Time Flies When You're Flying Tours

Blue Hawaiian Helicopters has logged 10,000 flight hours on its high-time Eurocopter EC130 - the single-engine rotorcraft that was launched by this premier Hawaiian tour operator in 2001.

The achievement was recognized during a ceremony at the HELI-EXPO 2009 exhibition in Anaheim, California, where Blue Hawaiian CEO and owner Dave Chevalier and President Patti Chevalier were presented with a commemorative American Eurocopter plaque and an EC130 scale model.

"As the EC130's first customer and a recognized innovator in the helicopter tourism industry, it is highly appropriate that we honor Blue Hawaiian for this key operational milestone," said Marc Paganini, American Eurocopter's President and CEO.  "Blue Hawaiian has been a leader in introducing quiet technology rotorcraft in the air tour isector, and is one of the most active operators in promoting the ecological benefits of touring scenic areas by helicopter."

In addition to being the EC130's launch customer, Blue Hawaiian also came up with the aircraft's "Eco-Star" designation, underscoring its ultra-quiet, eco-efficient operation - which is particularly important in environmentally-conscious regions such as Hawaii.

Other EC130 advantages for aerial tour operators include the helicopter's increased cabin space and comfort with individual seats for each passenger, improved visibility through a wrap-around glass cockpit, state-of-the-art avionics, and Eurocopter's advanced main rotor and Fenestron tail rotor technology.

Blue Hawaiian currently operates an all-Eurocopter fleet of nine EC130s and eight AS350B2s from its bases on Maui, the Big Island of Hawaii, Ohau and Kauai - with four new EC130s to be added by the company later this year. 

In addition to its scenic flights, Blue Hawaiian provides charters and also handles utility services such as firefighting, search and rescue, power line patrol and the transportation of external loads.

Blue Hawaiian's active role in the air tour industry includes its work on flight and safety issues/regulations for operations over national park areas, which has been coordinated through the Helicopter International Association with the Federal Aviation Administration and U.S. National Park Service.

FMI: www.eurocopterusa.com, http://www.bluehawaiian.com