The Norwegian Air Ambulance (Norsk Luftambulanse) has ordered the Polycon Wireless Intercom Extension systems from Axnes Aviation for its entire EMS fleet of helicopters on behalf of the National Air Ambulance Service of Norway. NLA operates eight of Norway’s 11 air ambulance helicopter bases.
The systems will be installed in the company’s ten EC135s and one EC 145 by Heli-One. It is classified as a ‘minor’ modification under their EASA Part 21 J approval (EASEA GM 21A.91), and will include design verification testing, non-ingression verification, antenna radiation pattern and crosstalk prevention as well as mechanical and structural systems assessments. No STC will be needed.
Norwegian Air Ambulance Fleet Manager, Lasse Dahl, said of the selection: “It has long been a request from our EMS personnel to be able to communicate as if they were all in the helicopter also when operating outside of the aircraft during a rescue mission. Through tests, Polycon has proven to us that it will provide our operative units with this ability, even over longer distances and under difficult environmental conditions.”