The Emerald Airport has welcomed Heli-Central to the family, with the helicopter company recently taking up residence in the airport’s largest aviation hangar.
The hangar has a ground lease area of 3295 m2, 270 m2 of office space and 257 m2 detachable space.
Manager Airport David Voss said the airport was looking forward to working with Heli-Central.
‘We’re really excited about this new partnership,’ he said.
‘This new facility will enable the airport to grow its business both now and into the future and support the region with ongoing aviation services.’
Heli-Central is a rural helicopter operation offering services in heli-mustering, aerial spraying, scenic flights and to the mining and coal seam gas industries.
Chief pilot and founder Russell Nobbs said his love for flying began at home on the family cattle station near Springsure, where they used helicopters for mustering.
‘It’s something I always wanted to do as a kid,’ he said.
‘Seven years ago I set up the business and we’ve just got bigger and bigger every year.’
Now with 10 staff, including six pilots, and eight aircraft, Mr Nobbs said the Emerald Airport hangar was the perfect location to enable the business to continue expanding.