Alexa Rexroth

Kopter amassed firm orders for 23 of its all-composite SH09 light single helicopters, and options for 11 more, on Tuesday at Heli-Expo 2018. At list prices, the deals with launch customers Paradise Helicopters, Helitrans of Norway, and Elling Halvorson as well as Safomar Aviation&nbsp;are worth $119 million, if all options are exercised. A mockup of the Helitrans SH09 is also on display at Kopter’s Heli-Expo booth (N4615).

 


Helitrans AS, one of the largest helicopter operators in Norway, signed a firm order for 12 SH09s, with options for six more. “The unobstructed cabin and modern ergonomics of the SH09 will profit both our crew and most importantly our clients, while enabling us to aim for new markets and helicopter activities. We are looking forward to benefitting from the high performance of the helicopter but also to benefit from its lower cost of operations brought by modern technology and the right philosophy,” said Helitrans manager Richard Simonsen.

 


The order from Helitrans "allows us to solidly increase our firm order book so as to ensure the production gear-up for the first two to three years,” according to Kopter CEO Andreas Löewenstein.

 


Meanwhile, Hawaii's Paradise Helicopters signed for four SH09s. At the order ceremony, Paradise Helicopters CEO Calvin Dorn said the capabilities of the SH09 and its Honeywell HTS900 engine offer "an exciting and efficient means to expand our unique air tour and charter packages." Löewenstein expressed a sense of satisfaction with Paradise’s order, saying, “The fact that Paradise Helicopters in Hawaii has selected to operate our helicopter is an indication of the trust important operators have in Kopter and of the wide range of application the helicopter is capable of handling."

 


Elling Halvorson, of the Halvorson Company, sealed a deal for five SH09s and options for a further five. The company's SH09s would initially be used for its Rainier Heli Lift International operation. “About eight years ago, Marenco [now Kopter] showed up on the Heli-Expo floor, and I told my family that it was an aircraft we needed to take a strong look at," said Halvorson. "We are proud to be a part of the first family to take some of the aircraft. We’re going to use them at Rainier Heli Lift. The SH09 has a big future in the tourism industry."

 


Late yesterday, Kopter announced that South Africa's Safomar Aviation placed an order for two SH09s and is discussing the possibility of representing Kopter for sales and support in the country. "We believe that the Safomar Aviation Group is best positioned to promote and sell this ground-breaking product and we look forward to growing the product and relationship in southern Africa with Kopter," said Safomar CEO Shai Shalem.

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Kopter Wins $119M in Orders from SH09 Launch Customers

Kopter announced orders placed by Helitrans, Paradise Helicopters, and Elling Halvorson for its SH09 on Tuesday at Heli-Expo 2018.

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