Thread: Heli Costs

Hi all

Wanting to know what the basic costs are for a Heli trip into and out of the Kawekas (from Napier/Hastings) for two adults and one kid? Trying to get an idea before I pitch it to the boss. Also who do people use from HB?

Cheers

Rossi

Originally Posted by Rossiwiz

Hi all

Wanting to know what the basic costs are for a Heli trip into and out of the Kawekas (from Napier/Hastings) for two adults and one kid? Trying to get an idea before I pitch it to the boss. Also who do people use from HB?

Cheers

Rossi

Looking forward to response/prices on this - as I am very outdated on Rates
Can we have South Island too please

Chris Crosse at East Kaweka Helicopters is the man. He's based in Puketitri. I've flown with him on multiple occasions and always happy with the service. He's also very knowledgeable and will help you pick a decent spot and might even give toy a few tips on how too hunt it.
The three of you should fit in his 500 no problems and I'd expect to pay about $350 each for a return flight.

Originally Posted by Sarvo

Looking forward to response/prices on this - as I am very outdated on Rates
Can we have South Island too please

James Scott, Fox n Franz/Alpine Adventures, very reasonable.

Kim Hollows, Fiordland Heli, also very reasonable.

Neal Andrews, Precision Heli Blenheim, very reasonable

Simon Lawn, Ahaura Heli, very reasonable, but I try avoid Robinson heli's...

Everyone else I have come across have been a bunch of thieving buggers, not to say service wasn't good but crazy pricing compared to some

Helicopters hawkes bay

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If heading to Fox & Franz I would put suggest

Mike Glynn of
Welcome to Mountain Helicopters - scenic flights over Mt Cook, Mt Tasman, Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers, New Zealand

I did an hour with him last September. Was impressed with attention to detail, safety briefing etc, weights all noted (rifle, pack and people), fuel load etc all reported by radio before take off.
If you want to get anal (but remember most Helicopter pilots by the nature of the terrain have the odd incident) google the company name

The 500ME is cheaper than the larger squirrels and will land in tighter spots.
Re Costs I have an idea the 500's were at about $18-1900 per hour and don't forget that a 15 minute flight in and pick up 3 days later is 1 hour's charge out as the pilot has to fly that 15 minutes 4 times.
The larger squirrels at $22-2500 per hour.
Zane

ps check the load limits as well. Particularly think about weight of meat, skin and heads you want to bring out.

Originally Posted by ZQLewis

If heading to Fox & Franz I would put suggest

Mike Glynn of
Welcome to Mountain Helicopters - scenic flights over Mt Cook, Mt Tasman, Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers, New Zealand

I did an hour with him last September. Was impressed with attention to detail, safety briefing etc, weights all noted (rifle, pack and people), fuel load etc all reported by radio before take off.
If you want to get anal (but remember most Helicopter pilots by the nature of the terrain have the odd incident) google the company name

The 500ME is cheaper than the larger squirrels and will land in tighter spots.
Re Costs I have an idea the 500's were at about $18-1900 per hour and don't forget that a 15 minute flight in and pick up 3 days later is 1 hour's charge out as the pilot has to fly that 15 minutes 4 times.
The larger squirrels at $22-2500 per hour.
Zane

ps check the load limits as well. Particularly think about weight of meat, skin and heads you want to bring out.

Nah.... for example we flew into a spot up past top butler on the coast, flying md500, flew from harihari so James Scott had to fly up there first from his base in Franz, pick us up, fly us in, then flew back and picked up other two hunters (went in two loads four of us altogether with heaps of gear) then picked us up 10 days later in a squirrel (flew us out in one trip) and fly the squirrel back to franz again. Cost us 300 each total

That sounds like pretty good value! @Ryan_Songhurst

Originally Posted by SGR

That sounds like pretty good value! @Ryan_Songhurst

I reckon James looks after his clients especially once you have used him a few times, but I have been impressed with his service and prices from day one and despite what some naysayers may say I have always felt real safe with him and any of his pilots and have been in a few sketchy situations!

Just looking back through accounts as got heli in a few months back to chuck some fert on as it was too wet for a truck, $1200/hr for jetranger plus ground crew and bucket hire charge and I believe the jetranger is on par with md500 for maintenance and running costs?

Can definitely recommend James Scott for trips on the coast, good price, excellent service, knows his stuff and his territory, and has gone out of his way to work backloads etc for us each time we've used him. And likewise for his other heli operation, Tekapo Helicopters. Plus he doesn't do helihunts, and he doesn't fly 1080, both a big plus in my book.

There's no such thing as a cheap turbine helicopter. Unfortunately the running and maintenance (DMC) cost of an average "500" has escalated significantly in recent years. You will find they're more likely to cost almost the same as a good "BA" Squirrel.

Originally Posted by Husky1600

Can definitely recommend James Scott for trips on the coast, good price, excellent service, knows his stuff and his territory, and has gone out of his way to work backloads etc for us each time we've used him. And likewise for his other heli operation, Tekapo Helicopters. Plus he doesn't do helihunts, and he doesn't fly 1080, both a big plus in my book.

He does do AATH.

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Originally Posted by R93

He does do AATH.

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AATH and WARO, yes.

Originally Posted by R93

He does do AATH.

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

AATH and WARO, yes.