Visits : Heli OPERATIONS, SOMERTON

We gathered in a large warehouse in Somerton with gloomy skies outside but gleaming anticipation inside.

Greeted by Mark, the Chief Operations Officer, he briefed us about the companies start-up and the entrepreneurial spirit of a civilian organisation flying on the military register to supply training to foreign governments. Currently based around the venerable Sea King Helicopter because there are still air arms around the world with this type in service and will be for a good few years to come.

Surrounded by thirteen Sea King airframes, we were allowed to wander at will and if doors were open and access platforms in place, climb inside to view interiors and sit in cockpits. These airframes are a spares source to keep the company’s two flying examples in the air. There were endless rows of shelves stacked with boxes of parts (1.5 million was the estimate). This was the complete inventory of spares for Sea King bought from the MoD when Sea King went out of service. Engines and gearboxes down to stringers and spare bulbs. Could they actually build a new one by drawing on this extensive stock was one question? A probable yes was the reply if given the right sized cheque and a couple of years!

Mark continued the tour in an informal way with details about the companies operations, the airframes and in looking to the future with the recent purchase of an AW159 airframe. No mean feat given Mark’s service career was all about the Sea Harrier.

The company’s flying activities are conducted from the former HMS Osprey at Portland, but potentially, an airworthy aircraft could be flown out or delivered to this maintenance facility.

This was an absolute gem of a visit for we aircraft enthusiasts, so a huge thank you to Rosanne for the arrangements and to Mark for allowing us access and being our host. The sandwiches and chips at the White Hart, Somerton were very welcome afterwards as well.