18-Mar-2015Source: 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
13-Mar-2015Source: NZDF
The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) officially accepted ownership of the new Seasprite SH-2G(I) helicopters from Kaman Aerospace in a ceremony at Royal New Zealand Air Force Base Auckland this morning. There are three new Seasprites at Base Auckland and the remaining five will be delivered by September. The new SH-2G(I) replaces the SH-2G model... Read more
13-Mar-2015
Heilcopter struck wires crossing an 800m wide sea inlet known as French Pass between D’Urville Island and the mainland. Sole occupant pilot named as Ian John Simcox, 65, from Blenheim was killed... Read more
4-Mar-2015Source: Rolls-Royce
Rolls-Royce and Composite Helicopters International Ltd., an emerging New Zealand helicopter manufacturer, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to place the RR300 engine into Composite Helicopter’s new KC630 composite helicopter manufactured using their patented EvoStrength™ technology. Rolls-Royce and Composite Helicopters will also work toward placing Rolls-Royce M250 engine variants into future Composite Helicopter platforms. The RR300... Read more
26-Feb-2015
“Landed in a tree”. Pilot was able to climb out of the helicopter and down from the tree to phone for help.... Read more
23-Feb-2015
Australia and New Zealand have prohibited Robinson R44 helicopters from further flight if they are fitted with main rotor blades with reference C016-7. This follows the fatal accident of an R44 in New Zealand last week from the fleet of Over The Top Helicopters, which killed one of their instructors and his 18 year old... Read more
19-Feb-2015
Fatalities named in the press as Stephen Anthony Nicholson Combe, aged 42, of Wanaka, and James Louis Patterson Gardner, aged 18, of Queenstown... Read more
16-Feb-2015Source: 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
12-Feb-2015Source: HeliHub.com
Composite Helicopters International has announced its intention to certify its composite helicopters by filing a Type Certification application with the New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority. This marks the end of the first phase of their development program, and opens an opportunity for further expansion of the NZCAA/FAA Bi-lateral Airworthiness Agreement which will allow for follow-on... Read more
10-Feb-2015
Loss of power on climb out – cleared powerlines and put helicopter down heavily in a paddock. Helicopter had completed three short flights in the previous hour without incident. Pilot Bruce Belfield not injured, but passenger was hospitalized.... Read more
9-Feb-2015Source: Stuff
Director James Cameron is looking to expand his New Zealand empire by taking over the Helipro site on the Wellington waterfront. See Full Story... Read more
5-Feb-2015
Firefighting helicopter crashed while filling bucket in very shallow river. pilot Neal Andrews walked away unscathed... Read more
28-Jan-2015Source: ODT
Strained relations between two Queenstown tourism operators came under the spotlight in the Environment Court yesterday. See Full Story... Read more
16-Jan-2015Source: Stuff
A Canterbury helicopter pilot has admitted three breaches of the Civil Aviation Act and faces sentencing in the Christchurch District Court in April. See Full Story... Read more
23-Dec-2014Source: Radionz
Auckland’s rescue helicopters can now administer blood transfusions to critically-injured people at the scene of accidents or en route to hospital. See Full Story... Read more
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
8-Nov-2014
Emergency field landing on a test flight, ending up with helicopter lying on its side. Pilot Peter Maloney was attended to on site, while co-pilot Herbert Idelon was taken to a local hospital as a precaution. Location was two miles north-east of their intended destination – their home base North Shore Airfield. See also interview... 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
28-Oct-2014
Struck wires while spraying at low level, killing pilot Peter Robb... 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
7-Oct-2014
Cause unknown. Helicopter went missing on flight from Karamea to Nelson and the wreckage was not found for a further four days. The deceased pilot was named as Damian Webster... 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
16-Aug-2014
Heliski helicopter crashed on mountain. Boom detatched from cabin, which rolled further down the slope. 1 fatal (named as Jerome Box) of 7 on board – five skiers, their guide and the pilot. The other six all to hospital, none with life-threatening injuries... 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
6-Jul-2014
Crashed on hunting expedition. Both occupants airlifted – pilot Grant McCallum with a broken leg and passenger Sam Kersten with serious back injuries... 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
5-May-2014
Emergency field landing when transferring a patient from Ashburton Hospital to Christchurch Hospital when an indication warning light turned on. Representative from operator referred to it as a “heavy landing”. No injuries to 5 POB... 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
19-Apr-2014
Heavy landing, 2 POB, one with slight injuries. Reported that it clipped a tree on final approach... Read more
11-Apr-2014
Darryl Condon, 51, and Neale Gray, 54 killed on flight returning back to base at Bruce Bay after maintenance at Wanaka... 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
20-Mar-2014
Passenger killed in accident at forestry site with helicopter being used for delivering supplies and equipment from one site to another. Pilot has minor injuries. Fatality named as Donald Carlton Kain, 53, a forestry supervisor... 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
20-Feb-2014
Crashed on training flight out of nearby Ardmore Airport... 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
9-Jan-2014
Fell onto its side in landing on snow... 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
15-Dec-2013
A Hughes 500 helicopter flying between the Greenstone Valley and Dumpling Hut crashed at Glade Burn in steep and rugged terrain in poor weather. Police confirmed that sole occupant pilot Bruce Andrews died in the accident... Read more
11-Dec-2013
Low level spraying accident. Helicopter burst into flames on impact. Pilot named as David Stanley Jones... 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
14-Nov-2013
During a tea tree spray operation in a gully, helicopter turned into a wire, 20-30 ft. AGL. Pilot was aware of the wire. NZ occurrence ref 13/5709... 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
1-Nov-2013
During 1080 drop, the loaded bucket had an un-commanded release. As the bucket fell away, one of the broken pneumatic control lines flicked up and struck both the helicopter and the pilot’s eye. A precautionary landing made and the wind screen was noted to be cracked. Pilot sustained a small cut to his right eye.... Read more
28-Oct-2013
Struck by landing helicopter ZK-IMJ and damaged.... Read more
28-Oct-2013
Pilot and 7 passengers injured when their helicopter crashed into parked AS350B2 ZK-HAE while landing in Mt Aspiring National Park. Pilot seriously injured... Read more
15-Oct-2013
During a frost protection exercise, the tail rotor struck grape vine cables. The aircraft was flown back to base and the post-flight inspection revealed damage was sustained by the tail rotor blades, stabilisers and the tail boom. ... Read more
13-Oct-2013
Lifting into a hover the pilot noticed the needles were at the bottom of the green range, and while more power was added, the pilot also applied pedal to face into wind. This resulted in a faster decay of power available, with the aircraft loosing height, then landing heavily and rolling over. The main rotor blades and tail... 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
3-Oct-2013
While practicing pedal jams, during third exercise, nose yawed past centre and then got away from the student in control. The helicopter yawed left and rotated two times during which the engine went silent. Instructor took control and settled the helicopter in a hard landing from approximately 8ft. The helicopter’s tail struck ground and then... 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
