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Wanaka Helicopters is a family-owned and operated commercial helicopter operator and flight training school based in Wānaka. Founded in 1980 by Simon and Carolyn Spencer-Bower, we have become a premier flight training school and commercial operator based at Wanaka Airport.
Under the leadership of Pete and Chris Spencer-Bower, sons of Simon and Carolyn, our family values are deeply embedded in every aspect of our operations. We take pride in delivering our helicopter and training services to the highest standards. Our team consists of highly trained and skilled pilots who are experts in their fields. Safety is at the core of everything we do.
Our founder, Simon Spencer-Bower, is New Zealand’s most experienced helicopter flight instructor, recently surpassing 24,000 flight hours. He has received numerous accolades, including the Queen’s Service Medal for services to aviation and the Helicopter Association International Flight Instructor of the Year 2015 award. Simon and Carolyn remain active and invaluable members of our team.
Simon and Carolyn Spencer-Bower farmed sheep and crops on two family farms near Christchurch, NZ: Claxby, 30km west, and Woodstock, a high country station in the Southern Alps, 60km west of Christchurch. Simon, a fixed-wing aviator since 1967 purchased a helicopter to assist with farm work and sheep mustering at Woodstock.
Simon and Carolyn purchased their first helicopter, an Enstrom F28, and despite the scarcity of helicopter instructors in NZ, Simon obtained his Private Pilot Helicopter Licence. Recognizing a growing demand, they decided to start a helicopter flight school as a new source of income. They hired an ex-military instructor and began flight training operations at Claxby Farm.
As helicopter training grew in popularity, Simon became an instructor, leading to increasing flying duties and a shift away from farming. Carolyn managed the company’s business operations, established an accommodation unit for students, and provided meals and support.
As demand for helicopter services grew, an Air Service Licence was obtained, and a Hughes 269 (300) was purchased. This led to the establishment of Canterbury Helicopters. To keep up with increasing activity, the fleet was upgraded with Robinson R22’s for training and light work, and a Bell 206 Jet Ranger for larger operations. The range of aerial services expanded to include power line surveys, fire fighting, stock mustering, aerial photography, and more.
A second base was opened at Wanaka Airport, Otago, operating as Wanaka Helicopters to cater for the flight training demand and increase in tourism activities. This included launching NZ’s only Advanced Mountain Flying Course, training pilots from around the world in the Southern Alps of the South Island. The base also developed numerous scenic flight routes and mountainous landing sites to accommodate the increasing number of tourists.
Canterbury Helicopters set up an operation in Sultanate of Oman, Middle East for the purpose of erecting power lines.
Qualmark Gold acheived
2007 NZ Tourism Industry Annual Awards, Silver Award
2010 – Simon Spencer-Bower was honoured with the Queen’s Service Medal by the New Zealand government for his contribution to safety in aviation.
2014 NZ Qualifications Authority certification for flight training delivery of Diploma in Aviation course for National and International students
Simon – 2015 International Flight Instructor of the Year awarded by the Helicopter Association International, USA
Canterbury Helicopters base at Claxby closed to concentrate solely on Wanaka Helicopters.
Squirrel, Hughes 369 (500), and Guimbal Cabri helicopters, along with new classrooms and offices. Staff numbers grew annually. An in-house maintenance facility was established, and a Licenced Aircraft Maintenance Engineer was hired.
Learn To Fly was introduced to the business’s fixed-wing flight training with the addition of three Cessna 172 aircraft. Additionally, an agricultural division was established to offer a full range of aerial agricultural services.
Backcountry Helicopters was acquired as a sister company and operates as a second base from Makarora giving easy access to the West Coast and Landsborough areas.
An additional Squirrel was added to our fleet.
Expanded our Diploma course to include fixed-wing pilot training and achieved NZQA certification for this qualification.
