Westpac Rescue Helicopter BK-117-B2, Garden City Helicopters Christchurch

The Westpac Rescue Helicopter BK 117 B2 : ZK HJC

Westpac Rescue Helicopter

The Westpac Rescue Helicopter in Christchurch is a BK-117-B2 ZK-HJC. It is operated by Garden City Helicopters and proudly sponsored by Westpac Banking Corporation.
Westpac's involvement began when it was approached in 1981 by pioneer rescue helicopter pilot, the late Peter Button, to sponsor the Wellington service. More than 20 years later, Westpac is now the main sponsor of the Wellington, Auckland and Christchurch Rescue Helicopters and the Waikato Air Ambulance. Combined, these helicopters fly around 2000 missions each year.

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Note: This video (approx duration 3 mins / no sound) shows the Westpac Rescue Helicopter operating around the Canterbury and West Coast Region. It contains some images of motor vehicle accidents and other emergency situations. VIEWER DISCRETION IS ADVISED

Helicopter Specifications

Twin Engine - Allied Signal LTS101-750B-1
Shaft Horsepower Take Off - 500 HP-(OEI-600 for 2.5 mins,

550 for 30 mins)
Shaft Horsepower Max continuous - 430 HP per engine

(OEI - 500)
Crew - 1
Passengers - 6
Gross Weight - 3350kg
Empty Weight - 2143kg - including hoist, 02 and crew seating
Useful Internal Load - 1207kg
Hook Weight - 1200kg

Length - 13.00m
Width - 2.70m
Height - 3.36m
Rotor diameter - 11.00m
Max speed - 150 knots
Cruise speed - 110 knots
Fuel burn-off - 300 ltr/hr
Range - 540 kilometres
Hover at M.A.U.W. at I.S.A. :
I.G.E. - 15,000 ft if less than 3,000kg, 10,000 ft if more than 3,000kg
O.G.E. - Tail rotor limited - OAT vs Altitude = Max TQ
Service ceiling - 17,000 ft (Density altitude)

Please note: These figures are provided as a guideline only. Performance varies with changes in temperature, altitude and operational activity.

Helicopter Equipment

The Westpac Rescue Helicopter has a replacement cost of $6.2 million, excluding the rescue, medical and avionics equipment it carries. There is well over $1 million of equipment installed in this rescue helicopter.

Westpac Rescue Helicopter

A few examples of some of the specialist equipment used:

2-man Breeze Winch - $250,000
Nightsun - (Scene Illumination Equipment ) - $60,000
Auxiliary Fuel Tanks - $70,000
GPS (Global Positioning System) - $12,000
Propaq Monitor (Diagnostic Apparatus) - $38,000

High Definition Night Vision Equipment
Specialised avionics and communications equipment
– cell phones, radios etc
Electrocardiograph Defibrillator
Pulse Oximeter
Oxygen Equipment
Several varieties of splints
Scoop and rescue basket stretchers
Assorted ropes/harnesses/karabiners
General medical supplies (bandages/syringes/saline solution etc.)
Life raft/life jackets/survival packs

The rescue helicopter is regarded as a fully equipped intensive care unit in the sky. It has everything you would find in the back of a road ambulance, and more.

Westpac Rescue Helicopter BK-117-B2, Garden City Helicopters Christchurch, The Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue Trust provides an air ambulance and rescue service for people needing urgent medical care from The Westpac Rescue Helicopter Christchurch, Solid Energy Rescue Helicopter Greymouth & the NZ Flying Doctor Service Christchurch.

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