Christchurch Helicopters Wins International Recognition

New Zealand Helicopter Company Wins International Recognition

Christchurch Helicopters winning the prestigious Salute to Excellence “Humanitarian Service” Helicopter Association International award for 2018 is a magnificent achievement said John Nicholson, Chief Executive of industry body Aviation New Zealand.

The Helicopter Association International (HAI) has recognised the outstanding achievements and exceptional merit of individuals and organisations in the international helicopter community for over 50 years. Winning one of their awards is ‘big news’.

Christchurch Helicopters played a pivotal humanitarian role in two serious natural disasters which hit the South Island of New Zealand. Crews had major roles in the rescue and recovery effort following the Kaikoura earthquake on 14 November 2016 and saved property and lives in the Port Hills fires in Christchurch in February 2017.

‘HAI is respected and well known globally. This award will generate significant publicity for New Zealand, our helicopter industry and Christchurch Helicopters,’ said Nicholson.

The award is not just about Christchurch Helicopters. It is also about the group of helicopter companies they collaborated and worked with. It is about the way we use helicopters in New Zealand, the training provided by our industry and the regulatory system that underpins it. In the end, it is about New Zealand.

‘For a New Zealand company to stand out against strong international competition is a great reflection on just how good our helicopter industry is,’ said Nicholson.

ENDS

Key facts about Aviation New Zealand

Aviation New Zealand exists to lead, inspire and grow the New Zealand aviation industry.

It was established in 1950 to encourage the safe growth of the aviation industry in New Zealand. In more recent years, it has also become involved in helping the international development of its members.

o Aviation New Zealand has over 260 members and over 1500 on its database

o Members include agricultural companies, air operators (fixed wing and rotary), aircraft designers and manufacturers, the UAV industry, airports, aviation trainers, emergency and medical services companies, helicopter companies, and parts manufacturers.

An ‘early adopter’ in aviation terms – first international customer for Boeing; first pilot training school 1916; first airmail 1919; and quick appreciation of the suitability of aviation for agriculture, tourism and forestry.

Over 4500 aircraft in New Zealand, one per thousand people, give New Zealand one of the highest aircraft per capita ratios in the world.

The industry

exports to over 100 countries on all continents including Antarctica - we have proven success

companies are highly regarded internationally for their quality, responsiveness and practicality – this makes us different to many of our competitors

decades of policy innovation in New Zealand support competition, safety and growth -our local business environment is much better than that in many countries we do business with

30m km² of safely managed airspace - our systems and processes are scalable

Aircraft fit-outs, new aircraft (including UAVs), GPS track and tracing systems, high precision processes (for example bait and fire fighting), composites, titanium powders, and aviation industry business and operational systems are just some of the exciting technologies and practices developing in New Zealand which set the scene for growth in the next 100 years.

© Scoop Media