Aviator receives CAA commendation award

Over the Top helicopters founder and chief executive Louisa Patterson receives a Civil Aviation...
Over the Top helicopters founder and chief executive Louisa Patterson receives a Civil Aviation Authority commendation award from CAA director Keith Manch on Monday. PHOTO: SUPPLIED
Queenstown aviator Louisa Patterson, founder and chief executive of Over the Top helicopters, was presented with a CAA commendation award at the Aviation New Zealand conference in Wellington this week.

It recognised her "distinguished service" and ongoing commitment to safety in the aviation sector.

Ms Patterson said she was "truly honoured" to receive the award and "extremely humbled" by the standing ovation she received.

"New Zealand Aviation is like a family, and everyone in the room has been a part of my journey of 46 years of being involved."

The award was presented the day after coroner Alexandra Cunninghame released her formal findings into the deaths of Ms Patterson’s son, James Patterson-Gardner (18) and experienced pilot Stephen Combe (42), who worked for OTT, following a Robinson R44 crash in the Lochy River valley in February 2015.

Following the crash, Ms Patterson started developing Eye in the Sky with two of her senior pilots, James Forward and Brad Collier, and helicopter expert Tom McCready.

The device records cockpit nuances, capturing high-definition video and audio, GPS data and information on speed, altitude, position, pitch and yaw.

It can also help diagnose intermittent engineering faults quickly, and assist with pilot training.

Proceeds from device sales go to the James PG Foundation, established in memory of Ms Patterson’s son, to help people aged between 17 and 25 reach their full potential.

CAA director Keith Manch said Ms Patterson was a "true pioneer of our nation’s aviation tourism industry", whose achievements extended over decades.

"Louisa epitomises the innovation, collaboration and professional values the aviation sector is built on," he said.

tracey.roxburgh@odt.co.nz

 

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