Why Do Growers Use Helicopters For Frost Fighting In Central Otago?

Helicopters protect orchards and vineyards in Central Otago from frost by flying low and pushing warmer air down onto the crop. This raises ground temperatures just enough to keep buds safe from freezing damage.

Spring in Central Otago is a make-or-break season for growers. Clear skies and calm conditions look picture-perfect, but they often bring one of the biggest threats: frost. When temperatures drop overnight, fruit buds are at risk of freezing — and losing even a few degrees can mean losing an entire year’s harvest.

That’s where helicopters come in.

How it works

On frosty nights, warm air sits higher up in the atmosphere, while cold air pools right where the buds are. A helicopter flying low over an orchard or vineyard mixes those layers. The downdraft forces the warmer air back down, lifting temperatures around the plants by a crucial degree or two.

Timing matters

Most flights begin in the early hours, often just before dawn when temperatures hit their lowest. Pilots move between blocks as conditions shift, targeting the coldest spots and keeping the crop safe until the sun rises.

Why helicopters are the go-to solution

• Fast and mobile: One aircraft can protect multiple sites in a single night.

• No setup needed: Unlike fixed frost pots or wind machines, helicopters can be deployed where and when they’re needed.

• Built for local terrain: Central Otago’s valleys and hills mean frost risk changes quickly — mobility makes all the difference.

How they compare

• Frost pots: Effective but labor-intensive and expensive to fuel.

• Wind machines: Work well but only within a set radius.

• Sprinklers: Reliable but water-heavy and reliant on infrastructure many growers don’t have.

The bottom line

Helicopters don’t stop frost from happening, but they give growers the edge they need to protect crops. In a region known for world-class cherries and wines, that few degrees of protection can make the difference between a full harvest and a devastating loss.

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