Arlanda Helicopter has just brought into operation two newly acquired Bell 206LT (TwinRanger) aircraft.

Tomas Wallis, coordinator flight operation, said: "The two LTs are the only ones in Scandinavia."

They join three Bell 206B-3 JetRanger, three Bell 206L-3 LongRanger, a Bell 407 and an Agusta 109 Mk2.

Arlanda focuses on "fast and comfortable" taxi, charter and business flights around Sweden. It operates from Stockholm's Arlanda airport and from two full-scale second bases, one at Gaevle-Sandviken airport and one at Akersberga heliport.

"Those bases have strategic positions and are favourable for operations in the regions of Gaestrikland and Dalarna, as well as for the archipelago of Stockholm and the Finnish island of Aland's vast archipelago," Wallis said. "We are engaged by industry, government authorities, organisations, companies and private individuals for fast and direct flights. These are often to destinations that can not be reached by any other kind of transportation or when time is of essence.

"We pick up and drop off our costumers at their discretion if it is possible due to safety regulations and convenience."

Wallis added: "We also perform all kind of operations in the aerial works conception such as sling

load for construction companies, power line inspections, forest inventory, thermographing with IR-camera, and reconnaissance.

"We have a long experience of film and video production with Taylor mount, Wescam and Sony DVR, aerial photography and other aerial documentation."

All service and maintenance takes place in Arlanda's own hangars.

Wallis said: "We are the only helicopter company with our own heliport in the heart of downtown Stockholm - in the Old Town, next to the subway station. It is easy to reach and very accessible." Arlanda Helicopter has chosen Bell for its operations since its beginnings in 1988. Wallis said: "They are known for their safety record, excellent economy and first-class comfort."

Arlanda runs a conference service around Stockholm and its archipelago. It is also establishing the AH Flight School at Gaevle-Sandviken Airport to give full training operation for both fixed wing and helicopter.

The flight school offers both theoretical education and practical training all from PPL to CPL and IFR. The helicopter training is performed in a Bell 206 BIII JetRanger. It is equipped with a traditional instrument panel and a Garmin 295 GPS colour map.

There is only one non-hospital heliport in central Stockholm - and it's owned by Arlanda Helicopter. "Police and rescue helicopters use our heliport when needed," Wallis said.