul Haggland. Before he left, a major eruption of the Chaiten Volcano occurred so Rodrigo received additional instruction on the care of the Rolls-Royce engine’s compressor while operating in the very harsh environment that would be present on his return.
Rodrigo returned home to find his home and ramp covered in fine ash from recent volcanic activity which reminded us of our experiences in 1980 with Mount St. Helens.
Rodrigo’s fleet greatly assists in the development of what is essentially a private “National” Park. The park includes non-uniformed rangers on agricultural lands adjacent to the National Sanctuary. Small farms with productive activities such as animal husbandry, cheese making, eco-tourism, wool handcrafts and organic gardens are simultaneously park stations and visitor information centers.
We hope to have more on Rodrigo’s adventures in Patagonia in the next newsletter.
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SECOND QUARTER SD1/SD2 DELIVERIES
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Activities in the second quarter of 2008 continue to flourish with new operators as well as return customers.
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Heliproducts of British Columbia took delivery of their tenth SD2 conversion kit which is currently being installed and is destined for Wood Buffalo Helicopters of Fort McMurray, Alberta.
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Heliproducts also completed the installation of a kit, delivered earlier, in an AS350B2 belonging to High Terrain Helicopters of Nelson, British Columbia.
High Terrain’s SD2 converted by Heliproducts
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Eagle Med, a division of Ballard Aviation, took delivery of their second SD2 kit. Eagle Med, located in Wichita, Kansas, operates EMS services throughout the Midwest.
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CDC Helicopters are the first operator in France to commence the installation of the Soloy conversion kit. After a troublefree installation, flight testing commenced in mid-June.
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An SD2 kit was delivered to Hahn Helicopters GmbH in Germany also in mid-June.
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Heli Austria GmbH, formerly Knaus Helicopters, has their first SD2 in service and performing to expectations.
Heli Austria’s SD2 performing long –line operations in Austria’s mountainous region. Photo credit to Phil Knaus.
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Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters took delivery of their fourth SD2 conversion kit.
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Mountain Life Flight brought their AS350BA to Olympia for conversion to SD1 specifications and a 12 year inspection. This is the first SD1 to include a Platinum configuration LTS101-600A-3A engine. Mountain Life Flight is based in Susanville, California and provides a regional EMS operation using both fixed and rotary winged aircraft.
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Selkirk Mountain Helicopters of British Columbia, Canada has purchased a previously converted SD2 from Avialta Helicopters of Alberta, Canada.
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Pacific Crown Helicopters of Australia have purchased four SD2 kits to date. The first was delivered to Shorland Air Services, with the second going to Thomas Paul Construction and the third to Heli-West all located in Australia. The fourth will be delivered next month to EPS Helicopters also of Australia.
Shorland’s SD2 sits atop Australia’s highest point, Mount Koscuisko. The helicopter was assisting National Geographic with some filming work.
Heli-West is one of Australia’s leading helicopter companies operating out of bases at Jandakot Airport, Perth City, and Newman Airport in the Pilbara Region of Western Australia.
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AT LAST
Soloy’s Tail Rotor Drive Shaft Cover Heat Shield Kit has finally been approved and distribution has begun.
Existing SD1 and SD2 operators can incorporate Service Instruction 920-01 or 900-02 by contacting Soloy’s Parts Department.
Delivery of all future kits will now include the heat shield components.
FOR SALE
AS350SD2: Zero time since Eurocopter conversion to AS350B2, zero time since Honeywell engine conversion. Available August. Price $1,900,000. Call Nick Parkinson for details (360-754-7000).
ENGINES: A selection of LTS101-600A-3A’s, all zero time since overhaul, are available. Call Nick Parkinson for details on individual engines (360-754-7000).
SOLOY EMPLOYEES HONORED FOR TWENTY YEARS OF SERVICE
John Miller, Operations Manager, and Dale Brant, Product Support Manager, (left to right) were recently honored at Soloy for twenty consecutive years of service. They are pictured here with Dave Stauffer, CEO (right).
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SOLOY EMPLOYEES ENJOY OLYMPIA AIRSHOW / BBQ
A good time was enjoyed by all, young and old, when Soloy employees, family and friends turned out at Soloy’s facility on Fathers Day weekend to watch the Olympia Air Show while enjoying a barbeque.
One highlight of the Airshow was when the USAF T38 flew, piloted by Nick Parkinson’s son, Darryl (pictured below). Darryl who has been in the USAF for 17 years (after working for Soloy briefly) is based out of San Antonio, Texas.
During the brief intermission, Joel Shaw presented his unique Bubble Airshow! (Below)
Rocky Poyns assists with a crime scene investigation! (Right)
Capt. Phil Poeppelman, husband of Olympic Air Museum Administration, Elizabeth, demonstrated the Boeing C-17 during the show on Saturday, June 14th.
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Coulson Aircrane Ltd. formed a new division in 2007, Coulson Flying Tankers, when it purchased the world-renowned Martin Mars Flying Tankers. The Martin JRM-3 Mars began service with the U.S. Navy in 1944 and were retired from military service in the mid 1950’s after 80,000 hours of use. These aircraft were two of five Martin Mars aircraft used to service the Pearl Harbor Navy Base for freight and people transportation between the Hawaiian Islands and San Francisco. Pictured here is Coulson Flying Tankers, recently acquired Soloy Cessna 206 Mark 1, parked in front of one of the mighty Mars Flying Boats at Coulson’s Port Alberini base.
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