Our People:
Toby obtained his commercial helicopter license at the age of 19 and since then has gained a vast range of skills and experience. Such flying includes:
- Air Transport, Agricultural and Flight Training in New Zealand
- Locust Survey, Powerline Inspection and Flight Training in Australia
- Gas and Oil Support & MIA in Papua New Guinea
- Seismic Exploration in Alberta, Canada
Toby loves flying and aims to carry on the Reid family tradition of flying helicopters in the Nelson and upper south regions.
Bill began flying in 1973 initially on live venison recovery, then on to other ventures such as powerline construction in Hong Kong, spraying in England, and exploration work in Papua New Guinea. Bill then started his own company in Nelson in 1983 and ran this business for over 20 years while building a reputation second to none with his clients and within the helicopter industry.
Bill now acts as Reid Heslop Helicopters Check and Training pilot and also as an active line pilot. At the same time Bill is steadily progressing with his Avro Anson WW2 bomber project. Once he has completed the project it will be the only flying Mk1 Anson in the world.
Lloyd Heslop has an extensive background in aviation as a gyrocopter flight instructor and is now training to become a helicopter pilot. Lloyd brings to the company his experience and knowledge of industrial engineering and helps the company to provide their remote engineering services. Lloyd also acts as the company’s Quality Assurance Manager.
Rachael obtained her Commercial Helicopter Pilots License in 2006 and now flies as a line pilot for the company. Rachael has previous experience in helicopter tourism operations and customer relations. Rachael is passionate about flying and also has a family background in the industry.
Our Fleet:
Our Eurocopter AS350FX 'Squirrel' is capable of carrying up to 6 passengers and an external load capacity of 900kg. We have a 1200lt fuel and support trailer, fire bucket, concrete bucket, and all lifting support equipment.
Our Robinson R44 Clipper II is capable of carrying up to 3 passengers. We have a fuel trailer, all lifting support equipment and cargo pods available. The R44 is the perfect machine for passenger transport and general survey work with efficient operating costs compared with light turbine helicopters. This machine is fitted with pop out floats for extended over water operations.
Our Robinson R22 Beta II is used predominantly for flight training but is also available for single passenger air transport operations. The R22 is a very useful pest control tool and also useful for high country mustering. This helicopter is capable of an external load of 150kg and we also offer an external cargo pod for bulky equipment.
In memory of John Reid “Mr. Helicopter”
John is the first generation of Reid helicopter pilots. He obtained his license at the Canterbury aero club in 1937 and then went on to fly the highest performance fighter plane of WW2, the Hawker Tempest.
After working as a helicopter test pilot for British European Airways John returned to New Zealand to begin Helicopters New Zealand in 1955. He ran the company to its success until 1983. John passed away in 2005 but his legacy lives on.
