Precision Helicopters Ltd (PHL) have announced that they have opened a new Base at Palmerston North Airport which will see an extension of their services into the lower North Island. This has been made possible by newly formed Helicopters Manawatu Ltd having signed with PHL as a Licensed Contractor.

David Speirs, Business Manager, said today that he was confident about the future. “As a Licensed Contractor to PHL, all helicopters, pilots, ground crew and ancillary equipment can be shared between Bases. This enables us to provide many services that as an independent operator would not have been possible. Our customers will benefit from knowing that whichever PHL Base they contact, they can be confident of the same high standard of operation – consistent throughout New Zealand.”

Matt Newton, PHL’s Managing Director, said “An independent helicopter operator wishing to work as a contractor to PHL must demonstrate a very high standard in airside operational ability and customer service before a licence is granted. We are delighted that Helicopters Manawatu Ltd has achieved this objective and look forward to a long and successful business relationship.”

Marc Baldwin is the Base Manager at Palmerston North and has just completed a three month training program with PHL. He has extensive flying experience with more than 1200 hours under his belt. He is also a Category “C” helicopter instructor. Marc’s father, Dr David Baldwin, owns and operates the Bulls Flying Doctor Services Ltd.

Precision Helicopters Ltd (PHL) was formed in 2005 and today operates from bases in New Plymouth, Palmerston North, Blenheim and Gore. PHL hold both Air Transport Operators and Agricultural Applicators certification with CAA. In June 2010, Precision Helicopters Ltd (PHL) restructured to enable selected third party businesses to operate under agreement as contractors.

To date, PHL has carried out over 11,000 incident free flight hours.