EXHIBIT 12.1 PETROLEUM HELICOPTERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES (Thousands of dollars) <Table> <Caption> EIGHT TWELVE PROFORMA MONTHS MONTHS YEAR YEAR ENDED APRIL 30, ENDED ENDED YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, ENDED ----------------------------- DECEMBER 31, DECEMBER 31, ----------------------- DECEMBER 31, 1997 1998 1999 1999 1999 2000 2001 2001 ------- ------- ------ ------------ ------------ -------- ------- ------------ Earnings: Earnings (loss) before income taxes $10,857 $12,509 $5,034 $(3,950) $(7,922) $(17,795) $17,492 $10,076 Interest 4,297 5,118 6,017 3,978 5,889 5,813 6,190 19,462 Estimated interest component of rent expense 5,140 6,347 6,183 3,986 6,165 7,459 7,773 1,131 Equity in net loss (gain) of unconsolidated subsidiaries 560 (242) 40 686 812 716 -- -- Amortization of costs incurred in connection with the issuance of the Notes -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 786 ------- ------- ------- ------ ------ ------- ------- ------- Earnings available for fixed charges $20,854 $23,732 $17,274 $4,700 $4,944 $(3,807) $31,455 $31,455 ======= ======= ======= ====== ====== ======= ======= ======= Fixed Charges: Interest $4,297 $5,118 $6,017 $3,978 $5,889 $5,813 $6,190 $19,462 Estimated interest component of rent expense 5,140 6,347 6,183 3,986 6,165 7,459 7,773 1,131 Amortization of costs incurred in connection with the issuance of the Notes -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 786 ------- ------- ------- ------ ------ ------- ------- ------- Total fixed charges $9,437 $11,465 $12,200 $7,964 $12,054 $13,272 $13,963 $21,379 ======= ======= ======= ====== ====== ======= ======= ======= Ratio of earnings to fixed charges 2.2 2.1 1.4 0.6 (1) 0.4 (1) (0.3)(1) 2.3 1.5 ======= ======= ======= ====== ====== ======= ======= ======= </Table> (1) For the eight months and twelvemonths ended December 31, 1999 and the year ended December 31, 2000, earnings available for fixed charges were inadequate to cover fixed charges by $3.3 million, $7.1 million, and $17.1 million, respectively.