First civil customer Nolas takes delivery of an H135 with Helionix

Donauwörth, – The Norwegian air ambulance operator Norsk Luftambulanse AS (NOLAS) is the first civil customer to receive an H135 equipped with Helionix. Six additional H135s with Helionix will be delivered to NOLAS in 2017 and 2018. In December 2016, the UK MoD was the first military customer to receive the new H135 with Helionix.

NOLAS won a national HEMS (Helicopter Emergency Medical Services) tender in Norway in 2016, and a total of 12 bases and 17 new helicopters will be operated from June 1, 2018. All helicopters are equipped for 24/7 operations with state-of-the-art configuration for Single Pilot IFR/Night Vision Imaging System (NVIS) operation, Aerolite interiors and the latest medical equipment. With a specially trained anesthesiologist, a pilot and a HEMS crew member, and a specially configured helicopter, NOLAS do on-scene missions as well as advanced intensive care transportation in the demanding environment of Norway.

The H135 obtained EASA certification for the Helionix avionics suite in November 2016. The Helionix avionics system designed by Airbus offers operators with increased mission flexibility and safety. Helionix is a family concept with standardized features and is already available on the H175 and H145.

On top of the 4-axis autopilot, Helionix offers an innovative cockpit layout which helps to increase situational awareness. Designed with three large electronic displays on the H135, the cockpit is Night Vision Goggle compatible and includes a First Limit Indicator which highlights the appropriate engine instrument data for the pilot in one indicator.

The H135 is a helicopter of reference for air ambulance operators worldwide. It combines a wide, unobstructed cabin with excellent performance, range and payload capacity – along with low-noise operations. The oversized sliding side doors and rear clamshell doors enable fast loading/unloading of patients, with additional safety during ground operations provided by Airbus’ signature shrouded Fenestron tail rotor.

“In demanding environments and under almost all kind of weather challenges, it is great to have the support of the new technological developments that the Helionix version can offer”, said NOLAS CEO Rune Midtgaard. “It reduces the pilot workload, increases the safety of the operation and in the end the ability to reach the patients in need of the advanced medical support the service can offer.”

“We are proud that NOLAS trusts our helicopter and the Helionix suite for their challenging missions” said Martin Schneider, head of the H135 programme. “The H135 is the unbeaten market leader in light twin-engine, multi-purpose helicopters. Traditional missions for this class of helicopters include emergency medical services, law enforcement, VIP and business passenger transport, maintenance of industrial wind parks and military training.”

Airbus has delivered more than 1,250 H135s to customers around the globe who have logged a total of more than four million flight hours.

Airbus Helicopters delivers 200th H145 helicopter to Norsk Luftambulanse

Donauwörth – Last week, Airbus Helicopters delivered the 200th H145 to Norsk Luftambulanse (NOLAS). The Air Rescue Operator will use the helicopter for Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) in Norway.

The 200th H145 is the final H145 delivered to NOLAS under its current order, bringing the operator’s Airbus fleet to a total of eight H145s and seven H135s, all dedicated to delivering HEMS from bases across Norway.  This fleet renewal will equip NOLAS to be the only air ambulance operator worldwide to operate a 100% Helionix-equipped mixed fleet of H135s and H145s, ahead of commencing operations on 1st June as Norway’s national HEMS operator.

The global H145 fleet has achieved more than 100,000 flight hours since entry into service in 2015, with Babcock being the largest global H145 operator.  This customer has a global fleet of 31 H145s in service, operating in HEMS and police missions. G-SASS, an H145 operated by Babcock for Scottish Ambulance Service, is the global H145 fleet leader with more than 2,500 flight hours.

The entire H145 family (H145, EC145 and BK117) has accumulated more than five million flight hours, with more than 1,400 helicopters delivered to date. The H145 is the most advanced member of Airbus Helicopters’ multi-purpose twin-engine category. Thanks to its compact size, large and flexible cabin which is quickly and easily reconfigurable, lowest maintenance costs in its class, powerful engines and the latest Helionix avionic suite with four-axis-autopilot, the H145 is the aircraft of choice for high intensity operations across the widest range of missions (including military, law enforcement, HEMS, utility and including business aviation).