Las Vegas-based sightseeing operator Maverick Helicopters has ordered 14 Eurocopter EC130s. By the time all the light helicopters are in service in 2008, the company will be the biggest operator of the type in the world, with 35 aircraft.
Maverick sales and marketing vice-president John Buch says that the order comes in the wake of significant growth in demand for Grand Canyon tours. “Business has grown by 30-40% over each of the last four years and during 2005 we carried a record 90,000 passengers,” he says.
Maverick owner Greg Rocha says the EC130 is essentially an upgraded AS350B A-Star with an enlarged cabin. Operating the type has required Maverick to deal with some weight and balance issues, Rocha says. Despite relocating some avionics, the extra seat up front is only suitable for smaller passengers, forcing the company to reduce its passenger numbers to six.
Maverick began services 10 years ago with one AS350, but is now phasing out the type in favour of the quieter and larger EC130 because of forthcoming US park service noise regulations.
Source: Flight International
