CHC Helicopter has announced the launch of ClearSkies, the industry’s first “lowest carbon” rotary wing flight planning software, developed to enhance the sustainability of its flight operations.
ClearSkies has been developed and tested in-house by experienced CHC technical pilots. It has been incorporated into the company’s Operational Flight Planning System (OFPS) to reduce fuel use and optimise CO2 emission reductions.
The software maps the most fuel-efficient routes, considering factors like helicopter type, distance, altitude, weight, and weather conditions at the time of flight. It offers a reduction in CO2 emissions of at least 5%, with no noticeable change in customer flight programmes.
“The aviation industry has an important role to play in reducing global emissions and we’re proud to spearhead more sustainable flights and a reduction of our carbon footprint in the helicopter sector,” said Jørn Madsen, chief executive of CHC.
ClearSkies is available for international customers on CHC’s AW139, AW189 and S92 fleets, and further rollouts are planned for the H175 fleet. CHC is using the software already for some of its customers like Shell UK. Additionally, CHC will provide regular reports to ClearSkies users on their flight optimisation and verified reductions in fuel use and CO2 emissions.
As part of the ClearSkies programme, CHC is also introducing SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel), providing an alternative for customers with lower carbon. Using SAF will result in a typical reduction in lifecycle carbon emissions by about 80%, compared to traditional jet fuel.
SAF is available at CHC bases in Norway, Scotland, and the Netherlands. Further rollouts are planned elsewhere in the next few months. Selected offshore locations will also have SAF available as a customer option later this year, due to a partnership between Air bp and Swire Energy Services.
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