Heli Glenorchy

Heli Glenorchy is a locally owned and operated helicopter company. It is based at the Glenorchy Airstrip, about 45 minutes by road from Queenstown on the shores of Lake Whakatipu. The company serves visitors from all over the world. It says it is the only scenic flight operator in town, and that it has been that way for years.

The company is also the only operator permitted to land in the Earnslaw Burn, a remote valley that is called New Zealand's best kept secret. Its flights reach the Southern Alps, Mount Aspiring National Park and Fiordland National Park. Guests see glaciers, waterfalls and alpine lakes from the air before they land.

Scenic flights are the core of the business. The Milford Panoramic flight flies over Milford Sound and Mitre Peak. The Earnslaw Burn Encounter flies over a high country station toward Mount Earnslaw and lands in the valley. The Glacier Expedition makes two landings and flies over six glaciers. The Snow Landing flight lands in the snow and lasts about 25 minutes.

Heli Glenorchy also offers guided heli hikes, a Mount Alfred picnic with a gourmet lunch, and a helicopter and jet boat combination. Its heli skiing charters run on exclusive terrain, for half a day or a full day. Packages can include a night at the remote Paradise Trust accommodation. The company also carries hunters and anglers.

Commercial work includes crane work, firefighting, search and rescue, and farming and conservation tasks. The company also offers weddings, proposal flights, conferences and incentive trips.

The fleet has seven helicopters. Three Airbus H125 Squirrels suit scenic flights, hunting and fishing, charters and commercial work. Two Kawasaki BK117 twin engine helicopters suit heavy lifting, sling work and urban fire or powerline tasks. The fleet also includes an Airbus H130 and an Airbus EC130.

The company says its pilots have more than 80,000 flying hours between them. Heli Glenorchy is endorsed by Qualmark and holds silver level certification. It also says it has an impeccable safety record and a modern fleet, and that its location keeps prices competitive for trips to Milford Sound, Mount Aspiring National Park and the West Coast.

Services

• Scenic flights
• Milford Sound flights
• Earnslaw Burn flights
• Glacier landings
• Snow landing
• Heli hiking
• Heli skiing charters
• Hunting and fishing transport
• Commercial services
• Weddings and proposals