Heli Hunt n Fish Taupo

Heli Hunt n Fish Taupo is a helicopter operator serving the Central North Island of New Zealand. It is owned and flown by pilot Phil Janssen, who has over 30 years of experience in aviation. The company operates one Robinson R44 and offers commercial, agricultural, charter and pilot training work, as well as helicopter hunting and fishing trips. It works in association with Bay Heliwork.

Commercial and agriculture

The company says it can undertake a full range of commercial and agricultural helicopter work, including:

• Lifting, with an R44 load of 420 kg
• Charter flights
• Fire lighting for land clearance and firefighting with two fire buckets available
• Frost control, with a night rated pilot
• Spraying, from forestry to scrub and thistles
• Fertiliser spreading, including slurries and urea, all GPS guided, with Growsafe accredited pilots
• Mustering of animals such as deer and cattle, and live capture of deer

Hunting and fishing

From its base at Rangitaiki the company runs a helicopter transport service for hunters, fishers and trampers. It provides a safe lock up for hunting and fishing vehicles, and the pilot has local knowledge of Central North Island hunting. Quoted prices include Department of Conservation charges for helicopter access to public landing sites. The maximum R44 load for these trips is 250 kg.

Pilot training

Training covers the private pilot licence (helicopter) through to the commercial pilot licence, with a specialty in high altitude and mountain flying. Courses include ab initio to fully licensed commercial pilots, turbine ratings, agricultural ratings, and sling load and night endorsements. Agricultural pilot training covers Ag170 and Tracmap GPS, ag flight checks, renewals and ratings, with no landing charges. The company states it is certified by the New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority as a Part 137 agricultural operator.

Company facts

• Taumarunui base open all year, at 35 Tanga Road
• Rangitaiki base in March and April for the deer roar, on State Highway 5 about 25 minutes east of Taupo
• One Robinson R44 in the fleet