Fort Wayne, Indiana-based Sweet Helicopters has launched a membership programme called FlightPlan that will allow clients to purchase prepaid packages of flight hour credits at a discounted rate to be used at the client's discretion.

“We are seeing an increased demand for personal, private air charter travel. Corporate travel is starting to resume, as well,” states director of operations Randy Sharkey. “With FlightPlan, our clients have the flexibility to take last minute trips or more frequent trips, and they already have the costs accounted for. It really simplifies the planning, booking and budgeting process.”

FlightPlan hours can be used on any of Sweet Helicopters' aircraft, a fleet that consists of three seven-seater Airbus H130s, one six-seater Airbus H125 and one twin engine seven-seater AgustaWestland 109S, all of which are equipped with the latest avionics, including two different sources for inflight weather radar, traffic collision avoidance systems and a terrain awareness and warning system, all integrated in the HeliSAS autopilot system. Each helicopter is appointed with plush leather seating, air conditioning, USB power ports and Bose noise cancelling headphones.

Not only can FlightPlan hours be used for helicopter flights, they can also be applied to charter flights with sister company Sweet Aviation, which provides Part 135 charter services in its Cirrus fleet comprising two SR20, an SR22 and a Vision Jet. A Pilatus PC-12 is also due to join the fleet this autumn.

“Our clients are interested in a safe, efficient and direct way to travel while avoiding large crowds and long waits, and we can provide exactly that in an ultra-modern, meticulously maintained helicopter or airplane,” Sharkey continues. “One of my favourite parts about this programme is presenting them with their very own 'copter card', which is a personalised, serial-numbered membership card.”

Sweet Helicopters and Sweet Aviation are owned by Chuck and Lisa Surack who founded Sweetwater Sound, a large online musical instrument and technology retailer, as well as more than a dozen other businesses that make up the Sweet Family of Companies. Chuck is a professionally rated helicopter pilot and lifelong aviation enthusiast.