Ottawa-based aerial surveying company Sander Geophysics Limited (SGL) is making its fleet of aircraft available for cargo delivery during the global Covid-19 pandemic.
Ottawa-based aerial surveying company Sander Geophysics Limited (SGL) is making its fleet of aircraft available for cargo delivery during the global Covid-19 pandemic.
The company, which operates a fleet of 13 aircraft, has ceased all survey operations around the world, with aircraft and crews returning home to Canada.
‘Since there is such a big demand right now, we figured we might as well offer this cargo service,’ said Adrian Archer, the company’s business development coordinator. ‘We have aircraft available in Ottawa. Right now, we have four aircraft and two helicopters available and some under maintenance that will be available in a few weeks.’
Three Grand Caravans and one Islander are immediately available for hire, as are the two Airbus helicopters. The Twin Otter will be available soon following the completion of routine maintenance. All are equipped with cargo doors.
Archer said the Grand Caravans can haul 453 kg of cargo, with the Islander capable of transporting a bit less depending on the length of the flight.
The AS350 B3s are five-seat helicopters that are immediately available for passenger or urgent cargo transport.
Archer said SGL’s fixed-wing aircraft are suitable for moving medical supplies and other cargo into destinations not serviced by larger aircraft.
SGL has offered its services to freight forwarders and submitted its capabilities to the Canadian government. Archer added that while air cargo is a new market for SGL, the company already has vast experience transporting its own survey equipment and supplies around the world.
The privately owned company, founded in 1956, operates 13 aircraft, including eight Cessna 208B Grand Caravans, one de Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter, two Britten-Norman BN2B-21 Islanders, and two Airbus AS350 B3 helicopters.
