"Westpac Rescue 2"

[ZK-KAG]

Heya!

I was just around Ardmore the other day and outside the Oceania Helicopters hangar, I saw the near complete 2nd BK-117 for the ARHT.

ZK-HLN will also now be Westpac Rescue 2...

Here are a few shots I took while they were preparing for an engine run...





And this one while they were performing the engine tests:



It will be cool to see the second chopper buzzing around... Although I still look forward to the Bell 212!!!

~ZK-KAG~


EDIT: It has red and white striped upper blade surfaces! That looks so cool from above when spinning!

[Naki]

I thought they were getting a Bell 412?

Paul

[FlyingKiwi]

Hmm I saw it there yesterday, was wondering what it was doing there. It went out for a couple of quick circuits while I was watching.

[deaneb]

This is the replacement for the current 117. They are not getting a 412 as the expense and size cannot be justified.

Deane

[ardypilot]

What is happening to the 117?

[ZK-KAG]

I thought they were getting a Bell 412?

They are, but not yet. From what I heard is they are getting this BK-117 in the meantime while they continue to raise funds for the 412... I am open to correction though.

Trolly HHV is still flying, they have 2 now

[squirrel350]

Removed

[ZK-KAG]

So no more HHV????

[FlyingKiwi]

Here's a photo of -HLN in the air; quality's not the best thanks to the poor lighting conditions that are a constant annoyance on Ardmore afternoons.

[ZK-KAG]

This was on the news last night... Its a pretty mean machine, equipped with TCAS and Autopilot..

One News - Westpac's new chopper

Better times ahead I reckon

~ZK-KAG~

[ardypilot]

Awesome stuff- I have just noticed all helicopters seem to have ZK-H** as there rego. Why is this?

[Craig]

Awesome stuff- I have just noticed all helicopters seem to have ZK-H** as there rego. Why is this?

H and I caa rules..


Ask Scott ( squirrel ) for more info

[ZK-KAG]

I have just noticed all helicopters seem to have ZK-H**

Yep this is true trolly. All NZ registered helis with ZK- are all ZK-H** however the newer ones are now ZK-I**. This helps to identify the type of aircraft when flying.

Gliders have the designation ZK-G**. And as far as I know Microlights and gyrocopters are ZK-R**.

Hope that helps

[squirrel350]

Removed

[ardypilot]

Thanks for that info Craig and Keagan, I guess that is why the rego markings on the outside of the choppers are usually only two letters long, with no need to put the 'H' at the beginning.

[squirrel350]

Removed

[ardypilot]

however the newer ones are now ZK-I**. This helps to identify the type of aircraft when flying.

Spotted this I** reg at NZUN:

A Hughes 369E, of Edgewood Holdings Limited, Epsom

I also saw a red and yellow chopper fly over the mountains while I was bush walking near Tairua last Friday, thought it might have been the new Rescue #2

[Bandit]

IRD - you sure that's not who the owner is?

Poor owner that's an unfortunate Reg number to have. But a great talking point, bet they teased over that one.

[kiwiflyboy]

I saw HHV being placed onto a flat bed truck outside airwork ardmore the other day (monday iirc) stripped bare of everything....... i can only assume it was HHV as it was a BK117 in westpac colours, but was missing EVERYTHING, windscreens and all.... i can only assume it ran out of airframe hours and what can be salvaged for spares has been........

[squirrel350]

Removed