Ravenair provides aircraft for aerial survey, reconnaissance, air-to-surface photography, air-to-air photography, aerodrome lighting evaluation and many other types of survey operations requiring an airborne platform.
All operations are conducted under the Ravenair EU-OPS-1 Air Operator's Certificate issued by the UK Civil Aviation Authority, which gives additional compliance on and above Aerial Work conditions. The Company holds several CAA exemptions, permissions and approvals to allow deviations to standard flying practices such as passage through restricted areas, congested terminal areas, height restrictions and flight through off-shore wind farms.
The work horses of the aerial survey fleet are five Partenavia PN68B aircraft. The aircraft offers twin engine safety and has a high wing configuration above the fuselage. The aircraft also has impressive endurance. Ravenair currently provides services to major oil and petrochemical companies, government departments, wildlife and conversation organisations. Other customers include airport authorities, rail infrastructure organisations, television and news production, newspapers and specialist digital image data collection companies. An additional five aircraft are also within the fleet and are for charter depending on the nature of the mission.
Current operations include pipeline survey, environmental survey data collection (birds and other wildlife), tracking of tagged birds, air-to-surface and air-to-air photography, aerodrome lighting inspection and radar testing.
Charge out of the aircraft is on a block hour basis for contract flying. Aerial photography is charged by block hour of a minimum of one hour with additional time at pro-rata rates for each additional 30 minutes. Block time is defined as airborne (Take-Off to Landing) plus fifteen minutes (ten prior to take-off and 5 minutes after landing). Hourly rates do not include expenses such as airfield charges and overnight accommodation etc. |