Press Release

Issued by Queenstown Airport Corporation Ltd.

October 20, 2013

To ensure the Queenstown emergency night-time helicopter service can continue to operate in the region, Queenstown Airport has supported selected helicopter flying to occur at night.

The helicopter flights, which will occur after dark late October until early December, are part of a compulsory training component for the Queenstown region's emergency helicopter service.

The helicopter training is required for pilots and crew to be able to continue to offer the important and necessary emergency night-time service to the Queenstown region. Helicopter crew wear specialised Night Vision goggles so they are able to see while flying. Over 80 percent of the night missions are completed with the use of the goggles.

Heliworks Queenstown Helicopters, in conjunction with the Lakes District Air Rescue Trust, will provide the training. The pilot in charge of operations, Scott Theyers, says this training is required annually for pilots and crew to remain on-top of their game.

“This training is essential to maintaining the emergency helicopter capability for the area,” says Mr Theyers. “The majority of the exercises will be conducted well clear of noise sensitive areas within the Wakatipu basin. The training will be be conducted as early in the evening as is possible, and any training at Queenstown Airport will be kept to a minimum.“The night-time training is crucial to ensure we can continue to provide this emergency service to the people of the region,” concludes Mr Theyers.