The European Helicopter Center is a school a little out of the ordinary. Every year, they train helicopter pilots from Norway and Europe, who often go on to some of the country's most important jobs. They saw the need for a partner in accounting and payroll, and the choice fell on Azets. We are proud to present one of our interesting customers and their journey!
If you dream of being able to fly, you are not alone. For some, the dream is extra strong. Then the trip often goes to Torp outside Sandefjord. Here is the European Helicopter Center, which is now Northern Europe's largest vocational school for helicopter pilots.
Dedicated helicopter pilots
The school is almost 30 years old, and after a necessary restructuring in 2016, the school can now invest in new helicopters, with a price of up to 20 million for the largest machine. We have talked to the general manager Anette K. Haldorsen about what it is like to run such a special company - and whether she is afraid of flying.
The answer to the last question is simple: No! On the contrary, she calls herself a very good passenger, and often uses the opportunity to join in the air. She never stops marveling at how dedicated helicopter pilots are. They can show up with a distant mind, but as soon as they approach the helicopter, it's like turning on a switch.
I have not met any other people who are so focused on their job anywhere else
The students at the school come from many different countries. The vast majority of the nearly 70 students are boys and the proportion is fairly stable, but there are also many girls who dream of becoming a helicopter pilot.
A large network of pilots
The EHC is training crews for the entire spectrum of civilian helicopter traffic. Anette sees former students everywhere. In air ambulances, police helicopters and offshore, industrial construction, in inspections on the power grid, and also various types of emergency preparedness. If a forest fire is on the news, the chances are good that she knows the pilot. The students are attractive employees.
I become proud every time one of our former students gets a new job - because then we have trained pilots with the right qualifications and attitude.
EHC has 17 full-time employees, 11 helicopters and a boarding school with almost 40 students - not exactly a standard business. When Anette took over as general manager, she already knew the students and staff well, after several years as marketing manager. It became important to allow the instructors to concentrate on their subject - flying and handling the helicopter. She is proud that they have managed to build a team that takes care of each other, both "inside and outside the machine", in an industry that can be tough.
- The better we are structured as an organization, the less the instructors need to worry about the operations. Then they can concentrate on the people and the academics. When we get happy students who do well, and at the same time manage to drive efficiently, the bottom line comes by itself.
Less time spent on accounting means more time in the air
As the new head of the company, she took over an organization that needed to change. Previously, the school had also taken flight assignments, in parallel with the school. Now they stood on their own two feet and had to create a simpler structure - the administration had to be slimmed down. She quickly realized that they needed external help on the financial side. The answer was Azets.
- Azets has been involved since we started on this journey in 2016. We outsourced accounting and payroll, and they have been involved in all the streamlining and simplification we had to go through. It has been some demanding days, but now they know us well. And that is crucial for us being able to operate efficiently, no matter what happens.
The close collaboration became extra important when the helicopter school had to close during the pandemic. The school managed to close down the same day as the message came - and to open up the same day they received the clear signal. Anette believes that a small administration, where everyone knows their role, was an important part of the reason.
Vocational schools had to close down completely. Nevertheless, we managed to make a profit in 2020, despite the extreme challenges the corona created.
With profits and control of the economy, it became possible for the school to renew the helicopter park. They are phasing out helicopters with two seats and switching to four-seater, Robinson R44, which makes it easier to utilize the machinery more efficiently - with longer range and larger machines. The latest pride is called the Airbus H135, an advanced twin-engine helicopter that is also used by the air ambulance. With the help of Azets, we got the opportunity to really upgrade our helicopters. For us, this is a great achievement, she smiles.
With the help of Azets, we got the opportunity to really upgrade our helicopters. For us, this is a great achievement.
It was recently announced that former professional dancer Jørgen Nilsen, known from the victory with Helene Olafsen in the Norwegian “Strictly Come Dancing” in 2017, has changed directions and is now a trained helicopter pilot. Anette does not close the door for the people who can dream of a different job than the one we have, with a far better view.
- We have students of all ages and from all over Europe. For some, the dream never goes away, and we understand that well: Flying a helicopter is simply very cool.
Facts about the collaboration
What services has Azets provided
Azets does the accounting, takes care of the payroll and helps with HR. In our own administration, there is only the subject leader and me as general manager. We have contact with Azets almost every day, a lot goes by email, but we also have common tools. In Azets Cozone, we have everything on one platform, such as accounting reports, reimbursements and invoices.
What challenges has Azets solved?
Azets was with us through an important and demanding reorganization, where the administration had to be streamlined. It is a lot of work to outsource the accounting function. I thought many times that it couldn’t possibly pay off, but when we came out on the other side, we saw how useful it was to be so flexible. In 2020, we had to turn around quickly, and we have managed that together.
How does the collaboration with Azets work - something special you want to highlight?
The reason why we are satisfied with Azets is continuity and willingness to understand our company. You have to understand what we do to be able to do it right. We have large machines worth many millions and student accounts for young people, which is a demanding mix. For us, the key has been the good collaboration with our permanent contact person.