Country Helicopters Ltd

Santa 🎅 upgraded his sleigh 🛷 for the day for Midway Surf Lifesaving Club 🏄‍♂️

🎄🎄MERRY CHRISTMAS🎄🎄

🎄🎄Thank you for your support & we look forward to seeing you in the new year 🎄🎄

Be safe out there team :-)

To put it bluntly, of 11 agricultural workplace fatalities in 2023, 45% of those happened in November and December. Eight of those 11 people were over 50.

This December, we want nothing more than for you to be home safe for Christmas and be able to enjoy some slower summer days with the family. Sadly, those working in high-risk industries (of which agriculture is one) are also now entering into one of the most dangerous times of the year.

We covered this topic in depth in the past weekends AgLetter but in summary:

💤 Get enough sleep. Waking up early to beat the heat can be detrimental if you aren't getting that time back during other parts of the day

🍺 Don't get carried away with the booze. We know it's the festive season but making decisions, getting restorative sleep and operating heavy machinery doesn't mix well with alcohol.

🐢 Don't rush. We know you have pressures from every angle, dinners to attend, family at home, but safety and slowing down trumps the risk that rushing can bring.

📱 Be aware of distractions within yourself and your team. Focus on the task at hand, put the phone down.

💦 Drink 2-3 litres of water a day! More if outside working in the heat. Add electrolytes if you feel you need something more and are sweating regularly.

🗣️ Check in on your mates and look out for unusual behaviour.

Feel yourself getting overwhelmed? Stand still for a few moments and really take some deep long breaths. Hyperventiliation or long periods of shallow breathing can really add to the feelings of stress and anxiety - don't knock it until you've tried it!

A few seconds of thought or planning can save days, weeks, months or a lifetime of harm for you, your family or your team.

Stay safe team.

Please share this post.
It's now extremely dry out there in the Kopūtūtea area of Tairawhiti.
This prohibited 🚫 fire season is until further notice.
Your local fire brigade members would also like some down time over the festive period.
Please go to
www.checkitsalright.nz for more information.

Bit of fire fighting for the team this week. As if it wasn’t hot enough already! 🥵🔥

TEAM PHOTO 🚁🚁

Better late than never, we might be the 12th month but we finally got our 2024 team pic!!

From Left - Finley Potts, Al Jenkins, Josh Masemann, Chris Easton, George Spence, George Hight-Darling, Henry Ellingham, Pete Blake, Boogie Johnston, Cleo Rothschild

CREW UPDATE

Pictured are Josh Masemann (Groundcrew) and Henry Ellingham (Pilot).

Josh has been with us for almost 2 years, he has his commercial licence & will start his Ag Rating this month. We look forward to seeing him permanently in the pilot seat early 2025!

Henry is from Gisborne & has just returned from the Wairarapa where he has been flying for the past 2 years. He worked as Groundcrew for us prior to that, he is rated in both the Robbie & the 500. He’s hit the ground running & it’s great to have another local lad in our crew 🚁 😊

New brochure: Flying your drone safely

A drone is an aircraft, so if you fly one, you’re a pilot.

Check out our new brochure for information on:
• general rules for flying drones
• training
• areas where you can and can’t fly drones
• preflight checklist

Find out more in the drones section of our website: https://www.aviation.govt.nz/drones/

Be safe out there - pilots check your NOTAMs & drone users follow CAA rules!

**WE ARE HIRING - HELICOPTER GROUNDCREW**

JOB DESCRIPTION:
**Loading chemicals and fertilisers
**Maintenance and cleaning of equipment
**Driving utes to remote sites
**Rigging loads to be lifted by the helicopter
**Early mornings, varied hours with weekend work required. This job is at times very physical, be prepared for early starts,
**Experience in aviation is not vital, all training will be given.
**Must be honest, clean and tidy, reliable, a team player, with a good work ethic & positive attitude. Essential that you are a good communicator, can work in a team but are also able to work independently.

MUST HAVE:
*NZ Residency or valid NZ Work Visa
*Full Driver’s License
PREFERENCE IF YOU HOLD THE FOLLOWING:
*Dangerous Goods Endorsement
*Chemical Handling Certificate
*Approved Handler Certificate
*Current First Aid Certificate

A pre-employment drug and alcohol test will be required.

This job could suit a pilot with a CPL wanting to gain more experience in the industry. We will consider applicants without all the above certificates if they have good credentials and references.

If you have any questions regarding the position call George 0212686879 or email your CV to [email protected]

Our wonderful pilot Nick Bradshaw is on the move!
Nick and his family have decided to head back to Hawkes Bay where they are both from.

Nick has been with Country Helicopters since 2020. He has played a pivotal role in daily operations of Country Helicopters and is going to be missed not only by us, but all our clients and friends that he has made during his time in Gisborne.
He will be finishing up at the end of the month but hopefully will be back to share a farewell drink with us all at the Country Heli car boot stall at Gisborne’s A&P Show!
We would love to see you all there!!!

For all your future requirements, we are very fortunate to have Chris Easton moving into Nicks role. His number is 021 363 121 or alternatively you can contact George on 021 268 6879

You never know when you or a loved one will need this precious service, the Eastland Rescue Trust needs all the funds it can get its hands on.
Good luck to those bidding at the upcoming charity auction!

Bayleys - proudly supporting Trust Tairawhiti Eastland Rescue Helicopter for over a decade!
Don’t miss out on winning this romantic weekend away at the Bayleys Annual Auction Event next Friday! Huge thanks to and for your generous donation 🙌

George found a friend this morning!

Prize up for grabs for the first person to correctly identify this guy!

Fresh off the press from groundcrew George H-D this morning - Mount Hikurangi looking stunning with a dusting of snow!

Community spirit - best of luck for tomorrows sale Grant & Sue 🐂