The agriculture industry has witnessed remarkable transformations over the years, with technological advancements redefining traditional practices. Among these innovations, aerial mustering and helicopter services have emerged as game-changers, revolutionising the way farming and livestock management are approached.
By employing helicopters for various agricultural tasks, farmers and ranchers have unlocked a multitude of benefits, enhancing efficiency, safety, and overall productivity.
This comprehensive guide delves into Fortescue Helicopters, a locally owned and operated company that provides helicopter aerial services to the Pilbara and the greater WA state.
Established in 2014, we are owned in a partnership and operated by chief pilot Weldon Percy. Weldon has spent over 10 years flying helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft and has a lifetime of experience in the cattle industry. We operate from Sandfire in the Northern Pilbara all the way to the Nullarbor in the south of the state of WA, with remote contracts in SA, NT and QLD.
Our dedicated team of experienced pilots are industry-leading professionals in the range of aerial services we provide, especially in agricultural helicopter services. Our day-to-day operations include but aren't limited to the following:
Aerial mustering, also known as helicopter herding or aerial livestock herding, involves using helicopters to gather, move, or manage livestock across vast and rugged terrains. This method replaces traditional ground-based mustering, offering unparalleled speed, agility, and coverage.
At Fortescue Helicopters, we strive to seek and engage the very best pilots in our industry who have a strong passion for the cattle industry. To quote our Chief Pilot, “Graziers and producers, who are our customers, hire us to muster cattle, not fly helicopters. Our services are generally one of our customers' largest annual expenses, and therefore it is vital to ensure the pilots we supply are, first and foremost cattleman, who understand this and work with the customer to ensure efficient and effective cattle management on their properties.”
We provide aerial mustering solutions throughout WA from the 80-mile beach / Sand Fire south, including the following regions:
We proudly use Heliflite Australia to maintain our fleet of helicopters. Heliflite is Australasia's #1 Robinson Helicopter dealer and service provider and provides highly skilled and qualified engineers to maintain our fleet to the highest standard.
Charter via helicopter offers you a better appreciation of the land and its formations and a view of the ever-changing colours and landscape of the Pilbara, which can only be witnessed by air.
At Fortescue, we have a proven safety record, experienced and friendly staff, and competitive pricing. Our friendly team of pilots have experience in:
Chartering an aircraft allows you to travel stress-free and visit more locations in a shorter amount of time, therefore remaining more productive than on a commercial airline or by road.
Let us help you organise your next project or journey!
Some spectacular sights in the Pilbara can only be accessed by aircraft. Not to worry! Here at Fortescue, we love assisting you in discovering new locations or celebrating an important occasion. Our base hangar at Newman Airport provides a professional and central location for our town scenic flights.
A few of the popular locations around Newman include:
We offer a range of options that can cater to your needs and plans. Please do not hesitate to contact our friendly staff to discuss your journey and requirements.
If you wish to be picked up from another location, please do not hesitate to enquire!
The team at Fortescue Helicopters have a large range of aerial work capabilities and experience supporting mining operations.
The company holds operational approval for:
Fortescue is the Pilbara’s only locally owned and operated Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) approved company that can conduct mustering, aerial work, and chartering. We have provided services to numerous large and small corporate and private customers, like:
For helicopter charter for mustering or if you want to know more about other services we offer, you can visit our business page by clicking here!
