Airlift has been awarded two contracts for NVIS certification of three (3) Eurocopter AS332 L1 Super Pumas from Norwegian operator Lufttransport (2 helicopters) and from Norwegian MRO specialist Heli-One (1 helicopter).
The contract covers design and EASA certification for new LED-technology NVG compatible lighting (internal and external) necessary for NVG operations of these helicopters that were originally not manufactured "NVIS compatible". The design will be developed by Airlift's EASA approved Part-21 Design Organisation (DOA) as a new Supplemental Type Certificate (STC). Airlift's partner NSE (formerly ECT) will provide NVIS lighting equipment, such as instrument panel lights and relative control panels.
The two Lufttransport’s Super Pumas will enter in service in 2014 as AWSAR (All Weather Search And Rescue) helicopters in the Arctic archipelago of Spitsbergen (Svalbard) under contract for the local government. Lufttransport had already awarded Airlift DOA two more contact for NVIS certification of its three (3) Eurocopter AS365 helicopters as well as its four (4) AgustaWestland AW139.
The AS332 contracted by Heli-One is a SAR helicopter in use at the Icelandic Coast Guard.
NVIS specialist Airlift already holds several NVIS STCs for Eurocopter AS365 N2/N3, BK117/EC145 as well as for AgustaWestland AW139, and has completed different certification of EMS/SAR helicopters in Scandinavia.
"At this precise moment we see a market for NVIS - comments Bjarte Teigen, Head of Design at Airlift - as civil NVG operations are getting more and more popular among EMS/SAR operators, while only recently helicopters began to come out from production lines fully NVIS certified. There are hundreds of helicopter, already in operation, that will continue to serve in EMS or SAR role in the next two decades".
Airlift, as an operator itself, has 15 years NVG operations experience with SAR helicopters such as AS332 and AS365.
ABOUT AIRLIFT
Airlift AS, based at Forde Airport in Bygstad, Norway, is the largest North European domestic helicopter company and the sole Norwegian government contractor for search and rescue. The company is part of the Blueway Group and operates 16 of the group’s helicopters.
In addition to performing design and maintenance on its own helicopters, Airlift has also offered design, installation and maintenance services to other helicopter companies for over 20 years. Airlift AS is holder of an EASA Part 21 Subpart J approval as Design Organization (DOA) (Approval ref. EASA.21J.315). This includes approval of design changes related to avionics, electrical and interiors as well as changes and minor repairs related to aircraft structure with a well established expertise in NVIS modifications, EMS layouts and mission/survey equipment installations.
For more information about Airlift AS visit www.airlift.no and www.airlift-doa.com.
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