Mountain Helicopters Fox Glacier

Mountain Helicopters is a small family owned and operated helicopter company at Fox Glacier on the West Coast of New Zealand. Michael and Therese Glynn founded it in 1998, and it has offered value based scenic flights over the glaciers and Mount Cook since then. The company emphasises personal service for small groups, families and individuals.

Scenic flights

• 10 minute glacier overflight
• 20 minute twin glacier overflight
• 20 minute flight with a landing on one glacier
• 30 minute Mt Cook and Fox Glacier flight with a landing
• 30 minute twin glacier snow landing
• 40 minute Mountain Ultimate flight with a landing
• One hour exclusive charter

Private charter and commercial work

The company arranges private charters for special occasions including proposals, wedding ceremonies and exclusive tours of the South Island, as well as tailor-made flights for hunting, photography and fishing. Commercial operations cover transport of hunters, fishermen and film crews in South Westland and Canterbury, sling, agricultural and training work. It also supports the Department of Conservation by flying crews into remote areas of South Westland for species protection work and track and hut maintenance.

Aircraft and people

• One MD 500E, registration ZK-HCC, owned and operated since it was imported from the USA in 2005
• Michael Glynn is CEO and chief pilot, flying helicopters since 1986 and in the glacier region since July 1989, with over 10,000 rotary hours
• Therese Glynn is co-owner and operations manager
• Ella and James Glynn work as safety officer and pilot

Bases

• Fox Glacier office: corner of Sullivan Road and State Highway 6, Fox Glacier 7859
• Franz Josef office, seasonal hours only: State Highway 6, next to Snakebite Restaurant, Franz Josef 7886