Rotor Work Ltd

Rotor Work Limited is a New Zealand owned and operated helicopter company with its head office and maintenance hangar at Kihikihi, Te Awamutu. It began operations in November 1980 from Rotorua with a single Hughes 300 helicopter, founded by Cathy and Ben Dellow, Craig Goddard and Ian Leaf. Cathy and Ben Dellow still run it, and the company describes itself as one of the largest privately owned helicopter companies in the North Island.

History

The early business specialised in aerial live deer capture, and deer recovery was the sole income until the late 1980s, when the company moved into agricultural work. Over the following 20 years it trained pilots and opened new bases across the North Island.

Services

• Heli flights and adventure: scenic flights, private charter and transfers, Coromandel and Waikato experiences, and a helicopter flight simulator
• Agriculture and horticulture: aerial spraying, fertiliser and lime application, aerial cropping, frost control and farm mapping
• Silviculture, environmental and conservation work, including erosion control, hydroseeding and pest control
• Precision lifting and construction, and power and gas inspections and maintenance
• Apiculture, emergency work such as firefighting and evacuation, and trucking and transport with bulk cartage and Hiab trucks
• Helicopter maintenance, drone and light aircraft services, and aviation training and compliance

Fleet

The fleet page lists one Eurocopter AS350 B2 Squirrel, one Bell 206 L3 Long Ranger, two Bell 206 B3 Jet Rangers, one Hughes 500 E and one Hughes 300C. It also says it has strategic alliances for twin engine and heavy lift aircraft, and that aircraft are moved between bases to fill contracts. Helicopters are fitted as needed with hooks, spray systems and fertiliser, lime and fire buckets.

Areas covered

The main base is Kihikihi, Te Awamutu. Remote bases include Marton, Tokoroa, Kopaki and Whitianga, and the company works across Coromandel, Waikato, King Country, Taranaki, Bay of Plenty, Central Plateau, Manawatu and Rangitikei.

Company facts

• Founded in 1980