Freight helicopters are to help lorries bypass motorway queues
1 April 2019
Last week, the management of Danske Fragtmænd decided to invest in two large freight helicopters which are to airlift Danske Fragtmænd lorries over motorway queues. The helicopters start operating already next week.
- It is our experience that the roads are becoming increasingly crowded, causing long queues which has a negative effect on both us and our customers. For this reason, we feel the need for radical action and we have explored various types of solutions. Amazon has previously considered delivery by drone which naturally inspired us. However, it will be no surprise to anyone that this would not work for us as our goods are too heavy to be carried by drones. We have therefore had to scale up the solution and are, as the alternative, investing in two freight helicopters which are to cover eastern and western Denmark, respectively, says Peter Sørensen, Sales Director.
With their strategic location, a maximum waiting time of ten minutes is guaranteed from the time when assistance is called for.
- At the practical level, we will equip all lorries with a crowd button which may be activated once the lorry is caught in a queue. This will signal the nearest helicopter which may then follow the location of the lorry by way of GPS. Each helicopter will be manned by a pilot and a hoist operator who will be lowered down to tie a rope around the lorry. The pilot may then chose to fly the lorry ahead of the queue or fly it all the way to the customer’s address. There is no doubt that this will provide both us and our customers with competitive advantages, explains Peter Sørensen.
During February and March, Danske Fragtmænd undertook a test run to try out and develop the new helicopter. To be able to test its operation in strong winds, most test flights were made across the Great Belt Bridge.
Photo of one of the many test flights across the Great Belt Bridge.
New course in the autumn training catalogue
Having acquired this presence in the sky, the staff requires an entirely new skillset and, for this reason, Danske Fragtmænd has recruited staff from the Royal Danish Air Force and the Royal Danish Navy.
- Obviously, at present, we do not have staff with the right skillset and we have, therefore, called in external reinforcements to undertake these operations for the remainder of this year. In the longer term, this solution is too costly and the 2019 autumn training catalogue will, therefore, include a seven-day pilot and hoist operator training course which is offered in collaboration with Karup Squadron 522. In that way, we ensure that, going forward, Danske Fragtmænd will have the right staff for this very demanding operation, says Frederik Madsbjerg, Head of HR, who, due to his military background, has been given the responsibility for this new department along with the title of tactical flight commander.
Danske Fragtmænd expects that the helicopters will start operating already next week.
With their strategic location, a maximum waiting time of ten minutes is guaranteed from the time when assistance is called for.
- At the practical level, we will equip all lorries with a crowd button which may be activated once the lorry is caught in a queue. This will signal the nearest helicopter which may then follow the location of the lorry by way of GPS. Each helicopter will be manned by a pilot and a hoist operator who will be lowered down to tie a rope around the lorry. The pilot may then chose to fly the lorry ahead of the queue or fly it all the way to the customer’s address. There is no doubt that this will provide both us and our customers with competitive advantages, explains Peter Sørensen.
During February and March, Danske Fragtmænd undertook a test run to try out and develop the new helicopter. To be able to test its operation in strong winds, most test flights were made across the Great Belt Bridge.
Photo of one of the many test flights across the Great Belt Bridge.
New course in the autumn training catalogue
Having acquired this presence in the sky, the staff requires an entirely new skillset and, for this reason, Danske Fragtmænd has recruited staff from the Royal Danish Air Force and the Royal Danish Navy.
- Obviously, at present, we do not have staff with the right skillset and we have, therefore, called in external reinforcements to undertake these operations for the remainder of this year. In the longer term, this solution is too costly and the 2019 autumn training catalogue will, therefore, include a seven-day pilot and hoist operator training course which is offered in collaboration with Karup Squadron 522. In that way, we ensure that, going forward, Danske Fragtmænd will have the right staff for this very demanding operation, says Frederik Madsbjerg, Head of HR, who, due to his military background, has been given the responsibility for this new department along with the title of tactical flight commander.
Danske Fragtmænd expects that the helicopters will start operating already next week.
