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New Zealand - Training Schools and Job Prospects

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New Zealand - Training Schools and Job Prospects

Old 14th Oct 2005, 11:32
  #181 (permalink)  
 
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Wink

Wanaka also happens to be one of the most beautifull places in NZ. Wanaka Helicopters would be a very good choice. Fantastic Airshow there every 2 years as well, called Warbirds over Wanaka.

http://www.warbirdsoverwanaka.com/
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Old 15th Oct 2005, 03:33
  #182 (permalink)  
 
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Lets set the Helipro records straight. Helicopter crashes....where do we begin? B-204 X 2 (1 Fatal), S-61 X 1, H-300 X 1, H-500 X 2, R-22 X 4......(these are the ones I know of!!) Three of these crashes were during flight training (all this over a 10 year period - how does this rate with the national average). At least half of these accidents were attributed to mechanical failure-maybe this had something to do with the car salesman/OWNER also being the maintanence controller at the time, How did NZCAA let this happen???? There are more enemies than friends to helipro - name one ex company pilot that has good things to say about the company!! - Isnt compay safety and culture bred from the top down! - Train with Helipro - you would have to have rocks in your head!!
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Old 17th Oct 2005, 10:15
  #183 (permalink)  
 
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Yes helipro have an accident history that they are not proud of and would quite happily discuss it with you rotorboy, and for that matter anyone who asked. After a little investigation I came up with some different accident numbers.

Take 2 R22’s and 1 hughes 500 off your total and I think you are spot on rotorboy. Only two of their accidents can be attributed to maintenance with both of them from the engineer that later lost his licence after he departed helipro.

It’s almost 5 years since the death of Andy Shaw in their bell 204. Since that accident they have had a student roll a 300 over during solo flight (only flight training accident), a couple of years ago I think.

It is worth noting that all of their accidents have been during aerial work ops such as logging, venison recovery and flight training which are generally pretty hard on the gear.

Interesting to note that they are now ISO 9002:2000 accredited, NZQA accredited, certified as an Airline Air Operator by CAA, and have a Qualmark logo on their website too.

The Restricted Category Bell UH-1H has been sold even though it was probably the biggest money earner in their fleet. They now have 22 helicopters of which 6 are twin engine.

1 x SA365N
3 x BK117
2 x AS355F1
3 x AS350
1 x Bell 206
1 x H500
3 x R44
5 x H300
3 x R22

The ‘rocks in the head’ comment is a little over the top rotorboy. Tell me where in the world you could learn to fly with an operator that has a diverse fleet such as Helipro. I guess your comments will actually filter out the dreamers that have not got enough sense to investigate a provider that they are about to give $75k. If unlike you they actually do some research, they will discover helipro are worth a second look.

Now I must apologise if my constructive comments about a company offend those that are all but consumed by the self destructive tall poppy syndrome. This syndrome sneaks up on the week and vulnerable and manifests itself as ‘shoot and run’ comments classically displayed in previous posts. I am guessing that this syndrome will consume more as Helipro continue to grow and win contracts throughout NZ and OZ.

This is how I see it… HNZ, THL, Airwork, and Helipro are leading the helicopter industry in NZ. They have all had accidents in the past but have cleaned up their act, as has the whole NZ industry. I would quite happily comment on these other companies if a thread was started. I’m sure it would be a battle keeping up with those consumed by the above syndrome however…

One final thing rotorboy, it is bad form to voice other peoples opinions and claim them as your own. Nothing like a little research to form your own opinion huh…
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Old 17th Oct 2005, 11:45
  #184 (permalink)  
 
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Id like to add several comments but most could be considered libel.
That said I have known RL for 20yrs and I would choose not to associate with him. (and no, I didnt buy a used car from his lot!)

There is no 'tall poppy' syndrome here. The facts are that Helipro and RL in particular have an infamous past.

Helipro may have "cleaned up its act".....but the NZ industry is small and the memories loooooong!

Cavet Emptor.
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Old 18th Oct 2005, 03:08
  #185 (permalink)  
 
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All my information is 100% correct as i have been involved in the NZ aviation industry for over 10 years, and know a number of former Helipro pilots. Did you forget about the two robbies you lost on FLIGHT TRAINING (depending on your definition of flight training of course).It doesn't matter how many helicopters you own, a safety record speaks for itself. I suggest you dig a little deeper in your accident research as you a missing a few facts, or try asking the used car sales man for the truth. Try www.caa.co.nz.
Fortunitly Helipro has cleaned up there act over the last few years. There are just a few more bad eggs to throw out of the basket-especially in the management, which is where the safetly culture should begin.
This is not an attack at the New Zealand aviation industry as it has grown greatly in both its safety and quality. The introduction of tamper proof hobbs meters in all machines should complete this clean up of the industry.
Recievingover, you obviously work for Helipro so i understand your issues. One day when you are working in the real world flying someone elses machine, then you will understand.
Best of luck those looking at this thread for flight training, don't be caught up in the hype of how big a company is, go with someone you can trust and is respected. This will be your best bet for your aviation career.
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Old 18th Oct 2005, 08:30
  #186 (permalink)  
 
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Thanks Rotorboy but no I do not work for helipro. As stated earlier I am an outsider looking in and have had many a discussion with RL in years gone by. In my 18 years in the industry I have seen many a helicopter company in NZ roll up equipment and kill people, fare paying tourists included. Some of the companies that I consider to now be industry leaders included.

Don't let your obvious dislike of RL cloud your opinion of helipro and the 30+ fantastic staff that actually make the company.

Now I do not need to make it in the industry as I have been there & done that. Perhaps if you return from Canada one day and visit helipro I would actually respect your opinion.

I hope you recover from the ‘syndrome’ one day and realise that you are the industry and not just a pilot. I shudder to think of you and your depressing attitude in 15 years time, when junior pilots may look up to you and your beliefs.

Snap out of it man…

I have said my piece. Time to move on to the next thread…
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Old 19th Oct 2005, 05:51
  #187 (permalink)  
 
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Arclite01 you would be fortunate to end up training with Helipro as you will end up with a heap of commercial exposure which is definately not the 'normal status quo' in a NZ training syllabus.
Take the negative comments on this thread with a grain of salt as it is 'sour grapes' and 'tall poppy syndrome' rehtorical drivel.

Rotorboy53 if you would be so kind as to point out to the rest of us ig-na-raimuses a training/utility helicopter company in NZ, nay the world, who hasn't had an accident.

[QUOTE]"Hey.Hey!Ya talkin too my guy all wrong. It's the wrong tone. Ya do it again I gunna kart choo"
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Old 19th Oct 2005, 06:23
  #188 (permalink)  
 
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EMS

proberly no reply because they know its all true
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Old 19th Oct 2005, 16:32
  #189 (permalink)  
 
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No sour grapes or tall poppy syndrome here I'm afraid. Just a maintainer who has had a look around some of this particular company's machines, spoken to employees, former employees, and customers. I've even had the (dis)pleasure of doing business with them. It didn't last long, thank goodness, we sent their work elsewhere. Granted, that was 3 years ago, but I find it extremely difficult to believe that this particular Leopard would have traded in his spots for stripes
So get off your high horse. Never worked for a training provider in NZ, but have worked for helicopter operators. So don't think this is a case of 'my training provider is better than yours', or 'my helicopter company is better than yours', because I don't really care about that crap.
As you can see from some of the other posts, I'm not the only one not impressed with the RL method of doing aviation business.

Last edited by noooby; 19th Oct 2005 at 18:24.
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Old 20th Oct 2005, 01:57
  #190 (permalink)  
 
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Either that or grown up.......aye biffed
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Old 22nd Oct 2005, 02:19
  #191 (permalink)  
 
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helipro

Im currently a student at HeliPro and on all accounts from what ive seen helipro is an extremely profesional company with very high maintenance standards,good keen instructors that have commercial experience and a good variety of helicopters. I highly recommend doing your training with them .,
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Old 22nd Oct 2005, 10:05
  #192 (permalink)  
 
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Whats your old man upto these days Zeb?? Last I heard, he was at Flightline, but about to leave or something. Was a few years ago now
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Old 25th Oct 2005, 14:37
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Info on Offshore work in Australia / New Zealand?

Hi,

Can anyone shed some light on the offshore work in Australia/New Zealand.

Who are the operators?
Where are they based?
Is it possible to get work with Northsea experience?

Presently I'm a co-pilot flying offshore work above the Northsea. I am interested in a change of scenery in the next couple of years...

Any info would be much appreciated!

CopterD

Last edited by CopterD; 25th Oct 2005 at 20:23.
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Old 25th Oct 2005, 20:15
  #194 (permalink)  
 
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Helicopters New Zealand are pretty much about it, they operate 412, 212 and I understand they have or are purchasing AB139.
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Old 25th Oct 2005, 22:44
  #195 (permalink)  
 
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The AB139 that HNZ have on order has been delayed because they dont have a contract for it from what I heard.

Also yes they are the only operator in NZ that is currently doing offshore.

In OZ, as far as I know there is Bristows, CHC, Esso, Jayrow and a couple of single pilot VFR machines in Western Australia.

Others here based in OZ might be able to elaborate further.

Cheers

Ned
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Old 26th Oct 2005, 10:46
  #196 (permalink)  
 
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>>Avoid large training school with student loan funding
Why you so negative about student loan funding scheme??
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Old 26th Oct 2005, 20:03
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i would agree with remeoalfa, Stay away from some of the bigger schools, But at the end of the day it is your choice!!
I wish i hadn't gone with the company that i did, as they where rouges!! They could have sold rubber dog s t to a dog breeder!!!
There are some good smaller schools but they also have there catches!!
I would go with a school that is well established and have been operating before the student loan thing came out!! as alot of people just found this to be a great way of making easy money!!
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Old 27th Oct 2005, 03:53
  #198 (permalink)  
 
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ems

Why are you so against schools with loans ?
How did you pay for your licience ?
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Old 27th Oct 2005, 07:37
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Thanks,

keep 'em coming! Thanks for the info. Does anybody know more about Australia?


CopterD
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Old 27th Oct 2005, 19:45
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i'm not totally against them!!
I paid half of mine and then put the rest on the good ol loan!!

But the school i went to ended up having a sh t load of students with bugger all of anything else!!! 50 students and 4-5 R22's!!all they where after was the money!! I know this as i ended up working for them for a coulpe of years!!
While i was there i would have seen proberly around 180-200 people come and go through there!! out off all these there was around 8-10 that actually would have done it even without the loans!!
This is just one school that i know that happened at!!
Alot of them when asked why they wanted to do it said, eithier it looked cool!!! or the best one i heard, i want to do my cpl so i can go to town and chat up chicks and tell them i'm a heli pilot!!!!!
What a dumb ass for spending 80k and not doing anything with it now!!
out of everyone that i saw go through only about 10 have jobs in the industry!!
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