Helipro in Christchurch is offering helicopter flights across the cordoned-off central city. Regan Graham, Commercial Contracts Manager and Senior Pilot of Helipro, says the flights were introduced on the 3rd July 2011. “We had thought about it earlier, but wanted to be sensitive to the people living in the area.”
Christchurch Responds to Helicopter Flights over the Red Zone
Regan Graham of Helipro says the response to the Red Zone flights has been mostly positive although a few people have complained about the noise. He explains the motivation for the Red Zone trips.
“We wanted to make a difference and $25 of each person’s payment goes to help Kate Barron.”
The Helipro website expands on this: “After receiving the following request from one of Kate’s close friends, we have decided to help; ‘In the February earthquake my close friend Kate (Kate Barron, 24 years old) was seriously injured. Kate worked in the PGC Building when the earthquake struck on February 22nd and was trapped in the collapsed building for approximately 12 hours before being rescued. Sadly she suffered injuries to such an extent that both of her legs had to be amputated. Kate has undergone many operations in the past few months, suffered a great deal of pain and is likely to remain in hospital for quite some time.’”
In the first week of Red Zone flights, the company raised approximately $5000 for the Kate Barron Trust and hopes to increase this to at least $20,000.
Christchurch Resident Flies over Earthquake-Damaged City
A Christchurch freelance journalist took a flight over the Red Zone on Monday the 11th July 2011 and had this to say about it. “There were four of us on the flight and it was an incredible experience that I would recommend to anyone. You get a great view no matter where you’re seated and the pilot took us around the CBD four times – twice clockwise and twice anticlockwise. We were at an altitude of about 1500 feet and could clearly see the devastation wrought by the earthquakes.
“I have walked around the cordons a number of times and have hundreds of photos of damaged buildings – but the aerial view gives you a whole new perspective. There are massive gaps where familiar buildings stood – and a dust cloud billowed from a corner where demolition was underway. It was very sad to see the damage but also quite healing. I feel I was able to say goodbye to the Cathedral and other familiar landmarks.”
Helipro plans to continue the flights for a few months and will operate mostly on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. They may do a couple of flights on in between days but nothing on Sundays.
Debbie Roome - Debbie Roome is an award-winning freelance writer, journalist and novelist with over 25 years experience.
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