Agrarflug Helilift finds qualified and experienced pilots are in short supply. Robert Ruecker, flight operations manager of Germany's Agrarflug Helilift, reports that the latest addition to the Ahlen-based operator's fleet, a Bell 212, has settled in well. Agrarflug Helilift now operates 12 Bell 212s along with six 205s, 10 206B JetRangers, a 206L LongRanger, four 412s and an AS350.

But Ruecker says the company, whose business is about 95 per cent aerial work, does have difficulty in finding qualified and experienced pilots. Around 50 per cent of Agrarflug Helilift's business involves leasing out helicopters on long-term contracts but it provides a variety of other services.