News outlets are now stating his chopper was an experimental class of machine. I understand there are two local station choppers, a charted fixed wing aircraft, and also reportedly, the Dornier 328 of AMSA, now involved in the search.
Here's hoping he just had some minor mechanical problems and just had to do an unscheduled landing, and wait for help.
Fortunately, the weather conditions in the region are relatively mild at this time of year. In Summer, there can be some pretty torrid heat out there.