Kawasaki BK117 B-2 ZK-HJK drops in to NZRT.

Helicopters Otago provided the excitement at Rangiora today (19-06-2010) with their Kawasaki BK117 B-2 ZK-HJK2 , c/n 1020 , dropping in for fuel and calls of nature after ferrying down from the far north. It has been doing live line work in the Auckland region for the last week or so and was heading back to Taieri (Dunedin) this afternoon.

Originally imported as a BK117 A-4 in June of 1998 by Airwork (NZ) Ltd, but exported to Australia as VH-HJQ - it ferried across from Kaitaia to Norfolk and Lord Howe Islands on 04-02-2001.

It was returned to Airwork in late September of 2001 and joined Helicopters Otago on 14-05-03. On 06-08-2009 it was re-designated as a BK117 B-2.

It is one of three operated from Taieri by Helicopters Otago. The other two being B-2 ZK-HUP2 c/n 1031 (black) and B-2 ZK-IME c/n 1074 (red).