For Brianna, helicopters have always been part of life. Growing up on her family’s high country farm in Cardrona, she was surrounded by aviation, watching helicopters used for mustering and agricultural operations. Encouraged by her mum, who held a PPL(H), Brianna completed her first trial flight at 14 and spent the following years eager to get involved, regularly asking Pete Spencer-Bower if she could help around the hangar.
“I was told to come back when I was older, so that’s what I did!”
Growing up in Wanaka, choosing Wanaka Helicopters was an easy decision. Brianna wanted world-class training, experienced instructors, and the opportunity to learn to fly in the mountains.
“I knew I wanted world-class training and experienced instructors, and I wanted to learn to fly in the mountains, so I didn’t need to look any further than on my doorstep with Wanaka Helicopters.”
Training in Wanaka gave Brianna access to some of New Zealand’s most spectacular flying environments, including the West Coast, Pisa Ranges, and Mt Aspiring National Park. She particularly valued the opportunity to experience real mountain flying and gain exposure to commercial operations such as deer culling, agricultural work, and remote roar operations.
“You learn a lot from hands-on exposure to the industry, and the Wanaka Heli team not only let you help out and work, but they put a lot of trust and responsibility in you.”
After graduating in October 2023, Brianna joined Southern Lakes Helicopters at Mt Cook, where she spent three months working across ground crew, office administration, and customer management roles. The experience strengthened her connection with the New Zealand mountains and her goal of eventually returning to fly in the alpine environment.
In May 2024, Brianna moved to Australia and joined 12 Apostles Helicopters. She spent six months as ground crew, learning every aspect of the operation before progressing onto the flight line in the Robinson R44 Clipper 2. After building approximately 450 hours in the R44, she achieved her first turbine rating in the Airbus H130 T2 – the aircraft she currently flies as a Line Pilot.
At 12 Apostles Helicopters, Brianna flies scenic flights along Australia’s Great Ocean Road, from short 16-minute circuits to the popular 60-minute coastal experience covering around 220km. Her role extends beyond flying, with responsibilities including aircraft preparation, passenger briefings, customer management, radio operations, refuelling, and maintaining aircraft in a challenging coastal environment. She currently flies approximately 350–500 hours per year.
Two career highlights stand out so far: flying the B0105 with Bill Day around her family’s farm in Cardrona, and achieving her first turbine rating in the H130 T2.
The advice that continues to guide Brianna comes from Simon Spencer-Bower and the Wanaka Helicopters instructors:
“You’d rather be down here on the ground wishing you were up there than up there wishing you were on the ground.”
She also lives by the advice: “If there’s any doubt, then there’s no doubt” — trusting her judgement and making safe decisions.
For anyone considering helicopter training, Brianna’s advice is simple:
“Just do it. It’s worth it!”
With a goal of eventually returning to fly in the New Zealand mountains alongside her partner Hamish, Brianna’s journey highlights the value of strong training, industry experience, and a genuine passion for aviation.
