After an unfortunate accident, Airlift Helicopter has recently replaced its crashed Eurocopter AS 350 B3 with another. “This is the only helicopter we have at the moment, although we do have another

AS 350 on order at the moment.

We use the aircraft mainly for spreading limestone over acidulated waters,” said administration manager, Olof Dahlstrom. Scandinavia is particularly affected by acid rain, and therefore around 80 per cent of the helicopter’s work concentrates on this.

Dahlstrom explained the reparation process: “All of the northern Scandinavian countries have problems with acid rain, which originates mainly from the UK and Northern Europe.

“The limestone repairs the damage created within the lakes and rivers, so that fish and small sea creatures can survive. In Sweden and Norway, the governments spend around £30 million a year distributing limestone powder and granules.” The company said it has been working with the government since 1982 and consequently the two have built a good working relationship.

The company chose the Eurocopter AS 350 because: “It’s a very modern helicopter with comparatively the best performance on the market at present. The 350 is also the only helicopter in its price range which can lift the heavy amounts we require,” explained Dahlstrom. When carrying the limestone, flights can range

from between 500 metres to a few kilometres.

Prior to becoming involved with helicopters, the company had used boats and other vehicles to distribute the limestone. Airborne operations started around ten years ago.

“We don’t do very much private charter work. Alternative operations revolve around the larger forestry companies in Sweden, including transporting workers and ariel examinations of wooded areas,” said Dahlstrom. Airlift Helicopters has its own hangar with a small office attached, in Hudiksvall (in the middle of Sweden).