Helicopters Nelson

Helicopters Nelson, shown on its site as Helicopters Nelson and Tasman, is a locally owned helicopter company based at Nelson Airport in New Zealand. It is owned and operated by the Darling family, with Pete Darling as owner, chief executive and flight training manager. The site describes it as the largest privately owned helicopter company in the Top of the South and cites over thirty years of experience.

Services

• Scenic tours, including the Signature Collection, Lord of the Rings, Abel Tasman, Marlborough Sounds, Golden Bay, West Coast and Kahurangi flights
• Heli-fishing on reef and back-country rivers, including multi-day hut stays
• Private charters and transfers
• Commercial work: lifting, construction, conservation, farming, forestry support and frost protection
• Private and commercial helicopter pilot training, with an ab initio student programme
• Weddings, dining flights and heli-biking

Emergency response

The company works with Fire and Emergency New Zealand on a rural rapid response initiative in which a four-person crew with cutting equipment is flown to incidents such as car crashes in the Top of the South.

Fleet

The Airbus AS350 is the main tourism helicopter. It cruises at 110 knots and seats six passengers. The MD520N is a light turbine helicopter that seats three passengers, all at window seats.

Company facts

• Base at Nelson Airport, serving Nelson, Tasman, Marlborough, Golden Bay and the West Coast
• Qualmark Gold award
• Member listings with the Tourism Export Council and Sustainable Tourism New Zealand