Brescia, Italy-based Elitop has taken on the management of a Robinson R66 helicopter that was recently purchased by Ocrim, an Italian manufacturer of milling systems. “The customer wanted a factory-new helicopter priced around the $1 million mark, and the R66 is the best choice at the moment,” says pilot and CEO Alberto Guerini. “The helicopter flies well, it is quite fast and has a good payload. It will be used for private corporate operations, moving managers and guests around to different locations.”

The aircraft has many factory options fitted, including Garmin G500H, autopilot, air conditioning and radio altimeter plus floats to fly over water. A large baggage compartment is also standard on the type.

“The addition will not significantly alter our operations, it will just increase our general experience,” continues Guerini. “We also have another couple of private helicopters we are managing for owners, comprising an EC130 and an EC120.

“Many companies are operating in our region, but most concentrate on the same jobs. We are always trying to develop the private market and we also have a flight school. We assist with licences for people that are interested in buying a helicopter, and we often follow this through and end up managing the helicopter for them. Our business seems to be increasing but we remain focused on the day-to-day.”

Elitop also collaborates with Elicompany, another helicopter organisation based in Carpi, Modena, to fly Bell 407s and 427s.