[MarkR]

Flying ops for CH7 and CH9 outsourced:

Channels 9 and 7 news Squirrels have been replaced with a shared contracted helicopter. (Paul Sadler)
The Seven and Nine TV networks have ended their own helicopter operations for electronic news gathering (ENG) with the start of a combined national contract for shared helicopter news operations in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth.

Camden Airport’s United Aero Helicopters began operating three AS350B3 Squirrels, previously used by Nine in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne, to capture aerial footage in those locations on September 12.

Two AS350B2 Squirrels, used by Seven in Brisbane and Melbourne, will now cover the news in Adelaide and Perth.

The new contract represents an end of an era for the two rival networks, given all of the helicopters will be repainted in white with a dark navy blue tailboom generic colour scheme with no network branding.

http://australianaviation.com.au/201...eng-resources/