page_title: CHC Helicopter
section_title: Expansion
hierarchical_section_title: CHC Helicopter / History / Expansion
caption_attribution_description: Okanagen Helicopters Sikorsky S-61L C-FOKB at Vancouver Intnational Airport
context_page_description: CHC Helicopter is a large helicopter services company, specializing in the following services:
  Transportation to offshore oil and gas platforms
  Civilian search and rescue and air medical evacuation services
  Helicopter maintenance repair and overhaul
  CHC Helicopter is headquartered in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada and operates more than 250 aircraft in 30 countries around the world. CHC's major international operating units are based in Australia, Brazil, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, and the United Kingdom. The company is one of several global providers of helicopter transportation services to the offshore oil and gas industry. CHC has capabilities in precision flying techniques and technical support.
  CHC has long-term working relationships with most of the major oil and gas companies. CHC operates the marine search and rescue service for the Irish Coast Guard at Shannon, Waterford, Sligo and Dublin airports. CHC provides helicopter services in Australia for the Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia, Victoria Police and the Ambulance Service of New South Wales.
context_section_description: During the early 1950s, the company officially renamed itself Okanagan Helicopters Ltd. By the end of 1952, it had become the largest commercial helicopter operator in North America and one of the largest in the world. Throughout much of the 1950s, Okanagan participated in the construction and maintenance of the Mid-Canada Line of radar stations, using a mixed fleet of Sikorsky S-55 and Bell 47s. By the end of 1958, the firm was operating a fleet of 51 rotorcraft at various locations all across Canada. In the 1960s, Okanagan continued to grow into new locations and new markets, retaining a heavy focus on remote construction projects. During 1963, it received its first overseas contract from East Pakistan, which it met via a single Bell 47J.
  The 1970s was a period of transformation for Okanagan. Only Bent remained on staff by this point as both Agar and Stringer had resigned during the 1960s over disputes on how the company ought to be run. Okanagan embarked on a spree of acquisitions, purchasing companies such as Universal Helicopters, Haida Helicopters, Lac Saint-Jean Aviation, Dominion-Pegasus Helicopters, Sept-Iles Helicopter Services, Associated Helicopters and Bow Helicopter. By 1975, 20 percent of the company’s revenue came from international sources; a dedicated international division was established to manage this business sector. Furthermore, as a result of the turboshaft engine having displaced the piston engine on newer and more capable helicopters, Okanagan began to introduce turbine-powered rotorcraft into its fleet, including the Bell 204, Bell 212, Sikorsky S-58T, Sikorsky S-62, and Sikorsky S-76.
  By 1981, Okanagan was the largest helicopter company in Canada, operating a fleet of 125 helicopters, along with 900 employees and annual revenues of $83 million Cdn. The company attracted the attention of various investors, leading to a takeover by Canadian oil company Resource Service Group; soon thereafter, Alan Bristow, the founder of Britain's Bristow Helicopters, acquired a 49 percent ownership stake in the company.
caption: A Sikorsky S-61 in Okanagan Helicopters livery
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