Helicopter operator Helicentre Aviation has announced a £500,000 expansion of its operations at Leicester Airport.
Advised by partners Paul Mourton and Victor Matts at Lodders Solicitors in Stratford-upon-Avon, the company has developed a new hangar and won a major £20 million contract with National Grid.
It means a number of new jobs to add to the existing 20-strong workforce.
“This is a very significant expansion,” said Capt Christopher Line, managing director of Helicentre Aviation.
“It brings us exciting new facilities while the National Grid contract takes turnover to a different level and we are now able to tender for bigger contracts.”
Leicester Airport is run by Leicestershire Aero Club and is predominantly for small fixed wing aircraft and gliders. The growth of Helicentre Aviation has added a heliport to the airfield’s offer.
The 20,000 sq ft hangar will be officially opened next Spring but it will be used to house and maintain helicopters.
Helicentre Aviation specialises in private and professional helicopter pilot training, charter, aerial survey and aircraft sales and management in the UK.
Lodders real estate partner Paul Mourton handled the lease and development agreement work for the hangar.
He said: “Helicentre Aviation is probably the biggest helicopter training organisation in the country. This is a big step forward for the business.”
The new hangar enabled the firm to have the facilities in place to bid, and successfully win, the National Grid contract which involves inspecting the whole national gas network, surveying the lines from the air identifying infringements and possible issues that may affect the country’s gas supply.
Mr Matts advised Helicentre Aviation on this aspect, reviewing the contract with National Grid.
He said: “This was a hugely important deal for the company and it was imperative that all the legal aspects were absolutely correct. It was a great boost to the business which continues to go from strength to strength.”
Tom Bromwich, of Coventry-based agents Bromwich Hardy, handled the property aspects.
Helicentre Aviation trains both commercial helicopter pilots and those who want to learn to fly a helicopter as a hobby. It caters for that extra special and unique gift in the form of a trial helicopter flying lesson or sightseeing tour. And it also meets the needs of those who simply want to relax, beat the traffic and let someone else transport them in style and luxury to a business meeting, wedding, sports event or special occasion.
Helicentre is currently offering up to £100,000 worth of training scholarships for professional pilots with the strong potential to gain full-time employment with the company for the successful candidates.
The company has been operating for more than 12 years, initially at Coventry Airport before in 2009 switching to Leicester.
Capt Line said: “The move was a great success, bringing new opportunities and a far better, and more cost effective training environment for student pilots.
“Now we are building on that for what we are convinced will be an exciting future.”
