Using Night Vision Goggles (NVG), we provide 24/7 service including Air Ambulance and Search and Rescue. We can help you.
Ascent Helicopters offers specialized flight services to a variety of government and industry clients including BC Hydro, MOFLNR Rapattack Program, Crescent Spur Heli Skiing, BC Air Ambulance, film and mining/resource exploration.
Our highly skilled aircrew and engineering staff have years of operational experience in all aspects of the helicopter charter business. This expertise allows Ascent to manage operations in a way that affords customers the highest industry standard of helicopter utilization, safety, and customer service.
Ascent also offers comprehensive project management. With modified aircraft, and personalized aerial solutions; we are able to anticipate and meet the specific needs of customers. We excel at offering innovative solutions to difficult project requirements.
Ascent is one of the few Canadian companies that is Transport Canada approved to offer a hoisting program. Developed in co-operation with industry experts with decades of hoisting experience, Ascent offers hoist training programs and hoisting as a work access method. The experience of Ascent’s hoist technicians is unparalleled in Western Canada. Our hoisting program is simply the best and safest available.
Ascent Helicopters has bases in Parksville and Fernie B.C.
It takes two types of people to make a helicopter charter service remarkable: the confident and experienced people who pilot the aircraft, and the focused and detailed technicians who maintain these precision machines. We’re proud of our people on both fronts. Ascent’s team of pilots are all high-time, with an average of 9,000 flight hours. Similarly, our engineers are known for their ability to service our aircraft efficiently in a wide variety of environments.
Trent Lemke leads operations at Ascent Helicopters. He brings personal, hands-on experience in air operations and special logistics. Our customers rely on Trent to develop programs which address specific project needs. Trent’s 25 years of aviation experience, and over 10,000 hours of incident and accident-free flight time, contribute to his strength as a pilot. Trent’s project management capabilities and in depth understanding of business makes him a unique talent in the Canadian aviation industry and a formidable Operations Manager for Ascent Helicopters. Over the past eight years, Ascent has become an industry leader in Western Canada, due to Trent’s relentless pursuit of excellence.
Al Hansson serves as Ascent’s Technical Director, bringing over 30 years of helicopter maintenance experience to this role. As a high time pilot, Al takes an integrated approach with Ascent’s innovations and specialty programs.
Greg Goodison is manager of Ascent’s Fernie B.C. base. A high-time pilot with exceptional mountain flying skills, Greg excels at wildlife count and capture, and is certified for the most challenging of BC Hydro’s operations. A proud ‘Fernie boy’, Greg is committed to the success of local businesses and the welfare of the environment. We’re particularly proud of Greg and his work at our Fernie base. He’s growing a dedicated clientele who rely on the safety, skills, professionalism and sincere community spirit of Ascent’s Fernie team.
Ascent is proud to serve clients across a variety of industries, including: Utilities, Construction, Film and Television, Fire Suppression, Heli-Skiing, Air Ambulance, and Natural Resources. Our expertise, coupled with a comprehensive Safety Management System ensures that our clients are receiving the safest industry leading aerial solutions—even in the most challenging of situations and environments. There is always a better way to do the job—we find it.
Certain work situations involve special requirements. Some developers want help delivering supplies to hard-to-reach areas; others need to erect structures in areas inaccessible to cranes and heavy machinery. Ascent Helicopters’ pilots have extensive precision longline and aerial lift experience, and can accommodate a broad range of specific construction requirements.
Past projects successfully completed by Ascent Helicopters include: hydro-electrical development, aerial construction, drill moves, and aerial seeding. Given the broad needs of our utility and construction clientele, we have retrofitted our state-of-the-art aircraft to offer maximum lift capabilities. Ascent’s team of Hoist Technicians and Mobile First Aid Paramedics (air and ground) help us maintain our standing with Transport Canada and WorkSafe BC, making Ascent one of the few organizations able to offer hoist operations.
The film and television industry is always looking to wow audiences by capturing stunning imagery for major productions. Ascent Helicopters’ pilots understand the demands of the film and television industry and have helped crews with support in a number of capacities. Recently, Ascent was involved in a major film production in which we provided dramatic hoist and rappel scenes. Ascent has worked extensively with film and television productions throughout the Yukon and the lower mainland of B.C. Part of the reason that crews choose to work with Ascent on productions includes our ability to offer hoist rescue and Air Ambulance programs, longline operations for remote locations, and experience and professionalism when transporting VIPs.
Dangerous forest fires leave little margin for error; therefore, those who need dependable aerial support in such situations put their faith in Ascent Helicopters. Our depth of knowledge in aerial fire suppression—and experience developing with advanced firefighting technologies—has allowed us to maintain long-term contracts with the B.C. Ministry of Forest's Rapattack program.
Together, with our Aerospace division, we research and develop new technologies, such as our carbon fibre tank, to combat fires more effectively. These products are deployed on our helicopters, making initial attacks more effective and seamless. Our teams can also be dispatched anywhere in the world. Ascent Helicopters is NAFTA approved.
Skiers and snowboarders who want the very best, choose heli-ski operations that can offer a best-in-class outdoor experience. It should go without saying that these buyers require a certain level of comfort and skill from their pilots. Ascent Helicopters’ flight professionals have substantial mountain experience (over 20 years in heli-skiing and mountain flying) and an aptly equipped fleet. This allows us to give heli-ski operators access to the very best service and terrain.
Our extensive history means we have a deep understanding of the heli-skiing market and the specific needs of heli-ski operators. As with all of our operations, safety is first and foremost as such, we have an excellent safety rating. Additionally, all of our aircraft are equipped with satellite phone and tracking systems.
In medical emergencies, time is of the essence. Ascent Helicopters provides rapid response and expert medical care that can help save lives and minimize injury.
Our MD902 is configured for Critical Care and Scene Response. With Advanced NVG (Night Vision Goggle) capability, we offer 24hr Air Ambulance service.
Those working in the Natural Resources Industry (e.g. Mining and Mineral Exploration) often look to Ascent Helicopters, due to our pilots’ backgrounds in exploration work and expertise in precision longline operations. Our team can address specific logistical dilemmas and offer specialized solutions including: Air support for established exploration camps; bulk fuel hauls; specialty operations; and cross-border equipment moves.
Our fleet consists of some exceptional lifters, and is equipped with the latest performance modifications available. These aircraft offer satellite tracking, phones, and are configured for EMS Air Ambulance. Ascent Helicopters is Class D (also known as Human External Transport System) approved. This means we provide prompt evacuation of sick or injured workers from rugged areas, thus, reducing the time and risk associated with traditional evacuations.
Ascent offers two Mobile Treatment Centre (MTC) First Aid Units to assist with your in-field operations. These units are configured on Ford F350 diesel trucks with 4x4 capabilities and air bag suspension. They also feature Tufpor™ MTC units with built in roll cages, for increased safety.
Each unit contains OFA level III First Aid Kits, A.E.Ds, and Class D Rescue Equipment. Additionally, our attendants are Paramedic In Industry (PII) or WorkSafeBC OFA level III certified Helicopter Class D Rescue Attendants.
Ascent’s full-service hoisting program affords technical solutions for a variety of applications, ranging from work access to rescue/emergency response. This program is focused on servicing our clients in the safest, and most dependable, fashion possible.
We designed this program in 2005, in partnership with industry experts. As such, it’s informed by those with (national and international) experience in Hoist Program Development and air operations with the BC Forest Service hoist/rappel program.
Our hoist technicians make this offering unique, by routinely providing the pilot with clear, concise information relevant to the safety of the operation—such as obstacle clearances. This flow of information further enhances the pilot’s own situational awareness and thus forms an integral part of the safety program.
The result of this planning and expertise is found in an offering that increases your safety margins and offers a confidence that cannot be replicated.
Ascent Helicopters operates a wide variety of helicopters. These helicopters have been chosen for their track record in safety and reliability.
Our engineers have taken these aircraft even further by completing extensive modifications that improve safety and enhance performance. Our helicopters are equipped with state of the art satellite tracking systems that provide satellite telephone and data transfer capabilities, through BlueTooth connectivity, within the cabin area.
Our Bell 212HP has been completely refitted and boasts an HP kit and upgraded engines, along with a strake kit to give the best possible performance.
Passenger capacity: 14
Our Bell 205A-1+++ has been upgraded with the Bell 212 nose assembly and rotor system, it boasts an upgraded engine, and fully integrated Sagem glass cockpit.
Passenger capacity: 14
The MD 902 has twin Pratt and Whitney 207E engines with Category A capability. This aircraft is equipped for a wide variety of roles able to work day or night performing anything from hoist operations to BC Ambulance patient transfers. The 902 is equipped with a NOTAR (no tail rotor) system increasing safety and drastically reducing noise output making it one of the quietest helicopters in the world.
Passenger capacity: 7
The Bell 206 L4T is a twin engine (Category A) aircraft. It is one of the very few twin engines in the light twin class of helicopters.
Passenger capacity: 6
The Bell Jetranger has been an industry workhorse since the late 60’s. The Jetranger has a long and proven track record for safety, having flown more combined hours than any other helicopter.
Passenger capacity: 4
This longranger is equipped with an Allison C30R for increased performance. The Longranger has been transporting people almost as long as the Jetranger and also boasts a proven track record for safety.
Passenger Capacity: 6
Equipped with the 650 shp Rolls-Royce 250-C30 engine, the MD 530F operates more effectively in hot, high environments than other helicopters in its class.
Passenger Capacity: 4
The H125 (previously named the AS350 B3e) outclasses all other single-engine helicopters for performance, versatility, and safety, while excelling in high & hot and extreme environments. The H125 is a member of Airbus Helicopters' rugged and proven Ecureuil family. Some 6,000 Ecureuils have been delivered in nearly 120 countries for some 1,800 operators. Together, these aircraft have accumulated more than 29 million flight hours.
Passenger capacity: 5
We work with great people and organizations, and are always open to talking with prospective clients. Have a question, or just want to learn more about Ascent Helicopters? Get in touch:
Ascent Helicopters Ltd.
1550 Springhill Road
Parksville, B.C. V9P 2T2
Phone (250) 586-5454, Fax (250) 586-7507
Email Us info@ascentheli.ca
Ascent Helicopters Ltd
549 Burma Road
Fernie, B.C.
Phone (250) 423-1443
Email us: fernie@ascentheli.ca
Base Manager: Greg Goodison
Dreaming of working for us? Send your cover letter and resume to: HR@ascentheli.ca