| 5 “We’re unique in the fact we have our own in-house avionics manager in Simon Mortby, who is a licensed, rated and experienced avionics specialist,” REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Rotorcraft T T Bernadette Cooney Keeping the rotor blades turning Rotorcraft has been a fixture of the Hamilton airfield for more than 30 years. This October marks two years since Rotorcraft of Hamilton moved into its state-of-the-art facility at Titanium Park, on the terminal side of Hamilton Airport. After outgrowing its original leased hangar, the company purchased land from the airport in 2023 and commissioned Construct Ltd to build a purpose-designed facility. The 1195sqm facility includes 815sqm of hangar space, with the remainder in modern workshops and office space. Office manager and wife of co-director Brad Collins, Tracey Collins, says the new premises have proved to be exactly what they needed. “We’ve been in here about 18 months, coming up two years in October. Having everything under one roof means we can offer more services, accommodate more staff, and provide greater workshop space, including a dedicated paint bay,” says Tracey. Rotorcraft has been a fixture of the Hamilton airfield for more than 30 years, since it was founded in the 1990s by Chris Minnee and Curly Roe. In 2017, Rotorcraft entered a new chapter when it was purchased by Brad Collins and Brad Lentfer – both licensed, rated and experienced engineers, who had spent years honing their skills within Rotorcraft and the wider aviation industry. Rotorcraft Engineering manager and co-director Brad Collins began his aviation career in the RNZAF, before moving on to commercial aviation operations here and overseas. Following that, he took up a post with Rotorcraft. Chief engineer and co-director Brad Lentfer has been a part of the company’s story since leaving school, before pursuing his aviation engineering career, which included time in the UK as a helicopter engineer. Supporting commercial and private helicopter operators across New Zealand with unmatched engineering expertise, Rotorcraft today employs 12 staff and manages maintenance routines for nearly 60 helicopters. “We’re unique in the fact we have our own in-house avionics manager in Simon Mortby, who is a licensed, rated and experienced avionics specialist,” says Tracey. “Sets us apart a bit, because other engineering businesses rely on outside avionics contractors, but here, it’s all under one roof.” Rotorcraft is an accredited service agent and installer for Garmin and AeroLED, offering full navigation and communications upgrades and rebuilds. The family-owned company is an MPI-approved facility with experience in helicopter container devanning and inspection for importing and exporting. They also partner with the Civil Aviation Authority for the issuing of airworthiness certificates. Rotorcraft offers one of the most comprehensive service ranges in the country for helicopter owners, covering everything from routine maintenance to major upgrades. “We can handle all aspects of helicopter maintenance and airworthiness reviews, as well as repairs and modifications to full rebuilds. We’re an experienced and wellequipped team,” Tracey says. Services include helicopter maintenance and defect rectification, modifications, avionics, airworthiness inspection and precision repainting of components and rotor blades. The company also provides 24/7 emergency breakdown support, ensuring operators are never grounded longer than necessary. Farmers and commercial operators can rely on Rotorcrafts expertise to keep them operational. As a leader in helicopter maintenance and avionics, Rotorcraft continues to keep New Zealand’s commercial helicopter fleet safe, reliable, and ready for lift-off. 107a Hautapu road, Cambridge Email: office@cominsplumbing.co.nz Phone: 07 823 7263 Web: www.cominsplumbing.co.nz Plumbing, Drainage & Gasfitting Specialist Proud to support
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