Rudolf the Red Nose Helicopter ?!!

Another festive season is around the corner which can only mean one thing...another summer of flying adventures!! However we've also had a reasonably busy winter. 

Heli Winter Happenings..

Riaan has been busy learning the ropes as an instructor and has successfully passed his supervision period with flying colours. He has been thrown right in at the deep end teaching Ian Hair all his theory subjects twice daily. Its nearly got to the point where Ian might claim squatters rights in the far corner of the briefing room!! Riaan bless him has also supported Movemeber - a true gunslinger Mo has been grown these past few weeks - a cross between a slug and a squashed possum!

Paula has been busy fielding enquiries from all corners of the globe, whilst trying to set up a new accounting package for us and planning our White Island/Hawkes Bay trip...Shes also been battling her way through some of the exams and taking her motorbike license!! Thankfully she declined to participate in Movember!!!

Steve has started to get busy as summer approaches in his full time role with North Shore Helicopters but still does some much valued part time instructing for us with a handful of students.

Some of you would have seen a new face around the last week or so. Art Kowlaski an experienced B Cat, is with us till the end of January to help us out before going on to work full time at the Grand Canyon. He has a funny accent, but doesn't bite and is a great relief for some of Roy's students!!

As for the CFI - he's battling his way through his Instrument exams and learning to fly fixed wing. Bouncing down the runway in a 152 is causing much hilarity to the plane jocks who smell revenge in the air!! Roy was also extremely lucky to get to ride one of the Navy's Sea Sprite Helicopters! A great aircraft and huge thanks go to 6 Squadron at Whenuapai for the opportunity.

Apart from that he has kept himself up to mischief by successfully completing another Targa Rally this time in the Dad's Pie Porsche. He also plans to ride to Cape Reinga with mate Rick Martin who has ridden from Bluff to raise awareness for Prostrate cancer - check out the website www.brotherhood.org.nz

here's some of the summer highlights to look forward too..

• 6th Dec 08 - Open day for all budding helo jocks to come and say hi and look around our great facilities
• 2nd - 13th Feb 09 - Start of the 2 week PPL Theory Courses 
• 20-22nd Feb 09 - White Island - East Cape - Hawkes Bay - West Coast trip. So far 7 helicopters are confirmed for this much anticipated 3 day unique trip
• 26th March 09 - NZ Helicopter Championship 2009 - Pit your skills against the best in this great annual event.

Now What???

One of the most frequently asked questions is "what do we do once we've got the license"? Having committed a huge amount of time, energy and money, a lot of students disappear, never to be seen again??!!!

Over the years, we try to impress on all our students that gaining your PPL (H) it's just the beginning...it's a big tick in life's rich tapestry, but it should be just the start of many memorable flying experiences. Whether you dream someday of owning your own aircraft, or you want to fly over a game reserve in Africa...most, if not all of your dreams are now possible.

Sure not everyone can afford to buy their own helicopter, but you may want to consider going in a syndicate which keeps the cost down but the flexibility high. We are also, one of only a few companies which actively encourage our students to lease our machines to go and discover some of the most stunning scenery on the planet... the only real limitation, is how big are your dreams????

Whatever stage you are at in your training, start to make a list of all the things you would want to do once you have achieved your goal. Set your sights high and discount nothing. You may want to go on and complete your CPL, not because you want to work in the industry, but because it will upskill you. Similarly you may want to do some of our speciality courses, again to push yourself and improve your own ability. I highly recommend the mountain and hook courses - it will improve your confidence and ability out of sight.

On the fun side, think of all the places you could go and visit in NZ - plan a trip to the South Island - take part in one of our competitions - take a loved one to a great lodge for a night - take part in some of the many fly-ins or air-races throughout the country. Then, once you start to get the thought juices flowing, start to think wider afield - convert your license in another country and then enjoy the universal opportunities it will open up for you.

So in a nutshell - the sky really is the limit - dream big, make lots of plans and then go for it !!! Never stop flying until you can't hoist your butt into a chopper...

Life really is a journey - think how much fun you could have by flying through some of it !!!

Have a fantastic holiday season and we look look forward to seeing you over the summer.

Cheers

Roy and all the NSHT team