New helicopter increases capacity for expanding Christchurch company
The addition of a new Eurocopter AS350 B3, heli-lift helicopter to the Garden City Helicopters fleet of aircraft will dramatically increase both commercial lifting capacity and flight availability for the Christchurch-based company.
The new B3 ‘Squirrel’ helicopter which began operations with the company last weekend, has the ability to carry sling loads of between 1200-1400kg, as opposed to the normal 750kg maximum with BA or twin-engined Squirrels.
“This gives us a major advantage over other local operators”, says Garden City Helicopters General Manager, Mr Simon Duncan.
“It will also will help us to deliver superior customer service by having two operational Squirrels available in Christchurch”, he says.
Garden City Helicopters is also the operator of the Westpac Rescue Helicopter and regularly uses other aircraft in its fleet to supplement Emergency Medical Services and Search and Rescue operations.
“The recent increased demand on our rescue services have, on occasion, stretched our ability to provide a constant service to our many commercial clients”, says Mr Duncan. “The B3 adds a new capability into the market place with it's heavy lift advantages and allows us to deliver an additional helicopter to meet the demands on our business . With the dry summer months ahead, the B3 also provides greater fire-fighting effectiveness with a heavier monsoon-bucket capacity ”.
This is the third recent addition to the Garden City fleet, with a King Air C90 fixed-wing aircraft added earlier this year. This aircraft will mainly be used as an air ambulance based out of the company’s Nelson operation, but which is also available for private charter. Also recently added is a twin engine BK117 - B2 rescue helicopter which has also gone to Nelson for EMS work.
The increase in demand for all services, from air rescue operations to commercial work and tourism charter has resulted in the company preparing for further expansion with the construction of new, larger hangar and operational facilities at Christchurch Airport.
Construction of the multi-million dollar facility is expected to begin early in 2012 with completion expected mid-year.
