Norway is to establish an international test facility for zero- and low-emission aircraft that could see trials of cargo flights take place between Bergen and Stavanger in the second half of next year.
Parties involved in the effort include the Norwegian Civil Aviation Authority, airport operator Avinor, electric aircraft developer Beta Technologies, and Bristow AS – the local subsidiary of helicopter operator Bristow Group – having signed a letter of intent on 10 December.
Initially, the partners will collaborate to build a concept of operations for cargo transport, with the aim of performing test flights in a “regulatory sandbox” in Norway in the second half of 2025.
Avinor says the test flights will take place between Bergen and Stavanger, located around 85nm (155km) apart on Norway’s west coast. Bristow has bases at both sites serving the offshore oil and gas industry.
“The goal of this process is to test, learn, prepare and prove the viability of advanced air mobility operations in a controlled environment,” it says.
Transport minister Jon-Ivar Nygard says the agreement shows that Norway is “an attractive market for the early introduction of new technologies”.
Lars Kobberstad, director of the Norwegian CAA, says the test environment will be developed with input from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency.
“Bristow is proud to be part of this important opportunity for Norway to lead the development of sustainable aviation technology,” says David Stepanek, Bristow’s executive vice-president, chief transformation officer.
“By collaborating with key industry players, we will gain valuable experience that will help shape the future of aviation.”
Bristow has commitments – both firm and tentative – with multiple developers for advanced air mobility vehicles, including five firm orders, plus 50 options, for Beta’s electric vertical take-off and landing ALIA A250 aircraft.
However, it is unclear whether that model or the conventional take-off and landing CX300 – which has already demonstrated range of 336nm – will be used for the trials.
