Tour specialist Lothian Helicopters has added a second Bell LongRanger to its Scottish fleet - as business expands and further justifies a life-changing decision by its md and senior pilot Iain Grindlay.

Grindlay took a degree in marketing but, at the age of 30, decided to invest #30,000 in training for his commercial pilot's licence. The combined flying and marketing skills have helped establish Lothian Helicopters as one of Scotland's leading tour companies.

"Business is expanding," Grindlay confirmed as his telephone rang non-stop with enquiries. "We have been working at this since 1992. We have built the business up steadily but particularly applied marketing strategies in the past year or so."

Lothian Helicopters emphasises that its pilots have the character to relate well to customers, and provide an interesting tour briefing, as well as demonstrate exemplary flying skills.

Grindlay worked for an Edinburgh-based tour operator after flying helicopters in the North Sea. The flying experience stood him in good stead. But he said: "Flying for tour operators is very different from the demands of the offshore oil industry. It is a different style of flying. Tour pilots have got to have the skills to fly and talk to their customers. It is very difficult to find pilots that are highly-skilled at doing both."

Grindlay, 51, says that Lothian's chief pilot captain Angus Marshall fulfilled both requirements but it was hard to find others.

The second LongRanger has been in service for a month and both machines are busy especially at weekends. Aerial tours of scenic cities such as Edinburgh are particularly popular. "Five passengers can have window seats and the sixth can enjoy a double-aspect view," said Grindlay.