CHC Helikopterservice begins new SAR contract in Svalbard

CHC Helikopterservice (CHC HS), the Norwegian division of CHC, began operating a new 10-year search and rescue (SAR) contract for the Governor’s Helicopter Service in the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard.

The contract was awarded on behalf of the Governor of Svalbard by the Norwegian Ministry of Justice, which among other things is charged maintaining the existence of Norwegian settlements in the unincorporated territory and guaranteeing proper observance of the 1920 Svalbard Treaty.

Under the contract, CHC HS will be required to provide 24/7 emergency rescue helicopter services using two Airbus AS332 L1 ‘Super Puma’ helicopters, plus one back-up aircraft, with a six-person crew including a doctor.

Heli-One has provided support to CHC in delivering the contract

According to details on the Svalbard Governor’s website, the helicopters have been ‘adapted for flying in extremely cold conditions, and have a long range auto hover function and thermal camera’ and are ‘also equipped for night flying and have de-icing equipment’.

Maintenance, repair and overhaul firm Heli-One has reportedly provided support to CHC HS in delivering the contract. Kevin Spengler, the company’s Vice President, said that the firm was ‘pleased to have collaborated with our colleagues at CHC HS on this critical project’, adding that Heli-One offers a range of ‘design, manufacturing and installation of modification’ services ‘that modernize and enhance the operational capabilities of mission critical aircraft.’

CHC also recently acquired Babcock International’s offshore oil and gas aviation business, taking over operations in Australia, Denmark, and the UK in September 2021.