Japan Heli-System (YURA AIR)

Japan Heli-System, inc. is a Japanese helicopter operator that offers its services under the YURA Air brand. The company was established in February 2016 and obtained its air transport business licence in April 2016. Its site states that it is authorised by the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB).

Services

• Sightseeing flights: Tokyo by day and by night (about 30 minutes), Mt. Fuji circuit (60 to 90 minutes), Ise Bay, and tandem skydiving flights over Ise Bay from Tsu
• Helicopter charter: business travel, news coverage, aerial filming and surveying, and event transport
• Aircraft maintenance: daily and scheduled inspections, engine and airframe work, parts control and record keeping, including maintenance for aircraft operated under contract
• Ground handling

Fleet

• Bell 505: single engine, up to 4 passengers, used for sightseeing, shuttles and training
• Airbus AS350B Ecureuil: single engine, up to 5 passengers, used for skydiving and other work
• Agusta AW109E: twin engine, up to 6 passengers in a VIP cabin, described as the flagship of the charter fleet

The operator says it favours twin-engine helicopters for charter work, citing stability in wind, speed and low cabin noise.

Bases

• Iwatsuki Heliport, Saitama
• Ise Bay Heliport, Tsu, Mie, which also houses the maintenance hangar
• Chubu Centrair office, Tokoname, Aichi, opened in April 2018

Company history

Ise Bay helicopter sightseeing began in 2022, a helicopter shuttle service for the F1 Japanese Grand Prix started in October 2023, and the YURA Air service brand was launched in 2026. Maintenance is done by engineers licensed as Class 2 aircraft maintenance technicians or above.