Welcome to the HELiPRO news page
December 2012:
This page of our website seems somewhat neglected and it is time to remedy that. In this age of modern media we seem to focus on updating our clients and those interested in what we are doing, with Facebook, however if you are like me you may like reading the good old news update!
This year has seen many changes in HELiPRO - once again we have expanded national operations. Early in the year HELiPRO added a second fixed wing training subsidiary, Bay Flight Aviation Training, to its already extensive aviation training facilities including, NZ Flight Training. We have also expanded international operations with HELiPRO Fiji, this base is starting out on a commercial basis, specifically tailoring needs to meet a wide range of customer requirements. HELiPRO Fiji is commited to operating a quality focused professional business with a nation-building philosophy providing specialist helicopters complemented by highly trained personnel developing good business practices and operating within the ISO 9001:2008 quality standard.
Commercial operations throughout our national bases have been steady throughout the year, with anything from support required after devastating storms or eruptions like Mt Tongariro and supporting the film industry, our pilots and helicopters have been busy seeing to a variety of tasks; risk assessments, surveys, shifting crew and gear, live line electrical work to name a few - we are there when needed.
Unfortunately, due to a prolonged lack of general tourist activity in the Nelson region, we have decided to close our Nelson base. While we will no longer have a brochure product in this region we will still be able to support exclusive charters / transfers to and from Nelson ex: Wellington and our other National Bases.
To end on a high note our other tourism bases; Rotorua, Taupo, Wellington and Christchurch have already kicked off what is shaping up to be a very busy summer season, with plenty of forward bookings and more coming in daily - plenty to keep us all busy!
We wish you all a Very Happy Christmas and Prosperous New Year!!
18th January 2012
Happy New Year to all our readers!
The later part of 2011 included a very busy time for all HELiPRO staff and helicopters. The Final two weeks of the RWC had many of our helicopters engaged in transfers from lodge to lodge and city to city along with our many scenic flight options.
Following the RWC it was straight into our busy tourism season, which so far has been a mixed bag. Unfortunately the weather often dictates how busy we are and of course the last few weeks have delivered some pretty inclement weather! However, once again we have flown many happy tourists to some of our iconic scenic destinations and hopefully left them with wonderful memories to share with family and friends, lets hope the weather improves for the rest of the summer!
Along with the rest of Christchurch, suffering many more large aftershocks and subsequent disruptions, our Christchurch base team has been getting on with it. Their strong resolve and positive attitude is a lesson to the rest of the HELiPRO team nationwide - All New Zealanders should remember the adage "don't sweat the small stuff". We are all proud of our Christchurch base and their huge efforts with the ongoing 'Red Zone' flights which have helped to raise over $40,000 now for 'The Kate Barron Trust', hopefully this will help Kate with some of the challenges she now faces.
Well thats all from us for now - keep working and enjoying life to the full, find the balance we all strive for!
1st September 2011
As many of you will be aware it has been a while since we have uploaded any news to this page. This is, in part, due to the fact that social media is taking over and we have assumed that our Face Book, or Stalk Book, as one of our managers calls it, has taken care of reporting recent happenings within HELiPRO. However, it has been brought to our attention that there is a generation out there, that are not interested in the likes of Face Book and therefore we need to pay more attention to our news page!
In many respects, it has been a challenging year for our company. Along with many other businesses, our base in Christchurch has been affected on many levels, both by the first and subsequent devastating earthquakes which started shaking Christchurch almost a year ago. Like all disasters we must move forward and look at the positives. Being involved in the aviation industry allowed us to move quickly in aid of the response, initially transporting people into Christchurch whilst the airport was closed, checking power lines, lifting and rescue work followed closely by filming. Early July we launched our ‘RED ZONE’ flight to help locals come to terms with the changes to their beautiful ‘garden city’, but more importantly, while a city can be rebuilt, the way of life for so many people cannot. Many people experienced the terror associated with being in the CBD / RED ZONE on February 22nd. Kate Barron is one of the worst affected, who like so many, now face a very different and challenging future. After receiving a request from one of Kate’s close friends, we decided to help! There is $25 per person, from each RED ZONE flight, donated to the ‘Kate Barron Trust’ and the HELiPRO team are proud of the fact that, so far, we have raised over $28,000 for Kate!
HELiPRO is lucky to be made up of several different facets, with 7 bases focusing on varied elements of aviation, these include tourism charter, commercial work and training. It is the diverse nature of our business that has helped shelter us from the brunt of a very hard hit economy.
Now Spring is here and even though we have already experienced warmer temperatures, trees are blossoming and lambs are frolicking, don’t be fooled there is another cold front coming and who knows, this may bring some frosts, which in turn will bring work for our team & fleet guarding and tending our treasured grape growing regions!!
RWC is nearly upon us and this should keep our team very busy. We are all looking forward to a long and busy summer season – so onwards and upwards so to speak!
HELiPRO PURCHASES NELSON HELICOPTERS
Posted 3rd August 2009
HELiPRO is pleased to announce the purchase of Nelson Helicopters. As part of this acquisition we are also pleased to welcome on board Nelson Helicopters CEO Jeanette Lusty and local base pilot Zac Beach. Jeanette and Zac will be joined by Mike Reed who will act as Nelson Base Senior Pilot. Mike has contracted to HELiPRO for some years flying both fire operations in New South Wales and on a number of specialised power line projects, his vast experience and local area knowledge will complement the existing team who have run a very smooth operation for a number of years.
The addition of a HELiPRO Nelson complements our existing bases particularly Wellington and Christchurch and now extends the company’s ability to offer a truly one stop Nationwide service.
Check out Nelson Helicopters at www.nelsonhelicopters.co.nz
Takeover date is set for the 14th of August 2009
May 2009
In spite of the current world financial situation, Helipro are pleased to report a great summer season. All operations from Tourism to commercial and flight training have been steady and in many cases are up on the same period last year.
Across the country we have introduced a range of exciting new products and services. In the tourism world we have partnered with a number of operators to provide the following new options:
· In Rotorua – ‘Te Ara o Te Wa’ - Mount Tarawera / Te Puia Heritage Tour
Join us for a journey from the past to the present. Departing Te Puia this visual and cultural feast includes a stunning helicopter tour landing on iconic Mount Tarawera. Enjoy informed commentary about the volcano’s famous1886 eruption. Continuing the flight, experience amazing aerial views of Lake Rotomahana (site of the famous Pink and White Terraces) and the Waimangu Thermal valley before embarking on a privately guided tour of Te Puia. It is here that your personal guide will lead you through this enchanting mystical valley whilst unraveling the history and journey from Mount Tarawera to Te Puia by the people of this place.
· In Taupo – Helipro has partnered with two of Taupo’s leading tourism operators, Chris Jolly Outdoors and Hukafalls Jet to form ‘Totally Taupo’. This ‘one stop outdoor activity shop’ combines the best activities that Taupo has to offer and provides the largest range of conference and incentive products available in this area. This collaboration offers one point of contact and is intended to make packaging and the logistics of combining products user friendly for the C&I market.
· In Wellington – HELiPRO presents our Capital City in an entirely ‘new light’. Experience the dazzling sight of several hundred thousand bright lights surrounded by the dark and remote mountains, harbor and strait that encompass Wellington City. This flight is particularly spectacular when our renowned international venues, such as the ‘Cake Tin’ whilst hosting one of Wellingtons many international sporting fixtures, are ablaze.
· In Christchurch – We are looking forward to our 2nd Heli Ski season in conjunction with ‘Southern Alps Heli Ski’. Join us for the experience of a lifetime skiing in some of this country’s most remote and spectacular alpine scenery. New Zealand’s finest guides, scenery and virgin powder snow combine to create a day of unparalleled back country skiing.
Commercially the company has been busy across the board, conducting everything from human sling loads onto live power lines to police / search and rescue. Some of our more unusual recent tasks have included swinging contestants over the craters of Mt Tarawera for ‘Australia’s biggest loser’. Other interesting tasks have been the removal of trees from above the world famous Waitomo Caves.
Flight Training – continues to grow and students have benefited from learning in the real world environment that HELiPRO (NZ’s largest commercial operator) is able to provide. Students have enjoyed the opportunity to observe and be involved in some of the most technical operations conducted by helicopters in New Zealand and Australia.
HELiPRO to start Heliski operations at Mount Potts
Posted 10th of June 2008
Helipro is delighted to announce our involvement with Mount Potts Heliski for the up and coming season. Utilising experienced Alpine pilots and Heliski guides and with good snow falling in and around Mount Potts we are looking forward to a bumper seazon on the slopes. Operations are due to start mid July. For more information regarding options and rates check out www.southernalpsheliski.co.nz