This article is based on an official press release from TracPlus.

Helicopter Express and TracPlus Forge Enterprise Partnership to Digitize 46-Aircraft Fleet

On May 25, 2026, TracPlus and Helicopter Express officially announced a new enterprise Partnerships aimed at deploying a mission-critical intelligence platform across a massive utility helicopter fleet. According to the official press release, this collaboration will see TracPlus’s digital infrastructure integrated across all 46 of Helicopter Express’s Helicopters, marking a significant step in the Aviation industry’s ongoing digital transformation.

Helicopter Express, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, and founded in 1995 by Scott Runyan, has grown to become the largest utility helicopter operator in the United States. The company specializes in high-stakes, mission-critical services, including heavy lift and crane operations, utility and electrical construction support, aerial firefighting, search and rescue, and disaster relief. What began as a single engagement with the U.S. Forest Service has expanded into active annual engagements both domestically and internationally, with operations spanning Greece, Saudi Arabia, Australia, Chile, and Italy.

To support this expansive operational footprint, the company has turned to TracPlus, an Auckland, New Zealand-based global leader in mission-critical intelligence and operational data. TracPlus already serves as the system of record for major global agencies, including California’s CAL FIRE, Australia’s national aerial firefighting program, and New Zealand’s Fire and Emergency (FENZ). The platform currently manages approximately 2,500 wildfire suppression aircraft globally, holding over a billion flight records and processing roughly a million new data points every day.

Scaling Operations and Managing Complexity

The Catalyst for Digital Transformation

As Helicopter Express scaled its operations through strategic acquisitions and geographic expansion, the company faced the growing challenge of managing disparate systems and hardware across an increasingly diverse fleet. According to the press release, this fragmentation made it difficult to track aircraft in real time and meet the complex reporting demands required by international and government contracts.

The operator’s fleet is highly varied, consisting of Sikorsky S-64 Skycranes, Kaman K-Max K-1200s, Bell 412EPXs, Bell 205s, Bell 407s, and Airbus AS-350s. Managing maintenance, tracking, and operational data for such a wide array of airframes across multiple continents requires a unified approach. Following a successful trial period earlier in the year, TracPlus was selected to provide a single, enterprise-grade platform to replace these fragmented workflows with an automated, centralized system.

The TracPlus Solution and Capabilities

Unifying the Fleet

The deployment of the TracPlus platform provides Helicopter Express with several specific operational upgrades designed to streamline multi-continent missions. Based on the partnership announcement, the integration delivers a “Single Operating Picture,” offering real-time visibility across all aircraft, crews, and operational activities regardless of their global location.

Furthermore, the system introduces automated operational reporting. This feature ensures the accurate, automated validation of flight and billing data, which the companies note will reduce manual administrative processing and significantly improve billing accuracy. For high-stakes operations like firefighting, the platform also offers advanced aerial analytics, providing purpose-built performance reporting and transparency for government and private clients.

Safety and cross-departmental efficiency are also core components of the integration. The platform includes integrated alerts and notifications, enhancing crew safety through email and SMS alerts, geofencing, and proprietary Guardian safety features. These tools provide actionable insights that support multiple departments within Helicopter Express, including operations, finance, maintenance, and executive leadership.

Leadership Perspectives

Executives from both organizations highlighted the necessity of scalable digital infrastructure for modern aviation operations. In the official press release, Todd O’Hara, CEO of TracPlus, emphasized the importance of operational clarity for large-scale fleets.

“We’re proud to be part of Helicopter Express’ next chapter. A 46-aircraft fleet operating across multiple continents needs operational clarity that scales with it. That’s what we’re here to provide.”

Scotty Runyan, Vice President of Government Services at Helicopter Express Inc., echoed this sentiment, noting that the platform allows the company to manage its growth without inflating administrative burdens.

“As Helicopter Express has grown, so has the complexity of running our fleet. TracPlus has given us the platform to manage that complexity without adding overhead. We can track every aircraft across every base, automate our reporting, and make faster, better-informed decisions, whether we’re fighting fires in California or managing lift operations overseas. For a growing company, that kind of operational clarity is invaluable.”

Broader Industry Implications

AirPro News analysis

At AirPro News, we observe that this partnership underscores a broader, accelerating trend within the aviation and utility sectors: the urgent need to digitize and centralize operational data. As aviation companies grow through Acquisitions and secure complex international contracts, relying on legacy systems and fragmented hardware becomes a critical operational vulnerability.

Unified digital platforms are rapidly transitioning from optional upgrades to essential infrastructure. This is particularly true in high-stakes environments such as aerial firefighting and disaster response, where real-time tracking and data analytics are critical for coordinating rapid responses and ensuring the Safety of remote first responders. Furthermore, government clients increasingly demand rigorous proof of mission effectiveness and precise financial reporting across borders. By adopting enterprise-wide digital solutions, operators like Helicopter Express are positioning themselves to meet these stringent requirements while maintaining safety and operational efficiency at scale.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How large is the Helicopter Express fleet?

According to the press release, Helicopter Express operates a diverse fleet of 46 aircraft, making it the largest utility helicopter operator in the United States.

What types of helicopters does Helicopter Express operate?

The fleet includes Sikorsky S-64 Skycranes, Kaman K-Max K-1200s, Bell 412EPXs, Bell 205s, Bell 407s, and Airbus AS-350s.

What is the scale of TracPlus’s global operations?

TracPlus manages approximately 2,500 wildfire suppression aircraft globally, holds over a billion flight records, and processes roughly a million new data points daily.

When was this partnership officially announced?

The operational partnership was officially announced on May 25, 2026, following a successful trial period.

Sources

• TracPlus Official Press Release: “Helicopter Express and TracPlus Announce Operational Partnership”