Latest News from Multiflight
Read all the latest news from Multiflight at Leeds Bradford International Airport.
Multiflight adds second Dauphin to helicopter charter fleet
Multiflight has added a second Dauphin helicopter to its fleet of charter helicopters.
The Eurocopter AS365 N2 Dauphin joins Multiflight’s existing helicopter charter fleet that includes a Eurocopter AS365 N1 Dauphin, AS355 Twin Squirrel and a B206 III Jetranger.
“We are delighted to announce the addition of a new Dauphin to our helicopter charter fleet,” says Multiflight Managing Director Steve Borrowdale.
“We can now offer our charter customers even greater choice for private travel by helicopter. An increasing number of people are recognising the benefits of charter travel, including flexibility and hassle-free traveling.”
Multiflight’s new Dauphin charter helicopter has undergone a major refurbishment programme at Multiflight’s in-house engineering and maintenance facility at Leeds Bradford International Airport, including the installation of new avionics, new cream interior and full repaint.
Picture shows the new addition to Multiflight fleet of charter helicopters: the Eurocopter AS365 N2 Dauphin.
Multiflight announces new partnership with Huddersfield Town
Multiflight is now an Official Partner of Huddersfield Town.
To celebrate the new partnership, Huddersfield Town’s Chief Executive Nigel Clibbens visited Multiflight at Leeds-Bradford International Airport. He is pictured here with Multiflight’s Managing Director, Steve Borrowdale.
Another of Town’s major partners, the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, is based at Multiflight; with one of its two life-saving helicopters operating out of the Leeds-Bradford International Airport. Multiflight operates and maintains the Yorkshire Air Ambulance helicopters.
Huddersfield Town’s Commercial Director Sean Jarvis said:
“People will, hopefully, know that we strive to hit the heights here during the ‘New Era’ at Huddersfield Town and I think this new partnership really does that!”
“Multiflight’s dedication to its customers and reputation as a growing business fits with our own ethos and, having used their services previously, we are delighted to formalise our arrangement in the form of this exciting new partnership.”
“We are looking forward to working with Multiflight’s staff over the coming season.”
Steve Borrowdale commented:
“We are delighted to become an Official Partner of Huddersfield Town. As a Yorkshire-based firm we are proud to be affiliated with ‘The Yorkshire Club’ and we hope we can support them as they reach new heights this season.”
“Our considerable investment in Multiflight over recent years means we now offer a first class aviation facility that is a one-stop shop for aviation professionals and enthusiasts, with a flight training centre and café bar, specialist engineering, charter, aircraft management and sales and executive handling departments. We hope as many Huddersfield Town fans as possible can visit us and enjoy our facilities.”
Multiflight provides helicopter for children’s hospice Christmas surprise
Multiflight helped make it a Christmas to remember for children and their families at Martin House Children’s Hospice in Boston Spa on Monday December 19th by providing a helicopter to fly Santa in with presents.
Multiflight and Leeds Bradford International Airport joined forces once again this year to provide a helicopter and presents for a special treat for the children and their families.
A crowd of children and their families were gathered outside the hospice to see the Dauphin helicopter land in a field by the hospice and Santa and his fairy get out. Once inside the hospice Santa gave all the children a present each.
“It’s great to be able to help give the children, their families and the staff at the hospice a special Christmas treat and Multiflight is delighted to be able to do this,” says Linda Nicholls, Multiflight’s Charter Manager.
To find out more about the hospice and the service it provides, or to make a donation, visit www.martinhouse.org.uk
Multiflight signs up for electricity from 100% renewable sources
Multiflight’s desire to be as green as possible has seen the company sign up for an electricity supply from 100% renewable sources.
“Multiflight is always looking at ways to be as green as possible and to do its bit for the environment and our new green electricity supply is the latest step towards this aim,” says Multiflight’s Finance Director, Miles Beecham, who was responsible for the change.
Multiflight’s electricity supply was up for renewal on November 1st, 2011, and Miles consulted with cost management services company Auditel to find the best green energy supply. Multiflight has been working with Auditel since 2002.
Auditel Consultant Phil Wilkes says: "We are delighted that we were able to find a supply which delivers electricity from 100% renewable sources at a competitive cost for Multiflight. Green energy typically costs more to generate but it will represent a higher proportion of the UK's overall energy production in the future, and it is great that Multiflight is doing its bit for the environment.”
Multiflight’s new green electricity supply comes from SmartestEnergy, a UK licensed business electricity supplier specialising in energy from renewable sources.
“Multiflight is constantly looking at ways to do its bit for the environment and this move of electricity supplier demonstrates our ongoing commitment to our environmental policy,” says Miles.
“Auditel provides us with excellent cost management services and when we said we wanted a green energy supply they identified an option that not only provided a supply from 100% renewable energy sources, but delivered that with no cost premium compared to ‘brown’ energy.”
Picture shows Miles, left, with Auditel’s Phil Wilkes, centre, and Paul Wilkes, right.
Multiflight supports BBC Children in Need
A big thank you goes to Multiflight staff for supporting the BBC Children in Need Appeal 2011. Through selling cakes and running a couple of games £200 was raised.
Pilot Rick Bardsley won the cake poster game and David Brooks from Tech Records won the Pudsey’s Bike Ride poster game.
Multiflight loans historic propeller to LBIA for 80th anniversary celebrations
A propeller from the aircraft that made the first scheduled flight from Leeds to London in 1919 has been loaned to Leeds Bradford International Airport for its 80th anniversary by Multiflight.
The historic mahogany and brass Rolls-Royce propeller from a Blackburn Kangaroo aircraft, which measures more than two metres across, is thought to be the only surviving part of a Blackburn Kangaroo left in the world. Twenty of the aircraft: a British twin-engine reconnaissance biplane of the First World War, were built by Blackburn Aircraft.
The propeller was on the aircraft that made the first scheduled flight linking Leeds with London on September 30th 1919. This service was operated by North Sea Aerial Navigation using two Blackburn Kangaroo aircraft. These had been built by Blackburn Aircraft at Olympia Works.
This first flight was between Roundhay Park in Leeds and Hounslow, London. The fare was fifteen pounds and fifteen shillings one way and thirty pounds return. This was very expensive in 1919 – the return fare would be equivalent to £1,250 in today’s money.
The early flights were the result of a rail strike, when the Government took over most of the civil aircraft belonging to the Kangaroo class for mail flights. This particular mail flight was between Newcastle and London with a stop at Leeds.
The commercial Kangaroo aircraft was a converted bomber that was fitted with a glazed cabin accommodating seven passengers. It was regarded as being one of the most luxurious passenger aircraft of the era, as most had an open cabin. Only three of these aircraft were converted and were bought by Graham White Aviation. The last Kangaroos were scrapped at Sherburn in 1927.
“The propeller is a magnificent piece of local history and we thought the airport really should have it as it celebrates its 80th anniversary this month,” says Mike McKenzie, Manager of the Multiflight Flight Training Centre at Leeds Bradford International Airport.
“It used to hang on the wall of the Yorkshire Aeroplane Club, which Multiflight acquired in 2000. When we offered it to the Airport for the anniversary exhibition it was keen to have it. It will make a great focal point. The workmanship in it is stunning and the fact that it’s thought to be the only remaining part of a Blackburn Kangaroo aircraft in the world coupled with the fact it belonged to the aircraft that made the first scheduled flight from Leeds to London make it a very special item in terms of local aviation history.”
Tony Hallwood, Leeds Bradford Airport’s Commercial Director, commented “We are delighted that such an important part of Leeds Bradford’s aviation history will be on display at the airport to mark our 80th anniversary. It will serve as an iconic reminder of our region’s longstanding support of air travel both nationally and internationally.”
The propeller will feature in a special 80th anniversary exhibition at the airport opening on Monday October 17th.
Pictures show the Multiflight propeller with Mike McKenzie and Dave Steele, Multiflight’s Facilities Co-ordinator who has sympathetically restored the propeller; the propeller, and the Blackburn Kangaroo aircraft.
Third Great North Air Ambulance Service Dauphin helicopter bought from Multiflight handed over at Helitech 2011
The third Dauphin helicopter bought from Multiflight by the Great North Air Ambulance Service was officially handed over to the charity at Helitech 2011 today, Wednesday September 28th.
Multiflight Managing Director Steve Borrowdale made the official hand over to GNAAS Chief Executive Graham Pickering today at Helitech 2011, the largest dedicated helicopter event in Europe. The Dauphin Eurocopter AS 365 N2 helicopter, now fully kitted out as a GNAAS helicopter, is part of a display of 40 helicopters at the three-day event held at the Imperial War Museum in Duxford, UK.
This is the third Dauphin Eurocopter AS 365 N2 helicopter that Multiflight has supplied to the GNAAS charity. The helicopter was sourced by Multiflight and refit with Multiflight’s medical interior.
Earlier this year Multiflight was awarded a five-year contract to manage, crew and maintain the helicopters for the charity. Multiflight has managed, crewed and maintained the GNAAS helicopters since early 2010 and has already supplied the charity with two Dauphins.
At the official hand over today, Steve Borrowdale said: “Multiflight is delighted to be working in partnership with GNAAS: to have been awarded the new five-year contract and also to be the company chosen to continue managing, crewing and maintaining the aircraft that the charity has purchased through us. It’s a partnership that highlights the complete turnkey air ambulance solution that Multiflight provides. GNAAS provides a very valuable service and Multiflight is pleased to be able to help and support the charity and the public it serves.”
Graham Pickering said: “The GNAAS is very pleased to take ownership of this third Dauphin helicopter from Multiflight. The charity has been very impressed with Multiflight’s management, maintenance and team of helicopter pilots during the time we have been working with the company. We are looking forward to the next five years working with Multiflight.”
Multiflight’s stand and display of two Dauphin helicopters at Helitech 2011 has been attracting lots of interest. The GNAAS helicopter has been a particular draw for crowds.
For more details about the Great North Air Ambulance Service go to www.greatnorthairambulance.co.uk
Picture shows the official hand over of the third Dauphin helicopter bought from Multiflight by the Great North Air Ambulance Service that took place at Helitech 2011 today. Picture shows Steve Borrowdale (right) and Graham Pickering with the helicopter.
Multiflight stand and helicopter display attracts lots of interest at Helitech 2011
Multiflight is exhibiting at Helitech 2011: the largest dedicated helicopter exhibition in Europe. The exhibition opened today, Tuesday September 27th, and you can find out more on the Multiflight blog.
Please visit Multiflight on Stand 2000 and remember to take a look at our display of helicopters. The display, which includes a Great North Air Ambulance helicopter, is attracting lots of visitors and interest.
Multiflight awarded new maintenance deal with Yorkshire Air Ambulance
Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) has awarded its new contract for maintenance of their helicopters to Multiflight.
The contract, which commenced on 20th August, sees Multiflight take control of all the maintenance of the two MD902 Explorer helicopters the YAA operate. The YAA has been based on Multiflight's site at Leeds Bradford International Airport for over ten years now, but previously had been tied into a maintenance contract with another aviation company.
Peter Sunderland, Chairman of the YAA comments: "The YAA are proud of our Yorkshire heritage and enjoy building partnerships with other Yorkshire based companies. We are therefore delighted to be developing our working relationship with Multiflight who will now be maintaining our two helicopters, as well as us operating from their site at Leeds Bradford International Airport."
The YAA is an independent Charity who operate two life-saving helicopters across the Yorkshire region. The Charity need to raise £7,200 each day to keep both of the state-of-the-art helicopters in the air and maintained - this is equivalent to £2.6million each year.
Steve Borrowdale, Managing Director of Multiflight, said: "Multiflight is delighted to be awarded the new five-year Yorkshire Air Ambulance contract and to be the company chosen to manage and maintain the aircraft for the charity. Yorkshire Air Ambulance provides a valuable service to our region and Multiflight is pleased to be able to help and support the charity. The new Yorkshire Air Ambulance contract further cements our reputation for delivering a complete turnkey solution for the customer."
The two YAA helicopters are operated from Leeds Bradford International Airport and Bagby Airfield near Thirsk offering the people of Yorkshire the best possible Air Ambulance service across the region. They operate seven days a week, 365 days per year covering a vast landscape that covers not only rural and isolated locations, but also some of the busiest motorway networks in the UK.
Multiflight also holds a five-year contract with the Great North Air Ambulance Service to manage, crew and maintain its helicopters and has supplied the charity with two Dauphin Eurocopter AS 365 N2 helicopters.
For further information about the YAA or to make a donation, please visit www.yaa.org.uk.
Photograph shows (L-R): Miles Beecham (Finance Director, Multiflight), Peter Sunderland (Chairman, YAA) and Steve Borrowdale (Managing Director, Multiflight).
Any news?
Please let us know if you have any news you would like including. Email: susan.preston@multiflight.com
