We Love A Good Story // Here is Ours So Far
Milford Helicopters is operated by our sister company Te Anau Helicopter Services. Below is our story so far...
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Te Anau Helicopter Services Ltd is locally owned and operated by Gaven and Jennie Burgess. After years of flying for other company's they took the leap to go out on their own in 2014 and haven't looked back. Located at the Te Anau Manapouri Airport we think it's prime location to showcase Fiordland. At the start in the days of only having one daughter, two pilots and two helicopters it seemed busy...little did we know how fast we would grow!
Gaven and Jennie's number two daughter was a special arrival in 2015. This was also a busy year spent flying, creating memories and meeting many wonderful clients.
In 2016 Fraser joined the team and so did our Hughes 500 helicopter. We developed as a business and spent many hours flying around Fiordland and beyond.
2017 was the year we grew super fast. At the start of the year Staci made the office her new home. Pilot Greg started to help Gaven and Fraser with flying. August was when Gaven and Jennie's youngest daughter was born. Not long after pilot Paul moved to live in Te Anau and join our team. Blake signed on as ground crew and October saw the addition of ZK-IMY our B3E Squirrel helicopter. It was a busy year to say the least!
2018 we expanded our services and altered our experiences to make sure we are showing you Fiordland at it's best!
2019 has been going at a whirlwind speed so far! We have added our new Booking Office in Te Anau in the summertime. We are located in front of the Distinction Luxmore Hotel in the big red building - call in to visit our friendly team! Our latest addition to the team can be seen here if it's not out on a transfer. Our limo (which is painted the same as our Squirrel helicopter) is an eye catcher that's for sure! Pilot Mike has joined our team and so has Helen who has come on board to help with admin.
So now in 2020 with six pilots, support staff and the team in the office we have expanded to who we are today - a supportive and dedicated team who all love aviation, Fiordland and Stewart Island! Having recently added Milford Helicopters to our line up we are super excited for the new adventure ahead.
We are now offering a large variety of services including helicopter scenic flights, experiences, day packages and transfers throughout the stunning scenery of Fiordland including Milford Sound, Stewart Island and beyond. We also provide a range of commercial services, hunting and fishing transport and also flight training.
We are forever expanding what we offer and all look forward to the growth in the many years to come. We have some pretty special ideas up our sleeves. Watch this space as they come to light.
Throughout all of our growth one aspect will always remain the same with us. At Te Anau Helicopter Services and Milford Helicopters, we strive to provide a safe, efficient and memorable experience for our clients. We put the clients needs first and foremost and will endeavour to achieve the high standards we work by.
Milford Helicopters is operated by our sister company Te Anau Helicopter Services. Below is our story so far...
---
Te Anau Helicopter Services Ltd is locally owned and operated by Gaven and Jennie Burgess. After years of flying for other company's they took the leap to go out on their own in 2014 and haven't looked back. Located at the Te Anau Manapouri Airport we think it's prime location to showcase Fiordland. At the start in the days of only having one daughter, two pilots and two helicopters it seemed busy...little did we know how fast we would grow!
Gaven and Jennie's number two daughter was a special arrival in 2015. This was also a busy year spent flying, creating memories and meeting many wonderful clients.
In 2016 Fraser joined the team and so did our Hughes 500 helicopter. We developed as a business and spent many hours flying around Fiordland and beyond.
2017 was the year we grew super fast. At the start of the year Staci made the office her new home. Pilot Greg started to help Gaven and Fraser with flying. August was when Gaven and Jennie's youngest daughter was born. Not long after pilot Paul moved to live in Te Anau and join our team. Blake signed on as ground crew and October saw the addition of ZK-IMY our B3E Squirrel helicopter. It was a busy year to say the least!
2018 we expanded our services and altered our experiences to make sure we are showing you Fiordland at it's best!
2019 has been going at a whirlwind speed so far! We have added our new Booking Office in Te Anau in the summertime. We are located in front of the Distinction Luxmore Hotel in the big red building - call in to visit our friendly team! Our latest addition to the team can be seen here if it's not out on a transfer. Our limo (which is painted the same as our Squirrel helicopter) is an eye catcher that's for sure! Pilot Mike has joined our team and so has Helen who has come on board to help with admin.
So now in 2020 with six pilots, support staff and the team in the office we have expanded to who we are today - a supportive and dedicated team who all love aviation, Fiordland and Stewart Island! Having recently added Milford Helicopters to our line up we are super excited for the new adventure ahead.
We are now offering a large variety of services including helicopter scenic flights, experiences, day packages and transfers throughout the stunning scenery of Fiordland including Milford Sound, Stewart Island and beyond. We also provide a range of commercial services, hunting and fishing transport and also flight training.
We are forever expanding what we offer and all look forward to the growth in the many years to come. We have some pretty special ideas up our sleeves. Watch this space as they come to light.
Throughout all of our growth one aspect will always remain the same with us. At Te Anau Helicopter Services and Milford Helicopters, we strive to provide a safe, efficient and memorable experience for our clients. We put the clients needs first and foremost and will endeavour to achieve the high standards we work by.
Meet Our Team // Specialist and Dedicated
Gaven is an experienced pilot with over 9500 hours in helicopters from scenic flights, flight training, search and rescue, Department of Conservation work, transfer and tracking of Kakapo, Takahe and Kiwi, wild animal management, mustering stock, hunting & fishing tours, fire fighting, heavy construction flying, Fiordland lobster support and Fiordland Coastal Clean-up member. Gaven is the CEO of Te Anau Helicopters.
Jennie is a fixed wing pilot who has flown in Fiordland for the previous 6 years, and has also flown aircraft overseas. She has run a fixed wing business based in Fiordland before starting Te Anau Helicopter Services with Gaven. Raising their 3 children now (also keen future aviators), Jennie runs the administration and flight co-ordination side of the business.
Staci Lawson is a key member of the Te Anau Helicopter Services, Staci deals with administration, bookings, aircraft tracking, marketing and general day to day running of the operation. Most likely the one you will talk to if you give us a call. Recently she has been spending her time making website updates and advertising material. In all seriousness the pilots think she was employed to make them coffee, lunch and bake. She does make the best caramel slice!
Helen Archer is the newest member of our growing team. She is here to assist with office admin and behind the scenes. With a big friendly smile, she loves to share her knowledge of Fiordland and beyond with passengers.
Fraser Sutherland, Greg Gamble, Mike Thom and Paul Garlick make up the very experienced team of pilots for Te Anau Helicopter Services. They have thousands of hours in Fiordland, Southland, Stewart Island and overseas. They specialise in scenic flights, fire fighting, wild animal control including island conservation, Department of Conservation work, lifting and construction, hunting and fishing and are more than happy to show you around our part of the world. In their spare time Fraser and Greg think they are big time Tuna fishermen. Though we think it's key to point out that we haven't yet seen a fish instead have only heard stories. Mike spends his spare time petting the poodles at his family's dog kennel business and when Paul's not flying he can be found eating smashed avocado and farming at Orbell Station (his 7 acre lifestyle block).
Blake Morris is the main man around our hangar - we would be lost without him. Blake works hard behind the scenes making sure everything runs smoothly before and after each flight. With impressive speech skills he is most likely to give you the required safety briefing before your flight. After aviation, tractors are Blake's second love.
Side Note: No embarrassing staff pictures from us. Lets be real here, we only like helicopter and scenery photos and are all camera shy. We would rather be out there taking photos of you enjoying our stunning country!
Jennie is a fixed wing pilot who has flown in Fiordland for the previous 6 years, and has also flown aircraft overseas. She has run a fixed wing business based in Fiordland before starting Te Anau Helicopter Services with Gaven. Raising their 3 children now (also keen future aviators), Jennie runs the administration and flight co-ordination side of the business.
Staci Lawson is a key member of the Te Anau Helicopter Services, Staci deals with administration, bookings, aircraft tracking, marketing and general day to day running of the operation. Most likely the one you will talk to if you give us a call. Recently she has been spending her time making website updates and advertising material. In all seriousness the pilots think she was employed to make them coffee, lunch and bake. She does make the best caramel slice!
Helen Archer is the newest member of our growing team. She is here to assist with office admin and behind the scenes. With a big friendly smile, she loves to share her knowledge of Fiordland and beyond with passengers.
Fraser Sutherland, Greg Gamble, Mike Thom and Paul Garlick make up the very experienced team of pilots for Te Anau Helicopter Services. They have thousands of hours in Fiordland, Southland, Stewart Island and overseas. They specialise in scenic flights, fire fighting, wild animal control including island conservation, Department of Conservation work, lifting and construction, hunting and fishing and are more than happy to show you around our part of the world. In their spare time Fraser and Greg think they are big time Tuna fishermen. Though we think it's key to point out that we haven't yet seen a fish instead have only heard stories. Mike spends his spare time petting the poodles at his family's dog kennel business and when Paul's not flying he can be found eating smashed avocado and farming at Orbell Station (his 7 acre lifestyle block).
Blake Morris is the main man around our hangar - we would be lost without him. Blake works hard behind the scenes making sure everything runs smoothly before and after each flight. With impressive speech skills he is most likely to give you the required safety briefing before your flight. After aviation, tractors are Blake's second love.
Side Note: No embarrassing staff pictures from us. Lets be real here, we only like helicopter and scenery photos and are all camera shy. We would rather be out there taking photos of you enjoying our stunning country!
Meet the Fleet // The Rest of Our Team
[ZK-ITY] Squirrel H125 B3E Heavy Lift Squirrel
Ideal helicopter for freight and heavy lifting with an external lifting capability of 1300 kgs on the cargo hook. This helicopter can carry up to six passengers which means it is also great for passenger transport.
Ideal helicopter for freight and heavy lifting with an external lifting capability of 1300 kgs on the cargo hook. This helicopter can carry up to six passengers which means it is also great for passenger transport.
[ZK-HYM] Squirrel H125 B2 Heavy Lift Squirrel
This helicopter is also great for freight and heavy lifting with an external lifting capability of 945 kgs on the cargo hook. This helicopter can also carry up to six passengers which means it too is perfect for passenger transport and showing you Milford's stunning scenery!
This helicopter is also great for freight and heavy lifting with an external lifting capability of 945 kgs on the cargo hook. This helicopter can also carry up to six passengers which means it too is perfect for passenger transport and showing you Milford's stunning scenery!