SO busy is Hampshire based Fast Helicopters in air charter and training that it is building up its fleet.

The Thruxton company has added two types of training and self-fly helicopters to the stable.

An Enstrom P58A and a Hughes 300 have been added to the company's aircraft operators certificate to give trainee and private pilots alternative heli-copters to fly alongside the frequently used Robinson R22 training helicopters.

Instructor Tom Saunderson, who is providing the majority of the train-ing on the new helicopters, says there is much interest from new and existing pilots as the gap between the R22 and the more expensive gas turbine engined JetRanger fleet has been bridged.

"Variety is the spice of life and many who can fly the R22 are now trying their hand at the Enstrom and Hughes due to the competitive hire rates,'' said Mr Saunderson.

"The main advantage is that these are bigger, three-seat helicopters.''

The Enstrom and Hughes have been added to the fleet of R22, LongRanger and JetRanger executive helicopters operated by Fast from Thruxton. It also has a base at Shoreham.

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