BEN ROBINSON
GROUND CREW
He watched the fixed-wing top dressers fly overhead one month, and, by the next, Ben Robinson booked his first flying lesson, and was sitting in the cockpit himself.
Ben brings more than two decades of experience in agricultural aviation, including as specialist ground crew and a fixed-wing pilot.
He began loading airplanes and helicopters in the late 1990s, and started flying a Cresco aircraft in Canterbury 10 years later.
In the ensuing decade, he sat his Canadian licence, and has split his time crop spraying there, and flying Crescos back in New Zealand.
While he still spends the winter flying in Canada, Ben gave up full-time flying here in 2019 to spend more time with his young family, and start his own business – which includes contracting to Southern Heli Lift.
Much of his work centres on ground support for our spray aircraft, including establishing a suitable load site, mixing loads, refueling and flight following.
Ben’s entire career has been spent in some aspect of agricultural aviation, and we greatly value the expertise, the in-depth understanding and eye for detail he brings to each and every job.
Why aviation?
I’d always been keen on aircraft and flying from a young age, so I guess I never lost sight of what I wanted to do. Helicopters were the first choice, but I went for fixed-wing first (cheaper). Helicopters are still on the list of things to do!
And, why agricultural aviation?
My love of farming and flying and being able to combine the two; there was no other flying I wanted to do.
What drew you to Southern Heli Lift?
I have pretty good local knowledge, and it was a good fit philosophically and time-wise with my own business. The fact Southern Heli Lift is a family-owned business, and that Darren and Lynda offer a very professional and personalised service to their customer was important for me.
What appeals to you about the work?
That I’m still involved with ag aviation, I get to go to different work sites and farms. I enjoy meeting a lot of new people, and, also catching up with ones I already know, and being involved with a great like-minded team.
Where are you likely to be found away from work?
Spending time with the family, going boating, water skiing, fishing and hunting, camping and enjoying a little bit of recreational flying.
BEN ROBINSON
GROUND CREW
He watched the fixed-wing top dressers fly overhead one month, and, by the next, Ben Robinson booked his first flying lesson, and was sitting in the cockpit himself.
Ben brings more than two decades of experience in agricultural aviation, including as specialist ground crew and a fixed-wing pilot.
He began loading airplanes and helicopters in the late 1990s, and started flying a Cresco aircraft in Canterbury 10 years later.
In the ensuing decade, he sat his Canadian licence, and has split his time crop spraying there, and flying Crescos back in New Zealand.
While he still spends the winter flying in Canada, Ben gave up full-time flying here in 2019 to spend more time with his young family, and start his own business – which includes contracting to Southern Heli Lift.
Much of his work centres on ground support for our spray aircraft, including establishing a suitable load site, mixing loads, refueling and flight following.
Ben’s entire career has been spent in some aspect of agricultural aviation, and we greatly value the expertise, the in-depth understanding and eye for detail he brings to each and every job.
Why aviation?
I’d always been keen on aircraft and flying from a young age, so I guess I never lost sight of what I wanted to do. Helicopters were the first choice, but I went for fixed-wing first (cheaper). Helicopters are still on the list of things to do!
And, why agricultural aviation?
My love of farming and flying and being able to combine the two; there was no other flying I wanted to do.
What drew you to Southern Heli Lift?
I have pretty good local knowledge, and it was a good fit philosophically and time-wise with my own business. The fact Southern Heli Lift is a family-owned business, and that Darren and Lynda offer a very professional and personalised service to their customer was important for me.
What appeals to you about the work?
That I’m still involved with ag aviation, I get to go to different work sites and farms. I enjoy meeting a lot of new people, and, also catching up with ones I already know, and being involved with a great like-minded team.
Where are you likely to be found away from work?
Spending time with the family, going boating, water skiing, fishing and hunting, camping and enjoying a little bit of recreational flying.
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