Auriga Group’s Aviation division provides specialist Helicopter Marine Pilot Transfer (HMPT) to the Port of Port Hedland, Western Australia, for the Pilbara Ports Authority.

The Port of Port Hedland is the world’s busiest bulk commodity port with volumes more than 1 million tonnes of commodities per day going through the port. With over 94% of all vessels arriving into the port requiring a marine pilot to be transferred to the ship by helicopter, HMPT services are time critical, as vessels are moving in and out of the port on a continual basis.

Auriga Aviation has been an experienced aviation partner for the Pilbara Ports Authority, the group currently provide the following services at the port:

• Providing a fleet of 2 Airbus H135 Helionix helicopters
• 24/7/365 availability of assets and crew, with Night Vison Imaging Systems (NVIS) accreditation
• Ensuring the Auriga flight crew is fully trained and accredited for safe and efficient operations

These services are underpinned by Auriga’s experienced operational support teams, who provide training, scheduling, accreditation, logistics. Auriga’s Chief Pilot and Head of Training & Checking regularly operates in the base conducting flight training and flight standards check assessments, and relevant proficiency checks.

Auriga’s HMPT specialist operation significantly enhances the port’s capacity with the use of a modern fleet of Airbus H135 Helionix aircraft. This light twin-category aircraft has been proven as a preferred solution to multiple Ports and Marine services operations due to its efficiency, technology, and advanced safety features.

With the addition of HVIS, Auriga is the only HMPT operation approved by CASA in Australia utilising Night Visions Goggles (NVG), and only the 3rd in the world for Port operations.

Auriga Aviation was recently commended by the WA Government and WA Department of Health for the proficient and safe operations involving the ‘Patricia Oldendorf’ vessel during a major COVID-19 outbreak.

Auriga Group operates over 16 flights per day to moving vessels which is over 6,000 HMPT or 2,500 flight hours or per annum across 2 aircraft.