New helicopter increases capacity for expanding Christchurch company
The newly arrived AS350 B3 Squirrel in Garden City Helicopters company livery.
The addition of a new Eurocopter AS350 B3, heli-lift helicopter
to the Garden City Helicopters
fleet of aircraft will dramatically increase both commercial
lifting capacity and flight availability for the Christchurch-based
company.
The new B3 'Squirrel' helicopter which began operations with the
company last weekend, has the ability to carry sling loads of
between 1200-1400kg, as opposed to the normal 750kg maximum with BA
or twin-engined Squirrels.
"This gives us a major advantage over other local operators",
says Garden City Helicopters General Manager, Mr Simon Duncan.
"It will also will help us to deliver superior customer service by
having two operational Squirrels available in Christchurch", he
says.
Garden City Helicopters is also the operator of the Westpac Rescue
Helicopter and regularly uses other aircraft in its fleet to
supplement Emergency Medical Services and Search and Rescue
operations.
"The recent increased demand on our rescue services have, on
occasion, stretched our ability to provide a constant service to
our many commercial clients", says Mr Duncan. "The B3 adds a new
capability into the market place with it's heavy lift advantages
and allows us to deliver an additional helicopter to meet the
demands on our business . With the dry summer months ahead, the B3
also provides greater fire-fighting effectiveness with a heavier
monsoon-bucket capacity ".
This is the third recent addition to the Garden City fleet, with
a King Air C90 fixed-wing aircraft added earlier this year.
This aircraft will mainly be used as an air ambulance based out of
the company's Nelson operation, but which is also available for
private charter. Also recently added is a twin engine BK117 - B2
rescue helicopter which has also gone to Nelson for EMS
work.
The increase in demand for all services, from air rescue
operations to commercial work and tourism charter has resulted in
the company preparing for further expansion with the construction
of new, larger hangar and operational facilities at Christchurch
Airport.
Construction of the multi-million dollar facility is expected to
begin early in 2012 with completion expected mid-year.
Simon Duncan
General Manager
Garden City Helicopters
515 Memorial Avenue
Christchurch Airport
Phone: 03 358 4360
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