Chopperline acquired by the Curry Kenny Aviation Group
In February 2007, Chopperline Flight Training was acquired by the Curry Kenny Aviation Group. The group is a major participant in the Australian and Papua New Guinea aviation industries.  The Curry Kenny Aviation Group has steadily grown in size to encompass around a dozen aeroplane and helicopter companies that operate over seventy aircraft ranging from the Robinson R22 training helicopters to the twin engine, IFR Bell 430 and EC135 used in off shore marine pilot transfer and search and rescue operations. Aeroplane types include Cessna Citation, Cessna Caravans, Airvan and other smaller aircraft used in training and tourism operations.

The Curry Kenny Group is also involved in property development, promotional services, product endorsements as well as aviation projects. Although recent property development projects have contributed significantly to the group’s turnover, the group’s Principal, Grant Kenny, describes his aviation interests as his real passion. Further aviation acquisitions are underway.

GROUPS' ASSESTS
The Curry Kenny Aviation Group currently operates the following companies:
Chopperline Flight Training at Caloundra
Heli-Centre Australia at Caloundra
Aviation Tourism Australia at Hamilton Island and Sydney
Mackay Helicopters at Mackay
Heliwork at Kununurra
Slingair at Kununurra and Derby
Marine pilot transfers from Mackay, Gladstone and Hay Point

CAREER PATH FOR NEW PILOTS
The acquisition of the new operations has enabled Grant to pursue a personal objective. When Chopperline was acquired by the Curry Kenny Aviation Group, Grant stated that he wanted others to be able to share the passion which drove him to acquire his pilot licence and the opportunities many years later to form the aviation element within the Curry Kenny Group. His dream is to provide an opportunity for new Chopperline graduates to enter his company group and get that “first job” to build up their flying hours, gain valuable experience and complete further training thus gaining better qualifications and employment options.

As the group now operates over 70 aircraft, it is possible for a new graduate to move along a career path within the Curry Kenny Aviation Group. Selected graduates have the opportunity to move from a Robinson helicopter through to a heavy, multi-engine IFR helicopter within the group, subject to vacancies, skills and commitment.

Grant’s first step to fulfilling this dream occurred when a graduate from Chopperline Flight Training was employed by AVTA at Hamilton Island. The new pilot has started his career flying a Robinson R44 helicopter around the Whitsundays on tourist operations.

In more recent times there have been 3 vacancies in north Western Australia at Heliwork.  Here is an opportunity for students to work at the Bungle Bungles and other beautiful areas of the Kimberley. Students will be selected from Chopperline Flight Training to start their new aviation career.

When Grant acquired Chopperline Flight Training, he saw it as a way of assisting the group's future needs in terms of sourcing quality pilots. Grant intends to identify people who are potentially great pilots to grow through the business, stepping up into more complex multi-engine IFR types in the fleet and flying more complex and responsible missions.