Recently established operator BackBone Aviation has been chosen to provide helicopter services to the Danish meteorological services centre for ocean and ice (DMI) in the southern part of Greenland, starting in April.

The company, which was established during 2011, will provide helicopters for ice reconnaissance in Greenland's Inner Straits in order for the DMI to provide safe passage of ships in this area. It is a round the year service, and is provided free of charge for local ships and cruise liners.

"The ice is monitored by satellite from the north eastern part of Greenland, from where it travels down the coastline, and proceeds past Cape Farewell, one of the most dangerous waters in the world, along the western coast of Greenland, before it breaks off and settles on the north western shore of Greenland and the eastern shore of Canada," says managing director and pilot Nicolas Webèr.

"We will fly with a Eurocopter EC120, and normally it will be a pilot and an ice navigator, who will make up the ice reports that are transmitted to ships and put on the internet."

BackBone has taken over Bel Air Aviation's onshore helicopter operations, including a Hughes 300 and the EC120 helicopter. They will be used for ad-hoc assignments, mostly to transport urgently needed cargo and parcels as well as normal scenic tours and events. The company expects to obtain its own AOC in the first half of 2012.

BackBone is also offering a mobile heliport, which is mainly used during night-time. "It is deployed with our fire truck, which is the power source for the lighting system," says Webèr.

"We have been deployed to support events such as large concerts and festivals, but could be deployed to support rescue services in case of a mass casualty accident. It would be possible to maintain a 24-hour heliport on site." Plans are also in hand for increasing the fixed wing fleet up to three Dornier Do228s. These will be used for a wide variety of tasks, but most likely for passenger services during the day and cargo at night. Ad hoc charter will also be offered.

"Backbone evolved from a desire to fly below the radar, so to speak. A true desire to fly 'off road' and not to just queue up on the airways like everybody else. And also with a strong pioneering feeling, which is the primary reason for choosing the Do228. A more agile utility airplane is hard to come across," says Webèr.

Tasks such as transporting equipment during Arctic events or desert events are opportunities the company will look for, as well as supporting customers in remote places with limited access.