REL was originally NASA''s 204 (with a -11) and they compiled about 1500 hours on it before scrapping it and selling it to a junkyard in Philadelphia. Rilpa Enterprises Ltd. of Calgary bought it (hence ''REL'') and leased it to Great Slave for the Yellowstone fire flap, following which it was leased by Advantage Helicopters Ltd. (subsequently renamed Advantage Helilog). It was fitted with a -13 when the -11 ran out, and has been flown by Advantage in that configuration since. I did an acceptance on it after Great Slave had it, and it was an incredible pleasure to know what a 204 can really feel like. It was as smooth as a baby''s butt, and I wasn''t too happy to see it go logging. But Al Partridge has kept it turning for about 8 years now. It just doesn''t feel like it did, believe me.
