Airtime

ISSUE 20 FOURTH QUARTER 2003

Skippers Aviation, Western

Australia’s foremost region-

al airline, has grown from

the relatively humble

beginnings of operating a

single Cessna 402 to

becoming a major player in

the state’s Fly in/Fly out

industry. It is also expand-

ing its regular passenger

transport (RPT) services to

several WA communities.

Skippers, a West Australian

owned company, operates a

fleet of nineteen turbo prop

aircraft, made up of seven

Cessna 441 Conquests, six

Fairchild M23 Metroliners, four

Embraer Brasilias and two De

Havilland Dash 8 100 aircraft.

Skippers have recently been

awarded a licence to com-

mence scheduled services

between Perth, Kalbarri,

Geraldton and Shark Bay. This

is the culmination of a long ten-

der process and will result in

between 12 and 15 flights a

week to those destinations.

Regional tourism

Skippers are progressing

talks with Virgin Blue that will

expand regional tourism access

opportunities to these ports.

The company

also conducts the

scheduled services to

the regional commu-

nities of Laverton,

Meekatharra, Wiluna,

Broome and Derby.

Skippers employs

over 160 staff, includ-

ing about 60 pilots,

some of whom are

based in Broome where the company has two Metro 23 air-

craft and a hangar and office

facility. As well as being used as

a base to conduct the RPT serv-

ice to nearby Derby, Broome

also comes in handy for a pilot

change during a weekly long-

haul flight between Perth,

Broome and Dili

in East Timor.

Skippers have

been operating

this flight primari-

ly for a drilling rig

crew change and

have been doing

so since April this

year.

A l t h o u g h

many logistical problems were

encountered during the initial

set-up, especially with the

Federal Government’s new

focus on security, the flight is

a wonderful example of

Skippers’ ‘can do’ approach.

Continued next page.

Skippers heads westContributed by Roy Frost

NETWORK NEWS

Century Mine is one of the world’s

largest zinc mines, producing 880,000

tonnes of zinc concentrate per year.

The mine is located in Far North

Queensland and has a 304 kilometre under-

ground pipeline that stretches from Lawn Hill

to Karumba. The first mining lease for this

area was granted over 100 years ago. Pasminco

purchased the deposit in 1997 and com-

menced mining the ore from which zinc con-

centrate is produced.

Zinc is a significant contributor to sustain-

able development through its role of prolong-

ing the life of steel (by up to five times), being

a natural element in the ecosystem and being

completely recyclable.

In addition Zinc is beneficial to health

through vitamin and sunscreen products.

Air BP is proud to have a JetA1 re-fuelling

facility at Century Mine, Lawn Hill. For queries

please contact Greg Gurr on 07 4769 5583 or

0411 264 387.

Pasminco and

Air BP combine

at Century Mine

From front page

State-of-the-art terminal

Currently, over 2500 passen-

gers pass through the Skippers’

state-of-the-art terminal facility

at Perth domestic airport every

week. A secure car park with

over 250 bays adjoins, as do the

two purpose-built hangars out

of which the 50-strong engineer-

ing work force conducts all reg-

ular maintenance on the fleet.

The terminal includes a private

VIP lounge, computerised

check-in facilities, advanced

freight handling and seating for

up to 300 people.

As well as the RPT compo-

nent, Skippers Aviation also con-

ducts around 80 regular weekly

charters for several large mines

within Western Australia. Mines

operating on a Fly in/Fly out

(FIFO) basis require a great deal

of aviation support and Skippers

has worked hard to develop its

product for this market.

The FIFO part of the opera-

tion presents its own unique

challenges, many of which call

on the company’s close relation-

ship with Air BP for assistance.

Most days of the week begin

with anywhere up to 15 early

morning departures, all within

45 minutes. The flights return

mid-morning and the cycle

repeats itself in mid afternoon

(The mining industry places

great importance on rosters and

shift changes and tends to dic-

tate the unusual schedule).

The requirement to refuel so

many aircraft in so little time ini-

tially placed great pressure on

both Air BP and Skippers, how-

ever the two companies’ close

work together over the past few

years has resulted in an extreme-

ly well-oiled operation.

Air BP support

Air BP has also provided

Skippers with support away

from Perth, with nine bulk fuel

facilities installed at remote

mine sites around the state.

These have ongoing mainte-

nance and on-site training

requirements, which Skippers

manages in partnership with Air

BP. The latest, a 55,000 litre bulk

tank at Shay Gap (a BHP-owned

site 740 nautical miles north of

Perth), was installed and com-

missioned in less than three

days during August 2003.

F o l l o w i n g

the success

of the 1991

event, the

International

Around New

Zealand Air

Race is to be

held again in

March 2004.

T h e

planned com-

p r e h e n s i v e

route covers

much of the

North and

South Islands

as seen on the

map below.

The not-for-profit event commences March 29,

2004 at the Royal New Zealand Airforce base

Whenuapai and concludes April 9 over the

Wanaka township.

For further information on how to enter and

hire an aircraft contact the website

www.airrace.co.nz

InternationalNZ Air Race

Wanaka

warbirds

to fly in

2004

NETWORK NEWS

Air BP is proud to be launching

the Castrol Aviator range of avia-

tion piston engine oils. Both the

AD100 and S100 will be available

in 1 litre and 55 US Gallon packs.

The Castrol range will gradually

replace the existing Aviation and D100

Piston Oils currently supplied from

Delta. For queries please contact

Kerry Rutherford, Air BP Asia Pacific

Aviation Lubricants Product Manager

Phone: 613 9268 3847, email

rutherkh@az1.bp.com

Aviator pistonlubes launched

Air BP has recently installed a new avgas cardswipe facil-

ity at Manjimup Airport. The installation provides 24

hour, seven day a week avgas supply at this key location

in south-western Western Australia.

Management responsibility for the new site has been accept-

ed by the Manjimup Aero Club, who have approached the estab-

lishment of this facility with a great deal of enthusiasm. The sup-

port of the aero club and whole community has made the

process of establishing this new facility streamlined and in the

keeping with Air BP’s approach to partnering in regional com-

munities.

Manjimup Airport

will shortly undergo

further upgrades to

taxiways and aircraft

parking areas, further

showing the shire’s

commitment to the

rapidly growing air-

craft maintenance

services available at

the airport. Another

key function of this

airport is to provide a

home for the Department of Conservation and Land

Management (CALM) in their ongoing battle with fire and gener-

al forest management.

So welcome Manjimup Aero Club to the Air BP Network –

I am certain this will be the start of long and enjoyable relation-

ship for all concerned.

Mike Dawn and Max Lefroy of ManjimupAero Club at the new underground facilityand cardswipe at Manjimup.

Contributed by Rob Scott, Network Operations Manager WA

Manjimup joinsavgas network

As long term supporters of the Queensland Royal Flying

Doctor Service Air BP was proud to be a special guest at the

Spirit of Queensland Awards held on November 30, 2003.

Mount Isa resident, Linda Blakoe was announced as 2003 Spirit

of Queensland Award winner at a gala dinner and presentation at

the Sheraton Hotel on Friday evening.

Five awards were announced on the evening with Ms Blakoe tak-

ing out the main award.

“This is a truly wonderful

award and I am thrilled with the

support I have received from the

Mount Isa area,” said Ms Blakoe.

Spirit of Queensland awards

and development officer, Ms

Megan French said, “The Spirit

of Queensland Award is present-

ed to the person who best exem-

plifies true altruism and the spir-

it of Queensland.

“Linda is a true example of

the essence of the Spirit of

Queensland Awards, she shows

an amazing commitment to the

Royal Flying Doctor Service and

rural Queensland,” said Ms

French.

Other winners included Mr

Vic Morris of Redcliffe who

received the 2003 Charity

Award; Miss Sonja Bassett from

Bundaberg was awarded the 2003 Corporate Charity Award; Chris

Buck of Townsville received the 2003 Outstanding Achievement

Award; and Tammy Pitman from Winton was awarded the Ergon

Energy Judges Encouragement Award.

All winners were elated and thrilled with their achievements.

The 2003 Spirit of Queensland Awards is a year long fundraising

event for the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

Mount Isa takes

out the Spirit

Air BP was proud to support the Victorian Bicentenary

Air Race held over the weekend of October 4 and 5.

The race was arranged by the Royal Victorian Aero Club to

celebrate the 200th anniversary of Victoria’s first European set-

tlement at Sorrento, Victoria.

The race started from Moorabbin Airport and headed down

to fly over the Collins Historic Site at Sorrento on the Saturday

(where Lieutenant-Governor David Collins established the first

settlement). From Sorrento participants travelled west via Colac

to Hamilton and then north to Echuca for an overnight stay.

Echuca hosted a static display of aircraft on the Sunday, after

which the event headed south-east to the Latrobe Valley for lunch

at Bairnsdale

and then back

to the finish

line at Sorrento.

A mother

and daughter

team from Sale

in eastern

Victoria won

the event.

Bicentenary Air Race

From left: Queensland GovernorMs Quentin Bryce, AC, RFDSChairman Mr David Burrough,RFDS Spirit of Queensland Awardsand Development Officer MeganFrench and Spirit of QueenslandAward Winner, Linda Blakoe.

FUNDRAISER

NETWORK NEWS

CSU Australia 1300 1300 27

CSU New Zealand freecall 0800 666 333

Air BP Global web pagehttp://www.airbp.com

EDITOR

AUSTRALIA

Staff HappeningsWe say goodbye to Sue Bailey. Sue has

worked for BP for 10 years in a variety of

customer service roles both in Distributors

and Air BP, with her last few years as

Strategic Account Manager Air BP

VIC/TAS/SA. Sue has always been a commit-

ted high performer with energy and enthu-

siasm that envelops those around her. She

has decided the good company, customers,

and challenges that BP offers, are not quite

enough to tear her away from baby Kate

and life in the country. Sue’s wise counsel

and great humour will be sorely missed

within the Air BP team. Thus on behalf of

the Air BP team, I would like to wish her

well in the demanding role of raising a fami-

ly . Sue will be residing in Horsham Victoria.

Graham McNee

GA Marketing Manager, Australia

Melinda Green who has been acting in Sue’s

role for the last 12 months is the Strategic

Account Manager for Vic/Tas/SA.

Elite NewsPaola Moutien, who used to manage general

accounts has moved to another team within

Elite as of the 3rd November 2003. The suc-

cessful candidate joining our team is

Georgia Barbopoulos. Georgia commenced

in October .and brings with her strong cus-

tomer service skills.

AUSTRALIA

HobartWe welcome Brian Skinner to the newly

constructed Air BP Hobart Airport.

Brian can be contacted on:

Tel: 03 6248 5713

Fax: 03 6248 5715

Refueller’s mobile: 0408 992 768

Brian’s mobile: 0400 134 233

Email: guyskin@senet.com.au

ManjimupMike Davis is our Airfield Representative at

the newly created Manjimup site.

Manjimup Aero Club

Phone: 08 97711269

Fax: 08 9771 1761

Mobile: 0428 711 269

After Hours: 0407 711 761

Product: Avgas Self Serve

Broken HillPlease note that from 1 December 2003

there will be a new Air BP airfield represen-

tative located at Broken Hill, NSW. Chris

Harrison will be taking over from Matt

Morrison. We would like to thank Matt for

his ongoing help at Broken Hill Airport and

wish him the very best.

Chris Harrison can be contacted on:

Phone: 08 8088 4307

Email: ccas1@iinet.com.au

JandakotPlease note Jet FSII is now available.

Email changesEmail details have changed for the following

sites:

Albany: albanya@bigpond.com

Ayers Rock: yularaaviation@octa4.net.au

Bendigo: jetshare@iinet.net.au

Karratha: collin.babbe@bigpond.com

Dubbo: abpdbo@bigpond.com

EAST TIMORRevised contact details for the East Timor

Branch:

Tel: International 0011 670 3322 588

Local 322 588

Fax 0011 670 3321 060

Mobile: 0011 670 724 0332

Florencio Sanches

Mobile: 670 723 3049

Arcenio Goncalves

Email: airbpdili@yahoo.com.au

NEW ZEALAND

Wellington

Airtime is a publication for Air BP and its customers in Australia, New Zealand and the South West

Pacific. Its contents do not necessarily reflect the company’s official views. Contributions and suggestions

are welcome.

Editor: Sue Goding, Air BP MC28, GPO Box 5222BB, Melbourne, Victoria 3001, Australia.

Phone: (03) 9268 4786 Fax: (03) 9268 4478 Email: godingse@az1.bp.com

To say the Royal Blind Foundation’s

“Flight for Sight” was a success is an

understatement!

The Royal Blind Foundation’s chief exec-

utive officer Gerrard Gosens, who is totally

blind, successfully piloted an ultralight air-

craft around Queensland visiting 17 cities

and towns along the way.

The Royal Blind Foundation’s original

goals were twofold – to raise awareness of

the Royal Blind Foundation; and to raise

$20,000 for the Royal Blind Foundation to

kick start their Community Outreach and

Rural Development Program. The program

aims to raise $2 million dollars over the next

two years.

At this stage the Royal Blind Foundation

looks like raising in excess of $40,000 to

assist addressing the rising rate of blindness

and vision impairment in Queensland.

This was made possible due to the gen-

erosity of the Queensland community but

also the wonderful sponsors. Air BP were

assisted by way of sponsorship of the avia-

tion fuel needed for the event. Without such

support the Flight for Sight event would not

have got off the ground!

contributed by Tegan JonesFlight for Sight