46 | Well-resourced to assist farmers Outside of its Herbert base, Central South Island Helicopters has helicopters conveniently located at Omarama. The company’s range of certified lifting equipment is suited to most operations. Russell Fredric Strategically located, Central South Island Helicopters is well-resourced to offer a considerable array of services, both around its home turf and beyond, including overseas. Based in Herbert, the business has been owned by Matt and Nicola Brown for the past eight years, but was first established three decades ago. The company offers the flexibility of having a fleet of five helicopters which allows for the most appropriate and efficient operation in the situations they work in. Its workhorses are two Airbus AS350 Squirrel’s and two McDonnell Douglas 520N Notar machines which are complemented by the only Bell UH-1 Iroquois “Huey” in the South Island. The Squirrel is an ideal all-round machine and carries up to six passengers. It can externally lift up to 800 kilograms while the nimble Notar is used for lifts under 600 kilograms. A feature of the Notar is that its system for anti-torque and directional control replaces the conventional tail rotor, increasing safety margins for some operations. These machines’ core work includes agricultural spraying, fertiliser application and pest control. As Aircare and Growsafe accredited operators, Central South Island Helicopters are fully committed to maintaining extremely high standards in its business and operational practices. Outside of its Herbert base, Central South Island Helicopters has helicopters conveniently located at Omarama. “Our helicopters are equipped with certified spray gear suitable for brush weed spraying, crop spraying, forestry and liquid fertiliser application. This gear can also complete patch spraying and spot gun spraying for scattered patches of gorse and broom and other noxious weeds.” Central South Island Helicopters’ spreader buckets have completed many thousands of hectares of fertiliser, lime, seed and bait application, with continuous improvements made to them along the way to improve accuracy and reliability for sowing a wide range of products. The company’s range of certified lifting equipment is likewise suited to most operations which can include hut installation and removal, air conditioning units, wire stringing, fencing equipment, gravel work, general cargo and more. It employs three full-time pilots which are supplemented by a pool of contract pilots that are drawn upon during busy seasonal periods. RURAL SERVICES » Central South Island Helicopters Matt holds an E and D category instructors rating which enables him to train pilots for agricultural and helicopter type ratings and last December he passed the agricultural flight examiners rating which means he is now able to sign off and issue agricultural ratings. Matt has been involved in multiple operations including airborne surveying, agricultural training and island pest eradication projects. He has flown in Australia, Antarctica, China, and South America. Central South Island Helicopters has an accident and incident-free safety record, but this is never taken for granted and Matt uses his experience and qualifications to provide ongoing training and currency for his pilots, whether full-time or seasonal. The currency applies both to the helicopter types and the type of work being undertaken and Matt ensures this strong safety culture is an ongoing focus in the business’ operations. The winter agricultural offseason provides the opportunity to complete required maintenance, and the size of fleet the company operates helps to facilitate this as well as providing the capacity to complete jobs quickly with multiple machines if needed during weather windows. It is also creates an operational window to be involved in overseas projects. This work has included working on Macquarie Island, Lord Howe Island and the Galapagos Islands.
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