HeliOperations

HeliOperations

Industry	Helicopter Services
Founded	2008
Headquarters	Isle of Portland, United Kingdom
Key people	Stephen Gladston (CEO)
Website	https://helioperations.co

HeliOperations Westland Sea King at Farnborough Air Show in 2018

HeliOperations is a British helicopter company ^[a] based on the Isle of Portland, Dorset, England, at the old Naval Air Station of RNAS Portland (HMS Osprey) ^[1] It offers training for aircrew and groundcrew, including live flying training conducted from its own heliport in Portland as well as overseas; in addition, it provides synthetic training at its simulator facility located in Culdrose. Furthermore, it supplies equipment, regulatory assistance, and operational management services to governments, significant aviation operators, and private individuals.

History

From 2017 HeliOperations primarily operated three former Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm Westland Sea King helicopters. ^{[2] [3]} Operations took place at the former RNAS Portland (HMS Osprey). The aircraft were owned by the Ministry of Defence, but were leased to the company to provide training services to the German Navy Marineflieger and other private customers. ^[4] Following the retirement of the helicopters from the Fleet Air Arm, HeliOperations is the last operator of Westland Sea King helicopters in the United Kingdom.

In May 2022, the company acquired an AgustaWestland AW139 SAR helicopter. ^[5]

In late 2022, two of the companies Sea King helicopters were transferred to the Ukrainian Air Force. ^{[6] [7]}

On 8 August 2025, it was announced that HeliOperations has been awarded a five-year contract valued at £41 million. The Fleet Helicopter Support Unit (FHSU) contract will involve HeliOperations providing training support for UK and NATO global operations by delivering two AgustaWestland AW139 helicopters, along with technical support, maintenance, pilots, and crew to Navy Command. These new helicopters will replace a single Dauphin N2. Set to operate from Portland starting in spring 2026, the contract, which has the potential for extension until 2036 and could be worth up to £68 million, will facilitate the transfer of personnel and equipment to warships and vessels at sea, thereby offering maritime rotary wing support to Fleet Operational Standards and Training (FOST). ^[8]

Fleet

Current fleet

• 1 x AgustaWestland AW139 (Airframe number G-GSAR ^[9] )
• 2 x Westland Sea King (Airframe number XV666 and ZA137 ^{[10] [11]} ) - Leased from the Ministry of Defence under CFAOS.

Former fleet

• 2 x Westland Sea King (Airframe numbers ZA166 and XZ920 ) - Formerly leased from the Ministry of Defence under CFAOS.

Locations

HeliOperations is currently dispersed across three distinct locations:

• Portland, Dorset, - the former Royal Navy air station is currently used to deliver the training of Search and Rescue (SAR) pilots to the Federal German Navy (FGN). ^[12]
• RNAS Culdrose (HMS Seahawk), Cornwall, - HeliOperations are the owners and operators of the former Royal Navy Sea King helicopter simulator situated at RNAS Culdrose. ^[13]
• Somerton, Somerset, - Maintenance & Storage facility in the town of Somerton. The facility encompasses more than 3000 square meters dedicated to maintenance, logistics, and office functions, and it is equipped to accommodate a Merlin sized aircraft. ^[14]

Notes

1. HeliOperations is a trading name of Developing Assets (UK) Limited

References

1. "Helicopter company given the go-ahead to use former coastguard site as training facility".
2. "Familiar sight to return to the skies of Cornwall | Royal Navy".
3. navaltoday (2017-07-27). "Former Royal Navy Sea King Mk5s leased to HeliOperations UK". Naval Today. Retrieved 2024-03-08.
4. "Helitech 2017: HeliOperations provides Sea King training for German Navy - Shephard Media".
5. HeliOps (2022-05-26). "HeliOperations AW139 SAR | Helicopter Training of International Military". Heli Operations. Retrieved 2024-03-08.
6. Herk, Hans van (2022-11-23). "Sea Kings for Ukraine". scramble.nl. Retrieved 2024-03-08.
7. GJM (2023-05-14). "Sea King in Ukrainian colours!". www.scramble.nl. Retrieved 2024-03-08.
8. "£41 million contract supports 95 Dorset jobs and boosts Royal Navy helicopter support services". des.mod.uk. Retrieved 8 August 2025.
9. "G-GSAR". Flickr. Retrieved 2024-03-08.
10. "XV666". Flickr. Retrieved 2024-03-08.
11. "Westland Sea King HU.5 - Navy Wings". www.navywings.org.uk. Archived from the original on 2018-10-15.
12. "Portland". helioperations.co. Retrieved 8 August 2025.
13. "Cudlrose". helioperations.co. Retrieved 8 August 2025.
14. "Somerton". helioperations.co. Retrieved 8 August 2025.