Louisa Choppy Patterson
Helicopter Pilot
Over The Top
Queenstown, Otago NZ
“If you spend too much time looking back over things, you don't really get anywhere.”
Videos
By Roadtrip NationLouisa Choppy Patterson
Milestones
My road in life has been direct.
Her father and uncle were both involved in aviation so it was always around when she was growing up.
At university, she majored in marine biology.
One day, her uncle signed her up for flying lessons; she ended up dropping out of that major to focus on this new passion.
When she was 10, her father was killed in an aircraft accident, so her mother was very anxious about Louisa's change in career path.
She was an airline pilot for some time, but found it to be boring; said the best part was walking through the terminal in her uniform.
Pivoted and went into flying helicopters instead; founded her own helicopter tourism company called Over the Top.
She is the only female licensed helicopter pilot in New Zealand.
Says her mother is now proud of her aviary career, and they believe that her father is acting as her guardian angel.
Keep following my journey
Education
High School
Career
Helicopter Pilot
I share my love of the New Zealand landscape by taking people on helicopter tours.
Career Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Environment & Nature
Travel
Accomplishing Goals
Hurdles
Challenges I Overcame
Gender Discrimination
Interviewed By
Christchurch - Auckland
Beginning the final week of their roadtrip, the team interviews Vicki Buck, former mayor of Christchurch and founder of a sustainable energy company. Heading to Queenstown, the team interviews helicopter pilot Louisa "Choppy" Patterson. The team's final interview is with bungee legend Henry Van Asch, after which the team decides to take a huge risk and bungee jump, themselves. As they head back to Auckland to fly back to the United States, the team leaves New Zealand with a new perspective and a new outlook on their futures.
