RNZAF helicopter lands at Irongate School in Hastings

Irongate School, Flaxmere, Hastings, was visited by an RNZAF helicopter piloted by James Patrick. Photo/Warren Buckland

Schoolchildren and teachers alike eagerly awaited the arrival of a Royal New Zealand Air Force AgustaWestland A109 helicopter landing in the middle of their field yesterday morning.

Flying officer James Patrick along with another pilot, helicopter loadmaster, and an aircraft maintainer made the trip from RNZAF Base Ohakea to stir the interest of budding pilots.

"It is all about getting the Defence Force's name out there and showing the kids something different and that the Defence Force is definitely an option."

Since finishing at Havelock North High School at the end of 2012, Mr Patrick has been working with the RNZAF for the past five years.

"It is definitely very exciting to come over and show them the aircraft and what we get up to."

Despite the wind picking up, he said the flight in went well.

The RNZAF has five AgustaWestland A109, which are mainly used to train pilots and helicopter loadmasters, where they learn to winch and fly under slung-load whereby a load is attached beneath the aircraft.

Most recently, during the Kaikoura earthquake in November 2016, the helicopter was used to move police and other material around.