Aspiring Helicopters

Aspiring Helicopters is a family owned and operated helicopter company in Wanaka, New Zealand. It was formed in 1995 by high country farmer Charlie Ewing, who bought a helicopter and learned to fly it for farm work. His daughter Alex and her partner James Ford later took over the helicopter business, grew the scenic flights and moved it into a purpose-built hangar.

Services

• Scenic flights, including Lake Wanaka Scenic, Snow Landing, Glacier Experience, Aspiring and Glaciers, Milford Sound and Mt Cook Scenic; the site says all scenic tours include high altitude landings
• Charter flights
• Weddings and proposal flights, and adventure flights
• Heli-skiing in the winter season
• Commercial and adventure work in summer
• Search and rescue assistance, tourist transport into Mount Aspiring National Park and sheep mustering, as described in the company history

Fleet and team

The about page says the company flies four helicopters, all Squirrel B2 and B3 models, maintained and housed in its hangar. It lists three full-time pilots, all certified by the Civil Aviation Authority, and a full-time office manager.

Base

The helicopter base is in the Matukituki Valley at Cattle Flat Station, about a 25-minute scenic drive from Wanaka and at the gateway to Mount Aspiring National Park. The site also promotes the Whare Kea Chalet and a webcam.

Company facts

• Formed in 1995
• Family owned and operated
• Qualmark Gold badge and Tripadvisor badges shown on the site
• Four Squirrel helicopters and three full-time pilots