The team has given up its beloved BK-117 helicopter, ZK-HNP, to take possession of a helicopter that has a bit more grunt and a more powerful winch.

“HNP has served us very well but demand has been increasing in those areas,” says base manager/critical care flight paramedic Richard Curtis.

“However, our original helicopter is still absolutely fit-for-purpose so we may be able to use it as a cover aircraft in the future.”

The new helicopter is again a BK-117 which, as a twin-engined model, is regarded as a safe option for rescue and emergency situations.

It operates under the registration tag ZK-IIX; is owned by Philips Search and Rescue Trust; and is leased to the Eastland team via its operations company Search and Rescue Services Limited (SRSL).

IIX’s greater winch capability offers the team more options when lifting multi-part loads including patients and critical care flight paramedics, along with heavy equipment.

It also brings the added bonus of an extra 100 horsepower — making it a bit more nimble — and has been well tested in rescue missions around the North Island.

With its black and white markings, the helicopter looks similar to the Trust Tairāwhiti Rescue Helicopter’s existing aircraft and work is underway to apply the distinctive livery of the team’s valued sponsors.

“We’re grateful to have access to this upgraded helicopter,” says Eastland Helicopter Rescue Trust spokesman Ian Parker. “It’s a step towards our goal of securing the Instrument Flight Rules-capable aircraft that will be a giant leap forward for rescue services in our region.”

From the team’s perspective, Richard Curtis says being able to secure the greater-capacity helicopter aligns the Tairāwhiti service with the rest of the SRSL fleet.

“The changes may seem minor,” he says, “but any improvements we can make around both flying and clinical operations are a really big deal.”

CAPTION: TESTING: Trust Tairāwhiti Eastland Rescue Helicopter pilot James Easterbrook and crewman Leah Kortez were quick to carry out a training mission to test out their new in-hangar aircraft.

MISSION LOG: The Trust Tairāwhiti Eastland Rescue Helicopter completed six missions in the seven days from Monday, September 2:

— September 3, 9.50am — The team responded to a medical event at Tolaga Bay flying the patient in stable condition to Gisborne Hospital.

— September 4, 5pm – They were dispatched to a motor vehicle accident at Matawai, from where the patient was flown in critical condition to Gisborne Hospital.

— September 5, 10am — The team was called to a medical event at Ruatoria, flying their patient in stable condition to Gisborne Hospital.

— September 6, 5am — The Trust Tairāwhiti Eastland Rescue Helicopter carried out an inter-hospital transfer, flying a patient in stable condition from Gisborne to Waikato.

— September 7, 4am — The team responded to a medical event at Tolaga Bay, flying their patient in stable condition to Gisborne Hospital.

— September 8, 6.30am — They were recalled to the East Coast for a medical event at Ruatoria, from where they flew their patient in stable condition to Gisborne Hospital.