The Norwegian Air Ambulance (Norsk Luftambulanse) has ordered three H135s and two five-bladed H145s that will be used for life-saving missions in Denmark, following a tender the aeromedical operator recently won in the country. Moreover, the HEMS operator will take delivery of two new H145s in 2024 to expand its fleet in Norway.

"The H135 and the five-bladed H145 have proven to be very versatile and suitable helicopters for our HEMS operations,": says CEO Leif Olstad. "With the new helicopters we will continue to serve the people of Denmark and Norway with the best service possible."

Today, Norwegian Air Ambulance operates all 13 HEMS bases in Norway and all four bases in Denmark using a 100 per cent Helionix-equipped fleet of H135s and H145s. The organisation's parent company, the Norwegian Air Ambulance Foundation, was the first operator in the world to take delivery of a five-bladed H145 in 2020.

"I would like to thank the Norwegian Air Ambulance for its continued trust in our helicopters to support its essential life-saving missions," says Airbus Helicopters head of Europe Thomas Hein. "Our mission is to provide our operators with the best solutions possible in order to make the world a safer place. Representing more than 1,100 of the 2,700 helicopters deployed for HEMS operations across the globe, it is a genuine source of pride to see that the H135 and the H145 are the benchmark for those missions worldwide, making a positive difference to people requiring urgent medical care."

Pilots with the Norwegian Air Ambulance are to receive 14 new ASU E3 night vision goggles and five cockpit modifications next year through Aviation Specialties' accredited representative Skytec.

"We have been working with clients in Europe for years and hold EASA STCs for the H145 and H135 aircraft operated by Norwegian Air Ambulance," says ASU vice president of sales Dan Meyer. "Skytec is a valuable partner. We are proud to work with it to help Norwegian Air Ambulance complete its mission."

Skytec is an EASA Part-145 approved facility located at Sandefjord airport Torp. It is Norway's only NVG service centre and has full capability on AN/AVS-9 night vision goggles with green or white phosphor.

"I have worked closely with Skytec sales manager Dag Skjaeveland for many years," says Frankfurt, Germany-based ASU chief pilot, director of safety and European sales representative Alexander Emmel. "We not only support its work with Norwegian Air Ambulance customers in Norway but also worked with it on the Norwegian Police Force."

Skjaeveland adds: "ASU has the unique capability of offering us and our customers a one-stop shop solution, including cockpit modification, design support, training and NVG products in one place. We like that the new E3 design reduces weight, requires less maintenance and has quicker turnaround times on maintenance of the googles."