I used to fly one in PNG...quite a lot of fun but certainly a quirky aeroplane.
If you're talking about a Tassy based Helio it is probably the one I used to fly...it was sold to a farmer from Tassie and, after I taught him how to fly it, he dissappeared NW along the coast from Port Moresby heading home to the farm...in fact I was unsure which was more quirky, the aeroplane or him...bit like dogs and their owners I suppose.
In terms of all out lifting ability they closely equate to a C180 or maybe an early model 185...they are slower than a 180...more difficult to fly period and lots more difficult to fly to the limits of their performance...but I think it may be the only true 'go anywhere' aeroplane I have ever flown.
In the SE trades at Moresby I could bring the aircraft into a low hover over the piano keys and land with virtually no ground roll...they have virtually no crosswind capability...7 kts from memory...so having landed in a 20kt south easterly on 14R at POM just taxiing it to the GA apron was fraught with unpleasant possibilities.
