 Pilots
Our pilots are highly skilled and experienced professionals, dedicated to promoting a safe, responsive and functional Air Ambulance service.
 Stuart Farquhar
Primary Pilot
Stu is 42 years old and has been the Primary Pilot on the Otago Rescue Helicopter for the past seven years. Stu has been flying helicopters for fifteen years including three years in the USA and six years operating around Mt Cook undertaking heli-skiing, tourism and general charter. In November 1999 Stu joined Helicopters Otago and since then has undertaken well over 2,000 Rescue/Medivac missions.
David Gale
Dave is 33 years old and obtained his commercial helicopter licence in 2001. Dave is the manager/pilot for the agricultural side of the family business of Helicopters Otago Ltd. Dave also assists with the piloting of the Otago Regional Rescue Helicopter.
Graeme Gale
Chief pilot
 Graeme is the Managing Director of Helicopters Otago Ltd and the Chief Pilot of the dedicated BK117 Rescue Helicopter which is operated from his Mosgiel Base on Taieri Airfield. He has been flying commercially since 1992 undertaking a variety of commercial and agricultural operations. In 1994 Graeme set up the Rescue Helicopter Service in Otago and was the Chief Pilot of the Bell 206 Jet Ranger which was known then as the “Speights Rescue Helicopter”. This service has now developed under thye auspices of The Otago Rescue Helicopter Trust and operates the Otago Regional Rescue Helicopter. Graeme’s latest project has been the introduction of Night Vision Goggles (NVG). The Otago Regional Rescue Helicopter was the first ACC Contracted Emergency Rescue Aircraft to operate under NVG in New Zealand with the latest technology ANVIS-9 goggles.
Operated Rescue Helicopters since 1994
Flown helicopters 16yrs
Paramedics
Paramedic Rescue crewmen provide critical care in the pre-hospital environment. They are trained in advanced emergency care and trauma scene management. Doug and Ian are permanently assigned to the Rescue Base to allow immediate dispatch in event of emergency.
Doug Flett
Crew Chief 
Doug is 44 years old and is a Rescue Helicopter Crewman/Winch Operator and St John Ambulance Advanced Paramedic. Doug joined the Rescue Helicopter Service at its inception in February 1994 when the Service was first formed. Doug joined the St John Ambulance Service in 1983, firstly as a Volunteer Ambulance Officer in Milton prior to full time employment with Dunedin St John in 1985. In 2000 Doug undertook fulltime duties as a Helicopter Crewman and Flight Paramedic.
 Ian Ridley
Ian is 43 years old joined the St John Ambulance Service in 1983, as a Volunteer Ambulance Officer in Oamaru. He then undertook fulltime employment in 1989. Ian moved to Dunedin in 1997 and in 2000 undertook fulltime duties as a Helicopter Crewman and Flight Paramedic. Ian has been a Paramedic/Crewman with the Otago Rescue Helicopter Trust since they first began operations with the BK117 in 1998. Ian’s nautical expertise brings invaluable skills to the marine/off shore rescue operations. The Role of both Doug and Ian is not only of Advanced Paramedics and also Winch Operators. This involves working closely with the pilot and other medical or rescue personnel.
Other Rescue Partner Orgnisations:
The Police, Water Rescue Squad, Cliff Rescue Squad and the Armed Offenders Squad ( AOS ) all work in close liaison with the Air Ambulance crew to extend the operational capabilities of the Lion Foundation Air Ambulance and Rescue helicopter service.
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Order of St JohnRegional emergency control centre and paramedic back-up. |
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Dunedin Hospital
Specialised Hospital Surgeons and Registrars. |
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NZ PoliceSearch and Rescue &
National Rescue Coordination Centre (NRCC). Water Rescue Squad |
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ACC |
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NZ Fire Service |
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