Skyhook was awarded the airlifting contract for the Brecon Beacons National Park Authority (BBNPA) once again in 2021. Our ongoing working relationship with the BBNPA is a testimony to the value for money and high quality of service Skyhook provides.

The 2021 airlifting was split over two visits in September and November respectively and involved the transportation of 1200 tons of bagged path stone and 400 lifts of equipment and materials for peatland restoration projects around the park. Due to restrictions on when we can fly in the park work is carried out at a time of year when weather can pose significant challenges. The flexible service provided by Skyhook is essential to ensure that all flyable days are taken full advantage of to allow project completion in the allotted timescale.

A large proportion of the bagged material was fine aggregate or “scalpings” which have the tendency to take on weight as they get wet whilst bagged waiting for airlift. A 1-ton bag can become a 1.1-ton bag very quickly. Our modern B3+ aircraft capable of lifting 1.2 tons mean that this isn’t a problem, giving the client peace of mind that regardless of weather, materials will not need to be re-bagged.

The Brecon Beacons National Park Authority has employed Skyhook Helicopters to undertake underslung lifting at various locations in the National Park on a number of occasions over the past five years. On each occasion Skyhook deployed an AS350B3 Squirrel helicopter with associated lifting equipment, 2 ground crew and one or two pilots. All staff were highly competent and experienced and provided an excellent service. In particular:

• Deployment of the AS350B3 Squirrel provided flexibility in terms of load lifting as it could lift over 1 tonne loads.

• Provision of 2 ground crew allowed full utilisation of the helicopter with very little down time when repositioning between sites.

Richard Ball, Countryside and access projects Officer, Brecon Beacons National Park Authority