Summary
- Rex has partnered with Heli Resources to offer helicopter services for the Australian Antarctic Division’s upcoming aerial program tender.
- Heli Resources brings over 40 years of experience and 35,000 flying hours within the Antarctic, making them the best partner for Rex’s complementary helicopter capability.
- The scope of the aerial program includes large passenger jets, turboprop aircraft and twin-engine helicopters.
Regional and domestic airline Rex took one other step forward in its ambition to be the following aerial operator of Australia’s Antarctica Program. The contract calls for fixed and rotary wing flying, so Rex has partnered with local provider Helicopter Resources for the helicopter component of the contract with the Australian Antarctic Division.
Constructing the Antarctic team
Last week, Regional Express Group (Rex) announced an exclusive teaming agreement with Tasmanian-based Helicopter Resources Pty Ltd (Heli Resources). The partnership is a critical element of Rex’s preparation for the upcoming Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) tender for one operator to bring together and command all of the specialized aerial operations to support its operations within the frozen continent.
Photo: Rex
The ADD released a Request for Information (RFI) in July that outlined the scope of the aerial program and what it was in search of from prospective operators. That is in preparation for a proper tender process expected to start in November this 12 months, where Rex shall be a main candidate for this system’s aerial operator role.
The RFI specifically called for providing as much as 4 twin-engine helicopters able to each land and sea operations, including onboard the AAD’s flagship vessel, the RSV Nuyina. Under the agreement announced last week, Rex will serve because the prime contractor and Heli Resources because the sub-contractor for the helicopter operation, which inserts the concept of Rex pulling together the expertise and resources to service the multi-faceted aerial requirement.
What really adds strength to the pairing is that Heli Resources has been operating within the Antarctic for greater than 40 years and clocked up greater than 35,000 flying hours in that difficult environment. During that point, it has supported the Antarctic programs of countries including Australia, Japan, France, Germany, Italy, China and Pakistan.
Photo: Rex
Craig Martin is Rex’s Antarctic Project Manager and believes that the resources throughout the Rex Group make it an excellent candidate to run the AAD aerial program. Expressing his confidence within the partnership with Heli Resources, he said there isn’t any other helicopter operator with as much ex犀利士
perience operating within the Antarctic.
“Heli Resources has demonstrated an excellent commitment to safety and reliable delivery of helicopter services, earning the trust of AAD after many years of Antarctic operations. The Rex Group cannot have hoped for a greater partner for the complementary helicopter capability elements anticipated within the tender.”
Very broad aerial support needed
The extent of what Rex is pulling together becomes evident after a fast scan of what the AAD requires in aerial support. The RFI details this system requires the capabilities of 1 large intercontinental passenger jet, 4 intracontinental turboprop aircraft in a position to operate on skis and 4 twin-engine helicopters that may operate on land and sea, including to the RSV Nuyina.
Photo: Regional Express/Rex
The RFI also calls for a major scaling up of the Uncrewed Aerial System capability for the division’s operations throughout the Antarctic Austral Summer, which runs between October to March. Throughout the Group, Rex currently operates aircraft including Boeing 737-800s, Embraer E190s, De Havilland Dash 8-400s, Saab 340s, King Air turboprops and Pilatus PC24 jets.
The partnership with Heli Resources closes the loop on what’s required and puts Rex in a robust position to successfully win and operate this high-profile contract, which can be one other feather within the cap for Australia’s largest independent regional and domestic airline.