A story that appeared in Friday’s AVwebFlash described a rare action by the NTSB recommending a specific group of aviation companies in Alaska be targeted for additional oversight by the FAA. One of the companies has a name similar to that of a firm that is not part of the NTSB recommendation. AVweb made the distinction in its story but the management of Era Helicopters LLC offered this further clarification:
“The article entitled ‘NTSB Urges Oversight of Specific Alaska Operators’ mentions Era Aviation, which is currently rebranding to RAVN Alaska. We would like to clarify that this organization is entirely separate from Era Helicopters, LLC, which operates a fleet of 25 aircraft in Alaska under its own FAA flight certificates and under separate management and ownership. Era Helicopters, LLC is unaffiliated with RAVN Alaska or the operations conducted by Era Aviation or Era Alaska, and their owner, HoTH, Inc.
“Era Helicopters was founded in 1948 and is the longest-serving helicopter transportation provider in the United States. Era Helicopters operates a fleet of over 150 aircraft, primarily medium and heavy helicopters serving the international oil and gas industry. Era Helicopters operates under its parent company, Era Group (NYSE: ERA), which also leases helicopters to third parties, provides helicopter services to medical organizations, operates a sightseeing business in Alaska, and owns the largest fixed-base operation at Ted Stevens International Airport in Anchorage.”
