History| Alpha Aviation

History

Established Alpha Aviation. Opened subsidiary company in Guam , became a Robinson Helicopter dealer. Got an approved Robinson Helicopter service center in Japan. Got an approved flight operation license from JCAB in Ashoro, Japan. Started FBO in Shimotsuma, Japan. Became a Robinson dealer in Japan, started to sell the R44 series. Alpha Aviation team won gold medals at World Helicopter Championships in both Germany and Spain. Robinson Helicopter Company received Japanese Type Certificate. Alpha Aviaiton team made their dramatic debut at air shows in Japan. Made live ENG broadcast using the R44 News Copter for the New Year TV program. Became the authorized dealer of Diamond Aircraft in Japan. Celebrated our 20th Anniversary: a perfect safety record ! Constructed new facility at Fukushima Airport. Established aviation program at Hosei University, Faculty of Science and Engineering; matriculation to begin in 2008. Alpha Aviation launched fixed wing training both at Fukushima Airport and at Hosei University’s Faculty of Science and Engineering. Diamond Aircraft received a Japanese type Certificate of Da42. Alpha Aviation launched helicopter training at Department of Aerospace Engineering, School of Science and Engineering, Teikyo University. Approval granted to be R66 dealer. Launched sales of the R66 in Japan. Alpha Aviation approved to be RR300 engine service center. Alpha Aviation was granted the Type Certificate for Robinson R66 and Diamond DA42NG by the Minister of Transport. Cessna 510 – finally the age of the VLJ has begun. Take off at Alpha Aviation. Celebrated our 30th Anniversary: a perfect safety record !

1985
Dec: President Shizuka Saito established Alpha Aviation in order to provide pilot training services, making use of her experience.

1988
May: Opened subsidiary company in Guam, became a Robinson Helicopter dealer and started to provide pilot training and charter flights.

1989
Nov: Got an approved Robinson Helicopter service center in Japan.

1990
Nov: Purchased land at Ashoro, Hokkaido, Japan, for instructing operation center.

1992
May: Increased capital from 5 million Yen to 20 million Yen.
Aug: Got an approved flight operation license from JCAB in Ashoro, Hokkaido, Japan.

1994
Mar: Started FBO in Shimotsuma, Japan.

1995
Oct: Got approval of Promotion Law of Creative Business Activity of Small and Medium Companies in Tokyo.
Nov: Started maintenance center in Shimotsuma, Ibaraki, Japan.

1998
Jan: Became a Robinson dealer in Japan.

1999
Aug: Alpha Aviation team won gold medal at World Helicopter Championships in Germany.

2000
Jan: Started to sell the R44 series.
Jun: Alpha Aviation team won gold, silver, bronze medals at World Helicopter Championships in Spain.

2001
May: Got approval of support law for small business management innovation in Tokyo.
Aug: President Shizuka Saito received FAI Air Sports Medal.
Oct: Introduced first R44 News Copter in Japan.
Nov: Approved of FAA written test at Mita, Tokyo, Japan, .
Dec: Moved head office to MITA ARS Bldg, Mita, Tokyo, Japan.

2002
Jan: Made live broadcast using the R44 News Copter for the New Year TV program.
Mar: Visited Robinson Helicopter Company, located in U.S.A, with JCAB officer in order to get type certificate of Robinson Helicopter.
May: Alpha Aviation team won gold medal at World Helicopter Championships in Austria.
Aug: Conducted air show at Tajima Airport Festival 2002.
Sep: Participated in Tokyo joint emergency drill.
Sep: Participated in Tochigi Prefecture joint emergency drill.
Nov: Participated in FAI World Grand Prix 2002 Japan.
Nov: Robinson Helicopter Company’s helicopters received Japanese Type Certificate.

2003
Apr: Made live broadcast using the R44 News Copter for the morning news TV program.
Apr: Conducted flight air show at INDY Japan 300.
May: President Shizuka Saito appeared on TV program of Television Saitama.
May: Conducted air show at JGSDF memorial festival.
Aug: Conducted air show at Tajima Airport Festival 2003.
Aug: Made live broadcast using the R44 News Copter for the emergency drill of Moka-shi, Tochigi prefecture.
Oct: Shot night scenes of Tokyo for popular TV program ‘Love Story in Manhattan’ (in Japanese).
Oct: Made live broadcast using the R44 News Copter for historic automobile festival in Japan.
Dec: Conducted radio program recording for CRT Tochigi radio.

2004
Jan: Made live ENG broadcast using the R44 News Copter for the New Year TV program.
Jan: Made live broadcast using the R44 News Copter for the TV program of Fuji Television, popular company in Japan.
Feb: Director of flight operations, Mr. Mitsuo Aoyama, appeared on Japanese TV program and conducted full touch auto-rotation.
Feb: Started new business service ‘Sky Sigh’ using R22 night rider.
Mar: Director of flight operations, Mr. Mitsuo Aoyama, received FAI Air Sports Medal.
Apr: Director of flight operations, Mr. Mitsuo Aoyama, appeared on JapanseTV program and opened a beer bottle using a Robinson helicopter.
Apr: Japanese TV introduced our shopping website selling Robinson helicopters.
Aug: Conducted flight air show at Tajima Airport Festival 2004.
Oct: Exhibited at Japan International Aerospace Exhibition 2004 in Yokohama and conducted flight air show, exhibit of aircraft and talk show.
Nov: Made live broadcast using the R44 News Copter for ‘historic automobile festival in Japan’.

2005
Jan: Director of flight operations, Mr. Mitsuo Aoyama, flight instructor ,Mr. Sakamoto, and mechanic, Mr. Nakata, appeared on Japanese TV program and dropped bowling ball and pinball from helicopter.
Mar: Became the authorized dealer of Diamond Aircraft in Japan.
Mar: Vice President, Mr. Kenji Saito, received FAI Air Sports Medal.
Jun: Started flight training for multi-engine rating of Police Air squadron.
Jul: Conducted flight air show at Sky Leisure Japan 2005.
Aug: Conducted flight air show at Tajima Airport Festival 2005.
Oct: Asked to do accident research by Aircraft and Railway Accidents Investigation Commission (ARAIC).
Dec: Celebrated 20th Anniversary: a perfect safety record!

2006
May: Received Japanese Supplemental Type Certificates(STC) air conditioning system for R44 II.
Aug: Conducted flight air show at Sky Leisure Japan 2006 in Tajima.
Nov: Participated in FAI World Grand Prix 2006 Japan.

2007
May: Exhibited in “Yokohama International Marine Entertainment show”.
Jun: Became the authorized dealer of Diamond Simulator in Japan.
Jun: Became the authorized service center of Thielert Engine in Japan.
Jun: Conducted flight air show at Tajima Airport Festival 2007.
Aug: Got construction authorization at Fukushima Airport from Fukushima Prefecture and started construction.
Aug: Conducted Shinto ceremony of purifying a building site at land of Fukushima operation center.
Sep: Participated in Fukushima Airport Aviation Day Festival 2007.
Nov: Participated in FAI World Grand Prix 2007 Japan and conducted flight air show.
Nov: Participated in Tone Sky Festival 2007 and conducted flight air show.
Nov: Shot movie at ‘Red Bull Flight Performance in Yokohama’.
Dec: Vice President, Mr. Kenji Saito, delivered lecture at Symposium for celebrating opening of course of aviation technology of Hosei University.

2008
Jan: Japanese Type Certificate awarded to Diamond Aircraft DA40.
Jan: Conducted training session for aeronautical radio operator.
Feb: President Shizuka Saito delivered lecture at gathering for friendly discussion organized by Japan Finance Corporation (JFC).
May: Conducted first flight of DA40 at Fukushima Airport in Japan.
May: Conducted opening ceremony of Fukushima operation center.
May: Participated in ‘ Fukushima YOU YOUR Festival’.
Jul: Conducted flight air show at Tajima Airport Festival 2008.
Aug: Started flight training for students of Hosei University.
Sep: Participated in Fukushima Airport Aviation Day Festival 2008.
Sep: President Shizuka Saito delivered lecture at the Committee of the Associations of Small- and Medium-Size Enterprises in Fukushima prefecture.
Oct: Exhibited at Japan International Aerospace Exhibition 2008.
Oct: Participated in FAI World Grand Prix 2008 Japan and conducted flight air show.
Nov: Participated in Tone Sky Festival 2008 and conducted flight air show.

2009
Feb: We hold a type transition course in twin-turbine maintenance for the mechanics of the Police Force Air Wing.
May: Participated in the 2009 Fukushima Airport “You Your Festival”.
May: Participated as exhibitor in Heli Russia 2009 with our R44 mini-tractor “Smotor”.
Jun: Granted the national Diamond DA42 type certificate from the Minister of Public Transport.
Jul: Held ground training course in helicopter instrument flight for the Fire Department Aerial Division.
Aug: Held flight training courses for Hosei University first and second-year students.
Aug: First flight of the Diamond DA42 dispatched by our Fukushima Airport facilities.
Aug: Garmin appointed us authorized dealership status.
Sep: Held practical training in helicopter instrument flight for the Fire Department Aerial Division.
Sep: Participated in Fukushima Airport’s “Day of the Sky Festival” 2009.
Oct: Installed the first diesel engine in a Cessna as the first company in Japan.
Dec: Celebrated our 24th accident-free year.

2010
Feb: Aspen Avionics Ltd. granted us authorized dealership status.
Jul: We’ve become a fully certificated Rolls Royce RR300 engine repair station.
Sep: Initiated the helicopter pilot course for first-year Teikyo University students from the Department of Aerospace Engineering.
Oct: Our president, Shizuka Saito, lectured at the Sukagawa Chamber of Commerce 25th anniversary conference. The same day Alpha Aviation held an aeronautical class for the chamber members.
Dec: Alpha Aviation celebrated its 25th accident-free year.

2011
Jan: We receive the exclusive dealership of the new Robinson R66 helicopter and continue our dealership of the R22 and R44.
Feb: Alpha Aviation enters an agreement of collaboration with Shimotsuma City. (Exchange of information regarding unlawful dumping of garbage) We’ll be reporting all observed occurrences to the city.
Mar: Immediately after the great East Japan Earthquake, Alpha Aviation was performing various helicopter and airplane logistical and news-gathering tasks for domestic and foreign media.
May: The Japanese female CEO society, “Evergreen”, visited the Shimotsuma flight operation.
Sep: Launch of the Teikyo University, Department of Aerospace Engineering Helicopter Pilot Course, class number 2.
Nov: All students in the Teikyo University, Department of Aerospace Engineering Helicopter Pilot Course, class number 1, passed their exams and acquired their private pilot licenses.
Dec: Celebrated our 26th Anniversary: a perfect safety record!

2012
Mar: Delegated students all passed their multi-engine instrument fatings and commercial pilot license exams.
May: Flight training begins in our newly diesel-engine-upgraded Cessna 172.
Jun: Flights are undertaken in Robinson R44 helicopters to measure radioactivity levels.
AA was granted the type certificate for the Robinson R66 by the Minister of Transport.
AA was granted the type certificate for the Diamond DA42NG by the Minister of Transport.
Sep: Launch of the Teikyo University Department of Aerospace Engineering Helicopter Pilot Course, class number 3.
Oct: Exhibitor participation at the Japan Aerospace 2012 exhibition.
Aquired the Cessna Citation 510 Airworthiness Certificate and began flights.
Nov: Participated in the Tone Sky Festical 2012 and put on a freestyle flight display.
Signed a contract with the city of Shimotsuma to provide air support in times of large-scale disasters.
Dec: Started flight training in the Robinson R66.
Dec: Celebrated our 27th Anniversary: a perfect safety record!

2013
May: Participated in the Utsukushima Fukushima Airport Rejuvination Festival.
Supported the Breitling Jet Team Air Show.
Jun: President Shizuka Saito was keynote speaker at the Japanese Management Consultants Association’s seminar on female company presidents.
Aug: Celebrated 21 years since the Air Operator’s Certificate was received. Still continuing an accident-free business.
Sep: Participated in Fukushima Sora-no-hi (Day of the Skies) Festival.
Oct: Exhibitor at the Tokyo National Aerospace Exhibition 2013.
Nov: Participated in the Shimotsuma emergency Preparedness exercise.
Participated in the Tone Sky Festival 2013.
Dec: Celebrated our 28th Anniversary: a perfect safety record!
Dec: Completed commercial pilot license training for the Tokyo Metropolitan Fire Department.

2014
Jan: Completed helicopter training for accident inspectors of the Japan Transport Safety Board.
Feb: Completed commercial helicopter pilot training for the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department.
Mar: Students of Course 1 from the Teikyo University Department of Aerospace Engineering Helicopter Pilot Course graduated, and several graduates immediately achieved employment as professional pilots.
Apr: For the 13th consecutive year, Alpha Aviation is registered as more flight training hours than any other operator in Japan.
May: Our chief pilot, Aoyama, appeared on the Fuji Television show “Ariyoshi Hiroiki Daretoku?!” and displayed a full-touchdown autorotation in front of the rolling cameras.
Jun: Participated with partnering city of Shimotsuma at the Urayasu Environmental Fair. Together we were presenting the ongoing project of spotting illegal dumping of garbage from the air.
Jul: Participated at the introduction meeting for potential police career helicopter pilots in Kagawa prefecture.
Aug: Graduation training for examiners of the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. The subject was the single-engine amphibian piston helicopter licenses.
Sep: The fifth generation of the Teikyo University Department of Aerospace Engineering Helicopter Pilot Course started.
Sep: Participated in the Shimotsuma emergency preparedness exercise.
Oct: Completed training for examiners of the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. The subject this time was flight instructor licenses.
Oct: Garmin GTR225 inspection certification achieved.
Oct: Teikyo University Department of Aerospace Engineering Helicopter Pilot Course 4 graduated the private pilot licence module.
Nov: Teikyo University Department of Aerospace Engineering Helicopter Pilot Course 3 graduated the commercial pilot licence module.
Dec: Celebrated our 29th Anniversary: a perfect safety record!

2015
Jan: Completed helicopter instructor training for the Tokyo Metropolitan Fire Department.
Mar: Graduated students of Course 2 from Teikyo University Department of Aerospace Engineering Pilot Course. All graduates were employed by aviation companies and police and fire departments all over Japan.
Apr: Registered as having more flight training hours than any other operator in Japan.
Apr: Started helicopter flight training for the Kyoto Police Dept.
Apr: Started airplane training for flight division of Asahi Newspaper.
May: Participated in ‘Fukushima Spring Festival’ at Fukushima Airport.
May: Started helicopter training for the Department of Prevention of Disasters of Nagano Prefecture.
Jun: Started helicopter training for the Gifu Prefecture Police Dept.
Jul: Started helicopter training for the Tokyo Metropolitan Fire Dept.
Aug: Hosted the Think Global Flight team comprised of Capt. Judy Rice, Mr. Buzz Aldrin (Apollo 11 astronaut) , Mr. Edwin Sahakian, who flew at Fukushima Airport to encourage Fukushima residents and lectured students of Teikyo University Department of Aerospace Engineering.
Sep: Started the sixth year of Teikyo University Department of Aerospace Engineering Helicopter Pilot Course.
Sep: Were asked to fly R44 around the Shimotsuma City flood area to ascertain the hardest hit areas.
Sep: Displayed a DA42 at Fukushima Airport for the annual sky festival.
Oct: Was invited by LP Gas Association of Chiba Prefecture to give a lecture about safety in the aviation business.
Oct: Displayed an R22 and a Spanish drone at the Tokyo Aerospace Symposium 2015 for three days.
Nov: Completed instrument training course for Obirin University students.
Dec: Completed commercial helicopter course for 4th year of Teikyo University Department of Aerospace Engineering Helicopter Pilot Course.
Dec: Celebrated our 30th Anniversary, a perfect safety record.

2016
Jan: Completed two of private and commercial helicopter training for the Tokyo Metropolitan Fire Department.
Jan: Completed skill retention training for examiners of the Civil Aviation Bureau of the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.
Jan: Hold an employment seminar of pilot for the Hokkaido Police Department.
Feb: Completed commercial helicopter pilot training for the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department.
Mar: Completed test flight for Sado PAPI.
Mar: Graduated students of Course 3 from Teikyo University Department of Aerospace Engineering Pilot Course. All graduates were employed by aviation companies and police and fire departments all over Japan.
Mar: Completed commercial helicopter pilot training for the Kyoto Prefectural Police Department.
Apr: Registered as having more flight training hours than any other operator in Japan for fifteen consecutive years.
Apr: Completed instrument flight training for the fifth year students of Obirin University.
May: Participated in the Ozora (Sky) Festival at the Fukushima Airport.
May: Started private helicopter pilot training for the Saitama Prefectural Police Department.
Jun: Completed commercial helicopter training for the Department of Prevention of Disasters of Nagano Prefecture.
Jun: Appeared on the famous Japanese TV program called “Takeshi no Nippon no Mikata” via TV Tokyo.
Jun: Hold an employment seminar of pilot for the Maritime Safety Agency.
Jul: Started instrument flight training for sixth year of Obirin University students.
Jul: Completed commercial airplane training for the Yamagat Prefectural Police Department.
Aug: Started private and commercial helicopter pilot training for the Tokyo Metropolitan Fire Department.
Aug: Completed test flight for Sado PAPI.
Sep: Appeared on the famous Japanese TV program called “Hatori’s Morning Show” via TV Asahi.
Sep: Participated in the “Sorano hi (Day of Sky) Festival” at the Fukushima Airport, performed opening flight by DA42 and displayed.
Sep: Started skill retention training for examiners of the Civil Aviation Bureau of the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.
Oct: Started the seventh year of Teikyo University Department of Aerospace Engineering Helicopter Pilot Course.
Oct: Participated in the Japan Aerospace 2016 and displayed Robinson R22 and Austro Diesel Engine.
Oct: Completed commercial helicopter pilot training for the Gifu Prefectural Police Department.
Oct: Participated in the “Tone Sky Festival”.
Oct: Completed private helicopter course for 6th year of Teikyo University Department of Aerospace Engineering Helicopter Pilot Course.
Oct: Observed helicopter pilot training of Tokyo Air Service.
Nov: Appeared on the live broadcast called “Hirubura” via NHK program and be Introduced as the top flight school in Japan.
Nov: Hold the orientation for the elementary school kids visited to Shimotsuma Heliport.
Dec: Celebrated our 31th Anniversary: a perfect safety record!
Dec: Completed commercial helicopter course for 5th year of Teikyo University Department of Aerospace Engineering Helicopter Pilot Course.