Safety awards presented to Palmy North company

Multiple safety awards presented to Palmerston North company

Media Statement
17 September 2009
For immediate use

12 pilots and engineers from Palmerston North based aviation company, Helipro, were last night presented with safety awards at a function at Parliament.

The gold and silver star awards were presented by the Aviation Industry Association (AIA) and were for reaching 15 and 10 years incident free flying respectively.

Helipro CEO, Rick Lucas, said the awards recognised the skill and quality of the individual pilots and he was delighted to see them honoured in this way.

Mr Lucas said Helipro has a very strong focus on systems and training and constantly strives for safety and excellence in all flying operations.

“For example this week pilots and crew who will be fighting fires in NSW this summer have been out practicing and being audited on winching techniques,” he said.

Helipro is now one of New Zealand’s largest aviation companies with helicopter bases in Rotorua, Taupo, Palmerston North, Wellington, Nelson and Christchurch, and a helicopter and fixed-wing training school at Paraparaumu.

The company carries out a wide range of flight operations from sight-seeing and training to live power line work and search and rescue.

Gold Star recipients

Tim Barrow – pilot, Rotorua
Toby Clark – pilot, Taupo
Shamus Howard – pilot, Palmerston North/Paraparaumu
Paul Greene – pilot, Palmerston North
Rick Lucas – pilot, Wellington/Palmerston North
James McKinstry – pilot, Wellington
Andy Shearer – pilot, Christchurch
Regan Graham – pilot, Christchurch
Dave Johnson –engineer, Palmerston North
John Page – engineer, Palmerston North

Silver Star recipients

Kent Wilson – pilot, Christchurch
Mark Mackay – pilot, Palmerston North

ENDS

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