There are more than 250 operators in Alaska licensed under Parts 121 and 135 of the Federal Aviation Regulations as air carriers, air taxis and charter providers. They are based in all areas of the state from Southeast to the North Slope, from the Interior to the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta. Companies range in size from single pilot owner-operators to rosters that include dozens of captains and co-pilots. They fly everything from single-engine Cessna 185s to De Havilland Dash 8 twin turbo-props carrying up to 37 passengers. The range and depth of Alaska's aviation industry is as vast as the state it serves. In this occasional series, Bush Pilot will highlight the diversity of that industry and introduce readers to the many different ways that aviation is an integral part of Alaskan life and business.
Era Helicopters traces its thoroughly Alaska roots back to 1948 and the delivery of the then-territory's first helicopter. Carl Brady's arrival that year with his two-bladed, single-engine Bell 47A announced a permanent shift in how Alaska's terrain would be mapped and surveyed. As Brady explained in a 2003 interview in "Rotor" magazine:
In 1948 the U.S. Geological Survey put out an experimental bid to map the northern half of Chichigof Island near Juneau. They had spent 7 years mapping the southern half, which is pretty smooth and level compared to the northern half, which is mostly peaks and valleys and that type of terrain. They offered me a contract to fly that area and carry the surveyors around. They did triangle mapping and had flat tables where they drew out the different directions of the landscape, and through the mountains and valleys and so forth. That was what they did in those days. They do it all by satellites these days, but that's how they did it back then.
Brady's company, Economy Helicopters, was one of four companies selected in 1951 by the U.S. Army Map Service to support summer mapping activities in Alaska. While on this job he met Joe Seward, who co-owned another helicopter company, Rotor-Aids, with Ray Falconer. In the years that followed, the three men often worked together in conjunction with Army projects.
In 1957, Rotor-Aids ferried two large Sikorsky S-55s -- also known as the H-19 Chickasaw -- to Anchorage. These 10-seat, three-bladed, radial-engine-powered helicopters were to shuttle oil-drilling crews from King Salmon to Bear Creek for Rowan Drilling Company. According to a "Rotor" interview with Seward, shortly after the S-55s arrived, Carl Brady was offered a large contract with Standard Oil. He approached Rotor-Aids to form a new company, which would be dubbed Era Helicopters (E for Economy, RA for Rotor-Aids). The new company opened a base on Merrill Field in the spring of 1958 and began actively working with the petroleum industry; it has continued to do so ever since.
In 1968, Era was purchased by Rowan Drilling, resulting in a capital infusion allowing for fleet expansion and operations in the Gulf of Mexico, Africa and the Middle East. Carl Brady stayed on as President and CEO. In 1978, a fixed-wing division for the company was established and 10 years later, collectively known as Era Aviation, the company was the largest regional airline in the state. Era Helicopters was still held as a Part 135 air taxi and charter operation; the fixed-wing aircraft operated on a Part 121 scheduled commuter certificate under the name of Era Aviation.
In 2004, SEACOR Holdings purchased the company and quickly sold the fixed-wing certificate, permanently separating Era Helicopters from Era Aviation. Era Helicopters remained with SEACOR and continued to serve its customers in Alaska and worldwide. Era Aviation subsequently filed for bankruptcy in 2005, and was purchased by Frontier Flying Service in 2009. It is now part of the Ravn Alaska air group, along with Hageland Aviation.
Era Helicopters currently has a fleet of 23 helicopters in Alaska including 11 Eurocopter AS350s, two Airbus EC145s, seven Bell 212s, one Bell 412 and two AgustaWestland AW139s. The company's Alaska operations include on-demand charters supporting a variety of industries including petroleum and mining, serving both onshore and offshore sites.
The company has a major role in supporting North Slope drilling activity out of Deadhorse, but can also be found conducting crew change flights as far south as Kenai. It also conducts sling load operations, which require special FAA training and certification.
Between May and September, Era Helicopters also conducts flightseeing tours in Juneau and Denali, which include glacier landings, dog sledding, heli-hiking and always-popular wildlife viewing.
"Era provides helicopter charters for almost every major energy company working in Alaska, various governmental agencies, academics, biologists conducting wildlife studies and more," says Elliott Neal, Era Helicopters's Vice President for Alaska. "The company has many long-term business relationships with organizations that regularly transport their personnel to remote regions throughout the state."
Most intriguingly, however, is how Era Helicopters continues to live up to its pioneering legacy by introducing new equipment and technology to the Last Frontier.
"With the AW139, we have next generation aircraft up here," explains Neal. "The onboard sensor systems provide sophisticated methods for monitoring the performance and health of the aircraft. For example, one such system monitors the aircraft's vibrations during flight, which helps our maintenance technicians confirm that key components are operating within acceptable standards."
The AW139 is also one of a handful of modern aircraft models to incorporate a multi-component Full Ice Protection System, which has multiple high-tech safety features, including an ice filter around the engine intake and a windshield heating system -- a series of heat-conducting wires interspersed in the windshield glass.
After more than 65 years, Era Helicopters has found a way to honor its innovative past while keeping a firm eye on the future. By continuing to take Alaskans to places few will ever see, it remains open to opportunity while embracing valuable safety measures.
"We are dedicated to continuing the long history of service Era Helicopters enjoys in Alaska," says Neal. "Our company has been here from the beginning and we look forward to many more years of contributing to the state's rich aviation history."
Era Helicopters is part of Era Group, Inc., which has a fleet of over 160 helicopters serving in locations around the globe.
Contact Colleen Mondor at colleen(at)alaskadispatch.com.