Multiple Safety Awards to Helipro

A total of 12 pilots and engineers from the Palmerston North-based aviation company Helipro were presented with safety awards at a function at Parliament last month. The Gold and Silver Star awards, presented by the Aviation Industry Association (AIA), were for reaching 15 and 10 years respectively of incident-free flying.

Helipro’s CEO, Rick Lucas, said the awards recognised the skill and quality of the individual pilots, and he was delighted to see them honoured in such a way. Mr Lucas said Helipro has a very strong focus on systems and training, and constantly strives for safety and excellence in all flying operations.

Mr Lucas gave the example of the pilots and crews from Helipro who will be fighting fires in NSW this summer. During the same week in which the awards were presented, these personnel were out practising and being audited on winching techniques.

Helipro is now one of New Zealand’s largest aviation companies, with helicopter bases in Rotorua, Taupo, Palmerston North, Wellington, Nelson and Christchurch, and a helicopter and fixed-wing training school at Paraparaumu.

The company carries out a wide range of flight operations from sightseeing and training to live power line work, and search and rescue.

Recipients of the Gold Star award were:

Tim Barrow—pilot, Rotorua.

Toby Clark—pilot, Taupo.

Shamus Howard—pilot, Palmerston North/Paraparaumu.

Paul Greene—pilot, Palmerston North.

Rick Lucas—pilot, Wellington/Palmerston North.

James McKinstry—pilot, Wellington.

Andy Shearer—pilot, Christchurch.

Regan Graham—pilot, Christchurch.

Dave Johnson—engineer, Palmerston North.

John Page—engineer, Palmerston North.

Personnel receiving the Silver Star were:

Kent Wilson—pilot, Christchurch.

Mark Mackay—pilot, Palmerston North.