Helicopter Services (BOP) Ltd

Helicopter Services (BOP) Ltd is an aviation company based at Taupō Airport in New Zealand and belongs to the Funnell family group of companies. The business started in the mid-1980s with a single helicopter in Taupō and now runs a small fleet.

Most of its work is commercial and utility flying rather than passenger charter. This includes forestry and agricultural chemical spraying, solid fertiliser spreading, effluent removal, firefighting, filming, and lifting for construction. It also has its own chemical and bulk fuel handling facility for large spraying jobs.

Private flyers can book general charter, from short scenic flights to airport transfers, as well as survey and photography flights. The company holds Department of Conservation concessions for Central North Island areas, so it can fly hunting and fishing groups into conservation land.

The current aircraft page lists AS350 B3 Squirrel helicopters, including ZK-HKC and ZK-HKT. The company says ZK-HKC carries up to six passengers with one pilot, or four with two pilots. It uses its own aircraft rather than booking third-party operators. Its charter page also mentions twin-engine IFR fixed-wing aircraft, but this could not be confirmed on the current fleet listing.

For 25 years the company supplied aircraft and pilots to the Philips Search & Rescue Trust, which ran air ambulance services from several Central North Island bases. The company says it works mainly across the Central North Island and further afield.