As part of its comprehensive one-stop-shop strategy, Østnes Helicopters has successfully established an insourced Continuing Airworthiness Management Organization (CAMO) department. This strategic move not only complements the sales and technical departments but also significantly enhances the company’s ability to support projects like the ongoing Air Greenland project. By extending the range of services offered, the CAMO plays a pivotal role in meeting the needs of customers seeking helicopter modifications and retrofits through our Part 145 capabilities. Photo: Ola Ulhen // Ulhen Productions   Østnes Aero AS received its CAMO approval from the Norwegian Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) in December 2022. Since then, the department has made substantial strides. With the recent transition of our previous Continuous Airworthiness Manager (CAM), Karl Andreassen, to a new role at Air Greenland, we were pleased to announce Vincent Barelli-Rey as the new CAM of Østnes Helicopters. Additionally, both Vincent Barelli-Rey and Tiphaine Rollet, our Technical Project Manager, have been approved by CAA as airworthiness review staff (ARS).   One of the noteworthy advancements is the Norwegian CAA's approval for the use of digital Aircraft Technical Logbooks (E-techlog), which will streamline workflows and enhance coordination between operators and the CAMO. This digital shift is expected to significantly simplify operations and improve efficiency.   Further improvements have been made to our Maintenance Information System (MIS) with the introduction of automated induction of SAFRAN and AIRBUS helicopter data packs, which simplifies the integration of assets and expedites the process. The new SAFRAN Logbook Connect service is particularly transformative, allowing operators to reduce administrative burdens when receiving replacement engines, modules, or accessories. This service enables faster returns to flight by allowing customers to import airworthiness data directly into their MIS, eliminating the need for manual data entry during initialization. Additionally, AIRBUS manual revisions updates have been automated to the MRX system, including ALS and MSM, providing the ability to retrieve the Maintenance Servicing Manual and all Airworthiness Limitations for the helicopters directly from T.I.P.I., Airbus Helicopters' online publication service, ensuring that data is always up-to-date and comprehensive with a single click.   Looking ahead, we are actively working to extend the scope of our CAMO services to include the Airbus H145, in line with our recent approval for H145 under Part 145 scope.   These advancements reflect Østnes Helicopters' commitment to enhancing operational efficiency and maintaining the highest standards of airworthiness management. As we continue to innovate and expand our capabilities, we remain dedicated to providing top-tier services to our clients and partners in the aviation industry.

Explore Østnes Helicopters' innovations, ranging from advanced tech installations to tailor-made modifications. Join us for an exclusive sneak peek into Air Greenland's nine upgraded H125! With the delivery of nine new H125s scheduled to commence in late summer 2023 and extend into 2024, Air Greenland is making remarkable strides to modernize its helicopter fleet, solidifying its position as a leader in the charter industry, catering to tourists and mineral sectors. In this thrilling development, Østnes Helicopters has been chosen by Air Greenland to customize these aircraft, ensuring that each one is tailored to the airline's unique requirements. Our mission involves a range of essential installations, resulting in a truly bespoke and high-performance aircraft that is perfectly aligned with Air Greenland's vision. Here's a glimpse of the transformations we're making to these helicopters: Cargo Pods: We're enhancing the capabilities of the H125s by installing cargo pods, expanding their utility beyond passenger transport. This mean greaters cargo holds volume to carry various loads, from equippment to supplies. Flightcell DZMx: Our expert technicians are equipping the aircraft with Flightcell technology, guaranteeing efficient communication and data connectivity, vital for remote and challenging operating environments. This advanced technology system offers both cellular and Iridium connectivity for remote missions. Pilots can seamlessly communicate with anyone using the integrated intercommunication system (ICS). Furthermore, it provides real-time H/C location to operator systems and includes the capability to connect a laptop via USB for internet acces. FM Radio NPX 138: With the FM Radio, the helicopters will maintain seamless communication, ensuring the safety and security of passengers and crew during each specific mission. Garmin GTX 345R: The Garmin GTX 345R adds an extra layer of security, offering ADS-B In and Out capabilities, providing real-time information on air traffic through Garmin Display Units for enhancing situational awareness. Airframe painting: As part of the customization process, the aircraft will undergo a stunning transformation at our painting service center, Heli Paint, located at Eggemoen. Our painters will meticulously apply the Air Greenland paint scheme, ensuring that every detail is perfect, and the aircraft emerges as a true work of art, both in appearance and performance. Following these extensive modifications, applying a fresh coat of paint offers significant advantages. Installing Floats, Bearpaws, Wearplates and Emergency Litter Deck: These installations are vital for versatility, allowing the aircraft to perform excellently in a range of conditions, including water landings and extreme environments. Battery Relocation Kit: By relocating the battery in the tail boom, we're optimizing weight distribution and improving overall aircraft performance. This also maximize the cargo hold volume. Maximum Pilot View Kit: Our customization includes the installation of a Maximum Pilot View Kit, offering the pilot an unparalleled field of vision. This enhancement ensures safer and smoother operations while reducing pilot fatigue. Implementing Engine Inlet Barrier Filter: These additions are crucial for safeguarding the engine by preventing snow and ice intake, while also extending its service life through the filtration of pollutants, dust, and ashes. In addition to these modifications, Østnes Helicopters performs various minor improvements, which include: Installation of an aft cargo door locking switch with a warning light to enhance safety. Integration of a power supply for the crew's ANR headset. Addition of an instrument panel Push-to-Talk (PTT) for specific missions. Enhancement of the power supply socket in the cockpit for improved versatility. Østnes Helicopters is dedicated to achieving the highest standards and is at the forefront of innovation in the aviation industry. We welcome prospective customers to discover how we can enhance their helicopter fleet, much like we are currently doing for Air Greenland. View the video below for a sneak peek at the delivery of the first two helicopters, OY-HVH and OY-HVI, which took place in late November. Film: Ola Ulhen // Ulhen Productions

This past Tuesday, our team at Østnes Helicopters had the incredible pleasure of hosting a thrilling mini-event in collaboration with Airbus Helicopters at Helitech OY's location. Despite the autumn weather, the event turned out to be a remarkable success, leaving us excited to share the highlights of the day with you. We were delighted to welcome customers from all across Finland for a day filled with engaging conversations, delectable finger foods, snacks, and even some breathtaking experiences with demo flights featuring the H125 and ACH130 helicopters. Airbus Helicopters, our esteemed partner, also graced us with informative presentations on the #H125 and #H130 models, adding to the wealth of knowledge shared during the event. This fantastic Tuesday would not have been possible without the invaluable support of our great partners: Helsinki Citycopter, Heliwest, Helitech Oy and Airbus Helicopters. See pictures from the event: A massive thank you to everyone who visited us in Hyvinkää on this thrilling Tuesday. We genuinely appreciate your support and engagement. It was an incredible day, and we cannot wait to see you again soon for more exciting adventures, insightful conversations, and perhaps even more thrilling events in the future!

Air Greenland has announced the purchase of nine new H125 helicopters, indicating a significant investment in the renewal of their helicopter fleet. The aircraft is scheduled for delivery beginning late summer 2023 and continuing out in 2024, with the goal of progressively modernizing the company's present helicopter fleet of AS350s while remaining appealing for charter work in the tourist and minerals sectors. Photos: Air Greenland, Marco Peyer In light of this milestone, we are pleased to inform that Østnes Helicopters has been chosen by Air Greenland for the customization of aircrafts to meet the demands of Air Greenland. This involves, installing equipment, painting the aircraft in Air Greenland paint scheme in our brand new paint facilities, and ensuring that they are operationally ready. The aircraft will be prepared at our service center at Eggemoen by our Part 145, support/logistics and CAMO team. Overall, the H125 helicopter investment represents a big step forward for Air Greenland and demonstrates the company's dedication to provide the best possible service to its customers. With this modern fleet, Air Greenland is well positioned to meet environmental goals while also providing a safe, reliable, and comfortable experience. We are proud to be part of this fleet renewal and thankful for the trust given to us by Air Greenland. We are well prepared and will do our utmost to meet their expectations! For further information about Air Greenland’s investment, click here: https://www.airgreenland.com/news/air-greenland-invests-in-nine-h125-helicopters/

Earlier this month, our Head of Sales, Stine Østnes, represented Østnes Helicopters at Ringerikskonferansen 2022. Ringerikskonferansen is conducted by the Ringerike Næringsforening, and this year's conference focused on the business prospects and difficulties in the Ringerike region from an international, national, and local viewpoint. Together, high experienced leaders and local firms from a variety of industries were gathered to share their beliefs, and to inspire and discuss the business communities' future. For that occasion, Stine Østnes were requested to deliver a brief speech on why we opted to invest our business at Eggemoen, Hønefoss, and to share how we worked to get to where we are now. A great and central location for distribution with proximity to Gardermoen and Oslo, faith in the vision and long-term perspective of Eggemoen Aviation & Technology park, and a conducive atmosphere are some key words for why we opted to invest our business right here. In consistent with the commitment at Eggemoen, Østnes Helicopters' aim over the last year has been to co-locate our business areas, recruit local employees, take responsibility for increasing industry capabilities by becoming an educational firm, and contribute to greater industry safety via specialization. This year, we were given the RNF's Business Award, confirming that our efforts over the last year have been successful. The jury's reasons for awarding the Business Award 2022 were as follows: "The company is relatively new to the Ringerike region. It developed a "One Stop Shop" and service center for Airbus helicopters in Eggemoen in 2020 as part of the Eggemoen Aviation & Technology park. In aircraft engineering and service alone, 12 new staff were employed in 2022 due to the company's rapid expansion. In addition, they have substantial growth ambitions, and it is certain that their expansion will occur at Eggemoen. The company is an excellent example of what can be accomplished in a technological environment in Eggemoen, and we believe it can lead the way for both its own expansion and the formation of other businesses in the region. The company is also engaged with recruiting and settlement in the Ringerike region in order to increase its visibility and presence." Photo: Elin Harstad Iversen, Ringerikes Blad After the conference, Stine Østnes expressed her excitement of receiving the award to Ringerikes Blad: There are plenty intriguing events occurring. Future developments at Eggemoen will increase, according to Stine Østnes, who pledges additional investments and employment. She commends the proprietor of Eggemoen, Ola Tronrud, for facilitating the business. The position of Ringerike is precisely ideal. (Ringerikes Blad, 10.13.22) We are honored and humbled to receive this award, and we are grateful to our employees, partners, and customers for allowing us to do what we love most!

#HelisinkiCiticopter, which has got off to a literally flying start with their business and charter operations, is increasing its fleet with two corporate helicopters. The company has ordered one premium-quality Airbus ACH130 helicopter and will also rent an identical one. These helicopters, the most advanced in the business flight sector, will be handed over to Helsinki Citycopter in the spring, with the first commercial flights starting in summer 2022. Helsinki Citycopter began operations in 2020, bringing helicopter services more available to the general public. Services familiar in international metropolises became popular among Finnish customers during the pandemic because of flight restrictions. Encouraged by the higher demand, Helsinki Citycopter decided to expand its fleet. They chose Airbus ACH130, which is one of the world’s most advanced models not only because of its flight properties and safety but also its environmental friendliness. With the new helicopters, Helsinki Citycopter’s fleet will grow to five, and become the most modern in the Nordic countries. “Since the 1980s, Finland has not seen corporate-level helicopters like these, and once we receive the helicopters in the spring, we will have the best fleet in the Nordic countries. Best in the market in terms of quiet operation and environmental impact in this size range, the helicopter is also equipped with technology that increases safety and comfort,” says Joonas Nurmi, the co-founder of Helsinki Citycopter. The Airbus ACH130 is more spacious than earlier helicopters used for civilian flights in Finland, and it has been designed for clientele that expects premium services. The soundproofed cabin is equipped with air conditioning, and the raised rear part of the cabin offers an unobstructed view in all directions. The turbine engine has been improved to be more fuel-efficient, which reduces the environmental impact. ”The new helicopter is not only efficient, safe and stable, but in terms of the distance and number of passengers, it consumes less fuel than an average-sized motorboat. These investments are indeed in line with our sustainability strategy aiming at carbon neutrality. We are the only aviation company whose service has been granted the Sustainable Travel Finland label, and these new helicopters aim to reduce flight emissions even further,” says Nurmi. Finland covered quickly with helicopters The seven-seater ACH130 has a maximum speed of 240 km/h with a maximum flight time of four hours. “With these new helicopters, we can offer more people memorable travel experiences and a quicker connection to places that have previously been difficult to access or at least taken a long time to reach in Finland. As an air-travel hub, Helsinki-Vantaa will continue to connect Europe and Asia, so our service will be welcomed by transit travellers who want to see as much as possible in a short space of time. At best, we can take customers on board during the few hours they have between flights. We strongly believe that helicopter travel will also increase in Finland,” says Joonas Nurmi. Helsinki Citycopter’s current fleet consists of Airbus H125, EC120 and Robinson R44 helicopters, carrying 3–5 passengers. Helsinki-Uusimaa Regional Council chose Helsinki Citycopter as the 2022 startup. The company is also involved in Visit Finland’s Sustainable Travel Finland programme and in the City of Helsinki’s partnership network that promotes sustainable travel. #ØstnesHelicopters, the Official Airbus Helicopters distributor in the Nordics, are very pleased with the decision by Helsinki Citycopter to make ACH130 their choice when expanding their helicopter business in Finland. “Having sold more than 300 Airbus Helicopters since our inception in 1993, we know these products by heart and as such that the ACH130 will fulfil the requirements as well as expectations by Helsinki Citycopter and its customers. We wish Citycopter all success with its fleet expansion and we do look forward to increasing our cooperation resting on Østnes Helicopter’s One Stop Shop concept”, says Frode Østnes, the executive chairman of Kjell A Østnes AS. For further information, please contact: Joonas Nurmi, joonas.nurmi@helsinkicitycopter.com, mobile phone number: +358504944322, or Mr. Frode Østnes, frode.ostnes@ostnes.com, mobile phone number +4791154970.