Mini-chopper drone in shark spotter trial

A mini-helicopter drone will be used as a search and rescue tool in a six-month trial along the NSW coastline.

The high-tech "eye in the sky", unveiled at the Westpac Lifesaver Helicopter Base on Sunday, will act as both a shark spotter and life saver in rescue missions in bush, snow and sea.

The $250,000 mini-helicopter will carry emergency kits that can be dropped into hard-to-reach locations during rescue missions.