Tobago Helicopter & Flying Club
Posted: Sun May 21, 2006 9:09 am
Regular readers will recall that it was my wish to complete the aerial photography gallery of Tobago. Indeed, the first myTobago Prize-Draw competition was conceived as a means of raising funds for the project.
My original aerial session was completed courtesy of Hummingbird Helicopters of Trinidad. Over the past year or more, the owner of that company, Tony Vieira, in partnership with Sharon Eldred, have been working hard to re-launch a helicopter sightseeing service on Tobago. It had been hoped that this service would commence during my stay on the island and would provide the aircraft for my photo-survey.
Sadly, the aviation authorities on Trinidad & Tobago have proven more difficult to satisfy than even the American or British CAA. Delay has followed delay and complication after complication has followed.
Tony arranged to fly a helicopter over from Trinidad and take me on a full aerial photo-survey of the northern end of Tobago. The flight plan intended meant that refuelling was necessary after the transfer from Trinidad. Sadly, on the day of the flight it was found that Tobago did not stock the right sort of fuel for the helicopter. It proved impossible to get a supply before I left the island five days later.
I have avoided making any comment about the matter until now because I had no wish to embarrass Tony and Sharon and because I was hoping for some positive news on the launch of the Tobago service.
I am now delighted to announce that this service has actually commenced.
Tobago Helicopter Ltd., trading as Tobago Helicopter & Flying Club, recently commenced operations from Crown Point Airport, Tobago. The club operates a helicopter and a fixed-wing aircraft. They are currently sourcing a second helicopter. The project is run by Sharon Eldred. Sadly, for health and other reasons, Tony Vieira is no longer associated with the company.
I have asked Sharon to provide further details of the club’s activities and either I or she will post them here as soon as possible.
Naturally I hope it will be possible to complete our aerial survey of the north of Tobago on my next trip to Tobago, in early 2007. In the meantime, may I wish Sharon and the club every success with this exciting new service .
My original aerial session was completed courtesy of Hummingbird Helicopters of Trinidad. Over the past year or more, the owner of that company, Tony Vieira, in partnership with Sharon Eldred, have been working hard to re-launch a helicopter sightseeing service on Tobago. It had been hoped that this service would commence during my stay on the island and would provide the aircraft for my photo-survey.
Sadly, the aviation authorities on Trinidad & Tobago have proven more difficult to satisfy than even the American or British CAA. Delay has followed delay and complication after complication has followed.
Tony arranged to fly a helicopter over from Trinidad and take me on a full aerial photo-survey of the northern end of Tobago. The flight plan intended meant that refuelling was necessary after the transfer from Trinidad. Sadly, on the day of the flight it was found that Tobago did not stock the right sort of fuel for the helicopter. It proved impossible to get a supply before I left the island five days later.
I have avoided making any comment about the matter until now because I had no wish to embarrass Tony and Sharon and because I was hoping for some positive news on the launch of the Tobago service.
I am now delighted to announce that this service has actually commenced.
Tobago Helicopter Ltd., trading as Tobago Helicopter & Flying Club, recently commenced operations from Crown Point Airport, Tobago. The club operates a helicopter and a fixed-wing aircraft. They are currently sourcing a second helicopter. The project is run by Sharon Eldred. Sadly, for health and other reasons, Tony Vieira is no longer associated with the company.
I have asked Sharon to provide further details of the club’s activities and either I or she will post them here as soon as possible.
Naturally I hope it will be possible to complete our aerial survey of the north of Tobago on my next trip to Tobago, in early 2007. In the meantime, may I wish Sharon and the club every success with this exciting new service .