Navy chopper visits school after polite invitation

Royal New Zealand Navy Commanding Officer 6 Squadron Owen Rodger discusses the finer points of naval aviation with Rosebank School pupils. Photos: Supplied

Rosebank School pupil Kimberlie Rose (8) had written to the Defence Force asking if a helicopter could drop by.

Balclutha man Kuldip Singh with daughter Kimberlie Rose. Kimberlie's letter to the New Zealand Defence Force yielded a flying visit from a naval helicopter yesterday morning.

The crew of the SH-2G(I) Seasprite were happy to oblige, touching down on the school's field yesterday morning on their way back from the Warbirds Over Wanaka airshow.

Kimberlie's father, Kuldip Singh, said ever since Kimberlie's brother, Ryvan, had enlisted in the Royal New Zealand Air Force as an armament technician, she had become obsessed with all things aviation.

"She gets so excited about it."

Mr Singh said Kimberlie now dreamed of becoming a pilot, and she had his full support.

"Heaps of kids" came to the school to talk to the helicopter's crew and sit inside the chopper, he said.

The Royal New Zealand Navy operates eight of the Kaman SH-2G(I) Seasprite choppers from frigates and off-shore patrol vessels.