Wiking Helikopter Service looked back at a successful 30th year in service in 2005, during which it has logged almost 90,000 flying hours, all accident free.

Based in Wilhemshaven, northern Germany, the company is a specialist for sophisticated aeronautical and technical offshore flight operations, its main task being sea pilot transfer in the North Sea on behalf of the German Ministry of Transportation. To date, 35,000 transfers have been safely conducted by Wiking, in conditions of up to storm force 10.

Wiking operates Sikorsky S-76 helicopters, which are equipped for instrumental flight approaches and so can be used day and night in most difficult weather conditions.

The company also operates a maintenance organisation, which provides service and maintenance both for its own helicopters and for those of national and international customers.

Additional activities carried out by Wiking include the airborne supply and maintenance of offshore installations, passenger transportation and air ambulance flights. The fleet has also been used for pipeline inspections, forest fertilisation, transportation of external loads and scientific projects.