the MANAGEMENT Team
UAE
Ahmed Abulhoul: Co-Founder and Managing DIRECTOR
Mr Ahmed Abulhoul received his higher education in the USA, where he achieved both a BA in Business Administration and Economics and also a Master of Science in Maritime Management. With a strong interest in maritime affairs Mr Ahmed worked in Senior Managerial Roles for the Port of Jebel Ali (PAJA), United Arab Shipping Company (UASC) and both Dubai and Abu Dhabi Ports authority. During this time he was responsible for sourcing, planning and managing some very important and successful projects. Often working in newly emerging markets he also discovered a talent for public relations and event management. It is probably not surprising that his entrepreneurial nature led to the formation of his own highly successful business, Barrel Energy in 2001. This enterprise has grown from strength to strength over the years and now counts some very high profile companies as its customers. Later in 2010 he founded an aviation company (Abulhoul Aviation) which offers maintenance services, audits and consultancy as well as charter flights. This passion for aviation explains his enthusiasm in subsequently forming Oryx Aviation Services (OAS) in early 2015, with the firm intention to make a real and positive impact concerning operational offshore and onshore helicopter safety, in the country of his birth and also the wider MENA region.
Luis Blanco: co-founder and general manager
Luis is a very experienced helicopter pilot; holding both UAE and American licenses and having amassed close to 11,000 flight hours, over 9000 of which have been in offshore oil and gas operations. Initially gaining valuable flying experience within the armed forces and police in South America, he has been a Senior Captain for two of the largest offshore helicopter operators in both Abu Dhabi and Dubai for a total of 13 years, bringing huge local operational knowledge and experience to the team. With a Masters Degree in General Aviation Management from the Emirates Aviation University, UAE and a Bachelor Degree in Naval Sciences he also offers a unique blend of commercial and technical acumen. Luis has managed numerous local and international aviation related projects and therefore understands fully the special challenges and requirements of operating in remote and demanding environments. Finally, as an experienced ISO Aviation Lead Auditor and with further qualifications in operational risk management and safety management systems his all-round aviation safety knowledge and skillset is a perfect fit for the company.
Gustavo Tochon: OPERATIONS MANAGER
Captain Gustavo Tochon is a former Navy Officer, who started his aviation career in 1990 flying fixed-wing and helicopters. After retiring from the Navy, he joined the Oil and Gas industry flying for some of the most prestigious helicopter operators supporting oil companies like the formerly known British Petroleum (BP), Shell Global, ExxonMobil, and Qatar Petroleum (QP) among others. Always concerned about the safe operation of the helidecks, together with the Aviation Safety Departments, he started to closely monitor the helidecks and their compliances with the regulation. After accumulating over 14,000 hours of experience in many aspects of helicopter flying, Gustavo joined Oryx Aviation Services LLC in August of 2020 as the Operations Manager, combining his overall aviation and management experience, ISO 9001 Quality and Safety Lead Auditor Training, and unique leadership skills that will consolidate and expand the OAS presence both locally and internationally.