Latest from Royal NZ Air Force

Chopper pilot flew into 'a river of tracer fire'

With bullets kicking up dust in front of him and insurgent rounds pinging off his helicopter cockpit, every fibre in Flight Lieutenant Ben Pryor's body told him to flee

Flight leader 'haunted' by crash

A relieved Air Force flight lieutenant says he is still "haunted'' by a helicopter crash on Anzac Day 2010 that killed three crewmen and seriously injured a fourth.

Pilots back action of flight leader

A military tribunal has heard from more than a dozen pilots that the actions of a lead pilot on the morning of a fatal air crash were reasonable.

Anzac Day crash: Standard orders treated like guidelines

A military tribunal has been told an Air Force helicopter squadron treated standard orders like guidelines that gave good "generic guidance" rather than absolute orders to obey before a fatal crash three years ago.

Case to answer over crash

A co-pilot in a formation involved in the fatal crash of an Iroquois helicopter three years ago has a case to answer, a military tribunal has decided.

Pilots flew below minimum levels

A co-pilot in a formation involved in the Anzac Day crash says a "good proportion" of 3 Squadron pilots were outside standard orders when flying into rough weather.

Air Force squadron warned before fatal crash, tribunal told

An Air Force squadron was warned before a fatal helicopter crash on Anzac Day three years ago that the practice of flying under low cloud contravened Air Force rules, a tribunal was told today.

Anzac Day crash pilot followed training

A pilot leading a formation of Air Force helicopters during the Anzac Day tragedy was following his training in flying below low hanging cloud, a tribunal has been told.

Anzac Day tragedy: Not guilty plea

The pilot in charge of a formation of Iroquois helicopters when one of the choppers crashed on Anzac Day has pleaded not guilty to a charge of negligence.

High tech planes fight crime

Military warned: No cover-ups

Military bosses were told "it is important the RNZAF does not cover up" its illegal shipment of pyrotechnic canisters which endangered hundreds of lives.

Sweeping safety shakeup for air force

Safety systems across the entire air force are in for an overhaul after an independent review into the Anzac Day crash found greater change was needed.

Crash recommendations 'not enough'

The 78 recommendations made after an inquiry into the Anzac Day Iroquois crash are not enough to prevent another tragedy, an independent review says.

New Air Force training aircraft to be sought

The Defence Ministry is about to begin seeking tenders for new training aircraft for the Air Force.

'Lessons learned' from Anzac Day chopper crash - Defence chief

Air Force didn't want hotel costs

Three airmen killed in an Anzac Day helicopter crash were on a one-hour flight because it was considered too expensive to accommodate them in a hotel.

Dept error reaches victim's family

The Defence Minister sent inaccurate details to the family of an Anzac Day crash victim after his military officials were misled by staff at the old Department of Labour.

Air crews await GPS beacons

A key safety change which would help the air force find its staff after crashes has yet to happen even though it was recommended after a fatal accident.