Info on Phoenix helicopters

[BulletBoB]

Anybody have any info on a helicopter company called Phoenix Helicopters, based out of the UAE? Had a meeting with the owner, not sure if he is for real! Has plans to start up a civie Medavac program in the Iraqi Sandbox, and possiblly Afghan Theatre. Last name of the guy was Graham, a Brit ex SAS type of guy. Any info would be greatly appreciated by Pm.. Thanks

[Nuke]

Anybody have any info on a helicopter company called Phoenix Helicopters, based out of the UAE? Had a meeting with the owner, not sure if he is for real! Has plans to start up a civie Medavac program in the Iraqi Sandbox, and possiblly Afghan Theatre. Last name of the guy was Graham, a Brit ex SAS type of guy. Any info would be greatly appreciated by Pm.. Thanks
Very interesting concept! But who pays comes to question. Civil Medevac relies on insurance to pay for any flight time or they bill the individual if they have no insurance.
Won't happen in the sand box unless the Govt pays the bill!

[BKK]

Well if you look into your crystal ball you might imagine that when the military starts to pull out of Iraq, so will the medevac units. Even if they keep a skeleton Medevac force there. There still is going to be a lot of contractors, and companies doing business over there. Who are they going to call when they are in a jam in the far flung places of Iraq?

Who is going to pay for them. There might actually be numerous scenarios. I would imagine that the company could actually run something like a EMS Company back in the states. Who ever calls them, has to pay them. I am sure they will stay busy. In the world of big buck contracting, I am sure some of these companies can find the money somewhere to pay for the cost.

Ideally the government would pay to put such an infrastructure in place. I am sure the Embassy people in a few years would like to know that somebody reliable can pick them up if they get wounded in the red zone.

[Silverbullet]

I would imagine that the company could actually run something like a EMS Company back in the states. Who ever calls them, has to pay them. I am sure they will stay busy. In the world of big buck contracting, I am sure some of these companies can find the money somewhere to pay for the cost.

Ideally the government would pay to put such an infrastructure in place. I am sure the Embassy people in a few years would like to know that somebody reliable can pick them up if they get wounded in the red zone.

I actually spearheaded something like this in 02/03. One of the main issues is funding. While it's ok to say that those that call will have to pay the reality is that the operating costs of the air service are yr round. Even with picture perfect projections of how many times they may be called the finds don't cover their costs unless someone ponies up much money upfront.

To make it work the air company would need to have "clients or customers" set up on a retainer with a contingency plus up fee for each call. The costs to the air company are going to be very high with the requirement to have aircrew's and frames ready for a call at all times. Include in this the costs to remain proficient, regular maintenance, etc...Now add in the huge cost that any underwriter is going to require for insurance purposes.

I'm sure I'm preaching to the choir as you can see where I'm heading.

The long and the short of this is that while it is something that is needed and wanted no one including the gov't has been willing to fund it.

I had packages from both the EU and points north of Iraq that got interest but no money committed. This includes from the gov and private sector entities.

[Manchester]

I know the guy, PM for info.

[BKK]

You are spot on SB. However, I am sure the post Military Occupation Iraq is going to have a lot of new, and different things in store. Probably like we have never seen before.

Also it is not unheard of for Aviation PMC's to self-insure. I am not one for explaining it, but I know it does happen.

[BulletBoB]

Nuke, he says that he has been working on this for the last 2 years. He has got Loydes of London interested, and some other people, which includes DOD, and DOS. I agree with BKK, seems to me, when the Military starts to pull out, might be an opportunity for a civilian company to pick up some contracts. There is some more that I have not said about this, because I want to see what anybody had to say about him..

BKK, Pm inbound

[Nuke]

There is some more that I have not said about this, because I want to see what anybody had to say about him..
BKK, Pm inbound
Well, what's the rest of the story?:confused:

[saudimedic]

Trust me if this is the same guy we think it is you want the info both Manchester and I have.

[BulletBoB]

Nuke, the rest of the story is that he was making a lot of claims about he had 200 Ghurkas working for him at one time, he worked with the CIA, has over 11,000 hours of flight time, including C5As. He seemed somewhat knowlegeable about both Afghan and Iraq, and since I am not, did not feel like I could call him on some of his statements, well except the aviation thing, that I am knowledgeable about. I did not want to muddy the water by throwing out some of the things he said, without hearing from the knowlegeable guys on here, hence the rest of the story. BB

[Global Med]

One of the big three did pursue this in 2003. The client they wanted was going to be two very large insurance companies. Not sure what their angle/sale point was going to be but the insurance companies never bought off on it so the idea died off.