Tropic Helicopters Tanzania

Tropic Helicopters Tanzania flies from Tango Zulu Heliport at Usa River, near Arusha. It is the Tanzanian arm of Tropic Helicopters, which grew out of Tropic Air, a Kenyan charter company founded in the early 1990s. Tropic Air moved into helicopter services in 2006, and the group says it pioneered helicopter safaris in sub-Saharan Africa. The Tanzania branch is newly launched and shares the group founders, Ben Simpson and Jamie Roberts.

Services

• Heli safaris on tailor-made routes, with named destinations including Lake Empakaai, Ol Doinyo Lengai and Mount Meru
• Mountain rescue and medical evacuation, including evacuations on Mount Kilimanjaro
• Heli transfers, including to Zanzibar and Pemba
• Wildlife conservation support with protection partners
• Utility support for oil, gas and geological missions
• Aerial filming and photography

Fleet

• Airbus H125 B3e (two aircraft): five passengers plus pilot, Arriel 2D engine, 3.5 hours endurance including reserve, doors can be removed
• Airbus H130 T2 (one aircraft): six passengers plus pilot, Fenestron tail rotor, 130 knot cruise, 3.8 hours endurance

The site states emergency mobilisation within 30 minutes for both types.

Base

The permanent Tanzania base is Tango Zulu Heliport in Dolly Estate, Usa River, which the site describes as TCAA approved, with marked helipads, on-site fuel, secure aircraft parking and utility equipment for missions such as mountain rescue. It also reports a Zanzibar operation, with the Msitu Heliport at Kiwengwa under construction.

Company facts

• Six helicopter pilots across the group, per the site
• Managing director and pilot: Ben Simpson
• Sister company of Tropic Air Kenya