Calibre Aviation Helicopter and Fixed Wing Operations Taking Off in Emerald

Calibre Aviation is an aviation company based in Emerald. The company has been born out of Webb Helicopters and its parent company Central (Queensland) Aviation. The original company was founded in Emerald in 1984 by director Eric Webb, and offers more than 30 years experience in the Helicopter Industry.


Calibre Aviation specialises in helicopter and fixed wing services including charter flights and airwork, throughout the Central Highlands and Bowen Basin mining areas, as well as many other parts of Australia. They also offer scenic flights over Emerald and outback Queensland, with local flights from 15 minutes to 1 hour in duration, taking in some spectacular sights in the Central Highlands.

One recent highlight for Calibre Aviation was the brief visit of a giant Sikorsky S-61 V-1 heavy-lift helicopter. The chopper - based in New South Wales for aerial water-bombing during the bushfire season - was based at Calibre Aviation for only a few days while being contracted to lift several 1-tonne power units into a nearby mine site. The chopper - with registration N45917 - is operated by Siller Brothers Helicopters in the United States America and was built in 1965. We thank Calibre Aviation for supplying the following photos of the big chopper on its delivery flight and lifting one of the units into place.



We also thank Calibre Aviation for inviting CQ Plane Spotting to their landing site and hangars on the Gregory Highway, South of Emerald. Most of Calibre's Helicopter fleet can be seen at this property, while their fixed wing aircraft are stored at the nearby Emerald Airport.


Some of the helicopters noted at the Calibre property and in their hangar are shown below:

Robinson R-44 VH-HSF


Bell 206 VH-EWI


Williams UH-1H "Huey" VH-UEE


Aerospatiale AS.350B Squirrel VH-WEB - And of interest, VH-WEB (c/n 1743) was once a part of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) as a part of the Aircraft Research and Development Unit (ARDU).  It wore the military serial number of A22-012.


Aerospatiale AS.350B Squirrel VH-NBN


Kawasaki BK-117 VH-BKZ (still in Child Flight - NSW Ambulance Service - colours)


Meanwhile in a nearby open hangar/shed, a pair of Robinson R-22s - VH-HRJ and VH-LTZ - were noted. These are primarily used for heli-mustering.


It was also interesting to note the vast collection of helicopter bodies and spare parts including booms and rotars as shown below.




We thank Calibre Aviation very much for the opportunity to present some photos of their helicopters.

For more information, visit Calibre Aviation's website HERE