Over The Top’s flying experience in the South Island dates back to 1976. This span of over forty years has given our crew an intimate knowledge of the special places and unique people within the region as well as an ingrained respect for the local weather and mountainous terrain.
Over The Top's Pilots and Crew are not only experts in their field, they are trained as Ambassadors of New Zealand to ensure you receive an excursion with the best of hospitality and local commentary.
Helicopter Pilot
Helicopter Pilot
Helicopter Pilot
Marketing & Operations Manager
CFO & Safety Manager
Guest Relations Officer
Greeting Officer
Your ability to put the nervous flyers amongst us at ease, coupled with your knowledge of the area and the interesting sites you introduced us to is a testament to your ability as a pilot and a tourism provider in Queenstown.
Sir John Key
former New Zealand Prime Minister
Had originally booked a plane flight and cruise to Milford Sound with another company but that was cancelled due to the weather. Walked around Queenstown Airport and discovered this company who had space for a 10.30 heli-flight and cruise. First...
Stevie T
Awesome experience
This was the most amazing thing we have ever done! Walked in off the street and they went out of their way to arrange a flight for us. Remarkable place, remarkable people and the most incredible spacious top of the range helicopters. Highlight of our...
NZ Pen
Helicopter ride to the edge of infinity
Louisa Patterson
Chief Pilot, Standards Pilot and CEO
"Choppy"
Louisa is a well known and respected pilot in the New Zealand aviation industry and is a pioneer of aviation tourism in Fiordland.
With an aviation back ground spanning over forty years she has worked as a helicopter pilot and instructor in the fields of search & rescue, firefighting, agricultural flying, long line precision work and passenger transport.
Louisa is also a qualified aeroplane pilot and has flown for Air New Zealand.
Louisa formed Over The Top in 1986, utilising helicopters to showcase New Zealand’s natural beauty to her guests. To visit areas seldom frequented by man. The mandate "Your itinerary is limited only by your imagination"
She has over 12,000 hours flying experience and holds the Helicopter Association International (HAI) Pilot Safety Award and a New Zealand Helicopter Association (NZHA) Diamond Safety Award for more than 30 years and over 10,000 hours of continued safe flying.
Louisa’s mandate is safety with professionalism.
She holds Civil Aviation Senior positions of Chief Executive, Chief Pilot and Standards Pilot.
Her current passion is developing an Aviation Safety Device - the Eye In The Sky - a Cockpit Video Recorder, designed to enhance aviation safety with all proceeds going to charity.
Louisa’s experience in aviation and knowledge of Queenstown, Fiordland and New Zealand will ensure you have a memorable and safe excursion.
René Thierry
Helicopter Pilot
René started flying helicopters in 2011
He has flown throughout Australia carrying out a range of flying from powerline surveys to scenic flights over the Great Barrier Reef before heading to New Zealand to join Over The Top.
René started with Over The Top in 2018 and has over 4000 hours flight experience in helicopters. He is rated on all helicopters in our fleet, H125, H130 and BK117.
Notwithstanding his fine flying ability his social skills and sense of humor (albeit slightly Aussie) will keep you well entertained.
René has been awarded a Silver Safety Award from the New Zealand Helicopter Association (NZHA) for over 10 years continued safe flying.
Brad Comrie
Helicopter Pilot
Brad started his flying career in 2003.
Brad has flown in New Zealand, Australia and also around the world.
Brad is Over The Top's marine pilot, based on a private Super Yacht and flying the boats helicopter into many exotic countries.
Should you be lucky enough to fly with our nautical Brad in the times he flies in Queenstown you will be treated to some fabulous adventure stories.
Brad has been working for Over The Top since 2011 and has accumulated over 4000 hours in helicopters.
Brad is the recipient of a New Zealand Helicopter Association (NZHA) Silver Safety Award for over 10 years continued safe flying.
Stephen Beck
Helicopter Pilot
Over The Top is delighted to welcome Stephen’s return as a senior pilot and instructor.
Stephen flew for ten years as one of our “men in black’ a decade ago. He returns with a wealth of experience having flown on construction, long line, survey work in Canada and as a rescue pilot of twin-engine helicopters in Taranaki, New Zealand.
With thirty years of aviation, Stephen brings a wealth of knowledge.
Over the years Stephen has demonstrated a passion for safety and delights in the opportunity to showcase the very best New Zealand has to offer.
Recipient of the 2005 Aviation Industry Association Safety Award.
Pedro Martinez
Marketing & Operations Manager
Our resident Englishman Pedro started with Over The Top in 2013.
Working his way up from hangar rat and client delivery service through to his current role as Operations and Marketing Manager.
He knows the ins and outs of every aspect within our company.
With his desire to be the best of the best and his inability to stay still he has now set his sights on becoming a commercial helicopter pilot.
In his position of marketing and with his thorough knowledge of operations he has the perfect ability to plan and design the unique and personalised packages we are famous for.
Wayne Matheson
CFO & Safety Manager
Wayne is our CFO and Safety Manager.
He is also a licensed helicopter and aeroplane pilot with awards for sport aviation and has a passion for exotic motorcars.
Wayne started with Over The Top in 2005 and in April 2020 will receive his "gold watch" for services to Over The Top.
He is dedicated to ensuring Over The Top runs on all 12 cylinders.
Please don't hesitate to contact Wayne if you have any questions on accounting or Safety matters.
Victoria Jenner
Guest Relations Officer
Though born in New Zealand, Victoria grew up in Australia then spent many years travelling the world in the quest for endless winter. She collected a wealth of tourism experience during her travels, working in the ski industry as a tour guide, instructor and in admin, operations and management roles.
She moved to Queenstown with her family in 2012 and has continued to add to her tourism playbook since.
At Over The Top, Victoria takes care of the guest experience.
With extensive local knowledge and ingrained attention to detail, she is always seeking out ways to add a special something to a booking. She prides herself on creating unique tours that can be tailored to each guest.
Honeyboy
Greeting Officer
Unlike everybody else on the team, our office dogs Coco and Honeyboy have little experience in aviation, nor do they have any achievements or accolades to suggest they do.
Coco recently left us for doggie heaven but not before passing over the Greeting Officer duties to her understudy Honey Boy.
Honey loves to fly to our High Country Station and when not in the air works tirelessly at entertaining our guests.
Ask him to "fetch" but be prepared - he will not give up.
