Features
EMS
Norwegian Air Ambulance expands H145 fleet
March 16, 2023 By Helicopters Staff
Norwegian Air Ambulance Foundation was the first operator in the world to take delivery of a five-bladed H145 in 2020. (Photo: Airbus) The Norwegian Air Ambulance ordered two five-bladed Airbus H145 helicopters. The organization operates all 13 HEMS bases in Norway using a 100 per cent Helionix-equipped fleet of H135s and H145s. Its parent company, the Norwegian Air Ambulance Foundation, was the first operator in the world to take delivery of a five-bladed H145 in 2020.
“The five-bladed H145 has proven to be the perfect helicopter for our HEMS operations,” said Leif Olstad, CEO of the Norwegian Air Ambulance.
The new version of Airbus’ H145 light twin-engine helicopter adds a five-bladed rotor to the multi-mission aircraft, increasing the useful load of the helicopter by 150kg (330 lbs.). Airbus explains simplicity of the new bearingless main rotor design also eases maintenance operations.
In total, there are more than 1,600 H145 family helicopters in service, logging a total of more than seven million flight hours. Powered by two Safran Arriel 2E engines, the H145 is equipped with full authority digital engine control (FADEC) and the Helionix digital avionics suite.
Airbus Helicopters states it provide 54 per cent of the 2,700 EMS helicopters flying in the world today.
