Heli Bernina has added an AS350B helicopter to its fleet. The managed helicopter will be operated by its owner at St Gallen, Switzerland, and when it is used for charter by Heli Bernina it will fly out from Engadin Airport in St Moritz, where the company is situated.

Heli Bernina already operates two AS350B3s, one Lama and two Agusta A109E helicopters. The aircraft are used for a number of services including executive charter, air ambulance, aerial work, law enforcement for the local police service and for emergency search and rescue organisation REGA.

The bulk of its business comes from sling loading work however, explained chief pilot Tom Baerfuss.

The helicopter began operating in February 2006, following three weeks of maintenance work. It will be used predominantly by the owner and on occasion used for charter work.

"We are not obliged to buy any charter hours," Baerfuss said. "It will be used when necessary but last year we only flew about 20 to 40 hours - the aircraft are used mainly by the owners."

There are no plans to acquire any further aircraft at this stage, he added.