STARLITE AVIATION

S TA R L I T E AV I AT I O N

Providing turnkey solutions to high pressure challenges

S TA R L I T E

AV I AT I O N

A Global

Aerial Aid

From its extensive humanitarian work to operating in high pressure environments, Starlite Aviation is helping to enable development across Africa and beyond with its airborne expertise Writer: Jonathan Dyble | Project Manager: Vivek Valmiki

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he turn of the millennium was met with optimism around the world, offering the prospect of a new era that would see global efforts to tackle global issues.

However, in Mozambique, such optimism was sadly stunted just two months into the year.

As the entire African continent began to witness torrential rainfall beginning February 8, Mozambique was hit particularly hard, resulting in widespread floods across the country that led to more than $500 million worth of damage.

Maputo, the capital, was quickly waterlogged, and by February 11 the banks of the Limpopo River burst, causing serve damage to the surrounding region.

Added to this, the country was then hit by a tropical cyclone along its coast on February 22, while flash floods began to overwhelm low farmlands around Chokwe and Xai-Xai five days later. By all accounts, the unrelenting 2000 floods were some of the worst on record in Mozambique.

Many were made homeless, 1,400 square kilometres of arable land was affected, and 20,000 herds of cattle were lost to the destruction.

There was, however, a silver lining to the black cloud.

The humanitarian efforts were admirable – efforts that South African aerospace specialist Starlite Aviation played a crucial role in furthering.

“The Company was awarded its first contract in 2000, providing helicopter emergency medical evacuation and transportation of food and medical supplies to remote areas, in support of the Mozambique floods that devastated the country,” states Lynne Ross, the firm’s Communication Executive.

“It was to be the first of many contracts and the benchmark for the delivery of a superior service on a global scale,” adds Starlite Aviation’s Director of Operations, Fiona McCarthy.

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The tsunami which hit Indonesia in 2004 saw Starlite being awarded a contract for the aftermath ‘clean up’ operation, and transportation of medical and food supplies to survivors displaced by the devastating natural disaster. This was another milestone for the Company and the beginning of many global rescue, relief, transportation and medevac contracts.

The subsequent two decades that have followed have seen the firm become renowned for its first-class abilities in providing unrivalled call to action services, facilitated by the rapid mobilisation of its aircraft in remote and hostile areas globally.

pressure environments where lives are often at risk.

Such is evident where the Company provides dedicated medical emergency services with two heavy lift helicopters and one twin turbine aeroplane in Mali.

This contract started in 2013 and has continued to grow each year.

“Operating out of Bamako, Mali in harsh conditions has brought with it many challenges,” explains McCarthy.

“Starlite’s abilities have been put to the test and we have successfully set up a fully functional operational base providing 24-seven medical coverage, including a maintenance facility which provides all inspections and checks on aircraft as well as deep level Rising to the pressure maintenance capabilities if required.”

In working to help tackle leading global “Here, the contract is 24-seven issues with its expansive capacity, from and aircraft fitted with Night Vision anti-poaching to humanitarian relief to Systems require just 30 minutes medical emergency services providing notice to move for any emergency, intensive care treatment, Starlite has something Starlite has successfully become adept at operating in high achieved since 2013.”

STARLITE AVIATION Remaining committed to its ethos (Committed. Experienced.

Passionate.), Starlite Aviation has become a leading global provider of helicopter and fixed wing services.

19 years after its formation, the Company has rapidly expanded, now with offices in Ireland, Germany, France, Mauritius and South Africa.

The firm is also home to a fleet of more than 40 aircraft that allow it to meet a diverse range of individual contractual requirements.

In total, Starlite Aviation has operated in 25 countries across five continents in many of the world’s harshest environments.

According to McCarthy: “Starlite provides integrated, cost-effective, turnkey solutions for any call to action, in the most remote and austere environments globally. We are experts at deploying a full complement of mission-specific configured aircraft, ground and air personnel, maintenance support teams and in the case of medevac, a full complement of doctors and paramedics.

“We are, in fact, on call 24-seven for any emergency anywhere in the world. Starlite’s expertise lie in taking on complex assignments, setting up in remote locations and focusing on fast deployment.”

HAYWARD AVIATION

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ayward Aviation are proven experts in arranging insurance for helicopters and general aviation operations for commercial, business or private uses. In the past 25+ years we have arranged insurance for a huge range of flying activities including the many, uniquely complex, risks that helicopter operators undertake.

Our team relishes dealing with clients who demand unbiased advice, solutions and service at competitive costs. We understand the pressures our clients face – we work with many leading-edge industry experts like Starlite Aviation Group, supporting its complex, high quality multi-faceted aviation business.

As global market leaders we understand every aspect of the insurance process – from market brokers negotiating insurance costs on your behalf to claims managers 100 percent focussed on supporting you to return to full operational capacity as soon as possible after any loss.

Safety is paramount throughout the aviation industry – Haywards supports industry associations and clients, promoting a safety culture.

Understanding risk is a key building block for safe operations. We work with top tier operations to develop robust and flexible insurance programmes to deal with today’s risks and emerging threats.

Our clients are our harshest critics and our best advertisement – we work for our clients, delivering what we promise, supporting and protecting their businesses.

Hayward Aviation is a trading name of JLT Specialty Limited, part of the JLT Group, one of the world’s leading insurance broking, risk management and employee benefits advisors, with clients in almost every sector of commerce.

T +44 207 902 7800 E info@haywards.net

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AVIATION INSURANCE BROKERS

Providing insurance solutions for comPlex aviation risks

Hayward Aviation is a trading name of JLT Specialty Ltd. Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. A member of the Jardine Lloyds Thompson Group. Registered office: The St Botolph Building, 138 Houndsditch, London EC3 7AW. Registered in England No. 01536540.

VAT no 244 2321 96. November 2018 Visit our website for further details: www.haywards.net

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Equally, alongside its extensive work during the Mozambique floods, 2014 saw Starlite mobilise one of its Bell 412 aircraft for the United Nations World Food Programme during the height of the Ebola crisis.

“Stationed in Monrovia, Liberia, the aircraft flew over 220 hours and was equipped with an IsoArk kit to transport patients, and procedures were implemented with the assistance of Starlite’s medical staff to ensure that the safety of the crew was maintained with the risks associated with this type of operation,” reveals McCarthy.

The Company’s areas of expertise extend to oil & gas support, providing a perfect record for transportation and medevac standby, complex marine salvage operations, surveillance and powerline inspection and effective results in the fight against poaching.

For example, Starlite has recently

signed a joint venture agreement with GEPetrol in Equatorial Guinea, providing helicopter services in its coastal waters and supplying HEMS and search and rescue services. Additionally, this will see Starlite training local crews in such operations, from example, pilots engineers and other staff that are required in the oil & gas industry.

Working to suit the requirements of any clientele, Starlite has successfully been able to penetrate a variety of new markets, driven by its stellar reputation, competitive strategies and the monitoring of key trends.

As analysts predict that the global social, economic and political climates will become increasingly turbulent in the coming years, Starlite works to ensure that it is ready to deal effectively with any challenging developments through its adaptable, resourceful and flexible culture.

GLOBAL FOOTPRINT

ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY

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obinson Helicopter Company was founded in 1973 by Frank Robinson, whose vision was to produce the world’s highest quality, most reliable helicopters in the most efficient, cost effective way possible.

The Company introduced its first helicopter, the R22, in 1979. However, as costs became less of a barrier, more people learned to fly and the demand for small, affordable helicopters increased.

In 1992, Robinson’s 4-place R44 was FAA certified. Following the same design philosophy as the R22 but with Lycoming’s larger O-540 engine, the R44 offered more utility, power and capacity. A decade later Robinson introduced the R44 Raven II, the same R44 but equipped with Lycoming’s IO-540 fuel-injected engine and a 28-volt electrical system. The Raven II appealed to a broader market and by 2003 R44 sales doubled the R22’s.

During that same time, Robinson began developing ideas for a turbine powered helicopter. In 2005, an agreement was reached with Rolls-Royce to make the RR300 engine, a derivative of the RR250 series. With Rolls-Royce onboard, the 5-place R66 Turbine project was born. The R66 was FAA certified in 2010 to the current amendment of the federal regulations, including the latest crashworthiness standards.

Robinson puts great emphasis on research and development, continually making improvements and offering new technology. Among its latest developments are glass avionics and an autopilot designed specifically for helicopters.

Today, Robinson Helicopter Company occupies a 617,000 square-foot facility at in Torrance, California, employs 1,200 people and has produced more than 12,000 helicopters.

www.robinsonheli.com

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Vertical Magazine 2018 Airframe Survey

www.robinsonheli.com

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Personal enablement

Equally, as a company operating in highly specialised environments, Starlite continuously bolsters its employee base through several different initiatives.

In maintaining its high self-imposed standards, the firm has established a number of key industry-leading partnerships with aircraft providers, reinforcing its status and ensuring that it has the best personnel for the job.

“We view our staff as our most important asset,” says McCarthy.

“Each and every person, from our office staff to our frontline personal, is an important part of our delivery chain.”

To this end, Starlite runs its own Aviation Training Academy, offering

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government contract and civilian helicopter and aeroplane pilot training programmes for various aircraft, including those of Robinson, Guimbal Cabri G2, Bell and Airbus.

“The training academy offers superior ground school and flight training technology transfer of the highest standard,” explains Ross.

“Student pilots enjoy a holistic approach where each individual is viewed as being unique and graduate with a career path set for success.”

Upcoming developments will see its Mossel Bay academy set to be upgraded in 2019, with the new build including a student campus that houses up to 200 student pilots. The new state-of-the-art facilities will include lecture theatres, a medical centre, sporting venues and

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“The training academy offers superior ground school and flight training technology transfer of the highest standard”

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accommodation, whilst the building itself will be run entirely off the grid using solar energy and other renewables.

Looking at the bigger picture, the success of Starlite’s academy and the business’s wider employment practices are showcased by the firm’s high talent retention percentages. Today, many of the firm’s key performers are working on global contracts or hold key management positions, testament to the strength of both Starlite’s training agenda and its best-in-class employee base.

Offering ample opportunity for substantial personal development and career progression, Starlite is proud to say that many of its staff have been with the Company on a long-term basis.

Reaching for the sky

Although its employees are central to the good work that Starlite offers, the Aviation Training Academy is only one

segment of its investment plan.

Catering to the demanding sectors that it serves within, the firm readily aligns many of its extensive and sound investments to better its existing services.

One such example is a recent project completed with Spectrum Aeromed that has seen the development of a helicopter and fixed wing ICU platform, capable of dealing with two patients, fitted with emergency medical monitoring equipment such as a ventilator, syringe divers and a defibrillator.

“This has been extremely beneficial where time is crucial to a positive outcome in the case of an emergency rescue, particularly when it has been required to be carried out at night at added risk,” says Ross. “Starlite’s sophisticated Night Vision Systems, which have been in use for the last eight years, allows for safer night

“Starlite also contributes to local charities as and when the need arises, providing food parcels, water and blankets to stricken areas or monetary donations”

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flying when clear visibility for medevac operations is required.”

Further, similar emphasis is placed on its own safety systems, alongside improving its health and safety offerings for its own clients.

“Our safety systems are constantly reviewed,” Ross continues. “Starlite has introduced streamlined quality and safety systems and more recently introduced Air Maestro, a sophisticated and efficient aviation software that integrates operational and safety features. Starlite’s Maintenance division uses Traxxall, a cloud-based aircraft maintenance tracking system, developed to save both Starlite and its customers time and money.”

The Company also introduced the supply and assembly of mobile aircraft hangars, allowing the firm to undertake quality compliant maintenance in remote locations.

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SGS AVIATION CUSTOMISED SERVICES SGS is a world leader in managing aviation risk through auditing, consulting, training, and advising on the application of proven safety principles.

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WHEN YOU NEED TO BE SURE

360-degree service

The same approach is taken in regard to Starlite’s leading corporate social responsibility practices that integrate with the firm’s training policy.

“Internships are granted by the Company to upskill disadvantaged and handicapped locals to ensure their marketability in the workplace,” says McCarthy.

However, Starlite’s CSR is not limited to upskilling, and takes a number of different forms.

“As part of our commitment to social economic development, the Company supports the ‘Seed of Hope’ in KwaDukuza, South Africa,” McCarthy reveals. “We have a long-standing relationship with the organisation and the community, and in an effort to reduce poverty and unemployment, our donations have assisted the community with education, feeding schemes and establishing sustainable vegetable gardens.

“Starlite also contributes to local charities as and when the need arises, providing food parcels, water and blankets to stricken areas or monetary donations, as was recently the case in South Africa when a local children’s home was damaged by fire.”

Working to serve a number of humanitarian-centric industries, it is clear Starlite recognises the potential benefits that it can bring to local communities and populations in carrying out such work.

“There is much work to do on the African continent, the Middle East and in fact globally, with regard to rescue and relief, air ambulance, and passenger and cargo transportation,” says McCarthy.

“Starlite’s 19 years’ experience in these regions and extensive global footprint and wide-spread presence on the African continent provides the assurance that the Company is poised and ready to fulfil any contract, regardless of the complexity or challenging environment worldwide.”

SGS

Looking ahead, despite having already established itself as a reputable humanitarian provider and a supplier of aviation services, Starlite hopes to further bolster its presence through expanded operations and training.

Ross concludes: “We hope to increase our reach even further into Africa, providing medevac standby and passenger and cargo transportation to the most remote, inaccessible and hostile areas. Ultimately, our goal is to become the service providers of choice to governments and corporate clients, and provide support in unstable and unpredictable environments globally.”

Starlite Aviation Tel: +27 (31) 571 6600 Emergency contact: +27 (82) 552 3813 www.starliteaviation.com

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Hangar 123, Virginia Airport, Durban North, South Africa Tel: +27 31 571 6600 Emergency Operation contact: Fiona McCarthy: +27 82 552 3813 fionam@starliteaviation.com enquiries@starliteaviation.com www.starliteaviation.com

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