Northern Pioneer Helicopters

Northern Pioneer Helicopters is an Alaska helicopter charter company based at Big Lake. It is a certified FAR Part 135 air carrier and provides statewide helicopter service, including to remote locations across Alaska. The company specialises in external load work and passenger and crew transport.

Aircraft salvage and recovery includes emergency airplane recovery, with lift capacity of up to 4,000 lb. The company has rescued and recovered stranded and wrecked aircraft across Alaska and can return them to a repair location chosen by the owner. Its helicopters are fitted with rigging for this kind of slinging work.

Heavy cargo hauling covers external loads of up to 4,000 lb anywhere in Alaska. The company uses rigging, cargo nets and remote fueling equipment, and it says it can carry loads into the bush and place them with precision. It uses lines of at least 100 feet to place loads in areas with different levels of access.

Fire fighting support includes logistics and coordination, and the company supplies professional crews and capable helicopters for the work. Transportation covers personnel, crews and equipment. Other work includes workforce transport, oil and gas support, pipeline and powerline inspection, mining and camp moves, drill exploration support, and ski lift and aerial construction.

The fleet includes the Sikorsky UH-60A+, which has a 145 knot cruise and can carry slingloads of up to 8,000 lb with a 660 gallon Bambi bucket. It also includes the Bell UH-1E Huey, the modernised Bell UH-1B and the Airbus AS350B3e, which has a 120 knot cruise. Each aircraft has a remote hook and an electric swivel.

The company says its pilots each have a minimum of 10,000 flight hours. It is a member of the Alaska Air Carriers Association and the Helicopter Association International, and it says it has received safety awards from both in each of its fifteen years in business. It works with the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Forest Service, the State of Alaska and the U.S. Coast Guard.

Services

• Aircraft salvage and recovery
• Heavy external cargo hauling
• Fire fighting support
• Personnel and crew transportation
• Oil and gas support
• Pipeline and powerline inspection
• Mining and camp moves
• Drill exploration support
• Ski lift and aerial construction
• Remote high altitude freight delivery