Northern Pioneer Helicopters

Northern Pioneer Helicopters is an Alaska helicopter charter company based at Big Lake. It holds a FAR Part 135 air carrier certificate and serves remote locations across the state with external load work and passenger and crew transport. The company says it works with agencies including the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Forest Service, the State of Alaska and the U.S. Coast Guard, and year-round with exploration firms and remote construction companies.

Services

• Aircraft salvage and recovery, including emergency airplane recovery, with lift capacity listed up to 4,000 lb
• Heavy external cargo hauling of up to 4,000 lb, with rigging, cargo nets and remote fueling equipment
• Fire fighting, with logistics and coordination support
• Personnel, crew and equipment transportation
• Other work listed on the site: workforce transport, oil and gas support, pipeline and powerline inspection and construction, mining and camp moves, drill exploration support, and ski lift and aerial construction

Fleet

The fleet page lists four types, each equipped with a remote hook and electric swivel:

• Sikorsky UH-60A+: 145 knot cruise, slingloads up to 8,000 lb, 660 US gallon Bambi bucket
• Bell UH-1E Huey: 100 knot cruise, slingloads up to 3,500 lb, 324 US gallon bucket
• Bell UH-1B: a modernized Huey described as the workhorse of the fleet, 3,500 lb external load
• Airbus AS350B3e: 120 knot cruise, up to 2,500 lb externally or up to five passengers with gear

Company facts

• FAR Part 135 air carrier
• Pilots with a minimum of 10,000 flight hours, per the company
• Member of the Alaska Air Carriers Association and Helicopter Association International
• Safety awards from both organizations in each of its fifteen years in business, per the site
• Office hours Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm