EDS Aviation

EDS Aviation is an air charter operator based at Port Macquarie Airport on the New South Wales Mid North Coast, with its base at 9 Keena Place. The business trades as EDS Aviation, and the company behind it is Port Macquarie Helicopters Pty Ltd. It holds its own CASA Air Operator's Certificate (AOC.0305) and flies under Part 135 air transport rules, so it runs its own flights rather than booking them with third-party operators.

The company offers whole-aircraft charter for four kinds of trip: business travel such as meetings and site visits, leisure trips, non-emergency medical transport, and time-critical freight. The website lists freight capacity of up to 325 kg.

EDS Aviation lists one aircraft, a Cessna Citation Mustang (510) light twin jet registered VH-8DD. The operator gives these figures for it: four passengers, a top cruise speed of about 340 knots, a range of about 1,200 nm (2,200 km) and a ceiling of 41,000 ft. Because it has one aircraft, availability depends on that jet's schedule.

The operator says it serves eastern Australia, from Far North Queensland to Tasmania and from New South Wales out to outback South Australia. Destinations it names include Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra, the Gold Coast, Ballina/Byron, Coffs Harbour and the Hunter Valley. Its focus is on flying direct to regional airports.

The Chief Pilot runs the operation. The company says a former Virgin Australia Boeing 737 captain flies most charters. No third-party safety audit, such as ARGUS, Wyvern or IS-BAO, could be confirmed. Quotes are issued per trip after a flyer sends in dates and destinations.