In reply to ScraggyGoat:
So who are all these guys?
BOND
BP's SAR contractor.
Scottish Ambulance Service contractor.
Already well represented on the ARCC state board.
Now part of INEAR (who have a complementary small and medium a/c fleet).
Super Puma fleet: AS332L2 & EC225 including SAR. Sixteen S-92 on order.
http://www.bondaviationgroup.com/
http://www.inaer.com/home
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bondaviationgroup/6829988692/in/photostream
BRISTOW
Owned by Air Logistics, now renamed Bristow Group Inc.
The BIG player, mainly because of proven capability through over 10000 SAR missions and about 40 years of relationship with the Coastguard. Inevitably seen as a safe pair of hands. Recently awarded the (2) northern bases in the MCA's Gap contract.
Already operating S-92, EC225 & AS332L2 including SAR.
http://www.bristowgroup.com/
http://www.bristowgroup.com/helicopter-services/search-and-rescue/
http://www.bristowsar.com/slide3/
CHC
"But what is the black spot, captain?"
Should be a big player but falters here and there.
Their commercial behaviour brought down the original contract process.
The current contractor at the four MCA helicopter SAR bases.
Recently awarded the (2) southern bases in the MCA's Gap contract. There isn't enough evidence to kick them off the pitch.
Already operating S-92, EC225 & AS332L2. World's first and biggest operator of EC225 but in 2007 still chose S-92 for SAR in the UK.
http://www.chc.ca/
http://www.chcsar.com/
FB HELI
Joint Venture: Bristow and Cobham.
Small/medium helicopters training and operations, including training the military's SAR crews. An establish government contractor with many of the right pieces of the jigsaw already in place and further corporate mass behind them.
http://www.fbheliservices.com
http://www.fbheliservices.com/sites/default/files/FBH_BROCHURE.pdf
NHV
Belgian offshore, industrial and HEMS (incl Ardennes) contractor operating small and medium helicopters. In the UK, already operating out of Norwich.
Operating MD Explorer through to Dauphin (EC155).
(Winching with a Dauphin? B1g b4lls!)
http://www.nhv.be/
OSPREY
Consortium of British International Helicopters, ERA and Babcock.
BIH have been around for a long time operating large passenger aircraft on a public route and doing government contracts across the UK. ERA are a major southern US player from Lake Charles, Louisiana, and does SAR. Babcock are big news in defence.
A bit of a jigsaw but I can't see any pieces missing, so difficult to dismiss.
Already operate S-61N, EC225, AW139 including SAR.
http://www.islesofscillyhelicopter.com/
http://www.erahelicopters.com/content
and also, some big bruisers on thin ice
LOCKHEED MARTIN
Major defence contractor with a turnover like a small country. LM say jump and governments ask 'how high?'. Just a name and an office as far as this competition is concerned since, as far as I can tell, they have no experience in helicopter SAR or as any kind of helicopter operator. If they got the contract they'd probably have to shout at somebody very loudly whilst waving a fistful of dollars in order to make things happen.
http://www.lockheedmartin.co.uk
EVERGREEN
Major cargo operator and significant helo ops. These guys operate a Aerospatiale Lama for rescues from Denali.
Already operate SA330 Puma, S-61, Lama and others, including SAR.
Not really expecting to hear of them again in this competition though.
http://www.evergreenaviation.com
http://www.evergreenaviation.com/EHI/
ELBIT SYSTEMS
Military avionics maker and trainer. Military logistics contractor in some territories.
Not a helicopter operator.
Not expecting to hear more about them in this competition.
http://www.elbitsystems.com/
EUROCOPTER
The world's biggest helicopter manufacturer.
Like Elbit, not a helicopter operator, but manufacturing, logistics and training resources coming out their ears.
Perhaps, like Elbit, they just turned up to meet the boys and sell kit.
Don't give up your day job.
Next!
http://www.eurocopter.co.uk/
If I got any of this wrong, usual routine: click on my name to send an email.