News
Transwest wins key Bell overhaul contract
November 26, 2012 By Carey Fredericks
Nov. 26, 2012, Oliver, B.C. - Transwest Helicopters Ltd has announced that it has won a contract to overhaul two Bell 412 helicopters at its brand new hangar facility in Oliver this winter.
The machines were due to arrive in Oliver overland from Lafayette, Louisiana yesterday or today subject to U.S./Canada border customs clearance. In October 2011, the company relocated from Chilliwack Airport to Oliver Airport in B.C.’s southern Interior,
President and CEO Ernst-Ulrich Maas praised the efforts of all Transwest staff who have worked very hard to ensure the relocation and set-up of the company in the new Oliver base have gone smoothly. Their efforts have enabled the company to bid successfully on this overhaul contract.
“We experienced a challenging year and it is very gratifying to be successful in attracting new business to our new Oliver base” Ernst Maas says. He attributes this success as an overall team effort, but in particular due to the perseverance of Transwest’s Director of Maintenance, Stacy Ascah.
The company operates Bell 214B, Bell 412 and A-Star 350 B2 helicopters and also runs busy engine and component overhaul shops at Oliver Airport. Transwest Helicopters Ltd, first established in 1958, has many years of experience forest firefighting, in power line construction, ski lift construction, oilfield support and has carried out miscellaneous heavy lift jobs both in Canada and abroad with an excellent safety record. The company currently employs 17 people, a mix of both regular staff and contract aviation engineers/pilots. There have also been a number of local hires, which will have had a positive effect on the local job market. The local economy in general has also benefited from the arrival of the newly relocated staff both living and working in the Oliver/Osoyoos area.
Ernst and Alison Maas previously lived in Osoyoos from 1996 to 2005 and always hoped for an opportunity to move back to the area. “We have to thank Mayor Ron Hovanes and the Town of Oliver for their proactive assistance in making this move happen. We are extremely pleased to be back in the South Okanagan and our employees are really enjoying living and working here.” Ernst Maas says.
