Sloane Helicopters marks a Triple Celebration 1969 to 2009
06 Jun 2009
On Saturday 6th June 2009, Northampton based aviation company Sloane Helicopters hosted a Triple Celebration at Sywell Aerodrome. This commemorated the Company's 40th anniversary, the 20th anniversary of their Sywell Aerodrome headquarters, along with the recent completion of a new building extension, which incorporates a new flying school, a flight training simulator and a new stores department, together with additional modern offices, essential for the continued expansion of the Company.
The Company’s 40-year journey started in 1969 when David George founded Sloane Helicopters with one Agusta Bell 47J helicopter. After five years of operating Hiller 12Es and Bell 47s, Sloane was appointed the UK distributor for Hughes Helicopters. In 1976, the Company was made the sole UK distributor for Robinson Helicopters.
On the 6th June 1989, Sloane opened its current premises at Sywell Aerodrome. In 1992 Sloane was approved as a Customer Service Facility for Bell Helicopters, and in 1995 Sloane was made the sole UK and Ireland distributor for Agusta helicopters. This was followed by the opening of a training facility in Mallorca, and, in 2007, a maintenance operation in Ireland.
Sloane has remained in the private ownership of its Chairman, David George. It has grown and established itself as one of the best respected and leading helicopter companies in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
The celebratory occasion was held at Hangar One, which is situated in the heart of Northamptonshire, overlooking the grass runways of Sywell Aerodrome. Hangar One was considered as the ideal venue for the Triple Celebration, as it not only has excellent airfield facilities, but it is also the site where Sloane’s operations originated in 1971. The interior of the hangar included a private bar, a high-tech sound and lighting system, and was professionally decorated specifically for the event to support the re-aligned corporate image and branding of Sloane Helicopters.
The event commenced with the arrival of guests from 1,000 invited to help celebrate the occasion with Sloane’s employees. Unfortunately the poor weather conditions prohibited a large number of aircraft owners, pilots and operators to fly to the event in their helicopters. Guests were drawn from a wide variety of people who have had an association with the Company over the past forty years.
The Company’s Chairman, David George, gave a warm welcome and celebratory speech, which highlighted Sloane’s ongoing contribution to the aviation industry, while honouring its forty-year history. David George also awarded prizes to those pilots that landed at Sywell closest to their allocated slot time. The guests enjoyed a buffet lunch and beverages with a variety of entertainment provided by artistes including Illusionists and Caricaturists. A shuttle-bus service operated between Hangar One and Sloane’s headquarters throughout the period, affording guests an opportunity to view the newly-renovated facilities and state-of-the-art flight training simulator.
The marking of the Triple Celebration inspired many of the employees and guests to reflect on the events and achievements that have helped define Sloane Helicopter’s four-decade history. The celebration gave Sloane the opportunity to remember the past, along with moving into the future by reinforcing the Sloane brand, and showcasing the Company as a leading supplier of helicopter sales and services.
“I believe that there are numerous influences that have contributed to Sloane’s ongoing growth and achievement, including employing the right people, a commitment to continuous improvement and maintaining a strong passion and vision for the future. These factors still remain a fundamental part of Sloane’s corporate values today,” said Jeremy Awenat, Managing Director of Sloane Helicopters.
Chairman, Mr. David George commentated, “Sloane’s success has been made possible through the continuous support from our customers, vendors, suppliers and, most importantly, our employees – both past and present. I would like to take this special opportunity to acknowledge and thank them all for their valuable contributions, loyalty and hard work. We look forward to continuing to build relationships, and anticipate even brighter and bigger things in the future.”
About Us
Sloane Helicopters is the UK and Ireland Distributor for Agusta and Robinson Helicopters, Headquartered at Sywell, Northamptonshire. The Company holds a suite of approvals, including Part 145 for the Line and Base Maintenance of the complete product range of Agusta and Robinson Aircraft, Part 21G/J for the design and manufacturing of modifications, and Part M for Continuing Airworthiness Management. Sloane Helicopters holds approval as a Flight Training Organisation and Type Rating Training Organisation. Under its JAR OPS 3 approved AOC, Sloane operates a fleet of Robinson and Agusta Helicopters, to include the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance and the Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Rutland Air Ambulance. Sloane Helicopters off site support includes the three A109 Powers operated by 32 (The Royal) Squadron, Dyfed Powys Police and the Empire Test Pilots’ School.
