Brazilian corporate helicopter operators are being pushed towards the early introduction of twin-engined helicopters as fears for personal safety grow. Several life insurers have banned the use of single-engined aircraft on popular S‹o Paulo city shuttle services.
Jorge Bitar, managing director of corporate shuttle operator Helimarte, says he is in talks with an investor to acquire an Agusta A109 this year to add to his six single-engined aircraft. "The life insurance companies are starting to insist on twin-engined helicopters for their clients," says Bitar. In a few years, all VIP transport above the city could be subject to similar clauses, he says.
Säo Paulo city has around 350 helicopters operating air taxis along 17 civil aviation authority-defined airspace corridors, largely due to road congestion and personal safety fears (Flight International, 11-17 March). Felipe Silva, sales manager of the Emiliano hotel, which operates one of Säo Paulo's busiest financial district helipads, says his clients are increasingly replacing the locally built Eurocopter AS350B Esquilos with twin-engined variants.
Many corporate helicopter providers were at last week's Latin American Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition in Säo Paulo.
Source: Flight International
