So you really want to be depressed eh? Well New Zealand helicopter rates have to be some of the lowest in the world period… that’s why so man kiwis are flying else ware, to give you and idea flying a AS355 down in the south island. The very top rate is a poultry $ 44,000.00 pacific paso (NZD) and that’s for the privilege of flying 6 days a week with 1 day off (12-14 hour duty days)… so if that hasn’t got you salivating then you can also do a lot of unpaid miles in your own vehicle with no meal allowances…. After all that you will be delighted to see at the end of the year, the company has been making record profits (hourly rates are running $ 2500.00 - $ 3000.00 per flight hour) oh and also if you want to go contract (good for you going it alone) you might get $ 200.00 - $ 250.00 per day, no flight pay but only half if you don’t fly (but that’s more than fair considering that you cant work for anybody else that day)….
Hating bells and the New Zealand helicopter industry