THE
MAIN PLAYERS Helicopter Golf in Ireland brings together two
main players – Carr Golf (the sister company of Online Golf Travel)
and Links Helicopters Limited. Ideally from the golfers' perspective,
this special relationship brings together the foremost Irish Golf
Tour Operator and one of the leading players in the Helicopter Aviation
Industry in Ireland, boasting the most up-to-date, luxury jet engine
machines available.
ONLINE GOLF TRAVEL
Based in Dublin, Online Golf Travel is one of Ireland's foremost and
highly respected specialist golf tour operators. Offering tailored
golfing vacations in Ireland and Scotland; through it's association
with Carr Golf & Corporate Travel, which was founded by legendary
Irish amateur golfer, Joe Carr, Online Golf Travel has years of experience
in the Irish and Scottish golf travel market.
LINKS HELICOPTERS LIMITED
Boasting the newest commercial helicopter fleet in Ireland, Links
Helicopters has focussed on ensuring that their comfort, safety and
service levels are unrivalled in the Irish Helicopter Industry. The
fleet comprises two EC 130 jet engine machines, which can cater for
up to six passengers with golf clubs. Further details on Links Helicopters
can be viewed at www.linkshelicopters.com.
FLEET INFORMATION & OPERATIONS
Founded in June 2002, Links Helicopters Limited is based at Shannon
Airport in South-western Ireland. The company operates two EC 130
jet engine helicopters with a triple blade. Much more powerful and
nimble than the Jet Ranger, the EC 130 is the newest passenger machine
to be launched by Euro Copter and after exhaustive research; Links
Helicopters has identified these machines as being ideal for operating
in the Irish market in terms of safety, comfort, reliability and cost.
Each
machine has the capacity to seat six passengers and golf bags but
is absolutely ideal for four golfers, complete with luggage and golf
clubs. With four individual seats in the back of the machine and two
passenger seats in the front, the EC 130 offers the maximum level
of comfort and boasts the most up-to-date safety and computer technology
available.
Links Helicopters Ltd. employs two full time pilots in John McDermott
and Carmel Kirby. John served with the Irish Aer Corps from 1975 to
1990, at which point he joined the Irish Coastguard Search and Rescue
unit as a crewman on board the Sikorsky S61N based at Shannon Airport.
During his time here, John completed over 250 rescue missions and
in 1999, John was awarded "The Marine Silver Medal for Meritorious
Service" for the skill and determination shown in boarding the
disabled fishing vessel "Dunboy"and safely evacuating five
crewmembers. After several years, John left to fly commercially for
a civil company where he gained vast experience of the helicopter
charter business. John is now a full time managing pilot with Links
Helicopters.
Carmel first attained a commercial fixed-wing licence in 1991 and
worked for a period with Irish Helicopters. In preparation for joining
the Irish Coastguard Search and Rescue operation, Carmel spent several
months flying to the oilrigs and platforms in the North Sea. Carmel
completed over 220 rescue missions and was awarded "The Marine
Ministerial Letter of Appreciation for Meritorious Service" in
1999 for the rescue of crewmembers from the disabled fishing vessel
"Dunboy". Later in 1999, Carmel returned to flying fixed-wing
and flew commercially for Virgin Express Airlines and Ryanair for
the next three years. Carmel joined Links Helicopters in 2002 and
now flies the new Eurocopter EC130 B4.
