Vale Bill Black

Wednesday 1 July saw the passing of Bill Black, MBE, helicopter pilot extrordinaire, after a long career in the lower South Island. He commenced commercial helicopter flying in 1967 as the industry was starting to take off, and was one of the pioneers of deer control by helicopter. In later years, he recognised that it was perhaps safer to be involved in the support side, and became well known for his search and rescue missions and support of DoC work in the Fiordland National Park. He flew some 29000 rotary hours, a phenominal total even now. Bill commenced his flying with Luggate Game Packers on the Hiller 12E, but transitioned to the first new Bell 206 (ZK-HEH) that Alpine Helicopters (as Luggate became) purchased in 1972. When Alpine got their second B206 ZK-HGH in 1973, Bill took that to Te Anau and it was his mount until Alpine bought the first Aerospatiale AS 350 in NZ in 1979. From then on, Bill was rarely out of the seat of ZK-HMY until retirement.

He is seen here in characteristic pose in Bell 206 ZK-HGH taking Tim Wallace back to Wanaka in January 1975 with a trio of aviation nutters in the back seat!

Bill's funeral service is being held in Te Anau tomorrow.