Pacific Helicopters

08/05/2026

We’re pleased to welcome three new faces to our Quality and Safety team: Jagannath Baskaradoss as our new Deputy Quality and Safety Manager and Lorraine Loga and Carolyn Drapok as Assistant Quality and Safety Managers.

They each bring deep experience and a fresh perspective to a function that sits at the core of everything we do, and we look forward to the impact they will have.

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The company has served the oil-and-gas, mining, telecommunications and construction sectors across the Asia Pacific region since 1975.

27/04/2026

On World Pilot Day 2026, we get inside the cockpit with Chris Green to hear how life is as Pacific Helicopters’ chief pilot flying in Papua New Guinea. Chris first joined the team in 2004 and then spent four years with Southern Lakes Helicopters in his home country of New Zealand before returning in 2013, having stayed connected in the years between by supporting us on a few trips each year.

Chris has flown in Borneo, Canada and Antarctica and logged more than 15,000 flights hours. He was just 12 years old when he took his first test flight, and while the details are a bit hazy, it was enough to set him on course for a lifelong career.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐰 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐟𝐥𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠? When I was young. there were always helicopters working around my home on the West Coast of New Zealand, either on the glaciers with tourists or conducting venison recovery around the farm. I enjoyed operating machinery, and helicopters seemed like the ultimate machine.

𝐓𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐮𝐬 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐟𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭. I can’t remember! I had my first trial flight when I was 12 in a R22 (a Robinson R22), and it was enough to set the hook to fly.

𝐀𝐧𝐲 𝐟𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭, 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐨𝐫 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐮𝐭? Seismic operations in Papua New Guinea have always been a highlight. Good crews, good flying, good times.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐜𝐫𝐚𝐟𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐟𝐥𝐲, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐡𝐲? The old Lama (Aerospatiale SA315B) was a privilege to fly, but my old sock is definitely the AS350, especially our new Airbus H125’s. The way they’re configured, being brand new and how they fly, is just so nice to operate.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐚 𝐠𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐩𝐢𝐥𝐨𝐭? Willingness to adapt and think ahead; not only while flying, but operationally. So, being organised for a mission by thinking: where is there fuel? What else do I need to have with me? How else could this job be done, better or more efficiently? Someone who thinks for themselves will contribute to better outcomes overall for a company and its clients.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐝𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐢𝐥𝐨𝐭𝐬? Arm yourself with extra capabilities to stand out. For example, achieving your IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) rating or working towards it. Willingness to get involved with everything - like keeping your helicopter and gear cleaned. You need to set yourself apart from others, and attitude goes a long way in doing that.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐞𝐧𝐣𝐨𝐲 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐟𝐥𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐏𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜? The people, especially the ones who have helped get Pacific Helicopters to get to where it is today. There’s a real sense of pride in the team and wanting to make things better, stronger and safer.

16/04/2026

Our CEO Eddie Matane recently had the honour of breaking bread in Goroka with two remarkable figures in aviation, Sir Bob Bates and Barry Payne.

Originally from New Zealand, both share a deep and long-standing connection to Papua New Guinea. Sir Bob arrived as a young engineer and played a key role in building infrastructure that opened up remote regions of the country, laying the foundations for PNG’s tourism sector, before going on to become one of the country’s most experienced pilots.

Barry, who once flew for Pacific Helicopters, has captured Sir Bob’s extraordinary life and their shared adventures in his new book, ‘Wings Over Wild’, launched last month in Mt Hagen by Prime Minister James Marape. The biography chronicles Sir Bob’s pioneering work connecting communities across PNG and his legacy in aviation. A special moment reflecting on the people and stories that have shaped aviation in PNG.

07/04/2026

The remote and rugged terrain of Papua New Guinea demands an engineering team as finely tuned as our aircraft to keep our operations running smoothly and clients’ projects moving.

For more than 50 years, we have proudly supported the oil and gas, mining, construction and telecommunications sectors from our bases in Goroka and Port Moresby, flying over jungle, oceans and waterfalls to name but a few of nature’s many challenges that define our operating environment.

25/03/2026

A few glimpses of our team at work captured by the talented MKH VisualAspect - Darwin Photographer & Videographer Productions.

24/03/2026

Thank you to the Notofana Village Under 16 rugby team for these great photos of training ahead of their upcoming competition.

After a request from our security guard, Martin Auwo, to donate one of our 50th anniversary balls to support their sessions, we were pleased to pass one on. All the best for the season ahead, team!

16/03/2026

We loved catching up with partners, colleagues, friends and customers both past and present at Our industry never stands still and it was exciting to see the level of innovation on display this year. Thank you to everyone who took the time to connect with our team.

08/03/2026

In honour of International Women’s Day and Women in Aviation Week, we’re shining a spotlight on one of the newest members of our team, Lorraine Loga. Lorraine has built her career in aviation and joined Pacific Helicopters in December 2025 as an Assistant Quality and Safety Manager. In her own words, Lorraine shares the mentors who have helped shape her career, the different ways women contribute to Pacific Helicopters’ success and what she would say to women considering a career in aviation.

“The opportunities I’ve had since joining Pacific Helicopters have really broadened my experience and strengthened my confidence. I feel privileged to have learned so much from many of the people I’ve worked with throughout my career, both in previous roles and at Pacific Helicopters.

To name a few, Aaron Bingham has always been generous with his knowledge and practical insight and has also been a strong advocate for me and my growth in the industry.

Hayley Whiteing has been incredible to work with, and I feel very fortunate to have learned from her over the past few months, especially because she makes a real effort to share knowledge and build others up. Stephen Kamp has also been a great mentor, and I really appreciate the trust, dedication and genuine support he shows for the development of everyone in his department.

Although I haven’t been at Pacific Helicopters for long, it’s already clear how important the contribution of women is across many areas of the business, often in ways that are not always highly visible.

While we are an aviation company, many incredible women support the business in roles beyond the operational side of aviation. The support I’ve received from them has been incredible, and their professionalism and dedication clearly contribute to the continued success of the organisation.

What would I say to women considering a career in aviation? We need you. Aviation is an incredibly rewarding career path, though it can be challenging and highly technical. Especially here in Papua New Guinea, where the pathways into the industry are not always obvious, we need more women stepping into it. If it’s something you’re interested in, come and join us.

Be curious, be a self-starter, invest in yourself, and back your ability. It’s absolutely worth it.”

05/02/2026

Not a bad office view. Flying through Papua New Guinea’s stunning valleys, supporting operations in some of the country’s most remote regions.

26/01/2026

A new day dawns at our Goroka base, with our team preparing for a busy week ahead.

08/01/2026

2025 showed us what’s possible when experience, teamwork and trust come together.

As we lift off into 2026, we do so with the same commitment to safe, reliable operations, continuous improvement and supporting the people and communities we work alongside. Happy new year!