First of two new helicopters for tourism operator Nautilus

This weekend became special for the new jewel on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef - the delivery of two new H130 helicopters. Helicopters will be deployed by Far North Queensland tourism operator, Nautilus Aviation’s new partnership with the Quicksilver Group, based in Port Douglas.. From major tourist destinations to the busy airspace over cities, the single-engine H130 is in widespread use with sightseeing services, charter operators and emergency medical services.

“As we have been successfully operating the H130s for a number of years now, the choice of new aircraft for the Quicksilver operation was an easy one to make. It’s the ideal helicopter for tourist operations in terms of comfort, view and ease of maintainability. With the ability to carry 7 passengers, the H130 becomes a very economical platform to operate in a high volume operation. The addition of the latest H130 brings the total in our fleet to four with the delivery of a fifth expected later this year,” said Aaron Finn, CEO of Nautilus Aviation.

“As one of the quietest helicopters in the skies, the H130 sets the standard for tourism operations worldwide. Its very low sound level is quieter than the most restrictive limits defined for flights over national parks, animal reserves, and urban areas, and it is ideal for operations over the iconic Great Barrier Reef,” said Andrew Mathewson, Managing Director of Airbus Australia Pacific. 

“The wide, unobstructed cabin provides outstanding visibility through a large wrap-around screen and wide windows.  Added to this are the exceptional safety aspects of the shrouded Fenestron tail rotor and robust contained fuel system.” 

Mr Mathewson also said that Airbus had a long standing business relationship with Nautilus Aviation and the new purchases extended that agreement with through-life support of the new and existing Airbus helicopter fleet, encompassing HCare service solutions and full technical support. 

“I’m delighted that Airbus was able to hand over the new H130 helicopter, in new distinctive Quicksilver livery, at the Airbus approved maintenance centre, Pacific Crown Helicopters, based at the Sunshine Coast Airport,” he added.

Today, there are around 700 H130 helicopters flying globally by more than 380 operators in 65 countries. 36% of the global H130 fleet is used for commercial passenger transportation and tourism.