Spraying

Spraying is the backbone of our business. Working with irrigated and broad acre crops including rice, cotton, grapes, onions, corn and pasture.

Helicopters offer a precise and specialised application of chemical with rotor downwash that disturbs the crop canopy allowing deep penetration of droplets for uniform coverage.

The helicopters manoeuvrability ensures that we have proven success in weed control on channels, contour banks and spot spraying. In hill country the helicopter is ideal for serrated tussock, blackberries and thistles. On-site loading from our purpose equipped mixing vehicles ensure a quick turnaround.

Our spray systems are capable of:

• application rates 5 L/ha – 100 L/ha
• swath widths from 3m to 20m
• GPS marking systems ensure accurate and efficient application of chemical

For rice we developed the SCWIIRT (Soluble Chemical Water Injection In Rice Technique) method of applying chemical to the flooded fields. SCWIIRT is the injection of chemical into the water through a solid stream nozzle. These nozzles point back producing a solid stream with very coarse droplets minimising drift potential. This results in accurate and even coverage to all rice bays.

Spraysheet Order Form Download
Dwelling Discharge Form Download

Fertiliser/Seeding Bucket

Specific uses for the bucket include:

• fertiliser application
• sowing pasture/clover/canola
• snail control in rice
• re-sowing of duck holes in rice
• mice baiting in your winter cereal crops

Our specialised bucket:

• has a capacity of 300 kg
• is slung under the helicopter with a 6 metre line
• has a spinner driven by a Honda motor

Our loading hopper:

• has a capacity of 1 tonne
• can be fitted to the front of the farmers forklift or tractor
•  is easily filled from an auger or bulk bags
• allows for fast filling and turn around of the helicopter

Survey / Inspection

Aerial inspection of assets by our helicopters will assist in:

• efficient surveillance
• rapid detection of faults
• speedy repairs

Riverina Helicopters is experienced in the following types of survey:

• survey of rivers and waterways
• power line and pipeline inspection
• inspection of crops and properties
• geological or environmental surveys
• mineral exploration

Riverina Helicopters has a low level approval from CASA to operate below 500 feet AGL for all operations when required.

Filming / Photography

Helicopters are a great platform for still or motion photography.

Our pilots are experienced in all aspects of aerial photography and filming in the Riverina and surrounding areas.

Types of photography include:

• rural
• residential
• commercial real estate
• advertisements
• media operations
• film and television production which include CH 9, WIN, CH 7, ABC & Documentaries

Call us to discuss any project you may want to undertake and our pilots will work with the cameramen in order to achieve the best results.

Charter

We cater for Charter flights in the Riverina which include:

• Griffith scenic flights
• local shows
• field days
• weddings
• VIP transfer
• winery transfers

Our staff can personalise flights to suit you.

Call us to take you and your clients safely to your destination.

Mustering

Gerry has vast experience mustering in Northern Australia before owning Riverina Helicopters.

Properties we regularly muster on are in the Hay, Balranald and Hillston areas, particularly along the river country and adjacent waterways.

Advantages:

• cost effective way to muster cattle
• the helicopter can muster in 1 day what might take 6 men a few days
• cattle are in the yard that afternoon can be drafted, trucked and returned to their paddock with minimal delay which is beneficial for the cattle and profitable for the farmer
• the helicopter is ideal for mustering cattle from timbered or lignum covered areas.

We have been involved in feral goat mustering and eradication programs with farmers and government agencies in NSW and SA.

Contact us to discuss your mustering requirements.

Crop Pollination

Moving slowly over sorghum and corn seed crops at 1-2 metres in height, the rotor wash spreads the pollen from the male rows to the female rows.

• No wind during flowering to spread the pollen will result in a poor yield for the seed grower. Helicopters can create the artificial wind needed to improve yield.
• With the rotor disc providing powerful downwash the helicopter is a great tool for assisting the crop to pollination.

Feral Animal Control

Our pilots have been involved in feral animal eradication of pigs and goats in NSW, SA and QLD. Methods of control include:

• shooting
• baiting
• tracking

We are in possession of a CASA permit authorising carriage and discharge of a firearm from an aircraft.

Aerial Crane

We have the ability to carry/sling loads of various sizes.

A cargo hook mounted under the helicopter allows us to attach external loads on a long line up to 350 kg depending on the conditions.

Jobs undertaken:

• fodder drops during floods
• air conditioner placement
• remote area lifting
• cable stringing

Call us to discuss your requirements.