Liechtenstein-based helicopter trader Helipool has added a Bell 407 to its lineup. The aircraft will be used for private leisure and pleasure flights over the Swiss Alps. Owner Daniel Hofer outlines his plans for the aircraft: “We are planning to keep the machine for a few private flights but it’s inventory so we will be reselling the helicopter, probably quite soon. We are not operators, we’re a trading company so we buy aircraft which are on the market if the owners do an upgrade. This owner here went for the Bell 429 and we then purchased the 407. It will be for our private business and pleasure. Flights through the beautiful Swiss Alps and maybe some business trips. We don’t want to add many hours but the aircraft is a low time machine so it doesn’t matter if you put 20-40 hours on it.”

Normally spring time is very busy for Helipool and this time of year the Squirrel market is going very well. Europe is not really 407 country according to Hofer, but there are a lot of people asking for the machine. So he feels a strong demand.

“I don’t fly myself, I have friends flying and we are just a co-pilot. It’s too complicated when you have different machines and have to do all the ratings. We have the EC120, H125 and the 407, but not many Swiss pilots have the 407 on their licence. In 1996 I was the first operator of a Bell 407 in Switzerland. This machine was doing a lot of commercial flights, tourism and sightseeing. Customers really liked it.”