Era’s History

In 1948, an adventuresome young man named Carl F. Brady brought a Bell 47A helicopter to Alaska, establishing what is now the world's oldest helicopter company - a company that by 1998 would boast commercial operations in several countries, fixed-wing service, and a flightseeing service for travelers.

Originally from Arkansas, Brady learned to fly helicopters in Washington state. He formed a company with two partners, called Economy Pest Control, and based the operation in Yakima, Washington. In 1948, as the U.S. Government was preparing to map the territory of Alaska, Brady saw an opportunity for his Bell 47A.

Founder Carl Brady in 1948.

Renaming his company Economy Helicopters, Brady convinced federal surveyors that a helicopter was the ticket for mapping what later became the 49th state. By 1950, Brady's Alaska-based company had moved into the petroleum-support business as well, working on geophysical jobs. Economy Helicopters was instrumental in helping launch offshore operations in the Kenai area.

As business opportunities in Alaska expanded, it was necessary for Economy Helicopters to expand as well. The company partnered with a California company, Rotor-Aids, to help purchase two large Sikorsky S-55 helicopters. The company was later renamed ERA Helicopters, using the first letter in each word of the company's names.

Responsible for many landmarks in Alaska and international flight, Era opened a base at Merrill Field in 1958, the year Alaska became a state, and expanded to Kenai in 1962. In 1964, Brady brought the first turbine-powered helicopter to Alaska - a Bell 204B.

As part of its expansion program, Era agreed to be purchased by Rowan Companies, Inc., of Houston, Texas, in 1967. At that time, Brady assumed the role of executive Vice President and remained President and CEO of Era. The venture allowed the company to undertake operations in the Gulf of Mexico, the Mideast, and Africa by 1970.

Within five years, Era acquired Merrick Inc., a Fairbanks helicopter operation, and Livingston Copters in Juneau. The Gulf of Mexico operations base was established in Lake Charles, Louisiana in 1978. That same year, 1978, Era established a fixed-wing division in Alaska, after purchasing Jet Alaska. The fixed-wing division expanded in 1980 with the purchase of three 50-passenger Convair 580s for charter/airline service, which joined the company's Twin Otters and a King Air.

Era Aviation became Alaska's largest regional airline, one of the top 25 regional airlines in the United States. Aviation service to communities like Kodiak, Valdez, Cordova, Homer and Kenai, as well as Alaska villages, helped the airline service expand rapidly and establish a solid customer base.

In the 50 years since Carl Brady Sr. made the decision to bring his helicopter to Alaska, much has changed - in Alaska, in the aviation industry, and for Era Aviation, Inc. Alaska has become a leader in petroleum and natural resource production, and Era has played a large role in helping the state reach it's economic potential.

Era's important role in Alaska, and throughout the aviation world, was honored by the Alaska Legislature, which has introduced a citation marking the company's 50 years in business. "It is with the utmost respect and regard that the Twentieth Alaska Legislature recognizes the milestones and accomplishments of Era Aviation, Inc., and the contributions the company has made to Alaska aviation," the citation reads.

In December 2004, SEACOR Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: “CKH”) purchased Era Aviation from Rowan Companies, Inc. SEACOR is a global provider of marine support and transportation services, primarily to the energy and chemical industries.

SEACOR and its subsidiaries provide customers with a full suite of marine-related services including offshore services, U.S. coastwise shipping, inland river services, helicopter services, environmental services, and offshore and harbor towing services. SEACOR is focused on providing highly responsive local service, combined with the highest safety standards, innovative technology, modern efficient equipment, and dedicated, professional employees.

Era's contribution to the world of flight continues.

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Era Milestones

1948	First use of commercial helicopter in Alaska.
1956	First commercial use of Sikorsky S-55 helicopter on a year-round basis in Alaska.
1957	First use of the Sikorsky S-55 and S-58 for external loads in Alaska.
1964	First use of turbine powered helicopters (Bell 204-B) in Alaska.
1965	First use of turbine powered Sikorsky S-62 in Alaska.
1967	First use of the Bell 206-A turbine powered Jet Rangers in Alaska.
1967	First use of the Swearingen Merlin IIA, twin-turbine powered, airplane in Alaska.
1968	First use of turbine powered, 14-passenger, Bell 205-A-1 helicopters in Alaska.
1969	First commercial use, worldwide, of the Sikorsky S-64E Sky Crane (2O,OOO pound lift capacity).
1970	First commercial use of the Beechcraft Hawker Siddeley DH-125 twin jet aircraft as supplemental air carrier under FAR 121 in Alaska.
1970's	The first civil helicopter operator approved for instrument flight in Alaska. AIso the first operator in the USA to be approved for helicopter IFR using Bell 212 helicopters on fixed floats; first helicopter operator in the world to receive FAA approval for radar IFR approach minimums to 200 feet and 1/2 mile.
1971	First Era helicopter operated internationally supporting offshore drilling east of Niaragua (Bell 204B).
1972	First Era helicopter flight in Gulf of Mexico.
1978	Officially opened Era's Gulf Coast Division in Lake Charles, LA on December 15th.
1980	First use of six-place, Aerospatiale 350 AStar in Alaska.1980: In September of 198O, Era was granted authority to operate the 50-passenger, Convair 580 Twin turboprop aircraft, as a supplemental air carrier under FAR 121.
1981	First use of Bell 412 (14-passenger) helicopters (four-bladed rotor system) in the world.
1982	Certified the first Airborne Radar Approach in the Gulf of Mexico on April 8,1982.
1983	First commercial use of deHavilland DHC-7, Dash 7, airplane (50-passenger, 10,000 pound payload) in Alaska. First year of scheduled airline operations.
1984	First commercial use of Bell 214 Super Transport (18-passenger) helicopters in Alaska.
1984	First commercial use of Aerospatiale AS-332C/L helicopters in Alaska.
1985	First commercial operator of Boeing Vertol 234, 44-passenger, helicopter in Alaska.
1986	Certified the first civilian external auxiliary helicopter fuel tanks on a Bell 412.
1990	First commercial use of deHavilland DHC-8-10O, 37-passenger airplane in Alaska.
1991	Acquired 49% of KLM Helicopters, based at Schipol Airport East, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
1992	First western company to operate American commercial helicopters inside the borders of Russia.
1992	Five Era helicopters participated as part of the United Nations peacekeeping force in Croatia.
1993	Awarded one-year United Nations contact for peacekeeping force in Croatia and Macedonia with three Bell 212 helicopters and three Bell 206 Longrangers.
1994	Entered into three year contract for two AS-332L Super Pumas flying offshore support in Peoples Republic of China.
1997	First Sikorsky S-61 in Gulf of Mexico.
1998	Sold 49% of KLM/Era helicopters.
1999	First Eurocopter Super Puma in Gulf of Mexico.
2004	SEACOR Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: “CKH”) purchased Era Aviation from Rowan Companies, Inc.

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