Mar 03 2025

NHV Crucial to Offshore Transport Posted 10 days ago ago by Admin

NVH Crucial to Offshore Transport
Story and Photos by Roelof-Jan Gort and Bjorn van der Flier

NHV at Esbjerg Airport

Esbjerg Airport, on Denmark’s west coast, has long been a key aviation and transport hub. Among its notable operators is NHV (Noordzee Helikopters Vlaanderen), recognizable by its bright yellow helicopters. NHV plays a crucial role in offshore helicopter transport, particularly in the North Sea.

Esbjerg Airport is a key base for NHV A/S, supporting offshore personnel and equipment transport, including wind energy services in the North Sea. Its proximity to major oil and gas fields makes it ideal for NHV’s passenger, cargo, and training operations.

NHV operates three H175 helicopters at Esbjerg, employing 36 staff: 14 pilots, 14 technicians, and eight office personnel.

NightOps on the Esbjerg runway

Growth and Impact

Founded in 1997, NHV quickly became a trusted offshore transport provider that expanded across Europe and Africa. Initially serving the oil and gas industry, the company made Esbjerg Airport a key base due to its strategic location and modern facilities. While the airport dates back to 1948, the offshore energy boom of the late 20th century transformed it into a vital logistics hub, with NHV playing a significant role in its development.

Fleet Expansion and Offshore Challenges

NHV replaced and expanded from smaller helicopters to larger, advanced models to meet the growing demands of the offshore sector. Key aircraft included the EC155, EC225 Super Puma, H175, AW139, AW169, H145, and AS365. The U.K. led the offshore flying industry by adopting flight safety concepts, promoting twin-engine helicopters and a two-crew system. However, countries like Denmark lacked domestic manufacturers and depended on foreign OEMs.

The EC155 and AS365 became Denmark’s first safety-enhanced offshore helicopters, with DanCopter, formed in 2003, taking over some Maersk contracts. The introduction of the EC225 in 2012 was a significant milestone, transporting up to 19 workers. Yet, the aircraft faced challenges: a crash in 2012 led to an industry-wide grounding, and a fatal 2016 incident at Bergen, Norway, resulted in the removal of EC225s from North Sea operations and the closure of several operators.

Even though the sun just came out this NHV H175 leaves on a early morning flight towards the North sea

In 2015, NHV Group acquired DanCopter, beginning a new era for Denmark's offshore business. Post-EC225, all oil and gas customers rejected new helicopter models. NHV turned to the Airbus H175, which became the preferred choice due to its smaller cabin size and better fit for NHV’s operations. Despite fewer seats, the H175 achieved nearly full occupancy. NHV’s commitment to safety and quality earned numerous certifications, reflecting its high standards in maintenance and training, ensuring readiness for offshore challenges.

Strategic Partnerships and Collaborations

Base Manager Eriksen shared that NHV’s selection for the Danish oil and gas operations was based on their competitive tender bid, where they prioritize delivering a high quality product, maintaining a strong safety policy, and offering competitive pricing. She explained, “We assess the best helicopter type based on the customer’s needs--flight distance, passenger count—and aim to offer the best value in terms of price, payload, and flight time.”

EASA Heli Sa Cat 1 operations

In March 2024, NHV Group's Danish entity became the first North Sea operator approved by EASA (European Union Aviation Safety Agency) to conduct operations with operational credits under Helicopter Special Authorization Category I (Heli Sa Cat I) operations. This approval enhances operational flexibility by increasing the number of accessible alternate locations within the fuel range, allowing NHV to continue flights when competitors are grounded, improving service for customers.

The modern and clean flightdeck of the H175, all the switches are with hands reach on the center pedestal

Key components of Heli Sa Cat 1 include: safety management systems, pilot training, maintenance standards, and operational procedures. The approval offers several operational advantages over standard regulations, such as:

• Reduced minimum visibility from 550 meters to 300 meters.
• The ability to descend to 150 feet using the Instrument Landing System (ILS) or to go down to 130 feet when Low Visibility Procedures (LVP) are available, compared to the usual minimum descent altitude of 200 feet.
• Lower weather requirements for alternate airfields, with visibility reduced from 1,000 meters to 600 meters, and cloud ceilings lowered from 400 feet to 300 feet, improving operational days and payload capacity.

To obtain this approval, NHV utilized helicopters equipped with a 4-axis autopilot with automatic level-off, a feature in all H175 helicopters. Pilots underwent both theoretical and practical simulator training, completed during recent sessions in Marseilles, to meet necessary requirements.

Pilot Training

NHV places a strong emphasis on pilot training, adhering to EASA’s high standards. Their comprehensive training includes simulator sessions, emergency response drills, and ongoing evaluations to ensure pilots are skilled in both helicopter operation and handling unexpected situations. Eriksen said, “We conduct all training in-house and at Airbus Helicopters in Marseilles. Pilots must meet simulator hour requirements and customer-specific flying hours before being permitted to fly. New pilots begin with classroom instruction, followed by simulator training in Marseilles. If successful, they proceed to helicopter flight training with a Line trainer for up to two weeks. After completing three weeks of classroom training, two weeks in the simulator, and seven to 14 days of flight training, they are ready to serve as co-pilots. However, they can only fly alongside experienced captains.” This rigorous process ensures pilots are well-prepared for real-world challenges.

Janne Dethlefsen after finishing her cockpit preflight checks, ready to go.

Experiences from a pilot’s view

Dethlefsen, a 32-year-old co-pilot with approximately 1,400 flight hours, shares her journey and experiences in the aviation industry. Her training began at Esbjerg Airport on the R22, pursuing a modular path that allowed her to work while gaining her PPL. She completed her ATPL at Billund Air Center and returned to Esbjerg to finish her CPL on the R44. Afterward, she focused on sightseeing flights for five years, aiming for her dream of flying offshore, although she needed more hours. She obtained her IR and FI before starting training on the H175 with Babcock in 2021. She flew with Babcock and CHC until 2023 when she transitioned to NHV, where she continues to fly the H175.

Dethlefsen chose NHV because they use the same H175 model for which she was rated, and she’d heard positive reviews about the company. At NHV, she works as a co-pilot, flying offshore to oil and gas platforms. She emphasizes the teamwork involved in each flight that involves working closely with the pilot-in-command to ensure safe operations. Typically, she flies around 600 hours annually on the H175, conducting pre-flight checks, reviewing weather information, and preparing for each flight. Their aircraft can carry up to 16 passengers with a maximum payload of 4,471 pounds (2,028 kgs.), though this depends on weather conditions and other factors.

The H175 is noted for its comfort and advanced features, including high automation, low vibration, and excellent air conditioning and heating. The autopilot system, with "Auto Hover" and "Autoland" capabilities, enhances safety and precision. The aircraft's range of 650 nautical miles allows Dethlefsen and her crew to reach all the oil and gas installations in the North Sea.
Flying to offshore installations involves assessing risks before landing. Dethlefsen and her crew evaluate potential threats, such as wind direction, turbulence, exhaust gases, or nearby vessels, and decide on countermeasures. She strives to maintain the highest level of skill and safety with each flight, ensuring that all risks are mitigated.

For offshore flights, NHV equips its helicopters with floats, which are armed during sea flights. These floats can be inflated if needed for an emergency water landing. All crew members undergo annual SIM training, which includes ditching scenarios both with and without engine power. Every third year, crew members practice helicopter evacuation procedures in water at RelyOn Nutec, simulating real-life emergencies with a submerged helicopter. Passengers also undergo this training before flying offshore to ensure their safety in the unpredictable weather of the North Sea.
Night flying presents additional challenges, such as maintaining night vision, dealing with the autokinesis effect (an illusion of moving lights), and navigating false horizons. Dethlefsen explains how reliance on instruments and constant scanning helps mitigate these risks, especially when landing on offshore platforms with minimal lighting.

One of the NHV's technicians inspection the main rotor to make sure the aircraft is in tip top shape.

Maintenance and Operational Excellence

NHV's maintenance procedures exceed EASA's regulatory requirements, leveraging advanced technology and best practices to ensure aircraft safety and reliability. Operational protocols are regularly updated to meet the latest safety standards. McNeil, NHV’s chief of maintenance in Denmark, previously led maintenance in Africa for 10 years. At Esbjerg Airport, NHV follows a progressive maintenance schedule based on flight hours and calendar time, covering inspections up to 800 hours. Engineers hold B1.3, B2, and C licenses, allowing them to handle turbine engines, instrumentation, electronics, and oversee conformity to regulatory requirements. The maintenance schedule includes checks at 10, 50, 100, 150, 200, 280, 400, 600, and 800 flight hours. Despite operating up to seven days a week, the availability of helicopters for operational deployment remains above 85%, thanks to rigorous maintenance and repairs.

Strategic Growth

In May 2023, NHV A/S secured a significant contract with TotalEnergies EP Denmark to support offshore operations in the Danish sector of the North Sea. From Esbjerg Airport, NHV deployed a dedicated H175 helicopter to transport personnel and equipment to TotalEnergies’ installations in the Dan and Tyra fields. This marked a key step in NHV’s growth in the offshore oil and gas sector.
In July 2024, NHV further expanded its portfolio by securing a 3+2-year contract renewal with INEOS, with potential extensions. As Base Manager Eriksen, explains, NHV is responsible for daily crew changes, flying personnel offshore every day to the rigs. “Sometimes they need additional flights, especially during severe weather, and we ensure we support them,” she notes.

H175 waiting for its load of passengers at one of the oilrigs in the North sea

Each day, NHV typically operates two to four flights for both INEOS and TotalEnergies. However, when weather delays occur, such as high waves or lightning, the company coordinates additional flights to catch up. “Each flight takes between two-and-a-half hours to four hours, and we need to plan carefully to ensure everything is operational. Our engineers also perform checks between flights,” Eriksen adds, emphasizing the daily coordination required.

On any given day, NHV transports between two and 16 passengers per flight, with 12 to 16 passengers being typical. In some cases, if a single passenger’s transport is essential, NHV accommodates the request. However, weather is the most significant factor influencing operations. Bad weather, such as storms or high waves, can lead to delays of one or two days before flights resume.

Prospects

As the global energy landscape evolves, NHV Group continues to adapt to new realities, including the increasing focus on renewable energy sources. The company is exploring opportunities in the offshore wind sector, which is gaining momentum in the North Sea. This shift aligns with global sustainability goals and promises to keep Esbjerg Airport at the forefront of aviation logistics in the region.

 

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