Shoreline Helicopters Limited

Shoreline Helicopters Ltd is a small helicopter flight school based in Napier, in New Zealand's Hawke's Bay. It is a Civil Aviation Authority certified Part 141 training organisation working under a Safety Management System, and says it has trained pilots since 1988. Students go on to private and commercial flying careers in New Zealand and overseas.

Flight training

Instruction is one-on-one with chief flying instructor Rick Graham, who became involved in aviation in 1974 and has over 20,000 hours of flight experience. His background includes agricultural spraying and topdressing, seismic survey, power line work, firefighting and rescue work with winching. The school trains private and commercial pilots and also trains agricultural pilots. It states that it carries out Part 135 competency checking and training, winching and human sling checking, instructor renewals and flight testing in New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu.

Specialist training

• Mountain training in the Kaweka, Ruahine and Kaimanawa Forest Parks, working from 1,500 feet up to 6,000 feet and at times in snow
• Sling load training, from the basics to long line work and practical tasks such as laying fence lines and concrete
• Night flying training, offered as an option
• Type ratings, using access to the Bell Jet Ranger, Hughes 500, NOTAR MD520 and AS350

Aircraft and base

Training is flown in a Hughes 300c, a piston engined helicopter with a multi-blade rotor system, a spacious cabin and adjustable pedals. The school is on a rural lifestyle block in Napier with its hangar and helicopter on site, and affordable accommodation is available for students who stay during their course. The hourly rate includes landing fees, airways charges and GST. The school also sells an introductory 30 minute flight lesson gift voucher.

Company facts

• CAA Part 141 certified training organisation; Rick Graham gained Part 141 certification in 2009
• Training since 1988
• Rick Graham received the CAA Director's Award for aviation safety in September 2026
• Based at Bayview, Napier, Hawke's Bay