Features Aircraft manufacturers EMS
Norwegian Air Ambulance receives first ever five-bladed H145

Airbus Helicopters delivered the first five-bladed H145 to the Norwegian Air Ambulance Foundation. The new version of Airbus’ H145 light twin-engine helicopter was unveiled in March 2019 at Heli-Expo in Atlanta, Georgia, featuring a 150 kg increase in useful payload and bearingless main-rotor design.

“I can’t wait to see this new version in operation, contributing to the success of life-saving missions,” said Bruno Even, CEO, Airbus Helicopters. “Our teams have worked hard to bring this enhanced multi-mission helicopter to the market quickly.”

The five-bladed H145 was certified by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency in June 2020. Airbus notes certification by the Federal Aviation Administration is under review and expected soon; and certification of the military version of the five-bladed H145 is expected in 2021.

The Norwegian Air Ambulance Foundation, founded by Norwegian doctor Jens Moe in 1978, is parent company and owner of Norwegian Air Ambulance. Airbus explains the organization brought HEMS operations to Norway when it opened its first base near Oslo, using a BO105 helicopter rented from Germany.

Today, Norwegian Air Ambulance operates all 13 HEMS bases in Norway and all four bases in Denmark using a fleet of H135s and H145s, which are all Helionix-equipped. The organization explains its new five-bladed H145 will be used to improve its HEMS operations.

“We’re proud to be the first operator to use the new five-bladed H145 for our research and development projects,” says Hans Morten Lossius, Secretary General of Norwegian Air Ambulance Foundation.

The H145 is developed jointly with Kawasaki Heavy Industries. The first delivery by the Japanese cooperation partner is scheduled for early next year. Powered by two Safran Arriel 2E engines, the H145 is equipped with full authority digital engine control (FADEC), Helionix avionics and a 4-axis autopilot.