How dangerous are helicopters - and why are more of us trying to fly them?
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Joined: May 2003
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From: The Wild West... and Oz
How dangerous are helicopters - and why are more of us trying to fly them?
From New Zealand media:
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/the-fr...PAGELV7DS6G2I/
"The Front Page: How dangerous are helicopters - and why are more of us trying to fly them?
By
25 Jan, 2023 05:00 AM3 mins to read
A horror crash on Australia’s Gold Coast served as a reminder of the dangers involved in flying a helicopter in this part of the world.While this tragedy happened across the Tasman, it could just as easily have happened in New Zealand. This country also has a long catalogue of helicopter crashes and close calls in its history.
In December, emergency services were called to a helicopter crash near Kai Iwi, Whanganui. And in the past week, we’ve also seen reports of a near-miss in Queenstown. Data from the end of 2018 showed that New Zealand had about 20 accidents per 100,000 hours flown. At the time, the country had about 900 helicopters flying about 250,000 hours annually.
Aviation commentator Peter Clark tells The Front Page podcast that data shows that helicopters are inherently more unsafe than other aircraft.
“There are a lot of helicopters in New Zealand per capita and we operate choppers in conditions that may be less favourable and pilots sometimes take risks,” says Clark.
The number of helicopters and hours flown looks set to increase as recreational travel picks up rapidly. Newsroom recently reported Auckland’s Waiheke Island has gone from 20 helipads in 2019 to 61 now. And more helicopters are flying to other holiday hotspots across Northland.
Clark says it isn’t surprising to see wealthy New Zealanders look for ways to escape the gridlock traffic in and out of Auckland. If this is managed appropriately with sufficient safety protocols and well-trained pilots, then the risk of tragedy should be limited.
“The congestion and infrastructure in New Zealand are causing the top end of the market to use a helicopter,” says Clark.
“There’s no problem if everything is well planned, the approach is unrestricted and we should only be using modern twin-engine machines. I don’t see any [greater] risk in the helipads, but when you have more and more helicopters, there is an increase in the possibility that an accident may take place.”
Clark explains that avoiding tragedy will largely depend on skilled pilots making good decisions and not taking unnecessary risks.
The influx of helicopters has also had a social impact, with community members vocal in their opposition to new helipad applications – and this fight isn’t likely to subside any time soon, particularly when the mode of transportation is perceived as dangerous.
So what are the main causes of helicopter crashes in Aotearoa? Exactly how dangerous are helicopters compared to other modes of transport? Are regulators permitting too many new helipads around the country? Do we have enough pilots to meet the growing recreational demand? And should Kiwis think twice before boarding a chopper for a quick spin?
Listen to the full episode of The Front Page podcast to hear Clark address all these issues and also offer some tips on what to consider before getting on a helicopter."
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/the-fr...PAGELV7DS6G2I/
"The Front Page: How dangerous are helicopters - and why are more of us trying to fly them?
By
Damien Venuto
25 Jan, 2023 05:00 AM3 mins to read
A horror crash on Australia’s Gold Coast served as a reminder of the dangers involved in flying a helicopter in this part of the world.While this tragedy happened across the Tasman, it could just as easily have happened in New Zealand. This country also has a long catalogue of helicopter crashes and close calls in its history.
In December, emergency services were called to a helicopter crash near Kai Iwi, Whanganui. And in the past week, we’ve also seen reports of a near-miss in Queenstown. Data from the end of 2018 showed that New Zealand had about 20 accidents per 100,000 hours flown. At the time, the country had about 900 helicopters flying about 250,000 hours annually.
Aviation commentator Peter Clark tells The Front Page podcast that data shows that helicopters are inherently more unsafe than other aircraft.
“There are a lot of helicopters in New Zealand per capita and we operate choppers in conditions that may be less favourable and pilots sometimes take risks,” says Clark.
The number of helicopters and hours flown looks set to increase as recreational travel picks up rapidly. Newsroom recently reported Auckland’s Waiheke Island has gone from 20 helipads in 2019 to 61 now. And more helicopters are flying to other holiday hotspots across Northland.
Clark says it isn’t surprising to see wealthy New Zealanders look for ways to escape the gridlock traffic in and out of Auckland. If this is managed appropriately with sufficient safety protocols and well-trained pilots, then the risk of tragedy should be limited.
“The congestion and infrastructure in New Zealand are causing the top end of the market to use a helicopter,” says Clark.
“There’s no problem if everything is well planned, the approach is unrestricted and we should only be using modern twin-engine machines. I don’t see any [greater] risk in the helipads, but when you have more and more helicopters, there is an increase in the possibility that an accident may take place.”
Clark explains that avoiding tragedy will largely depend on skilled pilots making good decisions and not taking unnecessary risks.
The influx of helicopters has also had a social impact, with community members vocal in their opposition to new helipad applications – and this fight isn’t likely to subside any time soon, particularly when the mode of transportation is perceived as dangerous.
So what are the main causes of helicopter crashes in Aotearoa? Exactly how dangerous are helicopters compared to other modes of transport? Are regulators permitting too many new helipads around the country? Do we have enough pilots to meet the growing recreational demand? And should Kiwis think twice before boarding a chopper for a quick spin?
Listen to the full episode of The Front Page podcast to hear Clark address all these issues and also offer some tips on what to consider before getting on a helicopter."
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,060
Likes: 563
From: Auckland, New Zealand
A horror crash on Australia’s Gold Coast served as a reminder of the dangers involved in flying a helicopter in this part of the world.
Sometimes people really just need to STFU and say nothing.
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,951
Likes: 90
From: After all, what’s more important than proving to someone on the internet that they’re wrong? - Manson
As an Irish mate told me once -
Possibly apples to most of the content from NZME.
Sometimes it's better to remain quiet and just let people assume you are an idiot rather than opening your mouth to remove all doubt!
Last edited by RVDT; 26th January 2023 at 05:33.
Gentleman Aviator
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 3,722
Likes: 91
From: Teetering Towers - somewhere in the Shires
When you consider that the safest single-engined aircraft in the world is a helicopter..... (the 206, based on hours flown)
Joined: Sep 2018
Aviation Qualifications: CPL
Posts: 888
Likes: 65
From: California
From New Zealand media:
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/the-fr...PAGELV7DS6G2I/
"The Front Page: How dangerous are helicopters - and why are more of us trying to fly them?
By
25 Jan, 2023 05:00 AM3 mins to read
A horror crash on Australia’s Gold Coast served as a reminder of the dangers involved in flying a helicopter in this part of the world.While this tragedy happened across the Tasman, it could just as easily have happened in New Zealand. This country also has a long catalogue of helicopter crashes and close calls in its history.
In December, emergency services were called to a helicopter crash near Kai Iwi, Whanganui. And in the past week, we’ve also seen reports of a near-miss in Queenstown. Data from the end of 2018 showed that New Zealand had about 20 accidents per 100,000 hours flown. At the time, the country had about 900 helicopters flying about 250,000 hours annually.
Aviation commentator Peter Clark tells The Front Page podcast that data shows that helicopters are inherently more unsafe than other aircraft.
“There are a lot of helicopters in New Zealand per capita and we operate choppers in conditions that may be less favourable and pilots sometimes take risks,” says Clark.
The number of helicopters and hours flown looks set to increase as recreational travel picks up rapidly. Newsroom recently reported Auckland’s Waiheke Island has gone from 20 helipads in 2019 to 61 now. And more helicopters are flying to other holiday hotspots across Northland.
Clark says it isn’t surprising to see wealthy New Zealanders look for ways to escape the gridlock traffic in and out of Auckland. If this is managed appropriately with sufficient safety protocols and well-trained pilots, then the risk of tragedy should be limited.
“The congestion and infrastructure in New Zealand are causing the top end of the market to use a helicopter,” says Clark.
“There’s no problem if everything is well planned, the approach is unrestricted and we should only be using modern twin-engine machines. I don’t see any [greater] risk in the helipads, but when you have more and more helicopters, there is an increase in the possibility that an accident may take place.”
Clark explains that avoiding tragedy will largely depend on skilled pilots making good decisions and not taking unnecessary risks.
The influx of helicopters has also had a social impact, with community members vocal in their opposition to new helipad applications – and this fight isn’t likely to subside any time soon, particularly when the mode of transportation is perceived as dangerous.
So what are the main causes of helicopter crashes in Aotearoa? Exactly how dangerous are helicopters compared to other modes of transport? Are regulators permitting too many new helipads around the country? Do we have enough pilots to meet the growing recreational demand? And should Kiwis think twice before boarding a chopper for a quick spin?
Listen to the full episode of The Front Page podcast to hear Clark address all these issues and also offer some tips on what to consider before getting on a helicopter."
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/the-fr...PAGELV7DS6G2I/
"The Front Page: How dangerous are helicopters - and why are more of us trying to fly them?
By
Damien Venuto
25 Jan, 2023 05:00 AM3 mins to read
A horror crash on Australia’s Gold Coast served as a reminder of the dangers involved in flying a helicopter in this part of the world.While this tragedy happened across the Tasman, it could just as easily have happened in New Zealand. This country also has a long catalogue of helicopter crashes and close calls in its history.
In December, emergency services were called to a helicopter crash near Kai Iwi, Whanganui. And in the past week, we’ve also seen reports of a near-miss in Queenstown. Data from the end of 2018 showed that New Zealand had about 20 accidents per 100,000 hours flown. At the time, the country had about 900 helicopters flying about 250,000 hours annually.
Aviation commentator Peter Clark tells The Front Page podcast that data shows that helicopters are inherently more unsafe than other aircraft.
“There are a lot of helicopters in New Zealand per capita and we operate choppers in conditions that may be less favourable and pilots sometimes take risks,” says Clark.
The number of helicopters and hours flown looks set to increase as recreational travel picks up rapidly. Newsroom recently reported Auckland’s Waiheke Island has gone from 20 helipads in 2019 to 61 now. And more helicopters are flying to other holiday hotspots across Northland.
Clark says it isn’t surprising to see wealthy New Zealanders look for ways to escape the gridlock traffic in and out of Auckland. If this is managed appropriately with sufficient safety protocols and well-trained pilots, then the risk of tragedy should be limited.
“The congestion and infrastructure in New Zealand are causing the top end of the market to use a helicopter,” says Clark.
“There’s no problem if everything is well planned, the approach is unrestricted and we should only be using modern twin-engine machines. I don’t see any [greater] risk in the helipads, but when you have more and more helicopters, there is an increase in the possibility that an accident may take place.”
Clark explains that avoiding tragedy will largely depend on skilled pilots making good decisions and not taking unnecessary risks.
The influx of helicopters has also had a social impact, with community members vocal in their opposition to new helipad applications – and this fight isn’t likely to subside any time soon, particularly when the mode of transportation is perceived as dangerous.
So what are the main causes of helicopter crashes in Aotearoa? Exactly how dangerous are helicopters compared to other modes of transport? Are regulators permitting too many new helipads around the country? Do we have enough pilots to meet the growing recreational demand? And should Kiwis think twice before boarding a chopper for a quick spin?
Listen to the full episode of The Front Page podcast to hear Clark address all these issues and also offer some tips on what to consider before getting on a helicopter."
Joined: May 2004
Aviation Qualifications: CPL
Posts: 965
Likes: 46
From: Ташкент
When you consider that the safest single-engined aircraft in the world is a helicopter..... (the 206, based on hours flown)
Joined: Jun 2016
Aviation Qualifications: CPL
Posts: 1,318
Likes: 387
From: Brantisvogan
When you’re a landlubber you’re surrounded by idiots, when you get airborne, you’re surrounded by a superior form of idiot. When you fly helicopters, you get to avoid both. 
Joined: Sep 2004
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL(H)
Posts: 2,376
Likes: 879
From: Canada
Well: Helicopters are the used for many tasks.
In many enviroments they are the last resort transport-wise.
You drive to a major airport to board a large airliner maintained in a huge hangar with a huge support structure. You take off into a well developed ATC system to fly to a smaller airport.
You board a large twin engined airliner, once again supported well, there to fly to an even smaller airport.
Then you board a float or skiplane to fly to a bush camp where the helicopter awaits beside a tent.
Operating at the pointy end with little or no support.
Hence you are at the end of the road operating the most complicated equipment in the harshest environment.
Have fun!
In many enviroments they are the last resort transport-wise.
You drive to a major airport to board a large airliner maintained in a huge hangar with a huge support structure. You take off into a well developed ATC system to fly to a smaller airport.
You board a large twin engined airliner, once again supported well, there to fly to an even smaller airport.
Then you board a float or skiplane to fly to a bush camp where the helicopter awaits beside a tent.
Operating at the pointy end with little or no support.
Hence you are at the end of the road operating the most complicated equipment in the harshest environment.
Have fun!
Last edited by albatross; 31st January 2023 at 19:04.
Joined: May 2002
Aviation Qualifications: ATP+Mil
Posts: 18,633
Likes: 1,072
From: Downeast
I have always said that helicopters start where the road ends.
That in a way is the special attraction helicopter flying holds upon those of us who have been to those really isolated places.
The joys of rolling your fuel drums around, standing them up, later hand pumping your fuel....not having any radio contact with the outside world for a week at a time.
Being not at the top of the Food Chain due to Bears....Brown and White holding the top spot.
Living in Tents and sleeping on the ground.....with a bucket for a bath tub.
Yes....glamorous work it was.
If you had a forced landing knowing it might be days before you were missed and no one really knew where to start looking for you.
That in a way is the special attraction helicopter flying holds upon those of us who have been to those really isolated places.
The joys of rolling your fuel drums around, standing them up, later hand pumping your fuel....not having any radio contact with the outside world for a week at a time.
Being not at the top of the Food Chain due to Bears....Brown and White holding the top spot.
Living in Tents and sleeping on the ground.....with a bucket for a bath tub.
Yes....glamorous work it was.
If you had a forced landing knowing it might be days before you were missed and no one really knew where to start looking for you.
