Rescue helicopter gets a lift
A new remote-controlled landing platform will help the Nelson Marlborough Rescue Helicopter get in the air more quickly.
The state-of-the-art platform was bought by the helicopter trust thanks to a $96,500 community grant from Pub Charity that distributes gaming machine funds from hotels across the top of the south.
Trust general manager Paula Muddle said the helicopter’s old platform was in dire need of repairs and maintenance.
That platform, on forklift wheels, had be towed into place by a small tractor.
The new landing platform was manufactured in Greymouth by Quality Machining who have built various platforms for other rescue helicopters throughout the South Island.
After rigorous testing at Greymouth Airport to ensure the platform met strict operational parameters, it was trucked to Nelson.
Carl Babe, flight crew check and training manager at GCH Aviation which runs the rescue helicopter, said not having to rely on a ride-on tractor to push it out was a lot more seamless.
It allowed the crew to move the machine where it was best placed to take off, and was a “much more user friendly system that will save time.”
“We can also jack this up five degrees so we can fuel the helicopter and turn it around faster to respond to the next mission.”
A fully laden rescue helicopter weighed about 3.5 tonnes, so the platform had to be robust.
The trust are now looking for around $2000 in funding for a back-up remote control transmitter for the platform. If you can help, please email paula@helirescue.co.nz.
By Warren Gamble, Nelson Mail
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