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British International Helicopters

British International Helicopters is the largest British-owned helicopter operator. The company since 2013 part of the Rigby Group Plc had its origins as a division of British European Airways and later British Airways Helicopters. In 1986 British Airways sold its helicopter operation to Robert Maxwell and the operation became British International Helicopters. Following the death of the disgraced tycoon the operation then passed through the ownership of several companies before becoming part of the Rigby Group.

From 1964 to October 31, 2012 BIH offered regular flights from Penzance Heliport to St. Mary’s Airport and Tresco Heliport (from 1983) on the Isles of Scilly. However, due to declining traffic and the need to sell the Penzance Heliport for redevelopment to Sainsbury’s the service came to an end.

Your web master used this service for the first time as a youngster in 1965 and then regularly between 1991 and 2005. It is much missed and today no trace of Penzance Heliport exists being obliterated by yet another supermarket – as though Penzance doesn’t have enough!
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  • British International Helicopters - April 17, 2003

    British International Helicopters - April 17, 2003

    Passengers boarding Sikorski S61N helicopter G-BFFJ at St Mary's Airport on April 17, 2013 for a flight to Penzance. Turnarounds at St. Mary's were fast normally completed in 5 to 10 minutes with engines running. The operation was slick and efficient.

  • British International Helicopters - April 17, 2003

    British International Helicopters - April 17, 2003

    British International 1978 built Sikorsky S61N helicopter G- BFFJ arriving at St. Mary's Airport with a flight from Penzance on April 17, 2003. She had a passenger capcity of 28 persons with freight and luggage being carried in a forward compartment between the flight deck and the passenger cabin.

  • British International Helicopters - April 17, 2003

    British International Helicopters - April 17, 2003

    British International 1978 built Sikorsky S61N helicopter G- BFFJ arriving at St. Mary's Airport with a flight from Penzance on April 17, 2003. She had a passenger capcity of 28 persons with freight and luggage being carried in a forward compartment between the flight deck and the passenger cabin.

  • British International Helicopters - April 17, 2003

    British International Helicopters - April 17, 2003

    British International 1978 built Sikorsky S61N helicopter G- BFFJ arriving at St. Mary's Airport with a flight from Penzance on April 17, 2003. She had a passenger capcity of 28 persons with freight and luggage being carried in a forward compartment between the flight deck and the passenger cabin.

  • British International Helicopters - April 17, 2003

    British International Helicopters - April 17, 2003

    British International 1978 built Sikorsky S61N helicopter G- BFFJ arriving at St. Mary's Airport with a flight from Penzance on April 17, 2003. She had a passenger capcity of 28 persons with freight and luggage being carried in a forward compartment between the flight deck and the passenger cabin.

  • British International Helicopters - April 17, 2003

    British International Helicopters - April 17, 2003

    British International 1978 built Sikorsky S61N helicopter G- BFFJ arriving at St. Mary's Airport with a flight from Penzance on April 17, 2003. She had a passenger capcity of 28 persons with freight and luggage being carried in a forward compartment between the flight deck and the passenger cabin.

  • British International Helicopters - April 17, 2003

    British International Helicopters - April 17, 2003

    British International 1978 built Sikorsky S61N helicopter G- BFFJ arriving at St. Mary's Airport with a flight from Penzance on April 17, 2003. She had a passenger capcity of 28 persons with freight and luggage being carried in a forward compartment between the flight deck and the passenger cabin.

  • British International Helicopters - Penzance Heliport - April 14, 2003

    British International Helicopters - Penzance Heliport - April 14, 2003

    Sikorski S61N helicopter awaiting to board passengers at Penzance heliport for a flight to St. Mary's, Isles of Scilly.

  • British International Helicopters - October 25, 2002

    British International Helicopters - October 25, 2002

    Sikorski S61N G-BFFJ has just arrived at Penzance Heliport on an afternoon flight from St Mary's. Turn arounds at Penzance were fast with passengers and luggage disembarked and back loaded within 5 minutes as a consequence the engines were kept running.

  • British International Helicopters - October 24, 2002

    British International Helicopters - October 24, 2002

    "Echo Bravo" G-BCEB landing at St. Mary's Airport with a flight from Penzance.

  • Tresco Heliport - Tresco - October 22, 2002

    Tresco Heliport - Tresco - October 22, 2002

    The then new Tresco Heliport building. Whilst the heliport had been operational since opening in 1983 facilities had been somewhat primitive with little more than an elaborate garden shed for a waiting room!

  • Tresco Heliport - Tresco - October 22, 2002

    Tresco Heliport - Tresco - October 22, 2002

    The then new Tresco Heliport building. Whilst the heliport had been operational since opening in 1983 facilities had been somewhat primitive with little more than an elaborate garden shed for a waiting room!

  • Tresco Heliport - Tresco - October 22, 2002

    Tresco Heliport - Tresco - October 22, 2002

    The then new Tresco Heliport building. Whilst the heliport had been operational since opening in 1983 facilities had been somewhat primitive with little more than an elaborate garden shed for a waiting room!

  • British International Helicopters - March 29, 2002

    British International Helicopters - March 29, 2002

    Sikorski S61N helicopters at St Mary's Airport. It was unusual to see two of the helicopters at St Mary's at the same time. On the left is G-BCEB about to depart for Penzance whilst landing is G-BFFJ. *** PLEASE NOTE THIS IMAGE WAS TAKEN WITH AN EARLY DIGITAL CAMERA and the quality is less than would normally be expected ****

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    British International Helicopters - April 17, 2003
    British International Helicopters - Penzance Heliport - April 14, 2003
    British International Helicopters - October 25, 2002