10/06/2005 - The Australian
Antarctic Division (AAD) has again awarded
its helicopter contract for work in Antarctica
over the next five years to Australian company,
Helicopter Resources Pty Ltd.
AAD Air Transport Manager Charlton Clark
said that the $7.5 million contract chalked
up a remarkably successful 25-year association
between the two organisations.
Mr Clark said that in addition to its connection
with the AAD, Helicopter Resources Pty Ltd
had flown in Antarctica with other countries’
programs giving it, in all, 28 years and more
than 23,000 hours of flight operations on
the frozen continent.
“This includes deployment on behalf of relevant
government agencies for the governments of
Germany, China, Italy and Pakistan over a
vast area of Antarctica and the sub-Antarctic
Heard and MacquarieIslands.
“While the head office of Helicopters Resources
is in Victoria, its Tasmanian operations which
support Australia’s Antarctic Programme has
been located at Hobart’s CambridgeAirport
since 1985 signalling the company’s commitment
to its relationship with the AAD.
“Tasmanian manager of Helicopter Resources
and pilot, Leigh Hornsby, has participated
in expeditions to Antarctica for the past
quarter of a century and, in 1995, received
the Australian Antarctic Medal which is awarded
to those who have made a unique and significant
contribution to service in Antarctica outside
of normal duties.
“Antarctica is renowned for its ability to
throw up unexpected weather conditions without
warning. The AAD has been particularly fortunate
in its association with Leigh Hornsby and
his team on whose expertise we can rely,”
Mr Clark said.
The AAD has used helicopters in support of
Antarctic operations since 1958. They have
played a crucial role in maintaining the permanent
stations of Mawson, Casey, Davis and MacquarieIsland.
The Eurocopter AS350BA ‘Squirrel’ helicopter,
introduced to Antarctic service in 1986, is
currently used in a variety of roles including
assisting ship navigation through pack ice,
ship to shore transfer of personnel and cargo
and support of glaciological, oceanographical,
biological and geological ship and station-based
programs.
