The Viking Sky Norway Rescue

Karl Fessenden, CEO, CHC

Helicopter
CHC Helicopter
• 50+ years Search and Rescue (SAR)
experience
• One of the world’s most extensive and
technologically sophisticated SAR
networks
• Provide support for government agencies
such as Norwegian Ministry of Justice,
and oil and gas customers
• Operate day and night, in all weather
conditions

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Viking Sky

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Video

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The Rescue
• Two CHC all-weather SAR Sikorsky S-92s
• Two CHC all-weather SAR Airbus 332s
• Two Royal Norwegian Air Force Sea Kings
• Plus two CHC S-92 SAR support aircraft

• 18-hour operation
• 21 flights
• 460 people airlifted

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Hagland Captain

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Excellence where it counts

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Lessons Learned

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Lesson 1: Investment in standards matter
Operating a single, global management system allowed our
team to work together safely during a non-routine scenario.
• 12 pilots
• Seven hoist operators
• Seven rescue swimmers One
• One system operator global
• Three engineers standard
• Numerous onshore personnel

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Lesson 2: Investment in capability pays off
The significant SAR capability contracted in Norway helped ensure
the effectiveness of this operation.

• Level 1 – All-weather SAR

• Equipped for day, night, land, boat, and open water rescues
• Crewed by two pilots, a qualified hoist operator, and a qualified
rescue person

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Lesson 3: Investment in technology is critical
We flew our aircraft in non-routine roles, which meant our crews
needed reliable technology to stay in position and get the job
done.
• 4-axis auto hover • Icing protection systems and
• Weather radar rotor de-ice
• FLIR thermal imaging • Night vision goggles
• Digital maps • iSAR
• Dual rescue hoists • AIMS

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Lesson 4: No substitute for investment in training
We completed this complex mission because our people were
ready. This is partially because we encourage them to step outside
of simulators and sterile training environments.

• Rigorous live training across multiple disciplines

• Regular and recurrent training in all conditions
• Highlights the need for multiple agencies to conduct joint
training

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SAR Working Group
Safety Through Collaboration
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