Brantlys Over The Bay... Has A Nice Ring To It...

Citing a looming shortage of well-trained professional helicopter pilots, two Tampa, FL-area businessmen recently announced the opening of SunHelo Aviation, and commenced training operations from Albert Whitted Airport in downtown St. Petersburg, FL.

Mark Ebenhoch and Paul Buckley, both of PaulMark Inc., launched the company, which will fly Brantly helicopters.

"According to industry sources, 25 percent of professional helicopter pilots will be retiring in the next few years," said Buckley. "These are mostly Vietnam veteran pilots. As a result, job availability and salaries have been climbing steeply for three or four years now. It's a great time to consider a career as a helicopter pilot."

SunHelo Aviation presently offers training toward the private, commercial and instructor licenses. Buckley says the company will add instrument ratings and Airline Transport License to its curriculum soon.

The company also offers Brantly helicopter sales and service, and is negotiating with the factory in order to sell and service factory-new machines.

"We chose the Brantly B2B helicopter partly because of its low acquisition and operating costs compared to other helicopters in its class but also because of its superior safety record and certain unique features that make it an excellent trainer as well as an attractive personal helicopter," according to Ebenhoch. "The Brantly has a unique double-articulated main rotor system that provides a smoother ride with virtually no 'shudder' when accelerating from a hover through translational lift. Its oleo-strut equipped skids smooth out clumsy landings and virtually eliminates the danger of 'ground resonance'."

SunHelo Aviation has plans to apply for FAA certification of its flight school soon in order to make it available to veterans and foreign students. A turbine helicopter operation based in Puerto Rico is also under consideration.

FMI: www.sunhelo.com