Geotech Airborne has relocated a Squirrel B3 from its operations in Brazil to South Africa. The Squirrel will be put to work carrying out airborne geophysical surveys.

Geotech Aviation's South African fleet now comprises six B3s along with two Cessna Caravan 208Bs. The aircraft was already owned by the company and registered in Brazil but has been transported to South Africa and received a new registration. It is now ready for service and will be on con- tract shortly. Geotech Airborne's business development manager Robert Wilson explains the type of operation the Squirrel will be engaged in: “Geotech is the world's leading airborne geophysical survey company offering helicopter and fixed wing geo-physics, data processing and data interpretation. We use these heli-copters for active and passive electromagnetism, state-of-the-art gravity, high sensitivity magnetics and radiometric surveys. Geotech is a full service company in helicopter and fixed wing airborne geophysics for both the oil and gas and mining sectors as well as general engineering and environmental sectors.”

However, the transition to life in South Africa for the latest Squirrel hasn't been without setbacks, explains director of maintenance Craig Siepman: “We had a couple of technical issues which kept it on the ground longer than we anticipated.”

Siepman nonetheless praises the reliability of this helicopter type: “It is a very capable, reliable aircraft and is also maintenance-friendly.

“The B3 is one helicopter type we use for our surveys. They're very well suited for the range of environments we work in and have the required power to carry the system and complete surveys safely.”

Siepman also hints that Geotech Aviation will consider offering a wider range of services as it looks to the future: “We have traditionally flown airborne geophysical surveys and our priority will always remain focused on survey. However, we would like to expand into other markets and offer clients a wider range of services. With a bigger fleet we can allocate aircraft to other projects.”