A game-changing addition to Helicopter Otago's air ambulance fleet means more lives will be saved, the Otago Rescue Helicopter Trust says.
Helicopters Otago's state-of-the-art, upgraded Kawasaki BK 117 became operational in the past month.
The multimillion-dollar project has seen the air ambulance fleet grow to four, and the latest machine's technology will allow missions to be undertaken in conditions which were previously too dangerous for flight.
Otago Regional Rescue Helicopter chief pilot Graeme Gale says the helicopter is a ''game changer'' for his pilots and the region.
''It's going to allow us to do missions we haven't in the past because of the weather,'' he said.
''An example of that is there was a low cloud base in the Taieri here during the weekend that wouldn't normally allow us to fly and we were able to go over and retrieve our patient from Wanaka.''
The helicopter included autopilot, night vision and very accurate navigational tools which allowed it to operate at a specified height and on a specified route.
''We have put a lot of detail into this aircraft, not just to look good but to make a difference to the patients,'' Mr Gale said.
''We have included everything we have ever wanted in an aircraft in the past in this machine - it's a pretty smart machine.''
Otago Rescue Helicopter Trust manager Ken Franklin said more lives would be saved ''without a doubt'' with the addition of the helicopter to the fleet.
''Being able to respond at times when we have had to deny service in itself is a significant advantage, but also to do so with higher levels of confidence about the aircraft's capability in marginal or difficult circumstances is great for everyone,'' he said.
''The advances it brings to patient and crew safety and the increases in capability are very, very significant.''
The trust spent almost $100,000 securing two exclusive GPS routes between Dunedin and Invercargill and work was under way to secure a third with options for accessing Central Otago and North Otago also being assessed.
He estimated the changes would see a reduction in no-fly days from one in four to one in five.
''I would say it's certain to go to one in five and it's probably likely to go better than that,'' Mr Franklin said.
While the cost of the investment was high, it provided a permanent improvement to the trust's services.
Mr Gale did not want to discuss the total cost of the upgraded helicopter, but said it was money well spent.
''The figure is a large number but to me the big focus is the patient at the end of it,'' he said.
''It's like winning the Lotto if you are the one in it.''
Helicopters Otago chief pilot IFR operations Grant Withers said the upgrade had also meant further training for pilots.
The upgrade of the helicopter and its instruments and systems had taken 18 months, he said.
However, despite all the advances, there would be times when the weather still prevented its operation.
''There are still times when the weather is going to be too bad in a particular area and it's just not possible or legal to go and do a particular job.''
In a show of the air ambulance fleet's capability, the four aircraft flew over Dunedin and the Taieri yesterday afternoon.
''We really wanted to go out and show off some of the capabilities we do have,'' Mr Gale said.
''There are two [machines] that are dedicated [rescue helicopters]. But we have got back-up.''
