Australia’s Civil Aviation Safety Authority has suspended the operating certificate of Sky High Helicopters Pty Ltd, which trades as Fortescue Helicopters, according to ABC News reporting published November 3.
A CASA spokesperson told the ABC that the regulator had applied to the Federal Court to extend the initial suspension while it investigates. The spokesperson said the suspension remains in place pending the court’s decision. No resumption date is established in that account.
What the regulator says
The ABC reports that CASA identified concerns about recording aircraft operating hours and maintenance defects, outstanding maintenance requirements and pilots’ duty limits. These are the regulator’s stated reasons for its action; this report does not present them as criminal convictions.
The operator provides helicopter services in Western Australia and Queensland. It is separate from the similarly named Fortescue mining company. The ABC said its request for a response from the helicopter business had not been answered when its report was published.
Check the operator behind a booking
Customers arranging a charter or other helicopter service should confirm the legal operator, the status of their service and any replacement arrangements before travelling. This suspension concerns the named operator; it does not establish an Australia-wide helicopter shutdown.
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