Helicopters Hawke's Bay

Helicopters Hawkes Bay Ltd has operated since 1992 and is still locally owned and operated from bases in Hastings and Onga Onga, in the Hawke's Bay region of New Zealand. Much of its work is in agriculture, with autumn, winter and spring the busiest seasons. The rest of the year is spent on wilding pine control, live beehive transport, fire fighting and other jobs. The team is four pilots and four ground crew, including CEO Jim Guerin.

Fleet

• AS350BA Squirrel: five seats plus pilot, 750 kg hook lift, 110 knot cruise; the all-rounder used from spraying to beehive transport
• Bell 206 JetRanger: four seats plus pilot, 475 kg hook lift, 100 knot cruise; used for spraying and can be configured for scenic flights
• BK117: twin engine, nine seats plus pilot, 1,200 kg hook lift, 125 knot cruise; used for live power line work, VIP transport and heavy lifting
• AS350B2 Squirrel: six seats, 850 kg hook lift, 110 knot cruise

Agricultural services

The company sprays thistle, brush weeds including gorse and blackberry, crops, porina and forestry release, and desiccation. It uses Tracmap field mapping sent to the GPS screen in the helicopter, and calibrated flow meters. Its fertiliser spreading uses a custom built loading system and buckets, with ground crew in radio or phone contact with the pilot.

Commercial services

• Lifting up to 1,200 kg, with considerable experience lifting beehives
• Human sling, with CAA approval for underslung human sling operations
• Fire fighting, FENZ approved, and fire lighting
• Charters and scenic flights over Hawke's Bay
• Surveys, wire stringing, filming, photography and frost fighting

Certifications

The site shows its AIRCARE, SpreadMark, Part 135 and Part 137 certification marks.