The crew on the West Coast are often dealing with the most challenging of conditions and an average mission length is longer due to the vast distances. We are blessed to now have Westpac NZ as our associate sponsor; this new level of support underpins the service on the West Coast. The Critical Care Paramedics on the coast are the highest qualified medical resource available for the community. In areas like the West Coast, when there is an emergency, the Westpac Rescue Helicopter is the only option and can be the difference between life and death.
We extend a sincere thank you to ROA Mining for their significant support of the service over 13 years. Their generous commitment ensured that the West Coast community had access to this vital emergency response capability. ROA Mining will continue to support their community through their sponsorship of the New Zealand Flying Doctor Service. This sister service to the rescue helicopters is a regular visitor to the West Coast transporting patients between hospitals to the higher acuity care they need.
Left to right – Hernan, Peet, Joshua, Tom, Dazza
As well as fundraising to support missions on the West Coast we are working on a number of exciting projects to improve patient care and save more lives. Very soon, the existing BK-117 will be replaced with a state-of-the-art H145 helicopter that will have more advanced avionics. This will facilitate Instrument Flight Rules (IFR), allowing the crew to fly in lower cloud conditions, enabling the rescue helicopter to respond in more compromised weather conditions – a real game changer for the West Coast. This will be accompanied by equipment upgrades and advanced training, so the crew are fully prepared for all missions.
Mission support
Can you contribute to the cost of a mission or fund a lifesaving mission?
You can support a complete mission
1 mission- $5,000
2 missions – $10,000
4 missions – $20,000.
Or give a monthly gift – $20, $3o, $50, or your choice
Special Projects Development Fund
The West Coast community is currently served by a twin engine BK117-B2 rescue helicopter, but the H145 is on its way soon.
| MAKE/MODEL | BK-117 – B2 |
| ENGINE | Twin Allied Signal, LTS101-850B2 |
| SHAFT HORSEPOWER | 850 HP each engine |
| CREW | 1 pilot, 2 paramedics |
| MAX SPEED | 150 knots / 280kph |
| CRUISE SPEED | 120 knots / 222kph |
| RANGE | 540 kilometres |
| SERVICE | 1 HELICOPTER AND CREW ON CALL 24/7 |
| MISSIONS | 300+ AVERAGE PER YEAR |
Our community and corporate sponsors are greatly valued. Without their support our service would not be able to operate. The Canterbury West Coast Rescue Helicopter Trust gratefully acknowledges the following companies whose generous support contributes to the efficient operation of a viable FREE Rescue Helicopter Service in our region.
Are you ready for what’s to come?
Start your new year safe in the knowledge that your future, and your family’s future, is protected.
Make sure you have an up-to-date will.
It’s the simplest way to make sure you’re prepared for whatever the new year will bring.
We offer a 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 writing service through New Zealand’s top-rated free wills platform. No strings attached. Just a future-ready 2026.
Find out more here: www.airrescue.co.nz/legacy
Or see the link in our Linktree
Before Bryan Beeston hits a milestone birthday, he wants to do something for him and his health.
Being a Rescue Warrior is it.
This retired dairy farmer, originally from England, started his biking journey 10 years ago. Since then, Bryan`s cycled trails in New Zealand and overseas, but the Rescue Warriors` ride down the length of New Zealand is special as it`s for a charity close to his heart.
“𝗜 𝘀𝗲𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗰𝘂𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗼𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗹𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲. 𝗪𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝗼 𝗹𝘂𝗰𝗸𝘆 𝘄𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗰𝘂𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗼𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲; 𝘄𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘂𝘀 𝗺𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝘁.”
Read Bryan`s story here: https://www.airrescue.co.nz/stories/bryan-beeston-rescue-warrior-eight/
The rescue helicopter crew are on deck 24/7 ... that means they`re working today!
Every day, there are two rescue crews working with one crew staying overnight at the GCH Aviation Air Rescue Base ready for any middle-of-the-night rescue missions - and they do happen!
From the rescue helicopter crews and the team at the Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue Trust, we wish you all a very Merry Christmas.
And to all first responders working today, thank you for spending your festive season keeping your communities safe.
@gchaviation
Have you seen the new helicopter out in the regions? She`s taken to the air and we would love to get some pictures of her out and about.
Photos of IGI would also be fantastic.
See the link in our bio
@gchaviation
