Bell 407GXi operator Australia’s Nautilus Aviation has revealed that its five-strong fleet has passed a cumulative 3,000 hours of operation since their delivery in 2023. While the aircraft were originally acquired to perform a variety of tourism and utility operations, they were quickly pressed into service to support relief efforts following the flooding in the northwestern part of Queensland in March of last year, increasing the utilisation of the type dramatically.
For nearly a month, Nautilus operated the aircraft equipped with cargo hooks, emergency flotation systems, and tail-mounted cameras on resupply missions, evacuations, long-line and cargo operations, and to transport key government, emergency, and infrastructure personnel.
In addition to its efforts in Queensland, the 407GXi fleet has also operated SAR flights in the neighbouring state of Northern Territory.
Photo; Nautilus Aviation
