Over The Top Helicopters

Over The Top Helicopters is a scenic helicopter company based in Queenstown, New Zealand. It began in 1986, when a helicopter pilot set out to show adventurous travellers the country's hidden places. The company says it now has more than 40 years of experience flying in the region. Its flights take guests over mountains, to remote backcountry landing sites, secluded beaches and rainforests.

The company offers private or shared Queenstown helicopter flights. Experiences include landings on Franz Josef Glacier and Fox Glacier, a signature trip called Milford Ultimate, heli tours of Otago wineries, heli skiing and heli hikes. Guests can also have lunch on a private high country station. For travellers who want something different, the company builds bespoke experiences from a short description of their travel style. Gift vouchers are also sold.

Destinations include Queenstown, Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound, Dusky Sound and the Outer Reaches of Southland. Milford Sound is home to fur seals, penguins and dolphins. Doubtful Sound is only reachable by boat or helicopter, which is why it is known as the Sound of Silence. Dusky Sound lies inside Fiordland National Park. The Outer Reaches trips include landings on remote alpine lakes. The company also describes private helicopter access to local conservation areas, alpine lakes, mountains and glaciers.

The fleet is painted all black. It includes the Squirrel AS350 and Airbus H125, and the Eurocopter EC130B4 and Airbus EC130T2. The AS350 and H125 seat up to six passengers, with two in the front and four on the rear bench. It has a Turbomeca Arriel engine, a cruise speed of 110 knots and a range of 357 nautical miles. Cabins have leather seats, carpet and Bose noise cancelling headsets.

The pilots are experienced and also act as trained tour guides. They talk about the region's people, places, weather and terrain during each flight. Safety is a stated focus, and the company says it works with a Safety First culture. It says it is the only Queenstown company to have consistently won the International Helicopter Operator Safety Award, and that the New Zealand Helicopter Association has recognised its long safety record.

The website also has pages on sustainability and conservation, testimonials, a gallery, a club house for returning guests and an online booking system. Queenstown sits on Lake Wakatipu, with summer from December to February and winter from June to August.

Services

• Scenic helicopter flights
• Queenstown helicopter flights
• Milford Sound flights
• Doubtful Sound flights
• Glacier landings
• Bespoke experiences
• Heli skiing
• Heli hikes
• Winery heli tours
• Gift vouchers