Gatwick-Heathrow Airlink Sikorsky S61N G-LINK Index

Pictures Copyright Douglas Ian Holland © 1979

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Airlink Background
The Gatwick-Heathrow Airlink was formed as a Joint Venture between the BAA, British Airways Helicopters and British Caledonian Airways to provide a fast link between the two Airports until the completion of the Motorway Link. The CAA Licensing Terms reflected the 'temporary' nature of the Service and took into account the fact that the routing would have to pass over large residential areas at relatively low level.

The BAA Owned the Helicopter, British Airways Helicopters (BAH) provided the Flight Crew, Engineering Support and were the source of Back-up Aircraft with British Caledonian provided the Passenger Services and other Ground Support. British Airways Helicopters later withdrew from the joint venture and their role was taken over by Flight Crews and Engineers from British Caledonian Helicopters

Although not the first Air Service between the two Airports (there had been a very short-lived Westward Airways BN2 Islander service) the Airlink was a very successful operation. A lot of the credit for this must go to Bill Ashpole who although initially brought in to provide the BAH liaison, was effectively the Operation Manager for Airlink.

With the completion of the Motorway Links the CAA withdrew the Licence and one of the most successful Commercial Passenger Helicopter Operations in the UK Ceased. Whilst there were many complaints from resident under the flight path, who considered all helicopters had to be the Airlink, many were related to other Helicopter Operations, Army, RAF and other Commercial Operations and indeed were received when NO helicopters were flying in the complainant's. area. The fact that complaints continued to be received long after the Airlink Licence ended, says a lot about those who were lodging the complaints.

G-LINK has long left the British Register and at time of writing is languishing in weeds somewhere in Brazil. A sad fate for a machine fondly remembered by those involved in the Airlink Operation and the Passengers who used the service.

DIH

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