Mid West Helicopters now servicing Tararua
Kieran’s experience is what sets him above a lot of other people. He’s professional and precise, according to local farmers.
Mid West Helicopters are now servicing Tararua and Central Hawke’s Bay. Pilot Kieran Heney joined Mid West at the beginning of this year but has been flying around Dannevirke for the last three years.
“Mid West Helicopters NZ is one of New Zealand’s newest Helicopter Companies, made up of some old and familiar industry names,” says Shannon Carr, CEO.
“What was originally Hill Country Helicopters and Aerowork has merged and rebranded with an energetic, enthusiastic team providing all types of Helicopter services to the central and lower North Island.
“Our emphasis on safety has been applauded by CAA who recently acknowledged the fact that we have one of the best Safety Management Systems they had seen, something we pride ourselves on.
“We currently operate ten helicopters and plan to be able to cater better for those demanding periods when the weather is against us. Operating those ten helicopters are nine pilots that come with over 40,000 combined hours on various helicopter types and operations. “We intend on continuing all our services while improving on technology and equipment, which comprises of various helicopters from AS350s down to H300.
“Our aim is to be one of the safest most professional Helicopter Companies in the country while making sure we remain costeffective,” she said.
Kieran Heney grew up on the West Coast of the South Island. His father was a helicopter pilot and instructor, involved in venison recovery. Kieran flew (with assistance) his first helicopter at the age of 12 years old.
He started his training in 2004 and completed his commercial licence in 2008, going on to load as ground crew for a helicopter company in Southland for a couple of years. Then he started as a pilot in Fiordland, shooting deer for over three years. He undertook an agricultural rating with specialised training for spraying and fertiliser, six years ago.
Kieran has been flying out of Dannevirke with 4,000 hours of flying time, giving him plenty of local experience. “We can lift anything from 300kg to 1,000kg, we’ve got the gear available to do it, we are a one-stop-shop.
“The Robinsons are cheaper to run, which makes me far more competitive for small work. They are brilliant for spraying, having only two blades and creating fewer vortices. Aerial culling is also cheaper, due to being fast and manoeuvrable.
“We specialise in spraying, spot spraying, top dressing fertiliser - solid and liquid, lifting work, pest control, seeding and fire lighting. For forestry, we can lift trees, carry out spraying and releasing and have access to two 24,000 litre trucks, designed for spraying.
“We mix the chemicals off-site, drive into the forest and land on top of the truck on its helipad. There is no mess, no mixing on-site to avoid contamination. We’re filling a hole in the market as there is so much work available,” he said.
Contact Kieran on 027 728 3644 or 0800MIDWEST.