ICG pilot and captain Jens Sigurdarson: “Flying has not been a problem for us during the recent eruptions where we have had flowing lava streams.”


On the job


The ICG crews work on one-week shifts, which amounts to 168 hours. “They are on standby from home and must live within a 15 km (9.4 mile) radius from the airport,” Lárusson said, “It’s a 7-day on, 7-day off system. Each week, a flight plan is created to outline all scheduled flights, including training, law enforcement or other missions. Crews must be prepared to respond to scrambles as they occur, which may require the cancellation or


rescheduling


of


previously


scheduled


flights. Technicians work daytime and overtime when needed. Our aim is always to have all of them licensed and certified for both line and base maintenance on our helicopter fleet.”


Despite labor market shortages, all positions within the Icelandic unit have been filled. The ICG’s annual budget allows for six helicopter crews, which gives around 75% availability for two crews year-round. The director general


indicates


he


needs


seven


crews increase crew availability to over 95%.


The ICG has a very low turnaround of personnel. Lárusson considers this extraordinary, saying, “This is likely the most desirable job for helicopter pilots here in Iceland. However, each helicopter pilot accumulates around 200 flight hours per year, which is very low. It takes copilots many years to advance to commander.”


to


The ICG maintenance program schedules one H225 for maintenance at a time. Technicians work daytime and overtime when needed. The aim is always to have all of them licensed and certified for both line and base maintenance on the helicopter fleet.


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