On 17 May 1979 a report entitled “Mount Ruapehu: Cable Laying by Helicopter” was produced by the Hamilton District Engineer’s Office of the Post Office.

The task was to lay telephone cable from the Tararua Tramping Club Hut to the top of the number 2 chairlift. It was decided to use a Llama helicopter, which could lift up to one tonne. However, when the cable was delivered it was found to have been loaded onto heavier drums than expected, and these were over the lifting capacity of the helicopter. The solution was to use two helicopters “joined via wire rope to a boom …. capable of supporting up to 2 tonnes.” For safety either pilot could release the boom if needed.

The cable was fed into a trench, and up to 15 staff worked on the job. “Ideally the speed of laying is about walking speed so the gang can follow the cable. The men should position themselves to be able to see the drum at all times.”

“All flying should be downhill, backwards. The pilots have more control over the load when flying downhill, and it is preferred that the helicopter tail be away from the mountain.”

The report concluded that the job was complicated by the extra weight of the cable drums, which increased the cost and caused delays. From a Post Office Engineer record -

Archives New Zealand Reference: BBKX 1009/30/c