Our Northern Region Rescue Helicopters

The aircraft we use are two twin-engine IFR Eurocopter AS365NZ Dauphins fitted with a two-man rescue hoist. The cabin layout allows for a two-patient stretcher fit, easily accessed by the medical attendants. The choppers are thirteen metres long and the enclosed fenestrons (tail rotors) allow them to be easily manoeuvred for confined area landings. As a result the Dauphins are ideally suited to aero medical and rescue operations in the region.

The acquisition of a second aircraft in May 1996 (combined with the far-sighted purchase of spare parts in 1993 and 1994) gave us the opportunity to provide a helicopter 24 hours a day, every day of the year. This has been done by undertaking scheduled maintenance on both helicopters at planned intervals, guaranteeing there will be a helicopter on line at all times.

The second aircraft brought a new dimension to the service and improved our efficiency without exposing the local community to debt. Although we have two aircraft, we do not operate a dual response operation because the costs of training and employing additional crews are too high for this region.

The only circumstances when the two helicopters could be in use at the same time would be in the event of a major disaster where the use of second helicopter was paramount (provided a pilot and crew was available).

In 2004 the service purchased the first of its current helicopters, and our latest acquisition was in 2007. The aircraft now being used are the Eurocopter Dauphin AS365NZ.

More Details

• Helicopters: Eurocopter Dauphin AS365NZ.
• Call Signs: VH-LRC or LIFESAVER 2 - VH-LHR or LIFESAVER 4
• Engines: Twin Turbomeca Arrial 1C2 Free Turbine Engines
• Maximum Weight: 4250kg
• Maximum Range : 280 Nautical Miles (with reserves intact)
• Average cost of a mission: $8,500 (hourly)
• Fuel: Jet A1
• Fuel usage: 375 litres per hour
• Max Fuel Load: 1135 litres
• Duration or Maximum flight hours on fuel: 2 hours
• Flight Speed: 140 knots (cruise)