Two of the Royal New Zealand Air Forces four KA 350 aircraft, modified with an electro-optic and infra-red camera, and surveillance radar sensor suite, have been taking on a maritime surveillance role since the retirement of the P-3K2 Orions last year, with the latest mission off the coast of Westport.

Climb aboard for a birds-eye view in an Air Force’s King Air 350 undertaking maritime surveillance around the country.

Squadron Leader Craig Clark, the Operations Flight Commander at No. 42 Squadron, is the tactical co-ordinator for this mission.

After a crew briefing that covers the mission brief, weather, and “ditching plan” in case of engine failure (a very low risk), we set off to the King Air on the tarmac.

Lifejackets donned and, unable to stand upright in the small compartment, we slither into our seats and strap into our four-point harness.

From Ohakea we climb to a cruising altitude of 22,000 feet where turbulent weather and a bit of ice was replaced by smooth flying and blue skies. It isn’t long before the stunning snow-capped Kaikoura ranges are visible on our way south to Westport.

When patrolling the King Air can fly at low speeds tucking itself under the cloud layer – as low as 250 feet when necessary. It can fly for about 3.5 hours making it perfect for patrolling around the coast of New Zealand out to 100 nautical miles, or for investigating a particular vessel or small groups of vessels at a greater distance.

SQNLDR Clark says the King Air is a more cost-effective alternative to the P-8A Poseidon for coastal patrolling as it’s a much smaller plane and uses less fuel and fewer crew needed to operate it.

“It frees up the P-8A to do other operations – it has bigger fish to fry.”

After descending to 2,000 feet off the coast of Westport we begin patrolling on station – a  predetermined search area – and begin investigating fishing vessels, dropping at times to 300 feet.

The radar and camera are fitted below the belly of the plane and once engaged the camera sits lower than the aircraft’s wheels. The drag on the plane can be felt as the camera swivelled to capture its target.

With its ability to fly low and slow it can patrol close to the coast and take high quality video and imagery. This ability has proven invaluable in maritime surveillance.

Together, the Defence Force and Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) monitor vessels operating within New Zealand’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) – one of the largest in the world at 1.7 million square kilometres.

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Fisheries New Zealand Director of Fisheries Compliance, Steve Ham said being able to use Defence Force aviation for deep sea offshore patrols is critical to our work in ensuring the sustainability of our fishing resources.

“Our ongoing working relationship with Defence Force, which includes joint sea patrols aboard their surveillance airplanes or navy patrol vessels, is vital to ensuring New Zealand legislation is being followed.”

The role of the air warfare specialist is to locate vessels using radar and pass that intelligence on to the air warfare officer to decide whether to look more closely at the vessel.

SQNLDR Clark says the video of the vessel actively fishing, along with the vessel name and serial number are sent to MPI for them to look at and follow up, if necessary.

Interestingly, the first vessel picked up by radar is NIWA’s RV Tangaroa, New Zealand’s only ice strengthened and dynamically positioned deep-water research vessel. Equipped for ocean science, exploration and marine engineering, Tangaroa provides a sophisticated environmental survey and ocean science platform throughout the South Pacific, Southern Ocean and Antarctica.

Four vessels are located during the patrol mission. The speck on the horizon that could barely be seen with the naked eye becomes startingly clear using the cameras. Once we drop to about 300 feet and fly closer, it’s very easy to watch people in slicks throwing bycatch overboard and handling the nets. Some species of fish are also discernible.

SQNLDR Clark says the vessels located during this mission (with the exception of the Tangaroa) were all stern trawlers - fishing vessels that drag huge nets through the water to catch fish.

“They all appeared to be trawling at the time that we saw them, so we flew past them to see what they were doing, whether they were conducting fishing activity and things like did they have the correct bird mitigation devices in place to reduce harm if birds hit the lines.

“We conduct several passes of the vessels at altitude and at low level to get the names of vessels, registration numbers and any activity on board and signs of fishing. This video is then given to MPI for them to look at.”

The King Air aircraft is also used for the multi-engine training Air Force pilots need after becoming proficient on the single engine aircraft the T-6C Texan. It also provides training for air warfare officers using airborne consoles and a mission management system installed in the KA350 cabin.

Military aviators also receive training on the senor suite – the on-board electro-optic and infra-red camera and a single array multi-mode surveillance radar.

Training on the King Air also promotes the transfer of skills to other aircraft (such as the P-8A) of crew integration, multi-engine handling, organisational awareness, advanced training, international operations, captaincy and surveillance.