Norway’s Helitrans becomes first operator to receive Airbus H125 helicopters with digital logcards

Norwegian helicopter operator Helitrans has taken delivery of two Airbus H125 helicopters with digital logcards, becoming the first H125 operator able to manage the maintenance history of its aircraft components digitally, resulting in better data quality, time savings, and simpler processes, thereby reinforcing flight safety.

These helicopters are the first two in a series of seven H125s ordered by Helitrans to be delivered with fully digital logcards. They will be used for a wide range of missions that cover powerline construction and firefighting, as well as sightseeing trips, passenger transport, photography and telecom network development.

A logcard is a document that tracks the entire maintenance history of critical helicopter parts, from manufacture all along with their in-service lives. The digital logcard replaces outdated paper logcards, prone to loss and error, with digital content stored in a secured cloud. Airbus Helicopters first unveiled its digital logcards in March 2019, becoming the first helicopter manufacturer on the market to transform paper logcards into easy-to-use digital data.

“We welcome this innovative approach to logcard management, which is fully in line with Helitran’s vision of digitising and simplifying processes within the company,” said Per Erick Nesvold, director of maintenance of Helitrans.

“Since April 2019, we’ve been progressively offering customers taking delivery of a new Airbus civil helicopter the option of receiving digital logcards,” said Jean-Michel Arlhac, project leader for digital logcards at Airbus Helicopters. “We’re thankful for Helitrans’ confidence in our new digital means and look forward to receiving their valuable feedback in the months to come.”

Helitrans has been operating the H125 for almost thirty years from its bases around Norway. It is one of the largest helicopter companies in Norway and one of the top 30 civil operators in Europe. With these seven new H125s, Helitrans fleet will consist of 22 Airbus H125 and H130 helicopters.

The H125 and H130 lead the single-engine helicopter market, accounting for almost 70% of deliveries in the last five years. The Ecureuil fleet is composed of 5,000 helicopters in service with some 1,900 operators across the globe and it has accumulated more than 30 million flight hours.