Key Facts
| Current Title: |
| Southern Lakes Helicopters |
| English Title: |
| Southern Lakes Helicopters |
| Abbreviation: |
| SLH |
| First Established: |
| n/a |
| ICAO Code: |
| (None) |
| Country: |
| New Zealand |
| Status: |
| Active |
History
Narrative Summary
Unlike the other rescue helicopters in New Zealand, the service for the Te Anau and Queenstown area is not provided by a charitable trust but by a commercial operator – Southern Lakes Helicopters. These helicopters are dual-role commercial charter and rescue and so do not have a full medical cabin.
Southern Lakes Helicopters provide medical evacuation services throughout the Fiordland, Southland and Stewart Island regions. They are also well equipped for medivacs and rescues from the Southern Ocean. They are a certified Air Rescue and Air Ambulance operator and are on call 24/7. Given the remoteness of parts of these regions and the distance from emergency medical services, the service they provide is often critical. Being equipped and acredited to carry out missions using night vision goggles means they are able to respond to emergency situations both day and night.
Key Dates
| 1977 | Southern Lakes Helicopters first established. | |
| 19?? | First rescue mission. |
Current Status
Southern Lakes Helicopters is fully operational.
Future Plans
No plans known.
Markings
Special Markings
Southern Lakes helicopters operate in an overall white colour scheme with a grey-red-grey fuselage cheatline.
Aircraft Serial Numbers
The helicopters carry New Zealand civil aircraft registrations.
Unit/Base Codes
Coding system not used.
Aircraft
Aircraft Designations
None – Manufacturers designations used
Current Aircraft Inventory
| Aircraft Type | Total Del’d | Total Active | Still on Order | Role |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aerospatiale AS350B2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | Utility/Search & Rescue |
| Aerospatiale AS350B3 | 2 | 2 | 0 | Utility/Search & Rescue |
All-Time Aircraft Used List
| Aircraft Type | Quantity | Service Entry | Out of Service | Origin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aerospatiale AS350B2 | 1 | ? | current | France |
| Aerospatiale AS350B3 | 2 | ? | current | France |
Aircraft NOT Used
No false reports known.
Aircraft Losses and Incidents
None known.
Organisation
Main Headquarters
Southern Lakes Helicopters, Lakefront Drive, PO Box 156, Te Anau 9640, New Zealand.
Organisational Structure
No subordinate units.
Current Unit Assignments
No subordinate units.
Historical Unit Assignments
Not applicable.
All-Time Flying Units List
Not applicable.
Air Bases
Current Air Bases
The helicopters are based at Te Anau Airport.
All-Time Air Bases Used List
As above.
More Information
Books
None known.
Magazines
To be added
Websites