About Christchurch Helicopters

Our Team

Terry Murdoch

CEO CHL Group

Tim Murdoch

CEO CHL Part 135 / Marketing Manager / Pilot

Jack Murdoch

CEO CHL Agriculture / Pilot

Philippa Murdoch

Accounts Manager

Scott Snellex

CFI - Chief Flight Instructor/Pilot

Richie McCaw

Pilot

Aaron Boddy

Engineer/Pilot

Kevin Walsh

Guimbal Sales Manager/Pilot

Jess Waters

Client Liaison/Marketing

Johnny Mulligan

Chief Engineer

Jordan Donne

Flight Instructor/Pilot

Will Marson

Aerial Survey Manager / Health & Safety

Tony Ballantyne

Ground Theory Tutor

George Hutchinson

Engineer

Joel Churcher

Engineer

Sam Stevens

Grounds Manager

Gus Murdoch

CGO - Chief Greeting Officer

Chris Johnson

Pilot / Health and Safety

Anthony Taylor

Ground Support / Pilot

Our Aircraft

Airbus AS355 F2 Twin Engine

The Airbus AS355 is a twin engine six seat light utility helicopter popular worldwide and used in many types of operations.

Its twin-engine design enhances safety, and its modern avionics ensure efficient and reliable operations.

Our AS355 can be configured for both VIP transport and Commercial operations.

Engines: 2x Rolls Royce 250-C20F
Endurance: 2.5 hours
Cruise Speed: 120kts
Max Operating Alt: 16,000 Ft

Industries

Used for Survey Work, Aerial Photography, Private Charters and other Commercial/Tourism work

Airbus H125 B3E

The Airbus H125 B3E is a powerful and versatile single-engine helicopter by Airbus Helicopters, well-suited for a wide range of missions, thanks to its high performance, modern avionics, and enhanced lifting capacity.

Engine: 1 x Arriel 2D Engine
Endurance: 2.5 hours
Cruise Speed: 120kts
Max Operating Alt: 23,000ft

Payload

1,300 kg

Industries

Used for Firefighting, Survey Work, Aerial Photography, Private Charters and other Commercial/Tourism work

Passengers

Can seat up to 6 passengers (depending on weights)

Airbus AS350 B2

The Airbus AS350 B2 is one of the most utilised helicopters in the world. Its versatility, reliability, comfort, powerful engine and compact design make it perfect for a wide range of operations such as firefighting, lifting, commercial operations and tourism. Christchurch Helicopters operates 2x AS350 B2 aircraft and can be configured for VIP or Utility Operations.

Engine: 1 Arriel 1D1 Engine
Endurance: 2.5 hours
Cruise Speed: 120 Knots
Max Operating Alt: 20,000 Feet

Payload

1,000 kg

Industries

Used for Firefighting, Survey Work, Aerial Photography, Private Charters and other Commercial/Tourism work

Passengers

Can seat up to 6 passengers (depending on weights)

Eurocopter EC120 Colibri

The EC120 helicopter, manufactured by Airbus Helicopters, is a nimble, economical and efficient aircraft that excels in versatility and performance. With its sleek appearance, spacious cabin, advanced technology, and low noise footprint fenestron tail rotor, the EC120 is well-suited for a wide range of operations, including private charters, tourism and commercial work.

Engine: Arrius 2F
Endurance: 3hours
Cruise Speed: 115kts
Max Operating Alt: 20,000ft

Payload

500 kg

Industries

Used for Tourism, LiDAR, Aerial Survey and Private Charters

Passengers

Can take up to 4 passengers (depending on weights)

Guimbal Cabri G2

The Cabri G2 brings the two‐seat piston engine helicopter into the 21st century. Innovative features such as a composite fuselage, fully articulated main rotor system, infinite life composite blades, Fenestron tail rotor, and state of the art avionics make this revolutionary machine the safest and most enjoyable helicopter in its class to fly.

Engine: lycoming 0-360
Endurance: 3.5 hours
Cruise Speed: 90kts
Max Operating Alt: 13,000ft

Payload

220 kg

Industries

Used for Flight Training, Mustering, Scenic Flights and Survey work

Passengers

Can take 1 passenger

MD 500E

The MD 500E is a five-blade main rotor turbine powered helicopter. It has been developed from the Hughes 500. These machines are renowned as being highly manoeuvrable, agile and high-powered. We use the 500 for a wide range of operations.

Engine: Rolls-Royce 250-C20B
Endurance: 2 hours
Cruise Speed: 120kts
Max Operating Alt: 16,000ft

Payload

500 kg

Industries

Used for Agricultural Spraying, Fertiliser, Survey Work

Passengers

Can take up to 3 passengers

MD 520N

The MD 520N is a single-turbine engine, five-bladed helicopter that uses the NOTAR anti-torque system. This system decreases the noise of the helicopter, due to the fan being enclosed in the tailboom, which also eliminates the chance of persons being injured on the ground. This helicopter is a development of the MD 500.

Engines: Rolls-Royce 250-C20R
Endurance: 2 hours
Cruise Speed: 120kts
Max Operating Alt: 20,000ft

Payload

500 kg

Industries

Used for Agricultural Spraying, Fertiliser, Survey Work

Passengers

Can take up to 3 passengers

Photography by John McCaw

John McCaw has played with cameras all his life. John has a farming background and works as an agronomist, selling grain, seed and expertise to farmers for Luisetti Seeds. He is also a keen aviator owning and flying his own glider. He travels everywhere with his camera and finds many occasions during his ‘day job’ to record farming and landscape images. His passion for aviation has meant he has huge experience photographing aircraft both in the air and from the ground.

John and his wife Jill have an extensive library of images that can be viewed by clicking here