Three generations of Reids have flown
helicopters. First there was John, a Second World War fighter pilot. After the
war he trained on helicopters, becoming a test pilot for British European
Airways. He returned to New Zealand in 1961, pioneering the use of helicopters
in many industries including agriculture, forestry, and for mineral, oil and
gas exploration. He trained the first New Zealand military helicopter pilots
and built up the largest helicopter company in the southern hemisphere. He
carried out some of the first helicopter search and rescue missions in New
Zealand and during his career was decorated three times for his bravery.
Next there was John’s son Bill, who began flying in the early 1970s,
during the incredibly dangerous deer recovery years, then on to ventures in
Hong Kong, England and Papua New Guinea, before setting up his own successful
helicopter business. Over the course of his 40-year career, Bill has flown
helicopters for almost every kind of job you can think of – heavy lifting,
mountain rescue, fire-fighting, animal control, heli-fishing and work on major
movies filmed in New Zealand. He’s since restored a World War Two vintage
aeroplane, and his Avro Anson Mk1 coastal reconnaissance bomber is the only
flight-worthy one of its type in the world. It has been named one of the
world’s most significant restorations of recent times and impressed Kate and
Wills, who sat in its cockpit during a visit to Marlborough’s Omaka Aviation
Centre as part of their royal tour in April this year. And finally there’s Toby
and his wife Rachel, also pilots, who have established their own helicopter
business, Reid Helicopters Ltd. Toby and Rachael continue to innovate and
develop new ways of utilising helicopters and are pioneering new paths in
adventure tourism.
The Reids have helicopters in their blood, and Born To Fly is an
exciting inter-generational tale of adventure and enterprise. Filled with tales
from the early days of helicopters through to the 80’s where the helicopter
accident rate grew to alarming proportions and today where there are more than
800 helicopters on the New Zealand register, it will keep its readers on the
edge of their seats.
About the author:
Bill
Reid is
a helicopter pilot living in 88 Valley, south of Nelson. With thousands of
hours and 40 years of flying under his belt, Bill is one of New Zealand’s more
experienced pilots. After selling his award-winning helicopter business in
2002, Bill now flies for Toby’s company and displays his Avro Anson at air
shows around the country.
Random House
RRP $39.99
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