HNZ Australia Has Ceased Flying Out of Mackay Airport - Airbus H145 Helicopters VH-ZRP & VH-ZRU Wrapped up and Ready for Export

On Friday 8 April, HNZ Australia Airbus Helicopters MBB-BK117 D-2 H145 chopper VH-ZRU was spotted wrapped up and ready for export in their hangar at Mackay Airport.

It is believed that fellow HNZ Australia Airbus Helicopters MBB-BK117 D-2 H145 chopper VH-ZRP is contained in the box behind its sistership.

It seems that HNZ Australia has now lost its contract to provide transport to marine pilots etc to the Blossom Banks Anchorage out of and back to Mackay Airport.

HNZ Australia's two bright yellow choppers - VH-ZRP and VH-ZRU - started flying out of Mackay Airport only in mid-2019.

A file photo of VH-ZRU

At the time, these two brand new-production choppers had only recently arrived in Australia from Germany and were registered in mid-April in 2019.  VH-ZRU (c/n 20179) is ex-D-HADI(10), while VH-ZRP (c/n 20149) is ex-D-HNUB.

HNZ (Helicopters New Zealand) is headquartered in Nelson, New Zealand and operates helicopters from 8 locations throughout New Zealand, Australia, South East Asia and Antarctica. They Operate in support of a range of multi-national companies and government agencies, including onshore and offshore oil & gas, mineral exploration, marine pilot transfer services, military support, charter services, utilities and flight training.

To find out more about HNZ Australia visit their website:  http://www.hnzglobal.com/

Photos taken by 'AC' and 'JM'  ©

HNZ Australia Starts Flying out of Mackay Airport to Blossom Banks with Airbus H145 Helicopter VH-ZRU

As expected, on Monday 27 May, locally-based HNZ Australia commenced flying from Mackay Airport to the Blossom Banks and back.  This sees the start of a contract to fly marine pilots from Mackay Airport to nearby ships.

File photo

HNZ Australia Airbus Helicopters MBB-BK117 D-2 H145 chopper VH-ZRU (pictured above) operated the first flight having spend the previous few weeks completing a series of local test flights.

VH-ZRU is joined on the Australian aircraft register by fellow H145 helicopter VH-ZRP which seems to have also recently taken to the air to complete test flights.

As mentioned previously, these two brand new-production choppers have recently arrived in Australia from Germany and were registered in mid-April this year.  VH-ZRU (c/n 20179) is ex-D-HADI(10), while VH-ZRP (c/n 20149) is ex-D-HNUB - as pictured below.

HNZ (Helicopters New Zealand) is headquartered in Nelson, New Zealand and operates helicopters from 8 locations throughout New Zealand, Australia, South East Asia and Antarctica. They Operate in support of a range of multi-national companies and government agencies, including onshore and offshore oil & gas, mineral exploration, marine pilot transfer services, military support, charter services, utilities and flight training.

To find out more about HNZ Australia visit their website:  http://www.hnzglobal.com/

We wish HNZ Australia all the very best with this new venture!

Photo taken by 'JM'  ©

New HNZ Australia Airbus Helicopters MBB-BK117 D-2 H145 VH-ZRU Spotted Completing Test Flights at Mackay Airport

On Monday 13 May, local plane spotter 'JM' was at the right place at the right time to capture our first photos of the brand new HNZ Australia Airbus Helicopters MBB-BK117 D-2 H145 chopper VH-ZRU as it returned to Mackay Airport after completing a local training flight.

As mentioned below, HNZ Australia has taken delivery to two brand new H145 helicopters at Mackay Airport - VH-ZRP is the other and is yet to take to the air - and will soon start regular flights after reportedly securing a contract to fly marine pilots from Mackay Airport to nearby ships.

With training flights now well and truly underway, proper flying operations should commence fully in the coming weeks.

HNZ (Helicopters New Zealand) is headquartered in Nelson, New Zealand and operates helicopters from 8 locations throughout New Zealand, Australia, South East Asia and Antarctica. They Operate in support of a range of multi-national companies and government agencies, including onshore and offshore oil & gas, mineral exploration, marine pilot transfer services, military support, charter services, utilities and flight training.

To find out more about HNZ Australia visit their website:  http://www.hnzglobal.com/

We wish HNZ Australia all the very best with this new venture!

Sincere thanks to 'JM' for taking the time to capture and send through these great photos!

All photos taken by 'JM'  ©

HNZ Australia to Start Flying out of Mackay Airport with a Pair of Airbus H145 Helicopters VH-ZRU and VH-ZRP

Over the course of this week, a 'new' brightly painted yellow helicopter has been noted flying around Mackay Airport. Research reveals that this is one of two newly registered and delivered Airbus Helicopters MBB-BK117 D-2 H145 choppers registered VH-ZRU.

The chopper is registered to HNZ Australia and has been joined on the Australian aircraft register with fellow H145 helicopter VH-ZRP which is yet to take to the air.  The two brand new-production choppers have recently arrived in the country from Germany and were registered in mid-April this year.  VH-ZRU (c/n 20179) is ex-D-HADI(10), while VH-ZRP (c/n 20149) is ex-D-HNUB - as pictured below.

HNZ Australia has reportedly secured a contract to fly marine pilots from Mackay Airport to nearby ships. They are due to start training flights any day now with flying operations commencing fully in the coming weeks.

HNZ (Helicopters New Zealand) is headquartered in Nelson, New Zealand and operates helicopters from 8 locations throughout New Zealand, Australia, South East Asia and Antarctica. They Operate in support of a range of multi-national companies and government agencies, including onshore and offshore oil & gas, mineral exploration, marine pilot transfer services, military support, charter services, utilities and flight training.

To find out more about HNZ Australia visit their website:  http://www.hnzglobal.com/

We wish HNZ Australia all the very best with this new venture!