Iroquois helicopter drops in for conference

JARED SMITH/Fairfax NZ

EARLY-MORNING LANDING: The Iroquois helicopter arrives at the TSB Hub on Tuesday.

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Hawera's TSB Hub can easily handle trucks and buses in its public car park but a Iroquois helicopter dropping in was a first.

The Bell 204 Super Huey from Beck Helicopters in Eltham landed at the Hub early yesterday morning. It will be displayed inside the building during the 2012 NZ Forest and Rural Fire Association's annual conference this week.

Pilot and CEO Alan Beck said John Gunn, South Taranaki principal rural fire officer, got the idea to bring the Iroquois inside to show the visiting guests what they have available in the district.

At 4 metres high from the skids to the rotors, it took considerable effort getting the helicopter through the Hub's supply door.

"This would be pretty unusual, overseas they do it all the time," Mr Beck said. "The wheels would not get through so we had to put these rollers down these pipes."

Also on display will be their custom-made 1500-litre water bucket.

About 145 rural fire officers have registered for the conference, being held outside a metropolitan area for the first time.

International speakers from the USA and Australia are attending, while Minister of Internal Affairs Chris Tremain is scheduled to speak tomorrow. On Friday there will be a display of fixed-wing aircraft firefighting at the Hawera Aerodrome.

- © Fairfax NZ News