Hoist Operations

When helicopters are unable to land, we hoist! Both cargo and passengers can be hoisted.

How? The helicopter hovers in the air and the hoist operator lowers down the passenger, using a winch mounted on the side of the helicopter. Transferring passengers by way of hoisting is a special operation, and we have special authorisation to perform such operations.

To this date we have performed more than 16,000 successful hoist operations.

We fly from Esbjerg Airport to Horns Rev I offshore wind park. Since the wind turbines are large, the ‘drop off’ takes place app. 80 metres above sea level and can take place in wind speeds up to approx. 22 m/sec.
See video

Helicopter hoist is also used when transferring people or cargo to ships. We are experienced in hoisting with a stretcher to/ from ships as well as offshore wind parks. If a person is injured, the weather conditions can eliminate or complicate other forms of transportation.

Team work
Performing hoist operations requires team work and coordination between pilot and hoist operator. It requires education and thorough training of everyone involved to ensure that everything goes as planned.

The helicopter
The type of helicopter used for the hoist operations is a Eurocopter EC135, which is the same type of helicopter used for emergency medical service in most of Europe.