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Vuichard Recovery Aviation Safety Foundation (VRASF) – NZ Visit

Events

August 21, 2025

Jason Climo

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Vuichard Recovery Aviation Safety Foundation – New Zealand Visit

The New Zealand Helicopter Association (NZHA), in partnership with the Vuichard Recovery Aviation Safety Foundation (VRASF), has successfully completed two aviation safety seminars in Wanaka and Taupō.
 
The seminars attracted pilots and operators from across the sector, including agricultural aviation, search and rescue, flight training organisations, and commercial services. Bringing together this diverse mix created not only a strong learning environment but also a valuable opportunity to connect with colleagues and others across the helicopter community.
 
Over two days, participants engaged in classroom sessions each morning followed by practical flying each afternoon. The material covered autorotations, slope landings, vortex ring state recovery, dynamic rollover, inadvertent IMC, and human factors.

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The feedback underscored the impact of the training: one operator reflected that “apart from the reminders of good practice, Claude’s worldwide exposure to helicopters and the ‘what, why, how goes wrong’ makes this International Safety instructor a class act.”
 

Another participant described the Taupō seminar as leaving them “fizzing,” while others noted that it was “one of the most engaging courses I’ve attended in a decade (and there have been a few).” Even the most experienced in the room, including pilots with more than 35,000 hours, were reminded of just how close everyday operations bring us to the vortex column – or as one put it, “the wolf we all fly beside.”

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Gratitude to Supporters
 
Events of this calibre would not have been possible without strong industry support. Our thanks go to:
 
And of course, we extend our thanks to Claude Vuichard and the Vuichard Recovery Aviation Safety Foundation for delivering training that will no doubt prevent accidents and save lives in New Zealand.

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