Sancak Air, which claims to have the largest helicopter fleet in Turkey, will recruit more pilots as it brings three further helicopters into operation this year and through next year. The air taxi operator, which has upgraded its FBO at Ataturk Havalimani to provide facilities for its own and client aircraft, may also acquire a Bell 412. "The larger helicopter would complement both our existing fleet and the new helicopters," says sales manager Yavuz Murat Yuezgen. "The helicopters on order for 2009 are a JetRanger BIII, a Bell 407 and a Bell 429 in 2010."

Sancak Air currently operates a variety of Bell helicopters including the 206 BIII, 206 L3, the 206 L4 and the 430. "Both our existing helicopters and our ordered helicopters will continue to satisfy established demand in the marketplace," says Yuezgen. "Our customer base is varied. As well as top business executives we also serve tourists and sightseers and we transport medical patients and provide EMS services."

The company operates a Bell helicopter JAR-145 maintenance centre and its choice of fleet and new aircraft reflects this capability. Yuezgen explains: "Our vision for the future is to maintain our role as a market leader providing a helicopter flight academy as well as the maintenance centre and air taxi service, with a strong group culture for service and competence as we work to international standards."

All Sancak pilots, he adds, are instructor pilots that have 5,000 to 12,000 hours flight experience. Yuezgen says the economic crisis means most operators are choosing not to invest in new aircraft but to keep going with their existing fleets.

"Sancak Air is moving ahead of these static companies," Yuezgen says. "Despite the night flight prohibitions in Turkey we expect each of our helicopters to fly at least 40 hours in a month. We prefer to order brand new helicopters."

The company, established in 1978, has expanded its activities year-on-year. Its flight academy provides pilot training and refresher courses as well as medical adaptation courses and training on the Bell 206 BIII, 206 L3, L4 and 430. As well as the Ataturk FBO, Sancak Air has facilities at Istanbul Sefakoy and in Ayvalik.

"Aviation has recently developed rapidly in our country compared with the last 15 years," says Yuezgen. "Now there are almost 70 aviation companies. But Sancak Air has been operating in every sector for 30 years and provides 24-hour services. Clients need to make the most of their time and that, along with our experience of meeting their needs, means we can face the future with confidence."