Update: New helicopter service coming to Fort St. John

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C – Update: A quote was removed pertaining to Highland Helicopter staff hired by Heli Source in Fort St. John. According to Heli Source, positions were offered to staff at all 3 British Columbia bases.

Heli Source Limited has expanded its base of operations to Northern British Columbia.

The company, based out of Red Deer, announced this week that it will have locations in Fort Nelson, Fort St. John, and Chetwynd to go along with 8 Alberta bases and one in South Dakota.

Established in 2011, Heli Source Limited has been focusing on the oil and gas, forestry, utility, and mining industries.

The company has joined with Integrated Sensing and Surveillance, a technical service provider and data management company.

ISS specializes in Aerial Sensing and Mapping services with various airborne sensors. Services offered include Thermal and Corona Imagery, Drone and GIS services.

Kyle Whittaker of Heli Source says they acquired the base from another local helicopter company and offered jobs at their new bases in Northern British Columbia.

While the oil and gas industry has slowed down, Whittaker says other sectors have filled the gap in demand.

“In places like Fort St. John, there’s always been some expansion. One of our main clients, CNRL, they’ve been acquiring some different companies and expanding. So if anything, with us supporting them, we will probably have an increase in business.”

Certain helicopters in its fleet will be sent out on demand, but Whittaker says others like the Bell 206 will be on-site at the airport full time.

“The BK 117 is a larger helicopter and it’s only used for specific things that would be moved into place upon need.”

The company is still waiting for confirmation, but Whittaker says there is potential for as many as six helicopters to be stationed in Fort Nelson.