Kawasaki BK 117
This BK117 is used for an enormous variety of tasks, including fire fighting (it was the first BK117 in Australia to be used for this task), ambulance operations, sling loading (including a car into Colonial Stadium, fortunately with the roof open.....), filming and general charter.
A versatile helicopter, it spends the winter ferrying skiers between Mt Hotham and Falls Creek, with over 25,000 carried since 1997, and is powerful enough to cope with up to 40 landings per day at 6,000 feet altitude. Cruising at 120 knots, the 6 minute flight between ski resorts is not only good value, but also great fun, fully appreciated by all who take the trip.
Photo supplied by John Eacott.