Helicopter company to aid emergency services
It’s refreshing to know now we will be able to help as soon as they need it. NAUTILUS CEO AARON FINN
A FAR North Queensland based helicopter service has spent $300,000 upgrading its services to help save lives.
Nautilis Aviation announced upgrades to the Bell412 aircraft earlier this week which will assist during search and rescue call-outs.
The money spent will “tick all the boxes” the government requires in an emergency aircraft, according to Nautilus CEO Aaron Finn.
The upgrades include added GPS units to assist in night flying and navigating through bad weather, weather and radar gauge, night vision goggles to aid in a successful search or rescue, and new radios for air traffic control.
Mr Finn said the business would now have a “real push” for emergency services.
“In the past, we weren’t able to help because of government push back. They have very strict but reasonable guidelines to ensure safety when these rescues are happening,” he said.
“It’s refreshing to know now we will be able to help as soon as they need it.”
Mr Finn said they also hired two ex-ambulance pilots to help with the operation.
“It won’t take away from our work for the tourism sector. Our focus will always be to give people a memorable experience of our rainforests and the reef,” he said.
Mr Finn said the money spent towards their Bell412 was out of their own pocket and without government funding.
“We did it purely for public service,” he said.
“It does mean that unless we get funding in the future, this will be the only emergency services upgrade we will be able to make.”
Nautilis Aviation offers scenic flights across North Queensland over the reef and rainforests, as well as commercial services for large businesses such as mining and media companies.
The company has 42 helicopters.