Local plane spotters Kayanne H and Trevor H were on hand to capture some great photos as the tandem rotor chopper called into Rockhampton Airport for fuel while on its journey South.
P2-CHE departed to Bundaberg Airport where local plane spotter Tom H captured a quick photo shortly after its arrival. He reports that it looked like the Vertol was being prepared to stay the night.
P2-CHE (C/N 108) is a 1964 build tandem rotor chopper that is leased by Columbia Helicopters (PNG) from Columbia Helicopters Inc (CHI) in the USA. It is one of several based in the Southern Highlands base of Moro that reportedly work on petroleum exploration operations in PNG, flying entire petroleum drilling rigs piece by piece over the top of PNG's ecologically sensitive rain forests. See more at: http://www.colheli.com/aerial/oil-and-gas/#sthash.FnNsZ37T.dpuf
Columbia Helicopters Inc (CHI) is an aircraft manufacturing and operating company based in Aurora, Oregon, in the United States of America (USA). They are known for operating tandem rotor helicopters - presently the Boeing Vertol 107 and Boeing 234. These helicopters are primarily used in stream restoration and forestry operations including heli-logging, oil exploration, fire suppression, construction, government support, film production, disaster response and many other activities. In addition the company operates a large FAA Repair Station supporting customers around the world.
Sincere thanks to the local plane spotters for taking the time to capture and send through these great photos of a great helicopter to visit CQ!
Photos taken by Kayanne Hardsman, Trevor Hardsman and Tom Houghton ©
Those 'ecologically sensitive' rain forests are only ecologically sensitive where it suits the end user. Trust me on this....
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