Together in love, but they're not allowed together in an Air Force helicopter

A husband and wife who are both Air Force helicopter pilots are not allowed to fly together in the same helicopter.

Seven Sharp reports that Nicole Brooke and Andrew Stewart fly high-end military helicopters. 

They've both been posted overseas during their careers, but not to extreme conflict zones. 

Reporter Arrun Soma flew with Ms Brooke earlier this year in Vanuatu during a Defence Force exercise when she and her husband took part in war games against a make-believe militia. 

And while they took Seven Sharp up for a cruise over Ohakea airfield in Manawatū, the couple were in different helicopters. 

Mr Stewart explained that he and his wife are not allowed to fly together because under Air Force rules one of them may not be in command of the other.

"It's just a rule that says you're not allowed to be in a position of command. And everyone knows, that's married, you'd hate to have a domestic up the front of the helicopter. And guys in the back would get a bit upset."

Ms Brooke added: "We try and remain professional at work. It's kind of the only way that we feel it's fair on everyone else as well."

She said people who are in positions of authority over somebody do have to make "the tough calls".

The couple were first introduced to each other by Ms Brooke's father before they enlisted.