Articles
Media Releases
Sponsorship support is vital for helicopter rescue (May 2007)
The Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue Trust relies heavily on the generous support of a large number of individuals, businesses and service organisations to ensure the service continues to provide the high level of expertise and efficiency that the community relys on. Read full article...
Westpac Rescue Helicopter Facts and Figures (May 2007)
The Westpac Rescue Helicopter is a twin-engine BK117-B2, weighing 3,350kgs and carrying a maximum of 720 litres of fuel. It has a replacement cost of well over $6.2 million, excluding the rescue, medical and avionics equipment it carries. Read full article...
The following articles and commentaries have appeared in past issues of the Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue Trust magazine - "Airwaves"
Articles are available for reproduction but should be credited as:
"Article reproduced courtesy of Airwaves - the Magazine of the Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue Trust (Issue Date)"
From 111 to Rescue (Airwaves Issue 1 April 2006)
For many people, the reassuring sound of the helicopter’s arrival signals the beginning of the long road to recovery. But that’s not where the rescue actually begins. Read full article ...
The Ups and Downs of Winching (Airwaves Issue 1 April 2006)
For most of us, dangling on the end of a thin wire thirty feet in the air would be harrowing enough - but try doing it beneath a three tonne roaring helicopter and the aptly named ‘nappy-harness’ you are wearing takes on a whole new meaning. Read full article ...
Escaping Down Under (Airwaves Issue 1 April 2006)
Imagine yourself firmly strapped into a helicopter seat, wearing a flight helmet, communications plugged in and flightsuit on. Read full article ...
Wild, Wild West (Airwaves Issue 2 October 2006)
The West Coast of New Zealand’s South Island has some of the most varied terrain anywhere in the world. The dense native bush, towering alpine peaks and rugged coastline combine with extreme weather patterns to make piloting a rescue helicopter in this region, challenging to say the least. But it’s also the place some say helicopter rescue came of age - on April 28th, 1995 when 14 people died at Cave Creek after the collapse of a viewing platform. Read full article ...
Down on the Farm (Airwaves Issue 2 October 2006)
Just after Christmas 1998, farmer Dave Clouston was crushed under a 300kg haybale, breaking his spine in half. Today, Dave is a Westpac Farm Consultant and at a recent Supporters Club Function he shared his remarkable story of survival and his thoughts about the Westpac Rescue Helicopter and the people who came to his aid. Read full article ...
Making the Grade (Airwaves Issue 3 June 2007)
Every rescue mission is different, each one presenting new challenges. But with people’s lives at stake, rescue crews must be ‘on their game’ every time. That means following a strict schedule of training to prepare for every eventuality. Read full article ...
Night Vision (Airwaves Issue 3 June 2007)
Our Search and Rescue capability has increased dramatically thanks to sophisticated new technology which allows our pilots and crews to literally see in the dark. Read full article ...
No Pressure (Airwaves Issue 4 December 2007)
In June this year, five staff from the Christchurch Air Retrieval Service travelled to Auckland to experience first hand, what life is like without oxygen at 18,000 feet. Read full article ...
When the Saints go flying in (Airwaves Issue 4 December 2007)
No matter how they reach you, the paramedics on board a rescue helicopter or a road ambulance are just what the doctor ordered. Read full article ...
Self Help (Airwaves Issue 5 Autumn 2008)
More and more air rescue operations are in response to emergencies where victims are completely unprepared or ill-equipped for the activity they are undertaking. Read full article ...
Under our Wings (Airwaves Issue 6 Spring / Summer 2008)
In the skies above New Zealand, a dedicated team of health professionals provide a 24 hour lifeline that links patients to critical medical care facilities- and they don’t even qualify for Frequent Flyer points! Read full article ...
The Rescue Winch (Airwaves Issue 6 Spring / Summer 2008)
An in-depth look at some of the specialist equipment, vital to the operation of our rescue helicopter services. Read full article
Letitia's Story (Airwaves Issue 6 Spring / Summer 2008)
Businesswoman and mother Sarah Davies lives on the doorstep of Christchurch’s Hagley Park and is used to the Westpac Rescue Helicopter passing overhead. Read full article
Cantabrians and Coasters keep digging deep for rescue choppers (Airwaves Issue 6 Spring / Summer 2008)
Cantabrians’ and Coasters’ charitable spirit is alive and well – they have dug deeper than ever during this year’s Westpac Chopper Appeal Read full article
Website Opens a Window into our Operations (Airwaves Issue 6 Spring / Summer 2008)
Educating and informing the general public of the work we do is one of the most important aspects in reaching our fundraising objectives - Read full article
Lost: Common Sense (Airwaves magazine - Issue 7, Winter 2009)
Missing in numerous locations throughout the country over Summer 2009. Many hours and vast funds have been spent searching for it, but so far to no avail.
If found, please let the teams and resources of New Zealand’s rescue organisations know, so they can respond accordingly. - Read full article
Bringing Home the Beacon (Airwaves magazine - Issue 7, Winter 2009)
Emergency beacons, transmitting on the new 406 MHz frequency, reduce the search area by 97% which greatly increases not only your chance of being located - but also your chances of survival. Read full article
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