Lindsay
24 /06/2020
Dear Lindsay,
Request for information – Our Ref: IR-01-20-15026
Thank you for your request received by New Zealand Police on the 4th June 2020 requesting
information on Police Deployment of the Police Helicopter and rules relating to its deployment.
You Requested:
1) What are the standard operating procedures that flight crew of
the Air Support Unit operating on the new twin-engine Bell 429
helicopters within the Auckland Metropolitan Area must comply
with.
2) Are the standard operating procedures the same for day
operation and night operation.
3) At night, what altitude must the helicopters (mention in 1.)
fly to prevent disturbances by the rotor blade noise to Auckland
home tenants.
4) Since 1st July 2019, how many complaints did New Zealand
Police received regarding the noise level of the twin-engine Bell
429 helicopters operating in Auckland.
I have considered your request in accordance with the Official Information Act 1982 and can
provide the following information:
1) The Air Support Unit is operated in conjunction with a civilian helicopter operator
(Advanced Flight Ltd) in compliance with the rules outlined in the Civil Aviation Act
1990. These rules are readily available to members of the public, a good source of
information is the New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority website.
2) Most rules are the same for day and night, but with some difference that promote safety
during night operations. Such as, Night operations operate under NVG’s (Night Vision
Goggles) to improve the safety and effectiveness of the operations.
3) Whilst the minimum altitude rules are the same for day and night operations, we
endeavour to well exceed these minimums. The Air support unit strives to fly neighbourly
and minimise the noise of the helicopter whilst supporting ground staff to keep them and
the public safe during night operations.
4) As complaints are received through several mediums to police we are unable to provide an
accurate response without substantial collation and research. I therefore refuse the request
pursuant to section 18(f) of the Official Information Act.
If you have any questions, you may contact me, Inspector Beth Houliston at
[email address]
You have the right to ask the Ombudsman to review my decision if you are not satisfied with
Police’s response to your request.
Yours sincerely
Inspector Beth Houliston
District Operations Support Manager
Auckland City District