Appareo Pilot of the Year
Jason Andrew Laing, Freelance Helicopter Pilot, Enable Contracting
Jason has extensive (over 6400 Hours) flying experience from his New Zealand (Queenstown)
base in a range of commercial, tourism, search & Rescue operations. Flying in New Zealand,
Australia, Antarctica, Kashmir (India) and Nepal.
Jason has been flying seasonally in Nepal since the spring of 2013 (5 climbing seasons) in
tourism, commercial, rescue and recovery missions, for Simrik Air Pvt. Ltd. Jason's principle
flying duties relate to tourism and commercial operations. In the event of major emergencies he
has been called on to assist and fly technically difficult rescue and recovery missions. Jason is a
highly respected high altitude pilot who can be called upon to do difficult mountain rescues. He
is one of only a select few in the Himalaya's and the world.
Outstanding Airmanship Mission #1
In Nepal 18th April 2014 a huge avalanche occurred in the Khumbu Icefall at 5,800m(19,028ft)
between Base camp and camp 1 on Mt Everest. The avalanche came down striking 20-30
climbers, mainly Sherpas, of which 16 were killed. Jason's contribution was instrumental in the
aftermath of this tragic Everest Avalanche. This mission was considered to be the biggest high
altitude helicopter assisted rescue operation in the Himalayas ever, if not the world.
This technically challenging mission proved to call for his AS350 B3e to operate at its
limitations including altitude, density altitude, fuel management, crew oxygen systems and pilot
flying skills. Other pilots withdraw from the mission and it was left to Jason to make the attempt
or abandon the rescue and recovery mission. Jason was confident he had the skills and could
operate his helicopter within its safety envelope.
With both skids down landing inside the Khumbu Icefall, Jason landed in the middle and the
upper sections in the path of the Avalanche. The landing site was technically challenging in
heavily crevassed unstable terrain. Also the ice cliffs above the site were an unknown factor. It
was decided that Jason should do the long line sling work as he had more experience than the
other pilots available. A use of a special human rated strop system (that Jason had brought from
New Zealand), proved invaluable. His landings recovered two survivors with serious injuries,
then he used the long-line in over 15 sorties for both live and sadly deceased climbers.
Jason is very proud of the teamwork that took place on the mountain that day, and pays credit not
only to the New Zealanders but also others from around the world who all pulled together in
what were very trying circumstances.
Outstanding Airmanship Mission group #2
During the day following the earthquake on the 25th April 2015, Jason was one of the first
helicopters to be airborne in the area. Jason was tasked to fly to the Lungtang region and was
first on the scene to discover the devastating destruction of the Langtang Village where some
400 residents and 100 trekkers lost their lives (The Guardian). Jason quickly returned to base to
raise the alarm for a major rescue effort to the Village.
Jason was next tasked to the collapsed icefall between Everest Base Camp and Camp 1 on Mt
Everest. Three helicopters were deployed to the area and Jason was charged to lead and coordinate the helicopter recovery operation. 140 climbers were trapped at camps 1 &2 (The
Guardian) and were shuttled away from those camps to safety.
Jason recently received the Kumar Khadga Bickram Adventurous Award in recognition of
outstanding humanitarian contribution in the rescue, search and recovery mission during the
Everest tragedy on the 18th April 2014, from the Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA).
Jason provides ongoing support for Nepal and the climbing community. He is currently assisting
with fundraising for Nepal, through speaking engagements and is also a Member of the New
Zealand Himalayan Trust.
Jason is to receive the 2015 FAI Diploma for Outstanding Airmanship, in Rotterdam, in
September for the Everest rescue. (This award result is embargoed until the 6th October 2015).
Nomination submitted by Wayne John Matheson, Former President, Royal New Zealand Aero
Club Inc.
Jason Laing Hours as of Aug 2015 – 6,350 Date of Birth: 22 September 1968 Phone: +64 274 500 988 Email: [email protected] Location: Queenstown, New Zealand Qualifications -­‐ New Zealand and Australian CPL H, India and Nepal Licence Validations -­‐ Unrestricted Night Rating, with NVG endorsement -­‐ Heli-­‐Bombing Certificate from NZQA/ERMA approved assessor -­‐ Level 6 English Proficiency -­‐ Parachute Drop Rating -­‐ Firefighting Unit Standards (NZ) -­‐ Human Sling -­‐ CRM & Wire Obstruction Course -­‐ HUET -­‐ Lakes District Air Rescue Trust Approved -­‐ Aircare Certified Type Ratings -­‐ R22 -­‐ R44 -­‐ Bell 47 -­‐ Bell 206/L -­‐ H500/300 -­‐H520N -­‐ AS350 B, BA, B2, B3+, B3e, Super D, SD2,FX -­‐ EC 130 B4&T2 Experience -­‐ Total Helicopter Hours -­‐ 6,350 -­‐ AS350 series 4,350hrs -­‐ NVG 45hrs -­‐ Mountain Flying 5,000hrs + -­‐ Long Line 500hrs + -­‐ Firefighting 200hrs -­‐ Heli-­‐Skiing -­‐ 16 seasons (3 seasons high altitude Himalayas) -­‐ Search & Rescue last 10 years -­‐ Southern Alps, NZ and Himalayas, Nepal -­‐ Filming -­‐ multiple types -­‐ Extensive snow and flat light experience – Antarctica NZ, Himalaya Mts. -­‐ Mt Everest high altitude support, landing up to 22,000ft, & Rescue Long Line. -­‐ Mt Everest skydiving from 23,000ft &Filming to 28,000ft. Work History 2000 -­‐ Albatross Helicopters -­‐ Northern Territories, Australia -­‐ R44 2001 -­‐ Over the Top Helicopters -­‐ Queenstown, NZ -­‐ H500 2002 -­‐ Over the Top Helicopters -­‐ Port Douglas, Australia -­‐ B206 2003-­‐2004 -­‐ HNZ (Glacier Helicopters) -­‐ Queenstown -­‐ H500/AS350 2004-­‐2013 -­‐ Heliworks -­‐ Queenstown, NZ -­‐ AS350 (Including B3+ and B3e) 2011-­‐2013 -­‐ Jan/Feb Heli-­‐Skiing -­‐ Kashmir Heliski, Himalayas -­‐ AS350 B3+ and B3e 2013 -­‐ Simrik Air – Nepal –April –May+Sept Oct AS350 B3e . 2013 – Winter -­‐Heliski-­‐Queenstown,NZ-­‐AS350 B2 B3+B3e 2013-­‐(November-­‐Jan 2014) Antarctica NZ B3+. 2014&2015 Nepal , Mt Everest season March to May, Sept, Oct 2014. Multiple High Altitude Longline Rescues. B3e 2015 Currently contracting for 7 companies in Queenstown Area. Heliworks, Southern Lakes Heli, The Heli Line, Milford Heli, Alpine Heli, Aspiring Heli, O.T.T. References Sir Richard Hayes, CEO Heliworks/Southern Lakes Helicopters, Ph +64 3 2497167 Siddartha Gurung, Ops Manager/Chief Pilot, Simrik Air, Nepal. +9779851021183 John Fookes, NZ Police/Queenstown SAR, NVG Ops, Ph +64 276003235 Colin McGee, Advanced Paramedic/Crewman, NVG Ops, St John, Ph +64 277418833