Friday, 19 August 2022
Meet the JournalistsPremiumAucklandWellingtonCanterbury/South Island
CrimePoliticsHealthEducationEnvironment and ClimateNZ Herald FocusData journalismKāhu, Māori ContentPropertyWeather
Small BusinessOpinionPersonal FinanceEconomyBusiness TravelCapital Markets
Politics
Premium SportRugbyCricketRacingNetballBoxingLeagueFootballSuper RugbyAthleticsBasketballMotorsportTennisCyclingGolfAmerican SportsHockeyUFC
NZH Local FocusThe Northern AdvocateThe Northland AgeThe AucklanderWaikato HeraldBay of Plenty TimesHawke's Bay TodayRotorua Daily PostWhanganui ChronicleStratford PressManawatu GuardianKapiti NewsHorowhenua ChronicleTe Awamutu Courier
Covid-19
Te Rito
Te Rito
OneRoof PropertyCommercial Property
Open JusticeVideoPodcastsTechnologyWorldOpinion
SpyTVMoviesBooksMusicCultureSideswipeCompetitions
Fashion & BeautyFood & DrinkRoyalsRelationshipsWellbeingPets & AnimalsVivaCanvasEat WellCompetitionsRestaurants & Menus
New Zealand TravelAustralia TravelInternational Travel
Our Green FutureRuralOneRoof Property
Career AdviceCorporate News
Driven MotoringPhotos
SudokuCodecrackerCrosswordsWordsearchDaily quizzes
Classifieds
KaitaiaWhangareiDargavilleAucklandThamesTaurangaHamiltonWhakataneRotoruaTokoroaTe KuitiTaumarunuiTaupoGisborneNew PlymouthNapierHastingsDannevirkeWhanganuiPalmerston NorthLevinParaparaumuMastertonWellingtonMotuekaNelsonBlenheimWestportReeftonKaikouraGreymouthHokitikaChristchurchAshburtonTimaruWanakaOamaruQueenstownDunedinGoreInvercargill
NZ HeraldThe Northern AdvocateThe Northland AgeThe AucklanderWaikato HeraldBay Of Plenty TimesRotorua Daily PostHawke's Bay TodayWhanganui ChronicleThe Stratford PressManawatu GuardianKapiti NewsHorowhenua ChronicleTe Awamutu CourierVivaEat WellOneRoofDriven MotoringThe CountryPhoto SalesNZ Herald InsightsWatchMeGrabOneiHeart RadioRestaurant Hub

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.
New Zealand

New chopper unveiled for rescue squad - bigger, faster and imported from Italy

4 Feb, 2019 07:30 AM2 minutes to read
A look at the new 'very powerful, stable and responsive' Westpac helicopter.

A look at the new 'very powerful, stable and responsive' Westpac helicopter.

By
Chelsea Boyle

Chelsea Boyle is a reporter for the New Zealand Herald

VIEW PROFILE

Details of the brand new Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter have been unveiled.

The twin engine AgustaWestland AW169 helicopter, imported from Italy, will now be flying the sky in Auckland with a top speed of 160 knots.

Pilot James Tayler said there might only be about 100 across the world.

"There is nothing close to it."

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.

Tayler said over the years the nature of the rescue work they did had changed.

"We bring the hospital to the patient," he said.

The new helicopter gave paramedics more room to work on the patient during flight, he said.

It was roomy enough it afforded the possibility of taking two patients at a time.

But that would be the exception to the rule, Tayler said, adding a second or third helicopter would be called in before they resorted to taking that measure.

Colleague and fellow pilot Johnny Stanton said it was more likely the helicopter would take multiple patients in the event of a "massive" natural disaster.

Related articles

New Zealand

'Scratched head to toe': Xion's gruelling night lost in bush

22 Oct 09:03 PM
New Zealand

Baby's miraculous ocean rescue: What happened next

07 Nov 04:00 AM
New Zealand

Talented sportsman's life cut short in Meadowbank bus crash

17 Jan 04:00 PM
New Zealand

Broken bones, miracle baby

31 Jan 04:00 PM

Stanton said the improved visibility from the larger windows would be one of the advantages added to their search and rescue capability.

The navigational systems also calculated the best flight path to search, he said.

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.

The additional fuel the AW169 carried had also extended the timeframe the helicopter could remain in the air during a search from two to nearly three hours.

Both pilots praised the way the machine handled.

"I still can't believe someone pays me to do something I love so much," Tayler said.

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.

Latest from New Zealand

New Zealand|Crime

Mum still relives frightening sprint into darkness with children

19 Aug 04:04 AM
New Zealand

Young candidate hopes to lead Nelson Council

19 Aug 05:59 AM
Premium
BusinessUpdated

Adrian Orr accepts mortgage rates could fall next year

19 Aug 05:40 AM
New Zealand|CrimeUpdated

Jealous lover: Woman torches partner's house, causes up to $165k in loss

19 Aug 05:21 AM
New Zealand|Crime

Manurewa homicide: Children's remains in suitcases case reported around the world

19 Aug 04:55 AM

Most Popular

Premium
Cecilia Robinson rejoins My Food Bag board amid 'deeply disappointing' share price
BusinessUpdated

Cecilia Robinson rejoins My Food Bag board amid 'deeply disappointing' share price

19 Aug 05:32 AM
Premium
The former bankers taking a bite out of the $110 billion business lending market
BusinessUpdated

The former bankers taking a bite out of the $110 billion business lending market

19 Aug 05:22 AM
Jealous lover: Woman torches partner's house, causes up to $165k in loss
New Zealand|CrimeUpdated

Jealous lover: Woman torches partner's house, causes up to $165k in loss

19 Aug 05:21 AM

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.
About NZMEHelp & SupportContact UsSubscribe to NZ HeraldHouse Rules
Manage Your Print SubscriptionNZ Herald E-EditionAdvertise with NZMEBook Your AdPrivacy Policy
Terms of UseCompetition Terms & ConditionsSubscriptions Terms & Conditions
© Copyright 2022 NZME Publishing Limited
TOP