DARREN DAVISON
FLIGHT HOURS: 8000+
The path to Darren Davison’s career in the air began with his feet planted firmly on terra firma, amid the craggy ranges of Central Otago.
Raised on a sheep and beef farm in West Otago, as a teen, he set out as a musterer in the southern high country, intent on following in his parents’ farming footsteps.
That was until he spotted the helicopter from the neighbouring property.
A few short years later, he was back mustering – but, this time, from the cockpit of a Robinson R22.
After stints flying in the Australian outback, and around Central Otago farms as an agricultural contractor, Darren joined a helicopter company as a commercial pilot and instructor.
The firm also drew on his strong rural knowledge and experience, charging him with establishing and managing its agricultural service.
His time there proved a baptism of fire – quite literally – as he and fellow pilots tackled what was one of the region’s worst fire seasons to date. That first taste of aerial firefighting laid the foundations for what remains one of Darren’s key specialties today.
For the next several years, he split his time between agricultural work, tourism and air transport in New Zealand, and toured to the Philippines and Papua New Guinea, where he worked flying and in managerial roles, overseeing contracts and logistics.
The flying offshore was technically challenging – long-lining drill rigs and equipment, transporting crew, medical evacuations, and surveying, all largely in hostile environments.
On returning permanently to New Zealand, the closest he could come to the work he’d enjoyed so much in PNG was heli-logging, flying the South Island’s largest helicopter, and only Bell UH-1L (Huey, Iroquois).
Darren, who holds a grade one agricultural rating, found himself right in his element, combining flying, planning and logistics, so bought the business in 2015. He’s since grown Southern Heli Lift to include specialist long-lining, a range of commercial work, firefighting, agricultural and spraying services.
What does your role involve, other than flying?
Logistics mainly. I love making a plan come together. There’s also paperwork … which I don’t love quite so much.
What are the best aspects of your job?
The changing view out my office window, the challenges each different job brings, meeting people, and finding more efficient and cost-effective ways to get their job done by using a helicopter.
Aerial ag work would seem a great combo of your skills and interests – farming and flying … is that part of the appeal?
Definitely part of the appeal. I enjoy being on farms, looking at what different farmers are doing, and brainstorming ways to get the best results. What’s really satisfying is bringing ideas farmers might not have seen or thought of before.
You’ve held flying and managerial/leadership positions within aviation, and owned and operated your own businesses – how has this benefited your approach today?
It’s helped me understand business and people better – each and every job, I look at not only as a pilot, but also from the client’s perspective as a business person who has budgets, timelines and other imperatives to juggle.
What are your interests outside aviation?
Family time, hunting, reading, and, when I get the chance, the odd round of golf.
DARREN DAVISON
FLIGHT HOURS: 8000+
The path to Darren Davison’s career in the air began with his feet planted firmly on terra firma, amid the craggy ranges of Central Otago.
Raised on a sheep and beef farm in West Otago, as a teen, he set out as a musterer in the southern high country, intent on following in his parents’ farming footsteps.
That was until he spotted the helicopter from the neighbouring property.
A few short years later, he was back mustering – but, this time, from the cockpit of a Robinson R22.
After stints flying in the Australian outback, and around Central Otago farms as an agricultural contractor, Darren joined a helicopter company as a commercial pilot and instructor.
The firm also drew on his strong rural knowledge and experience, charging him with establishing and managing its agricultural service.
His time there proved a baptism of fire – quite literally – as he and fellow pilots tackled what was one of the region’s worst fire seasons to date. That first taste of aerial firefighting laid the foundations for what remains one of Darren’s key specialties today.
For the next several years, he split his time between agricultural work, tourism and air transport in New Zealand, and toured to the Philippines and Papua New Guinea, where he worked flying and in managerial roles, overseeing contracts and logistics.
The flying offshore was technically challenging – long-lining drill rigs and equipment, transporting crew, medical evacuations, and surveying, all largely in hostile environments.
On returning permanently to New Zealand, the closest he could come to the work he’d enjoyed so much in PNG was heli-logging, flying the South Island’s largest helicopter, and only Bell UH-1L (Huey, Iroquois).
Darren, who holds a grade one agricultural rating, found himself right in his element, combining flying, planning and logistics, so bought the business in 2015. He’s since grown Southern Heli Lift to include specialist long-lining, a range of commercial work, firefighting, agricultural and spraying services.
What does your role involve, other than flying?
Logistics mainly. I love making a plan come together. There’s also paperwork … which I don’t love quite so much.
What are the best aspects of your job?
The changing view out my office window, the challenges each different job brings, meeting people, and finding more efficient and cost-effective ways to get their job done by using a helicopter.
Aerial ag work would seem a great combo of your skills and interests – farming and flying … is that part of the appeal?
Definitely part of the appeal. I enjoy being on farms, looking at what different farmers are doing, and brainstorming ways to get the best results. What’s really satisfying is bringing ideas farmers might not have seen or thought of before.
You’ve held flying and managerial/leadership positions within aviation, and owned and operated your own businesses – how has this benefited your approach today?
It’s helped me understand business and people better – each and every job, I look at not only as a pilot, but also from the client’s perspective as a business person who has budgets, timelines and other imperatives to juggle.
What are your interests outside aviation?
Family time, hunting, reading, and, when I get the chance, the odd round of golf.
Memorable missions
- 2016 Kaikoura earthquake: Ferrying emergency supplies to the stricken township, and long-lining pipes for urgent repairs.
- 2019 Nelson Fires: Teaming up with pilots from throughout New Zealand to battle the massive blaze, which included the Pigeon Valley wildfire, one of the largest in the country’s recent history.
- Ferrying a helicopter from the Sunshine Coast to the highlands of Papua New Guinea.
Darren and “Thumper” battle a massive wildfire at
Pigeon Valley, near Nelson, in 2019.
Photo: Evan Barnes.
Darren and “Thumper” battle a massive wildfire at Pigeon Valley, near Nelson, in 2019. Photo: Evan Barnes.
Memorable missions
- 2016 Kaikoura earthquake: Ferrying emergency supplies to the stricken township, and long-lining pipes for urgent repairs.
- 2019 Nelson Fires: Teaming up with pilots from throughout New Zealand to battle the massive blaze, which included the Pigeon Valley wildfire, one of the largest in the country’s recent history.
- Ferrying a helicopter from the Sunshine Coast to the highlands of Papua New Guinea.
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