Meet the eradication team…Tony Michelle
blogAmuri Helicopters Ltd was established in 1989 operating from Hanmer Springs in the Central South Island of New Zealand with a fleet of 1x AS350BA-FX2 and 2 x Robinson R44 Raven II’s specialising in Aquatic Weed Control, Pest Eradication and Project Management.
Tony Michelle, CEO and Chief Pilot, is a founding director of Amuri Helicopters, an ISO 9000 Lead Auditor, actively participates in industry and stakeholder organisations and has been a driving force behind industry implementation of AIRCARE™ – a flight and environmental Safety Management System.
Company pest eradication operations have been conducted since 1994 that include:
- Mainland possum, rat, mouse and rabbit eradication
- Off shore island rat and mouse eradication
Tony has undertaken offshore island eradication pilot services in recent years including:
- South Georgia Island 2013
- French Polynesia 2015
Aerial management of island eradication programs under the company “Island Aerial Solutions” is undertaken. IASL was formed by Tony & Peter Garden in 2015 to provide “Go to Whoa” advice, planning and resourcing of the aerial component of eradication programs.
Amuri Helicopters company licencing
- CAA Part 137 (Agricultural Operations) Client no. 34171
- CAA Part 135 (Air Operations) Client no. 34171
Tony Michelle
Flight Experience
- Total time helicopters 10,500 hours
- Agricultural operations 5,500 hours
- Pest eradication 850 hours
- GPS operations 4750 hours
- Tracmap operations 1500 hours
- Instructional (Agricultural) 200 hours
Aircraft Ratings
AS350BA, AS350BA/FX2, McDonnell Douglas H500, Hughes 300, Bell B206, Hiller UH12E, Robinson R22, Robinson R44
Qualifications
- New Zealand CPL(H) no. 15415
- Grade 1 Agricultural rating
- Class I Medical
- ISO 9000 Lead Auditor
- “D” & “E” Category Instructor Ratings
- Pilot Agrichemical Rating
- HSNO Approved Handler
- Controlled Substance Licence (1080 & Pindone)
Industry Positions
- Past Chairman New Zealand Agricultural Aviation Association (NZAAA)
- Past NZAAA Committee member
- Past Chairman AIRCARE™ Management Committee
- Aviation Industry Association Council member
Awards
2012 & 2015 NZAAA award for “Developing and Setting Industry Standards”
Antipodes Roles
- August 2014 – contracted as Aerial advisor
- January 2015 – visited Antipodes Island aboard the “Evohe” to familiarise
- December 2015 – selected as aircraft supplier and Chief pilot for the project