About Consultavia
Consultavia Limited, founded in 1995, established a strong reputation in aviation consultancy, specialising in helicopter operations and offshore industries in the early days. Initially led by a former Royal Air Force helicopter test pilot, the company focused on helicopter classification, offshore helideck operations, and expert witness services. Throughout the years, the company has been run by a handful of very talented helicopter pilots. The area of expertise broadened to include overseeing high-profile projects such as the Midlands Air Ambulance re-tendering and helicopter operations for Trinity House. Furthermore, the company worked with the Irish Coast Guard and the Combined Lighthouse Boards and is currently consulting for utility companies and the Scottish Ambulance Service.
Today, Rikke Carmichael, a highly experienced helicopter pilot, is leading the company, bringing fresh vision and a focus on expanding into the rapidly growing UAV/drone sector, while maintaining Consultavia’s strong legacy in aviation consultancy.
Unlock Your Business Potential
Tender Support & Analysis
Helicopter & UAV/Drone Operations
Tender Support & Analysis
Assistance with competitive tender processes from expressions of interest right through to tender analysis, final selection and contract award. This also includes subsequent contract reviews, re-negotiations and contract extensions
Heliport Operations
Helicopter & UAV/Drone Operations
Tender Support & Analysis
Advising and assisting with the setting-up and, if necessary, the management of a suitable and compliant operating site for private or commercial helicopter or UAV/Drone use, having assessed daily, monthly and annual movements, access control by surface and air, obstructions, environmental issues and stakeholder management.
Helicopter & UAV/Drone Operations
Helicopter & UAV/Drone Operations
Helicopter & UAV/Drone Operations
Helicopter and UAV operating advice focusing on geographic location, and environmental impact, as well as training and manufacturing standards and stakeholder engagement.
Operational Advice
Quality & Compliance Auditing
Helicopter & UAV/Drone Operations
Designed specifically for the organisation that doesn’t have the aviation department, manpower or expertise to ascertain fully the methodology of operation resulting in essential written instructions that detail safe execution and regulatory compliance.
Quality & Compliance Auditing
Quality & Compliance Auditing
Quality & Compliance Auditing
Independent Quality & Compliance auditing, reporting and recommendations
Practical Risk Management
Quality & Compliance Auditing
Quality & Compliance Auditing
To assess the risks in the operation; mitigate them and manage safe outcomes.
Safety Management Systems
Regulatory Authority Liaison
Regulatory Authority Liaison
Production of and, where required, oversight of a workable safety management system that manages Safety through a meaningful Policy, Risk Assessment, Safety Assurance, Safety Promotion and Education so that it becomes the culture. Essential tools for those who are or could be accountable for the safety of operations and the consequences.
Regulatory Authority Liaison
Regulatory Authority Liaison
Regulatory Authority Liaison
To gain approval for the best possible solutions for compliant and safe operations from the Aviation Authority.
Aircraft & Crew Selection
Regulatory Authority Liaison
Aircraft & Crew Selection
Advising and assisting in the choice of the most suitable airframe for the task whilst taking availability, performance, reliability, capital budget, operating cost, operating areas and other relevant conditions into account.
Assisting with the selection of suitable pilots and operating staff to fulfil the operational specifications whilst ensuring that they are qualified and trained for the required tasks.
Keynote Speaker
Speaker Summary for Rikke Carmichael
Rikke is a global aviation leader, entrepreneur, and former helicopter pilot whose life story embodies resilience, reinvention, and the power of refusing to accept limits. Born in Copenhagen and raised by parents who told her she could “do anything you want,” she has spent her entire life proving them right.
From being the only girl learning to fly gliders at 16 to becoming a Certified Flight Instructor in the United States within just eight months, Rikke built her career by stepping into spaces where she didn’t “fit the mould” and excelling anyway. Her journey includes flying in California, navigating the competitive world of US aviation, and later holding senior leadership roles in major organisations such as Boeing Defence UK and Network Rail. At Network Rail, she led groundbreaking innovations, including the first BVLOS flight over a UK rail network.
But her story is not just about achievement—it’s about overcoming adversity. Rikke has rebuilt her life multiple times: after losing her father during flight training, after three spinal surgeries, after a diagnosis that reshaped her understanding of family, after divorce, and after being made redundant less than a year into her first director role. Each time, she chose growth over defeat. As she writes, “I rely entirely on my own abilities, and I’m learning to be comfortable with being uncomfortable.”
Today, Rikke runs two aviation consultancy businesses and speaks powerfully about courage, leadership, and navigating change. Her keynotes blend humour, honesty, and hard‑won insight, offering audiences a rare combination of inspiration and practical wisdom. She shows leaders and teams how to stay resilient when life shifts unexpectedly, how to build confidence in male‑dominated environments, and how to turn setbacks into catalysts for reinvention.
Core Themes Rikke Speaks On
- Resilience & Reinvention: How to rebuild when life forces you to start again.
- Leadership Under Pressure: Lessons from aviation, corporate transformation, and leading high‑stakes teams.
- Women Breaking Barriers: Thriving in male‑dominated industries without losing your identity.
- Courageous Career Moves: From global relocations to entrepreneurship—how to take bold steps even when the path is unclear.
- Turning Adversity Into Advantage: Using setbacks as fuel for growth, innovation, and self‑belief.helicopter aspects of the tender documents, and assessing bids.
Why Audiences Connect with Rikke
- Her story is real, raw, and deeply human.
- She blends adventure with vulnerability—flying helicopters, moving continents, surviving surgeries, and rebuilding her life.
- She offers practical, actionable insights grounded in lived experience, not theory.
- She leaves people feeling braver, more capable, and more willing to pursue the life they want. providing ad hoc advice on aviation matters.
News
Consultavia joined Farnborough Aerospace Consortium and was featured in the Interface Newsletter
Three Decades of Trusted Aviation Expertise and Quiet Influence
For more than three decades, Consultavia Ltd has served as a trusted specialist adviser at the heart of aviation operations, safety, and regulatory compliance. Founded in 1995, the company has built a strong reputation for delivering independent, experience-led insight to organisations operating within some of the most complex and safety-critical aviation environments.
From its inception, Consultavia established a distinctive position within the sector. Rather than operating aircraft directly, the firm positioned itself as an independent strategic partner—supporting operators, regulators, and decision-makers across helicopter operations in search and rescue, offshore energy, air ambulance services, defence, and critical infrastructure. Its purpose has remained consistent: to provide sound judgement, regulatory confidence, and operational clarity where the stakes are highest.
A Track Record Built on Operational Credibility
Consultavia’s strength has always rested on deep operational expertise. Drawing on the experience of former pilots, engineers, and regulatory specialists, the firm has supported clients through major operational decisions, periods of regulatory transition, and complex safety-critical challenges.
Its portfolio has included operational reviews, tender and procurement support, safety management systems development, compliance auditing, and risk assessment—often delivered at pivotal moments when independence, discretion, and trusted counsel were essential.
Throughout the 2000s, Consultavia became particularly recognised for its ability to bring clarity to complex aviation issues. The consultancy supported lighthouse authorities, utilities companies, offshore operators, and defence organisations, reinforcing its standing as a dependable adviser amid evolving regulatory frameworks.
Landmark Impact in Offshore Aviation
One of Consultavia’s most significant contributions came in 2004, when the firm prepared a landmark independent safety analysis enabling regulatory approval for larger, modern helicopters to operate from legacy offshore helideck infrastructure. The analysis was accepted by both the UK Civil Aviation Authority and the Health and Safety Executive, demonstrating Consultavia’s ability to bridge engineering evidence, operational risk assessment, and regulatory assurance. This integrated, evidence based approach has remained central to the company’s advisory philosophy ever since.
People, Governance, and Long-Term Trust
Consultavia’s longevity is underpinned by a consistent focus on people and integrity. Early directors and advisers—including Malcolm & Gillian Coe, Dr Barbara Ginn, Captain Michael Ginn, Jeremy English, and Christopher Forrest — helped establish robust governance and a reputation for professionalism, discretion, and long-term trust. Importantly, the company has chosen to remain deliberately focused rather than growth-driven. By prioritising quality of service and trusted relationships over scale for its own sake, Consultavia has preserved its independence and credibility through decades of technological and regulatory change.
A New Chapter of Leadership
In late 2024, Consultavia entered a new phase with the appointment of Rikke Carmichael as Director and owner. With more than 30 years of aviation experience, Rikke brings a combination of operational depth and strategic leadership aligned with the company’s heritage.
Her career spans commercial helicopter operations, senior aviation leadership roles, defence training programmes, and emerging domains including unmanned aerial systems, digital flight management, and regulatory innovation. She is also the founder of UK Aviation Consulting Ltd and has worked across the UK, Europe, and the United States.
Rikke is a member of the Royal Aeronautical Society, Women in Aviation International, and The Whirly-Girls International, and is an active advocate for developing the next generation of aviation professionals through speaking and mentoring engagements.
Her appointment provides both continuity with Consultavia’s heritage and a clear strategic direction for its future role in an evolving aviation landscape.
“I’m eager to continue and grow the journey of Consultavia as a trusted advisory partner in our industry.”
Integrating the New World of UAV and VTOL Operations
A key area of strategic focus for Consultavia is the development and societal integration of UAVs and VTOL aircraft. These technologies offer significant potential to improve safety, efficiency, and accessibility across multiple sectors. However, innovation must be balanced with the lessons learned from decades of crewed aviation operations.
The introduction of UAV and VTOL systems demands rigorous attention to manufacturing standards, operator training, safety management systems, and structured integration into established airspace frameworks. The challenge is not purely technological; it is regulatory, operational, and cultural. Ensuring that new aviation systems coexist safely and seamlessly alongside traditional crewed operations is essential for maintaining public confidence and long-term industry sustainability.
Consultavia has strengthened its capability in this domain through in-house expertise led by Rikke’s pioneering Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) proof-of-concept trial conducted for Network Rail. This programme required navigation of complex regulatory approvals, detailed operational risk assessments, and multi-stakeholder coordination—providing practical insight into real-world implementation at scale.
Beyond project delivery, Rikke continues to advocate for robust training frameworks and high manufacturing standards to underpin safe and scalable UAV operations. The company is actively encouraging engagement from new clients seeking experienced regulatory guidance in this rapidly developing sector, building on its longstanding relationship with the regulator and its track record of evidence-based advisory support.
By combining regulatory fluency, operational experience, and forward-looking innovation, Consultavia is well-positioned to support organisations seeking to advance new aviation technologies responsibly and credibly.
Looking Forward
Now beyond its 30th anniversary, Consultavia remains a boutique yet highly respected consultancy delivering independent, experience-led advice in aviation operations, safety, tendering, compliance, and regulatory assurance.
Under Rikke’s leadership, the firm is extending its expertise beyond conventional helicopter operations into UAVs and next-generation aviation systems—while maintaining the principles that have defined it for three decades: professionalism, safety, independence, and trusted judgement.
Consultavia’s story is one of steady and often quiet influence—built on expertise, shaped by people, and sustained by long-term trust. As aviation continues to evolve, the company remains committed to helping organisations navigate today’s operational realities and tomorrow’s skies with confidence.
