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Our "fleet" of three small helicopters soon proved
that rotary-wing aircraft was a feasible solution to the problem. The
company began with an investment of $100,000, eight employees and three
Bell 47 helicopters and the belief that helicopters would play a major
role in the future of transportation in the industry. PHI was built on
a strong commitment to safety, quality, and reliability and continually
directed to customer service. Today, PHI still embodies these basic principles. More than
fifty years later, the company has grown to become one of the world's
largest and most experienced commercial helicopter operators. Our fleet
of aircraft offers services to the offshore oil, onshore mining,
International, Aeromedical,
and Technical
Services industries. Our highly skilled staff of pilots and
technicians gives the company great depth in all areas of operation. The
PHI team is composed of highly skilled, dedicated, hard-working and loyal
employees. PHI has a long history of operating in the Global Marketplace.
In addition to North America, the company has operated in 43 foreign countries.
The company uses a broad range of joint ventures, partnerships and strategic
alliances with customers and other operators to provide services to those
parts of the world. PHI´s helicopters operate 250 miles into the
Gulf of Mexico and to locations 200 miles offshore in international waters.
PHI provides service to the Healthcare industry through
its Aeromedical Services Division. Since its inception in 1981, Aeromedical
Services has grown from one medically equipped helicopter to over 40 helicopters
with state of the art medical interiors designed and constructed by PHI.
The current customer list spans the United States and includes customers
that are very visible in the Healthcare industry. PHI Aeromedical Services
is currently providing services that were previously not available from
civilian helicopter operators. Along with PHI´s safety record, Aeromedical
Services´ safety record has been without peers since its inception.
Not surprisingly, helicopter manufacturers work closely
with PHI and have adopted many of its modifications and other technological
improvements. As an example, one manufacturer chose PHI´s stretcher
design for aeromedically configured helicopters. PHI also has been instrumental
in the development and certification of offshore navigation equipment.
Additionally, in more than 50 years of history, PHI has become the industry
leader in maintenance, technology, and overall operations. Their overhaul
and maintenance facility based in Lafayette, Louisiana, USA is considered
by many to be the premier facility in the world because of its technology
and experienced staff. PHI employees conduct routine maintenance and repair
work; completely overhaul engines and airframes; operate a state-of-the-art
painting facility; study and engineer new parts and lubricants; research
new procedures; develop new techniques; and maintain a multi-million dollar
inventory. In addition, PHI has developed state-of-the-art medically
configured interiors for hospital and medical customers nationwide. Through
the efforts of the engineering department and the maintenance staff, we
have provided interiors which allow the helicopter to operate as a flying
ambulance and enable the medical personnel to perform procedures and provide
services that previously were only available in a hospital. Throughout the company´s history of aviation leadership,
there have been many accomplishments, "firsts" and superlatives
that have occurred which have changed the aviation industry. A partial
list of those accomplishments is listed below. PHI has always been known
as the innovative and technological leader in the industry, and the statements
listed below display the depth of that ideology. Some of PHI´s Long Lists of
Firsts Administration to conduct IFR "off airways" flight
operations in the Gulf of Mexico. Pioneered the basing of helicopter operations at offshore
locations. First to design and construct offshore refueling facilities
for helicopter operations. First helicopter mid-air recovery of a suborbital missile
payload. Established world´s most comprehensive offshore radio
network that ties PHI´s 15 Gulf Coast bases with 6 offshore bases.
First commercial helicopter operator to use electronic data
processing for parts inventory control, maintenance, records, etc. Pioneered in the establishment of comprehensive training
programs for its own pilots, mechanics and technicians. Leads the industry in continuous research and development
efforts, evaluation of the latest helicopter and equipment for offshore
use and in keeping abreast of helicopter parts technology. Pioneered in the establishment of offshore navigation techniques
and procedures, through creation of its own flight route structure, communications
network, and weather services. Pioneered in the development of dozens of airborne support
techniques in the Leads its industry in the development of methods to "sling
load" heavy equipment by helicopter. Was the first commercial helicopter operator to operate
helicopters under IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) conditions without the
aid of autopilot systems. First commercial helicopter operator to log the historic
milestone of 1,000,000; 2,000,000; 3,000,000; 4,000,000; 5,000,000; 6,000,000;
7,000,000; 8,000,000and 9,000,000 flight hours. Operates the world's largest commercial heliport (Morgan
City, Louisiana) which features 46 helipads, complete fuel and maintenance
facilities and air-conditioned passenger lounges. Maintains the well-known PHI tradition of being first to
evaluate and adopt/reject the latest technology available, whether it
be a new model helicopter or a different method of accomplishing old tasks.
Maintains a safety record that is second to none in the
helicopter industry. Many safety awards have been awarded to the company,
including the National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA) "Safety
In Seas Award" (April 3, 1995), the Federal Aviation Administration's
"High Flier Award" for 82,000 flight hours of accident
and violation free flight time in the Aeromedical industry (March 19,
1996), the Flight Safety Foundation's "President's
Citation for Safety" (April 25, 1996) and annual safety awards
from the Helicopter Association International (HAI). Our safety record First to use the S-76 in air medical transport. The first to design a rotary wing interior which would allow for the installation of equipment to transport a mobile ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) patient Other PHI Accomplishments
Included in the process are several
modifications: A simple device to prevent an engine start with the rotor
blades tied down. A larger oil cooler Corrosion control measures An alteration of emergency access doors and addition of flotation devices From The Routine To The Rare Apart from its normal operations, PHI has also become famous
for other humanitarian aspects of its business. PHI crews have rescued hundreds of persons from the perils
of floods, storms and other disasters. Our helicopter crews lifted 216
people from rooftops and trees in Puerto Rico when Hurricane Donna devastated
that country. Always available for emergency use in the areas where they
operate, PHI helicopters and employees have flown Red Cross relief PHI is the Total Helicopter Company. As the offshore oil and gas industry moves further out into the Gulf of Mexico, the aeromedical industry gets more advanced and as International arenas open, PHI plans to be able to meet the needs of all customers in all locations. PHI provides customers with the safest, most reliable helicopter transportation in the world and they are prepared to move anywhere their services are needed. As one of the largest helicopter companies in the world, PHI has the ability to expand and grow which allows for greater flexibility and improved service. Thus, as the industry progresses into the 21st century, PHI is primed for any challenge.
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