92 | Local knowledge to the fore Eastland Heli Services provides a diverse range of aerial services that includes agricultural and forestry work, firefighting, pest control and general lifting work. Eastland Heli Services T T Richard Loader CONTRACTING Keeping the business small has enabled Gisborne-based Eastland Heli Services to develop and maintain local connections and build relationships that have in turn built trust in the company’s pilots to do the job well and safely. With its origins dating back to 2008, Eastland Heli Services provides a diverse range of aerial services that includes agricultural and forestry work, firefighting, pest control and general lifting work. At the beating heart of the business is husband-and-wife team, Ray and Wendy Worters, who are supported by the company’s second pilot, known locally as Ginge, and ground crewman Arama, himself a qualified helicopter pilot, giving him the benefit of knowing how to operate safely around helicopters. “Our client base has stayed consistent throughout our journey, and they really appreciate that both Ray and Ginge have a good local knowledge of the area, which makes such a difference in terms of delivery,” says Wendy, who along with looking after all administration also has the all-important responsibility of safety manager. “Ray has almost 18,000 flying hours, while Ginge has just over 7000 hours, so both pilots are very experienced.” Eastland Heli Services operates throughout the East Cape and from Gisborne down to just below Wairoa. Core customer sectors include the region’s forestry companies, local farmers and crop growers, energy companies, civil contractors and telecommunication companies, Gisborne District Council, FENZ and Department of Conservation. “Forestry work makes up the bulk of the agricultural work we do and includes desiccation and releasing in large areas of pine forest,” Wendy says. “ Desiccation is where an area is sprayed prior to planting, while releasing is where it is sprayed post-planting to kill weeds and long grasses. A large part of our winter work is transporting pine tree seedlings in pods to hillside locations that are not accessible by road, for the forestry companies. “Our commercial services include general transport operations, aerial surveys and firefighting. Farming work includes spraying for thistles and gorse, fertilising and grass seed application, a little bit of crop spraying and fence line laying.” Eastland Heli Services owns and operates an MD500D and a Robinson R44 Raven II., with both helicopters having a differential GPS. This enables the client to submit the outline of an area to be sprayed, which is then remotely sent to the helicopter’s GPS, ensuring accurate coverage without gaps. “The helicopters also have a five-hook carousel lifting system, low drift nozzles on the spray gear to reduce spray drift, and Spidertracks and Tracplus technology that enables real time tracking and monitoring of the helicopters from a safety perspective.” Before becoming a helicopter pilot in 1991, the crux of the deer recovery days, Ray honed his skill as an aerial shooter, and a large part of Eastland Heli Services’ work now revolves around goat and deer control in the region. For all your Cartage & Handling, Landscape Supply, Loader, Truck, Forklift, Hiab Crane, Digger, Hook lift Bin & Trade Waste Disposal Requirements
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