Any turbine-power helicopters, including those involved in rescue or search and rescue operations, and aircraft can fill up from Thursday from a pump on the apron, provided they have a Z fuel card.
The 20,000-litre storage tank, public pump and another private pump at Heliventures NZ's new hangar is the result of the helicopter company's owners, Nicki and Craig McMillan, who provided the initial incentive and guaranteed use for the facility.
Mrs McMillan especially ''pestered'' the fuel company until it agreed to provide a 20,000-litre storage tank, public and private pumps.
''I worked my way up towards the top, but they [Z] were fantastic to deal with. I was also keen because they are a New Zealand-owned company,'' she said.
It took about three months to get the new facility installed, including filling the tank with fuel then testing it.
Mr McMillan said that while aviation fuel was available, Oamaru was ''a bit of a black hole'' when it came to jet fuel.
They had to travel to Timaru airport with a Landcruiser tank and trailer tank, a round trip of about three hours, to bring back 2500 litres of jet fuel which they can use up in a day through their two McDonnell Douglas 520 N Notar helicopters.
The new tank is monitored remotely, and filled as required.
Apart from Timaru, the fuel was only available at the Pukaki Airfield (Twizel) and Dunedin sirport.
That made it awkward to refuel private and company helicopters.
