Friday, November 21, 2008

NBC Today Show LIVE from Belize

Astrum Helicopters had the chance to work with the NBC TODAY Show (TODAY goes to the Ends of the Earth) during their LIVE broadcast from Belize on November 17 & 18th, 2008. All the aerial views and the stories with the helicopter where done using the services of Astrum Helicopters.

To view the videos you can visit our dedicated video page, hope you enjoy the videos.

For this project we outfitted our Bell 206 Jet Ranger B3 with a Nose Mount for a Wescam System.

200811_NorthernCaye_NBC_003

200811_NorthernCaye_NBC_008 

200811_NorthernCaye_NBC_C_012

You can also view the videos directly from MSNBC:

Discovering the Blue Hole

Nov. 17: The reef off the coast of Belize known as the Blue Hole may be in trouble because of rising ocean temperatures. TODAY’s Matt Lauer reports.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/27766272#27766272

An aerial view of the Blue Hole

Nov. 17: TODAY’s Matt Lauer takes a helicopter tour above the Blue Hole and along the coastline of Belize.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/27766231#27766231

Continuing Cousteau’s journey

Nov. 17: TODAY’s Matt Lauer talks to Jacques Cousteau’s grandson Fabien about the secrets that lie under the sea and the global concerns about the state of our planet’s water.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/27765080#27765080

Worries about ecotourism

Nov. 17: NBC’s Kerry Sanders looks into whether the ecotourism industry has become a problem. TODAY’s Matt Lauer talks to Blake Ross, director of Long Caye Belize, about the issue. (Today Show)

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/27767723#27767723

Lauer swims with the sharks

Nov. 18: Matt Lauer goes snorkeling with sting rays, sharks, and other fish off the coast of Belize. The TODAY co-host is in the Central American nation as part of the show’s “Ends of the Earth” series, which is focusing on the future of the world’s water.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/27782284#27782284

Cousteau on our troubled waters

Nov. 18: TODAY’s Matt Lauer talks to Jacques Cousteau’s grandson Fabien about the state of our oceans and the effects that rising temperatures have on sea life.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/27782319#27782319

Preserving marine wildlife

Nov. 18: TODAY’s Matt Lauer finds out what conservationists are doing to try to preserve marine wildlife off the coast of Belize.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/27782889#27782889

Wildlife in peril in Belize

Nov. 18: NBC’s Kerry Sanders meets some of the endangered species in Belize. TODAY’s Matt Lauer talks to Losita Lee of the Audubon Society about the state of the wildlife.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/27783851#27783851

Preserving the coral reefs

Nov. 18: TODAY’s Matt Lauer talks to Melanie McField about the Healthy Reefs for Healthy People Initiative.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/27785285#27785285

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Wonders Of Belize!!

It not everyday life through a trilling adventure at you but when it does embrace it and never let it go. That's just the experience I had when I took an amazing Helicopter Ride to Glovers Reef (Middle Long Caye). It was so beautiful I can't express it in words. The water was so peaceful and the islands lay still in the ambiance of the Caribbean Sea. At one point we gain altitude of approximately 2,000 ft and I was just blown away with what I saw. I saw all three atolls at once (Turneffe Atoll, Lighthouse Reef Atoll and Glovers Reef Atoll)! Not many people get that opportunity!

We then landed on the beautiful Island of Middle Long Caye where there is a gorgeous research center known as the Glover’s Reef Marine Reserve and Research Station (www.wcsgloversreef.org)  funded by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS – www.wcs.org). This place is well kept and brings to life the best of nature. I personally wanted to stay but soon it was time to go. We took our final spin around the island and indulge in its beauty once more. Then it was back over the Glover's Reef Atoll for a final view and a breath taking one at that. It makes you appreciate being created and knowing that we have a wonderful creator at the end of a spectacular flight as such. Just to give you a taste of my experience. Enjoy the pictures below.

 

Flight 081111 015

Flight 081111 026

Flight 081111 029

Flight 081111 057

flight 0811 006

flight 0811 008

 Flight 081111 079

Flight 081111 073

Flight 081111 081

Flight 081111 118

flight 0811 017

Victoria Forman

info@astrumhelicopters.com

Thursday, October 9, 2008

What's Blazing At Astrum!!!

 

Well its all About Family Time Today!! Mr. Gustavo Sr. had the grill blazing up!! It was a Guatemalan Cook Out!! Once I thought though we would have had charred beef but Paul came to the rescue and calm the flames with a bucket of water. The end result was super!! The food was delicious I have to say it's true men can cook better than women SOMETIMES!!! It was also amazing since it was the first time we all had lunch together. Family time is always sweet. To share some of our fun enjoy the pictures below.  

Head Chef - Mr. Gustavo Sr. 

I could do this all the time

Assistant Chef - Paul 

I got things covered 

Oops!! You blazing too much over there Mr. Gustavo Sr.

 Paul stop smile & help 

Salad Specialist - Vinicio

Wash your hands before cooking 

Together Time

Hmm!! I did a good Job

Edward I haven't eat as yet

 This looks so good & not enough space on the plate

Ada this is sooo good

 Their is not a word to express the flavour

This food is Divine 

Victoria 

The Astrum Family

One Big Happy Family

Victoria Forman

info@astrumhelicopters.com

Monday, September 1, 2008

First Belizean Company To Receive Air Operator Certificate (AOC)

Today is a day of great Accomplishment for our company Astrum Helicopters. As we are the first Belizean Company to receive our Air Operator Certificate BCAR OPS 3 - 001. With years of hard work from Mr. Marco Vinicio Franco our Director Of Maintenance; his hard work finally got paid off today. Below enjoy the Pictures of our final process to victory!!

Mr. Jose Contreras - Director Of Civil Aviation

Mr. Jose Contreras

Mr. Nigel Carter - Operations Officer Of Civil Aviation

Mr. Nigel Carter

Mr. Ismael Perrera - Airworthiness Officer Civil Aviation

Mr. Ismaeal Perrera

Mr. Gustavo Giron Sr. - Director Of Operations Astrum Helicopters

Mr. Gustavo Giron Sr. 

Mr. Marco Vinicio Franco - Director of Maintenance Astrum Helicopters

Mr. Marco Vinicio Franco

Mr. Jose Contreras & Mr. Gustavo Giron Sr. - Victory in Hand

Mr. Jose Contrera & Mr. Gustavo Giron Sr.

Victoria Forman
info@astrumhelicopters.com

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Astrum Helicopter's New Members of The Family!!!!

 

They say animals are man's best friend and I agree!! They are always sweet and loving and the best part they don't talk back!!! It is never a dull moment when new animals are found at  our Heliport. Everyone comes out and view them and some of us get pretty daring. So I would like to share those happy moments with you of our Astrum's wildlife family from Snakes to Scorpion and our newest member Butch. He is a mix with Rottweiler & Doberman! Butch is spoiled!! You see, everyone loves him up and especially his Grandpa Gustavo who always buys him new treats & toys. We each take turns to watch, play or walk him and even endure his mischievousness at times. But all in all he is a very smart and obedient dog and takes commands well. Below are pictures of our new FAMILY members!! Enjoy

Slime

Slime Say CheeseGustavo enjoying a moment with Slime
Ed Becareful

Scar

Jorge Becareful 

Lizette

 Getting alittle early morning Sun

Goliath

Heading into his Cave 

David

Taking a break out this cave

Flash

Getting some Early morning Sun

Gallia

Relaxing on the bank

Butch

The Baby of the Bunch

Monday, August 4, 2008

Lights Camera Action!!!

  

Everyday is a unique day at Astrum's Heliport. Some times it can be slow but sometimes it comes with alot of ACTION!!! The Tiger Aspect Production Crew from London filming stop in on their trip to Belize to film with our Bell 206 B3 Jet Ranger Helicopter. They were doing a documentary in Belize and we were proud to be apart of it. They are the first production crew to use our GYRO Stabilizer Mount. This mount makes filming smooth and easy.

Camera on Gyro Mount              Camera on Gyro Mount 

It was so much fun to see the Helicopter do tricks in the Air and move like it was soooo easy!! One trick I like especially was the Hammer head! Oh boy!! I wanted to be in the Helicopter so bad!! Everybody had their own responsibility in this Documentary shoot. My role was the Astrum Helicopter's photographer, Gustavo Jr. was the Overseer, and Gustavo Sr. was the pilot. Working with Helicopters is a very fun job and days like today you really appreciate the opportunity to work with them. Below I have provided some of my work for your enjoyment.

 Getting ready for take offAction Time!!

Bell 206 Take OffRunning Take off Jet Ranger Actor Taking a Run For It

Actor to Vehicle Filming in the Helicopter

Gustavo Jr & Sr.

Victoria Forman