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British International Helicopters' Chief Pilot, Steve Bradburn, who lives near Penzance and carried out the mission, commented: "This was a pretty challenging task, with limited space, lots of trees, a delicate wooden playframe and the need to fly close to listed buildings and structures. However, although this was mission difficult, it certainly wasn't mission impossible." The airlift involved 3 members of staff from Penzance on board the British International Helicopter' Sikorsky S61, which usually operates between Penzance and the Isles of Scilly. Three further British International staff members were used to supervise activities at the pick-up and drop-off sites. The Sikorsky can carry up to three tonnes or 24 passengers plus luggage and are designed for smooth takeoff, flights and landing, even in severe weather. The 18-metre long, twin-engined helicopters can travel at speeds of up to 166 miles per hour but whilst at Lyme Park flew no higher than 200 hundred feet. Sara Burdett, Project Lead for the Playscape said: "Ideally the towers would have been constructed on site in Crow Wood itself, but concerns about access, safety and steep gradients led to the decision to build them in Lyme's car park. We had to plan the lift carefully, as a helicopter flying in and out of a public area raises obvious safety issues. However, with the help of forty volunteers who secured and manned the fly zone, visitors to Lyme were able to enjoy the spectacle safely." The house at Lyme Park is known to many as the backdrop to the 1995 BBC production of 'Pride and Prejudice' and has been cared for by the National Trust since 1947. The new pyramids will form the centrepiece of the Crow Wood Playscape - a play area which uses the natural environment, combined with technology and craftsmanship to fire children's imaginations and sense of adventure. The next phase of the Crow Wood Playscape project will be the construction of a bespoke tree house, interconnecting rope and timber walkways and a giant badger sett. The playscape is due to open at the end of July. The project is being managed by environmental charity 'Groundwork Cheshire' and is supported by WREN, a not-for-profit business which awards grants to community projects across the UK on behalf of the Waste Management Group (WRG). Steve Bradburn continued: "Flying to the Isles of Scilly each day means I'm pretty spoilt and used to breathtaking views, but to fly in to the impressive, oversized, surroundings of Lyme Park was stunning. This was just the sort of mission our helicopters thrive in. Whether it's ensuring the safety of giant play equipment, or the comfort of passengers to the Isles of Scilly, the Sikorskys are amazingly delicate and responsive." The helicopter used in the airlift has now returned to its usual duties flying between the Heliport in Penzance and the Islands of St Mary's and Tresco. British International Helicopters operates six flights a day to St Mary's and its four daily flights to Tresco are the only air link to the Island. For more information on the Company's services visit http://www.islesofscillyhelicopter.com or call 01736 363871. For more information on Lyme Park, and the National Trust's properties in Cornwall visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk For more information, interviews and image requests, please contact Tim Bowcock at Black Cat Public Relations on 01872 306403. |
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