AN increase in the demand for luxury helicopters in the region has driven sales sky high for Australasian civil helicopter distributor Heliflite.

Luxury helicopter ownership continues to increase as Heliflite unveils its range of new Robinson and AgustaWestland products.

You can't miss one of the luxury choppers to hit the skies - a bright gold Agusta A109E Power, bought by a Brisbane-based developer for around $US4.7 million.

"There is a definite increase in the number of Gold Coast businessmen who are seeking a new style of travel," says Heliflite marketing manager Scott Edmonds.

"In recent years, Heliflite has delivered new Robinson helicopters to a wide range of high-profile Gold Coast clients, including Maritimo's Peter Jenkins and Sirromet Wine's Terry Morris, with both purchasing luxury equipped four-place R44s."

Heliflite recently delivered a new A119 Koala to local businessman and former rugby league international Jarrod McCraken.

The company also delivered a new VIP-equipped A109S Grand, which will be operated by the Curry Kenny Aviation Group.

"Both the A109E POWER and A109S Grand are renowned for their superior safety features, comfort and class-leading 300kmh performance," says Mr Edmonds.

Heliflite recently established an AgustaWestland service centre at Redcliffe Airport - less than 30 minutes' flying time from the Gold Coast. The company continues to build on its Robinson service and support in the region, working with Gold Coast Airport-based JetPoint P/L, a locally owned service centre.

Jetpoint managing director Simon Whitehead has been maintaining Robinson helicopters at Gold Coast Airport for more than 15 years.

"Heliflite's support team has grown considerably in the past 30 years. It now has six Robinson & AgustaWestland factory-trained licensed engineers and eight engineering support staff available for all service and overhaul requirements," says Mr Edmonds.

He says three of Heliflite's senior engineers have a combined helicopter service experience of more than 60 years.

In 1997, Heliflite was appointed exclusive Australasian distributor for AgustaWestland civil helicopters, which are recognised as the world's fastest luxury helicopters.

The AgustaWestland range of helicopters includes the eight-place A119 KOALA, twin-engine A109 POWER, stretched twin-engine A109S Grand and the 14-place AW139.