Canadian operator Great Lakes Helicopters are targetting the date of 1st October for the opening of their third base at Billy Bishop Regional Airport just east of the city of Owen Sound.  They will be using a Robinson R44 and targetting the charter market.  The company is based at the Region of Waterloo International Airport, in the heart of Southern Ontario, and has a second base at Toronto/Downsview Airport.

Great Lakes Helicopter has had some customers from the Owen Sound area at their other locations, and as there is no other helicopter service at the airport, “decided to give it a try”, in the words of general manager Jo Anne Leyburne. Dependant on its success, they will consider adding a training school in the future. The company website quotes their fleet as three Robinson R22s, one R44 and a Bell JetRanger.

William P Johnson – HeliHub.com US correspondent