Eric Brown Award Winner 2021
Eric Brown Award Winner 2021
2021 is a significant milestone for David George as it marks 50 years as both a Council Member of the BHA and since he established Sloane Helicopters, which continues in his sole ownership and remains one of the oldest helicopter operators in the UK.
Following award of his PPL(H) from BEAS in 1969, flying a Brantly B-2B helicopter, David purchased a four seat Bell 47J Ranger. This was then followed by a Hughes 500 a year later; still primarily used for pleasure. Around the same time, David branched out and purchased the entire Royal Canadian AF’s fleet of Hillers, together with all the available spares and following intensive discussions with the CAA, succeeded in establishing an overhaul facility at Sywell within a year. This was the start of flight operations for David, as some twelve of the aircraft were then operated on agricultural and other aerial work operations.
In 1979, Frank Robinson obtained US FAA certification for the R22 and David was quick to recognise the potential for a practical, low cost personal helicopter. Following an initial order for eight aircraft, David succeeded in obtaining an exclusive UK and Ireland distributorship. This led to the setting up of the flying school in 1984 which continues to be a thriving part of Sloane Helicopters operation to this day.
Since that time, David’s desire and commitment resulted in Sloane Helicopters being awarded the Leonardo distributorship in 1995, which subsequently led to the company’s success in winning a number of contracts including those from The Air Ambulance Service and the MoD (32 Squadron RAF). The most recent development has seen David taking Sloane Helicopters in yet another exciting direction by reinstating the Penzance to the Isles of Scilly helicopter service.
The company has sold over five hundred new Robinson helicopters and following deliveries in 2022, will complete one hundred new Leonardo sales.
David has at personal expense – both in terms of financial support and time – supported the ongoing development of helicopter flying and engineering. The development of apprenticeship courses, as well as ab-initio pilot training, is also an area which David has dedicated a lot of time and interest and Sloane Helicopters is now reaping the rewards of this initiative with several apprentices becoming fully Licensed Engineers in recent years.
David’s personal commitment, contagious enthusiasm, and passion for both aircraft and the helicopter industry remain as evident now as ever. His resolve to remain at the forefront of the UK helicopter industry for the last 50 years is a truly amazing achievement and one that needs to be both applauded and celebrated.
Unfortunately David was unable to attend the dinner, his son George George accepted the award on David’s behalf
