Linking Two Capitals Including the JAR-OPS Sub

41621Y_Vaisala156 6.4.2001 10:09 Sivu 24 The Copterline helicopter service is far superior in speed to ferries on the Helsinki-Tallinn route. Located 80 km from Helsinki, the Estonian capital Tallinn attracts 6–7 million Finnish travelers a year. Ritva Siikamäki, M.A. Copy/Marketing Specialist Upper Air Division Vaisala Helsinki Finland opterline can boast that it offers the world’s quickest con- C nection between two capitals,” says Mr. Janne Rönnbäck, the manager of route traffic services at Copterline and a qualified helicopter pilot himself. By helicopter, the 80-kilome- ter trip from Helsinki, Finland to Tallinn, Estonia takes only 18 minutes. This means that passengers save more than two hours each way compared with the standard airline service between the airports. Consequent- ly, the new helicopter service is highly appreciated by busy travelers who need to cross the Gulf of Finland frequently on business trips. According to Mr. Rönnbäck, some 1 million business trips are made annually between Helsinki and Tallinn, of which Copterline catered for around 30,000 in its first year of operating the route. The number of passengers is expected to rise to 60,000 next year. Although this is only a fraction of the total number of trips on this route, he stresses that Copterline has suc- ceeded very well in meeting the needs of their target group, business travelers. And they have also met their reliability targets. Impressive track record Backed by its 40 years of expe- rience, Copterline is the only helicopter operator in Finland to be approved by the Finnish Civil Aviation Authority for Scheduled Route and IFR PHOTO COURTESYPHOTO OF COPTERLINE. (Instrument Flight Rules) operations. In recognition of its outstanding record for aviation safety, the company was grant- ed the Helicopter Association International’s 1999 Operator Safety Award in August 2000. Fast helicopter transportation The Helsinki–Tallinn route operations have been organized and implemented in accor- dance with the new European JAR-OPS3 flight regulations, Linking Two Capitals including the JAR-OPS Sub- 24 156/2001 41621Y_Vaisala156 6.4.2001 10:09 Sivu 25 Copterline Oy, the oldest and most experienced helicopter operator in Finland, started scheduled route traffic between Helsinki and Tallinn in May 2000. Accurate weather data for safe jour- neys and landings is provided by a Vaisala Aviation Weather Reporter AW11 system, serv- ing at both ends of the route. part M maintenance require- High winds and storms do not Janne Rönnbäck manages the Copterline route traffic operations between ments. Mr. Rönnbäck notes stop helicopter traffic as easily Helsinki and Tallinn that have got off to a flying start (pictured at the that Copterline was the first he- as other means of transporta- Copterline hangar at Malmi airport, Finland). licopter company in the world tion. Helicopters can take off to meet these regulations in in- safely in conditions that leave ternational route operations boats, ferries and catamarans and that the maintenance re- stranded at their terminals. For sors with the data processing nearest airport. This would quirements are especially chal- instance, on a very stormy day and transmitting functions. It mean referring to the weather lenging. last May, when the ferry traffic measures all the weather para- data of Malmi or Helsinki- Operating a fleet of 14 heli- had to stop altogether, a record meters needed in aviation and Vantaa airport, located at quite copters, Copterline has be- number of passengers made reports the prevailing weather a distance from the heliport. If come well known in Finland their trip with Copterline. On conditions (sky condition, visi- this were the case, problems for its emergency medical mis- the same day, another record bility, QFE, QNH, wind speed might arise since both heliports sions. The Medi-Heli heli- was broken. Thanks to a tail and direction) to pilots by are located by the sea, where copters are “flying ambulances” wind, the trip from Tallinn to radio. “We must remember that weather conditions tend to dif- that carry medical equipment Helsinki took only 14 minutes! pilots are interested, above all, fer from the situation several and personnel onboard. More- “It may come as a surprise in the weather data rather than kilometers inland and can also over, Copterline operates mul- that a fairly strong wind is ideal the beauty of the system’s tech- change very quickly. tifunctional search and rescue for flying a helicopter,” says nical features. Ease of use and “If data on the actual weath- helicopters, staffed according Mr. Rönnbäck. In fact, he data availability are the most er at the heliport was not avail- to the requirements of specific points out that if the weather essential aspects of the system able in real time, our opera- emergencies. Copterline also turns really rough, he would for us,” notes Mr. Rönnbäck. tions might be restricted,” offers helicopter maintenance rather fly a helicopter than an If it were not for these sys- notes Mr. Rönnbäck. “But in services, and flies various spe- airplane, since helicopters are tems, the helicopter pilots this case, safety and reliability cial missions such as for aerial less sensitive to the vagaries of would have to rely on the are both enhanced by the accu- photography, transportation of the weather. Only extremely weather data supplied by the rate and reliable weather data.” construction materials, and foggy weather and freezing rain I liming to fight acidification of will prevent them from flying. water bodies. “However, the But even though helicopters focus of operations is clearly on can be flown in practically all route traffic, which constitutes weather, he emphasizes that the bulk of the company’s weather cannot be ignored in turnover,” says Mr. Rönnbäck. helicopter operations. On the Investments of nearly FIM contrary, accurate and real-time 100 million were required to weather data is essential for heli- start the regular scheduled pas- copter pilots before each take- senger service. Copterline built off and landing. Mr. Rönnbäck terminals and heliports at the stresses that the Vaisala Aviation ports of Helsinki and Tallinn, Weather Reporter System brings recruited terminal staff and remarkable added value in strengthened its fleet with two terms of safety, since the pilots Sikorsky 76 C+ helicopters. now have accurate real-time Featuring twin turbine engines weather data at their disposal all and dual digital autopilot, the the time. “The AW11 System is Sikorsky 76 C+ helicopter seats a cost-effective, comprehensive 12 passengers. Its maximum and reliable solution, that serves speed is 287 kilometers per our pilots very well,” says Mr. hour and its range is up to 800 Rönnbäck. km. AW11 for weather Superior in speed measurement and reliability The data supplied by the AW11 Mr. Rönnbäck points out that systems is crucial to the traffic helicopters offer outstanding between Helsinki and Tallinn. maneuverability in confined The compact Aviation Weather areas and are superior not only Reporter System (AW11) inte- in speed but also in reliability. grates the meteorological sen- The Vaisala Aviation Weather Reporter AW11 provides measurements of weather parameters for Copterline helicopter pilots at both the Helsinki and Tallinn heliports (pictured at Tallinn Heliport at Linnahall, Estonia). 156/2001 25.

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