23-Dec-2014Source: RNZAF
A ceremony to mark the change of command of the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s 3 Squadron took place at RNZAF Base Ohakea today. The change of command parade also marked the integration of the Helicopter Transition Unit (HTU) into 3 Squadron, bringing the entire rotary wing transport force together under the 3 Squadron banner.... Read more
2-Dec-2014Source: Kaman
Kaman Corp. KAMN, -1.14% today announced that the New Zealand Ministry of Defence (MoD) has accepted the first SH-2G(I) Super Seasprite helicopter for the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF). Acceptance occurred at Kaman’s Bloomfield, Connecticut facility. “We are pleased to have achieved this significant program milestone, which in addition to the acceptance of the first... Read more
18-Nov-2014Source: Bay of Plenty Times
Waihi and Whangamata residents will benefit from four new rescue helicopter landing pads built as part of a motorcycle safety project lead by the NZ Transport Agency. See Full Story... Read more
13-Nov-2014Source: Stuff
The Wellington waterfront whirr made by a Helipro chopper is a thing of the past with the closure of five of its bases, including one at Queens Wharf. See Full Story... Read more
10-Nov-2014
New Zealand based Composite Helicopters have unfortunately had an accident with their second flying prototype of their five-seat KC518 Aventourer helicopter. NZ Herald reports that co-founder Peter Maloney remained on site to see the helicopter put onto a trailer for the short journey back to their base at North Shore airfield, while co-pilot Norbert Idelon... Read more
4-Nov-2014Source: Oceania Aviation
The Robinson R66 Safety Seminar kicked off at Ardmore, New Zealand today. The seminar, which has been organised by NZCAA in partnership with Robinson Helicopters and Skysales Aviation, has been designed to explore and discuss the R66 and R44 helicopter models, their features and how best pilots can operate the aircraft to avert incident. Today’s... Read more
28-Oct-2014Source: HeliHub.com
Press in New Zealand is reporting the death of Peter Robb in a helicopter accident earlier today. See our page for this accident at 28-Oct-14 ZK-ITJ MD Helicopters MD500E Brunswick, New Zealand (1F) Multiple sources are quoting the helicopter contacted wires while spraying at low level, causing it to crash onto a road Mr Robb’s... Read more
21-Oct-2014Source: CAE
Today at the New Zealand Defence Industry Association (NZDIA) annual forum, CAE announced it has been awarded contracts by the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) to support its SH-2G(I) Super Seasprite helicopter synthetic training devices. Under terms of the contracts, CAE will perform updates to an existing SH-2G(I) Full Mission Flight Simulator (FMFS) and SH-2G(I)... Read more
14-Oct-2014Source: Andina
The governments of Peru and Canada have recently signed an accord that will allow the Andean nation to acquire up to five Seasprite multipurpose helicopters for the Peruvian Navy. See Full Story... Read more
8-Oct-2014Source: PwC
On 7 October 2014 John Fisk and David Bridgman, Partners from PwC, were appointed receivers to Rick Lucas Helicopters Limited and related entities which trades as HELiPRO. The receivership has occurred as a result of a request to appoint receivers by the director of the companies. HELiPRO operates from eight bases throughout New Zealand as... Read more
8-Sep-2014Source: HeliHub.com
Already a record holding R66 pilot himself, Michael Farikh has this morning announced on Facebook that a new ultra long distance flight will start next week from Moscow. On Tuesday 16th September, the four Russian private pilots: Evgeny Kabanov, Igor Rudoy, Alexander Kurylev and Alexey Murashov will start their journey from Moscow to New Zealand... Read more
13-Aug-2014Source: Hawker Pacific
Hawker Pacific, the leading aircraft sales and product support company in Asia, Pacific and the Middle East has today announced a demonstration tour of a Bell 429EMS helicopter in EMS configuration across New Zealand and Australia – a first for the region. Arriving this week, the aero-medical configured helicopter will visit New Zealand in August... Read more
4-Jul-2014Source: NZ CAA
Robinson Helicopters have accepted the CAA’s invitation to give a safety awareness briefing on the R44 and R66. The one-day safety briefing and product update will be presented by Tim Tucker, chief flying instructor for Robinson. There will be an opportunity on the day after for a dual flight with Tim in the R66 or... Read more
1-Jun-2014Source: NZ Herald
Nest general manager Vanessa Furze said opening the facility up to the public was an opportunity to fundraise for the crucial emergency service but also a chance for people to have a go at the controls of one of the best simulators in the world. See full story... Read more
22-Apr-2014Source: Kaman
Kaman Aerospace announced today that the first New Zealand government NZ SH-2G(I) Super Seasprite helicopter began production flight testing at Kaman’s Bloomfield, Connecticut facility. After production flight tests, this aircraft will be used for maintenance and aircrew training. The program is on track with deliveries of all ten aircraft scheduled to be complete in mid-2015. The first New Zealand government NZ SH-2G(I)... Read more
7-Apr-2014Source: AgustaWestland
AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce that its eight-seat twin-engine GrandNew helicopter will begin a six day demonstration tour of New Zealand on 4th April. The tour will start in New Plymouth on the west coast of North Island and will also include stops in, among others, Wellington, Dunedin and Wanaka before finishing in... Read more
2-Apr-2014Source: Scoop
Justice Thomas‘ High Court decision was to reject on all counts the Westpac Helicopter Trusts’ request for a judicial review and dismissed its application. See full story... Read more
31-Mar-2014Source: Scoop
Press report suggests the helicopter was flying so low that the workers on the ground were affected by the rotor wash which dislodged loose rocks from the cliff face. See full story... Read more
24-Mar-2014Source: HeliHub .com
The Nigerian Air Force procured Mil Mi-34C (NATO code Hermit) helicopters around 2002 with the intention of using them for ab initio training. In July 2011, HeliHub.com reported that they had all been withdrawn from use – reportedly due to main gearbox issues – with the intention of disposing of them. The Mi-34C is powered... Read more
20-Mar-2014Source: HNZ Group
• Revenue of $255.1 million, versus $256.0 million last year • EBITDA of $76.7 million or 30.1% compared to $77.5 million or 30.3% a year ago • Net income of $19.9 million or $1.52 per share due to a Q3 non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $23.5 million or net income before goodwill impairment charge totaling... Read more
17-Mar-2014Source: Dart Aerospace
DART Aerospace today announced that Heli-Support of Wanaka, New Zealand will demo the PA100 PUREair System engine protection system for the AS350 and EC130 families of helicopters. The PA100 PUREair System, co-developed by Pall Aerospace and DART Aerospace, is a totally redesigned, reengineered, and retested engine air protection system that takes the capabilities of its... Read more
13-Mar-2014Source: NZ Herald
The state of the art machine, located at Whangarei airport, is made using the cockpit and fuselage of a Sikorsky S-76A helicopter and is powered by five computers. See full story... Read more
10-Mar-2014Source: Waikoto TImes
Adam Crouchley, of Dori Media, is under Civil Aviation Authority investigation after Hamilton police received complaints that his 3 minutes and 20 second long video on YouTube broke the law, aparently due to night flying shots. See full news story See edited version of YouTube video. See Adam Crouchley’s blog... Read more
2-Mar-2014Source: News Talk ZB
The trust is challenging a decision by the Auckland Council-controlled Regional Amenities Funding Board to cut its funding by $750,000 over two years. See full story... Read more
16-Feb-2014Source: Alpine Adventures
Leading Queenstown helicopter company, Heliworks, and luxury private guiding company, Alpine Adventures, have launched an exclusive soft adventure tour aimed at the growing Queenstown luxury travel market. The new Middle Waterfalls heli-hike tour offers exclusive access to one of the most dramatic locations featured in the blockbuster movie, “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.” Heliworks Queenstown Helicopters were contracted... Read more
30-Jan-2014Source: HeliHub.com
In the last few weeks three more Guimbal G2 Cabri helicopters have arrived in New Zealand. This includes a new build serial 1057 from the factory in France, which will become the fifth helicopter in the country to fly with the registration ZK-HCS. [The previous “HCS” was a Cabri now re-registered to ZK-ICS. Ed] Meanwhile... Read more
26-Jan-2014Source: KCE
Electricity generator and retailer, King Country Energy (KCE), has entered into a major associate sponsorship with charitable organisation Philips Search & Rescue Trust. The trust provides dedicated air ambulance and rescue services throughout the Central North Island of New Zealand. KCE’s sponsorship will specifically contribute to operational costs of the Hamilton-based Westpac Rescue Helicopter that services the... Read more
10-Jan-2014Source: Airwork
Global niche helicopter operator and maintenance specialist Airwork NZ is expanding into Europe through a contract with Germany’s largest motoring organisation, The General German Automobile Club (ADAC). Based in Munich, ADAC is one of Europe’s largest operators of helicopters for emergency air rescue services which are among the range of mobility services provided to its... Read more
15-Dec-2013Source: NZ Herald
Westpac Rescue Helicopter Trust chief executive Murray Bolton is furious the Auckland Regional Amenities Funding Board will give the trust $450,000 to operate next year – down from $900,000 this year and well short of the $1.5 million the trust sought See full story... Read more
10-Dec-2013Source: Yahoo NZ
Construction of the purpose-built corporate aviation facility in close proximity to the airport terminal building will commence in January. See full story... Read more
9-Dec-2013Source: NZ Herald
The NZ Herald is saying that NH Industries are compensating New Zealand for late deliveries of their NH90 fleet. A total of 8 operational and 1 spare aircraft are being procured, with delivery of the last example expected to arrive 34 months late See full story... Read more
6-Dec-2013Source: Salt AIr
Seeing New Zealand from above is a one of the best ways to view its stunning scenery and New Zealand has a superb range of scenic flights available nationwide. A group of like minded helicopter tourism operators have worked together to form a Nationwide Helicopter Experience Pass. Initiated and managed by the team at Heliview Flights in... Read more
21-Nov-2013Source: Airwork
Specialist aviation solutions provider Airwork Holdings Limited (Airwork) has registered a prospectus to raise up to $40 million and to seek a listing on the NZX Main Board. The Offer will comprise a maximum 15,384,616 new shares at $2.60 per share to New Zealand resident clients of brokers and to Institutional Investors. There will be... Read more
19-Nov-2013Source: HeliHub.com
Auckland aviation business Airwork is being tipped to announce plans to list on the share market on Wednesday 20th November. See full story From its website, Airwork describes itself thus:- Airwork began its operations out of Wellington in 1936 and over the past 76 years the company has adapted to meet this constantly evolving aviation... Read more
18-Nov-2013
Appointment follows the resignation of founding head John Bain Bain , whose commitment to NEST extends 25 years, where he was an instrumental part in establishing the dedicated rescue helicopter service for people in Northland. See full story... Read more
12-Nov-2013Source: HNZ Group
HNZ Group Inc. (“HNZ”) (TSX: HNZ.A, HNZ.B) announced today that its Board of Directors has declared monthly dividends of $0.091875 per Common Share and Variable Voting Shares, payable on each of February 14, 2014, March 14, 2014 and April15, 2014 to holders of record at the close of business January 31, 2014, February 28, 2014... Read more
8-Nov-2013Source: 3News
In a reserved decision released by Judge Bill Hastings, Sergeant Stevin Creeggan has been given more time to bring a private prosecution under the Health and Safety in Employment Act against the Defence Force. See full story... Read more
4-Oct-2013Source: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11133757
NZ firm Spidertracks has sold 4000 of the devices to commercial and recreational aviation customers. see full profile... Read more
1-Oct-2013Source: Marlborough Express
A Wellington-based air emergency service should “back off” from fundraising in Marlborough and Nelson, says the Nelson Marlborough Rescue Helicopter Trust. see full story... Read more
25-Sep-2013Source: Schiebel
Schiebel, FLIR and Transpower are proud to announce the successful demonstration of the Schiebel CAMCOPTER® S-100 Unmanned Air System (UAS) with the integrated FLIR Corona 350 Sensor being used to inspect high voltage power-lines and supporting structures. This event marked the first time that this new capability was demonstrated using a UAS. Transpower with the... Read more
13-Sep-2013
Daniel James Parker, 22, of Ranfurly, pleaded guilty on five charges including flying without a commercial operator’s licence See full story [file photo]... Read more
11-Sep-2013Source: RNZAF
The Royal NZ Navy and Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) are working alongside the Australian Defence Force to develop the capabilities of HMNZS CANTERBURY, conducting First of Class Flight Trials for the NH90 helicopter from her flight deck. HMNZS CANTERBURY is conducting two weeks of first of class flight trials for the NH90 off... Read more
3-Sep-2013Source: Entrol
Flightsim Aviation is now the new exclusive sales representative for entrol flight simulators in Australia and New Zealand. Flightsim Aviation is a company based on the Sunshine Coast Centre in Queensland (Australia) specialized in flight simulators for pilot training. Tony McLellan of Flightsim Aviation, who has a background of helicopter and international airline flying spanning... Read more
2-Aug-2013Source: HawkesBay.co.nz
A second major sponsor of the Hawke’s Bay rescue helicopter trust has expressed concerns over the trust’s structure and says it will pull sponsorship unless changes are made – see full story... Read more
1-Aug-2013Source: HeliHub.com
In the wake of the resignation of Alison McEwan as Chairman of the Trustees, new appointee Andy Train has reportedly made it his priority to sort out the issues that his predecessor. These included – according to NewsTalkZB – the lack of transparency in the board selection process, and unnecessarily high rates for a lower-equipped... Read more
1-Aug-2013Source: RNZAF
Three Royal New Zealand Air Force NH90 helicopters were put through their paces as part of an intensive flying training programme around Waiouru this week. “The exercise was to test our ability to deploy in a more austere environment, away from the comfort of home base at Ohakea,” said SQNLDR Chris Andrew, Commanding Officer for... Read more
15-Jul-2013Source: Otago Daily Times
The company, which was launched nearly six years ago, had its roots in Search and Rescue, born out of the Time Out boating triple fatality off the North Otago coast in May 2003. see full profile... Read more
12-Jul-2013Source: North Shore TImes
One of New Zealand’s richest families appears to have dropped its fight to build a private helipad in the face of strong opposition. see full story... Read more
9-Jul-2013Source: Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust
The Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust today confirmed that the future of the HEMS project (Helicopter Emergency Medical Service) was secure. Trust CEO Greg Barrow said the Board had recently signed off on a three year proposal to support the HEMS project and funding had been allocated accordingly in future budgets. “Although our annual ratepayer funding... Read more
8-Jul-2013Source: TV NZ
The future of Auckland’s flying doctors is in jeopardy, with funding cuts threatening to keep them grounded. see full story... Read more
7-Jun-2013Source: North Shore Times
One of New Zealand’s richest families has been denied consent to build a private helipad on its sprawling Stanley Pt property. (See Full Story)... Read more
29-May-2013Source: Donaldson’s Aerospace & Defense Group
Helicopters New Zealand has selected Donaldson Aerospace & Defense’s Inlet Barrier Filters (IBFs) to protect the engines of three new AgustaWestland AW109SPs it purchased to fly around-the-clock transfers of marine pilots for iron-ore freighters serving ports on Australia’s hot northwestern coast. Helicopters New Zealand chose the Donaldson IBFs, the only filtration system certified for installation... Read more
21-May-2013Source: Southland Times
A Queenstown heliski operator has been fined for illegally landing and operating tours on another company’s block without permission. (see full story)... Read more
16-May-2013Source: MSN
A Central Otago pilot has escaped with his life and a lucky lid after his unattended helicopter took off, crashed and the tail rotor grazed his helmet. (See Full Story)... Read more
15-May-2013Source: HNZ Group
The Corporation generated revenue of $54.2million, compared with revenue of $62.5million in the first quarter of 2012. This net decrease is mainly due to the completion of the Ornge contract in the first quarter of 2012 and a decrease in revenues from the northern and southern hemisphere markets due to the current challenging economy. The... Read more
15-May-2013Source: HNZ Group
HNZ Group Inc. (“HNZ”) (TSX:HNZ.A, HNZ.B) announced today that its Board of Directors has declared monthly dividends of $0.091875 per Common Share and Variable Voting Shares, payable on each of August 15, 2013,September 13, 2013 and October 15, 2013 to holders of record at the close of business July 31, 2013, August 30, 2013 and September... Read more
9-May-2013Source: Kaman
Kaman Corp. KAMN +0.63% today announced that its subsidiary, Kaman Aerospace Corporation (Kaman), has entered into a $120 million contract with the New Zealand Ministry of Defence for the purchase of ten SH-2G(I) Super Seasprite aircraft, spare parts, a full mission flight simulator, and related logistics support. The contract is consistent with the previously announced... Read more
9-May-2013Source: TVNZ News
Heli-hunters are vowing to fight moves from Associate Conservation Minister Peter Dunne to ban their sport, saying any legislation to outlaw it “defies logic and common sense”. (See Full Story)... Read more
8-May-2013Source: TYNZ News
Associate Conservation Minister Peter Dunne has won a decisive court battle in his quest to ban helicopter hunting on conservation land. (See Full Story)... Read more
8-May-2013Source: ARHT
Auckland’s Westpac Recue Helicopter service has today named Greg Barrow as its next CEO. Announcing the appointment, Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust Chairman Murray Bolton says Mr Barrow comes into the role with a lifetime of aviation experience behind him. “In recent months we have undertaken a thorough and robust recruitment process and Greg has come... Read more
7-May-2013Source: HeliHub.com
The only flying prototype of the all-composite six-seat helicopter dubbed “Adventourer” has ditched into Auckland Harbour in the channel between North Head and Rangitoto and sunk, bringing the development program to a halt. The salt water will no doubt mean a complete re-build and a significant pause in the development program of the KC518 helicopter being... Read more
1-May-2013Source: HNZ
After collating all the statistics from their operations world-wide, HNZ Global have been celebrating a completely accident free 2012. Flying more than 65,000 hours in mostly specialized ‘niche’ helicopter operations all around the world, the “clean slate” represents a remarkable effort, especially for such a large and diverse organization. “Operating in both the utility market... Read more
29-Apr-2013Source: HeliHub.com
The Jordanian Police have recently sold a batch of three Eurocopter Bo105s to Oceania Aviation in New Zealand after retiring them from active use four years ago – we assume they have been in storage in the interim period. Each has now been put on the local ZK- register, with Oceania working initially on ZK-HVA... Read more
23-Apr-2013Source: The Southland Times
A Queenstown heliski company has admitted landing in another company’s block on The Remarkables without permission. (See full story) File photo... Read more
19-Apr-2013Source: Kaman
Kaman Corp. (NYSE:KAMN) today announced that the New Zealand Cabinet has authorized the New Zealand Ministry of Defence (MoD) to enter into an approximately $120 million contract with Kaman Aerospace Corporation (Kaman) for the purchase of ten SH-2G(I) Super Seasprite aircraft, spare parts, a full mission flight simulator, and related logistics support. The MoD and... Read more
11-Apr-2013Source: NZ CAA
The CAA proposes the following new Airworthiness Directive requiring the replacement of aluminium fuel tanks on Robinson R44 series aircraft with new bladder-type tanks of improved resistance to post-accident rupture. The AD is prompted by reports of three Robinson R44 accidents in Australia involving fuel tank ruptures and fires. These accidents resulted in the loss... Read more
28-Mar-2013Source: HNZ Group Inc.
HNZ Group Inc. (TSX: HNZ.A, HNZ.B) (“the Corporation”), an international provider of helicopter transportation and related support services, today announced its financial and operating results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended December 30, 2012. FOURTH QUARTER RESULTS The Corporation generated revenue of $60.7 million, compared with revenue of $68.7 million in the fourth... Read more
28-Mar-2013Source: HNZ Group Inc
HNZ Group Inc. (“HNZ”) (TSX : HNZ.A, HNZ.B) announced today that its Board of Directors has declared monthly dividends of $0.091875 per Common Share and Variable Voting Shares, payable on each of May 15, 2013, June 14, 2013 and July 15, 2013 to holders of record at the close of business April 30, 2013, May... Read more
26-Mar-2013Source: HeliHub.com
Technically not “safety recommendations” but the latter part of the investigation report into the accident of Bell LongRanger ZK-ISF in January 2011 pulls no punches on what helicopter pilots should consider when flying over water. The pilot was not wearing a life jacket, and was in the water over two hours before being rescued. The... Read more
11-Mar-2013Source: HeliHub.com
March 2013 has not started off well from the point of view of accident statistics, with seven fatal accidents in the first nine days. HeliHub.com carries extensive coverage of helicopter safety data and has included the following in recent reports 09-Mar-13 ZK-IHU Robinson R66 Oamaru Valley, New Zealand (1F) 07-Mar-13 Eurocopter/IAR SA330L Bacau, Romania (2F) 05-Mar-13... Read more
5-Mar-2013Source: Marenco
Marenco Swisshelicopter Ltd. is thrilled to participate to its third Heli Expo, held this year in Las Vegas, USA. Our team and Martin Stucki, the founder of the company and designer of the SKYe SH09, will be present on the show where we will describe our progress to our clients, prospects and suppliers. We have... Read more
18-Feb-2013Source: Helicopter Me
New Zealand-based helicopter tour company Helicopter Me has expanded its offerings of helicopter tours in the Auckland area The organization has a full repertoire of tours including city and coastal scenic tours, fly in and dine outs, and several helicopter adventure tours. In addition, Helicopter Me recently partnered with Air New Zealand and Alert Taxis... Read more
24-Jan-2013Source: Mountain Scene
Louisa Patterson, owner of NZ operator Over the Top, is at loggerheads with the NZ Civil Aviation Authority, maintaining it was just an “incident” based on CAA’s own guidelines. “As an incident, this will not affect the safety record that Over The Top are so proud of”, she says (see full story)... Read more
23-Jan-2013Source: Heli Tours
Heli Tours new 2nd Helicopter has arrived! ZK-HOI is a H369D modern turbine Helicopter from USA, it is a very fast, very agile type of Helicopter and can fit up to 4 passengers. It also has a large, long cargo pod that fits neatly underneath the Helicopter too. It is polished and ready for work.... Read more
17-Jan-2013Source: NZ Herald
Almost $10,000 worth of specialist tools and 10kg of copper cabling has been stolen from the hangar used by the organisation behind the Northland Electricity rescue helicopter. (see news story)... Read more
