About Our Helicopters
We have a fleet of 13 helicopters that we use for our tour operations and our charter/contract operations.
We have three AS350B3’s with Arriel 2D engines, eight AS350B2’s with Arriel 1D1 engines, and 2 Bell Jet Rangers with Rolls-Royce M250s.
Helicopter Maintenance
All of our aircraft are maintained in-house with our full-service maintenance crew. Any parts that are not serviceable in-house are serviced by one of our trusted suppliers. Maintenance of our aircraft is a comprehensive and ongoing task. Each winter, all of our aircraft undergo an annual maintenance that involves a comprehensive inspection and dismantling of each aircraft. Coastal Helicopters, Inc. flies Bell Jet Rangers and Eurocopter AStars 365 days a year. All our maintenance staff is FAA approved and factory trained to keep our helicopters flying safely for all of our customers. The Coastal maintenance staff is also involved in the Tour Operators Program of Safety, which subscribes to a higher standard of safety and professionalism above and beyond the minimums required by the Federal Aviation Administration.
Coastal Helicopters has a strict tool control policy to ensure the safety and efficiency of our maintenance operations.
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Routine inspections:
Our team conducts regular inspections to ensure that every part of the aircraft is functioning properly.
Preventive Maintenance:
Our preventive maintenance program includes schedule servicing and component replacements, ensuring our aircraft remain reliable and safe.
Quality Assurance:
Our Quality Assurance team conducts inspections and audits to ensure all maintenance work meets industry standards.
Training:
Our maintenance personnel undergo manufacturer training courses yearly, as well as in-house training, to keep their skills sharp and their knowledge up-to-date.
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Coastal Helicopters works closely with multiple service centers for parts
logistics, in-depth helicopter inspections, and more. These service centers
include- Advanced Helicopter Services, Heli-Welders Canada, Cascade Helicopters,
and Nampa Valley Helicopters. Coastal Helicopters also works with the
manufacturer’s of our aircraft to keep up to date on maintenance practices and
for technical support.
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We are a certified Tour Operators Program of Safety (TOPS) company. What does this mean? Not only does this mean that we are extremely committed to safety, but we take what is regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration and take them a step further to ensure the safety of our flights.
Safety is our top priority and it applies to more than just our helicopters. Every Coastal Employee that you interact with is a TOPS-certified employee. This means that they have completed our training program and have met additional requirements.All of our pilots, ground crew, maintenance team, and helicopters are TOPS certified. So you can trust that you are in good hands.
TOPS
FAR
135FAR
91Required Safety Program 
Annual Safety Audits Designated Safety Manager Human Factors & Aeronautical Decision Making Training Ongoing Safety Training Pilot Requirements of 1,000 hrs. flt. time and typical terrain experience Minimum enroute altitude of 500 feet above ground level Minimum of 1 mile visibility Maximum angle of bank (30) and pitch (10) with smooth transitions Avoidance of the height-velocity curve 3 year experience requirement for A&P mechanics Maintenance factory training requirement Mechanic annual training requirement Emergency Locator Transmitter required (ELT) High visibility rotor blades and flashing landing lights Aircraft instrumentation required to night visual flight rule standard Specialized ground support personnel training
Important Helicopter Safety Q&As
At Coastal, We Aim To Provide Unforgettable Awe-Inspiring Experiences.
We achieve our purpose through three core values:
- Safety and Security
- Personalized Customer Experience
- Having the Best Team
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A: Yes! Flying is one of the safest forms of travel. At Coastal, safety is our number one core value and highest priority. We are always in pursuit of higher levels of aviation safety. In addition, our maintenance technicians and pilots go through extensive education and safety training.
Your Coastal helicopter tour pilot will be a highly-trained professional with many hours of experience flying helicopters in a variety of weather conditions. He or she will have flown your route many times.
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A: Coastal has been taken a proactive approach in the implementation of industry-wide safety standards. We require our pilots and maintenance technicians to comply with all FAA requirements regarding education and training. We also have a full-time Director of Safety to maintain and improve our safety standards.
- As part of our constant efforts to improve safety, we are members of the Tour Operators Program of Safety (TOPS), the requirements of which exceed those of the FAA.
- We are a member of the Alaska Air Carriers Association (AACA) which fosters aviation safety in Alaska
- Coastal operates a strong Safety Management System (SMS) as required by the FAA. Coastal also participates in the FAA SMS Voluntary Program, attesting to our commitment to the highest level of safety and risk management. Click here if you are interested in learning more about what the SMS requires
- All of our employees undergo continual training to maintain our high standards.
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A: We understand your concerns. Please remember that our tours are purposely not thrill rides – there are no abrupt maneuvers and we follow a carefully planned flight path.
In addition, we require our pilots and maintenance technicians to go through extensive education and training that goes beyond FAA requirements. We also have a full time Director of Safety to maintain and improve our safety standards.
Make sure you pay close attention to the safety briefing and follow all instructions given by your pilot.
Lastly — sit back, relax, and enjoy the awe-inspiring experience!
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A: Coastal utilizes the most widely-flown helicopters in the industry. Our aircraft incorporate all the latest in cutting-edge technologies, materials, systems and avionics, and offer incomparable passenger comfort and fantastic sweeping views.
The Airbus AS350B2 carries up to six passengers plus your pilot. The wide cabin and abundance of windows provide panoramic views to ensure optimum visibility for both passengers and crew. The AS350 is the most utilized tour helicopter in the world. It has a maximum gross weight of 4,961 lbs. and is 42.5 ft. long. The high skid landing gear provides plenty of clearance for landing comfortably and safely on glaciers or mountain tops, and floats provide added safety.
The Bell 206 JetRanger is a general purpose helicopter that comfortably seats four passengers and is ideally suited for tours, utility missions, aerial surveying, corporate transport and executive helicopter charter.
The Bell helicopter family of turbine powered rotary wing aircraft is widely considered to be the safest, most reliable aircraft of any kind flying throughout the world. Amazingly, the basic design and shape of the JetRanger has remained unchanged since 1967, a true testament to the perfection achieved with the original B206 design. With a maximum gross weight of 3,200lbs and 39 ft in length, our 206’s are fitted with floats for over water flights.
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A: Coastal has the finest pilots in the industry, and we hire and train to the highest standard. The majority of our pilots have flight instruction background and all of our pilots undergo regular recurrent training under an FAA approved program. The average pilot at Coastal has over 3000 hours of flight experience.
For additional safety questions, please email safety@coastalhelicopters.com.
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