British Airways Helicopters

Helicopter Experimental Unit

Established in July 1947 and starting in early 1948, British European Airways (BEA) had operated a Helicopter Experimental Unit. It initially operated a fleet of five helicopters sourced from the United States - three Sikorsky S-51s and two Bell 47s.

The unit operated timetabled mail services in East Anglia during 1948 using their Westland-Sikorsky S51s. A scheduled passenger service was operated during 1950 between Cardiff (Pengam Moors), Wrexham and Liverpool (Speke), also utilising the S-51s. In June 1951, BEA introduced helicopter services between Northolt Aerodrome, Hay Mills Rotor Station in Birmingham and London Heathrow, operated by a pair of S-51s. These services were followed in June 1954 by a passenger service between Southampton Eastleigh Airport, Heathrow and Northolt, operated by Westland Whirlwind helicopters. The 1955 passenger service was flown between Birmingham, Heathrow and Gatwick Airport, with leased Bristol 171s.

British European Airways Helicopters Ltd. and British Airways Helicopters Ltd.

A separate company was formed in early 1964 and operated the first service between Penzance and the Scilly Islands on 1 May 1964 with a Sikorsky S-61. The airline expanded into offshore oil & gas support flights from July 1965, from an operating base at Beccles Airfield, in Suffolk. Operations from Aberdeen Airport started in July 1967 and in 1971 from Sumburgh Airport.

The company was involved in setting up the Airlink high-frequency helicopter shuttle service between Gatwick and Heathrow airports in 1978. It was responsible for engineering and maintenance of the BAA-owned helicopter and for providing the flight crew. Cabin crew were from British Caledonian as was passenger handling at Gatwick. Heathrow handling was by British Airways.

With the change of name of the parent on 31 March 1974 the airline was renamed British Airways Helicopters Ltd. In 1981, the airline bought six Boeing Vertol BV-234 Chinooks for use on the offshore oil support flights.

In 1986, the airline was sold by British Airways to Robert Maxwell's Maxwell Aviation and renamed British International Helicopters on September, 23. The successor company still operated the Penzance-Isles of Scilly route forty years after it was first scheduled, until it was cancelled on October 31, 2012.

1964–86 Sikorsky S-61

1968–84 Agusta-Bell 206 JetRanger

1974–81 Sikorsky S-58T

1978–83 Bell 212

Accidents and incidents

On 11 March 1983 a Sikorsky S-61N (registration G-ASNL) crashed in the North Sea, 75 nautical miles (139 km) north east of Aberdeen. All crew and passengers were rescued but the helicopter sank and had to be recovered from the sea bed.

On 16 July 1983 a Sikorsky S-61N (registered G-BEON) crashed on approach to St Mary's Airport, Isles of Scilly with the loss of 19 passengers and one crew member.

On 2 May 1984 a Boeing 234 (registered G-BISO) crashed in the East Shetland Basin of the North Sea, 8 miles (13 km) north west of the Cormorant Alpha platform. Crew and all passengers were rescued by other helicopters and boats. Although not damaged in the accident the helicopter sank after 85 minutes. The aircraft was recovered for post accident investigation and later refurbished to fly again.