Coptersafety, a rapidly growing flight training service provider, and Østnes, a Nordic Airbus Helicopters distributor, are launching a cooperation to improve the operational safety of Airbus H125 (previously known as AS350) helicopters in the Nordic countries. According to the agreement, Østnes is now an authorized dealer for Coptersafety’s training services. Coptersafety’s training centre is adjacent to the Helsinki International Airport in Finland.
The cooperation takes a completely new approach to safety training in the rotorcraft industry, offering H125 training as a turnkey project. “Coptersafety is independent from any helicopter or simulator manufacturers, unlike most training providers. With Østnes we are now offering pilot training like Safety as a Service (SaaS), which is something we have not yet seen in the sector,” said Mikko Dahlman, CEO, Coptersafety.
“With our new H125 level D simulator we can now jointly offer the safety culture and training capabilities already seen in O&G, SAR, and HEMS operations to a whole new range of single engine onshore operators. As a result, we hope the number of single engine onshore helicopter accidents can be efficiently mitigated. With our simulator services pilots can be one step ahead of reality,” Dahlman continued.
As an official Airbus Helicopters distributor and aftermarket provider in the Nordic countries, Østnes is a natural sales partner for Coptersafety’s training services. There is a significant amount of H125 operators within the aviation market, but simulator training is lagging, compared to the operation of twin engine helicopters in sectors such as oil and gas (O&G), search and rescue (SAR), and helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS).
“Both Østnes and Coptersafety aim to develop the safety domain of single engine helicopter operations, in particular. Airbus H125 is currently the dominant single engine model in the Nordic countries. There is a clear demand for better training solutions and capabilities in onshore single engine helicopter operations”, said Frode Østnes, President of Østnes, explaining the motives behind the agreement.
Full flight simulator training effectively reduces accidents
Simulator-based training is a very efficient method in terms of aviation safety. Currently, single engine helicopters are ten times more likely to have an accident in onshore operations than in oil and gas (O&G) operations offshore. In fact, studies show that over 50% of single engine helicopter accidents onshore are due to pilot error. One of the biggest reasons for the higher safety performance in O&G operations is the use of Full Flight Simulators.
Coptersafety was founded to improve the safety in the sector. The world’s first level D (highest simulator standard) H125 full flight simulator is an important indication of Coptersafety’s ambitious goal. It enables the highest-level training for Airbus H125 pilots all over the world for the first time. Together with Østnes, this opportunity will be available to all H125 pilots in the Nordic countries, especially.
Combining forces and working with carefully selected partners is ideal for Coptersafety as an independent training provider. Coptersafety’s approach enables extensive cooperation with different actors, increasing efficiency in the value chain of helicopter operations – ultimately improving safety.
Facts about helicopters in the Nordic countries:
– There are approximately 460 helicopters in the Nordic countries in total.
– Around 120 (26%) helicopters are Airbus H125 / AS350 helicopters.
– One Airbus H125 typically employs 1-3 pilots.
Airbus Helicopters, Civil, Coptersafety, H125, News, Østnes, Simulators, Training
