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
22-Aug-2013
Lighning strike, safe subsequent landing, but aircraft reportedly needs repair to the approx value of US$ 8 Million... 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
23-Jun-2013
The helicopter’s tail rotor struck terrain/snow during a stock mustering operation. The pilot was unable to control the helicopter and while attempting to land the helicopter rolled over.... Read more
11-Jun-2013
Helicopter crashed beside the runway at Dairy Flat Airfield – skids collapsed but it otherwise stayed upright. Minor injuries to pilot... 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
7-Jun-2013
Helicopter experienced an engine mechanical issue during a post maintenance ferry flight. An autorotation was conducted, with a heavy landing causing substantial damage – Tail boom cut but helicopter did end up on its skids. The pilot was uninjured.... Read more
30-May-2013
Destroyed in take-off accident on first solo flight... 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
26-May-2013
Engine failure followed by autorotation, and resulting in moderate skid and tail boom damage.... 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
7-May-2013
Technical issue forced pilot to ditch prototype 5-place turbine helicopter on a test flight into Auckland Harbour. Pilot named as company owner Peter Maloney, while the female passenger has not been named... Read more
2-May-2013
“Helicopter took off on its own and came down on its side”... 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
10-Apr-2013
Helicopter was left unattended with the engine running. The helicopter became airborne, spun around, and struck the ground.... Read more
9-Apr-2013
Moved on its pad while the pilot was conducting checks after engine start, with the tail rotor striking and rupturing a container of AVGAS.... Read more
3-Apr-2013
Main rotor blades struck tail boom while running up on roof-top helipad. Incident blamed on freak wind gust... 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
9-Mar-2013
Crashed on a ridge above the Oamaru Valley, east of Turangi, after dropping off a hunting party. The body of pilot Mark Didsbury was found 50m away from the helicopter... 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
24-Feb-2013
Witnesses heard a loud bang before the R44 on a scenic tour made an emergency landing in the lake. Helicopter remained upright in less than 1m of water. All 4 POB exited safely... 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
28-Jan-2013
Emergency landing after fuel indication dropped to zero with rotor speed warning. Apparent wiring issue... 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
22-Jan-2013
Helicopter was flying up a valley and suddenly lost altitude due to a suspected downdraft. the helicopter hit the ground and rolled 6 times, breaking off the tail... Read more
21-Jan-2013
Helicopter experienced unusual vibrations while flying at 4500ft. Pilot decided to make a precautionary landing but the tail struck the ground during landing and helicopter rolled over.... 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
14-Jan-2013Source: Euravia
EURAVIA is pleased to announce the signing of a two year teaming agreement with SIKORSKY HELITECH, Australia to provide P&WC PT6T engine maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services in the Asia Pacific region. Based in Lancashire, England, EURAVIA specialises in aftermarket services for a wide range of P&WC PT6 engines. The strategic partnership will support... Read more
11-Jan-2013
Main rotor blade struck the tail boom during start-up due to a wind gust. Significant damage was caused to the tail boom, with associated damage to the rotor blades.... Read more
3-Jan-2013Source: HeliHub.com
This news item is part of the HeliHub.com “Register Updates” series, listing helicopters which have been added to a particular national register, removed from it or the listed owner has changed. Our coverage represents the majority of registration and owner changes within the global civilian helicopter fleet. Most updates are weekly or monthly, although some... Read more
21-Dec-2012Source: Stratford Press
Formed in 1972 to meet an increasing need for helicopter services in the province, Alan says the business has grown from a single Bell 47 helicopter, a small hangar and small staff base to one which now operates three Bell Iroquois and one Bell Jet Ranger helicopter across New Zealand and carries out maintenance on... Read more
17-Dec-2012Source: Helinet Aviation
Helinet Aviation Services, a diversified flight services company, announced today the acquisition of Shotover Camera Systems, developer of the world’s first gyro-stabilized camera system for shooting aerial footage in Ultra High-Definition, the next generation digital video standard announced earlier this year. Lightweight and compact enough to be transported as excess baggage by a single person,... Read more
29-Nov-2012Source: HeliHub.com
New Zealand operator Heliview has bought an MD600N from Simm Samm Airways in India, primarily to use as a tour helicopter. Bought in September, but only registered locally on 20th November and is expected to join the active fleet imminently. Heliview is run by husband and wife Richard and Jolanda Foale, who bring complimentary skills... Read more
27-Nov-2012Source: Philips SAR Trust
After a two-year quest, a new rescue and air ambulance helicopter has been purchased for the Waikato and King Country community. The multi-role BK117 is a multi-million dollar investment for Philips Search & Rescue Trust, operator of the Westpac Rescue Helicopter based in Hamilton. “The capabilities that this BK117 adds to our rescue portfolio are... Read more
26-Nov-2012Source: HNZ Group
HNZ Group Inc has confirmed it will establish an internationally-recognised advanced helicopter training school in Nelson. The announcement was made at HNZ Group Inc’s Nelson headquarters this morning by the company’s international Board, in the presence of the New Zealand Prime Minister, Nelson MP Nick Smith, and Canadian High Commissioner Caroline Chretien. HNZ Group Inc... Read more
25-Nov-2012Source: MidCentral Health
MidCentral Health is pleased to announce that it has awarded its air ambulance services contract for patient transfers to HeliPro. HeliPro is an organisation with extensive experience in providing state of the art equipment, aircraft and professional pilots in delivering search and rescue and commercial pilot services across the whole of New Zealand. MidCentral Health... Read more
13-Nov-2012Source: Voxy
The Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter (ARHT) is the first rescue helicopter service in New Zealand to carry portable ultrasound equipment, giving it the potential to save more lives. (see full story)... Read more
13-Nov-2012Source: HNZ Group
HNZ Group Inc. (TSX: HNZ.A, HNZ.B) (“the Company”), an international provider of helicopter transportation and related support services, today announced its financial and operating results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2012. THIRD QUARTER RESULTS The Company generated revenue of $70.0 million, compared with revenue of $85.4 million in the third quarter of 2011.... Read more
13-Nov-2012Source: HNZ Group
HNZ Group Inc. (“HNZ”) (TSX: HNZ.A, HNZ.B) announced today that its Board of Directors has declaredmonthly dividends of $0.091875 per Common Share and Variable Voting Shares, payable on each of February 15, 2013, March 15, 2013 and April 15, 2013 to holders of record at the close of business January 31, 2013, February 28, 2013... Read more
9-Nov-2012Source: HeliHub.com
Two Aerospatiale AS355 F2 Twin Squirrels have arrived for Pacific Aircraft Services at Christchurch. On the right in the photo is OK-BIC (c/n 5388) which originally with the Guardia Nacional de Venezuela as GN-8884 followed by a spell as F-WQED before moving to the Czech Republic. On the left is OK-AIA (c/n 5512) which is... Read more
8-Nov-2012
Experienced pilot killed in “perfect weather conditions” after reportedly “falling out of the sky”. Police stated that the pilot was Julian Dean Kramer (52), also known as Julianne Kramer – chief flying instructor at Wakatipu Aero Club. Helicopter may be ZK-HCG (1499)... Read more
12-Oct-2012Source: Philips Search & Rescue Trust
Taupo’s rescue helicopter is a well-known sight in the sky. Libby O’Brien found out more about the helicopter’s facelift and the company playing a new role in helping the service take flight They say pigs may fly, but no-one has ever expected a cow to become airborne, let alone play a major part in search... Read more
28-Sep-2012
During a an orchard spraying operation, while pilot was concentrating on avoiding a line of tree, the tail rotor struck a wire. Tail rotor effectiveness was lost and the main rotors struck some trees. Helicopter rolled over... Read more
26-Sep-2012Source: Otago Daily Times
A Wanaka helicopter company, its pilot and its sole director were fined over NZ $27,000 after admitting charges brought by the NZ CAA, the Department of Conservation and the Ministry for Primary Industries. (see full story)... Read more
24-Sep-2012Source: HNZ Group
Canadian Helicopters Group Inc. (TSX: CHL.A, CHL.B), an international provider of helicopter transportation and related support services, announced today that, further to its news release dated May 14, 2012, the change of its name to HNZ Group Inc. (the “Companyâ€), as approved by its shareholders at its annual meeting on May 11, 2012, will be... Read more
17-Sep-2012Source: MSN
Both of the pilots working for Taranaki’s rescue helicopter have quit their jobs as the trust that runs the service struggles for money. (see full story)... Read more
4-Sep-2012Source: HeliHub.com
This news item is part of the HeliHub.com “Register Updates†series, listing helicopters which have been added to a particular national register, removed from it or the listed owner has changed. Our coverage represents the majority of registration and owner changes within the global civilian helicopter fleet. Most updates are weekly or monthly, although some... Read more
3-Sep-2012Source: Eurocopter
The contract requires an AS 350 B3 Squirrel on the ice between November 1 and late February each summer. Operating from Scott Base, they would carry Antarctica NZ crew (mostly scientists) and their equipment. (see full story)Â File photo... Read more
30-Aug-2012Source: Otago Daily Times
Sister companies Heliworks and Southern Lakes Helicopters will provide “semi-dedicated” Squirrel helicopters equipped with NVG, searchlights, beacon search, extended range capability and winch and long-line retrieval systems. (see full story)... Read more
17-Aug-2012Source: New Zealand Defence Force
The interface trial is the first stage of a process intended to integrate helicopter and ship operations – an important step towards the New Zealand Defence Force goal of establishing a Joint Amphibious Task Force (JATF) by 2015. While the JATF will be structured for the deployment of combat forces, the most likely contingencies it... Read more
16-Aug-2012Source: Kershaw Aviation
A ‘first’ for Queenstown-based aviation company A New Zealand aviation company is continuing on its expansion path by taking delivery of a brand new helicopter, the first of its kind to arrive in New Zealand. Kershaw Aviation Group has completed the avionic and equipment fit out of a Eurocopter AS 350 B3e. The aircraft will... Read more
