Taranaki to achieve certification to a new agricultural
aviation environmental safety programme.
Launched last year, Aircare is an integrated environmental
safety and flight safety programme developed by the New
Zealand Aviation Industry Association (NZAIA).
Beck Helicopters gained accreditation this week to the Aircare environmental management system,
which covers the aerial application of agrichemicals, fertiliser and vertebrate toxic agents and noise
abatement.
Company owner Alan Beck said Aircare demonstrated the industry’s commitment to environmental
safety and was the biggest change he had seen in his 40-year agricultural aviation career.
A member of the NZAIA council, Mr Beck said the Aircare programme had been developed in
consultation with regional councils.
Companies accredited to the programme will be independently audited. Auditors will inspect GPS
records and fertiliser weigh dockets.
“They can see where we flew, how heavy the load was, where we put it on and where we shut off,
such as when we’re flying over rivers.”
Mr Beck said Aircare would reduce the exposure of waterways to contamination by fertilisers and
sprays.
