King Shaka International Airport abbreviated KSIA, is the primary airport serving Durban, South Africa. Located in La Mercy, KwaZulu-Natal, approximately 35 km (22 mi) north of the city centre of Durban, it opened its doors to passengers on 1 May 2010, just over a month before the start of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. It replaced Durban International Airport (ICAO: FADN) and uses the same IATA airport code. The airport forms part of the Dube TradePort, which will additionally consist of a trade zone... King Shaka International Airport abbreviated KSIA, is the primary airport serving Durban, South Africa. Located in La Mercy, KwaZulu-Natal, approximately 35 km (22 mi) north of the city centre of Durban, it opened its doors to passengers on 1 May 2010, just over a month before the start of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. It replaced Durban International Airport (ICAO: FADN) and uses the same IATA airport code. The airport forms part of the Dube TradePort, which will additionally consist of a trade zone linked to the airport's cargo terminal, facilities to support the airport such as nearby offices and transit accommodation for tourists, an integrated agricultural export zone, and an IT platformThe largest aircraft KSIA currently has scheduled services for is the Boeing 777-300ER, with Emirates operating Dubai–Durban, despite the fact that KSIA's runway length and terminal were designed to theoretically handle regular large airliners. In September 2015, during the World Routes Conference which was held in Durban (the first time on African soil), Turkish Airlines announced a new international service to Istanbul and Qatar Airways announced the commencement of service to Doha in December of that year.
GENERAL This scenery is based around Vetlemoen Heliport, Airlift AS' base in Kinsarvik, and Statkraft (National Energy Company) facilities in the surrounding area. Kinsarvik is a part of a scenic area known as Hardanger in Norway. Hardanger is home to Folgefonna, Norway's third largest glacier, fjords, mountains, and the popular Trolltunga (Troll's Tongue). ABOUT AIRLIFT BASE KINSARVIK – ENW1V Vetlemoen Heliport was established in 1987 and includes a hangar and a small housing complex... GENERAL This scenery is based around Vetlemoen Heliport, Airlift AS' base in Kinsarvik, and Statkraft (National Energy Company) facilities in the surrounding area. Kinsarvik is a part of a scenic area known as Hardanger in Norway. Hardanger is home to Folgefonna, Norway's third largest glacier, fjords, mountains, and the popular Trolltunga (Troll's Tongue). ABOUT AIRLIFT BASE KINSARVIK – ENW1V Vetlemoen Heliport was established in 1987 and includes a hangar and a small housing complex for the crews on duty. The hangar can fit 5 AS350/H125 helicopters but is usually serving 2-3 of them. Additionally, an A109E used for Human External Cargo (HEC) operations is based in Kinsarvik. In Kinsarvik the Airlift Part-145 organization can provide line-maintenance for the AS350/H125 and the A109E, as well as base-maintenance for the AS350/H125. The maximum permitted D-value is 13. 1m, SAR/POLICE/HOSP exempt. The Super Puma drops by sometimes, on special approval from the authorities. SAR and HEMS operators regularly visit to refuel (AW101/H135/H145). The heliport uses the Norwegian G-class airspace unicom frequency of 123. 500MHz. See appendix A for recommended approach and departure routes. The South-Eastern approach/departure is particularly scenic, taking you over the amazing waterfalls of Husedalen valley. ABOUT AIRLIFT AS Airlift AS was founded in 1986, and acquired local Kinsarvik helicopter company, Helikopterteneste, in 1999. As of March 2025, Airlift AS operates the following fleet:
18 AS350/H125 3 AW169 1 A109E 1 AS332C
Airlift has bases at Bringeland (Main base), Kinsarvik, Flesland, Hovden, Kjevik, Torp, Gardermoen, Frosta, Tromsø and Hammerfest. The AS350 is the workhorse of the onshore helicopter market in Norway, and Airlift's onshore operation is focused on Helicopter External Sling-Load Operations (HESLO), commonly known as longline (or utility) operations. The main driving force for onshore helicopter operations in Norway is the energy sector and is mainly focused on the hydroelectric industry. Helicopters are used in all phases of hydroelectric infrastructure construction and maintenance in areas not accessible by roads. This ranges from flying building materials for concrete formwork, concrete, foundations for powerline towers, assembly of powerline towers, stringing of powerlines, to later support of the same infrastructure. Other uses are photo/filming, powerline inspections, geological survey flights, shipborne expeditions, arctic operations, charter and sightseeing. Kinsarvik is strategically placed by the Hardangervidda plateau, which is also a National Park. There are a lot of cabins in that area, and they use helicopters from Kinsarvik to resupply provisions. The A109E is used for HEC-operations, primarily installing and changing powerline obstacle marker balls. The nature of this operation means that the A109E is rarely in Kinsarvik, except for line-maintenance. Airlift's 3 AW169s operate on a contract for the Norwegian Coastal Administration for Marine Pilot Operations in Bergen and Hammerfest, as well as in support of the Police in Northern Norway. The Marine Pilot Operation is a Helicopter Hoist Operation and is flown day or night (NVG) VFR and IFR. The AS332C is used as a heavy lifter and specializes in global flare-tip change operations for offshore installations. ABOUT THE INCLUDED HELIPADS The mountains around Mauranger are well suited to use water run-off from the glacier and is home to a complex infrastructure of power stations and reservoirs. It holds several sites related to a vast network of tunnels for water between the reservoirs, where valves can be opened and closed to steer water where it is needed for power generation. Several of those sites are included in this package. Typical missions are flying personnel and equipment from Mauranger Hydroelectric Power Station to the various sites. Below is a listing of the included sites. See Appendix B for an overview of some of the infrastructure in the area. Additionally, a helipad near the scenic Trolltunga is included. This was built used for ease of transportation of Statkraft personnel from Ringedalen.
SIMULATOR TECHNICAL DETAILS The helicopter parkings should be spawnable with the Asobo H125, but may not work with other helicopter types. There are also included spawnable areas for float planes near each site. There are also included spawnable areas for float-planes near each site.