Night vision equipment is considered crucial by the industry, and helps helicopter pilots literally see in the dark. But reports from the US that an airman and his mother have been charged with stealing the equipment and selling it have sparked an inquiry here. "We've contacted every known holder of night vision goggles and asked them to supply us with copies of all their documentation relating to the acquisition of their goggles," says the CAA's John Fogden.
3 News understands the Northland Emergency Services Trust is at the centre of the investigation. The Trust says it bought six sets of goggles from an Auckland man who purchased them over the internet.
"I admire his entrepreneurial spirit; it's just a shame that he got flummoxed by some people in America who have given him goggles which may be questionable," John Bain, Northland Emergency Services Trust Chairman says.
But not all operators are quite so forgiving; Wellington based Helipro says it bought two sets of goggles from the Northland Emergency Trust. Helipro says it has been asking for months to see evidence that the goggles were supplied legitimately, and it is now taking legal action.
"We are not happy. We purchased these from what we thought was a reputable supplier the chairman of a rescue helicopter trust and now there are questions being raised about the validity of these units," says Rick Lucas, CEO of Helipro. The Westpac Lifeflight Trust in Wellington says it has got verification that its goggles are legal.
But because of security issues, it took a long time to get them. For that reason, some companies looked elsewhere. The concern now is that diplomatic relations and a future supply of the equipment could be in jeopardy.
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