Austria-based ÖAMTC Air Rescue Service HeliAir has negotiated a partnership deal with Airbus Helicopters that will include Kokon as a standard option in the helicopter manufacturer's catalogue.

Kokon (or Cocoon) is a self-supporting interior trim whose design allows for the easy integration of medical equipment into the helicopter, significantly reducing costs, labour and down-time by removing the need for special adaptations.

In order to be included in the catalogue, HeliAir production had to undergo an extensive auditing process, examining delivery capacity, end-production and installation. “The partnership deal underscores the good international reputation that HeliAir enjoys,” says managing director Marco Trefanitz. “For us, this is also a clear mandate to continue delivering the highest standards of quality in all of our operations.”

Kokon is a lightweight, highly resilient fixture grid suited for virtually every application. It provides enhanced versatility of the entire interior, and the installation of new mounting supports requires no additional approvals, saving time and costs. The manufacturer claims it is the ideal standard cabin for leasing banks as subsequent uses remain entirely open. It is easy to retrofit the helicopter to its factory state, and there is quick and easy maintenance access for mast or ARIS replacement with improved interior lighting for optimum working conditions.

“Interest in Kokon has been tremendous,” adds Trefanitz. “We owe this success in large part to our former technical director Wolfgang Burger, who left us tragically before his time. He was the mastermind and driving force behind this brilliant development.”