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High flying birthday present for Queenstown aviation company
Media release from Kershaw Aviation Group
10 November
2011
A Queenstown aviation company that specializes in the high altitude mineral and exploration industries is celebrating its first year of operation with the purchase of a Eurocopter AS350 B3.
The Kershaw Aviation Group Head Office is located at Terrace Junction Queenstown but the company works exclusively offshore – its major contract is in Indonesia where it works with joint venture partner Airfast Indonesia.
Operations Manager and director Josh Kershaw said the team had committed to buying its first Eurocopter as part of the company’s growth trajectory.
Known for its performance, versatility, safety and ability to operate in hot conditions and very high altitudes, Mr Kershaw said the new Eurocopter demonstrated the success of the venture so far.
“Our job is to provide air support for the Grasberg Mine which is the world’s largest gold mine, third largest copper mine and the world’s highest open pit mine.
“We face major challenges from weather, altitude and dense jungle on a daily basis as we support up to 5 drill rigs collecting core samples. We provide a life line to these drilling platforms.
“The new Eurocopter is just perfect for the job and we wouldn’t have made this substantial financial commitment if we didn’t believe there was further growth in the exploration sector
“To date we’ve completed more than 1800 hours of flying in the highlands of West Papua province in Indonesia and as a result of our strong working relationships with our client and partner, we expect these numbers to grow.
“We’re experts in the exploration field and there are plenty of opportunities for us to expand in this area.”
Mr Kershaw said six Kiwi pilots supported by five Kiwi engineers are flying extraordinary altitudes as they work on one of the highest drilling operations in the South Pacific.
“We are a globally driven New Zealand owned business operating from Queenstown that has the skills in-house to think well outside the square. We are set up to provide helicopter solutions worldwide,” he said.
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