North Horizon Heli Adventures
You can hear Doug’s story at the Simon Griffiths: Profit with Purpose, thanks to NAB keynote event in Darwin on Wednesday 29 October 2025.
A progressive way of working with staff has helped a Northern Territory helicopter company more than quadruple in size over the past decade.
Katherine-based NT Heli-Ops, now also trading as North Horizon Heli Adventures, started with two helicopters – but now has 11 and 13 team members.
And the business is in the mood for greater expansion.
Owner Doug McBean, who has been a pilot for 35 years, brings in a wellbeing consultant every year to work with his administration team, pilots and, if possible, their life partners.
“The focus is on the state of mind of our people,” he says. “We’re almost reaching into the mental health side of work, how we then relate to our colleagues, our clients, the way we treat the animals we work with and, most importantly, how we treat our children when they meet us at the door at the end of the day.”
“Being aware of your state of mind helps you handle moments of anxiety, stress and other negative emotions that impact your communication, performance and safety.”
Doug says the wellbeing program leads to a more aligned team, which in turn leads to a better work environment and excellent customer service.
“The feedback from our team and customers is very positive. I’ve helped spread the program to the wider community and other companies.”
The wellbeing program has helped build resilience in the company by improving staff retention, which has allowed the business to grow sustainably since it was founded in 2014.
“We’ve developed a competitive advantage by not only doing a good job but by building strong, respectful relationships with many businesses, including Indigenous ranger groups.”
North Horizon carries out many “air work”, including cattle mustering, feral animal control, fire management and endangered species surveys.
The company has been moving into the tourism industry over the past two years, offering scenic flights along the spectacular Nitmiluk Gorge and out to untouched areas west of Katherine, plus heli-fishing trips.
Doug wants to grow the tourism work.
“I love showing people the beauty of the Northern Territory,” he says. “Having lived and worked in the area for so long I know I sometimes take it for granted.”
Doug’s business motto is: Lifting Our Community – “because I’m excited about the Territory’s future and I want our community to do well”.
North Horizon uses software to track the movements of its helicopters, which improves business efficiency and, most importantly, safety.
