YOUR SAFETY
Responsible Tourism in New Zealand
Safety & Comfort are at the Heart of Everything We Do
We are at the forefront of pushing forward responsible tourism.
Heliview understand that simply flying in a helicopter can be an adrenaline rush. While we want to assure you that we understand this and take your safety and comfort during a scenic flight with us to heart. We will always fly sensibly and smoothly.
Passengers frequently comment on how much they enjoyed their sight-seeing trip with us and how smooth the helicopter is. Not only do we ensure that the helicopter is as tracked and balanced as possible, your pilot is also very good at reading the weather conditions and keeping out of turbulence. Or at least pre-warning you if it absolutely cannot be avoided. Additionally, by their very nature, helicopters are better at absorbing turbulence than small fixed wing aircraft. Either way, you’ll love your trip.
As a CAA licenced Part 135 operators, we are very proactive in our maintenance, planning and re-current pilot training. We operate under strict procedures developed for every type of helicopter task we perform. These procedures are all documented in our Operations Manuals and regularly audited by the Civil Aviation Authority.
All of our passengers will receive a clear briefing on basic helicopter safety and location of emergency equipment specific to the type of flight experience that you have chosen. Here is a sample safety briefing for one of our scenic flights:
Heliview Flights have also embraced a new safety software: Auditz; a powerful online Safety Management System. The software helps ensure every area of our business is compliant with health and safety legislation and industry best practice.
Qualmark
Qualmark is New Zealand tourism’s official quality assurance organisation, providing a trusted guide to quality travel experiences. It is designed to identify professional and trustworthy operators to enable international and domestic visitors to book and buy tourist products and services with confidence.
Qualmark makes it easy for travellers to select high quality places to stay, things to do and ways to get around. When you see a business displaying the Qualmark symbol you can be assured that the business has met stringent quality standards and environmental criteria – earning New Zealand Tourism’s official quality mark.
Qualmark incorporates the official silver fern icon and eligibility to use the mark is determined by an onsite assessment. This assessment looks at all of the aspects of a tourism business’s operations that affect the quality of a customer’s experience, including customer service, facilities and equipment, safety, and welfare and business practices.
A Qualmark business operates in an ethical, professional and environmentally sustainable way. A Qualmark rating also serves as an independent validation of insurance, safety and regulatory requirements.
Heliview Flights have been an Endorsed Visitor Activity since starting up in 2005. In 2010 Heliview Flights was the first helicopter company in New Zealand to be awarded the newly introduced Enviro Silver classification which further scrutinizes a business’s sustainable tourism practices. An Enviro Silver rating represents “exceptional levels of resource management and social responsibility”.
What We Do to Help the Environment
At Heliview Flights we understand that all businesses create environmental and social impact through their activities. Ours is no exception. We will try to actively reduce any adverse effects through flying wisely, using resources efficiently, disposing of waste responsibly, and providing an environmentally and socially responsible experience to our clients.
We undertake to:
- Train our pilots to fly and operate in accordance with the “Fly Neighborly Guide” as written by the Helicopter Association International.
- Train our staff and make customers aware of our environmental commitment and how they can be involved.
- Strive for continued improvement in these areas.
- Promote the benefits of environmental and social responsibilities to our clients.
We also pledge to apply the following principles across all aspects of our business:
- Avoid polluting land, air and water.
- Avoid depleting natural, non-renewable resources.
- Avoid destroying habitat.
- Treat staff, suppliers and customers fairly and with respect.
The Tiaki Promise
Sustainability and responsible tourism doesn’t stop with the the operator and the people who live here; the visitor can greatly help in this respect as well.
New Zealand is precious, and everyone who lives and travels here has a responsibility to look after it.
The Tiaki Promise is a commitment to care for New Zealand, for now and for future generations.
By following the Tiaki Promise, you are making a commitment to New Zealand. To act as a guardian, protecting and preserving our home.
