What’s it like to own a helicopter business? One day you’re flying, the next you’re juggling maintenance, customers, and logistics—no two days are the same. In this article, helicopter business owner Frazer Oliphant-Hope shares a behind-the-scenes look at the huge variety that comes with the role.

Company, position & base?

Eastern Atlantic Helicopters, Managing Director and Owner. Also, an Instrument Rated (IR) Commercial Helicopter Pilot, Brighton City Airport.

Can you summarise your job role in one sentence?

No.. haha.. I oversee the day-to-day running of my company, Eastern Atlantic Helicopters, which involves making and managing aircraft and parts sales, purchasing aircraft and parts for stock, and refurbishing and maintaining a number of aircraft including MD500’s, MD600N’s, MD902’s and Enstrom 480’s.

I am also a Commercial Helicopter Pilot with just shy of 4000 hrs and rated on the MD500 series, MD600N, MD900/902, AW109, Bell Jetranger, Bell Longranger, AS350 B2 and B3, and the Enstrom 480. I fly on behalf of the company, whether that be test flights, demos, flying clients up and down the country in their personal aircraft or flying to events.

Example of a typical “day in the life” running Eastern Atlantic Helicopters?

With owning a company, and in the world of aviation, no two days are the same. But, if I’m flying clients (usually 2-3 days per week on average), it would usually begin with checking the weather to see what the Great British forecast has in store for the day. If I have any concerns, I’ll phone the client as soon as I can to make them aware of my thoughts and make a plan from there. If I’m happy the flight can go ahead as planned, I’ll jump in the car and drive to work. I’ll arrive at the office with my Cocker Spaniel, Nala, and upon my entrance shout “MOOOORNING” to give the team an extra wake-up and boost!

 After putting my bag down at my desk and saying a few personal “good mornings” to the guys in the office, I’ll begin catching up with the team. This generally involves me asking our Chief Engineer, Simon, and our Parts and Logistics Manager, Dave, where we are with aircraft maintenance, parts and projects. I’ll then speak to Bel, Sales, Marketing and Customer Support, aka my right-hand woman, and Paul, our Financial Director about any ongoing sales or financial bits that need sorting. 

This is when I’ll also fill the team in on my plans for the day and where abouts in the country I’ll be, and how long I’ll be in the office in case anyone needs time with me throughout the day. Shortly after touching base with the office team, I’ll head out to make a cup of tea in the kitchen, then go and speak to all the engineers and mechanics individually to see how they’re getting on.

Once I’ve done the rounds and am satisfied there are no major issues arisen, I’ll generally take a seat at my second office, aka the stairs by the kitchen. I’ve never been the best at sitting all day at a desk, and find I can often be most productive when hustle and bustle is going on around me. It is also a nice way for me to see what’s happening in the hangar and have moments with different team members as they head over to the kitchen to grab a cuppa. Here, I’ll generally begin by checking the exchange rates as we do a lot of business with the States and Europe. I’ll then start tackling emails on my phone and making a few calls. I’ll also use this time to check the re-check the weather. I’ll do this even if I’m not scheduled to be flying, as plans can change very last minute and it’s better to be aware.

My time on the stairs is usually ended by a client phoning and needing information one of the team have, at which point I’ll plonk myself down at my desk and continue with my day there. We have an open-door policy here at Eastern Atlantic Helicopters, meaning visitors and clients can turn up whenever they like and they’ll be welcomed with open arms, a cuppa and a biccy! It’s unusual to have a day without someone popping by, so when this happens, myself, Simon, and Bel will greet them and help if they have a query or just have a chat if that’s what they’re after!  We find a lot of people just love being in amongst it – surrounded by the helis being built, worked on, and all shiny and ready for sale!

In the afternoon I tend to have a sit down with Paul and talk money. The joys. The rest of my time in the office is filled with progressing sales, rebuild/refurbishment projects and aircraft maintenance. This may look like going through costings, talking to vendors about parts or completing maintenance flight tests or tracking flights.

In preparation for flying, I will pre-flight the aircraft (this involves more than just counting the blades, contrary to popular belief!). Once I’m happy everything is in working order with the aircraft, with the help of a few of the team, we’ll push the aircraft outside onto the apron. I’ll then close the hangar door and start up the heli. I’ll pop my headset on and speak to Shoreham Air Traffic, announcing “Shoreham Air Traffic, good morning/afternoon, this is Bladerunner003 outside Eastern Atlantic. MD500 (or type of heli I’m in) with one (or however many) on board looking for a departure to the North heading to X, please”, to which they’ll usually respond by repeating my message and adding “Bladerunner003, permission to depart to the North”. Due to the everchanging plans of my clients, I tend to begin planning my route around about now… I’ll then follow my route, picking up clients and dropping them to their desired location.

The beauty of a helicopter is its ability to transport from door-to-door, meaning most of the time I’ll be landing in private sites (such as their houses) instead of airfields. Often, I’ll end up just dropping them at their destination and heading home to base. On other occasions, particularly during the shooting season (autumn/winter), I will stay with the clients and have the pleasure of joining them for a couple of drinks (or more) and dinner. I’m very fortunate that all my clients have become very dear friends of mine, so this part of the job doesn’t feel like such hard work!

Once I have completed my flights, I’ll head back to Shoreham (or wherever the aircraft is based) and immediately be told off by Simon, my Chief Engineer, for not having yet filled in the tech log… Once I’ve completed this and he’s checked over my maths (he believes pilots can’t add up…), with the help of the team, I will then push the aircraft back into the hangar and begin saying goodbyes. I usually try to leave the office between 5:30-6pm, although this is very much determined by the client’s schedule. I’ll then head home and begin preparing for tomorrow’s antics.

Why did you choose this job & what path did you take to get here?

I grew up living and breathing aviation. My father founded Eastern Atlantic Helicopters in 1997, when I was just 5 years old. I was, therefore, very fortunate to have had the opportunity to gain my PPL(H) at the age of 17 and CPL(H) at age 21. My first job flying was for British International Helicopters (BIH) where I flew tourists up and down the heli lanes over London in the AS350 B2 and B3. I then got employed by the London Helicopter Company to pilot tours and charters, again in the AS350. This is where I really began to build my hours as a CPL(H). I must have flown some 1500 – 2000 hours in the 4 years I was there. I also began doing pleasure flights in the Bell 206 Jetranger on the weekends.

Following my time at London Helicopters, I began flying self-employed for private clients. I then began doing sales through the network I had built, and my links to Eastern Atlantic. After Covid, the opportunity arose to purchase my father’s company, and here I am today as the very proud owner of Eastern Atlantic Helicopters.

Two favourite aspects of your current role with Eastern Atlantic?

Getting to meet fantastic people, a lot of whom I am now fortunate enough to call very good friends. Also, the variety of the role. As I said earlier, no two days are the same which I like as I would get bored very easily if I had to be sat behind the desk all day everyday!!

One great thing about Eastern Atlantic Helicopters?

The people, experiences and opportunities. We are lucky enough to have been to some amazing places around the world, attended very special events, and have met some wonderful people throughout the industry.

What do you find the two most challenging aspects or impacts of your current role?

Managing staff and certain clients. There’s just no pleasing some people!

Also, it is all-consuming, and I am on call 24/7. On one hand, that is great because I can’t imagine my life without Eastern or flying, but I am very lucky to have family and a wonderful wife who have the patience of saints when it comes to the hours my work requires and support me through it all.

One surprising part of the job for you?

I’ve learned never to judge a book by its cover. Some enquiries that you think aren’t legitimate and will go absolutely nowhere, can actually lead to an awful lot of business.

If you could return to the start of your career and do anything differently, what would it be and why?

I would have gotten my instrument rating (IR) sooner. The English weather isn’t very forgiving and being qualified to fly in limiting conditions (when safe and appropriate to do so) has made my life easier.

Most commonly asked flying-related question you get at a party? What’s your answer?

“Have you flown any famous people?” Yes, many!

Would you recommend your career path to budding or current pilots right now? Any advice for them?

Yes, I would. However, there are high costs associated with becoming a CPL(H) and therefore I would recommend looking at joining a company as early as possible to gain your CPL(H) through a sponsored/funded route, and to help grow experience and an understanding of the industry.

Rough flying hours per month

30-40hrs per month.

What do you want your life to look like in 5 years time?

I want Eastern Atlantic to flourish and expand. I want the company to be bigger, better, and more efficient than we already are. I’d love to have a pool of pilots and be able to provide them with opportunities to fly and have experiences that I’ve been fortunate enough to have. This would take some of the pressure off me so I can help the business grow and be there for my young family. But I will always continue piloting.

What strategies do you have for maintaining positive mental & physical health that could be useful to other pilots? i.e exercise, social connection, eating healthy etc

Gin and Tonic. (< Editors note – Best answer to-date)

A big thank you to Frazer for taking the time to share his insights and giving us a glimpse into the dynamic world of running a helicopter business!

If you’re interested in following the Eastern Atlantic journey, check out their Instagram page here.