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PETROLEUM DIRECTORY: Flying high and flying safe — Air Logistics
celebrates 25 years Helicopter company looks at a history of smart and safe flying for Alaska’s biggest players in Alaska’s biggest industry Mara Severin PNA Contributing Writer
The people at Air Logistics of Alaska know helicopters and they know Alaska. After all, the aviation company’s history goes far beyond its formation in 1977. In that year, Offshore Logistics of Lafayette, La., purchased Anchorage Helicopters, a pioneer Alaska aviation company that dates its operations back to the 1940s. This year, Air Logistics celebrates its 25th year of service, integrity, and safe operations, but their mark on the aviation landscape of Alaska tops 50 years. No job too big or too small The current incarnation of the company is light years beyond those early days. Today, headquarters are in a modern 20,000 square-foot facility on Metro Field in Fairbanks. The company has additional facilities and offices in Anchorage, Valdez, and Deadhorse.
Air Logistics presently operates a fleet of 16 helicopters and one support airplane in a variety of applications throughout the state. Through its parent group, Air Logistics has access to a combined fleet of more than 350 helicopters ranging from 18 passenger B214ST’s and S-61N’s, nine to 12 passenger Bell 212/412’s, six passenger B407/B206L-3’s, and four passenger Jetranger and BO-105 aircraft. This diverse aircraft selection allows Air Logistics to easily and quickly ramp up their fleet size to meet any contingency or opportunity that might arise in the state of Alaska. Serving the major players “ALA is a highly responsive, service-based organization,” says Dave Scarbrough, company spokesman. “Company air crews work diligently to accomplish assigned mission tasks while at the same time working within their mandate to provide our customers with safe, efficient and no-compromise aviation support.”
ALA’s mission statement is simple and to the point. “Perfection is our Goal — Excellence is our Product”. ALA’s bedrock operating philosophy pertains to a commitment to the idea that the company can achieve operational excellence through stringent safety compliance and thoughtful attention to risk management, and that operational excellence is the principal attribute of a healthy, profitable aviation business.
Air Logistics’ principal business activity is helicopter support to Alaska’s oil and gas and related industries. Core contracts include support to pipeline operations, support to offshore and onshore drilling and production programs, remote construction and maintenance, seismic programs, environmental studies, survey and permitting, and oil-spill contingency and emergency response.
Its excellence in providing these services has led to long-standing client-provider relationships with some of Alaska’s leading companies.
For 21 years, Air Logistics has been the dedicated contract helicopter vendor to Alyeska Pipeline Service Co. Helicopters based in Fairbanks, Valdez and at various pump stations provide daily support to pipeline maintenance, security and surveillance activities, and to oil spill response programs.
In addition, Air Logistics has been the primary helicopter service provider for North Slope project activities to both BP Exploration (Alaska) Inc. (non-Northstar) and to Anadarko Petroleum Corp. since 1999 and provided support to Phillips Alaska Inc., Chevron U.S.A. Inc., and ExxonMobil field programs during the 1999, 2000, and 2001 field seasons.
Most recently, Air Logistics was selected to provide offshore helicopter support to EnCana Corp.’s upcoming exploration drilling program at the McCovey Prospect in the Beaufort Sea.
Safety — flying above and beyond regulations At Air Logistics, safety is more than a byword — it is the final word. It is, according to Safety Manager Francis Boisseau, a part of the corporate culture. “We place safety first in everything we do,” says Boisseau.
Air Logistics spends more dollars on safety-related issues, training, and equipment than most of its competitors, he said. These front-end expenditures go towards a company ground school and flight training syllabus that far exceeds the requirements outlined by the FAA. Although not required by regulations, all Air Logistics pilots receive quarterly instrument and night flight training. Also, every spring the company brings a manufacturer’s factory instructor pilot to Fairbanks to provide recurrent and up to date in-flight emergency procedures training. Further, in response to heightened security concerns following the events of Sept. 11, Air Logistics increased corporate and aviation security by installing ignition key locks in company aircraft and a modern motion-based security system in its main Fairbanks hangar and offices.
“The safety of our customers, our employees, our equipment, and our profitability dictates that we set the highest company standards,” says Scarbrough. However, he is adamant in emphasizing the importance that employees play in the company’s exceptional reputation.
Every employee has the authority to make “on the spot” decisions and the ability to implement change through an in depth company Irregularity Hazard Deficiency Report Program. “Our IHD program is one of the best intra-company communication tools that we have to timely address specific safety and operational issues critical to our continued business success.” Employee participation is high with an average of 75 IHD’s per year.
“ALA has provided our personnel with the finest equipment, the best training, and an exposure to a safety-based decision making process that reflects a high level of employee ‘buy in’ and total management support and backing,” said Boisseau. “Safe operational behavior by ALA employees is recognized with generous safety awards and bonuses that are paid at our annual safety awards presentation in the winter of each year.”
So it’s a combination of management vision and employee commitment that sets the standard of safety at Air Logistics. The aviation firm that ‘does it right’ Air Logistics knows that safe flight is good business. For starters, of course, a good safety record leads to customer confidence.
“ALA’s business benefits and prospers because our industry-leading safety performance enhances our reputation as an aviation firm who does it right,” says Scarbrough. “This fact is continually demonstrated by the many high profile oil and gas industry companies who choose to contract for our services.”
“Safety is viewed as a profit center for our business,” says Scarbrough. “The company safety program directly provides for substantial savings with regards to ALA’s Aircraft Hull and Liability, General Liability, and Workers Compensation Insurance Premiums. This at a time when many air carriers are finding it difficult to afford industry-wide insurance premium increases. 12 years and zero accidents – you do the math Does this aggressive and proactive company safety program and “corporate culture” work? The numbers speak for themselves.
Air Logistics has one of the finest safety records in the aviation industry. The company currently is in its 12th year of a zero accident-incident rate while accumulating more than 75,000 flying hours. This is exceptional in an industry where, in the year 2001, the average rate of accidents was 7.64 per 100,000 hours flown.
In the area of industrial safety, Air Logistics has been inspected by the Alaska Department of Labor and OSHA and awarded a Star Level for their participation in the Voluntary Protection Program, an award which is designed to recognize and promote effective safety and health management to employers.
“To our knowledge, we are the first aviation firm in the nation to achieve this standing,” says Boisseau proudly.
“I congratulate ALA for achieving this award,” said Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development Ed Flanagan, when bestowing the honor. “The VPP Star Award is the highest in the voluntary protection program. It says a lot about a company’s commitment to the safety and well being of its employees.”
In addition, Air Logistics was awarded the Governor of Alaska’s Safety Award of Excellence in 1998, 2000 and 2001 as well as the Governor’s Special Recognition Award for 1998 and 1999.
So if you’re looking for an aviation company that has a long history in Alaska, years of experience with the oil industry, and a proven and honored safety record, look no further than Air Logistics of Alaska. They know helicopters and they know Alaska.
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