Airbus delivered the first of its new five-blade H145s to the Norwegian Air Ambulance Sept. 30, in Germany. The variant is offered as a new aircraft off the production line, or through a retrofit kit for operators of the original H145 type.
The organization has another two five-bladed H145s on order and plans to retrofit its four-bladed H145s when the kit becomes available.
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| Airbus's five-blade helicopter was type certified by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency in June. (Photo Courtesy Airbus Helicopters) |
In this update of the H145, one of Airbus' popular helicopter designs, not only includes an extra blade but also adds a bearingless main rotor system with a fully composite flex-beam and main rotor blades to make the aircraft lighter and more efficient. This version also dispenses of the main rotor head entirely.
The net result of these modifications is an increase of 330 pounds in useful load over the four-bladed H145, a payload increase that is notably important for air ambulances.
“The increased useful load and the smooth flight make the new H145 the perfect choice . . . to further push the boundaries and enhance helicopter emergency medical services [HEMS] in Norway and in the whole air ambulance community, " said Hans Morten Lossius, Secretary General of Norwegian Air Ambulance Foundation.
This foundation is the mother company and owner of the Norwegian Air Ambulance. Founded in 1978 by Norwegian doctor Jens Moe, it brought HEMS to Norway by opening a first base near Oslo. Today, it operates all 13 HEMS bases in Norway and all four bases in Denmark using a fleet of H135s and H145s.
"Our main target with this aircraft is research and development projects,” said Erik Normann, director of flight operations development at the Norwegian Air Ambulance. “Of course, part of medical research is flying actual patients, so we will put it into service towards the end of this year.”
Normann said the aircraft would be "an important tool" in the organization's medical research projects, include testing small devices that could help the service in their daily work - including a CT scanner.
"A CT scanner is normally 400-500 kilograms, located in a hospital,” said Normann. “We would like to put it in this aircraft to improve stroke treatment dramatically.”
Other modifications include upgraded avionics with the installation of Airbus's Wireless Airborne Communication System, which allows navigation and mission database information to be imported form a tablet, and has the capability for cockpit Wi-Fi.
“I would like to thank the Norwegian Air Ambulance Foundation for their trust in our helicopters and especially in the H145 family of helicopters. I can’t wait to see this new version in operation, contributing to the success of life-saving missions,” said Bruno Even, Airbus Helicopters’ CEO. “Our teams have worked hard to bring this enhanced multi-mission helicopter to the market quickly.”
Mortin Lossius added the Norwegian Air Ambulance Foundation is proud to be the launch customer for this type. The new H145s will be flown to Norway, where the Norwegian Air Ambulance Foundation will install an Aerolite interior to enable the helicopter to fly HEMS missions.
This groundbreaking modification to a popular aircraft are already proving successful to Airbus during a time when many aircraft companies are struggling to sell commercial and ambulatory aircraft. The company currently has 90 orders for the five-blade helicopter and 80 orders for the retrofit kit.
Airbus's five-blade helicopter was type certified by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency in June, and the Federal Aviation Administration is expected to validate the new type this year, according to Axel Humpert, senior vice president and head of the H145 program at Airbus.
With more blades, come more unique parts. You can learn more about what rotorcraft parts are important to the five-blade upgrade at Aircraft Parts.
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