-KATHMANDU
In a bid to set a new benchmark in Nepal’s aviation sector, Simrik Air Pvt Ltd expanded its fleet number by four with the addition of the Airbus H125s helicopter to its fleet.
Simrik Air new H125 (former AS350 B3e)-MSN 8482 is planned to be introduced by the third week of October this year and will operate within Nepal for commercial flight purpose. Currently, the aircraft is in Singapore and is planned to arrive in Nepal as a ferry flight from Singapore to Kathmandu Airport. The rotor aircraft is the new version AS 350 B3e and has full glass integrated cockpit.
The aircraft is expected to leave from Airbus Helicopter Southeast Asia, Singapore on 11th of October and land Nepal via transiting in Surat Thani of Thailand, Yangon in Myanmar, and Dhaka in Bangladesh following Biratnagar in Eastern Nepal.
Officials from Simrik Air have departed to Singapore on Wednesday to take the delivery of the brand new H125 chopper. Teams including Flight Crews, Licensed Engineer, and the official from Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) are in the team for receiving the additional aircraft. The new H125 will land at Tribhuvan International Airport under the command of Captain Bivek Khadka.
After the documentation process has been accomplished from the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) it has allocated ‘9N-AKD’ Nepalese registration for addition H125 aircraft.
In near future, the airline has planned to add one H125 and four Russian manufactured helicopters. After adding those fleets, it is anticipated to be the second largest helicopter company in Nepal.
The H125 ‘is an integration of reliability, speed, performance, and comfort that takes heed to an array of missions and payloads’. The mission profile for the H125 in Nepal varies from passenger transport and emergency medical services (EMS) to load carrying. The missions require the H125 to be flown above 20,000 feet in hot conditions on a regular basis.
The specifications of H125 include Turbomeca Arriel 2D turboshaft engine that delivers exceptional hot and high performance at the high altitude about (23,000 feet AMSL) all over the world with the ability to cruise at 132 kts/245 km/h. Its spacious cabin has six seats in single pilot operations. For added passenger comfort, the H125 also provides flawlessly in Aerial Sightseeing, Mountain Flights, Rescue Evacuation, Corporate Charter, Sling Operations, and High altitude operations and also provides a very quiet and smooth ride in virtually all weather conditions.
Although AS350 series helicopters have been flying in Nepal for a number of years, the first H125 was delivered there in 2012. In that brief
time, Private and Government Companies including the Nepalese Army, Shree Airlines, Simrik Air, Fishtail Air, Air Dynasty, Heli Everest, Mountain Helicopters, Altitude Air, and Manang Air have collectively logged more than 50,000 flying hours with their combined H125 fleet which is a milestone that was recognized by Airbus at Rotorcraft Asia earlier this year.
Established in 2001, Simrik Air is a leading helicopter company in the country with the superior track record in high altitude rescue services, recreational tours, and adventure tourism. “With additional brand H125 helicopter now in service, Simrik Air will be one of the foremost and responsible helicopter companies in Nepal to provide the best and secure service in all sectors.”
