Switchback Helicopters

Switchback Helicopters is a Canadian helicopter operator that opened in 2019 at Springbank Airport, west of Calgary, Alberta. It was founded by Brian MacPherson, Mike Freidin and Jeff Groom, who had previously worked together at a larger Canadian helicopter operator.

The company lists three lines of work: helicopter charter, fire suppression and integrated infrared scanning. Trade press has quoted company staff saying firefighting is the main business, so charter customers should expect an operator geared mainly toward utility and wildfire contracts rather than a dedicated passenger shuttle service.

A 2025 trade article describes the fleet as anchored by two Airbus AStar B3 single-engine helicopters. Switchback's own website does not list aircraft types or certificate details.

Besides its Springbank home base at 120 Maclaurin Drive, the company lists a hangar at Lac La Biche, Alberta, and a presence at Dryden Regional Airport in Ontario. Those locations reflect its seasonal fire work and also let it take charter trips in western and central Canada.